LIFE AFTER SCHOOL
What are your plans after school?
Almost every finalist has been asked this question in one way or the other .So, unfortunate only a few have an answer or rather a reasonable answer to such questions. The transition from being an undergraduate to becoming a graduate is kinder funny and unimaginable to most students. The thought of being solely independent and taking up most of the responsibilities of your wellbeing or in severe cases your family. No more frequent pocket money from Daddy and Mummy, Uncles and Aunts, even Brothers and Sisters….is something we all have to deal with. It is a period when every decision you make counts and is very vital to your future because approximately everybody now looks up to you. After spending four, five to six years in school studying a course or the other, the question remains, what impact was made? What did you achieve?
To many, those years were years of reformation, to others, they were years of purposeful discoveries, while some see the years as wasted years borne out of frustration or disappointments, No Thanks to the education system in our country, Nigeria, So far we have a poor orientations and external tutelage on career choice and prospect .many fall victim to this circumstances, thereby masking their future with uncertainty.
What’s next after graduation?
The truth is that many students don’t have plans for life after school because they were either carried away by activities of their studies (their field of discipline) or didn’t just bother to plan ahead thinking that every plan made initially will definitely fall in place. Most students mindset is to graduate, go for NYSC,get a good lucrative job and live a happy life, but there’s certainly more to life .
Unfortunately our generations are victims of swindling and unstable economic quagmire, with countable job opportunities and cases of insecurity and many other challenges the country is facing. It’s no longer news that to survive in an economy like Nigeria’s, one has to be independent not waiting or depending on the government to come to your aid. Its only one without “SKILL” that cries out “NO JOB”. To this effect several questions comes up to reflect on, What skills do you have? What’s your Passion? What do you have to offer? If you have concrete answers to these questions, then HOPE stand to inhabit.
John F. Kennedy the 35th President of the United States of America Once said; “Ask not of what your country can do for you, Ask of what you can do for your country”. After graduation, it will be a time to account for the long term academic investment and exhibit results of a successful education you have passed through from Primary-to-Secondary-to-Tertiary Institution and finally a graduate. It requires we think deep on the next positive move; be different, be innovative, be creative, be industrious and be versatile. Surely you will be able to sail through the storming sea at the labor market.
Perhaps, you never had concrete plans while in school, the Nation Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should be seen as a blessing in disguise because it should be a period where you selflessly serve your country and as well sit to plan your life ahead of the future within a year. It fully transits you from life as a student to life as a graduate. The government on their part should ensure a conducive environment while it is our duty to create opportunities.
In conclusion, the transition from the university to the society and the rest of one’s life is enormous. If there have been no plans created and no ideas generated before graduation happens what looms around in the future can be devastating, discouraging and overwhelming. Academics are very vital but in looking to the future, what Skills in addition to academics are going to be critical for independence, happiness, success after school?