HOW NOT TO SEE SHEGE IN YOUR FIRST YEAR

All these freshers sha was a phrase I heard frequently as school resumed during my Freshman era. I soon began to understand what it was all about, freshers were targets for everything that came and went around because of the new exposure to the university lifestyle, there’s money to spend and sadly, majority were naive, to the benefit of the vendors they met. I wasn’t naive as the rest though, I was a smart fresher.

On the day I resumed after our orientation, I saw a man come in to advertise a book, I wondered what it would be used for as I was seated at the back and couldn’t catch a glimpse of what was happening at the front of the hall. The guy that sat beside me had rushed to the front, he soon came back and brought a book titled ‘How to calculate your XYZ CGPA’. I was immediately puzzled, opened the book and saw what I could get from Google. The book was sold for a thousand naira.

Now you get my point, that’s one fresher mistake. You don’t get to buy everything that comes your way all in the name of sugarcoated advertisements.

I’m taking you on a ride on how to survive as a Freshman, because the journey is not for the weak but for the smart, even the smart could crumble if careless.

RECKLESS SPENDING: BE BUDGET SMART

You’re given monthly allowance to come to school, and within two weeks, you’ve spent it all. The shege you’ll face will train you on how to spend wisely.

Learn to save and spend wisely, Saying ‘No’ is not a crime, if you haven’t learnt it, you’ll learn the hard way.

A saving culture would save you a lot of stress if you actually abide to it.

RELATIONSHIPS & ASSOCIATION: THE FRIENDS YOU MAKE WOULD MAKE OR MAR YOU

In the University, you will meet the friendly, the smart, the good, the bad and the ugly, the tech savvy, the manipulator, just name it. You’ll meet a lot of them.

It’s good practice to calmly select your circle of friends, whatever personality any of your friends carry will most likely rub off on you, so take it calmly, slowly and also wisely.

“Show me your friends I’ll tell you who you are” … Enough said.

SAY NO TO DISTRACTIONS: STAY FOCUSED

Your major aim in the University is to study, any thing else is just extra curricular.

– Don’t miss any lecture, even the most boring ones. Just attend, you’d be surprised to hear how many marks attendance carries in some courses.
– Take notes in class, you’d be grateful to yourself during exam time.
– Start studying as early as possible, don’t wait two weeks to exam so you don’t see your results in Binary numbers.
– Take your tests and assignments very seriously.
– Be active in class, ask questions, it shows interest and keeps you sharp, even if you’re shy. It could come handy in the exam hall.

NETWORKING AND SELF DEVELOPMENT: JOIN SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Now talking about the extra curricular activity, school isn’t restricted to just book book.

There are so many other things you can do, it could be joining politics, joining societies like LASU Champion, LASU Debate Society, JCI and the likes.

Find what aligns with your interest, develop yourself in, get better and also, network smartly.

LIFE AFTER UNI?:

“I’m just a fresher, let me enjoy my University life please”.

Hey, life comes at you very fast, nobody is saying you shouldn’t enjoy yourself.

There’s a whole lot more to do after school, don’t wait till after graduation to start preparing.

You love public speaking, you’re interested in Entrepreneurship, you want to be so good at something after school, whatever it is, START NOW.

Start preparing for the YOU in the nearest future. Meet people, network with people that are head of you, pick a mentor, or even mentors to guide your path.

There’s nothing like being an introvert, come out of that shell and START NOW.

Here’s an Extra tip
Ensure you have a good smartphone with an equally good powerbank, it would come very handy because you definitely don’t want to miss out on a test or any other vital information announced on your group because of a low battery.

Finally, Put God first in everything you do. He’s the perfect guide for you in every way you view the picture, provided you know what you’re doing, he’s bound to help you.

Cheers to a beautiful journey ahead in the Lagos State University, LASU Champion wishes you a Happy resumption.

By Akinsete Oluwatobi Roland