How To Graduate With First Class In Any Tertiary Institution

The final and most important question is “how do I graduate with first
class?”, which is the question that gave birth to this article. So,
let’s answer the question:

1. DEVELOP A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
If
you make God number one in your agenda, he will make you number one.
While you are on campus, you will faced with different crises(physically
and sometimes spiritually). The only solution is to pray to God
Almighty.

2. SET A SMART GOAL
You have to set a goal
before you can achieve it. Your target goal must be Smart, Measurable,
Achievable, Realistic and Timely(SMART). At the beginning of each
academic session, choose the scores and grades you wish to have in all
your courses and write it down. You can’t possible make a first class
when your target goal is to graduate with a second class. So, get your
goals right and make it smart.

3. STAY FOCUSED
Making
the decision, “I want to graduate with first class” Is quite easy to
say. Keeping the dream alive is the difficult one. When you face crises
on campus, don’t despair and keep your head straight up. Remain focused
and determined towards achieving your goal(To graduate with first
class).

It is very certain that a lot of things will want to
distract and discourage you, but you have to remain focused and
determined. That is the spirit you need to graduate with first class.

4. USE YOUR TIME THE RIGHT WAY
If
you want to graduate with first class in school, you have to manage
your time effectively. Know how to use your time the right way. Do not
place anything above your academic works. Studies first, then others
follow. Don’t waste your time on social activities.

5. ATTEND CLASSES, PRACTICALS AND TUTORIALS
If
you are willing to graduate with first class, you must not take this
point lightly. Strive to attend all lectures and practicals, join study
tutorials and discuss academic works with mates. Don’t take any of your
academic work with levity. When doing this, ensure you are punctual.
There is no class that is not important, you will learn at least one new
thing in every lecture.

You will also have the opportunity to
ask questions directly from lecturers and get first-class answer. Do you
even know that lecturers ask questions that will come out of
examination during lectures? Yes, they do. If you are wise, that is an
expo for you.

6. BE AHEAD OF OTHERS
Who is a first
class graduate? A graduate among other graduates that is ahead of others
academically based on his/her report. So, if you want to become a first
class graduate, you have to be ahead of others. Read ahead of others,
read ahead of your
examination, read ahead of your lecturers, read
ahead of your mates. You want to be a first class graduate, so you must
be ahead.

7. DISCOVER YOURSELF
What works for Paul
might not work for Peter. While some students cram for examination to
become first class graduate, cramming for examination might not work
you. Know yourself, be yourself. Discover your most effective study
time, discover your most effective study method, know your strengths and
weaknesses. Work on these discoveries and use them the right way.

8. KNOW YOUR LECTURERS AND YOUR SCHOOL
Each
school has its own way of conduct, and also each lecturer has his/her
own system. One man’s food is another man’s poison. While some lecturers
like students that write additional information in examination and give
them bonus marks, other lecturers don’t like it and remove marks. How
do you know which lecturer like this and which lecturer hate that?
Simple….. Through observation, asking questions in class, answering
questions in class and by asking your seniors in school, you’ll know
each lecturer and what their expectations are.

9. DEVELOP THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
You
know what? You can’t graduate with first class when you don’t behave
like one. You will hear your mates and seniors saying “Nobody has ever
passed the course of this lecturer”, “Nobody can get an A in this
course”, and so on.
You have to develop the right attitude and say to
yourself, “Yes, I can do it”. Don’t follow what the crowd say, majority
can be wrong sometimes. Neglect all negative thoughts and develop a
positive attitude.

10. ASSOCIATE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Show
me your friends and I’ll tell you…………… what you’ll graduate
with. Yes, the type of people you associate with will determine whether
you will pass or fail. If you want to graduate with first, work with
people of the same thought, mindset and are also hardworking. If you are
brilliant, associate with brilliant students. If you are an average
students, associate with above average students.
Walk with students that will influence your life positively.

11. SEEK HELP
Nobody
has been created perfectly well, you have to understand that. Always
seek help with your academic works where needed. If you don’t understand
a course or assignment, seek the help of your lecturer or seniors to
explain to you. Even when you know it, seek help on it. You’ll
definitely gain another knowledge.

12. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PAST QUESTIONS
Most
lecturers don’t have the time to prepare examination questions, they
usually have a lot to do. As a result, they bring out majority of their
questions from past questions. Go to your seniors, ask them for past
questions and solve them. This is another expo you need to pass your
examination and graduate with a first class.

13. TAKE DOWN CORRECT AND COMPREHENSIVE NOTES
When
you attend lectures, make sure you take down correct notes directly
from your lecturers and jot down every point. Don’t depend on the note
you’ll copy from your mates, do you know whether he/she has written down
the right note. That is why you need to right down notes by yourself,
you are rest assured that you are reading the right note.

14. DEVELOP A PERSONAL INTEREST IN YOUR COURSE
If
you don’t develop interest in your course, you won’t enjoy it while
studying for examination. When you don’t enjoy your study time, your
study becomes ineffective. No matter the nature of your course, you need
to develop personal interest in it.

15. BE DISCIPLINED AND DILIGENT
It
is impossible to follow all the points mentioned above if you are not
disciplined and diligent. If you really want to be a first class
student, you must build the act of discipline and diligence. Always
control yourself and provide some set of rules you want to follow while
you are on your way to graduate with first class.