Faith Olabisi, an 18-year-old 300-level accounting student at the University of Ilorin who achieved a remarkable feat by qualifying as a chartered accountant, has disclosed that she used software to monitor and control her reading habits.
Olabisi shared this in an interview with BusinessDay, where she said she has no specific reading method but uses a habit tracker app to regulate her reading.
“There was no specific approach but I downloaded an app “Habit Tracker” trying to track my reading, the app would always tell me how long I read for,” Olabisi said.
She also said her mother, lecturers, and the quality tutorial center she used motivated her success. As an undergraduate, she explained that it was not easy for her to combine studies with professional courses such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) courses.
“I must sincerely confess it has not been easy but with the help of God, constant encouragement from my mom, utmost understanding and cooperation from my lecturers at Unilorin, and quality lectures from my tuition center, I did it!” she said.
The delighted Olabisi, who feels so happy to have attained such a milestone at this young age, said that she started her journey to becoming chartered in January 2022 when she enrolled in the Accounting Technician Scheme (ATS 1) and passed the examinations in March 2022.
In the same vein, she wrote the remaining two diets (ATS 11 & 111) in September 2022 and March 2023 respectively, and qualified as an Associate Account Technician in March 2023.
“I started in January 2022 with Accounting Technician Scheme (ATS 1) and passed the examinations in March 2022. In the same vein, I wrote the remaining two diets (ATS 11 & 111) in Sept 2022 and March 2023 respectively and I qualified with Associate Account Technician (AAT) in March 2023.
“I passed all my ATS examinations at once in each sitting. Afterward, I proceeded to start my professional journey with my first diet exam in November 2023.
I failed one paper during this very painful diet. Because I was determined to qualify at not more than age 18, I rewrote the paper in the following diet (March 2024) and passed. I sat for the final stage in November 2024 and behold, I cleared all the papers in that diet,” she said smiling.
However, like every other life endeavor, Olabisi, who is the first child, who grew up in a disciplined and strict family did not achieve her landmark feat without challenges.
“My greatest challenge was trying to understand my calculation courses. They were so difficult for me and I found it hard to understand any of it,” she said.
Nevertheless, according to the ambitious student, in the face of these challenges, her mother was her greatest asset and encouragement.
“My mum is my motivation, driving force, supporter and everything. Nobody believed in me like she did. I called her a lot crying my eyes out saying it was too difficult, and I was tired of reading but she always found a way to motivate me,” she noted.
Bubbling with smiles, Aduragbemi, as she is fondly called by her mother, said she has seen how her mother who is a chartered accountant was able to pave her way in such a promising career.
Furthermore, she reiterated that she owes her lecturers at UNILORIN debts of gratitude for helping her achieve her goal.
“I want to use this medium to thank Yahaya and other lecturers for their cooperation and understanding during this journey.
“They so much understand the importance of ICAN examinations that they wouldn’t fix tests and examinations in the same period. They are always willing to help anytime I miss tests while attending my ICAN lectures,” she stated.
She said that her next line of action is to focus more on her undergraduate program and get her ACCA UK and a few other professional certifications that will make her outstanding in her career.
Moreover, Olabisi said that she is working towards making first-class in her course.
“I have my eyes on graduating with first-class honors, and I know God will help me achieve this,” she said.
For the upcoming students, encouraged them to be focused and avoid distractions. “Just keep on doing what you’re doing and don’t give up. Give it your best,” she said.
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