A University of Abuja student, Paul David, has shared the discipline, study habits and personal sacrifices that helped him achieve a perfect 5.0 CGPA in his second semester of 100 level.
David, a Computer Science student who is currently in 200 level, spoke with Nigeria Education News on his academic journey, describing the achievement as the outcome of consistency, determination and a conscious effort to avoid distractions.
Asked whether he had always believed he could attain such a result, David said the possibility had never been in doubt.
“I always knew,” he said.
According to him, the confidence came from his academic background and his determination to maintain the standard he had built before gaining admission into the university.
He explained that beyond attending lectures, he devoted considerable time to personal study and regularly revised course materials to strengthen his understanding of different subjects.
David said one of the most important decisions he made as an undergraduate was learning how to manage his time and prioritize activities that contributed to his academic growth.
“There are many social events in the university that I know about,” he said. “But I always ask myself whether I will gain value from attending them. If it is not impacting me positively, I would rather spend that time reading and improving myself.”
He also identified peer pressure as one of the major challenges students must learn to overcome.
“The result that comes out is not my friend’s name. It is my name,” he said.
“What you do, you do for yourself. You have to choose your friends carefully and surround yourself with people who influence you positively.”
Beyond personal study, David said he often gathers fellow students for academic discussions after reading on his own. He noted that teaching others has become one of the methods he uses to reinforce his understanding of topics.
“I read on my own extensively, but I also teach others. When I teach people, I learn more and strengthen what I already know,” he said.
The student also stressed the importance of paying attention during lectures, noting that many students underestimate the value of classroom engagement.
“Most times, lecturers emphasize important areas during classes. I pay attention to those areas and then go back to research them extensively,” he said.
While some students describe certain courses as difficult, David said he approaches every course with the mindset that it can be mastered through adequate preparation.
“If we say a course is difficult, it will remain difficult. People did it before me, so I can do it too,” he said.
Offering advice to students struggling academically, he encouraged them to remain persistent and continue working towards their goals despite challenges.
“Never settle for less. Keep pushing,” he said.
“If you feel stuck, take a break and come back stronger. Consistency is very important.”
Outside academics, David said he enjoys singing gospel music and participating in choir activities, which he believes contribute positively to his personal development.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in his ability to maintain strong academic performance throughout his university education by remaining dedicated to the principles that have worked for him so far.
He also expressed a desire to contribute to improving learning outcomes for students by supporting effective teaching methods and helping learners better understand difficult concepts.
According to him, many students are willing to learn but often require guidance, consistency and the right support system to succeed.
For David, however, one lesson stands above all others: academic success ultimately depends on personal responsibility.
“The result carries my name, not my friends’,” he said.
Looking ahead, David expressed confidence in his ability to maintain strong academic performance throughout his university education by remaining committed to the principles that have guided him so far.
He also hopes to contribute to improving education by helping students overcome learning difficulties and encouraging more effective teaching methods.
According to him, many students are willing to learn but often need the right guidance, consistency and support to reach their full potential.
As he continues his studies at the University of Abuja, the Computer Science student remains focused on sustaining the academic standard he has set for himself. For him, excellence is not about competing with others but about taking responsibility for one’s goals, staying disciplined and making the most of every opportunity to learn.
