One of the mindset-problems some students of higher institutions of learning are battling with is ‘cross-course’ of study they find themselves in upon entering the institution.
The problem, unknown to the lecturers themselves, is the reason some students will always fail in almost every course.
The problem ranges from what students considered "not-of-my-interest" or what-I-don’t-have-passion-for; or more explicitly,and in their own manner of expression ‘if not that I have no choice, this is not the course I wanted to study’.
But, take for instance, you sit at a seashore expecting a yatch to come and transport you across the sea, and as fate would have it, none is forthcoming or may not come in time. Luckily for you, a ferry boat comes around, will you not go aboard or would you rather wait hoping the uncertain yatch comes? What matters is not how you cross the sea, what matters is that you cross!
And to tell you the truth, you are not the only one who has been a victim of failed choice, most of us have.
I, for instance, wanted to study what is far different from what I am studying now, and to my shock, I am in spirit and in mind, enjoying my ‘not-of-my-interest’ course of study.
Of course, I felt bad when the Post-UTME result of my school of choice came out unfavorably. Despite that, I simply made up my mind that, ‘I will get there, no matter what.’
God’s grace was said in the prayer of that evening my Post-UTME result was out. I was sad like you. I was not happy. But, I braced up, knowing my energy and ability coupled with what I can achieve from my ‘no-option’ course of study.
I know ‘no-option’ is a lie. There are options. It is either I accept the course which was not the one I wanted to study or I wait for the next Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam. Or more usually, ‘connect’ in the Nigeria way to get the admission by ‘money’.
If you care to know, I am that schoolboy known to be a great talker. I talk so much that my school mate then would say, ‘Your mouth will, one day, kill you’. Of course, that’s when I get them frustrated defending a topic or another person. And you know, the defendant will definitely defend his course – however unjust.
At other time, my classmates would advise and postulate that I become a lawyer because of my strong interest in fighting for others’ rights.
I wanted to, truly. I love law as much as I love food and talks, but JAMB was unfair. It "jambed"
me with just some points.
I quickly shook off the shock and went ahead to choose another course in another higher institution of learning. My Post-UTME dropped my jaw as I only needed 3 points to beat the cut-off mark of my course of study.
To dwarf the long story, I had to change my earlier selected course, as well as school. I moved down to the Polytechnic to study Mass Communication. Of course, I am good at arguing, talking, but I never for once thought of working in the Media – not at all.
You reading this might have faced something similar as such is prevalent in this part of the world, especially for those students in the polytechnic – our last-choice.
In this fate, what then do you need to do not to be an ‘outcast’ in your ‘no-option’ course of study? It is as simple as the common motivational speech: "never stop chasing."
That said, it doesn’t stop there. You should dream, of course, and channel your energy to that ‘no-option’ course and see what you make out of it.
Listen, your innate ability is beyond what you have fixated yourself to, your ‘passion’ course of study. Rebrand your dream, rediscover your innate ability and channel all your energy to your ‘no-option’ course of study, and you will see the value that will come out of it.
Quadri Yahya is the Deputy Editor of Press Club MAPOLY and an ND2 student of the Department of Mass Communication.
Best of luck to all the Students. You shall all overcome all obstacles in Jesus Name.