By Victorine Nekesa
Communication and media student
Laikipia university
Being a comrade at Laikipia University is not just about attending lectures, completing assignments and sitting for examinations. It is a lifestyle, a journey of discovery, and a period of life that teaches young people how to become responsible adults. For many students, university is the first place where they experience a greater level of independence. At Laikipia University, that independence comes with friendship, challenges, laughter and memories that remain long after graduation.
When I first reported to Laikipia University, I was scared. I was far from home and I did not know exactly what to expect. Like many first-year students, I wondered whether I would make friends, understand the university environment and cope with the responsibilities that came with being a student. However, within a few weeks, Laikipia started feeling like a home away from home. The people around me became familiar, and the students I once considered strangers slowly became comrades and friends.
The beauty of university life is that people from different backgrounds meet and learn to live together. We share experiences, help one another and encourage each other when things become difficult. The friendships created on campus are not only useful during the academic years; some become lifelong relationships. This sense of belonging is one of the reasons I enjoy being a comrade at Laikipia University.
Life as a comrade has many benefits that outsiders may not fully understand. One of the biggest is freedom. Nobody will always wake you up to attend class, remind you to complete an assignment or tell you how to spend every hour of your day. You learn to plan your own time, cook your own food, wash your own clothes, budget your HELB and make your own decisions.
However, freedom comes with responsibility. A student who misuses freedom can easily fall behind in class, while one who learns to manage time can grow academically and personally. University therefore becomes a training ground for adulthood. The small decisions we make every day prepare us for the responsibilities we will face after graduation.
Another thing I love about being a comrade is the sense of community. In Laikipia, students often look out for one another. If you lack unga, a neighbour may share what they have. If you miss a class, a friend can send you notes. During examinations, students form discussion groups, share ideas and encourage each other to keep going.
We also laugh together at the famous "comrades' kitchen" stories. These ordinary moments may seem small, but they are part of what makes university life memorable. They create a sense of brotherhood and remind us that we are not facing university life alone. Even when money is tight, assignments are many or examinations are approaching, having people around who understand what you are going through makes the journey easier.
Laikipia University itself makes comrade life enjoyable. The climate is cool and peaceful, which creates a good environment for studying and relaxing. The green surroundings, trees and open spaces provide a welcome contrast to the noise and pressure of busy towns. The campus environment gives students opportunities to enjoy nature while pursuing their education.
We have Lake Chacha, beautiful trees and even the rare black-and-white colobus monkeys that make the university environment feel special. These features give students something to appreciate beyond lecture halls and classrooms. Sometimes, taking a walk around campus or simply enjoying the surroundings can provide a much-needed break from academic pressure.
Life at university also teaches survival skills. From the famous trek from Gate A to Mambleo, to managing HELB for a whole semester, to preparing meals with a small coil, every challenge teaches something. Students learn how to stretch limited resources, make practical decisions and cope with unexpected situations.
These experiences may sometimes be frustrating, but they contribute to personal growth. The struggles of university can teach patience, creativity, resilience and independence. By the time a student graduates, they have learned lessons that cannot be found in textbooks alone. They have learned how to communicate with different people, solve everyday problems and take responsibility for their choices.
I somehow enjoy being a comrade because every day is a lesson. We learn not just from books, but from life. We learn independence, resilience, friendship, patience and responsibility. We learn that success is not only about passing examinations; it is also about becoming a person who can face the world with confidence.
University life is not always easy. There are days when assignments seem endless, finances become difficult and examinations create pressure. There are also moments of homesickness and uncertainty about the future. Yet, these experiences are part of the journey. They teach us to keep moving, to ask for help when necessary and to appreciate the people who stand beside us.
For me, Laikipia University is more than a university it is where I became an adult. It is a place where I have learned to make decisions, live independently, build friendships and face challenges. It has given me memories that I will carry with me even after I leave campus.
Being a comrade is therefore not simply a title. It represents a stage of life filled with learning, growth, friendship and responsibility. The lectures prepare us for our careers, but the everyday experiences prepare us for life. That is why, despite the challenges, I love being a comrade at Laikipia University.
By Victorine Nekesa
Communication and media student
Laikipia university
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