Dear Diary, my Brain is on Lockdown

12 AM
It’s time for night sub! Let’s see… If I do N25 for 250 MB three times, I would be able to stream some YouTube videos and browse through Instagram more freely than my conscience (and my pocket) would allow during the day. Oh wait, I am supposed to take a look at that free online course too, but let me first check out Mayorkun’s new song…

4 AM
“You have 50 MB left….” Wow, so fast? Bu-butt it was just 3 videos on YouTube! I had better get to bed, my eyes are beginning to hurt; I’d check the course out when I wake up. That reminds me, I should set my alarm for 8 AM…but what’s the point? Mummy’s voice would wake me up. In the meanwhile, just ooonnnee more video…

8 AM
There’s a loud banging in my head! And to make things even worse, while I am desperately trying to focus on the chores so that I can get back to bed, Mummy won’t stop passing side comments about how I’m getting older and not displaying the slightest interest in men, just because my elder sister has brought someone home already. It’s funny how the conversation has switched from just focusing on my books in 100 level to husbands in 600 level. Finally, I am free! Time to go back to bed…

11 AM
My empty stomach wakes me up. Before I finally muster enough energy to get back to the kitchen and prepare my food, it’s already noon. Today must be productive! Wait, someone is sharing Hennessy with relief packages? What’s wrong with these politicians?

1 PM
Alright, time to check out those online courses. Ah! All these ‘aspire-to-perspire/productivity’ people have sent a list of another 100 free courses. Kilode gan? E je n simi jare! These courses don’t even have certificates sef. What’s the point gan? No certificates, no data! Na pesin wey dey alive dey dey productive jare. Aww, Jackson just messaged me. My bbaaaaabbbbbyyyy! I’ve missed him so much. This lockdown ehn…

5 PM
Time to start making dinner. Ooorrrrr I can just escape by telling Mummy that I am studying; you know, for resumption. One of the few advantages of being a medical student! All jokes aside though, let me refresh my ophthalmology. Damn, I’m feeling drowsy. Alright, just a five-minute nap, Nike. FIVE MINUTES!

9 PM
I’m sure NCDC would soon release the daily score. I get scared whenever I see those numbers, increasing by about 40 people daily. To make matters worse, I just read the story about that South American country with several dead people in the street. What if it infects my family? What if my friends have it? What if UCH is overwhelmed and they call us back to school, with no PPE or ventilators? What if I contract it? I hate these thoughts, dark as they are, that circle in my head when I think of this disease, especially after being locked up in this house all day long. And yes, I know it’s not good to think like that, but I can’t stop…

10 PM
Lord! Another religious argument on this class group page. Just a little free time and these guys can’t cope! I’d rather spend my time with my girls planning our bucket list for when this lockdown is over. By God, it’s belt and chain they’d have to use to send me back to my room after this “break”.

11:30 PM
So, I’m finally done with La Casa De Papel (yes, I know I’m behind the times). Damn! Nairobi is dead! Whhhyyyyyyyy????? And Arturo is still alive?! Oh, it’s almost midnight. I should still have N50 in my account for night sub. But I should read up developments on Medscape. I’d do that tomorrow joor.

I swear to God, I’m going to read tomorrow.

This was written by Olaoluwa Olorunfemi, a 500-level medical student at the University of Ibadan.

P. S. Click here to watch our YouTube video on why you shouldn’t study Medicine in the University.