5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Studying Geology in AE-FUNAI

I was so happy when I got admission to study Geology in AE-FUNAI. I thought it was just about rocks and looking at mountains. I imagined myself wearing a hat, carrying a bag, and pointing at rocks like a boss.

I was very wrong.

After spending almost 2 years in this department as a Geology student in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, I have seen shege. If you are aspiring to study Geology or you are in 100L now, please sit down and read this. This will save you from carryover and unnecessary stress.

Here are 5 things I wish somebody told me before I started Geology in FUNAI.

1. Geology is not just rocks, it is plenty Chemistry and Physics.

The first shock I got was in 100L first semester. I thought GEY 101 would be about types of rocks only. But I saw calculations, chemical formulas, and physics inside Geology.

Physical Geology has a lot of chemistry. You will calculate specific gravity, hardness, and chemical composition of minerals. If you hated Chemistry in secondary school, my dear you will have to like it by force here.

My advice? Don't joke with CHM 101, PHY 101 and MAT 101 in 100L. Those courses are the foundation of Geology. Many people carry them over and it affects their CGPA till final year.

2. Field work is not enjoyment, it is suffering and enjoyment together.

When they say "we are going to the field" in class, you will think it is excursion to take pictures and post on WhatsApp.

My first field work in Abakaliki made me understand. We left school by 6am. We climbed hill under hot sun. My white canvas turned brown. We were using hammer to break rock, using hand lens to check minerals, and writing field notes at the same time. My legs were shaking.

But after that suffering, when you identify a rock correctly by yourself, like you see granite and you know it is granite without asking your friend, the joy is different. You will feel like a real Geologist.

So if you want to study Geology, prepare your mind. Buy good sneakers, buy a field cap, buy a water bottle. You will need them more than your makeup box.

3. GEY 202 will humble even the best student.

I will not lie. GEY 202 is one course that made me read like I was preparing for JAMB again. Mineralogy is not a joke.

You have to cram physical properties of over 50 minerals. You have to know their chemical formula, their hardness, their cleavage, their colour, their lustre. And the lecturer will not repeat himself. If you miss 2 classes, you are already lost.

Attendance is very important in Geology department. Most lecturers use attendance as part of continuous assessment. If you are the type that sleeps in hostel till 9am, this course will reset your brain.

What I did to pass GEY 202 was to form a reading group with 3 of my course mates. We were reading together every evening at the faculty. That was how I managed to get a C. Without group reading, it would have been worse.

4. You must have your own geological hammer and hand lens early.

This is one mistake I made. I waited till 200L second semester before I bought my hammer. I was always borrowing from senior colleagues. And you know seniors will insult you before they borrow you.

In FUNAI Geology, lecturers respect students who come prepared to the field. If you come with your own hammer, compass clinometer and hand lens, they will even call you to explain something to the class. It gives you confidence.

Don't wait for the department to provide. It is not secondary school. Buy your own tools. You can get fairly used geological hammer in Abakaliki for 8k to 12k. Hand lens is around 3k. Save your pocket money and buy it in 100L. You will use it till final year project.

5. Your CGPA in 100L and 200L will save your life in 300L and 400L.

This is the most important one. My senior in 400L told me this, and now I believe it.

Geology in FUNAI becomes harder as you go higher. In 300L, you will meet Structural Geology, Geophysics, and Paleontology that will make you cry. In 400L, you have mapping and final year project which is like full-time work.

If you don't build your CGPA in 100L and 200L, your final year will be full of tears. Many people start with 4.0 in 100L and graduate with 2.8 because they relaxed in 200L.

My advice? Read from day one. Don't wait till exam is one week. In Geology, last minute reading will not help you because you need to understand, not cram.

Conclusion:

I still love Geology with all the stress. Anytime I identify a rock correctly or I understand how Oban Massif and Calabar Flank was formed, I feel proud. Geology is a beautiful course, but you must be ready for the work.

If you are aspiring to study Geology in AE-FUNAI or you are in 100L or 200L now, I hope this helps you. Tell me in the comments, which of these have you experienced?

And if you are a senior Geologist, what would you add to this list?