₦airaland Forum

pansophist:
I guess you are referring to quora. That is where I normally read the most. So quora are the Instagram for readers, a place where you go and subscribe to writers and topics that interest you, and read from the world's best in different particular fields. Download the app on your phone, register, pick your interest and just take it as a habit to read there for at least two hours every day, you will be smart, it's that simple. I spend probably three hours every day for the past ten years on quora alone, it's a hobby that I enjoy, and I highly recommend it.

Secondly, be curious. Ask questions about things and google for answers, preferably answers from forums like Reddit, Quora, and even Nairaland, to have an idea of how different people think about it. It is in that chaos you expand your mind and accommodate different perspectives, which helps you forge your own worldview. As well as curiosity, you must know how to think. Ask basic questions, question basic assumptions, be aware of your mental processes (metacognition), try reversing things to see from the other angle, evaluate existing evidence, and understand that no one thinks Critically 100% of the Time.

Thirdly, read philosophical books. There is a reason why philosophy is called ''the mother of all disciplines''. Most of the smartest people on earth are philosophers or enthusiasts of philosophy. The bible is deeply philosophical, regardless if you are religious. Philosophy by its very nature covers all fields of knowledge there is, from logic- the study of reasoning, to epistemology - the study of knowledge, also aesthetics - the study of beauty, and ethics - the study of what is right and wrong, followed by metaphysics - the study of big picture questions, etc. If you are well-grounded in philosophy, no one can stand you. Like a light, your knowledge will destroy the presence of darkness. As in literarily, you will be unbeatable.

Also, realize that practicing all these is what makes you smart. For example, if you take a dirty basket and dip it into a river, it comes out clean every time you take it out. The basket may not retain any water, but with every dip, it gets cleaner, moisturized, and less smelly. The human mind/brain is like that. Every time you read something, your mind gets a little bit sharper. Reading does many things to your mind. It equips you with lots of methods to explain complicated things with the usage of analogies, hypotheses, past events, adages, theories, etc. You can develop these skills by reading from writers from different fields. Each individual has their methods of explaining things (known as idiolects), and the more you are exposed to the method of expressions by different smart people, you become a version of them.

Also, reading helps with eloquence. If you want to be powerful, be eloquent. it is that simple. If you can talk with clear diction, and with deep knowledge of what you are talking about, then you are the most powerful person there is. Some of the most powerful men on the planet are orators, from Martin Luther King's speech ''I have a dream'' which shocked the whole world and challenged institutional racism in the US, to rappers like Tupac that are so skilled with lyrics that until these days, their music are greatest of all times. This is why every religious book talks about caging the tongue because it's the most powerful tool in you if you know how to use it well. You can be the poorest man on earth, but the words out of your mouth will threaten the powers that be, so sharpen it, and be indestructible.

Best regards, and thanks for your appreciation of my contents. Respect.

Thank you so much for this comment - especially for your concerns and taking your time to create a detailed reply in response to my questions.

I really appreciate it, Sir.

Hello Sir Pansophist,

I admire your intelligence a lot.
From time to time, I would come to Nairaland, as a guest though, look up for your profile and start reading your comments because they are filled with wisdom.

There was a comment from you that I have been searching for. Someone asked you how you read and which books you usually read. You answered that you reads from a certain website which I have forgotten.

It is an old comment, and that is why I wasn't able to find it. I used Google and Nairaland search option with different keywords to find it, yet to no avail.

Now, please how can I grow more in knowledge like you? What are your reading habits / patterns? And please mention "that site" if you still remembers it.

Thank you so much for spreading priceless and useful words on Nairaland.

Nazgul:
1. Be focused. One of the reasons why most people spend 8 years for a 4 year course is because they loose focus. Learn to cultivate the habit of reading, stay away from social media and focus on your books.

The university environment is a place that houses the good the bad and the ugly, if you forget why you're there, you would get lost in the pool.

2. Mind the company you keep. Whether you're a guy or girl, the friends you make in your first year would determine if you'll graduate with your mates, drop out or worse die along the way.

3. Draw close to God. I was a member of NIFES back then in school and I must confess that my joining them wasn't a waste. I joined them during my year one clearance and they really helped me so much.

There where seniors in my department who were in the fellowship who helped me with course handouts, past questions, tutorials... etc. I even ate free meals in their houses and had the opportunity of using my time on campus to serve God.

4. Avoid bars and clubs within the school environment. As a fresher if you're the type that clubs and drink regularly, chances are you would be initiated into a campus secret cult sooner or later. And I don't need to tell you that you'll most likely end up dead, jailed, maimed or constantly on the run for the rest of your life on campus.

5. Avoid girls. Many young guys have lost their lives on campus because of girls, many have been robbed, beaten, and even failed severally by lecturers because of girls. If you want to go far as a student stay away from them and focus on why you're in school.

6. Be Prudent with your money. Your parents struggled to send you to school, manage whatever little they can afford to give to you, buy what you need and stay away from things that would make you spend money unnecessarily like betting and women.

Good luck.

Thank you so much for this advice, Sir!

seunak2016:
mind the way you dress otherwise you will be approached by cultist to be a member

Okay, sir.

Sergio104:
Please @op...... don't listen to this guy oh.

His craziness is on another level

Lol

helinues:
No matter the temptation, zero your mind from joining any cult group. Cultists are liable to be attacked anytime.

Avoid wearing any colour combination of any of the court group in your school, na trespassing beating.

Association this, group that are always distraction to studies.

Limitate your friends, don't hang out with those you don't really know their movement.

Acting like a ghost in and outside campus could help you stay out of unnecessary trouble

Thank you so much for this advice, Sir.

MikeofKd:
Be fun and focused
Try balancing your academics and social life
You can start skipping lectures when ur course load reduces but never skip lectures as a fresher
100 lvl is where your cgpa foundation begins
Try to make a first class for the first two semesters cus other level gon become tougher
So even if ur cgpa drops u won’t feel it dat much and u can get back on track better
Don’t stress yourself about women too much .theres plenty of time and plenty of them too ,just be valuable ,they would rush you when it’s time
Respect all ur lecturers and be punctual
Dress well ,smell good ,be neat and organized ,mind ur business it saves a lot.
Be closer to God
Don’t join bad gang ,be ur own bad gang
There’s much but these ones would do
Good luck

Wow! Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate this advice.

About "friends", share your opinions please.

Please what is your advice to university freshers (new students)?
The dos and don'ts, "friends", movements, and everything needed to know!
And share your university experiences/stories if you have any.
Tell me, I'm all ears!
I just started school, that's why I'm asking. Thanks.
Lalasticlala, please move this thread to the frontpage.

Join us now

dawnomike:
well, mine is at night when most are asleep...

Okay

Stynkyng:
nice

Glad you like it. Make sure to join us Sir! It's a new Channel but we have ideas to keep it lively and interesting.