1. Learn an international language.

Most  Africans or more specifically most Ugandans speak at least two languages, English and a local language, somewhere from luganda, lusoga, runyankole, rutoro, ateso, acholi and the list goes on. That’s a good thing as we are sure our African heritage is sure to survive through our language and culture. But as globalization continues at its current rate, its an added advantage to the individual to learn an extra international language. Kiswahili for example will be an amazing asset in the years to come as the East African community takes full effect. The list is long with other languages like French, German, Spanish, Latin, mandarin etc. all that will definitely make you stand out from a crowd of your peers. 

2. Participate in an international competition

There are several online competitions that are open to university students, many of these include fellowship programs and give international exposure to those that compete and eventually get through to those phases. From essay writing competitions, to prose and poetry to design and innovation competitions all these open up one’s perspective on a number of issues ranging from the opinion to practice.

3. Do a side business.

Before I joined university, I had a long conversation with an in-law. In this conversation he mentioned a couple of businesses he did on the side to earn extra income so as to ease his stay at campus. When I also got to campus, I found it satisfying to earn my own money and not to be totally dependent on a parent or guardian. This is actually something that sets you up in life as not everyone is privileged enough to get a job immediately out of university, many hit the streets for a time on the job hunt.  

4. Be practical about your course and career.

No matter what you study at the university, it can safely be assumed that your end game is to exercise what you have learnt in the “real world.” Internships may offer a chance to practice a bit of that but most internships involve group activities yet in a work setting one may not be able to “hide in the group.” My first job honestly found me quite green on many of the practical aspects of the profession. Even the theory that should have stuck had all vanished save a little basic knowledge. I found myself having to jump head first back into my textbooks to avoid the embarrassment of total ignorance and the bad impression it would give.

5. Understand your purpose in life.

This right here sounds extremely zen and guruish but it is quite serious and life changing. When you know your why, even those drub and slow days can’t take the fire out of you. And trust me, when you start working there will be slow days, there will be those down days, these are practically unavoidable. Knowing your why requires you to know yourself and what makes you different. I won’t go so much into that as there several books that have been written to that end to help you discover your purpose.