₦airaland Forum

hrap5050:
May 21, 2015: "Five years from today, you will be the same person that you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet" -- Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones

& the blogs you read: www.graduatewell.com/blog

In our academics and indeed in every aspect of our lives, whatever we learn to believe whether; consciously or unconsciously eventually becomes the truth. This is so because our beliefs determine the choices we make, and those choices influence our actions, with our actions determining our successes or failures.

As students, we ought to constantly examine our beliefs critically and adopt mindsets that will drive us towards success.

If you’ve been underperforming in your academics and wish to improve, or if you simply want to get rid of failure, then I advise you to adopt these powerful beliefs.

1. Belief that your academic performance can be better

This is the starting point of self-determination -the number one attribute of every successful person. You need to make up your mind and decide to get rid of failure by first believing that your performance can be better.

Usually, no matter the amount of prayer offered and the motivational speeches you here your situation will never change if you don’t believe that it can change.

Unless you believe that the situation can be better, you will lack motivation to follow through and do what is required to improve in your academics.

2. Belief that you have the power to make it so

After accepting and believing that your academic performance can be better, the next requirement is to start believing that you and you alone can make it happen.

According to Napoleon Hill; whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.

How can you adopt these beliefs?

There is no better way but to apply the principle of affirmations. Keep telling yourself repeatedly, that you can get rid of academic failure and that you possess the ability to make it so.

Please kindly include the source when you publish this article on any platform.
Source: http://graduatewell.com/article/7f5666a31d0e7a122f93b67cdcf9a14c for details

Tertiary institutions are places designated for learning varying subjects. However, many students go through school learning only what ‘Mr. Lecturer’ has provided in his handouts while disregarding any other knowledge regardless of how valuable it is.

Every student; no matter the course he or she majors in, should learn about ‘Money’. It is important if students wish to avoid financial struggles now and even after school.

Checkout these 5 tips, to get you started on the right track to avoiding financial struggles.

1. Always write a budget, and learn to stick to it.

You must have heard this plenty times and that’s because it is essential. Make sure you actually write down your budget, and prioritize everything. Trim out anything that is not needful starting from the bottom of your list.

2. Open a savings account.

Get a savings account and make up your mind to always save a specific amount every month or periodically. Imagine a student who starts saving a fraction of her pocket money from the beginning of her first year to the end of her final year. How much in your view will she have as a fresh graduate? Enough to start a business or go job hunting like a boss; don’t you think?

3. Avoid depth by all means.

Some of us will always rush to borrow money from friends as soon as we sense a little gab in our pockets.

I use to have a friend who owed virtually every guy in my class; he was borrowing money to buy shoes to look ‘fly’ and for taking ladies out for lunch. He spends most of his day hiding from or begging the guys he owes for mercy promising to pay someday –that guy still owes me 10k.

My point: Borrowing can turn you into a modern slave. Do away with burrowing as far as possible. Only borrow when it’s the only option and ensure to pay back ASAP.

4. Live within your means.

“No dey form JetLi”.

It baffles me when a student who gets 10k monthly pocket money, hustles (mostly by borrowing and ‘jobbing’ mom and dad) money to buy a phone worth 100k. Such attitude is outright stupidity unless that phone is able to make you more money.

Learn to keep your cost of living below how much money you actually get. Don’t go after the most expensive girl on campus. Don’t go to expensive eateries every day; cooking for yourself will save you cash.

Bottom line, if you spend within your means, you will have even more money to save in your savings account.

5. Invest in a business.

This should however be done with care. Take out time to find out investment opportunities that won’t adversely affect your schooling and put a part (not all) of your money to good use.

Keep these 5 money tips in mind every time you get an alert and you will look for me at your final year dinner just to say thanks.

Have any tip(s) you use that isn’t mentioned here already?

Source: see http://graduatewell.com/article/608ddc9322fc66d560e2fd43b7618e60 for details

Not with terry G's bell

hahaha... ya right!

After our first semester of year 2, I got close to and befriended the dude who had been on top of the charts in my class in terms of GPA since the first test we wrote after matriculation -I also wasn’t doing badly since I was only 4 people next to him on that scary notice board that housed our grades.

As we attended classes and studied together, I was keen to know how he studies and the things he was doing to outshine everyone in my class. The only thing I figured out that was obviously unusual about him was that he scarcely reads without fixing the earpiece of his blackberry phone into his ears to listen to uncommon songs by Enya, Enigma, Yanni and their likes.

