Towards a successful first year in school

Are you preparing for UTME or A-levels examinations, have you just gotten admission or are you already in your first year? I have something for you today to help you through the new experience of tertiary education in Nigeria.

-Take your lessons seriously

I am assuming you are in school to perform well in your studies, so, I shouldn’t have to stress this point enough. There will always time for everything as you go on in school except your studies. It is especially important to start well as it may set the tone for the remainder of your stay. It is always easier to maintain good grades than trying to repair bad ones. You don’t want to look back one day and regret not having focused in your first year. So, let your studies be your first priority, get in the groove and you will be thankful for it later.

-Focus on and in class

Following from the first tip, going to class is not the same thing as focusing in class. So, pay attention to your lecturers, give them full concentration and you will find out that reading after classes will be much more fun. Some of the courses you will be taking are hinged on a single concept. If you miss or do not understand the concept as a result of inadequate concentration, you may find it hard to understand the remaining parts of the course. Learn to jot while your lecturer is explaining, not everything will be in your notes. Make it a habit never to miss classes and practicals and always be early. I once fell into the habit of reading Harry Potter novels during class; the end result was the worst result I ever obtained in school.

-Prepare and devote yourself to assignments and tests

So, here is a secret; your tests and assignments are the secrets to higher grades. They are much easier to pass with high grades. You have days to research and submit an excellent assignment and during tests, there is usually enough time to read as different lecturers give tests at different times. In most institutions in Nigeria, they take 35-45 percent of the total marks in all courses. So, picture a situation where you already have 30percent before examinations. You can now approach your exams under no tension and when you are at ease, it becomes much easier to pass them in flying colours.

-Read smart and find a suitable reading system

In my previous post, I explained how to read smart. So, I won’t dwell on it too much here. Learn to read smart, start reading well in advance of tests and examinations, avoid piling up a lot of materials before reading, always read soon after each lecture and find a reading system that suits you. Don’t get intimated by the way or manner some people around may be reading. Just get your own pattern that you feel comfortable with.

-Join group discussions and be proactive in seeking for answers

Discussion groups are very good to further help with your studies. It doesn’t even matter if your already understand the topics to be discussed. In fact, while trying to teach others, you are also further increasing your own understanding. If you do not understand a particular topic, do not be shy, ask for help from those around you, your lecturers, the internet and those in front of you. You will be surprised at how many people are willing to help if you approach them with humility.

-Move with like-minded people

There is no denying the fact that you are worth as much as the friends you surround yourself with. A huge number of people have been inspired by the company they kept while an equally sizable number have been limited by theirs. So, if you have a clear goal that you want to achieve, look for people with a similar philosophy and be wary of people whose attitudes are at loggerheads with yours. Being at an impressionable age, there is no such thing as being immune to the habits of your friends, you will gradually imbibe them.

-Learn to be social

This is just as important as your studies. There is no point passing through an institution without allowing it to pass through you. Join a sport, debate or quiz groups, departmental associations, religious associations and other voluntary groups. The experience you will get from them is invaluable. This will prepare you for leadership positions later on in life. However, take care to ensure they don’t overlap or defeat your purpose in school; academic progress.

-Shun cultism and other vices

Sadly, social vices such as cultism, prostitution (in all its guiles), addiction to hard drugs and clubbing among others are gradually gaining ground among the youths of today. Nothing has the potential to derail your pursuit of excellence as quickly and dramatically as these evils. Steer clear of them; do not even try to eat with these devils nusing a long stop, refuse to eat with them at all. All social vices eventually come home to roost and their end results are never good to behold.