The mind has been the key driver behind all human achievements through antiquity. Attempts to understand it have been characterized by minimal success; there are even speculations that the scientific method is not exactly the tool needed to dissect the mind, something more would be needed. However, there are scientific studies being conducted with the goal of comprehending precisely what the mind is made of, and the field of such enquires is Psychology.

Psychology is such a field that when you decide to take it up as a career, you often get people ask what to do with a degree in psychology?”

What is Psychology?
Psychology is defined as the scientific study of humans and how they think and how their mind works. The psychologists are known for trying to sneak into people’s minds and read off their most hidden scripts with specialized methods of inquiry.

Why Study Psychology?
It is often said that there is no telling the length and breadth of what the human mind is capable of. If you have heard of how people get out of their minds and get onto the road and carry out a shooting spree on random motorists, or how people get frustrated and decide to jump into lagoons, or how people get so excited that they drink themselves into coma, then you would understand the value of the psychologist in the society.

By studying psychology, you become equipped with all the necessary tools needed to manage the human mind, not just your own, but the minds of others as well. You know the right frame to configure situations to appeal to easy-going individuals as well as extremists. Some call it hypnotizing, but the study of psychology enables you develop the skill sets for probing individuals, finding out their opinions on certain matters, and extracting tangible information from them.

The knowledge of psychology also equips you with skills required to manage individuals with mental ailments.

What are some specializations in Psychology?
Under psychology there are several areas that one can specialize and focus on. Some of them are:
1. Behavioral Psychology
2. Abnormal Psychology
3. Clinical Psychology
4. Cognitive Psychology
5. Biopsychology
6. Comparative Psychology
7. Counseling Psychology
8. Cross-Cultural Psychology
9. Developmental Psychology
10. Educational Psychology
11. Experimental Psychology
12. Forensic Psychology
13. Health Psychology
14. Industrial-Organizational Psychology
15. Personality Psychology
16. School Psychology
17. Sports Psychology
18. Social Psychology

Each of these are specializations concerned with studying how people behave in several disciplines from sports to education to health institutions. The field of psychology is one that is ever expanding, and more sub-disciplines are still
emerging.

Where can I Work as a Psychologist?
The services of the psychologist is very instrumental in areas such as mental facilities, in police departments where they carryout interrogation and criminal assessments, and they function in health facilities and schools as psychotherapists and counselors respectively.

Job Options
One who has a degree in Psychology is set to take on a good number of jobs. Some options include market researcher, case manager, psychiatric technician, career counselor, lecturing job, as well as advertising agencies etc.

Work Experience
Certain experiences have a positive impact on your path to a career in psychology. Some of such experiences are working with the NHS, local volunteering at hospitals, doing some voluntary community works, working with mental health wards, and any other and working with caters that cater for people with disabilities.

Typical Employers
Psychologists are so universal that they find a place in a wide range of places. They could be employed by schools as lecturers in academic institutions, or hospitals as psychotherapists in the health sector, or they could be employed by agencies that conduct investigations on criminal cases. NGOs employ psychologists, schools also employ them for counseling roles, they are employed in trauma control centres. Companies also employ them to optimize the efficiency of their staff. They can also get employed by HR companies as human resources personnel

Skills for your CV
Your degree’s power would be optimized if you have good communication skills as well as ability to make careful and logical deductions out of scattered arguments. Your ability to keep your calm even in the face of turbulence is a plus. You should understand a great deal of how societies are organized and how social ties make and break. You should have the capacity to think analytically under pressure and handle data very well.

What Psychologists Do
They use the tools available at their disposal to assess, diagnose, and proffer solutions to people having problems ranging from addiction to trauma and emotional crackdown. The way we think makes who we are; and the psychologist tries to shape how we think.

Depression and anger are common everyday sickness people constantly suffer from, the psychologists are the doctors of these ailments. In fact, without the intervention of the psychologists, some chronic mental conditions could deteriorate into some complications that could mean havoc for the society. They offer tests, sometimes verbally, that extract information from victims of these conditions and make conclusions as to possible paths to rehabilitation and control.


There you have it. When next you find anyone contemplating where the psychologists fit into the society and what to do with a degree in psychology, you should be very much equipped to provide an enlightened response.

Kharol1234:
nice 1 op and a gudmawin to u

Good morning ...Thanks.

If there are other ideas, pls let people know, every student is looking for extra cash source

I look back at my undergraduate days, and think “why didn’t I start a business back then”. I wish I knew some of the things you’re about to read now as an undergraduate. Who knows, I’d probably have blown by now (lol) …I’ll be sharing great business ideas for students in Nigeria with you - Ways to make money as a student

But, First, why should we earn as a student?

…In no specific order of importance
1. pocket money and impressing ourselves with our bank account
2. settling our unforeseen school issues like getting materials, photocopies, printings, etc
3. saving for an extracurricular e.g. hangout, party, get together, excursion, election campaigns, sports etc
4. easing the financial burden off our funders, financiers, sponsors, and parents
5. maintaining relationships …siblings/family, girlfriend/boyfriend, fiancée/fiancé, and spouse/children (hehehe)
6. saving to invest or start another business
7. saving to attend conferences, short courses, and extra trainings
8. saving to do projects

Do you think there is someone who shouldn't know how to make money as a student? Everyone should …let’s go

For the record, as much as these are ways to make money as a student, there is no one size fits all approach in here, as different ideas apply to different people. Your schedule and availability would determine which business/self-employment idea will work well for you. Let’s go

1. Printing: There is no student on campus and hostels who doesn’t print. All you need is your room, a cheap printer with easy refillable ink cartridge, and your laptop, and you’re good to go. If you like, you can choose to do typing for them too, you’ll get your money.

