I used ChatGPT, Gemini to understand difficult courses — Babcock first-class graduate

Oluwadamilola Soji-Oderinde, a 20-year-old graduate of Babcock University, who graduated with first class in Software Engineering, achieving an impressive CGPA of 4.52, speaks with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about his academic journey, the dedication behind his outstanding achievement, and his aspirations for the future

What was your childhood like growing up in Maiduguri, Borno State?

I’m from Oyo State, although I grew up in Maiduguri, Borno State. Growing up in Maiduguri was really calmer than most people think. It was mostly school, church and home for me. Although my childhood had a lot of books, movies and documentaries, my parents were really keen on ensuring we grew up exposed rather than boxed in.

I come from a family of three, with my dad being a professor, so academics is something my parents haven’t played with since my childhood. I am the second child in my family.

How old are you?

I’m 20 years old.

What kind of student were you during your secondary school years?

I was the loud, smart student then. I always came first throughout my secondary school years and was somehow one of the most extroverted students. I wasn’t the sporty type. It was more about academics and going for competitions throughout secondary school.

When did you gain admission to Babcock University?

I gained admission to Babcock University in October 2022.

What influenced your choice of Software Engineering?

My choice of Software Engineering came from my interest in computers. Like many young boys, I wanted to be like Mark Zuckerberg. A defining moment was just before entering senior secondary school. I had done a computer engineering diploma at one computer school and web design at another simultaneously at the time, just to keep myself busy with the time I had.

While doing both, I just knew web design felt more like me than computer engineering, maybe because I broke the school’s hard disk and damaged my dad’s keyboard.

So, initially, it was Computer Science, but I had recently seen “software engineer” on profiles while randomly stumbling upon LinkedIn in SS2, and I knew that was it. It was also an excuse to leave Maiduguri because they didn’t offer Software Engineering at the University of Maiduguri.

You mentioned wanting to be like Mark Zuckerberg when you were younger. What kind of technology or problem would you like to build solutions for today?

I’m particularly leaning towards building more customisable and accessible AI chatbots, which aligns with the startup I’m currently building. More technically, I’m also interested in building MCP servers like Paystack Index. They’re essentially bridges that allow AI agents like ChatGPT to interact with external services.

For example, something like Jumia. Basically, ChatGPT could help you buy something directly from the chat. I want to build more in agentic AI and make the overall human experience even better.

At what point did you begin taking the goal of graduating with a First Class seriously?

My third year, that’s 300-Level. I had kept hovering around a 4.4 and just knew a 4.5 wasn’t far out of reach.

What changed in your approach at 300-Level?

The first thing I did was intentionally set it as a goal I wanted to achieve, rather than something I simply hoped to get. I also dedicated more time to studying, knowing that I couldn’t achieve different results with the same effort I had been putting in.

How many hours did you typically dedicate to studying outside the classroom?

It varied depending on the period and workload. During normal times, I’d combine studying with doing assignments, but closer to tests and examinations, I spent significantly more time studying.

Being raised by a professor, were there expectations you felt you had to meet academically?

Definitely! Academic excellence was non-negotiable.

How did you approach your studies from your first year?

I approached it with all seriousness, especially coming from secondary school as a top student and having those expectations, although homesickness kicked in and affected my first semester.

What study methods did you find most effective throughout your undergraduate years?

For me, I knew I wasn’t someone who could study for long hours at a stretch, and I’m not the best at cramming, so I’d try my best to understand what I could in class and read using active recall. I also made sure to answer past questions.

I would also use AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT and Acad AI to generate quizzes and kind of converse about my notes and slides after reading, to understand them even better.

Can you give us an example of a difficult concept you understood better because of AI?

The one I remember struggling with but eventually understanding better with the help of AI was Z Schemas from a course called Formal Methods and Specifications.

Were there study methods you tried that simply did not work for you?

Yes. The very common method of jotting things down while reading never worked for me. I either got distracted by jotting too much or focused on reading and forgot to jot anything down. Another was studying with flashcards. Also, cramming has never been my thing.

How did you prepare for tests and examinations?

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I’d stay up late most nights, as studying at night worked better for me because there was less noise. I’d use past questions, and when reading, I’d try to approach course materials as if I were the one setting the questions, asking myself, “What do I think a lecturer would ask from this?”

