Making the best out of your sojourn at the University
Kusimo Olufemi Samuel is the inspiration behind this article you are about to read. He is a graduate of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management (AEFM) from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, FUNAAB.
We considered his story fit for sharing because of the motivation it carries and how he was able to manage his time in achieving his aim in the University while at the same time functioning well in other parastatals on campus and beyond.
Kusimo finished his secondary school education in 2011 and tried on several attempt to gain admission into the university until luck shined on him in his third attempt in 2014. In his response, when asked why he never gave up in his pursuant for admission into FUNAAB, he believed there's more to life than he already knew and he was ready to make the big difference by going steps further into the University for a degree.
He graduated with a upper credit. However while on campus, he was privileged to serve as the Deputy Speaker of the National Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS) in his 300L days, Secretary of the FUNAAB Student Union Independent Electoral Committee (FUNIEC) in his final year amidst many others. In his story we picked the following handy lifestyles.
Healthy Lifestyles of Highly Successful People in Academics
Openness/Flexibility: Life in the university is beyond that of any other institution which you have attended in the past. You may be the best where you are coming from but it doesn't matter anymore in the University. You have to drop all your past achievement and position yourself for something better by being flexible to learn and be open to new ideas coming from different people with different perspective about life.
Always maintain good Sitting Position in classes: Ensure you sit where you can have the best visual of the lecturer and the board be it electronic or manual.
Eat before going to classes: This is a very pivotal point we mustn't sweep away. You can't do anything with an empty stomach. Everything you try to do, whether attending classes, reading, going for tutorials or group study are not going to be effective if you do them on empty stomach.
Be Punctual in classes: Punctuality is the sole of business they say. Those who are always punctual in classes tend to have an idea of how lecturers will set their questions or where they will set it from. If you don't gave a good reason, don't miss lectures.
Take time to relax: All Work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Take time to relax, it's not every time you read. Engage yourself in activities that bring about muscular relaxation relive you of mental stress and have a balanced social lifestyle.
Don't Procrastinate: Procrastination is a thief of time. He who procrastinate a lot get little things done in a long time. If you must end well as a student, drop the habit of procrastination.
Don't read with so many people: As much as you can avoid distraction. Reading in the midst of people who come to distract you every time won't make you cover up much in time. Always avoid the urge to read in the midst of people. Identify the best environment where you can cope with reading and also assimilate quickly.
Ask for help: No one is an island of knowledge. Always make it a habit to speak out and seek help when you need one. There are some topics you'll encounter which will be a big task for you. Meet up with your mates or senior colleagues who can put you through and don't die of ego.
The Unavoidable.
There are many things you'll encounter as student which you cannot avoid. I tag them "the unavoidables". They include
1. Borrowed Courses: Do not be surprised when you see yourself offering courses irrelevant to your programme. You also need to take them with much seriousness as other relevant courses because failing them means you have to retake them until you pass them.
2. Mode of Examination (CBT): Not so many people are familiar with the use of Computer for Examination. However in our contemporary world, it is expected that all student have a reasonable level of computer literacy. Our world is revolving, educational tech is also advancing. So you must also be familiar with the use of computer, you cannot avoid it.
3. You'll meet and live with different set of people: Develop a high level of tolerance because here in the university, you'll meet other people of different language, ethnicity, belief, religion, custom and ideas. No matter the differences, you have to live with everyone of them in peace without causing a fuss. Develop good interpersonal relationship skill so you can cope. You're developing yourself for a bigger world.
And lastly, we will consider;
The Useful Strategies for attaining Academic Excellence.
In conclusion,
Be careful of every decision you make in the University, they can make or mar you.
A word is enough for the wise.
I hope you find this piece useful and impacting, do well to share with your mate and senior colleagues in every institution.
 |
| Femi Kusimo |
We considered his story fit for sharing because of the motivation it carries and how he was able to manage his time in achieving his aim in the University while at the same time functioning well in other parastatals on campus and beyond.
Kusimo finished his secondary school education in 2011 and tried on several attempt to gain admission into the university until luck shined on him in his third attempt in 2014. In his response, when asked why he never gave up in his pursuant for admission into FUNAAB, he believed there's more to life than he already knew and he was ready to make the big difference by going steps further into the University for a degree.
 |
| Kusimo with the then Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and the then Dean of Student Affairs and other notable staff. |
He graduated with a upper credit. However while on campus, he was privileged to serve as the Deputy Speaker of the National Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS) in his 300L days, Secretary of the FUNAAB Student Union Independent Electoral Committee (FUNIEC) in his final year amidst many others. In his story we picked the following handy lifestyles.