2. Online Registrations: See all those data that you subscribe to, how about you make some cash from it. Help do admission registrations, NYSC registrations, scholarship applications, school fees payments, etc. You’ll make your money especially in first semester when new students hit campus, and when NYSC application period approaches.

3. Bulk SMS Services: I cannot count the number of organizations and fellowships that sent me smses those days. I’m sure they patronized bulk sms service providers. You can be one …although this seem to be almost out of fashion

4. Web Design/Development: My friend back then learnt web-designing, and when he started getting clients and making money, some of us envied him. I know some others who got motivated to go learn web designing. And these days, it has become easy to learn, and the market is ever available. Organizations, fellowships, departments, even shops and personalities on campus. You can also design a blog for anyone.

5. Organizing Tutorial Classes: You can make money from organizing tutorial, solving past questions, and selling materials at the tutorials. In my 100level days, we had two guys back then, “Leo” and “BikerMan”, I can’t remember the other guy’s name. These guys would come, take us difficult courses, especially Chemistry 157, even do all-night tutorials, and of cos, for cheap rate, as low as 100Naira, and we would attend. So, you could do the same.

6. Home Tutoring: There are staff and parents within the university community who usually require the services of home tutors for their kids. Abeeb and Femi are good at excellent at tutoring. Usually, they charge these parents on an hourly basis. And from them, I learnt that as a tutor, long as you can work out a schedule for you and them, you are good to go.

7. Graphic Design: There is a steady market available for you if you are good with graphics designing applications especially Photoshop and Coreldraw. Every department and fellowship, even people with political ambitions that require your services. The better you are, the higher your chances of getting more clients and more money. With the advent of several apps that can be used in designing these days, you may have to up your game

8. Cake Making, Catering, Event Planning, and Decorations: I won’t forget those memorable dinners, the beautiful halls, and 100-course meals, lol. Most were contracted out to students, who are very good at these things. If you have the skill, you’d surely be sought-after. Cake-making is also one of the most lucrative, especially for females, although, some guys do it (I know of one). You don't need too much to start a cake making business (visit this link for morehttps://youtu.be/JEstClfc3Fc)

9. DJ services: DJ Watson and DJ Lobitz, these guys rocked every party on campus, back-to-back, with their laptops, disc jockeys, and speakers (only God knows where they get them from). Ask them for any music, they have it. That’s like the only thing you find on their laptops. You too can choose to make a business out of it if you’re willing to give the sacrifice it requires, and also get the DJ application on your laptop

10. MC / Comedian: As long as you’re funny and can talk, you can do this. Try with small birthday parties, and hangouts, and you would be considered for the bigger stages. A lot of MCs and comedians started this way. Demo Pumpin is a typical example.

11. Doing Assignments: I heard there are people who can pay any amount to anyone who is willing to help them do their assignments. I dunno them, but from my online freelance writing career, I’m sure they exist, it takes you being smart to figure who they are. Make some money out of them dear.

12. Photography: This is the rave of the moment. Just get one dope digital camera, learn how to use it, and know how to use photoshop to edit the roughness out of a person’s face, and you’re a chairman. Students will look for you anywhere. You can also take passports and jump into events on campus. Make sure you keep building your portfolio though. I’ve got my friends Demola and Steven on this.

13. House Agent: I met a guy who does this, and I was surprised at the amount he has made from it. I had no option but to pen it down. He just goes to have a collection of vacant houses in neighbouring communities around school, then he advertises his agency on the university’s Students’ Union facebook page that has virtually every student on it, 70% of who don’t reside on campus.

14. Phone/Computer Repairs/maintenance: Akinsanmi rocked phone and computer repairs and maintenance from his final year to his Masters days. Correct guy. Installing softwares, repairing and flashing phones, selling laptops etc. He has added selling of computer systems to it now.

15. Third Party Data Reselling Business: It is a fact that students subscribe on a daily basis, and cannot do without access to the internet. All you have to do is to meet the distributors, but at a certain rate, and resell at a certain rate for profit, and grow it. My friend, Phemstrong Data Services, sells his data at a cheaper rate than is sold by the networks when you want to subscribe for yourself, so which would I rather go for? - I use him.

16. Sports Trainer and Fitness Instructor: In a campus community that has sports centres, you’d find staff, students, and parents who are really interested in fitness and sports. You can make money from this by becoming a trainer for any sports you’re good at. Imagine training over five persons per session, and charging them at a standard rate per hour. My friend Femi inspired this one, he does all sports including football, tennis, volleyball, etc, except swimming, and he’s popular on UI campus for this, he therefore leverages on his sports skills for this. All you need is to build a relationship with the sports centre coordinator, or make your own alternative sports ground or gym in your area

17. Selling of Wears: Selling of trendy outfits and accessories also thrives, especially if yours aren’t that expensive. Get bulk supplies from big supplies, and sell at reduced rate, you’ll surely become popular for this and have your business grow.