I didn’t care asking him why he was doing that since I have Google.

So, I did some findings and learnt that a research by Spotify and clinical psychologist Dr. Emma Gray had found that pupils are more likely to perform well academically if they listen to music while they study; noting that it’s important to choose the right music for the topic you’re studying.

According to the research, students who listened to classical music (with 60-70 beats per minute) while studying stimulated learning and enhanced their concentration. She says ‘The melody and tone range in classical music, like Beethoven’s Fur Elise, helped students to study for longer and retain more information,’

The right side of the brain is used to process original, creative thoughts, so Gray suggests English, Drama or Art students listen to emotive rock and pop music. ‘Songs like Katy Perry’s Firework and I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction) by The Rolling Stones produce a heightened state of excitement that is likely to enhance creative performance,’ she says.

Alright then; I said to myself. I got a new ear piece and loaded my phone with classical music -I was a Mathematics student.

Now, did my grades improve afterwards? Yes. But I can’t say for sure to what extent listening to music and studying helped me, but I quickly noticed that the classical music I was listening to kept me at ease and I could solve and ‘dissolve’ mathematical problems faster when I sing and hum along.

So, my advice to students is to try out this idea; incorporate music into your reading and see if it will help improve your understanding and assimilation.

I later told my friend who usually gets overly-anxious during examination period about my small findings and I gave her some songs by Yanni and Enya.

Two days later, we met and the complaint was that the songs are boring & could induce sleep.

She then asked: “How about our Naija music? Can’t they serve?” I laughed a great deal for a while but afterwards, I began wondering:

“Is there any song by a Nigerian artist that can help students study well?”

SOURCE: See http://graduatewell.com/article/5df78d623a4a002cd90fffc109ffd68a for deatils

uncleck:
I think greater percentage of academic success is natural. the best student in my class is less hard working than many students. one of my always-do-well friends is the greatest womanizer, but if he picks a book to read even if he reads five hours, and even if he reads from cover to cover; he will answer you exactly and correctly as it is if you ask him (but many read all night but don't remeber). one of my guys go to the library to read from day one of the semester yet he is struggling to graduate with 2.1. Me? i give less than 10% of my time to academics; i read only when i see exam time table or when i hear there is test. I don't have note and i barely attend lectures, still I'm on the verge of graduating with comfortable and strong 2.1. My point? intelligence is a gift of nature; you can only do a little to harness it.

I beg to differ on this...
You need to ask your friend cos I am pretty sure he knows & does something you don't know And I am sure when you get to know what he knows or does, your academics will definitely improve.

A lot of things come into play here:

#Yes some people read all nyt & fail... trust there is something they aren't doing right. Some students need to learn how to read to even start with. Do you know that you can't study a Maths course as you will study English? Study a Maths course all night as though you are reading English and you will still fail.

#For your womanizer friend... Yes some people have more retentive memory. Do you know that your memory can be trained over time? He has trained his brain over a long time and now it appears as though he performs magic.

#Your foundation contributes too... a student who went to "awemuko alagbasa grammar school" will not perform as one who attended 1 of those international schools with white teachers.

My point is this: Get close to any student performing well in your class and find out how and what he does. Smart students know something you don't know and most of them won't want to tell you

Godfullsam:
13. They are God fearing.

14. They don't follow babes up and down the campus .

Great! Adding those to my list

The definition of success for students varies as there are many faces on every campus. However, we all know a succeeding student when we see one.
Successful students have habits they are developed over time. They don't do things or live their lives like the average student.
Like it is often said, "You can't keep doing the same thing and expect a different result" therefore, if you can't boldly put yourself in the class of succeeding students then it is time to change some of your habits and imbibe habits of students who are succeeding.

Here are 11 of such habits seen in most succeeding students. Learn them, apply them and begin to succeed.

1. They’re Internally Motivated

It is their intrinsic desire to be their best selves and succeed that drives their motivation. They are internally driven—not pushed—toward new adventures, the unfolding journey, and the possible outcomes—they relish challenging themselves, learning, and exploring.

2. They Don’t Waste Time Judging other Students

They objectively observe the successes and mistakes of others and learn from them instead of judging or comparing themselves. They don’t waste their time with judgmental, gossipy people either.

