By Robert Andre Emmanuel
Top 2024 CSEC student, Uchenna Ohaegbulam, said that a young person must become “one” with his studies if he hopes to achieve academic success doing 20 or more subjects.
Ohaegbulam, who attended the St Joseph’s Academy, achieved the impressive feat by taking 24 subjects, securing 20 grade ones, three grade twos, and one grade four, mirroring the success of his brother, Chidindu, who achieved 21 grade ones and two grade twos across 23 subjects.
In an exclusive interview, Uchenna shared his journey to success, which was inspired by his brother.
Uchenna Ohaegbulam said, “When I was choosing subjects for fourth form, my brother had just finished doing 23 subjects in the fifth form, and he topped the island, so when the time came, I just decided, you know, maybe this is for me, maybe I’ll take the challenge, do plenty subjects and then see how it turns out.”
CXC Registrar Myrick Smith made the announcement last week Thursday, saying no other secondary school student had come close to him.
The young scholar said that when he was announced as the top CSEC scholar for the island, he was ecstatic.
“Honestly, I’m telling you, I was very nervous because there were a few people on island that were doing over 20 subjects, so when the time came to actually see the results, I was shaking in my boots,” he said.
The young scholar emphasized the importance of time management and dedication.
“School just simply becomes your life,” Uchenna explained, adding, “You have to make time for yourself sometimes to relax, but realistically, you’re going to have to put in as many hours as possible.”
Uchenna emphasized the crucial role his brother played in his success, stating that “he was like the biggest help, having someone who did it just like two years ago, right there to hold your hand the whole way through.”
“He would help me set up my sleep schedules. He’d tell me the crucial subjects, because, you know, when you are doing that number of subjects, you have to pick out the ones that are going to be extra difficult to get a Grade One,” he added.
The support extended even to specific subjects as Uchenna shared that he would hold conversations with his brother in Spanish as preparation for the examination.
Uchenna’s father, Augustine Ohaegbulam, himself a former teacher, praised his son’s commitment, noting that, “What I found was that he was very committed to his subjects; he used to study long hours, even at home, and he liked going to school.”
His father said that he and his wife, Juliet, ensured that their two intelligent sons grew up in an environment where they could focus on their studies.
“We have always been making a lot of sacrifices for them, and I must tell you, we just give them all the chance to study…to be successful; parents need to motivate their children if they want [them to achieve a high number of subjects],” he said.
Augustine Ohaegbulam added that young people must also learn to be humble and respectful, as it would benefit them as they grow up into adulthood.
He also advised other students to not give up and be patient for their own successes, noting that even if his sons or anyone were unsuccessful in attaining scholarships to attend university, that pursuing a job in the meantime and engaging in remote learning is a positive step in their development.
Looking ahead, Uchenna said he plans to attend Island Academy and pursue the International Baccalaureate programme, following in his brother’s footsteps which he hopes will lead to a scholarship at a top university in America.
To students aspiring to similar achievements, Uchenna advises that they have to learn to become one with their CXC studies.
“If you’re going to attempt to do 20-plus subjects, it simply has to be something you put your mind to fully – it has to be your main goal,” Uchenna advises.
