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When you go to any institution, you always have to come out with something that is distinctive and tangible. In some institutions, Ethics is taught as any other topic in most of the courses. The famous Hypocritical Oath is synonymous to the medical profession. Chances are, you were taught about Ethical Practices but rarely encounter scenarios where you will apply such gem learnt because you never took the course seriously. The world is now headed towards or it is in that stage where you will be judged by how principled and ethical you are when it comes to issues regarding integrity.
One
distinctive aspect that clearly demarcates a Strath student from a UON student
basically has to do with Ethics. Not that I have beef with UON. Reality is, the
number of students in Strath who are ethically upright vis-a-vis UON is higher.
But that is hypothetical, given that there are no tests I have carried out to verify
the same. However, there are incidents that have made me believe that Strath
has truly given students an edge when it comes to matters ethics.
For
example, you might leave you phone or computer unattended and two days down the
line if you forgot about it, chances are, you will still find it having been
safely kept. There are scenarios where students have been able to recover their
valuables even in our class and that is commendable. The same cannot be said of
UON. The numbers in UON make it hard to reliably ensure that most students have
truly internalized that they should be of high moral standards. In my first
year, my mates lost their laptops under unclear circumstances that were quite
baffling. The door was broken and the laptops stolen by people we speculated
were pals with insider knowledge on how we did things. And such incidents were
prone in the hostels, lecture halls were not isolated either. Methinks they are
still rampant. When you want to maintain a certain lifestyle and the
probability to sustain it is actually low, you may end up doing that which is a
vice.
When
it comes to lecturers, Strath is still way below UON. There are some lecturers
in UON have more than twenty years or in
some cases, 50 years of experience in the academic industry. When one stays for
a long duration in a certain field, she is able to execute some complexities
with lots of ease much to the chagrin of a rookie. In such circumstances, you
have to struggle a lot if not nimble enough with your studies because the lecturers
in UON presume you know. But that does not mean that they are better off. There
major problem is that they rarely attend classes as they should. In a semester,
there are lecturers who will attend a paltry 3 out of a possible 12 classes.
Side hustle or something. But that also means that as a student you are
disadvantaged because they will rush when time is up to complete the syllabus.
As a result, if you are not sharp, you know what’s up.
The
only reason why Strath lecturers may fair better than their UON counterparts is
that they usually have to compensate for the hours they have not lectured. Plus
they usually have tangible reasons why they never show up. Most however juggle
studies with teaching which is not a bad thing considering that the two go hand
in hand. That they are less experienced is not in doubt. Many of the mates we
were with in UON have confessed of the same. Rarely have I encountered a
scenario where a lecturer comes to teach just by sheer recalling the topic
having taught it continuously for a considerable period of time. Most are usually in a rush just like their
counterparts in UON. This can be attributed to the public university mentality
that they went through as students. However, if you find a lecturer who studied
in Strath, the chap is very thorough and lethal. Like we were taught by an
upcoming lecturer who had just transitioned from Strath and the dude was quite
smart. However, I must say that having been in a similar position before,
teaching is different. Not a single day is the same.
When
it comes to sports, Leos have an edge over Mean Machine. The situation is grim
for my former Alma mater. My current has invested a lot and they are doing well
winning many tournaments that they feature. That’s the reason why they continue
to shine perpetually as the latter continues to sink but not deep in the abyss.
But I have never attended any of the games featuring the two teams. I am also
too busy these days so much so that creating time for hobbies is becoming a
real hurdle that I am forced not to indulge in.
When
it comes to ladies, UON beats Strath hands down with ladies who are beautiful.
Could it be because of the strict policies put in place shielding the chics
from coming out as pretty in Strath? I doubt. However, even though the number
of those who are pretty is not as high, the number of those who are next to
those who are pretty is commendable. They rarely have those who have menial
features which is quite prevalent in UON. But being a liberal University, any
lady in UON can look good with time and they do after sometime. The only
downside is that some become lovers of sugar daddies forgetting that that is a
pro tem relation. Once you are sell by date, another flame will replace you
sooner than you expected. Who knows, chances are ladies are just the same.