18. Online Freelancing: While there’s a lot of angle to this, it’s a very popular space to sell your skills and earn really good money. You can sell any skill as a freelancer on platforms like upwork, fiverr, peopleperhour, anywork247, gurus, etc. Skills like writing, photography, web designing, legal agents, graphics designers, virtual customer service agents, etc, can all be sold on these platforms. I built a career in this, anyone can.

19. Online and Offline Marketing: This involves you promoting other companies’ or individual’s products, businesses and services, and earning some commission in form of money or more products as pay for your time and services. Usually, having a lot of friends around or online helps make this work, and the more referral you get, the more money you make. You must also be able to build relationships over time so as to make this work.

20. Get A Part-Time Job: It depends on the institutions, there are hundreds of part-time jobs flying around in different universities …like motivational speakers and co. will say …I’ll use my own alma-mater, The University of Ibadan (The first and Best, #winks), as a case-study. The school runs a “work and study scheme” that any student can partake in.
Once you’re a part of the UI work and study scheme, you get opportunities to work in the school library, the school computer training centre (I’m sure most UItes don’t know where that is), ushering and logistics in school-organized events, and recently, I know that the students under the scheme were paid to help in moving the transcripts from the old exams and records to old admissions office (new exams and records) …For postgraduates, UI has research assistants, teaching assistants (I benefitted from this), university masters scholars also do teaching assistants …those are the few things I can remember as regards University of Ibadan.
There are also other opportunities to work with NGOs that have their headquarters inside the university environment. For example, the organization I’m a part of “Building Nations Initiative”, has its national headquarters inside UI, and we run different programs and employ people on a part time scale …we pay all our French and German tutors in our language classes, we pay all our tutors in our skill acquisition classes, etc. You can also get paid for us if you do some freelance work for us, like graphics design. I strongly believe that some other organizations like BNI that gives such opportunities also exist around the country

Plus 12
Other skills that can earn you money from in school in the quickly include project analysis (using spss and excel), fashion designing, makeup artistry, gele tying, making clothing accessories (including beads, shoes, and bags), playing a musical instrument, artistic drawing, hair making and barbing, modelling. But while blogging and podcasting, making youtube videos, and investing in other people’s business will earn you money, you have to be really patient.

The list above isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a good start. I strongly believe there are many more opportunities around. I would like to reiterate that this list isn’t limited to undergraduates alone, infact, I only ventured into student-based small business as a postgraduate student, while I watched my undergraduates mate start theirs as an undergraduate student
The interesting thing is, it’s never too late to start, as long as you’re a student. (ssshhhhh, even graduates can do all of these). I must add that while some of the friends I mentioned have moved on to bigger businesses, others have grown the business they started in school.

#Scholarpreneurs #StartSomethingChallenge

I know there are lots of business ideas for university students, please share your ideas in the comment section below. You're surely helping someone

.

sunnyeinstein:


Yep. I've heard and witnessed several incidents like that. But I'll always be grateful to my supervisor who is also my 2nd mentor. He afforded me the time to the think outside the box an trusted me with the lab methods, even when it seemed I was heading for the rocks, and I took up the challenge eventhough if I got totally broke in the process but I got the desired breakthrough but still not satisfied... I got more thirsty for knowledge via research and my mind is set on carrying out projects that would benefit my nation, not just for publishing sake......

..... how I wish the new wave of researchers/academics and aspiring ones can think in this direction: nation building!

I enjoyed and still enjoy this with my supervisor. He's that fantastic

[quote author=mattiecute post=64242929][/quote]

It's a shame we have such lecturers in Nigeria, and they are actually more than the ones who'll see reason in your interest.

mickeyenglish:
Hello! Are you a newbie to Nigerian University education? .What you are passionate about?. The one first thing you should do is to consult your supervisor. When I was in OAU,as an English Language student, I picked a project I was passionate about which was "a instance of Power and Ideologies found in selected texts and Speech(s)of Adolf Hitler during the Third Reich"which belongs to the field of Critical discourse analysis, to my surprise, my supervisor did not only vehemently turned him down, but started calling me a rebel and potential killer. I had already put together all known resources of that project line. Before I eventually found a suitable project topic which he liked (of course, it was his picking) he rejected further seven different cool topics. I eventually ended up analysing Nasir el-Rufai's political texts which was utmost boring. One of my friend research topic was even turned down because it was on Obaiagbon of Edo state, who is very well known. Her excuse was that she had never had of that person in her entire life and even asked my friend what the Honourable does for a living. A whole Federal Honourable and one time Edo State Chief of Staff!!?. The problem is that they are just plain lazy and are not willing to do any further research. Thank God I and some of my friends escaped with a narrow B(60 on dot).

So, you see my friend, it's not about what you are passionate about, but what the lecturer/supervisor deems fit to be less stressful and ordinary to suit his own selfish interest .Although,the Institutions always lay emphasis on students to choose project topics which are applicable to the current predicaments of the nation, nevertheless, this should not be applicable to all fields of study afterall the research project is carried out by the students in "partial fulfilment of their Bachelor's degree in..... ".

