12 PRINCIPLES OF SUCCEEDING ON CAMPUS

Securing admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions is one of the most amazing moments of our lives, especially for those who got admitted after their 5^th or 6^th trials. Be it as it may you are already in, so it doesn’t now matter the number of times you’ve tried, at the end you won, that’s what matters. I am going to show you 12 important ways of succeeding on campus. As a student I applied these and they really worked out well for me.

1. Self-goal – As a fresh or regular student of any tertiary institution in Nigeria, it is important you set goals for yourself, goals simply put are clear statement or map of what you intend to achieve over a period of time. Setting a goal for yourself gives you direction to achieving your giant strides on campus. You should understand that not having a goal puts you in vulnerable position, not having a goal makes you available for any activity, event, program whether or not they contribute to your academic objectives. Setting a goal gives you an option and keeps you inclined and in line with your academic objectives. Your academic goals should help you determine when to study and what works for you. Deciding not to pay lecturers for grades is a goal and to achieve this goal you must remain focused. Focused in that you should remain resilient and dogged in the reality that hard work pays.
2. Select friends – Mind you, it is important you make friends on campus, you should make friends. But be mindful of the kind of friends you make, try not to allow friends choose you rather choose your friends yourself, go for people that fits into your objectives. I tell you, if you are a brilliant student and tend to keep company of dull students, its just a matter of time until your brain begins to drain off. Hey! No student is dull by birth, they are only dull by choice so hanging out with such fellows will only rub off on you in a matter of time. Succeeding on campus requires that you pick friends who inspire you, friends that motivates you to aspire. Never join a group of friends you intend to change, I bet you, you’ll only get trapped, are you aware there are some folks who derive joy in being naughty, are these the ones you want to change?
3. Join creative groups – Joining creative groups doesn’t necessarily mean a study group, it could be a political group or any renowned social group such as your university press group, sport group, fun clubs etc. it is not going to affect you negatively, what you are doing is trying to build self-confidence, public speaking and creative skills. I have seen lots of graduates who ended up in businesses influenced by some social group they joined while on campus. Because you don’t know what the future holds it is important you positively explore some educating and mind building activities to succeed on campus.
4. Socialize – Try as much as possible to mix with people, it is in school that you will learn some strange characters, it is in school that you will be betrayed by a best friend, it is in school that you would be framed up for what you know nothing about and the interesting thing about this is that no matter how you try to exclude yourself from people to avoid troubles somehow it will come to you. So, the best way to avoid these is not to run from people but to hang around your course mates and learn the good, bad and ugly. Why do you think your lecturers always say “allow school to pass through you” you think they are oblivious? The truth remains that your lecturers have stayed in that campus long enough to understand student’s behavior. Socialize and watch, learn from your mistakes so you will prepare for the world outside the school walls.
5. Hard decisions – Sometimes in life you will have to take some bold steps if you must succeed on campus. Understanding how your academia work should inform your decision, know when to say Yes and when to say No to succeed on campus. don’t allow some guy coerce you into making irrational decisions that could ruin you in the long run. Stay focused and keep at your pace.
6. Know your lecturers – While on campus, I was always close to my lecturers, not because I needed any favor from them but because i knew that getting close to them would rub off on me, I needed to challenge myself and feel being watched, so I was always careful, my closeness to some “in quote” dreaded lecturers kept me focused on my academics. I had no choice but to read and pass because I was being watched. So, I will encourage you to find one lecturer especially one who handles your core course, make him or her your friend and be opened for mentorship. Succeeding on campus requires a whole lot from you.
7. Study, study, study – There is nothing that can replace the place of study. Your success on campus depends on how much time you put into reading the most difficult courses. If your goal is never to pay for grades, then you will study to be exceptional. Find out what works for you, decide whether to burn mid night candles or to study at daytime. While on campus I studied mostly in the afternoon after lectures, I was always found in the library from 2pm till about 7pm daily. Most of the nights I slept like a baby while my friends were struggling to catch up with night classes. I discovered studying in the afternoon was my thing, so it formed by goal. There was never a day i did not read!
8. Avoid some things – It is not a must you do what every one is doing on campus, you existed before entering the Uni, the friends you met in school had their lives before then, so why try to drop your ways to pursue another man’s way, why struggle to be what others had enjoyed doing all their lives effortlessly. Please be original and function as your true self. No man is an island yes, but not every tree is fruitful. If you think you are struggling to keep up with a particular lifestyle then know that it is not meant for you, find your own path and trade on it and see how seamless life will be for you on campus.
9. Select a corner to clear your head – As a student, you should look out for a spot in your campus where you can visit from time to time to clear your head. There are times you just need to be alone, get fresh air or even read, identifying a tree or quiet corner of the hostel should solve the puzzle. I did this often; I always had a spot in the bush just behind my hostel where I read especially when I don’t need my friends to disturb. I usually called it my temple.
10. Challenge yourself – Challenging yourself is a good start to succeeding on campus and boosting your academic performance, some people would rather feel relax with their present grades than striving to do better. The worse part of it is that students these days are so beclouded with soft work that they almost forget the place of hard work in a bid to attain academic success. I will only employ you to remain steadfast and work more to achieve the best of you.
11. Never walk at night – I would never advise any student to walk at night on campus, its better you engage your nights to study than to gallivant around aimlessly at night. Reduce your night clubbing and become more productive with your nights. If you have nothing doing catch some good sleep and rest your muscles.
12. Pray yourself out –  Succeeding on campus requires you to put God first. It is only God that can make things which ordinarily shouldn’t be to exist. Nothing should take your place of prayer, be steadfast and remain faithful in doing the things that please your heavenly father and pray often, even when you are faced with academic crisis still pray. Prayer is key!

If you manage to apply these principles, it is hardly that you wouldn’t succeed on campus. Cheers!

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