I am Lekan Aliu and I attended the University of Lagos where I studied English language. In July of 2003, I graduated with a CGPA of 4.55. During my first session, I had a CGPA of 4.54. In order to maintain my grades, I put in a lot of effort and remained consistent with God’s great help. If the truth be told, any remarkable feat requires an extra effort. The ‘great man’ thesis is a myth. Though we are differently endowed and some people start out better than others, ultimately, if you want something remarkable, you would have to do the extra time. It is the extra that differentiates between ‘the good’ and ‘the great’. I have a couple of mentors for different facets of my life. Academically, it was Dr Harry Olufunwa; Spiritually, Rev. Olusola A. Areogun etc. A sense of priority is important for any kind of progress.  So, yes, there will be certain trade-offs, if you would achieve your goal. If it were easy every one will be making a first class. It requires sacrifice. So you might have to consider certain things as extraneous and therefore, not the best use of your time. That said, however, it is possible to make a first class and still have a life. In sum, I think the view that people on a first class often face their books and rarely have time for non-academic things, is an exaggerated stereotype. In my opinion, success is attractive, and it gives you opportunities. Anyone can be what they want to be, if they do what needs to be done at the right time, and believe God too. If I could have done so, anyone else can. I sure don’t have two heads, and neither do others who have made a first class in the past. My advice to aspiring students is “Start early and stay consistent!” 

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