It wasn’t all it was cracked up to be
Aug 13, 2009
I recall longing for the day I would step into Makerere back in 2005, and when I finally went through that ancient main gate, it was like a little child on a zoo visit.
By Joseph Ssemutooke
I recall longing for the day I would step into Makerere back in 2005, and when I finally went through that ancient main gate, it was like a little child on a zoo visit.
Everything, from the old gate to the students and buildings, seemed indescribably awe-inspiring. But real campus unraveled in startling fashion. Every morning in the first week, a group of continuing students in red gowns hurled us out of bed for the traditional freshers’ jog. They took us to crazy trots around campus while chanting vulgar songs.
There was also excitement on reuniting with old schoolmates. How everyone (especially those from single-sex schools) ravenously bit into the freedom of interaction with the opposite sex!
The lecture room was more of a place for checking out the hottest girls around -who did the finest make-up and who turned up in a sexy outfit.
Of course, for my type, the first evenings were for exploring the crazy campus partying. For the first time we visited places like Steak Out and Ground Zero.
However, with time, the reality of university life sank in. The small pocket money was finished, so free poor meals in halls of residence replaced restaurants. Even course works and tests were nailing in the harsh reality that books were the centre of all activity.
Returning for the second semester months later, failed exams woke up many to the fact that reading and research was the way to passing.
I recall longing for the day I would step into Makerere back in 2005, and when I finally went through that ancient main gate, it was like a little child on a zoo visit.
Everything, from the old gate to the students and buildings, seemed indescribably awe-inspiring. But real campus unraveled in startling fashion. Every morning in the first week, a group of continuing students in red gowns hurled us out of bed for the traditional freshers’ jog. They took us to crazy trots around campus while chanting vulgar songs.
There was also excitement on reuniting with old schoolmates. How everyone (especially those from single-sex schools) ravenously bit into the freedom of interaction with the opposite sex!
The lecture room was more of a place for checking out the hottest girls around -who did the finest make-up and who turned up in a sexy outfit.
Of course, for my type, the first evenings were for exploring the crazy campus partying. For the first time we visited places like Steak Out and Ground Zero.
However, with time, the reality of university life sank in. The small pocket money was finished, so free poor meals in halls of residence replaced restaurants. Even course works and tests were nailing in the harsh reality that books were the centre of all activity.
Returning for the second semester months later, failed exams woke up many to the fact that reading and research was the way to passing.