3. They Are Humble

When they goof, they are willing to admit they made a mistake and apologize. They encourage feedback from others and use it to take steps in the right direction.

4. They are always Optimistic

Instead of focusing on what’s not working and bad experiences—which so many of us tend to do—they instead focus on what is working and their successes. If they find themselves overthinking a miscalculation, they automatically flip a switch and think about those things they did do right.

5. They Are True to themselves

They are true to themselves despite what others think—they don’t live their lives solely to please others.

6. They are Determined to Succeed

They face discomfort head on to get the result they want. They push themselves out of their comfort zone and get rid of those annoying internal voices that say, “You can't get the grade you desire becuase this course is difficult”. They trust their abilities and know they will come out on top.

7. They Never Stop Learning

They read a lot and are brilliant observers—they are always watching and searching for new, more efficient, and faster ways to achieve. They understand that in order to be better than the average student, they must always continue to learn.

8. They Know What They Want

They have a clear vision of what they want their lives to look like and who they want to be. Their clarity comes with the wisdom to know what things to harness and what things to avoid.

9. Giving up is not an option for them

They “Never say never” but prefer to say “Anything is possible.” When they stumble over that proverbial bump in the road, they problem solve, come up with a plan, take action, and get past it. They understand that a sure way to lose a battle is to quit—which is not a part of their vocabulary or an option.

10. They Don’t Blame Others for their failures

They never blame lecturers, other students, lack of books, etc. for their failures. They understand that ultimately they alone are in charge of their actions and choices and no other.

11. They Surround Themselves with Motivators

Their friends are those who are trustworthy, positive, and supportive and who bring out the best in them unconditionally. Their friends help them take on the world side by side and, when needed, help them get back on their feet again.


What other habits have you noticed in succeeding students that is not mentioned here? Kindly Share

Source: Visit http://graduatewell.com/article/2105d5ee0b011eab1838461d1870f3cc for details

Recently, rapper and entrepreneur; Kanye West, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate. While reading the story and listening to his acceptance speech, I figured out 5 exciting lessons I am now willing to put to good use.

You can read (if you like) the whole story at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/11/kanye-west-honorary-doctorate_n_7259938.html. See a summary below along with 5 pieces of advice for students.

The Summary

Kenye received an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Monday for his "transformative, genre-defying work."

In his acceptance speech Kanye said,

"When I was giving a lecture at Oxford, I brought up this school because when I went on that mission to create in other spaces -- apparel, film, performance -- it would have been easier if I could have said I had a degree at the Art Institute of Chicago."

Lisa Wainwright, dean of faculty and vice president of academic administration at SAIC, told the Los Angeles Times that it had decided to give West the honorary degree after he publicly mentioned the school.

“I read it and thought, ‘Wow, this is a fantastic moment.’ Here is this major figure in the cultural landscape promoting art school, this guy from Chicago saying art school is cool. So we thought, ‘This man deserves an honorary doctorate from us!’ He should have gone here."

West attended Chicago's American Academy of Art for one semester on a partial scholarship before transferring to Chicago State University, where his mother, Donda West, was head of the English Department, according to Rolling Stone. After one semester there, he dropped out to pursue his music career. And the rest is history.
The 5 Pieces of Relevant Advice

Smart students know that learning from the mistakes, experiences or stories of other people is a better approach to learning. Haven read the Dr. Kanye West story; here are 5 relevant pieces of advice for every Nigerian student:

1. “…it would have been easier if I could have said I had a degree…”

Your certificate is important.

Please don’t start mentioning Bill Gates and every other name you can remember simply because they dropped out of school but became successful – I will touch on that some other time.

Now, based on Kanye’s statement, his pursuit would have been easier if he could say he has a degree.

Advice 1: Be serious with your studies and grades. A Certificate might not assure automatic success however, a certificate can ease your journey to success

2. “When I was giving a lecture at Oxford…”

You cannot give what you don’t have.

You can’t teach what you don’t know.

Kanye West didn’t graduate from college but why was he called upon to lecture academicians?

Simply put, he has acquired knowledge beyond the walls of the classrooms hence he was able to lecture the folks at Oxford.

Advice 2: Don’t be a local champion. Learning is beyond the walls of our classrooms. Read wide. Read relevant books, blogs, essays, etc. don’t restrict your learning. What you are thought in class is but a little fraction of the knowledge required for success.

