A Stellar Reading Room
By: Winifred Suleiman
Preface: The Stella Reading Room, located on LUTH’s campus at the College of Medicine, was built in honor of Dr. Stella Adedavoh, who sacrificed her life in 2014 to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus in Nigeria by identifying and isolating patient zero, Patrick Sawyer.
Before we get into this, understand that I love Stella. Honestly, who doesn’t? But beyond its basic function as a reading room, it comes with experiences—good and bad—that deserve documenting. So, let’s begin!
Amongst other things, Stella is known notoriously for the consuming, unforgiving, suffocating heat. The building has no windows, with ceiling fans being the only source of ventilation. In 2023 when I stepped into Stella for the first time, carrying a tote bag filled with Anatomy notes to study, I felt my body shrinking in on itself due to the terrible heat. Nobody told me twice to pack my bags and run. You will be surprised to know that there were people still bent over their desks, faces peering into their notebooks regardless. Abeg how una dey do am?I wan learn.
Thankfully, as of today, Air conditioners have been installed and the atmosphere in the reading room is now bearable. On some good days, it's even cold! But omo, whenever there's no light, I will advise you to just stay in and study on your bed, because the heat can evaporate everything you're trying to learn.
Another thing I love about Stella is that it is an unspoken couple spot. You will see different types of couples studying together all day, every day, inside that reading room. While it's cute to see, don't make the mistake of sitting in close proximity to them. You will just be hearing giggles and conversations that have nothing to do with the in-course you're preparing for.
Did you know that there are some people that make a living in Stella? I once wanted to grab a cold drink outside after studying for two hours, so I asked the person two seats away from me to help me look after my books, power bank, and water bottle before I got back. This person literally asked for 2,000 naira up front. Or I pay them 200 naira per minute. Abi na joke?? My dear, I sat down back until I was ready to leave o. 2k that can buy me four cold drinks, I should give you keh?
I need to point out that some people have actually rented one self-contain room inside Stella. They are there with their belongings 24/7, day and night, and are even friends with the security guard. It's remaining small for them to bring their buckets and bathing necessities along. Abi it has passed the book we are all reading? Nobody should pressure me o!
Speaking of pressure, there are some kind of reading techniques you will see inside Stella, you sef go shock! I wanted to play a part in being the good samaritan one day and wake somebody up from sleep. This person had been sitting next to me for over an hour with their head on the table so I decided to just tap them so they'll continue studying. As I tapped this person they just started narrating a topic in pharmacokinetics to me. Ah! yabaleft is not far o. Everyone should take it easy. We will be fine.
In truth, Stella is an amazing place to study, save for the minor inconveniences. But abeg, if you're the one that took my black Airpods on the desk I was at last week, kindly return them. God is watching you!
It’s really funny how I would pick Stella over any other reading spots. During the preparation for my first MB, I made friends and study partners in that hell-like heat situation. Stella turned into our space, and sometimes our bedroom😂😂.
This post couldn't have come at a more ironic time. As I sit here in Stella without electricity, the heat is unbearable and stressful in itself. To make matters more interesting, this is actually my first time here. The coincidence between my current situation and this article is just too striking to ignore, so I had to share my thoughts.