Around August this year, the gates of the different University shall be opened to the freshmen from kids of life. Young men and women poised to advance their intellectual abilities to contribute significantly to the world sometimes are oblivious of some truths about the academic level they are getting to. From my personal experience, here are five things i believe every University Student should know before making their way to University this coming August
1. University is not Canaan (Promised Land) but rather a passage to it
Joining a university of one’s dreams for a course one’s dreams can be such a monumental achievement that you may live to tell. But the tale is of more importance if you become the person you went to University to become.
Having that at the back of your mind calls for suspending the grand celebration just until you achieve your dream career. It is common knowledge that if you attend every outside class activity at Campus, you can spend all your years at University without attending a single Lecture. It is imperative to settle in early while recognizing the freedoms (no more 9 pm curfews) and wisely use that freedom such that you walk out of the gates of your University into your dream career triumphantly
2. University creates an environment for learning
University creates an environment for learning. The Tuition one pays might mislead them to believe that they will be taught everything as regards their course but actually that is not true. The University lecturer is not by any means the custodian of wisdom but rather a facilitator of learning.
Learning is solely the responsibility of the student and a lot of things, the interested student will actually find out for themselves. A lot of things I do in my line of work, I didn’t learn in class but through the environment that the University created.
The notice boards at the different University colleges are places that are full of opportunities namely student competitions, career developments events, scholarships, fellowships, etc. These are avenues for you to compete and show your self worthy of honors that you can never get from class
3. Don’t expect to re-invent the wheel
The wheel has already been designed. What is required of you is to find new ways of how you can use the wheel. Many of us joined the Engineering school with the view of designing amplifiers, capacitors, diodes, ICs, Computer Motherboards, etc. That stuff has already been designed and so what is required of you is to use what the world has already designed and come up with things that the world has never seen
4. Those are the last free years of your life
At University the demands from the pressures of the outside world may not weigh heavily on a student. Favors shall be extended to you from family, friends, and relatives. These times are surely free from family stress, free from work stress. Surely it is a time to enjoy as your sole responsibility is to excel at University.
But It is surely a time of learning and preparation for the world of work after University. It is paramount that a student doesn’t get caught up in the freedom and the fun activities that University has to offer but rather spend ample time adding value to themselves as the world of work pays you for the value you bring to the market place
5. University Education (degree) doesn’t guarantee you a job
It is to some extent assumed that after a university degree, a job is always on the lookout for you. Sadly that is not the truth. In the world after school, rewards are by merit. Grades are the yardstick of intellectualism in school, in the world of work skills with corresponding intellectualism are the yardstick.
Some students focus so much on the attainment of grades (which is a good thing) but the world of work judges us on grounds of what we can do with our knowledge. In the quest for good grades, it is important for a student to reflect on what they can do with their so far acquired knowledge.
Walking out of the gates of your University after your academic program, the million-dollar question is what skills have I attained while at University that the world of work can pay for?
In conclusion, enjoy your time at University while it lasts, learn as much as you can even more than what your course offers. The world is very competitive and seeks men and women of multiple skills and talents. Since you will surely have a lot of time with you while at University, it is imperative that you learn a skill that you wouldn’t have acquired if you only concentrated on your course. All the best as you start this new chapter in your Life.