Conversely,this might not be applicable to all lecturers and institutiond but trust me, majority will give you hell on Earth during your project days in an Institution.

Anyways, you should have included:

1 Consult your supervisor on a unanimous project topic and,

2 Brace for future impacts.









Post No Bill

This was why I included the first paragraph of number two

One of the most challenging tasks in the life of a student is writing a research project writing, be it a thesis or dissertation. But sometimes, choosing a project topic is difficult than writing the project itself …okay, okay, I don’t think writing it is ever easy …lol …but then, imagine how important coming up with a topic can be to your professional career. This moment is directly connected to your future whether you are deciding to dedicate your life to research on a specific field of study, or you have a strong desire to push the envelope in your chosen specialization. It was actually one of the most critical choices of my career, infact, it defined my career as a scientific researcher, and is still charting its course.

Below are tips to help you make the right decision on the topic for your thesis.
 
1. Go through previous term papers, mini-projects and assignments.
I personally think this should be the first thing to do. Look through the topics of all assignments, term papers, group projects, class projects, and mini-projects that you were directly or indirectly involved at one point or the other in your classes before now.
This will help you identify your areas of interest and specializations, and subsequently, existing gaps you can work towards filling or problems you can find a solution to. When I was to choose my current major specialization in my undergraduate, I realised that I enjoyed a lot of class practical and experiments that has to do with the internal structures of plant, so it was just an easy decision for me to pick Plant Anatomy, and choosing my project topic became less difficult …This brings me to the next point

2. Choose something you are passionate about.
Some supervisors prefer to assign certain topics to their students to explore, others give freedom of choice to their students. So, it may happen so that during your studentship, you have to create various tasks concerning the topics which were not interesting to you. A project is an excellent opportunity to take everything into your own hands, your supervisor might just be give you the freedom. The responsibility is enormous, but it is worth trying.
You may also decide to continue the investigation of one problem you have already encountered. I did this when I was going to pick a topic for my doctorate degree. Because I had worked in a team of four to investigate a problem, expanding the scope of the research to continue the investigation was not too difficult to decide on.

3. Consult your supervisor.
A thesis/dissertation is supposed to be an independent research work, however, you have a supervisor who can help you to handle some difficulties. Choosing a project topic is a serious reason to talk with him/her as well, because he/she is usually able to give you a good counsel concerning this problem and help you to start working.
My own supervisor usually has his own ideas, but gives me space for creative freedom by always asking my ideas, and in the end, we always find a meeting point of our ideas. Usually, after his inputs from his wealth of experience, the beauty of the work to be done is seen even before I start working. This is one great benefit of consulting your supervisor.

4. Analyze literature resources.
In choosing your project topic, another way is to work with resources from literatures, particularly other research and review articles in your field of study. This may seem difficult for a newbie, but shouldn’t be for someone who has studied a number of research articles from journals before the stage of dissertation writing.
This method is one that can help sort out a lot of things at the same time. First is that you can collate resources available on a certain subject of interest, second is that you can collect the reference list at the same time, third is that you acquire more knowledge and exposure in your area of interest, most of all is that you can come up with a working project title. I have come up with a lot of feasible project titles in my head this way, I have a number of friends who have too. And as we went on, these

5. Employ a multidisciplinary approach
This approach to choosing a project topic requires that you have a knowledge of more disciplines than your. You don’t necessarily need the deepest of knowledge of that discipline, and that’s why you have your supervisor and other academic and research personnel to help on your work along the way.
As at the time of writing this, I'm on a research that integrates two disciplines and most of my extracurricular interests. This is a complex approach, but interestingly, I’m comfortable with it. I'd like to think it's easy to get comfortable with a multidisciplinary project topic if it involves your interest.
Employing a multidisciplinary approach be also lead to creating something new, more, you may not have a problem coming up with a novelty contribution to knowledge in this seemingly discovery-bombarded world of research.

These are general and maybe personal recommendations, but I have no doubt they can be efficient in your situation. It applies to all classes of students, be you a Bachelors or Masters or Doctorate.  You may need an integration of more than one approach, and this usually is the case, however, what matters when choosing a project topic is coming up with something that would develop and add value to the society at large.

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below if any of these approaches resonates with you, or if other approaches you think should be included.

olawaletimi:
Op, are these job opportunities the same for a degree holder in English Education?

Yes they are, but unno, most graduates don't know these, sometimes, all you need is an extra proficiency, and you're good to go

An English language degree is constructed to push you to analyze theories, read books, critique verse and prose and take a more detailed look at the words and signs surrounding us daily. The goal is to make you as an English Language student think analytically and creatively about the English language.
If you are about studying for a degree in English language, and are skeptical about it? Or you already have a BA in English and you're not sure of what your next career step should be ? Here are some ideas on what to do with a degree in English Language

First …Why study English? The following are some of the reasons why you should study English
More employment opportunities: Your employment and career prospects can exponentially increase. Individuals who have the capacity to efficiently speak English language alongside another the English are in high demand and are always sought after by organizations of various kinds including international organizations. When in search of a job, the ability to speak with precision and confidence as using the English language can give you an edge against others.
Transferable Skills: The transferable skills of the English language degree are very high in demand. Some of these skills have to do with communication, getting information, writing ability among a host of other
Combined Courses: English departments provide some double honor degrees which means that you would have the capacity to merge a linguistic or literary education alongside any passion you might have.
Versatility: When it has to do with matters of trade or business, the common currency happens to be English. By attaining a degree in English, you would have the ability to carry out business transactions as well as effectively write reports, agreements, and memos. It also provides the possibility of having a career in business if you desire.

