Book Review — This Is University by Idrees Badiru
This morning, I finished Idrees Badiru ‘s book, “This Is University”. Badru sent me his book on Facebook and I can see that it was published in 2019. Having left the university more than a decade ago, I was reluctant to move this book to the top of my pile. But once I made up my mind and started it, it brought back a lot of memories, chiding me on the many things I did very wrong as a naive teenager not living in my parents’ house for a lengthy period of time for the first time.
The book is a refreshing and practical guide that offers an insider’s perspective on university life. The author weaves together personal stories, observations, and advice to create a relatable and informative read for students entering higher education. One of the book’s most engaging elements is Badiru’s openness about his own journey through university. He reflects on his days as an adventurous undergraduate, candidly sharing how his excitement about the newfound freedom led to distractions and, ultimately, a second-class lower degree in Pure Physics. Rather than wallowing in regret, Badiru uses his experiences to offer a roadmap for new students, advising them to strike a balance between fun and academic focus. This mix of humility and humor makes the book relatable and gives it a personal touch.
An unforgettable story in the book is the author’s brief entrepreneurial stint with a grilled meat business on campus. Badiru narrates how, armed with just 4,000 naira (borrowed from a friend) and some seasoning cubes, he started a goat meat grilling business, quickly turning it into a profitable venture. While the business was eventually shut down by university authorities, this episode stands as a vivid example of how students can leverage even the smallest opportunities to create something meaningful. It’s not just an entrepreneurial lesson but also a story of resilience and adaptability — qualities every student needs to succeed. Although Badiru didn’t explicitly say so, it also sheds light on how our university system often stifles entrepreneurship rather than nurturing it.
A standout chapter in This Is University is on emotional intelligence. How do you manage emotions in an environment filled with diverse people from different backgrounds? Those who went to boarding school may have an idea but for those who don’t, the author uses the example of navigating difficult roommates, illustrating how understanding and managing interpersonal relationships can make or break one’s university experience. This section resonates because it goes beyond the typical academic advice and touches on a life skill often overlooked by students. It is clear that Badiru is not just concerned with academic success but with the holistic development of the student.
Another notable section discusses the importance of networking. Badiru encourages students to join organizations, attend seminars, and build meaningful connections with peers, professors, and industry leaders who visit the campus. He emphasizes that these connections could be crucial in the post-graduation job search, underscoring the reality that academic performance alone might not secure future success. He draws on examples of past student leaders and prominent alumni, subtly reminding readers that their social capital is just as important as their intellectual capital. For me, the choice of university also matters. As someone who attended the University of Lagos, Badru and those who attend it are given opportunities that could propel their careers, if they take advantage of them. Anyone who reads this book will come out knowing to seek these opportunities in the smallest places even if they are not at UNILAG.
I mentioned that I was encouraged to keep reading this book once I picked it? Well, that’s because it strikes a delightful balance between serious advice and lighthearted humor. In the chapter on creative thinking, Badiru encourages students to think outside the box, humorously suggesting they imagine turning the Eiffel Tower upside down and seeing if it would still stand. This whimsical example, though amusing, underlines the importance of questioning established norms and looking at problems from different perspectives. It’s in moments like these that Badiru’s writing shines, as he blends education with entertainment to keep readers engaged.
Despite its strengths, This Is University is not without its areas for improvement. For one, the book sometimes lacks depth in certain critical areas. For example, while the anecdotes about entrepreneurship are inspiring, the author could have provided more concrete guidance on how students can balance the rigors of academic life with running a business. Badiru’s own story of starting a business is insightful, but readers would benefit from a deeper dive into practical strategies for managing time and resources effectively. Additionally, while Badiru talks about the entrepreneurial potential of campus life, he doesn’t address the legal or logistical hurdles students might face in setting up ventures on university property. More detailed advice on navigating such challenges would have strengthened this section.
Another area where I’d expected more is in its exploration of academic strategies. Badiru touches briefly on learning methods like the ADEPT system (Analogy, Diagram, Example, Plain Language, and Technical Terms), but this chapter feels rushed. Given that academic success is the primary reason students are at university, a more thorough exploration of study techniques, time management, and dealing with academic burnout would have been valuable. Badiru’s personal experiences could have served as a foundation for a more comprehensive discussion of how to thrive academically while juggling the demands of university life.
Moreover, the book’s tone, while engaging, can at times feel overly casual. The conversational style is one of the book’s strengths, but there are moments when this approach undercuts the gravity of certain topics. For instance, in discussing critical life choices and their long-term impact, the tone could have been more serious to drive home the importance of these decisions. A shift to a more balanced tone in such sections could give the book more weight.
My submission is that This Is University succeeds in delivering a relatable and practical guide for students. It excels in its storytelling, emotional intelligence lessons, and entrepreneurship insights, making it a helpful companion for those entering the sometimes overwhelming world of higher education.
This is the kind of material I wished I had read when I was starting university. This is the kind of book you should be giving to people you know who are leaving for the university.
