Ghanaian musician and former University of Ghana SRC President, Maradona Yeboah Adjei, popularly known as Guru, has opened up about the emotional challenges he faced when he decided to return to school after many years away. His candid revelation sheds light on the often-overlooked pressures public figures endure when they pursue higher education later in life.
Speaking in an interview with Dr. Pounds on Hitz FM on Tuesday, November 18, the award-winning rapper described the entire experience as far more difficult than many might assume. Returning to academic life after achieving so much in his musical career brought unexpected emotional discomfort and self-doubt.
“It was a bad feeling… very bad,” Guru confessed. “When you reach a certain stage in life and you’ve achieved a lot, going back to the lecture hall makes you ask yourself — what exactly do you want?”
Despite having the option to enroll in online programs or mature classes that would have placed him among peers closer to his age, Guru intentionally chose the traditional system. He wanted to experience school the regular way, even if it meant learning side-by-side with 18-year-olds and Gen Z students.
His first day back in a lecture hall, after nearly 15 years away from formal education, was overwhelming. Guru described feeling an intense wave of shyness and anxiety.
“I was very shy. I wore nose masks and hoodies all the time. I didn’t want attention,” he said. “If I pulled up in my Challenger, they’d think I was showing off — and I hate that.”
The rapper revealed that he stopped using personal security during this period because he didn’t want to create unnecessary tension or draw attention among the younger students. His goal was to blend in, even though his fame made that nearly impossible.
For almost an entire academic year, Guru attended classes in hoodies — even under scorching sun — just to remain unnoticed. The pressures of being a celebrity student, he explained, were emotionally taxing.
“You’ll be in class sweating and someone is taking a video of you,” he recalled. “You won’t know if they’re trolling or mocking. Students don’t care about what you think.”
These fears, he said, created a sense of emotional isolation. Every step into the classroom came with the worry of being misunderstood, judged, or mocked online.
However, with time, Guru’s experience slowly began to shift. As he advanced from Level 200 to Level 300, he gradually became more comfortable in his new environment. The atmosphere of uneasiness began to fade as he started engaging more confidently with his peers.
“I started coming out of my shell,” he said. “It was difficult, bro. But later, I got used to it — especially when I decided to run for SRC.”
Guru’s decision to run for the SRC presidency, which he eventually won, marked a turning point in his university journey. It helped him embrace student life more openly and connect more comfortably with the younger generation on campus.
His story highlights the courage it takes to step outside one’s comfort zone — especially for public figures who live under constant scrutiny. Guru’s honesty offers a rare and insightful glimpse into the emotional challenges that come with returning to school after years of success in the public eye.
The rapper’s experience is a reminder that education is not a race and that pursuing knowledge at any age is an act of strength. Guru’s journey stands as an inspiration to many who may feel intimidated about returning to the classroom later in life.