What to do with a degree in English Language
Graduates of English language always find lots of opportunities with a host of employers, OR You could also choose to be self-employed, building your business/company’s services around what these organizations offer. They include private and public sector organizations, legal and financial firms, educational institutions, national and local government, charitable and voluntary organizations, media organizations, public relation agencies, publishing companies, tourism agencies, and leisure agencies always provide employment for graduates of English language.
The following are some opportunities available for English language students
1. Job Opportunities
a. Magazine journalist
b. English as a foreign language teacher
c. Digital copywriter
d. Web content manager
e. Writer
f. Newspaper journalist
g. Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
h. Advertising account executive
i. Lexicographer
j. Arts administrator
k. Advertising account executive
l. Academic librarian
m. Information officer
n. Advertising copywriter
o. General Manager
p. Researcher
2. Internship Opportunities: The above listed job opportunities are also usually available for interns. While they may not be a satisfactorily paying position, they are perfect to start building your career and gaining work experience before you graduate
3. Further Study: You can also choose to further your studies by going for your masters degree in study areas related to English Language, particularly in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Management Sciences.

Tips for your CV
Work Experience: Because English is a course which is not vocational, the skills attained outside your study are crucial in creating a CV that is well rounded. For example, while in the university a lot of English students will write for magazines and newspapers for students, volunteer in local schools or communities or get involved with student film societies. Any evidence of skills attained from extracurricular activities can aid in enhancing your prospects for a job.
Needed Skills/Proficiencies: The main strength possessed by graduates in English language is the capacity to efficiently communicate both in writing and orally. Having a degree in English language however aids in the development of the following:
a. Ability to research effectively
b. Organization and time management
c. Teamwork and negotiating to present information and ideas
d. Participating and leading discussions
e. Articulation understanding and knowledge of texts, theories and concepts
f. Efficiently passing across opinions and ideas as well as thinking creatively.
g. Critical analysis and reasoning
h. Utilizing your judgement in determining other perspectives

Conclusion
Graduates of English have a diverse range of career choices and will gain the skills required to function in almost any kind of industry making a degree in English very useful. Now you have some ideas on what to do with a degree in English Language, right?

In the comments section below, please let's know about your ideas on what you think an English Language Student can do with a his/her degree. I look forward to hearing from you

Dramadiddy:
best post I've seen in nairaland in a long while

Thanks for the heads up

RIPEnglish:
The only thing I am learned is not to got dependable on book alone. Book is irrelevancy now a days.

I'm glad to know you learnt something

Aieboocaar:


The Striked out park is a big fallacy!!

Please Edit

As much as my claim is obviously right, I guess your reason may prove me wrong, so, please state your reason for striking it out

boyejo123:
is it advisable for someone to work while studying? I mean works like barbing, hair dressing, dry cleaning, e.t.c

You just have to understand yourself, but it is quite possible

ajosegabriel:
Educative ....
Meanwhile, congratulations greatest uite....

Greatest UIte, I celebrate you

Five years have passed since I graduated from university as a first-degree holder. I wasn’t lost. I remember this phase of my life vividly, transitioning from a full-time student to a man of myself – to someone who had to trust his guts. I had concrete plans, people to look up to, and amazing ideas. It has become easy to reflect on what I could have done differently, but how about I reflect on things I’m glad I knew before graduating.

There are times I wish someone would have pulled me by the ear and told me some genuine truths back then, I’m however glad that I learnt some things on my own. Now, with invaluable hindsight and exactly five years of experience under my belt, here are a few things I’m glad I knew before graduating from the university.

Grades Aren’t Everything
I had a terrible first year in the university and would’ve probably done better if I had put a lil bit more pressure on myself to be the best in every exam. This would have been a perfect attitude for great grades, but even after first year, I didn’t put any pressure on myself. Of cos, I started desiring amazing grades (I got some), but I unconsciously did more of stepping up my self-discovery game, and came to the realization that examinations is more of a test of retentive ability, than a test of creative ability. Then, I upgraded mode, stopped the crammings (which I was terrible at), and started the knowings and understandings (which I was really good at). Truthfully, I still could’ve done better if I had put in more effort into cramming, but that was it, I graduated knowing and understanding a lot more of what I’d need in my next phase in life

I’m not saying you shouldn’t put in every effort like till-day-breaks (popularly called TDB) or morning-till-night (popularly called MTN), but remember not to beat yourself up over an imperfect CGPA. What matters is that you put in effort to knowing and understanding the life application of all that you’re studying.

Try not to fail (Jack Ma said it), but remember, your GPA doesn’t in any way dictate the levels of success you’ll achieve.

You Don’t Need To Have It All Figured Out
One question I dread is “What’s next?”. It came a lot after during my National Youth Service year, and truthfully, I had a ready-made answer (going for my masters) which I never lied about. I never told anyone the complete truth though, because I wasn’t sure if they were plans that’ll go my way, and I wasn’t exactly interested in the being discouraged before I even ventured into them.

