School is often boring, let us face it. It even becomes an absolute inconvenience at times. We would all rather wake up and remain in bed or play video games, watch television hang out with friends but well, no one ever gets to do that. After all that’s life. It is full of responsibilities and less interesting things that require us to wake up and be somewhere or do something.

For many, the most helpful things in school are outside the classroom and for those of us who are not exceptional students, these may be helpful. And the great thing about these, is that they are never examined on paper and yet if we do brilliantly in these regards, the rest of life may not be that hard, I mean easier.

Number one, I have overtime realised that most of the people who have become friends in my life are those I met in the different schools I was. The childhood neighbourhood friends count too, but not as much (no offense). It is the guys I shared my breakfast with when we tore that pancake in two or the guys we nicknamed the teacher with. It is those people that I still do life with on the daily basis. This is not something anyone examines but it is important to learn to network while in school. Remember that student who knew or knows almost everyone in school, well they have a better chance at getting a job connection than you do. And that’s must-learn number one, networking, do not forget.

Number two, in my high school, big up to Mengo, and all Mengonians, it was important to be smart. This included, being well groomed as an adolescent with beards growing, well ironed and tucked shirt, a well knotted tie, clean trousers. Before I forget, the shirt had to be properly white (maata). The shoes, the shoes had to be shiny, in either black or brown. Forgetting all the legalities of smartness and manners, I know that we owned the school uniform to our best abilities and collected the best fashion senses out of this limited assortment. The rest is a story, if you can pull off the school uniform, the world will be at your feet. Chances are also, that you know exactly what to wear and where. So, pay attention to must-learn number two, smartness.

Number three, in the working world, the market place as is known, is made of two things. You are always either buying or selling. Either way, your language will fetch you a good price as a seller or get you an over price if you are buying. This all goes back to negotiation. Now that I have your attention, let me remind you of something.`do you recall those debates about fire is better than water, or the times when you were trying to convince your friend that you had the best shoe or when you has to try and convince the teacher that you had not committed the said crime.`

Those come in handy here. It is about presentation and communication. So as much as you are in school, pay attention, learn. Learn to present yourself and your content with the utmost precision. Remember, you are either get a good price, or you are cheated. That is must-learn number three, presentation and communication.

Number four, is my personal favourite. Falling in love. It is a considered an abomination in school, but, I bear good news. While in school, please learn to fall in love. It is absolutely noble to fall in love and it is absolutely amazing even to learn to fall in love. Don’t get me wrong, you may fall in love with someone and that’s good but it is even better that while at school, fall in love with something. For example, fall in love with numbers, football, a language, a song, a book, a teacher (not be in a relationship). It is these simple crushes on things that keep us moving, that make the people we admire exceptional.

Every one falls in love with something, for Einstein, it was numbers, for a friend of mine, it was buying and selling little things and am quite sure that for David Cameron, it was stories. This being the most important lesson, you need to explore it and tread careful wherein.

Fall in love with the school too, it becomes easier that way. And when you fall in love, keep the memories, pursue the object of your love, who knows. After all, falling in love with buildings might make and architect, falling in love with food might make a chef, or a hotel owner. The world is your blank page, learn and write well on that piece of paper.