Seven questions with Marian Adejokun

This week, meet Marian Adejokun who has recently finished studying for an MA in Early Years Education at the UCL Institute of Education.

In 2011, Marian suffered a violent allergic reaction to eye drops and spent more than three weeks in a coma. As well as embarking on a university career after her recovery, Marian has written a book and regularly delivers motivational speeches about her life-changing experience.

Why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

I have always been passionate about working with young children since I was a teenager, having had a lot of experience in various school settings. I believe the foundation of a child's life is crucial and most importantly children always remember what adults have instilled into their lives and share it amongst their peers and even into adulthood. The key aspect is ensuring that the children's needs are being met first, with the guidance of professionals to improve their learning and developmental areas.

Having enjoyed my current course, I would like to embark on furthering my education as I feel this I need to enhance my skills and knowledge even more in order to be the best early years teacher I can be.

What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

Having the advantage of sharing my life changing story with UCL staff and students in my class. I have also given a motivational speech at SOAS to a group of students which was an enjoyable experience.

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL? 

I would say there are a lot of interesting events taking place at the university and also I love enjoying some quiet time on campus, as I like writing and observing my environment taking pictures and turning it into a little story.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

• Visit one of London's many museums
• The views from the London eye
• Historical landmarks in London

If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?

I would want to encourage individuals to believe in themselves and follow their dreams which is my motto and more so support them in reaching their dreams.

Who inspires you and why?

The person who inspires me the most would be my mother, Aderemi Adejokun  she is a single of mother of four kids and she has always motivated us to do our best no matter what challenges may come our way.

She founded her own charity, Relief Africa, and we has a family go out to the elderly homes, orphanages, schools, churches, and hospitalsin Africa to give our time and entertain, just to put a smile of peoples faces and give back to the community. I would describe my mom as selfless because she always puts others before herself.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

Back in 2011 I had a rare and violent allergic reaction to eye drops and my whole skin peeled off from head to toe and sent me into coma for nearly a month. As a result of my experience, I am all about encouraging and motivating youths to never ever give up, no matter what the struggle may be.

I see my story as a positive one because I believe this will inspire a lot of youths out there to be grateful for what they have and more so to fulfil their purpose in life and be a blessing to someone else. My motto is "believe in yourself and follow your dreams".

Since recovering from the coma, I have been interviewed by a lot of media outlets like the BBC, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and ITV News. I have also met and shared my story with Martin Luther King Junior's family during the Atlanta Global Humanitarian Summit back in March 2016. 

I am also a published author of two books. I deliver motivational speeches at primary schools, high schools and conferences in London and abroad. I am not about being famous but rather making a difference in another person's life. Please, feel free to Google Marian Adejokun and find out more about me.