If you don’t have a clear idea like most recent grads, don’t you worry. It is in fact better to have a goal, and be open to flexibility. I was sure I’d get a lecturing job during my master’s degree days, but I didn’t. I wasn’t disappointed because I was, in my openness to flexibility, quick to figure out it was time to make something out of my other passions and skills. And the skills I acquired during my BSc. Degree came in handy in most situations. I’m still open to new opportunities, while I continue being a work in progress.

Relationships Are The Important For The Future
I’m not sure how I successfully surrounded myself with amazing people who would look out for me in any circumstance, but this helped develop my interpersonal skills, and made it easy for me to get help towards any cause, and for me to volunteer towards a cause. Five years after graduation, I don’t know how some of them still stand by me despite me not checking on them at times – it’s probably the same way I stand by the ones who rarely check on me. I’d like to think, from my experience, that making friends in the real world takes extra effort.

I am grateful for the relationships I built during my university days. Thank you guys for being my in-school family, for being there in the time of need, and for keeping in touch.

Goals Are Important, But Habit Are More Important
I remember how all those guys who used to motivate us back then kept hammering on “goal setting”, interestingly, they still do. I did set some goals, some realistic, some unrealistic, some achieved, some unachieved. I had not graduated when I realized why I didn’t achieve some of these goals. It wasn’t because I was slow or dumb, it’s because I didn’t get used to a specific way of life. Imagine you waking up to read every day at 1.30am, don’t you think it’ll have become something ingrained in your subconscious?

Every goal I met before graduation (even till date) were ones I formed a habit towards. Forming a habit towards them gave me a sense of belief, and led me to having a specific set of behavior and my desired outcome. Your goals become a reality if you change your habits.

Find Your Niche And Work It
Oh, I was doing a lot of things back then in school (or so I think). Actually, I was passionate about some of these things, like being in the playing the keyboard, singing in the choir, and being in the departmental press, faculty press, and union of campus journalist. Bizzarely, I was doing some other things I wasn’t passionate about, which of cos I didn’t last on (I’d rather not mention them).

You’re probably not talented like Travis Greene, Christiano Ronaldo, Fela Kuti or Tara Durotoye, don’t be worried. You’re still in the self-discovery process. Consciously or unconsciously know yourself - What do you do well? When do you work at your best? What do people honestly appreciate in you? These things helped my happiness in school, and still sustains it.

Taking A Break Can Sometimes Be A Good Thing
I rarely took breaks, I still rarely do, in fact, I sometimes wish I have 25/8 rather than 24/7, but every time I did, mhen, my comeback was always awesome, refreshing, and powerful. As we keep growing older, commitments and responsibilities get on the rise, but it is important not to lose sight of ourselves.

Taking a breather might be what is needed to recharge and get our priorities right. Taking a break doesn’t mean quitting, so take that break dear.

Businessmen Are Way Richer Than Lecturers
Everyone who gets a really good paying job or starts a business after university definitely went through a lecturer, or at least was lectured. I’m going to become a lecturer soon (Amen), but I’ve always known that as a lecturer, I won’t be in the top hundred thousand rich people in the world. Whaaaaaaat! Where would I even get the wealth? Except I’m involved in a business, or win grants, or maybe become a professor.

This seemingly shocking truth has brought me to the understanding that I have to combine my academics with entrepreneurship if I want to be richer than an average lecturer.

The Best Time To Start Something Is Now
Pre-university, I had this flare for reading many unrelated things and coming up with lines that brings them all together. It was precursor enough for me to get into school and develop my passion for writing. I saw university as the best time to pursue passions alongside schoolwork. Some of my friends said they were gonna do one business or the other. The ones who stood by their words are way up the ladder today. I developed my writing skills, and enjoyed myself doing lots of different writings every week. My only regret is that I didn’t start my freelance writing business back then.

Some students have less time to pursue other interests, but it’ll be of great benefit to get yourself into something, whether profit or nonprofit making. If you have to do anything, you’re in the best position to start - business, side hustle, anything, just start now, take the risks, test some ideas. If you’re successful, don’t be surprised the extent it can take you. And, of cos, you’d have a job/business waiting for you when you graduate.

Post-grad life changes quickly, but it can be fun if you’ve figured out some things while in school. If you haven’t graduated, embrace the lessons, if you have, welcome its applications. It hasn’t being exactly easy, but I’ve looked back several times and uttered lines of gratitude to God for making me enjoy the process. There are however some things I wish I knew, and I’ll share them in coming days. But for now, over to you.

Your turn! What were you glad to have learnt before graduating college? Share them with me in the comments!

ImaIma1:
I think it is better after you have worked a while an studied the job market. You get to know what you want to do a masters in based on your knowledge of what area you want to specialize in.
Some people do master's straight after uni only to discover after working for a while that they should have waited and done a different course.
Another thing is job hunting with bachelor's and master's with no experience.

I quite agree with your second line, but not totally with your first line. Some people discover part of themselves early, and go for a masters degree immediately, although, some others don't discover themselves, then choose to go for a masters degree that ends up being useless

hooklover:
The ideal thing is go work for sine years gather the relevant experience then master an area of your field now u know we're u are heading...

