A record-breaking UDUS graduate says curiosity, consistency, and a commitment to understanding concepts—not simply passing exams—were the keys to his academic success.

For many students, medical school is synonymous with sleepless nights, relentless coursework, and the constant pressure to perform. Academic excellence can seem almost unattainable. Yet for 27-year-old Abubakar Abdulrasaq Karshi, success was not driven by an obsession with grades alone. Instead, it grew from something far simpler: curiosity.

A native of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, Abdulrasaq believes that a genuine desire to understand the world is one of the surest pathways to academic achievement. That mindset recently earned him recognition as the best graduating student at the 17th induction ceremony for Medical Laboratory Science graduates of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS).

His achievement was historic. With a cumulative grade point average of 4.89 on a 5-point scale, Abdulrasaq became the first student in the history of the School of Medical Laboratory Sciences (SMLS) to attain such a distinction. But he insists the accomplishment was never simply about numbers.

For him, the achievement reflects years of cultivating a habit of learning for its own sake rather than studying merely to pass examinations.

Ironically, when he arrived at UDUS in 2019, becoming the institution’s best graduating student was never part of the plan.

“I didn’t start with the mindset of becoming the best graduating student,” he admitted.

Medical Laboratory Science is widely regarded as one of the university’s most demanding programmes, requiring students to master a large volume of coursework while balancing theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Like many students, Abdulrasaq was aware of the challenges from the outset.

For some, those realities might have been discouraging. For him, they became a source of motivation.

“I became determined to give my best at every stage. This led to my passion for knowledge and curiosity to understand concepts rather than reading to pass exams. The curiosity further grew into becoming the driving force behind my performance and consistency.”

That philosophy gradually transformed the way he approached his studies. Learning ceased to be a routine academic exercise and instead became an opportunity to deepen his understanding of disease diagnosis, laboratory science, and patient care. The more he learned, the more motivated he became to stay focused on his goals and avoid distractions that could derail his progress.

How It Began

Abdulrasaq’s academic journey reflected the discipline for which UDUS is known. Early in his university career, he developed a strong reading culture, moving beyond occasional studying and adopting a far more structured approach to learning.

“My reading strategy was based on consistency and understanding. I didn’t rely on last-minute preparation. Instead, I studied regularly, reviewed my notes after lectures, and made sure I understood concepts before moving on. I also practiced active learning, summarizing what I read, discussing with colleagues, and sometimes teaching others. This helped reinforce my understanding. Additionally, I made use of multiple resources, including textbooks, lecture materials, and recent research articles,” he said.

The results were evident from the beginning. He recorded a CGPA of 4.65 in his first year, followed by 4.79 in his second year, 4.87 in his third year, and 4.89 in both his fourth and final years.

Yet the numbers tell only part of the story.

What truly distinguished Abdulrasaq was his ability to remain disciplined over a prolonged period. While many students focus on examinations, he concentrated on daily habits. He made it a routine to review lecture notes each day, ensuring that he fully understood what had been taught before moving on to new material.

The journey, however, was far from effortless.

Behind the impressive grades were moments of self-doubt, financial hardship, and the persistent pressure that comes with pursuing excellence in a highly competitive programme.

“One of the major challenges I faced was maintaining consistency over a long period, especially with the demanding nature of the course,” he recalled. “There were moments of tiredness, pressure, and self-doubt.”

Financial constraints also posed difficulties. Rather than allowing those challenges to define him, however, he used them as opportunities to build resilience and resourcefulness. The experience strengthened his determination and reinforced his commitment to his goals.

Among the obstacles he encountered, he found the department’s grading system particularly challenging. Yet instead of viewing it as an impediment, he chose to treat it as another problem to solve.

“I made sure I understood the expectations of each lecturer and tailored my preparation accordingly,” he said.

Attention to detail became another hallmark of his approach. He worked to ensure that his examination responses were precise, organized, and aligned with what was being assessed.

“I also made it a point to study past questions and understand the pattern of assessment,” he added.

The rewards extended far beyond graduating with first-class honours. Abdulrasaq was recognized as the best graduating student in the Department of Chemical Pathology, the best student in laboratory posting, and the overall best graduating student. Alongside those honours, he received 11 cash prizes in recognition of his outstanding performance.

Words of Advice

Asked what lessons he would share with students hoping to achieve similar success, Abdulrasaq offered a message rooted in discipline, faith, and self-belief.

“Be consistent, pray, stay focused, and believe in yourself. You don’t have to be the most hardworking person; be the smartest person in the room, and be willing to put in the work. Avoid procrastination, attend your lectures, and build a strong understanding of your courses. Also, surround yourself with like-minded individuals.”

Looking Ahead

While his academic journey at UDUS has reached a significant milestone, Abdulrasaq views it as only the beginning.

Looking to the future, he hopes to channel his passion for research and public health into improving disease detection and management within local communities. His ambition is to contribute meaningfully to a healthcare system that increasingly depends on accurate laboratory diagnostics and evidence-based decision-making.

“As a Medical Laboratory Scientist, I want to contribute towards improving healthcare delivery through accurate and reliable laboratory diagnostics,” he said.