THE OUTSET: SETTING THE RIGHT GOALS AS A FRESHMAN
By Opemipo Olukoga
Time flies, they say. It does. The clock ticks and minutes/hours roll by. Alas! An end has come to your anxiety and you have been saved from drowning in the pool of dread and apprehension. Recently, you have been welcomed by the atmosphere of the prestigious university – University of Ibadan. The past week must have been stressful but you should expect more rigorous activities (if ASUU does not alter this session) and consider all these as normalcy. You have regained freedom from being asked bothering questions about education and resumption; Congratulations! I understand the exhilaration you feel at the moment. Your dreams, of being an undergraduate and networking with mates without house chores interrupting your plans, are fulfilled. There is certainty that you begin to crave for the need to explore, particularly to walk around large UI with friends and gape at the wonderful buildings and Faculties present. It is this outset that you begin forecast success and you begin to have thoughts of bagging the First-Class Honors which is considered praiseworthy by all. Be at ease, calm down for it is not so easy. The truth is your written goals and plans cannot come to fulfillment without you stretching yourself and working towards it.
So, success is Herculean in nature, demanding energy and zeal and it makes one go through rigorous activities that sap your energy. The statement “UI dey shock” seems unclear and vague to you but soon, reality will dawn on you. In life, we make plans, strategize with a strong vision and we work on accomplishing these strategized plans. We make certain decisions that tend to either make or mar our becoming. Ignore the utterance “school na scam”. If school is a scam, why are we all here? The belief that education has a great role to play is that which everyone will always hold to. Yearning success by writing down strategized plans or having thoughts related to your plans is not just enough. You are in a new environment and the decisions you make in your first year has a great influence on your academic life or the entirety.
This is the outset; a small fall is destructible! Here’s a list of things to keep in mind in this outset.
- Shun laziness and toil more – The total way to attaining success in all areas of life is toiling more and shunning laziness. To achieve your set goals in this outset, striving by working harder is necessary. Have in mind that here is not similar to where you come from. This is a time to strategize more.
- Network – Solitude is not beneficial at all times. No one can choose to stay alone as there will always be times when you need a helping hand. Here, networking is a necessity as it has a great magnitude of benefits in stock for you.
- Make reading a habit – The problem most students have is that reading is seen more as a rigorous activity. When you make reading a habit and realize that the outcome will depend on your input, you stand a chance of attaining the academic success you desire.
- Realize failure fuels energy too – Failure fuels energy. It drives and increases zeal too. Failure is not fatal and is a stepping stone to success. Here at UI, you might face difficulties and setbacks you never envisioned but be at peace. Realize that failure will always show its ugly face, your zeal to continue striving is important.
- Attend social events but be wise – Read but create time for social events. Create time for social events but do not neglect responsibilities and your duties as a student. Apply wisdom and strike a balance between social events attendance on campus and the strive for academic excellence.
- Prioritize your health – While you work on attaining your dreams and goals at this outset, realize your health is important as well. Consider the benefits of being healthy – your goals get achieved most importantly. Eat good fruits, Eat well, exercise and rest enough.
You need energy and enough drive so you do not falter and become weary on this journey. The outset matters, it determines how the end will be!