Please learn what you need to learn to succeed; it mustn’t be in your course manual.

3. “…when I went on that mission to…”

Mission equals a task or goal assigned to a person.

Every successful person you know has got a mission he/she is on to. What is your mission as a student? What is your goal?

Advice 3: Develop a sense of mission and go with it if you want to succeed in life. Assign a goal to yourself today and gradually work towards it.

4. “…to pursue his music career”

West didn’t drop out because Bill Gates dropped out. He dropped out because he had something to pursue; A career.

Advice 4: Find your career path today and begin to pursue it.

For instance if you got into studying chemistry but later discovered you are passionate about a career in fashion, I advise you pursue your career path along with chemistry; you really need not drop out of school.

5. “…after he publicly mentioned the school”

The guys at the school who gave the honorary degree must have been damn happy after Kanye mentioned the name of their school. They wanted to associate with him hence they called him for an award.

Advice 5: Stop worrying about your mates and everyone who thinks you will amount to nothing probably because your grades say you aren’t smart enough. Work at succeeding and they will be calling for your attention someday.

Source:See http://graduatewell.com/article/56e2f1b3182b21789c9409d81a253f84 for details

At a workshop we had organized for students, students were asked whether their GPAs matter after graduation. We had many responses that were enlightening and reflecting many divergent views.

The best response we got -in my opinion- was that “whether or not your GPA matters after graduation depends majorly on your plans”.

What will be your own response if asked?

Here are 2 reasons why your GPA matters:


1. Going further in your academic pursuit

If your plan is to go to graduate school for Masters, your GPA is going to matter, as schools will look at your transcripts; so maintaining a high GPA is essential.

2. Low GPA decreases your chances to easily securing a job

If you plan on entering the job market immediately after graduation, your GPA is also very important. Recruitment exercises in Nigeria are known for using GPAs to screen out applicants in a bid to cut down the number of applicants to be invited for interview.

So, should you worry if your GPA is reading low?

No.

GPA is not the only criteria employers look at when considering applicants. Internships, relevant projects in college and other extracurricular activities also help on entry-level positions.

However, the story changes a lot more if you have chosen a different path.

1 Reason why your GPA doesn’t matter

If your mind is directed towards business, entrepreneurship, etc. then your GPA does not matter as such.

However, my advice to any student is to work smart at scoring an excellent GPA regardless of the career path they have chosen. Even if you don’t wish to use your “kwali” after school, a high GPA never hurts.

Source: See http://graduatewell.com/article/d7415e51c371b92106050b1bd40aa5a8

After they'd just pasted the result

Let’s face it. There are times we study hard but ‘miraculously’ go blank when it reaches time to pen down what we studied (or maybe you didn’t even study for the course). In most cases, what follows is an ‘F’. We fail the course.

Nigerian students hate failure; (especially when the course is a prerequisite) otherwise why do students cheat in exams knowing fully well that they stand a chance of being rusticated when caught?

We fear it and so when it does happen, we most times react wrongly. We let it control our emotions and allow it to dictate our attitude to life.

What is the best thing to do after seeing that dreaded ‘F’ on the notice board close to the Exam Officer’s den?

Here are five strategies that can help you ‘maintain’ even after ‘banging’ a course:

1. Don’t make it your personality.

Separate the failure from your identity. Don’t let it destroy your self-esteem and confidence. Yes you failed the course but that doesn’t make you are a failure because there are many other things (even if not academically inclined) that you have succeed at.

2. Take stock, learn and adapt.

Learn from your mistakes. Look at the failure analytically. Why did you fail? What might have produced a better outcome? Was the failure completely beyond your control?

Gather the facts, step back and ask yourself, what did I learn from this? And find a way to apply this newfound insight as you continue.

3. Don’t dwell on it.

Dwelling on your failure traps you in an emotional doom-loop that disables you from moving on. You cannot change the past, but you can shape your future with positive thoughts.
Remind yourself of why you have to move on whenever you sense that you are beginning to dwell on it.

4. Forget about the approval of others.

Note that what your mates (or even your lecturer) consider to be true about your level of intelligence is not necessarily the truth. Forget about them and be determined to ultimately succeed.

5. Change your perspective.

One of the best things you can do is to shift your perspective and belief system away from the negative.