Maybe some Strath chics are also into such affairs only that they keep the
affairs discrete. Not openly where you can find them out.
There
is also the issue of goons. There is no doubt that UON has the highest number
of them. My pal in campus used to say that if he had the chance, he would
ensure that students from a certain tribe or region in Kenya would never be
given admission in the institution because they really get influenced to become
goons once they develop a liking for mullahs. Or is it something to do with
attitude. And goons control everything in UON. But they have a liking for
elections. You have to part with some cash to be able to campaign if a
candidate. Plus they can even stab you in worse scenarios. They also control
other activities that you can never know if you never have a penchant for
campus affairs. On the contrary, Strath has no goons. It does not make life any
interesting. You sometimes need societal misfits who make life worthy a tale.
One
thing I hate about Strath is that it has no student celebs. Those students who
are influential and call the shots or are known by almost everyone. The ones
who are known to be overly drunk, those who are thought to be licentious, those
who peddle illicits and the list is endless. This is a bland institution if you
are after adventure. Most guys are chummed and class difference really plays
out. You never hear of the guy who has dated almost all the beauties in the
institution. Neither do you hear of a guy who did something funny like whore
being beaten up by comrades while it is the student who solicited for services
he refused to pay for her dues. At the end of the day its the society scoffs at
ladies of the night. Right. Guys drive
in Strath but don’t know that that is an aphrodisiac for the average lass. They
got deep pockets but they don’t show off like they should. Me wishes these
buggers were in UON. Where life is a real hustleGuys who did drive in UON had a
bevy of ladies to choose from. But am past that age of catching up for now to
reliable get the true picture. I only do so when I meet friends. Past that, I
am a societal recluse. As such, I do not have a lot of insider information
given that I only go to Strath thrice a week.
One
thing I love about the student centre in Strath is that it inculcates
responsibility in an individual in as much as it is affordable and quite posh
by its standards. You are required to queue for your food which is usually a
buffet served by very neat servers even though some may sound harsh at times.
You pay after collecting your food as opposed to UON where you had to pay
before making an order which you may never get. Plus the variety of meals is
adequate while in Strath, you have the choice of fruits if you want a dessert
or a cup of coffee which is prepared by a barista if you want luxury (am
usually broke that's why I find that a luxury), there is cake, veges, snacks
and other meals I am not sure of the names. There is still no Java as in USIU
though. Once you finish eating, you are required to return the plates, cutlery
and cups to the kitchen. I just love the ambience of Strath’s student center.
It's quite cosy though noisy in comparison to that of UON.
I
had never noticed that there were fashion cops in Strath until one of my pals
told me that those ladies manning some of the entrances were cops to look out
for ladies flouting fashion rules. The are no metal detectors also for the
sentries in contrary to UON. Just like UON, you have to issue your ID if a
student or national ID if an outsider. It’s a measure to reduce on those who
take advantage of freebies or criminals. Those who like freebies are also the
chaps who contribute to diminishing standards at the end of the day.
Am
running short of words, therefore I have to make a conclusion. If I was offered
a chance to study in either institutions, I would have gone for my
undergraduate studies in Strath. It makes sense. However, the only downside is
that it has no numbers and a delectable experience given that most guys act
kind of upright. Where people are numerous, you get to see very many awkward
characters and even make so many friends if you are not a social wreck. On the
contrary, I would prefer doing my postgraduate studies in UON if I will gather
the nerves to do it. It is more demanding and makes you more independent. UON
is in another level when it comes to studies. That could be the reason why so
many lecturers from Strathmore were once students in UON.
But
as an individual you always have a choice. Your success is never tied to an
institution. It’s you to make hay while the sun shines. The world is not
concerned by your onslaught. If victory comes your way, you
will smile widely at the end of the day. Alone.
Hasta
La Vista, Baby.
[Photo
Source: My own]
