Today, 23/10/2021 is now one of the most fulfilling days of my life. I graduated, and with good grade. 5 years of efforts, determination, late nights and nodding imaginary football have produced positive result. But then, it won't have been possible without the grace of the Almighty. Hence my utmost appreciation to HIM.
Now a BSc hodler,(😊) there have been some lessons I have learned along the way, besides academics. The very first very first day I resumed till the last have been full of valuable lessons which has all contributed to what I achieved and who I am today.
But then, I got some things wrong.
The Delusion
I have always been a pioneer of studying hard and getting good grades. I had this mindset even before I gained admission. I would always think; "I need to be put on my best in my course of study, since it's going to determine how far I can go in the pursuit of my career".
Therefore, I expend all my time including my leisure into academics. Inexperienced that I was then, my opinion was that the better the grade, the higher the chance of securing a better employment. Hence, the spare time I was supposed to use to learn other skills that will be of help to me if certificate fails,I spent it all on academics.
You might think; It's not really a bad idea, is it? Well it is. My friends were learning different survival skills both online and offline. They took classes and some of them are now masters in:
Graphics design
Fashion design
Webmasters
Auto mechanics
Interior Decoration, and many more.
I, being a hundred percent bookworm insisted that these activities would hinder me from getting the best grade I wanted for myself. Yes I did get the grade at the end, but why did I feel empty?
The realization
Your certificate is not enough!!!
That is just the pure truth. If you go to school with the hope of getting your certificate only, then you have not really gone to school. The definition of education encompasses all ramifications, regardless.
These days, employment is no longer by what you study, but by what you can do. That is why one with a lower grade can secure a job just because he posseses valuable digital skills, and not the one with the best credit on paper only.
I am putting this out there to help students see the need to do more outside their academic field. Find something that interests you and learn it. Gain mastery over it. It is always better to have alternatives.
I learned that a little too late; but not completely late. Actually, it is never too late to start working on what you believe in and have passion for. And this I have embarked on.
Gratitude: The need
85 of us were admitted at the first year, 60 graduated. Few lost their lives, some had to drop out for certain reasons and others were rusticated (no offense, rusty). So indeed, I have to be grateful for the success of the journey. I have learnt what works and what does not, and I'm still learning. If given the opportunity again, I won't have to start from the scratch. I know what I will do differently and what I will enhance.
The bottom line
Get certified both in academics and on-demand vocational skills. Trust me, you can never go wrong. Don't think you can't handle it, you only need to be determined. The fact that you are reading this piece shows that you have a profitable skill already, blogging/writing. Keep it up. Finding a good paying job after secular education is like finding a needle in a haystack. Therefore you need any alternative you can get your hands on. And who knows, you may not even look for any job. Instead of adding to the labour force, you are lessening it.
To all the students on the platform, I wish you a successful journey.
Kindly allow me to excuse myself for now. It's felicitation time!!!
23/10/21
Congratulations bro