The lifestyle of students across the varying
campuses in Nigeria depicts a close to
perfect picture of the gap between the
haves and the have-nots in the country.
Students from rich homes often appear to
have no worries, they look ‘cleaner’, use
the latest phones, eat at the best eateries
and always have money to buy all the
required study materials and textbooks.
On the other hand, the broke (poor/not
financially strong) students struggle
through every semester especially at month
ends; often not having enough cash, so
they only buy study materials for courses
that are ‘life-threatening’.
Now, what should be the proper response
of broke students? Should broke students
attempt to alter their financial state or just
endure and struggle their way through
school? (Have in mind that your financial
condition might not change even after
graduation).
From personal experience, the only way
out for broke students in Nigerian Tertiary
Institutions is this:
Do Something.
Students who hate being broke must stop
wishing, dreaming or even praying for a
better student life (in terms of their
finances) while folding their arms.
Do something today to initiate change or
do nothing and remain the same.
How do you ‘Do Something’?
As a student, the main reason for which
you are in school is to study and not to
hustle.
Therefore, you must not neglect your
books in pursuit of money- this is
something student-hustlers must
understand. There has got to be balance.
Having said that, here is how you can ‘Do
Something’ in your quest to stop being
broke:
1. Start with your mindset
Winning any ‘battle’ begins in the mind.
Adapt the mindset of winners; say to
yourself: “I can do anything I set my mind
to do”.
Accept that your broke student-life can be
fixed and that whatever you will do MUST
NOT negatively affect your academics.
2. Appraise yourself and identify any skill you
have – any skill at all
Do you have any skill? Can you style hair?
Can you sew? Is there anything or
something you know how to do?
Can you teach?
3. Monetize your skill
No one should answer ‘No’ to the last
question in point number 2.
Someone who printed and made
photocopies of a notice that read: “Get a
Home Lesson Teacher for your Precious
Kids. Call 080xxxxxxxx (his phone
number)” and pasted them around the
senior staff quarters.
Count 2 weeks later, he had started helping
8 primary school pupils with their
assignments.
He worked 3 hours every working day at
the rate of 5,000 naira per month for each
child.
What will you do with an extra 8 x
5,000=40,000 naira every month?
Please note that out aim at this point is not
to be as rich as Dangote but to stop being
broke: to be able to buy handouts,
textbooks and eat well; because we need
those in order to graduate well.
Kindly share your own thoughts too..
Thanks.