Growing up, I was more of a timid boy than a nerd - if I was ever that way. In as much as I excelled in class, I was not that active in other aspects of school perhaps since I always thought I was not cut out for it. Another thing was that, as any African parent would advise his child, I was told not to do more than myself, not to blow my trumpet, assume I were never at a place even when I might even be the convener and so on. Although this had to do with an avenue to be unseen to evil-doers, it affected my personality growing up - almost transforming into low self-esteem later on.
After final exams back in secondary school, like an average young school leaver, I had to wait for months which may graduate into years to gain admission into a tertiary institution. During these moments, I was home most of the time so I could majorly make do with resources such as books, radio, and TV - not the regular cable. Then, I learned a lot of things in different areas of life which led to a reformed mindset upon entering the university.
The university, like any other tertiary institution in my country, is a place of learning, not just academic but it's a whole new world of its own. It is where destinies are built and mindsets changed for the life ahead. Amidst the stress it entails, if not for anything, one thing I am grateful for is Enlightenment. I am also grateful for the first range of people I met on campus because they instilled unique word of advice in me that still helps me run today, thereby forming the foundation of most of the things I know and do.
Unlike the mindset I had had through elementary school, I was able to understand even though I am humble - or what seems like it - I have to make judicious use of my time in school. This was where I could make or build capacity and networks that could wreak a lifetime of wonders. I had read or heard about some businessmen, celebrities, politicians etc. who still reap the rewards of their labour in sustaining strategic relationships even from their tertiary school days.
Fast forward to my second year, especially during the COVID-19 era, I had a radical change of mind to being an active citizen in school and my environment at large. I got to understand that the strength of our governance system and how it caters for what it truly represents boils down to how active the average citizen is. Hence, I decided to start to volunteer for social impact programs as well as actively participating in politics which is a fundamental right of every citizen no matter how little. Through these, I have been able to contribute my little quota to better the lives of some people as well as build myself in terms of networking, ‘facing the crowd’, and improving my self-esteem among others. I have met with people who have pushed me beyond my limits.
Lastly, by being a student, I have found out that there are lots of opportunities that are available, even in Nigeria. Opportunities ranging from scholarships, grants, and fellowships to volunteerism are some of the things that can help you scale through school and know for sure that you made good use of your ‘studentship’.
These and many more are what I have enjoyed as a student and, in my next life, if there is one, I will start to implement lots of the things I know now way before I resume a tertiary institution.