But the reverse is the case in Nigeria..

Ideally 5yrs experience on any job is equivalent to a master degree...

Define it life first before u thing mere to master....

Masters not a guarantee for a job. If u have no experience with masters is same like fresher.


How do u explain u do masters and get job in totally different field. If Wat relevant is masters there...

Masters after working experience is the key...

Actually, I don't think there's a rule or an ideal thing before doing masters. The need to go for a masters degree should be personal, although, that is after self discovery. For example, I wanted to be a researcher, but then, I knew for me to become one in Nigeria, I had to become a lecturer, so at that point, it was just "ideal" not to bother about gathering any experience anywhere apart from research experience in the lab, on the field, and from academic journals.
So, I think "ideal" should be a relative word, driven by ones desire

Shuayb0:
I think I ll say when you have a clear and coincise career objective, and this could be anytime after your 1st degree.

For me you need to have a clear idea of your career path for the nearest future, to go for a 2nd degree, in as much as funds is secured.

Hence the most important question is, what do you want to achieve with it, and how feasible, these should be based on facts and not assumptions (as in the case of many unemployed, thinking it would better chances of getting a job).

Finally a stable income source is very important.

This is a really great contribution. Thank you

PenPrince07:
This is the point I'm at right now. Already applied for M.A in my school but I am thinking of leaving it!

I'm sorry about this. Please read my article on this thread
https://www.nairaland.com/4194794/8-good-reasons-go-graduate

or on my website below
http://scholarpreneurs.com/reasons-to-go-to-graduate-school/

This may help you in finding motivation to continue

valentineuwakwe:
this is my best advice to you...dont rush because your classmates have bought masters form....and dont use your NYSC savings to venture into it immediately...after you have been gainfully employed with your first degree, then you can go for it

I don't totally agree, I think it's different strokes for different folks, and determination. One of my best friends used his NYSC savings, and he got a very very small paying job, he's been shuttling between both, and he'll be rounding up his masters soon. I think determination, grace, and favour, plays a big role.
Although, I'll agree that one should not buy because his/her classmates are buying, infact, in Nigeria, the minimum requirements for civil service, and many other private entities is BSc, because they'll still have to train you on their job

acme6:
What of the one for part time students? Also how long is economics masters?

Economic masters I have no idea what that means, I only know Academic masters which is usually for people who want to end up as researchers and lecturers, and Professional masters which is usually for people who just need to upgrade their job rank and quality. Although, generally, in Nigeria, most people do Academic masters, except the course is strictly a professional masters course.
In some countries abroad, you also have MRes (Masters in Research)

For parttime students, I don't think you can spend less than 2years on a masters degree. But in UI, we have parttime masters for an extremely few number of courses, but it's available for PhD degree

Sambest2:
I believe there should be a little full-time work experience before acquiring M.Sc, so say 1-3 years after first degree(NYSC covered) but in our "beloved Nigeria", you need the M.Sc for competitive advantage over B.Sc holders, smh..

It's a shame Nigeria has dropped to that lowpoint. However, it still doesn't take away the part where we can do our Masters immediately, particularly in a science-based course

DaudaAbu:
The moment you start enjoying the benefit of your first degree


Or when job is not forthcoming

Really true. These are other sides of the coin

AntiWailer:
Any time you feel like and you can afford it.

In Nigeria labor market, it makes no difference except you want to become a lecturer.

I did mine more than 7 years after my first degree.

I will never pay for any child's Masters. Once you are done with your first degree Go and make your money and study further if you want to.

Well, there are some people who still have this idea. It's different strokes for different folks. Some parents desire to pay but don't have, some have, but won't pay. The first thing to know is "Is the child interested in Masters?"

tobillionaire:
pls wats MSC duration fr Bsc and HND respectively

The period for MSc Varies by institution, but the least you can get is 1year (in Unilag).
However, in University of Ibadan (The best postgraduate school in Nigeria), we run a Masters degree of at least 18months, and you can be sure to finish after 18months, depending on how serious a student is. Some departments however run a minimum of 2years, particularly if it's a professional course like Social Works

For an HND graduate, you would first need to have apply for PGD (Post Graduate Diploma), and it runs for one year, then you can go ahead to apply for Masters. Some departments also take HND graduates into MSC directly without PGD. It's best ypu consult the prospectus for more details.

I would like to think this is the same for most postgraduate schools in Nigerian Universities

wink2015:

Is Masters degree still relevant in this present hardship soaked Nigeria.

Bsc/HND degree Holder are still struggling to find gainful employment years after their graduation.

Where will they get the money to even fund a masters degree or an MBA/MSC Degree when there is no job to sustain the funding of such a degree.

