lasuconscience
The Lagos State University (LASU) academic calendar for the 2025/2026 full-time undergraduates second semester is undoubtedly a marathon semester, leaving many students worried, confused, and honestly overwhelmed. It still feels unreal to a lot of people that exams for a short and already fast-paced semester are less than two months away, even though lectures have barely started in many departments.
Refreshing your memory, upon the completion of the first semester examinations on February 27, many LASUites expected that the school management would release an updated calendar. This was especially important because the commencement of the exams had earlier been postponed for about two weeks from the initial date of January 12 to January 26. Naturally, students assumed that adjustment would reflect in the next semester’s schedule.
So, we waited. We speculated. We tried to make sense of what the new timeline might look like. Some even held on to the belief that the school would communicate clearly. But our guesses were met with astute silence, and no willingness to address us.
There was no official announcement from the school about resumption. No updated calendar. Nothing. We got nothing but silence. The only information students got came from rumours and scattered messages. Then suddenly, Heads of Departments and lecturers began instructing students to resume, saying the second semester had already begun according to the existing calendar.
Just like that, March 2nd became the assumed resumption date without any proper communication. Before many students could even adjust, almost two weeks of the semester had passed, and in most cases, lectures had not even started.
It is difficult not to ask questions at this point. Are students really being carried along in decisions that affect them this much?
For many, it does not feel that way. It feels like students are simply expected to adjust to whatever decision is made, without any real consideration for their welfare. Academic pressure, mental health, and financial realities do not seem to be part of the conversation during the decision making process.
And that is where the real problem lies; the institution is made for the students, and the absence of students in any aspect defeats that purpose.
The truth is that a large number of LASU students are not just studying. They are hustling to survive. Many pay their school fees themselves through small jobs or side businesses. Normally, the break between semesters gives them some time to work and gather money for the next session.
This time, there was barely any break. Students were expected to resume almost immediately, without enough time to prepare financially. The pressure that comes with this is not small. It affects how they think, how they study, and how they cope with everything else.
Parents are also feeling the strain, as they also take part in the financial aspect of the students’ life. With little notice before resumption, many families are forced to suddenly find money in an already difficult economy. Planning becomes almost impossible under such conditions.
For final-year students, the situation is even more intense. They are already dealing with lectures like every other student, but on top of that, they have project work, clearance, departmental fees, and other final year responsibilities. More alarming is the ongoing and well circulated rumours about a joint convocation scheduled for August, being rushed into the same tight timeline.
It raises serious concerns. Why is everything being rushed like this? How are students expected to stay mentally stable while juggling all these responsibilities at once?
To make it more confusing, the calendar clearly indicates that there is a 3-month break after this short, stressful semester. It does not add up. Why go through such an intense academic rush only to have an extended break afterward? What is really the goal behind this, and what are we expected to achieve within this period that we are not informed of?
At the end of the day, we, the students, are the ones carrying the weight of these decisions.
The semester itself is expected to last about three months, and it is already clear how demanding it will be. Tests and assignments will come quickly, one after the other. Many students are already worried that they will not have enough time to properly understand what they are being taught, in addition to meeting several academic deadlines.
This is not what education is supposed to be.
LASU has built a strong reputation over the years. The steady academic calendar, relatively affordable fees, and timely graduation process are part of what makes the university stand out. But right now, the speed of that system is beginning to feel excessive, more like a burden rather than an advantage.
Students are tired. They are stressed. And more than anything, we just want to be considered.
At this point, what students are asking for is not too much. Clear communication would make a big difference. A little flexibility from lecturers would help. And most importantly, decisions should reflect an understanding of what students are actually going through. Because right now, it does not feel like that is happening.
And if nothing changes, the real question is no longer about how students will perform this semester. It is about how they will cope at all.
We implore the management to kindly take note of our requests, and ensure to consider students’ welfare and mental health in decision-making processes, particularly for this semester, and in subsequent times. We hope this cry is heard and addressed with empathy.
