SLAY WITH BRAINS : ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

WHAT IS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE?

By Azolike Shalom Chidiogo.

In my opinion, academic excellence is not just about having good grades and excellent results…it’s beyond that. It also involves having an in-depth and thorough understanding of the basics and integrals of your course of study.

So add up having an in-depth understanding of your course of study, to reproducing excellent result and you have an academically excellent student. So that someone won’t be doing la cram, la pour; get good grades and think that’s all there is to it. I hope that made sense? 

I know some of the questions going on in our heads now would be; 

Who can be excellent in academics?

Is it something that falls upon the head? Or is gotten from dreams? 

Or just happens at the blink of an eye?

Truth is there’s no special selection of people that can be excellent in academics.

You can choose to be academically excellent. That’s probably the only selection to it - You, selecting yourself. It obviously doesn’t fall upon the head..

HOW CAN ONE BE EXCELLENT ACADEMICALLY?

1. Your mindset.

What kind of mindset do you have?

The “ I can’t do this “ or “never can be me” mindset…? The “let’s do this” or “I can do this “ mindset?

Now ask yourself that question.

"You know as a man thinks, so he is (Prov 23:7).” We are the summation of our thoughts and mind system, basically. Whatever that comes to manifestation physically, was first conceived and meditated upon. Cars, Electricity, Books, even this forum- was first conceived in the heart /mind. Your mind is a breeding ground.

Do you think you can do it? Do you think you can put in the hard work? Is it something you see yourself achieving?

You have to see the possibility first in your mind.

Remember, if you don’t think it’s possible, you’ll never give it a shot.

If you think something isn’t worth doing, you’ll never give it your best.

So, correct your mindset if you need to. Speak to yourself if you need to.

Correct your thinking patterns if you need to. Reaffirm yourself if you need to.

I think that’s where the greater work lies - your mindset. It may look like this isn’t anything…but trust me, your mindset is a game changer. 

So let’s practically affirm.

I, —————-(your name), can achieve excellence in my academics.

I, —————-(your name), will achieve excellence in my academics.

I, —————-( your name), have an excellent understanding. I understand whatever I read or am taught.

You may need to write down (and declare) affirmations for excellence in your academics. This would help you.

2. Actions. 

This is where hard work comes in.You know you have to do the work. Excellence would never fall on your laps or meet you by mistake.

• Create workable reading plans.

Don’t worry, even if you follow it for just two weeks…at least you’ve made efforts. You can even draw up a new one once you feel the previous one isn’t working. (I drew up reading plans so frequently)

You need to know how best you learn or internalise knowledge. This is very important.

I learn so well through visual representation. Watching a video or tutorial or graphic representation or just looking at pictures about something, sends in the information faster than just reading the books.

I would usually watch a YouTube video after a class, before reading a lecture material. That way, the info goes straight into my brain. Lol

And I didn’t have to reread my notes many times because I already watched a video!

So if that’s the same for you;

• Watch online videos.

If you learn better by discussion, by all means engage in group discussions. If it’s just reading by yourself in a quiet environment, please do that. If it’s by 1am, drinking cold Fanta please do that, lol. 

Just utilize whatsoever means to aid assimilation.

One time I went for night class… I slept on the table using my bag as a pillow. The icing on the cake was that I carried GSP 202 (peace and conflict)text book. Lol. Omo, I ate the biscuits I brought and slept till morning.

Warning: Don’t do follow follow when it comes to reading. Yes, Try out new things but stick to the one that works best for you.

If you’re somebody that has a lot of commitment (fellowship, department, social etc). Please do well to plan your day as much as it’s within your power.

Don’t leave your day to fate or whatever…you’ll end up running activities upon activities. Before you sleep, take account of how your day went… unnecessary gist time, excess social media etc. you’ll see how you can better manage your time.

Intentionally plan out the next day. Chapters you have to cover, Videos you have to watch, People you have to discuss with…it will help you have a more intentional and productive day.

Funny enough, I didn’t learn this in school. I dey do waka waka fire…lol, Seeing sister A and brother B. 

But God was just faithful.

3. Association. 

Your friends also play a very important role in your press for academic excellence.

Shebi they say “birds of a feather flock together” Choose your friends please. It will save you from unnecessary distraction. It’s very good to have people of the same goal or mindset around you. It galvanises you into action when you don’t want to do anything.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU CAN FACE AS YOU PRESS FOR EXCELLENCE ACADEMICALLY?

1) You/Yourself:  

You're responsible for the choices and decisions you make. You’re responsible for your mindset, your friends, your values.

So, re-evaluate these things so they don’t become a hindrance. Your mindset can limit you. You just have to think you can’t do anything… and you won’t do it!

2) Distractions:

A thousand and one distractions are present in any learning environment. 

Parties, Gists, Social media and lots more. 

Knowing what you want to achieve  will keep you focused and eliminate as much distraction as possible.

Don’t go and be busy doing nothing. Let there be a purpose to those activities. If you’re volunteering, or in a research group, or in a social group, don’t just join because your friend is there. It could be a distraction too!

3) Habits:

If you’re very good at procrastinating or a lazy person, or an indisciplined person, you have some work to do.

Laziness, Indiscipline and Procrastination are not consistent with success. You gotta “eat that frog” girrlll. ⭐️ 

I do believe that working on your mindset will have a ripple effect on your values, habits and association too.

ARE YOU FACING ALL THESE CHALLENGES? WAY FORWARD 👇

1. God : Go to Him in prayers. He’s your Father and friend. Open your heart to Him. Tell Him the way it is. Don’t hide anything.

Explain your fears, your worries, habits. Unburden yourself before Him. He’ll hear you.

He always listens.

He’ll show you strategies 

He’ll give you wisdom on how to go about your struggles 

He’ll show you steps to follow.

Me, I was helped by God. Totally. I had a lot of fears. A lot. Especially when I started doing very well. I didn’t want to fail. I was always talking to God about it. I dey cry before my Papa o and He came through for me.

2. Rework on your mindset : Affirm yourself.

Speak out ladies. I'm telling you…you need to hear yourself say it!

3. Be focused : It will help against distractions.

4. Kill bad habits : They don’t ever help for anything. Academics or life in general.

Are you asking yourself why you should even bother about academic excellence? 

My dear, God is excellent. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Excellence. And, you’re a child of God (Jesus Baby)😄 Created in God’s likeness….

Please, excellence should be your watchword. Aim to be excellent.

Let it transcend into academics.

Your Father is.

You have an excellent spirit.

Don’t be complacent about your academics.

Choose to bring pleasure to God with your academics.

Choose to represent Him in your academics. 

Slayyyy with brainsssss.

By now, you should know that anything wey concern exam malpractice in any form no suppose dey your side. 

If you can think it, you can be it!

So, take the bull by its horns.

Start moving!

Do the work!

You’d be amazed at the results. 

God will grace your efforts!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!