Ellen Nsiah Asare

7629321

MY FIRST DAY IN KNUST

Gaining admission to one of the best universities in West Africa I felt was one of the best things

that happened to me. I felt so accomplished since it had always being my dream to enter Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and more fortunately to gain admission to the
medical school. I liked the school because of its location, attractive environment and
ultramodern facilities that will make learning conducive. I was lucky to get Unity hall, one of the
traditional halls in the school as a hall of residence. I entered the school with new hopes and
aspirations. I was glad to experience a new life.

We were to report to school on Saturday 8th January, 2022. I left Sunyani with my mum for
Kumasi, where the school is located on Friday to lodge at my cousin’s house. I did not want to
report late on my first day. The anxiety to start fresh with my new life could not make me sleep
that night. I woke up from my improper sleep very early around 3:30am. After taking my bath
and having other preparations done I set off my mum and my brother in a taxi. We got to the
university campus before 5am. As at 5am I was the eighty-fifth person to have arrived. I was not
too much surprised since most of them like me, did not want to report late on their first day.
Spaces were assigned for cars to park and for us to pack our luggage when we arrive. We sat in a
queue since we were being attended to in turns.

There were quite a number of processes and forms to be filled and submitted. While I sat waiting
for my turn I texted a few friends and told them how things were going. A lot of people arrived
and in no time the whole compound was filled with cars and items. Some were parents,
freshmen, security and some other porter who were helping people carry their luggage. There
were people in special uniforms who were directing the traffic and students on what to do. The
hall was an eight storey- building and it was difficult carrying heavy items up especially above
the fourth floor. I was lucky to be on the second floor.
Soon it was my turn to get my forms signed by the hall master and some other people. It was
quite a lengthy process. There was a point I had to submit a copy of my admission letter, hall
allocation form, passport picture and other important documents. It was also done in turns and
some of continuing were available to guide us through it all. It was sad how some people were
lost through the process and others also left some documents at home. I was lucky to have some
 Ellen Nsiah Asare
7629321

continuing students as friends who told me to requirements before I came. I went through the
processes peacefully and I was finally given a key to my room. The room was to be occupied by
four people and each person was given a key. With a mixture of excitement and nervousness
within me, I called my mother and my brother and started to pack my items into my room. The
excitement was because it was a good feeling to finally be my dream school. The thought of
coming to meet new people and leaving for the second time without my parents and learning
again which was supposed to make me excited rather made me nervous.

I was somehow disappointed to see the nature of the room. Such a tiny room to be shared by four
people? I began to think of how we would manage the room looking at the luggage and other
bags I brought and what my other roommates would bring. I was first member of the room to
arrive. My mum prayed with me after a little arrangement and she added some pieces of advice. I
chose the bed I would be comfortable with and a locker space I preferred. It was such a small
room with two bunked beds for four people, a table and two chairs, shelves, wooden lockers and
a small ceiling fan. There was a small balcony for cooking. I went the other rooms and I realized
it was same everywhere. All the rooms were of the same sizes. After sometime my mom and my
brother left.

I set my bed and waited for my roommates. After a while two of them arrived. We exchanged
pleasantries and hoped to get to know one other better as time went on. After the last room
member arrived we began to clean the room and pack our items to make the room look very
organized. It was such a strenuous work that we finished around 3pm. I felt bored and decided to
take a stroll. I called a friend who was a continuing student to show me around. I read through
the hall’s rules and regulations list as I waited for him. I had a glimpse of university life from my
elder sister. I was most curiously waiting for the day when I would start mine. I thought
university would offer an extremely free life and void of restrictions but from the rules and
regulations there were quite a number of restrictions. For instance, boys are not allowed to come
to the girls’ block after 10pm and vice versa. I also realized there were a lot of benefits of being
in a traditional hall. For security issues we would have no problem. There was free wifi in the
hall too. The hall had a study room for studies and basketball playground. Also there was TV
room where football matches would be telecasted. There were prohibitions too. Gas cookers and
coal pots were not allowed. Mattresses too were not allowed as they were provided already.
 Ellen Nsiah Asare
7629321

My friend arrived and set off. We talked about school and we walked. He took me to some nice
places on campus. I was as well glad to see newly admitted students in high spirits. They were all
happy to make new friends. I was very much delighted to see nice buildings and facilities on
campus. The halls were nice and each hall had its market. The main school library was a nice one
too. The school is indeed a community on its own, I thought. We walked a little around some
faculties and we returned to my hall because I was tired. I bought a bowl of rice from my hall’s
market for the first time and later took my bath. There were a lot of people around and the whole
place was very noisy. My roommates and I engaged in a little convo and I went to sleep. That
was the end of my first day in KNUST.