Mamuk Gebrekidan is a graduate from Adi-Keih College of Business and Social Sciences’ 17th commencement. Mamuk graduated with outstanding academic achievements, and he shares the journey of his success.
Congratulations! Can you tell us a bit about your background?
Thank you. I have graduated with a Law degree (LLB) with a 3.91GPA. I grew up in Asmara and attended Semaetat Secondary School. After that, I went to Sawa to finish 12th grade.
How did you prepare in Sawa?
Being prepared and having clear goals was key to doing well in Sawa. It’s also important to understand your strengths and seek guidance from your mentors. The learning environment is very supportive, with teachers and mentors who are all there to help you succeed. I used to dedicate hours of study every night, and that consistency really paid off. In my free time, I would also discuss and help out my classmates and roommates.
What was the biggest challenge of transitioning to college?
College was definitely a step up from what I was used to in Sawa. The workload became heavier, and the courses were more demanding. As a college student, you need to be able to manage your time effectively, a strong reader, and be consistent in your studies. Surrounding yourself with friends who are also focused on academics is important too.
Adapting to a new environment and climate can be challenging at first, but having a clear goal and learning from those who came before you can help you adjust. The experience of socializing with different people in Sawa actually helped me prepare for the social aspects of college life. The biggest difference was the increased workload and the variety of courses.
What drew you to study law?
I’ve always been interested in studying law, even when I chose social sciences in high school. Law isn’t easy, but I knew from the beginning that the challenges were worth the rewards.
What fascinated me about law is the role it plays in maintaining order and upholding the rule of law in society. Being a law expert allows you to contribute to a nation’s development. Law ensures social harmony and paves the way for a country’s progress. As a law scholar, you get to be part of that effort.
How was your experience in law school?
The workload in law school was significantly heavier. We did a lot of reading and participated in practical case studies to prepare for our final dissertation. The classes were interactive, with opportunities to ask questions and get answers. Most of our instructors were judges and legal professionals who brought real-world cases into the classroom. This made learning much more engaging and relatable. Their approach helped us develop our critical thinking and analytical skills through what we call the “Socratic Method.”
How do you feel your education has prepared you for your future legal career?
Even before graduation, we were assigned to work in different legal areas. It was impressive to see how the knowledge and skills we learned could be immediately applied in our new roles. Knowing that our education is a service to the public good is a great source of satisfaction. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all our instructors for their excellent preparation, which has equipped us to navigate the practical experiences we’ll encounter in the real world. Their guidance and dedication has been invaluable in shaping us to be capable law professionals.
Can you elaborate some of the difficulties you faced as a student and how you stayed motivated?
As a college student, there were definitely challenges. But remembering the encouragement from my family, the free education I was receiving, and the precious time I was dedicating all played a part in my motivation. Completing my studies wasn’t just about me – it was about giving back to my family and society. Having a clear goal was key. There were distractions and temptations, but my goal kept me focused and helped me resist them.
Making mistakes is part of learning. The important thing is to learn from them. Societal influences can also be a challenge, but again, having a clear goal helped me remember that I was being prepared for future challenges, both in society and in my career.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
College is just the beginning, not the end. It’s a new opportunity to keep learning. Don’t become complacent just because you scored well on entrance exams. Surrounding yourself with friends who are also focused on their studies was a huge factor for me. Having a good support system of like-minded people really helped me grow academically and enjoy my college experience. Consistency is also crucial for maintaining good results.
Law school was particularly demanding. Most of our instructors were legal professionals who brought real-world experiences into the classroom. They taught us using actual cases they encountered, which helped us connect the knowledge to what we would face in our careers. Additionally, as law students, we had to develop strong research skills. We started doing research papers as early as our second year, and these projects honed our academic abilities and prepared us to participate in discussions and present our own ideas. It was challenging at first, but with hard work and dedication, we became sharper in our research and analysis.
How did your family, faculty, and staff contribute to your growth?
The support of my family was essential. Their encouragement and guidance were the driving force behind my educational success. My parents were always there for me, and they helped me develop in to the realm of not just intellectual intelligence but also emotional and social intelligence.
The faculty and staff also played a crucial role. They worked tirelessly to ensure we had a positive college experience and instilled the necessary knowledge in us. I’m truly grateful for their dedication.
