By Tordue Simon Targema
Shun examination malpractice and set for yourself a standard:
Integrity is a virtue, imbibe it in your academic journey. At all cost, shun examination malpractice and avoid all occasions that might lead to it. Typically, poor preparation and keeping bad companions are the main motivations for examination malpractice. The effects of this act on your academic integrity are adverse.
Once your lecturers know you as the type that indulges in examination malpractice, they are inclined to doubt all that they see in your script as a product of cheating and give you weak grades on the grounds of suspicion.
Excellent grades are for students that are exceptionally good, and not for cheats. Strive to be exceptional and keep your integrity intact by avoiding malpractice in all its manifestations.
Be punctual and disciplined
Avoid coming late to the class and seating where you’ll be distracted. Except it becomes absolutely necessary, always be punctual to your classes so that you get the best from the lectures.
It is important also that your teachers know you as a serious student so that they can vouch for you even in your absence.
But when you are known to be unserious, the reverse is always the case, and the tendency is always there for them to generalize your lackadaisical attitude to studies even when you have a case.
Attendance to lectures is non-negotiable
No matter how brilliant you think you are, attendance to lectures is sine qua non. Yes, some lecturers might truly have nothing new to teach you.
But what happens in the event of an impromptu test? What if a lecturer decides to use attendance of the particular class you miss as his CA?
As a student desirous of uncommon academic feats, you must make it a point of duty to attend all classes except in the case of unforeseen eventualities.
Avoid having issues with your teachers and course mates
This is another great obstacle to academic excellence. As much as you can, avoid issues with your teachers, course representatives and fellow students.
In the event that a misunderstanding ensues between you and a lecturer or students, always endeavour to resolve it and correct the impression immediately.
Never leave the impression in your lecturers or fellow students that you are the arrogant type. You never can tell where you’ll need them to defend you in your absence.
Humility is a virtue
Be humble, arrogance is an obstacle to academic excellence. A humble student is naturally attractive to his lecturers. Conversely, all lecturers detest arrogant students and take away all occasions of grace from them.
An arrogant student is, thus, on his own when he needs grace from his lecturers. Be teachable and let people advice you. Endeavour to take all positive advices seriously.
Listen to people who have made it, have role models and emulate their lifestyles, read motivational books, watch motivational movies and equip yourself adequately with good counsel.
Be positive minded
Always tell yourself that you can make it. This keeps you constantly motivated and tells you that your aspiration is possible. Ban all negative vibes and sources of discouragement, and never give up until it becomes practically impossible to keep the pursuit.
For instance, even in my final year, many people kept telling me that first-class is not possible! I had to defy them and keep a positive mind.
Many of my mentees entered into first-class CGPA range only in their final year!
However, it was their relentless struggle in the past levels that sustained their CGPA and provided it with adequate buffers to sustain the eventual first-class result.
Social media addiction is a weakness, and so with all other addictions
In today’s Internet age, the social media have emerged as the biggest distractions to students. Many students are on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter and the rest all day!
Much as these present rich educational opportunities and complement one’s academic journey, addiction to them is disastrous and keeps one perpetually defocused. Today, students actively chat with friends on the social media during lectures and class presentations.
There could be no other distraction as serious as this. To make the best out of the social media as one strives for academic excellence, avoid 24/7 dependence on the social media, draw boundaries accordingly and stick to them. There is, indeed, time for everything.
Overcome the endemic scourge of laziness
Laziness is a natural trait that is common to all human beings. To excel in your academics, you must be seen making deliberate effort to overcome it.
The ability to overcome laziness distinguishes you from other students and makes you exceptional.
Once you overcome laziness as a student, a substantial chunk of your academic huddles has been defeated for good.
Conclusively, it is important to note that everyone has his/her weak points that serve as impediments to their academic aspirations. While some of these are generic as discussed in the points above, some are uniquely peculiar to an individual’s immediate physical, economic and psycho-social environments.
As a student aspiring for academic excellence, you must, as a matter of expedience, identify your own weaknesses and work assiduously towards overcoming them. This is the only way you can distinguish yourself from others and pave your way to the much-coveted excellence.
May the Almighty God, the Giver of knowledge and understanding, help us to attain academic excellence in our various disciplines.
I wish Dr Vincent Nduka Ojeh a wonderful birthday celebration and more fruitful years ahead in his meritorious service to humanity.
Tordue Simon Targema is a lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Taraba State University, Jalingo. Email: torduesimon@gmail.com
