Dear Undergraduates 2

Advise from my friends to their Undergraduate selves:

@Subomi Joseph:

·      To my undergraduate self; Your gisting partner doesn’t have to be your study partner. Also don’t be carried away by attention from the opposite sex, just focus on your degree and make mummy proud.

Olayiwola Oladoyin:

·      Get marketable skills. Get an internship at all reasonable costs, even if it means working for free. In year 2, get a list of at least 5 future careers you think you might want to pursue.

Go to LinkedIn search for someone great in that field. Let them talk you through what that career is all about. A typical day on the job, read about these choices. And start actively pursuing the ones that sit best for you via internship, reading, attending conferences in that line etc.

Adebisi Ogunbawo :

·      Try understanding your purpose in life, understanding if you will really love to choose a career with your course of study or if at the end of the day you want a career in something else that is totally unrelated to your course of study. Then device a plan on how to achieve that probably by taking certifications in such courses if available.

Participating in leadership positions and volunteering for events and making sure you take on these volunteer jobs seriously (ensure whatever your hands find doing,you do it

well).

Know how to write CVs early enough and know more about internship opportunities, also learn a skill. Get a mentor who would put me through all these things to better equip you for the graduate world.

Oluwashina Akinremi QCA: 

·      Dear Undergrad,

I beseech you by the mercy of God that you should not be blinded by CPGA at the expense of technical and soft skills that will make your CGPA count for you.

Good CGPA is fantastic go for it with all your strength however, don't be carried away that life after school depend majorly on good CGPA so that you won't be frustrated when you see a second class lower grad securing job before you do despite you first class.

Employers are more interested in what you can offer on the job than your degree.

A word is enough for the wise. 

Olabode Deborah :

·      With the evolving trends and the constant change in the world now, every student needs to increase their value beyond academic excellence. You need to improve these three intelligence types;

1. Intelligent Quotient (IQ): this is what helps one to "know book", solve maths;

memorize things and recall subject matters.

2. Emotional Quotient (EQ): emotional intelligence/emotional leadership is the ability to

maintain peace with others; keep to time; be responsible; be honest; respect

boundaries; be humble, genuine and considerate.

3. Social Quotient (SQ): this is what makes people to be able to build network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time.

Sadly, Most schools capitalize in improving IQ level while EQ and SQ are played down. However, a combination of the three quotients is what equates an undergraduate for success. 

Note: Statistics have shown that people with higher SQ and IQ are better managers and

entrepreneurs than those with just IQ. 

Bolutife Oladiran :

·      I will tell myself it’s not too early to start running with a Vision, it would get clear along the way there is no perfect time that’s now to start creating it.

Omotola Okodugha

Been an undergraduate is fun, especially if you studied at OAU. Personally, I think the way OAU is structured built in some life experiences for me. Been an undergraduate was amazing; it’s the forming and one of the building stages of life. Basically, it’s the first/second step to life. It’s time to create amazing memories and meet people. It is also time to form amazing and productive relationships, discover yourself grow and learn.

Spending 4 years in School, Here are some tips I would give an undergraduate:

1)     Make A Decision: One of the first things I resolved in my heart when I entered Oau was that I wouldn’t leave school just with a degree. I had made up my mind as regards that and nothing was going to stop that. I was determined to leave the four walls of the university with more than a certificate. I was going to pass through the school, make all the mistakes, learn and leave having acquired so much knowledge.

2)     Be Strategic: Be STRATEGIC ABOUT EVERYTHING. Times flies so fast, hence if you don’t spend it well, it would be wasted. Hence be strategic as regards everything especially the friends you make. Join volunteer groups and clubs, be relevant on campus.

3)     Invest in valuable relationships: I learnt this quite late. The university space has a lot of people from different spheres of life, with different talents and passion and as they say, you never know what would become of anybody in a couple of years... Hence, it is your responsibility to invest in building valuable relationships.

4)     Learn, Learn, Learn: Learn, Acquire knowledge. Keep learning from every angle, go beyond every your school books, read far and wide. Learn the basic things, how to use Microsoft word, how to use a PowerPoint. Basically, these extra things would distinguish you from others. Give yourself the opportunity to grow.

5)     Develop a saving culture.

6)     Focus on school work: With the raise of entrepreneurs, people are suddenly been made to feel like school is not worth it. Truth is, it is so important. It makes it so complete when you finish with a good grade and has something else on the side.

7)     Start a business/ create a service: Like I said earlier, the university gives you a platform; you have the opportunity to make any mistakes and start over. You could start a business, deliver a service, basically find a side hustle and on holidays, look for ways to do internships during your summer breaks

8)     Have Fun : Don’t forget to have fun and live life.

Warm Regards.