This archive report was first published on 14 July 2019.
Campus Struggles: Kenyan University Students Share Their Experiences ¶
Kenyan university students have been sharing their experiences of campus life on social media, highlighting the struggles they face in their daily lives.
Under the hashtag #UntoldCampusStruggles, students have been sharing their stories of financial struggles, academic pressures, and personal challenges.
One student, Opar, shared that campus life is 'very depressing' and that they are constantly broke and tired. They also mentioned that they have to keep up the struggle since their parents have high expectations on them.
Another student, Slim Jim, joked that they survive on 'chapati for breakfast, tatu pojo for lunch, and mbili beans for supper.' They also mentioned that they have to take snacks that include chapati.
Some students have also shared their experiences of depression and stress. Rahab Wambui shared that she wakes up at 6 am to attend a lecture at 7 am, but is often denied entry to the campus because she has not cleared her fee balance.
Evansmwenda, a Twitter user, shared that the struggles in campus are 'deeper than that.' He also mentioned that students are often expected to support their families with HELB loans, share tiny rooms with others, and live on very small budgets.
Bravin Imagine shared that spending 4 years in university and paying all that school fees, only to have the course canceled, is a major struggle. He also mentioned that the government should be refunding and compensating students for the time wasted.
John Karugia shared that university days are struggles, including supporting family with HELB loans, sharing tiny rooms with others, living on very small budgets, and realizing that a lecturer wants a sexual favor in exchange for passing an exam.
Qalebo shared that dry spells are no joke, and that students often have to deal with financial struggles and academic pressures.
Manu Maosa shared that the following day after a presentation, they had to take three exams. They also mentioned that students are often expected to be perfect and that nobody cares about what they go through.
GrapherKid shared that they are yet to give up, and that the struggle is real in campus. They also mentioned that students are often used to the phrase 'all will be well,' but that it's not always the case.
Enock Bett shared that campus is tough, and that students often have to wake up late to save on breakfast costs. He also mentioned that students often have to pretend to be sleeping late, but are actually just trying to save money.
Victor Keybate shared that lecturers often skip topics and expect students to have already learned them in high school. He also mentioned that students are often expected to be perfect and that nobody cares about what they go through.
Michael Wainaina shared that students often have to carry mahindi (maize) instead of laptops, and that it's a struggle to make ends meet.
Joy Kimaiyo shared that a lot of students are doing courses just because 'degree is a degree.' She also mentioned that students are often expected to be perfect and that nobody cares about what they go through.
Wambui shared that using a kaduda (a type of phone) in campus is a struggle, and that students often have to switch it off before entering public areas.
These are just a few of the many stories shared by Kenyan university students under the hashtag #UntoldCampusStruggles. The struggles faced by these students are a reminder that campus life is not always easy, and that students need support and understanding to navigate the challenges they face.
