Advice for all freshers | 5 things to remember as a new student

There is no limit to the joy experienced by a person who finally gains admission into school. Such persons are known as a ‘freshers’ or new students.

That sounds good right?

Yes, it is a thing of joy gaining admission to your desired institution to study your preferred course (or not preferred). But most times, do you seat and ponder about what you want to achieve and how to achieve them in school?

Most freshers are mainly after the joy of living in their comfort zone outside the purview of their parents and not after their academic pursuit. That is why WESYC is here for you in order to guide you through your academic career.

This article serves as a little piece of advice for every fresher who wants to make a good academic record, not just going to school.

And its my hope that following the tips mentioned here will help guide you on how to live and handle your life on campus.

I wish you best of luck as you read through.

ACADEMIC GOALS

As a student, you need to set an academic target for yourself. Write your academic goals and paste on the wall of your room. So that anytime you see them, you will be motivated to work harder.

The Bible says in Habakkuk 2:2-3 “Then, the Lord told me ‘I will give you a message in the form of a vision. Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance. At the time I have decided, my words will come true. You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time but keep on waiting – it will happen!’.

Many at times, I ask students; have you written your goals for next semester? They’d say; I have it in mind and I’ll laugh at them.

You see, it is not enough to have them in your mind, you must also write your goals. Set a high CGPA target for yourself, and set your reading/study strategy to accomplish it.

Get notes, textbooks, past test and exam question papers and handouts from your senior colleagues. If necessary (for you) attend tutorial classes organized for courses you do in school.

You can decide to attend for only tough courses. If you’re determined to succeed at school academically, see our tips to get good grades in school.

Don’t miss lectures and endeavour to utilize every of your free period in the Library or other place you study well. If possible form a study group. It works well for some students. Learn more about having a study partner in school.

You also need humility to learn. Though you know it all, allow someone else to teach you, it may add value to what you already know.

Always respect your lecturers and senior colleagues. They are your academic mentors, and you can leverage on them to help you in your academics.

CONTINUE WITH YOUR PASSION/SKILLS IN SCHOOL

School is another avenue where you showcase your talent, skills or passion.

If you are dancer, continue with it in school.

If you are a musician continue with it.

If you are an artistic designer, continue with it.

If you are a comedian, continue with it.

If you play football or other sports, continue with it.

If you are a preacher, continue with it.

If you are a hair stylist, continue with it.

If you are a fashion designer, continue with it.

If you are a writer, continue with it.

If you love acting, continue with it.

I have to stop here.

What am I saying in essence? Don’t let your passion or skill or talent die because you entered school. That passion could be what put food on your table tomorrow.

Remember, you’ll leave school someday. To help you get started, here are 6 surest ways to make money (and be independent).

MAKE THE RIGHT FRIENDS

We’d rather say get the right and Godly friends. Just one friend is enough to motivate you to do exploit but you can have many friends and none of them pushes you to do better.

There can be 100 persons in a room that comprise of 99 persons who don’t believe in you, and just one person who believes in you. That can make all the difference.

Going toward success? Move along with people going toward success too. Find like minded persons and make them your friends.

Sometimes, friendship starts with roommates, or your friend end up becoming your roommate. That’s why following these tips to living with a roommate in school is essential.

This friendship must not be with same sex. Don’t live with an opposite sex in school in the guise of roommate.

You could find an opposite sex who is like minded as a casual friend. But be careful when such friendship begins to develop into a romantic relationship. That is why many people tend to keep away from the opposite sex.

Also, be careful of bad boys and girls in school. They will come with enticing words, offer to help you, to be your friend and protect you but at the long run they will show you their true colour.

For my beautiful sisters, it is not all the guys who approach you that you will give attention. Learn to be principled and be respectful.

For my big brothers, learn to respect yourself. It’s not every girl you see that you will call. Try to maintain your dignity.

NIGHT CLASS

About attending night classes, we’d advise you to be careful. We won’t say you shouldn’t attend but you must define what you want to do in night class.

Some students come to night class to sit down and chat away their time. Yes, it is good that you have conversations with people, watch movies, charge your phone and other accessories in night class (especially when there is no light in your hostel or area). But never while away your time in night class doing only those.

Other students go to night class to meet up with their sexual partners. And all manner of things happen from there.

Also, bad stuffs happen at night classes. Always be vigilant and walk in company of other people to and from night class.

Any day you don’t have anybody to go to night class and come back with, you better stay at home. Especially if you don’t stay within the school environment.

Girls get raped, phone & laptops get stolen, fights do break out and many other bad stuffs like that do happen. Have any of our 24 safety measures at school in mind.

CHURCH/FELLOWSHIP

The place of God in your academics can never be overemphasized. As my brother would say, be that Church boy or girl you were at home even when you get to school. There is no shame in being that. Don’t be deceived.

Even the Bible has asked us not to neglect the gathering of the Brethren. Join a fellowship or Church on Campus that will help you serve God and grow in your walk with Christ.

Mind you, it must not be your home Church or fellowship. Join any arm of the Church and willingly render your services to God.

Remember also that “You must be Holy, for I am Holy”, God says. The God we serve is a Holy one who abhors sin and iniquity. Stay aware from sin and all appearances of evil and with His Grace, you will be glorified!

Finally, you are in a university where you have your freedom. No parents or guardians to checkmate your activities and movement.

But know that “freedom can be dangerous if used the wrong way”. Don’t use your freedom to indulge in ungodly activities.

You must not attend all the social gathering; wedding ceremony, wild birthday party, go to all places to swim especially if you don’t know how to swim.

It is not every friend that you should visit, and the likes.

Also, it is not every clothes, phone, laptop that you must buy. Learn to live within your budget. Many students, because they want to be or look like their friends, tend to do anything to get money. Some even overcharge their Sponsors on some fees just to make up for their extravagant lifestyle.

One of  the things that will help you constrain your financial obligations is to prepare a budget of any money you receive from your Sponsors. And be determined never to spend more than you have stated in your budget. In fact, here is how to save money at school.

Never go borrowing, because “those who go borrowing go sorrowing”. You can find a side business you can do that will fetch you money.

For instance; plaiting of hair, photography, selling recharge card, clothes, shoes and the rest on campus.

Be open to opportunities such as scholarships, internships, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.

To get a scholarship in school, you need to have a high GPA/CGPA and it all begins in your year one. Thankfully, Wesyc provide information on the latest scholarships.

While this list of our advice to you as a fresher is not exhaustive, following them will spur you on to greater success as you journey through school.

Hope you enjoyed reading through this article? You might also like to see our pick of 6 things you should do before finishing school.

STAY AHEAD

Get the latest school information in your inbox: drop your email here. Follow Wesyc on Facebook for the newest scholarships.

Found this blog useful? Please reach out by leaving a comment below.