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VOX POP: Students Share Experiences Staying on Campus During Holiday
Faidah Abdulkareem
February 15, 2026With many students away and campus life quieter than usual, what is it like for those who stayed behind? Adh-Dhikr Press spoke to students still on campus to find out how their daily routines, studies, and social life have changed, and what surprises they did not expect. Their responses are presented below.
“Well, I’m mostly at work, so there’s not much to notice.
But the hall is quieter compared to during the school period. Besides that, I don’t see much of a difference.”
— Fatiat Adebayo, Chemistry, 300 level
“It’s okay, but it’s quite boring.”
— Abdulraheem Aishat, Chemistry, 300 level
“It’s actually been okay on campus so far, not a bad experience at all. The school is quite calm right now because most students haven’t resumed fully. It’s mainly people doing IT and some finalists processing their clearance, so everywhere is relatively quiet and not crowded.
One big advantage is that there’s usually steady electricity, and even when there’s no light, there’s still enough water in the hostels. Normally when school is full and there’s no power, water becomes a serious issue, but that hasn’t really been the case now because the population is low.
Not all food and snack vendors are back yet, and some shops are still closed, but basic things are available. The peaceful environment also makes it easier to settle in and start building relationships with the people around you since you’ll be living together and may need each other’s help.
Overall, it’s been smooth and peaceful at least from what I’ve seen in my hostel.”
— Bankole Ameerah, Chemistry, 300 level
“It is very quiet here right now. Usually, the campus is full of people, but now it feels empty. It is nice to have some peace, but it also feels a bit strange. The buildings are still here, but it feels like the life of the campus is missing.
I am starting to miss my friends and the noise of everyone moving around. When there is no one to talk to or hang out with, the days feel very long. It makes me realize that the students are what make this place special. Without people, it’s just a quiet place with empty rooms.”
— Abdulqadri Abdulqayum, Arts and Social Sciences Education, 300 level
“Staying on campus at a time like this when most people have gone home has been both challenging and eye opening. Imagine living alone in a room originally meant for three people; it feels unusually quiet and sometimes boring. There are no roommates to randomly disturb you, no spontaneous gist, no shared laughter unless you deliberately call someone. The silence can feel heavy at first.
But interestingly, loneliness also comes with a kind of peace. Everything stays exactly where you keep it, no distractions, no noise just you and your thoughts. Although I’m naturally someone who enjoys being around people, exchanging ideas, laughing together, and debating different views, this period of being alone has pushed me to slow down and reflect more deeply. It has made me more creative and more conscious about my life decisions.
In summary, this break on campus has shown me two sides of life: how meaningful social interaction is, and how important it is to be able to think and decide independently when no one is around. It’s not my usual lifestyle, but it’s been a valuable experience.”
— Adeleke Kareem, Adult Education, 300 level
“Staying on campus during this time has been quite an experience. With a large number of people having gone home, the campus feels empty and quiet. It’s definitely not the same vibe as when it’s bustling with students. Despite the emptiness, I’m trying to stay focused on my studies and make the most of the situation. The peace and quietness can actually be a good thing for concentrating, but I do miss the energy and camaraderie of being around my fellow students.”
— Adeniji Oluwafemi, Special Education, 200 level
“It is cool because everywhere is quiet and also boring because most of the guys who make the hostel lively have gone home.”
— Bakare Sultan, Veterinary Medicine, 400 level
“It’s been good so far, except that it’s boring and it seems like it’s better than when we have the full population, everything is seamless and okay.”
— Adejumo Mubarak, Counseling and Human Development Studies, 200 level
“In a time like this, life on campus has been so boring though students have accommodations, free use of WIFI and electricity though not frequent.
Also, there is a minimal level of noise pollution as most of the fellowships who do have their services in hostels aren’t meeting. However, this gives room for effective studying and an environment void of noise.”
— Akintade Israel, Adult Education, 300 level
“The environment is quiet and has helped increase my level of concentration, making it easy to work on personal projects.”
— Akintayo Ali, Mechanical Engineering, 400 level
“I’m not much of a social person. Staying on campus after some people have gone home did not affect me in any way; if anything, it is a plus for me. What do I mean by “a plus for me”? The water in the hostel lasts longer, among other reasons. As long as I have my friends with me and have to go to school for teaching practice, I am doing fine.”
— Olakiku Ibrahim, Educational Management, 200 level
“It’s cool because the school is quiet, and it’s easy to concentrate.”
— Folalu Abdulrahman, Petroleum Engineering, 400 level
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