Healthy Lifestyles of Highly Successful People in Academics
Openness/Flexibility: Life in the university is beyond that of any other institution which you have attended in the past. You may be the best where you are coming from but it doesn't matter anymore in the University. You have to drop all your past achievement and position yourself for something better by being flexible to learn and be open to new ideas coming from different people with different perspective about life.
Always maintain good Sitting Position in classes: Ensure you sit where you can have the best visual of the lecturer and the board be it electronic or manual.
The language of the lecturer is the language of the examination.
Eat before going to classes: This is a very pivotal point we mustn't sweep away. You can't do anything with an empty stomach. Everything you try to do, whether attending classes, reading, going for tutorials or group study are not going to be effective if you do them on empty stomach.
Be Punctual in classes: Punctuality is the sole of business they say. Those who are always punctual in classes tend to have an idea of how lecturers will set their questions or where they will set it from. If you don't gave a good reason, don't miss lectures.
Take time to relax: All Work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Take time to relax, it's not every time you read. Engage yourself in activities that bring about muscular relaxation relive you of mental stress and have a balanced social lifestyle.
Don't Procrastinate: Procrastination is a thief of time. He who procrastinate a lot get little things done in a long time. If you must end well as a student, drop the habit of procrastination.
Don't read with so many people: As much as you can avoid distraction. Reading in the midst of people who come to distract you every time won't make you cover up much in time. Always avoid the urge to read in the midst of people. Identify the best environment where you can cope with reading and also assimilate quickly.
Ask for help: No one is an island of knowledge. Always make it a habit to speak out and seek help when you need one. There are some topics you'll encounter which will be a big task for you. Meet up with your mates or senior colleagues who can put you through and don't die of ego.
The Unavoidable.
There are many things you'll encounter as student which you cannot avoid. I tag them "the unavoidables". They include
1. Borrowed Courses: Do not be surprised when you see yourself offering courses irrelevant to your programme. You also need to take them with much seriousness as other relevant courses because failing them means you have to retake them until you pass them.
2. Mode of Examination (CBT): Not so many people are familiar with the use of Computer for Examination. However in our contemporary world, it is expected that all student have a reasonable level of computer literacy. Our world is revolving, educational tech is also advancing. So you must also be familiar with the use of computer, you cannot avoid it.
3. You'll meet and live with different set of people: Develop a high level of tolerance because here in the university, you'll meet other people of different language, ethnicity, belief, religion, custom and ideas. No matter the differences, you have to live with everyone of them in peace without causing a fuss. Develop good interpersonal relationship skill so you can cope. You're developing yourself for a bigger world.
And lastly, we will consider;
The Useful Strategies for attaining Academic Excellence.
- Don't wait till exam before reading. Always prepare ahead, there are times when you'll do impromptu test. Be prepared and ready at all times.
- Discover people's potential early. Don't trivialise having relationship with people. There's big power in networking. Your network is your net worth. Develop the potential of people in your circle and build a good relationship with them.
- Believe in yourself, Believe in God. You ain't a retard. You are here for a purpose. If others can do, then you can. Speak hope to yourself and pursue academic excellence with full zeal.
- Develop mental toughness. You must be able to cope anytime no matter the situation. School life is rugged. Academic learning environment are not so conducive. Things are not going to go in the easy way for you, so be prepared and ready to conquer.
- Develop positive mindset (Be optimistic): Always see the positive side of success. Others' failure are not reasons good enough for you to back out or think lower of yourself.
- Go for educative programmes: School is not all about school lectures alone. Attend programmes outside academics. Be informed. Build skills that can help you cope in the world outside the four corners of the university should in case your certificates fails you. You need a backup. Education is not everything.
- Build Relationship with your tutors, lecturers and advisors. You'll need their assistance in the long run when you have no where else to look to.
In conclusion,
"when we are born, we look like our parent, but when we are growing, we look like our decisions".
Be careful of every decision you make in the University, they can make or mar you.
A word is enough for the wise.
I hope you find this piece useful and impacting, do well to share with your mate and senior colleagues in every institution.
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