This approach not only reduces the pressure on students but it also mirrors real-life situations. In the workplace, for instance, you’re evaluated on your consistent output, not just one high-stakes project, right? It’s a more practical way to prepare students for life beyond the university walls.
Customizing the System for You: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All Anymore
Here’s where it gets interesting: not all universities in Nigeria have adopted the same grading policies. Some are taking it a step further by offering students more control over how they are assessed. Yes, you read that right, take control. In some particular institutions, students can choose to focus more on coursework if they feel more confident in that area or stick to the traditional exam-heavy approach if they’re more comfortable with that.
For instance, if you’re the type who thrives on hands-on projects and regular feedback, you might prefer a system where your performance is judged based on continuous assessments like essays, presentations, or group work. This means you can essentially “customize” your grading experience to suit your strengths. On the other hand, if you’re someone who works best under exam pressure (yes, those people exist!), then some universities allow you to lean more on that.
Think of it as choosing between streaming services—some people prefer Netflix for binge-watching series, while others like YouTube for its quick, short-form content. In 2024, Nigerian universities are giving students more freedom to pick how they’re graded. It’s about time the system acknowledged that different people excel in different ways, right?
Practical Application: How Does This Play Out in Real Life?
Let’s paint a picture: imagine you’re a second-year student studying Electrical Engineering. You’re a hands-on learner, the type who really gets concepts when you’re working on practical projects rather than reading textbooks. Under the new grading system, instead of dreading that one massive final exam that decides your grade, your lecturer spreads out the marks across assignments, practicals, quizzes, and tests.
Week by week, you’re chipping away at your grade, slowly building it up. If you have a bad week, let’s say you didn’t study for a test because life got in the way, it does not completely destroy your GPA. There’s always another opportunity to recover, whether it’s the next quiz or a project that plays to your strengths.
