There are about 1.4 million young Nigerians who are
waiting to hear that word congratulations; waiting to
receive an admission letter that begins with it.
Sadly, only about 700,000 of these students will
receive the good news. But getting admission into
the tertiary institution is just a tip of the iceberg.
The sad fate of students, who have been unable to
complete their tertiary education for reasons
ranging from peer pressure, cultism, drugs and
alcohol abuse to pure laziness should serve as an
example to fresh students, but this is not always
the case.
Many fresh students still fall victims of these vices.
Some other times, challenges could be as minor as
the most affordable way to get food or the best
ways to save your money.
Living conditions
Reports say that only about 25 % of Nigerian
University students live on campus. This means
that for every student who lives on campus, there
are three others who face the stressful task of
commuting to and from school every day.
Staying off campus isn’t just stressful, it could
sometimes be dangerous. Most incidents of campus
violence usually take place off campus.
But if you can’t make the 25%, and need to stay in
an off campus hostel, don’t be alarmed.
However, ensure that you do your best to
investigate your off campus hostel. What sort of
people stay there? What’s the security like? Be sure
to begin searching as soon as possible to get the
best deals available. If you need to share rent and
board with someone else, do your best to find out
about your future roommate’s character.
Choose friends wisely
You have probably heard it time and time again that
bad company corrupts good manners. It might
sound like a cliché to you; but it’s probably ageless
because it’s true. No, you will not get special
grades for making friends with the most popular
people on campus. So don’t be so desperate that
you can do anything for
friendships.
Take out time to pick friends that can spur you on
morally and academically. Remember that although
campus streets may sometimes seem like a movie
set, you’re there to get a BSc, not an Oscar for
‘Best Friendship on set.’
Start studying on time
It could be pretty overwhelming when you get into
school for the first time. There are lots of new
places to learn about…let the library being one of
them.
Apart from registration and some periodic
orientation programmes, your first few weeks will
be the freest you’ll ever be in your schooling career.
Too early for trouble
There are so many things you need to prove when
you get into school. That you can break the rules
and get away with it is not one of them. The thing
about trouble is that your record tends to stay with
you and put you into more and more trouble. If you
don’t know the rules and regulations of the
institution you are about to enter, find out, and if
you can’t take the heat, don’t take the admission.
Ask any parent; it’s more honourable to have a child
stay at home than to have him expelled or
suspended.
Watch your pocket
Cut your cloth according to your size. Don’t spend
money because other people are doing the same.
Budget properly before spending a kobo;
appropriate for giving, spending and saving.
Activism with caution
Of course, you should not hesitate to fight for your
rights. But be sure to do so within the rules and
regulations of your institution, and without violence
and threats.
This Boyfriend-Girlfriend thing
On campus, you will most likely be surrounded by
more members of the opposite sex than you have
ever been in your entire life. The choice whether or
not to enter a relationship as soon as you get into
school is yours. But bear in mind that you should
get your priorities right, right from the start.
