You know you are in Moi University when everyone seems to have their own ‘opening date’, a statement I ‘heard’ or rather a comment I passionately contributed to in a recent Facebook update by Moi Uni Pals, a Facebook group. Call it comical, absurd or plain madness but coming to campus way after the opening date has become the ‘new common’, the order of every semester!
For starters, this being a public university, it is really not some big surprise. It would be a bit odd if it were a private university like Daystar or USIU where students not only start their classes as per the stipulated date but are able to book for classes and even secure their hostel rooms online days before the semester begins.
The worst times, and I believe I speak for many students, is the beginning of a new academic year where students even step on campus grounds after two months! (Halfway through the semester)
Most of us come to see our classmates when CATs begin and we get to know them personally when group assignments start checking in...that is when we realise that there is a Mbugua or an Achieng’ or even the reigning Miss Moi or the current MUSO Chair in your class! Many of us, especially those who are fond of missing classes and in some weird way their legs are allergic to campus grounds, examination times present the best opportunity to cram the little notes we have(if we have them, which is highly doubtful) and have to know our lecturers by name and also capture all the course codes!
For some, coming early to campus is too ‘highschoolish’ (don’t mind my English).Others just want to enjoy their freedom in totality and what better way than to flaunt rules! For the rest of us, we just cannot imagine being in school while the rest of our friends are still at home or some other place! Though all these reasons have some emblem of truth in them, there are more genuine reasons that we can all freely bank on. Like:
Mindset: ‘No one ever comes early, why should I change the tradition?’No wonder all inspirational speakers say, ‘it is all in the mind!’
Laxity: Classes hardly start on time and even if they did, lecturers usually give up by the 3rd day, after all, who wants to teach a class with 2% of students and 98% of empty chairs!
Time factor: We all know that our lives do not revolve around campus so most students attend to other more pressing matters like attachment, jobs and other academic commitments or just opt to stay home until classes begin officially which makes one wonder: ‘Are opening dates not official enough?’
This semester we were to report on 9th of this month. Were you there or I have just informed you now or a concerned friend had to post on your facebook wall in capital letters alerting you of a class in progress? Which begs the question...is this semester just like any other?
What is really the big issue here...is it that public universities are ineffective and full bureaucracy just like most government institutions or us...students, who largely set the pace and unknowingly set the tone for how things are run all academic year?
At the back of our minds we all know we are creating a certain kind of society, a way of life, a lifestyle that we are not even aware of or are aware but just don’t have the time to really pause and think about it.
I’m sure that no one wants to be the employee who will always be summoned by the boss every other time for laxity or who will never be leaders for having the habit of always doing what everyone else is doing just to maintain the ‘status quo’!
Yet, we sometimes think success is about getting a job after graduating which pays a six figure salary to buy the most expensive car and finally have the chance of keeping up with the latest fashion like most celebrities! Well, guess what my friends, true success begins with good character, like punctuality and upholding rules such as honouring dates, because after all, it is the little things that matter. Remember:
1. Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself-Daniel J.
2. Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow-Clifford Stoll
3. Education is simply the soul of society as it passes from one generation to another-William Butter
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