Around August this year, the gates of the different University shall be opened to the freshmen from all the different walks of Life. Young men and women poised to advance their intellectual abilities to contribute significantly to world but of course oblivious of some truths about the academic level they are getting to. From my personal experience, here are five things i believe every University Student should know before making their way to University this coming August

1.University is not Canaan (Promised Land) but rather a passage to it

Joining a University of one’s dreams for a course someone has dreamed of can be such a monumental achievement that you may live to tell. But the tale is of more importance if you become the person you went to University to become.

Having that at the back of your mind calls for suspending the grand celebration just until you achieve your dream career.

If you surely attend every outside class activity at campus, you can spend all your years at University without attending a Lecture. It is imperative to settle in early while recognizing the freedoms (no more 9 pm curfews) and wisely use that freedom such that you walk out of the gates of your University into your dream career triumphantly

2.University creates an environment for learning

University creates an environment for learning The Tuition one pays might mislead them to believe that they will be taught everything as regards their course but actually that is not true. The University lecturer is not by any means the custodian of wisdom but rather a facilitator of learning. Learning is solely the responsibility of the student and a lot of things, the interested student will actually find out for themselves.
A lot of things I do in my line of work, I didn’t learn in class but through the environment that the University created.
The notice boards in the University colleges are places that are full of opportunities i.e. student competitions, career developments events  , scholarships, fellowships etc  in that the University is providing an avenue for students to learn more than they can get from the Class Room.

3.Don’t expect to re-invent the wheel

The wheel has already been designed. What is required of you is to find new ways of how you can use the wheel. Many of us joined the Engineering school with the view of designing amplifiers, capacitors, diodes, ICs, Computer Motherboards etc. That stuff has already been designed and so what is required of you is to use what the world has already designed and come up with things that the world has seen

4.Those are the last free years of your life

At University the demands from the pressures of the outside world may not weigh heavily on a student. Favors shall be extended to you from family, friends and relatives. These times are surely free from family stress as chances are minimal that you will be married, free from work stress as the chances that you will be working while studying are minimal. Surely it is a time to enjoy as your sole responsibility is to excel at University.

 But It is surely a time of learning and preparation for the world of work after University. It is paramount that a student doesn’t get caught up in the freedom and the fun activities that University has to offer but rather spend ample time adding value to themselves as the world of work pays you for the value you bring to the market place

5.University Education (degree) doesn’t guarantee you a job

It is to some extend assumed that after a university degree, a job is always on the lookout for you. Sadly that is not the truth. In the world after school, rewards are by merit. Grades are the yard stick of intellectualism in school, in the world of work skills with corresponding intellectualism are the yard stick. Some students focus so much on the attainment of grades (which is a good thing) but the world of work judges us on grounds of what we can do with our knowledge. In the quest for good grades, it is important for a student to reflect on what they can do with their so far acquired knowledge. Walking out of the gates of your University after your academic program, the million dollar question is what skills have I attained while at University that the world of work can pay for?

In conclusion enjoy your time at University while it lasts, learn as much as you can even more that what your course offers. The world is very competitive and seeks men and women of multiple skills and talents. Since you will surely have a lot of time with you while at University, it is imperative that you learn a skill that you wouldn’t have acquired if you only concentrated on your course. All the best as you start this new chapter in your Life