As a student, it is possible you are thinking that getting a good grade is all
that matters (because that’s what you have been made to believe). So you
work hard, put in the needed effort just to see that you achieve that. Well,
that’s good but what you may not know is that getting a formal education is
different from getting a life. I know you are planning to get a good job and
have a successful life. The thing is that, for you to achieve that, you have to
face the real world. It will test you. This kind of test is different from the one
you take in school. As you may not have learnt much about the real world, I
would like to point out here 5 things every student must bear in mind before
graduation.
1. A GOOD DEGREE DOES NOT GUARANTEE A GOOD JOB, YOUR BRAIN AND
SKILLS DO: To get a degree certificate is good but gone are the days when
jobs will be waiting for you the moment you leave school as a graduate. What
matters in the job market today is what you can offer; what you can do. There
are thousands of unemployed people with same level of degree that you have.
What do you think that will differentiate you and give you the needed edge if
not your skills and your ability to think and solve issues? You never can tell,
that skill you consider menial can earn you more than your degree and
certificate could possibly earn you. I have a pretty long list of people who
aren’t employed or earning a dime with their certificates but are fully
employed and earning big with one skill or the other they picked up along the
line. Look out for practical skills in your field of discipline and learn all you
can. It does not even have to be just in your area of discipline. Believe me, in
the real world you need the hard skills (e.g Proficiency in a foreign language,
Computer programming etc) as well as the soft skills (e.g Communication,
Time Management, Team work etc) to succeed.
2. YOUR “A”s IN SCHOOL WILL NOT NECESSARILY TRANSLATE TO SUCCESS
IN THE REAL WORLD: Robert Kiyosaki (one of the world’s richest
entrepreneurs) once told a story about what happened during his senior year
in high school. He and one of his close friends named Mike were lined up in
front of a small group of students made up primarily of the leaders (bright
students) of their class. Their guidance counselor turned to him and Mike and
said, “The two of you will never amount to anything,” primarily because they
were doing terribly poor academically. Few years after graduation Robert and
Mike went for their High School Reunion and Guess what? the so called class
leaders were still struggling and had not become successful in the years after
high school. Where as Robert and his friend, Mike are already successful big
time entrepreneurs. Success in life is a product of the application of success
principles. And unfortunately they don’t teach you that in school. You need to
self- educate yourself on that . Go beyond pursuing good grades and take time
to develop yourself. Never run from what you need to learn. Learn and apply
the principles of success (they are universal) in all you do and you will
succeed.
3. WHO YOU KNOW IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU KNOW: What you know
may be enough to get you through school. However, in the real world, who
you know is as important as what you know. Now, don’t get it twisted. I am
not trying to say that without connections, you will not be successful and live
the good life you dream of. I am only saying that with the right connections
the process would be easier and shorter. Therefore you need to build and
maintain the right connections and learn to leverage on them when need be.
So have it in mind that your skills and knowledge are important but then so
are the people you know. Bottom line: The two are important to your success.
4. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO MANAGE WELL IS
MONEY: In the real world Money is an important tool. It’s going to feed you,
put clothes on your back, and put a roof over your head. You may not really
know the value of money probably because you have always received it from
friends and family without really working for it. Yeah, you have that privilege
now but you won’t in the nearest future. If you do not learn how to manage it
now you may likely end up broke and in debt when you face the real world and
trust me, it won’t be funny at all. When it comes to managing money I have
three rules for you: Save it! Invest it! Multiply it!
5. TRUE SUCCESS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A FLASH: True Success is not an
accident. It involves process. It is an accumulation of certain habits and
principles practiced over time. The road to true success is often bumpy. It
takes time. Little wonder many usually try to use a “shortcut” by getting
themselves into something that is shady. That will only be counter-productive
in the long run. The only way I know to hasten success is to have a PHD. I
guess you are wondering what that means? Well, it simply means Passion,
Hunger and Drive. And don’t equally forget to put God at the center of it all.
##Gracias##