THE GREATEST SECRET OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE 1

If you're anything like me, you perhaps, started life at the back seats in class, as a member of the Educational Committee of Weak And Average Student. Members do seat at the back seats in every class, sagging, gambling, and wooing girls.

I enjoyed climbing over the school's fence, and landing perfectly balanced on my two legs, without allowing my white-shirt-on-white-trouser school uniform to get stained in the process. I enjoyed going to a friend's house to watch American movies, since I do not like our local movies then, and I also listen to music, during school hours. I do all these, provided that I do not have money to spend on playing PlayStation 2 video game, whilst my classmates are receiving lectures.

I was notorious for getting to the school late, not once in a while, or once in a week, but at all times. Though I performed better anytime I managed to burn the mid-night oil, but my very close association with the bad boys in class often distract me.

As a bad boy, I used to believe that I was a mafia, and at a time, I had to do all I can to suppress my conscience. I obtained my juniors (or should I say that I bullied my juniors in school and collect their money in the process, by force). I gambled, I did illegal businesses, and had enough money to buy beer and cigarettes, and once in a while, I take a girl out, and spoil her. It was fun.

One faithful morning, on the assembly ground, we were told to pay about four thousand and five hundred naira for NECO, because WAEC was free. There and then, it dawned on me that I had wasted some three years of my life, all because I thought I was a big boy. I'd lived in the shadows of my dreams, and I couldn't possibly put the blame on anybody else but me.

I tried to prepare hard for my Secondary School Certificate Examination, and did all I could to come out with flying colours, but alas! That was not to be. I had 'F' in all my papers, save for Economics and Mathematics, where I had 'C' and 'D' respectively. I was down cast, and felt as if I was a failure. I even felt like a fool, as I couldn't come up with good grades, which made my JAMB result a complete waste.

I saw myself dying on the inside, and my dreams fading out into thin air. I then decided to change my ways and live a better life in September 2003, the same year that I graduated from my secondary school. Today, I am a different person, as I have made a transition from the dullest in class to the brightest in class. From nobody, to becoming a ‘somebody’, someone that everyone wants to reckon with. I have moved my life from level zero to becoming a hero. I had simply kicked my academic life out of the gutter, and if you will give me that chance, if you don't mind, I will help you make that transition, and help you to live the life of your dreams. Have a good read.

Quickly, I shall be sharing with you what I consider to be principles of academic excellence.

PRINCIPLE ONE

Determine your purpose.

You can easily get distracted in the world called the University-have it on mind that the University is a world on its own. It's a world of freedom, liberty, and freewill. In the higher institution, you begin to realize that like Tuface Idhibia said, indeed, your destiny is in your hands. In the University, you are free to do anything and everything you like, that's liberty.

Freshers are the ones most vulnerable to this kind of distraction. You will agree with me that when you have tied a dog down for years, for instance, and release it suddenly for some time, the dog can swirl around in circles, run far away, or even remained stationary, but one thing is sure...liberty comes with excitement or what some people call youthful exuberance.

However, I will like to stress here that with liberty also comes responsibility. You are free to smoke, but you've decided to cut your life short by five minutes every time you light one. You are free to sleep around but you can contact HIV/AIDS in the process of doing that. You are free to join a confraternity, but you can be killed by a rival gang. The truth is, though one is free to do anything him /her like in the University/Poly technique/College of Education, or what have you, every action drags along with it a consequence.

That said, I have discovered that it is very easy for you to get distracted with parties, fun, and fashion, and all that. Distraction is not the problem, but the consequence of the distraction, how it affects your purpose and your grade point in school. Don't forget that companies are ever willing to employ graduates with a second-class upper CGPA, and above, and in most cases, nothing lesser.

So what is your purpose for coming to school? I want you to answer that sincerely. I know that you didn't just wake up one morning, and have a Matriculation number. Of course, you wrote some exams, you burned the mid-night oil, you reduced your sleeping time, and even wrote post UME perhaps, before finding yourself in 100 level or 400 level. What do you hope to achieve in, and by going to school? That is food for thought.

Don't forget that whoever is sponsoring your education has reasons for doing so. He/she has hopes and expectation, so you have to make him/her proud by coming out (out of the tertiary institution) with flying colours. In the words of a wise man, "When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable." So don't abuse or misuse your stay in school, determine your purpose.

Now, reach out for a pen and paper. Then write a three sentenced paragraph, one sentence each for-Your purpose of going to school, what you hope to achieve, and what you are willing to sacrifice in other to achieve your purpose.

Do join me some other time on this blog. Remember, if nothing stopped you from being born, then nothing can stop you from achieving your wildest dreams. I will like to hear your views as regards this article.


Agbolade Omowole, runs Interpersonal Skills Training for corporate organizations. He is also a financial adviser with Aims Asset Management Limited.

Contact: 08020777803/agboolaa_coach@yahoo.com
Blog: www.101youngentrepreneurs.blogspot.com

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