What I’d do differently if I went back to university today (Non-Digital Version - Part 1)

I began university at age 16 and 3 months; don't worry I did not skip any class but looking back now, I can comfortably say I was wet behind the ears. It was one of the reasons we made our daughter observe a gap year (I did not want my children to make my own mistakes) to be more matured before going to the university.

At the induction ceremony (when I resumed university), I recall the Head of Academics gave a simple charge to the new inductees which was “Don’t just pass through the University, allow the University pass through you”.

There are many other things he said at event that I cannot recall today but thinking about it now, I am NOT sure I made the best of my university years (I passed through the university no doubt, but I did not allow the university pass through me properly (If I were to rate myself, I will score myself 50%).

Given that my own daughter is preparing to start university this year, I have a few words of advice for her on what I would have done differently if I were going to university today (remember we did not have internet or social media then!). This is the first part of the series, but I will not talk about anything digital, social media etc in this episode.

1. Have a Plan: Yep, I went through university without a plan, I just winged it, I lived each day as it came (I suspect some of you can relate), though I was not a dull student academically, I was not exceptional either; it wasn't because I was not capable of being one rather I got distracted (I just discovered “girls” you would think they were lost before I came to the university (understandably I went to a boys only school and that could explain the new obsession) and wasting time watching TV and playing (making small talk).

Sorry, I digress; yes, I would have a plan for what my target Cumulative GPA (i.e. my academics), I would have a plan for the type of friends I want to keep (and why), I will plan for a sport or leisure I want to pursue, I would have taken up Basketball, Lawn Tennis and table tennis or swimming (if we had any of those facilities - we did not have table tennis or swimming facilities back then)

2. Make more QUALITY friends: Yes, I will be intentional about my friends, which is not to say I did not have friends when I was in the university. I did and it made a lot of difference at the start of my career (a story for another day) and even up to today. I would have been more intentional; imagine how far I would have gone in Life?. Many missed opportunities.

I would like to remind my children to be more intentional at this stage of their life because, outside NYSC, as you go higher it becomes more difficult but not impossible to make more meaningful and deeper friendships (I am not talking about marriage here).

3. Active Participation in Associations and Clubs: I would endeavor to play an active role in associations (volunteer or serve), I will not cruise past (that is not just be a bystander), though I tried, I mean I was a member of the acting club, it got me noticed in school (made new friends), I was also part of the NYSC drama troop when I served (so no be today I don dey act). I would have joined the press club (it would have improved my writing skills).

Being part of an association helps your networking, public speaking, and social interaction (yes there are some elements of politics in those associations but if we are honest, is there any place in the world where there is no form of politics? Even in the home and amongst extended family members).

4. Get Involved in Outside School programs: Yes, I traveled once or twice for programs outside the school, but I would be more active and intentional, it will improve my travel and networking skills.

5. Play a Sport and or game: I will play a sport both within and outside the university wall. I did not play much sport after secondary school, please don’t ask me why: I do a lot of it now, I play Scrabble extensively now and table tennis, but I wish I had started much earlier. Sports and games are good for the mind, it’s good to exercise.

Watch out for part 2: Before I release part 2, please what would you do differently or what would you advise your child or anyone going into university. In Part 2 I will talk about what I will do differently today (in the digital age).