I also spoke with my course mates to know what they were reading. I had friends who taught me concepts when I didn’t understand them.

How did you manage difficult courses when you struggled to understand them?

I would go to a course mate to teach me the way they understood it and ask a lot of questions. I would also try to understand the course practically to understand the theory.

Sometimes, I would spend time with AI apps, asking them to explain things as simply as possible and relate them to real-world examples to help me understand the concept better.

What was the most challenging period of your undergraduate journey academically?

It was towards the end of my degree. At one point, my grades weren’t going the way I had expected, and with one semester left, I was genuinely afraid that I wasn’t going to graduate with a First Class.

There was pressure and anxiety. Some nights, I couldn’t sleep. At the same time, I was managing other responsibilities. Balancing the anxiety around my academics with the demands of leadership was extremely challenging.

But consistency, intentionality and time management played a major role in my success. I didn’t rely on being naturally smart. I had to put in the work and understand the demands of my courses.

What sacrifices did you make to maintain your academic performance?

I had to sacrifice a lot of personal time and sleep, especially during busy periods. I also gave up my startup dream in 400-Level, as balancing it with academics and other activities just wasn’t feasible. It required a lot of discipline and learning when to prioritise what needed my attention the most.

You said you had to give up your startup dream in 400-Level. What was the startup about?

It was about making access to customisable AI chatbots easier and more affordable for the Nigerian market. The idea was that people could build AI chatbots for different events or occasions without needing any technical knowledge.

How did you balance your academic responsibilities with your social life and other activities?

It wasn’t always easy. But I would say I just knew when it was time to focus on academics. I attended a lot of school events and even organised some myself. A few classes were missed, but I just knew academics came first.

It was simply about knowing what needed my attention the most. Close to exams, I would reduce my activities to focus, especially while balancing academics with leadership, extracurricular activities, personal projects and, at some point, a job.

Can you tell us about the leadership roles you held in school?

The major roles I held were Crowdsource Team Lead for GDG Babcock, then Senator, then Director of Public Relations, and later Executive President of my faculty club, Babcock University Computer Club, the second-largest student body in Babcock University, representing over 3,500 students, along with some other roles in other student bodies. I was also nominated for Student Leader of the Year in my final year.

How did those experiences shape you?

These experiences completely shaped how I saw leadership. They gave me visibility, not just among students but also with professionals outside school. They taught me time management, resilience and even programme management.

Who motivated you the most throughout your academic journey?

There was one particular person who motivated me throughout the entire journey. A lot of people played a role at different points.

But if I had to mention two people, I’d say my sister, Shalom Soji-Oderinde, and Mileke Kolawole, my faculty club president in my 100-Level. I was also motivated by a lot of Babcock alumni.

What role did your parents play in helping you achieve your academic goals?

My parents played the most important role in my journey. With faith, they let me leave home and go far away for the first time. My mum would say, “Go and fulfil your dreams.”

Beyond providing the support I needed to stay in school, they were there through the difficult periods. When my grades weren’t where I wanted them to be, I would call, and they would encourage me, and their belief in me kept me going.

You said your parents wanted you to be exposed rather than boxed in. What are some of the things they deliberately exposed you to while growing up?

They exposed us to documentaries and stories about successful people, like Steve Jobs. We would read books and also watch movies, like Akeelah and the Bee.

I also took career classes online for teenagers. They were intentional about showing us how far we could dream and not limiting what we believed was possible.

What was your parents’ reaction when they discovered that you had graduated with a first-class degree?

My dad said, “Great, this is good news,” when I told him on the phone. I could hear the excitement. My mum was more dramatic, with thanksgiving, and still called me that same day in excitement. They were extremely happy. I think they were happier than I was.

How did you feel when you saw your final result and realised that you had graduated with a First Class at just 20?

It was definitely a mix of emotions. I was excited, grateful to God and somehow had tears running down my eyes, knowing this dream had just become real. I kept checking the school portal for days just to be sure because it was surreal.

Now that you have completed your degree, what are your plans for the future?

I want to continue growing as a software engineer while also building my career in developer relations. I enjoy the technical side of software, but I also enjoy working with developers, building communities, sharing knowledge, and bringing my leadership experiences and skills into play in the work I do. I also want to continue building my startup.