Reject the mindset that says: “If I fail a course, it means I am as intelligent as the students who had ‘A’s” and embrace the more positive mindset that says: “If I fail, I am one step closer to succeeding; I am smarter than I was before taking the course”.

What did you do after you failed that course? What is your own advice for students who fail?

Source: http://graduatewell.com/article/7023e84cd0c983a4f3b4d7cbc88afe61 for details

lasisidblack:
l doubt you are in nigeria

Why do you doubt?
Point No. 3 in the post - the example the writer gave indicates that he/she is in Nigeria

lalasticlala:
I followed the link but I didn't see the article there. I just saw other things.

Sorry. Had missed something. Modified it.

lalasticlala:
Op put the direct link to the source that will Lead to the topic...thanks

Alright boss.

feran14:
this is what people don't understand.. I attend CU... but you should see the amount of student owned businesses thriving here..

That's so true. And we need to have more students owning businesses as opposed to just complaining.

dahdah:
You have a point, but what about those students that always find it difficult to pay their school fees ? How will they eat? How will they buy handouts when they are yet to pay their school fee

Check:
http://graduatewell.com/article/b8bc5b524a70f7e1fc766ae5970578b6

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.

My elder brother had one time 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 our 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.

Source: http://graduatewell.com/article/b8bc5b524a70f7e1fc766ae5970578b6 for details

dahdah:
You do all those things yet u have no food to eat, you trek to school , I swear d person gonna fail

In my opinion, i believe every student is given some amount of (pocket) money for up keep. Hence with proper planning at the beginning of the semester (no 1) you gonna have food to eat (maybe not 3 times daily) and you won't have to trek to school EVERYDAY. I swear d person Ain't gonna fail.

Generally, we prefer to be seen as one of those succeeding academically as opposed to being termed average. Worst is to be regarded as one of the academically poor students.

If you aren’t succeeding academically, I propose you start doing these 5 things:

1. Start and Continue each Semester with a Plan
Nothing noteworthy happens by chance. Every successful venture was planned; written down or just thought out. However, a written down plan is more efficient and reliable.

There are only so many days in a semester, so to be efficient you need to know what your goals are and what you need to do in order to succeed as you begin each semester.

Take note from the onset that your plan need not be rigid and should be realistic.

2. Associate with the Right Students
Fellow students who constantly make excuses, complain and have a negative outlook should be avoided like the plague.

Campus friends who have lost sight of the reason for which they were admitted into school are a cancer and their negative aura can rub off on you. You can tell by the activities they engage in.

Surround yourself with friends that are focused and determined to improve in their academics or simply befriend the academically best student in your class.

3. Don’t Make Excuses in Support of Your Failures
If you fail to do an assignment, fail or miss a short-gun (an impromptu test), don’t make up excuses. Don’t accuse your lecturer of being evil and wanting your downfall.

Anytime you experience failure search for the causes and learn the lessons therein. If you keep making excuses for your mistakes, you will continue to make them.

4. Don’t be Jealous or Envious of Your Mates who are Succeeding
Seeing a fellow student succeed should motivate you. Every single student has the ability to succeed academically hence wasting time envying another student’s academic success is a distraction and will side track your progress.

5. Don’t give up when you fail
Failure in itself is not bad unless when we fail to learn from that failure. From my association with academically successful students I understand that virtually all of them have a history of failure.

When you fail at anything; including following through with this advice, the wisest move will be to ‘get up’, ‘dust yourself’, and continue by drawing strength from your target end-result.

Source http://graduatewell.com/article/8768af619f171d40cd351ae7d00d4f21 for details.

While in my final level some few years back at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, I became fully aware of the challenges faced by Nigerian graduates primarily because I was about to join in.

I became overly afraid of the uncertainties of life after graduation. I also noticed some level of fear in the majority of my campus friends (especially those who did not have rich dads or connected uncles).

My fears and worries pushed me into doing a little research. In my research, I 'looked' at senior friends who had gone into the labor market 1 to 3 years ahead and noticed 2 obvious sets of graduates: those that were finding life difficult (over 80%) and those that were succeeding (less than 20%).

Based on how these fresh and not-so fresh graduates lived on campus (which indeed affected how they got out), I identified the 2 categories of Nigerian graduates:

"Those who graduate well & Those who graduate bad."

Do you agree with the writer or do you think there are more?

PS: Culled from the about page of www.graduatewell.com