I’d give a context as to why I am writing this:
Six years ago, which was when I got admission into University, I attended the Federal University of Technology Akure by the way, I remember in the first year, even when I didn’t know what to want out of my life as at then - This was in 2019 prior to when my growth journey started, all I understood was the fact that I could have a better leverage asking people who were convocating what they wished they had started or did in school.
You see, there is this particular behaviour that stemmed from my upbringing, where we were raised with the mindset that you don’t have anything to do with getting closer to people who are not your family, asking them for stuff or depending on them. It really affected me till today, maybe someday I’d write about it by the time I’ve worked on it fully.
Long story short, I could not bring myself to ask people, even when I knew that. The things I have been able to do in university came as a result of the process of growth and being open-minded, but hearing people's regrets was what fueled my goals.
I will be having my convocation in some days time, hence why I decided to write this today to give you a blueprint of what I wished I’d read about when I first entered University and I believe it will be very resourceful for someone who actually started out being an introvert.
Now this is not to stroke my ego but I am glad how my journey has ended, and I’d love for you reading this as well to in retrospection declare that you maximized your days as well.
Let's dive in
A phrase that guided me throughout my years in uni was 'Maximizing Uni'.
There were some things I did right, there were some that I did that were wrong and there were some things I didn’t even get to do. I’d be sharing them all here with some explanations.
Now do bear in mind that you can still replicate some of these things at whatever level you find yourself. There is something like 'There is still time".
So let’s start with what I didn’t do well.
What I didn’t do
Entrepreneurship/Making Money: If someone were to ask me what I regretted the most, it would be making money. I had good reasons if it comes down to the 'why'. My parents had promised to fund my education till my last level, my own was to focus on my studies. Even at a point where it was clear that they were struggling, I could hide under that promise and not do anything about it.
I strongly advise making money because it will help you understand money management, learn how to deal with rejections fast, realize what you can do/problem you can solve for money and also enjoy doing so early maybe after having several failed attempts, know how to sell yourself well articulately, financial independence in school and even immediately after school. These are some of the things I am starting to learn, some reality I am struggling with so yeah.
Politics - I didn’t actually regret this because I focused on the other way of gaining leadership experience. I wasn’t interested in becoming influential as well, but if you want to gain leadership experience, be influential, have big people in your networks early, go for politics. Of course it has its own cons but You’d be fine.
Academic excellence - Maybe I’ve shared on my blog how I didn’t enjoy being in my department in 100l. This made me struggle with my academics and I had other things I was focused on so I didn’t just care about my academics. It was when I realized how your grade influences opportunities after uni, that was when I became intentional but by then it was already late to make first class.
Scholarship - Even if you are not enjoying your dept, your good grades can still earn you money. This was sth I heard late and I had guys doing that already but I couldn’t join their league cause my academic standings were nothing to boast about.
Opening up - I remember when we used to have sessions in church which were centered on academic excellence, I didn’t and couldn’t open up to people who cared in my church about how I was doing academically. I was having carry-overs with a particular course particularly but I didn’t bring myself to ask a senior or my mates who were good with it.
Getting internship/job experiences - I got myself exposed to skills building early and while I could have sought an internship to have a skill-based experience or even consider freelancing, I did not, out of a valid reason not to mess up my credibility then. I wanted to maximize school so getting a job/internship/freelancing was going to limit my time. In retrospect, I realized it was just fear and lack of time management skills masked like that.
Being friends with lecturers - This had a negative narrative then - If a lecturer knows you, then you will constantly be under his radar. This can be a good /bad thing actually. Besides being someone who hates being clingy with someone ahead or older, I didn’t see the need. But on this, I will be neutral but would advise that whatever your choice is, if the opportunity presents itself, be friends with the top 10% lecturers in your dept. E get why.
Relationships - I regretted it and I don’t. I am able to do all I did because I didn’t owe someone else commitment. But on the flip side, I can’t boast of any practical experience being in a relationship (which doesn’t really matter to me. Still got many years for that). You can get into one and still balance it sha.
