Whether the news of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, calling off the prolonged 8-month strike sounds like good news or a setback for other plans— Y’all Federal University students are returning to class! However, the 8-month academic hiatus has arguably been lethal to the student spirit that would have been saved if there had been no strike. Many students have been doing nothing academically impactful or got occupied in the field outside the academic umbrella, especially the ones that bring cash— is that what they call a “side hustle” thing?
Therefore, the main side effect gotten from the prolonged strike and inactivity of academic learning to several students is the illusion serving of endless free months that has instead been intoxicating. The hopelessness of the situation left the student spirit asleep; now that resumption is finally here, you will need a guide to wake the student in you, which will get you prepared for a back-to-school reinforcement.
1. Start Packing Your Bags
No surprise if you have fewer burdens of luggage as several students left their belongings in school, I didn’t know the strike would be an “8-month” subscription as well as my fellow students in this regard. But in any case, little or no, pack your bags while you’re getting ready to get back to school. Packing your bags will set your expectations that you have less time to wrap up the desirable holiday.
2. Assume Exam Will Welcome You
Considering the months wasted on the battleground between the Federal Government and ASUU, conclude that you should expect nothing but “Rush Hour” once you resume academic activities. I’m not saying this to overwhelm you but to inscribe it in your head that federal universities are not for the weak, so be prepared for anything.
3. Sleep Before Witch Hours
One of the adversities of the ASUU strike is the indulgence of students in late-night screen activities. At home, no matter the Nigerian parent’s supervision, the thirst to be feasibly entertained awaits to be quenched at the “witch hours” because your brain is active; gaming or processing movies and transmitting social media frivolities when you should be sleeping to let your brain. Please take my advice, you need a non-sleep-deprivation brain to survive the booming student life ahead.
4. Eat More Fish
Have you ever heard of Omega-3 fatty acids, No? The aquatic source of food, fish, has the chemical compounds of Docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) that make up the Omega-3 fatty acids which are a primary structural component of the human brain. A mix of chemistry-biology right there, but the point is; DHA is ideal for memory Improvement and reduces the rate of mental drop. Fish is one of those healthy-rich DHA foods that can help your brain prep for rigorous studies. I would still not eat the head of the fish, though, lol
5. Try Emergency Virtual Learning
To avoid feeling dumb while you resume academic activities, you should look for your departmental courses and familiarize yourself with them. Since the resumption is miraculously happening without the enthusiasm of readiness, try virtual emergency learning. You can define that as opting for YouTube videos to start learning virtually or skimming through your course outlines to get a picture of what you will be facing. Is your student spirit still sleeping?
6. Go Practice Celibacy
Alright, pay attention to this, as you will need it. Students go to school getting attracted to other aspects other than the grace of studying; there is an ‘opposite gender’ waiting to sweep you off your feet in school. It might not be necessary, but practice celibacy, the act of abstaining from romantic attachments. Losing focus from your studies for this otherwise vain attraction is not exactly welcoming to the sense of student that is still waking in you. You will need a monk to train you before school happens. HaHa!
7. Erase Holiday Fever
The frenzy of weekend outings should no more be on your bucket list as ASUU resumption has settled in the atmosphere; instead, do more of getting everything you would need for school and get an area of focus to get the student in you to awaken. Cutting out some of the various activities you get from the holiday fever is crucial to remove the path of eternal sleep drowning the student in you for the past 8-month. In other words, set a school goal ahead of yourself as ambitious as you need.
8. Stop Texting With Abbreviations
You might not know it yet, but texting and chatting can set you back from knowing those words you are too lazy to type. It’s easier to type a brief, meaningless word to convey a message to a fellow mate rocking that with you. You think it’s cool, huh? Wait until you’ve forgotten how to appropriately write a word dictated to you by your lecturers that write less on the board. After all, you are an undergraduate; you should have been disciplined.
9. Budget For More Garri
Remember those times when the cassava-processed flakes became your friend and last resort when there was less cash and sustenance? Garri is a must-have source of hunger quench food that only the students who can relate can’t do without. Setting aside the expense for this readily available food will further dawn on you what being a student means and will open your mind to what lies ahead as ASUU resumes. Thank me later when after a long academic active day in school, your garri is waiting to be soaked in your cup.
10. Vow To Make Mama Proud
One crucial thing that should wake you from slumber is the news of federal Universities’ resumption pouring in. No matter the overwhelming need to get back on the road to get ready for typical student life, the reminder that you owe the grace of going to school at the expense of your parent in the first place will be a motivating thread to hang on to. That said, put the promise to make your parents proud, a bell to ring constantly on your head while your resume— to excellently reward mama/papa by studying hard.
Now all you need to do is whisper a few prayers to your God to make thy journey to school again much more accessible, to survive the tough student life on campus, and get good testimonies on your convocation. So help us, God. Amen!
