A Canvas of New Beginnings, by Aanuoluwa Williams, Second runner-up, Adebisi Amori Literary Contest 3.0

As I gaze out of the car window, the verdant embrace of the University of Ibadan’s surroundings unfolds like a living painting, its hues whispering promises of new beginnings. The trees sway in the midday sun, their leaves shimmering as though applauding my arrival. Yet, beneath this vibrant landscape, my emotions churn—a mixture of excitement and a tremor of fear. My parents’ voices hum in the background like a familiar melody, their words a source of reassurance in this sea of uncertainty. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything,” they say, their voices woven with love and the weight of farewell.

When the car stops, I step out, my heart buoyant with thoughts of endless possibilities. The air is heavy with the mingling scents of damp earth and budding flowers—a perfect metaphor for my burgeoning dreams. But as the car door shuts behind me and the hum of its engine fades into the distance, a new sensation begins to rise. I stand motionless in the UI Motor Park, watching my parents’ car dissolve into the horizon, taking with it the comforting ties of home. The vastness of this unfamiliar world stretches before me, and the intoxicating thrill of independence quickly gives way to the sobering weight of solitude.

As I walk around UI’s campus, its stately buildings loom over me, standing as silent witnesses to countless stories. Their weathered facades, adorned with ivy and age, whisper of triumphs and trials endured by those who walked here before me. Around me, life teems in vivid strokes: the animated conversations of students, the array of clothing and cultures, and the rhythmic thrum of distant music creating a symphony that is both exhilarating and overwhelming. I feel like a lone traveller in an uncharted land—dwarfed by its magnificence yet inexplicably drawn to its mystery.

Arriving at my hostel, I stumble upon a small but profound moment of fate. On the door of my new room, a poster hangs slightly askew, its bold letters spelling out: Radical Optimism. The words seem to leap out at me, speaking directly to the tangled mix of hope and doubt swirling within. I stare at them for a moment, their simplicity masking a depth I can’t yet fathom. I don’t realise it yet, but these words will become my mantra—a beacon of hope to guide me through the challenges ahead.

Radical optimism, I would come to understand, is more than just a phrase. It is a defiant declaration of faith in the face of uncertainty, urging me to embrace the unknown with courage and to see obstacles as doors waiting to be opened. It became the lens through which I viewed every struggle, transforming fear into fuel and hesitation into hope.

This mantra is put to the test almost immediately. My first semester unravels in a whirlwind of chaos. I am unexpectedly elected as Class Representative, and balancing my academic workload with this new responsibility quickly becomes a juggling act. Days blur into a relentless cycle of meetings, and assignments threaten to topple the fragile balance I’m struggling to maintain. The shadow of procrastination lingers; its sly whispers assuring me that there is always tomorrow. But tomorrow comes with the weight of unfinished tasks and rising panic, and I am caught in a spiral.

The most painful casualty of my disordered routine is my spiritual life. The quiet moments I once cherished—when I would open my Bible and find solace in its timeless wisdom—begin to slip through the cracks. My connection to God, my source of strength and clarity, is lost amid the noise of deadlines and distractions. Without that anchor, I begin to drift, vulnerable to the tides of doubt and exhaustion.

It isn’t until I suffer a meltdown, overwhelmed by the weight of my responsibilities and the crushing pressure, that I realise the need for a wake-up call. I turn to my mom and pour out my heart to her as she listens patiently over the phone. She reminds me of my goals and the resilience she’s seen in me since childhood.

“This is just one session,” she says gently. “You’re stronger than you think, and you’ll grow through this.” Her words rekindle a flicker of hope, and for the first time in weeks, I feel a sense of clarity.

With renewed resolve, I return to those words on the poster: Radical Optimism. I begin to rebuild, piece by piece, starting with the foundation of my faith. I carve out time each morning for prayer and reflection, and in these moments, I find the strength to tackle the day’s demands. I approach my academic work with a renewed sense of purpose, breaking tasks into manageable steps and celebrating small victories along the way. Leadership, once an overwhelming burden, becomes an opportunity to connect and serve. I find joy in advocating for my peers, listening to their concerns, and working together to find solutions.

As the semester unfolds, I begin to see challenges as opportunities to grow. Each late night spent studying and each misstep corrected bears testament to my perseverance. The lessons I’ve learnt—time management, balance, and the importance of self-care—are invaluable. Most importantly, I discover that faith and optimism, when paired with action, can transform even the most daunting circumstances.

Looking back on that first semester, I see it not as a time of struggle but as a season of transformation. It tested my limits and revealed strengths I hadn’t known I possessed. Through it all, Radical Optimism was my guiding star, a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, there is always a way forward.

Now, as I stand on the threshold of my future, I feel a quiet confidence. The path ahead will not be without its challenges, but I am ready to face them with faith, determination, and an unwavering belief in the beauty of growth. This is the story I am writing, one chapter at a time, and I cannot wait to see where it leads.

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Aanuoluwa Williams is a dedicated first-year Sociology undergraduate at the University of Ibadan. She is passionate about exploring new perspectives and committed to using her voice to inspire through storytelling.