What I did do
Volunteering - It is not new when I say that my volunteering journey started in 2020. Since then, I’ve actually volunteered in many significant events within my Uni. I've been privileged to have cross-departmental experience, thus gaining value for myself. I was trying to apply to a national event some weeks ago and I needed to work on my Volunteer CV, I looked at it when I was done and boy! I was proud of myself. Of course, by God’s grace, I got selected. This is not a post about volunteering where I would write about its benefits but trust it has a lot of benefits.
Attending conferences - When I wasn’t volunteering especially when volunteering for the so-called event would not let me gain the value I want to gain in the first place or no way I could volunteer, I preferred attending such event instead. A friend told me that he would not be surprised to see me at a particular event as he has gotten used to seeing me at all the events he has attended. I know what I have benefited through this identity so yea.
Joining Organizations - I joined a number of popular organizations in school. One was AIESEC which was around the time I made a decision to be intentional about my life. I joined because I wanted to see what benefits other communities aside that of my church would offer me and I did see it including growth. Other organizations I joined were CTDF, and ILC (which I later left because their meeting was clashing with a top priority then). I will also recommend Enactus, and JCI as well.
Leadership experience - There was an expectation of academic excellence if you hold a leadership role especially being a class rep in uni. I didn’t understand the importance of leadership early to have applied for the role of class rep but I sure became course rep at some point. I had some leadership experience and also learnt about leadership through those organizations i belonged to.
Organizing an event - The leadership, and volunteering experiences I had, allowed me to lead a team of 25+ people in organizing the largest physical gathering of males in Akure. This was a feat I didn’t see coming but I am glad it is a feat I can now talk about accomplishing.
Networking - By virtue of doing the above, I was able to expand my people networks. It has its pros and cons too. You can’t walk two meters away and not see someone you know. Of course, I greet them but it can be unwanted during those times when you want to walk invincible or walking with someone.
Hobbies - I was able to pursue some of my interests e.g. Going out on walks, early morning jogging, joining a dance crew etc. There should be clubs you can join that allows you to practice your interests. I am familiar with poetry club too.
Learning and improving on some skills - I was privileged to discover a career path that resonated with more of my strengths than my weaknesses which I was passionate about. I spent most of my nights while in uni improving in it. I know I can leverage on these skills to make money and cause impact after uni. It’s all a process.
Stayed in-campus - I think this was a good decision as I got to understand how to deal with people, met alot of crazy and weird people (I stayed in Akindeko hostel throughout, IFYKYK). I think my CV will be packed if in the future I want to submit an application to be someone's roomie lol. There are downsides to this though: Your privacy will definitely be compromised unless you have another place off campus. But on the benefit side, there was security, constant light and water.
Took risks - I didn’t take much but I know I can mention at least one. I remember travelling for an AIESEC conference during a period when impromptu tests were looming, Fortunately for me, no impromptu tests happened.
Being friendly with your departmental mates - Although I am someone who enjoys his personal space, I had to go out of my space to be friendly with my dept mates because I wanted to make memories with them so I can remember them with, in retrospect. Of course this means, you might be disrespected but if you know how to set boundaries, you should be fine.
Of course getting involved in all these, meant my academics wasn’t a priority for me any longer as all I was chasing was being ready for life after school but the truth is you will not be fully ready which is a reality I have already accepted.
You just have to take charge of whatever options you have available to you. I shared a lot of those options in this article already so you might start thinking of how to implement it including excelling academically (this one is very important).
Mind you, there will always be compromise so choose the ones you know will be worth compromising on over other things. You can actually find a balance between your academics and your extracurriculars.
Now if you are wondering how to find your passion, I would say you don’t get to find your passion by waiting, you do by being involved in stuffs. How I got to know my interests, and passion and even develop self-awareness today comes from being involved in a lot of things.
Anyways, what’s next? Now that uni is out of the way, I can get to focus on the next things. I don't have a blueprint yet but I am intentional about getting guidance from people because it is a whole different ballgame.
I have plans to mentor some people to practically carry all those options above. Writing this article I believe will motivate me to work towards that.
Thank you so much for reading 🙏
Kindly do me one favour: Share this post link to one undergraduate today to read it.
It will mean a lot to me as you’ve joined in to make an impact.
Cheers 🥂