By Idayat Hassan
A Chief Counsellor at the Counselling and Human Development Centre, University of Ilorin, Dr Aminullahi Salman Alawaye, has urged newly-admitted students of the institution to meticulously follow the registration procedures and prioritise their mental well-being as they begin their academic journey.
Dr Alawaye gave this advice last Monday (September 29, 2025) while featuring on “Meet the Counselor” a weekly programme of UNILORIN 89.3 FM.
The Counsellor identified the acceptance of admission on the JAMB CAPS portal as the non-negotiable first step for all new students.
He also emphasised the importance of document organisation, las he identified the JAMB admission letter, O’level results, birth certificate, and payment receipts as essentials that must be kept ready in a file for ease of Faculty and Departmental clearance.
“After celebrating your admission, action begins. The first step is online acceptance on the JAMB CAPS portal. Without this, the admission is not complete,” Dr Alawaye stated while responding to a question on where students should begin.
Addressing the core of registration procedure, the Counsellor detailed the key stages: Faculty clearance, course registration, and biometric capture.
He highlighted consultation with assigned Level Advisers as a critical step, which is needed to be taken to avoid the common mistake of registering for incorrect courses.
“Your Level Adviser is there to help you. Don’t be shy; ask questions,” he advised. “Ensure you finalise and print your course form after selection. Don’t just select and log out.”
Dr Alawaye acknowledged the possiblity of the occurence of common challenges like homesickness, academic pressure, and time management, urging students to see these as normal parts of the adjustment process.
To overcome these hurdles, Dr Alawaye recommended joining clubs and societies to build social networks and creating a personal study timetable. He further reassured students that the Counselling and Human Development Centre is available for support.
“Please know that the Counselling Centre is here for you. If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or just need someone to talk to, our doors are open. We provide confidential support to help you thrive, not just survive,” Dr Alawaye assured.
He advised the freshers to be open-minded, build positive relationships, and start their academic journey on a focused and organised note as he welcomed them to the UNILORIN community.