Graduates with good grades are encouraged to apply for scholarships and fundings. Even graduates with grades that aren't super could also apply, particularly if it is a rare field of study.
The question of where they'll get money is the reason I looked at the other side - Going for masters afterlater in life. They may choose to make some money before applying

bobolizim:
In many dept, some didn't even finish their service before they travelled out for their masters while some came to write aptitude test for msc during their nysc program. No time to waste especially if your course is a wide one, you have to specialize before it begins to make more sense to you

Yes oh, that's true. If your course is a really wide one, you may have to specialize and go for your masters immediately. Although, most times, if you dont want to go into academics, it makes a lot of sense to just go work, and come back for masters after professional experience

TonyCizzy:
When you have the funds

I Agree with you, although, some people apply for scholarships, particularly if you have a very good grade in your first degree

I assume that we can agree that the need for a master degree is gaining practical experience and exposure and so on. How about we talk timing. Directly after your Bachelor’s? or after a few years? Which do you think is advisable?
Let’s take a look at both sides of the coin

First, reasons you should go for a masters degree directly after bachelor degree

You’re still fresh from school
For some people, this the most essential purpose behind an early Master’s degree. Some people delay their Master’s so they can get a job, start making some money, start a family, etc, till the delay becomes unending. But after graduation, it’s easier to find the energy and motivation to to go to class, do assignments, and study for exams, without being bothered about the other things you have to juggle between.

It’s easier to better define your aspirations
Most of the time, decisions on bachelors is made at a young age, a period characterized by youthful exuberance and maybe a desperation to want to get into the university fast. Sometimes, aspiring university students don’t even worry about careers and future jobs. It’s not surprising that some people switch degrees at some stage in their bachelor degree, while some don’t enjoy their jobs or career choice.
Choosing a master degree however will enable you have an overview of your field of choice, personality, and character, and this in turn helps you better refine and define your purposes, aspirations and goals.

It’s an opportunity to study with your own generation
Imagine going to school with those kids who come around to play with your children back in the days. As if that isn’t enough, these are the same kids you send on errands and scold when they get really stubborn. Okay, asides that …
Studies have shown that the younger a generation, the smarter that generation is. As time goes by, things get more difficult, from understanding notes and classes, to impressing your lecturers in your practicals and seminars, and securing a scholarship in your field.
One more thing, going for a master degree at a young age and inexperienced phase in your life can mean you’ll have the opportunity to learn from your teachers and other older colleagues, and easily get an insider perspective of your choice industry.

Now, lets see Reasons to go for a masters degree later in life

You can support yourself financially
Yes, just as it sounds. If you choose to do a master degree later, after you’ve worked for a while, you won’t have to bother your parents or anybody for allowance or tuition. This simply implies you’ll be able to afford the fees yourself, and maybe, regardless of the destination. You may also choose to do part-time masters if you so desire. One other sure benefit is that you will have your independent student experience without worrying that you are a burden to someone else.
These may however depend on your savings and earnings.

You know what you want
Going for a Master’s degree implies that you want to specialize in something. It becomes easier to sift through the curriculum and picking the elective courses which best suits your specialization, although, compulsory courses will be there for you to do. You can only do this when you know what you want.
Also, it is quite possible for you to realize that your chosen career isn’t right for you after working in it for some time. You will have met other professionals and learned a few things about their jobs which may appeal to you. Complementing your bachelor degree with masters allows you to give your career a new direction and work in the field you really want to be in - something you could have never achieved without the work experience.
Even in your current career choice, going for your Master degree after having worked for some years provides an opportunity to “polish” your qualifications, as well as your theoretical and practical knowledge. This in turn makes your learning experience much more useful and rewarding, and you will return to your job with more knowledge and better ways of implementing everything you studied.

You have acquired more experience than the rest
Depending on the field of interest you have been working, this may be one of the greatest advantage of doing a Master’s degree later in life. You already have work experience as well as a clearer path and idea of what you really want.
With so much practical training backing you up, comprehension in classes will be very easy for you. And, imagine getting more out of the same class that may have amounted to very little only a couple of years earlier.
With real-world work experience, you will give have the chance to apply most of the things you learned during your Bachelor's degree, and also identify the areas in your knowledge which you want to fill during your master degree.
Postgraduate degrees often require self-discipline and personal maturity from the student due to its higher academic standards. Being a few years older and having worked before, you will ultimately be a much more efficient, professional, and successful postgraduate student.

All things considered, only you can know when you are prepared or when you have the right mind-set to go back to school. The timing of a Master degree is an extremely personal choice. It’s a matter of careful thought before decision making. All the best as you go for your master degree.
For you, when did you go for your master degree? when do you think is right? Do you wish you did it at a different time than when you did? Let's know what you think.

That's how I found this funny but true post on Adetutu's status (Adetutu is a good friend by the way)
You know in this life ...on whatsapp, there are two types of Viewers of Whatsapp Statuses

The First Group
It doesn't matter the number of statuses you upload at once, they are not happy, but they cannot carry it over!
ehhnnn ...they gatz know wassup with your life!!!
-How far you've made it
-Your progress
-How you're doing (better/worse than them)
-The guy/girl you're gonna end up with last last
-If you've got a job or not etc
They just gatz dey updated! They are not happy but they must see what you got. The interesting thing about this set of people is that they can't even press the "mute" button on you, azzzin it will cost them their peace of mind. They are the ones who get an heart attack the moment they don't see your update in a day ...why? they will think you've blocked them!

The Second Group
These ones are just so in love with you naturally . Maybe your updates
-Made them laugh their asses out
-Encourage them
-Ministered to tehm
-Motivated them
-Gave them hopes ...and all etc.
So much that they just cannot wait to see your next updates