STUDY SMART: TIPS FOR EXCELLING IN NIGERIAN TERTIARY SCHOOLS

Excelling in a Nigerian tertiary school requires more than just attending lectures and reading textbooks. With the right strategies and mindset, you can achieve academic success and set yourself up for a bright future. In this article, We’ll share valuable tips to help you study smart and excel in your studies.

We’ve all had those moments as students in Nigerian tertiary schools where we stayed up all night before a test or exams to read an entire course outline in one night. However, this is not an effective way to study. Most students suffer from burnout and exhaustion after tests and exams, and are more likely to forget key ideas about the course when they walk into the exam hall because they crammed information without properly digesting it.

Top students know something the average student doesn’t know – they study smart, not hard! They don’t necessarily read for 8-10 hours every day. Instead, they start reading immediately after lectures commence, spending about 1-2 hours reviewing notes. while others wait until two days before tests or exams to start reading. By then, they’re just revising and answering past questions.

As a student who desire academic excellence, here are few tips to begin with:

1. Time Management:

You and the top students in your department have the same 24 hours every day. You attend the same lectures and are taught by the same lecturers. However, the edge they have over you lies in how they manage their time. While you’re sleeping, they’re up reading. While you’re attending every party on campus, they’re in the library, heads buried in books. So, how can you make the most of your time? Create a schedule and plan your day, week, and month. Draft a reading timetable for yourself. Now that you’re in university, you must take responsibility. Your parents won’t be there to help you create a reading timetable that works; it’s entirely up to you. How many hours or minutes can you commit to reading lecture materials daily? What time of day do you assimilate information quickly? Create a schedule around this. Also, learn to prioritize tasks. Focus on important and urgent ones first. Avoid unnecessary campus activities that don’t add value to your academic life. You don’t need to join every fellowship on campus; one is enough. Avoid procrastination, be disciplined, and make yourself study when you’re supposed to. No one is coming to save you.

2. Effective Note-Taking:

Top students regularly take notes in class. The lecturer may mention something not in the provided lecture material, and you’ll miss it if you don’t take notes. Practice active listening by paying attention to extra information. To do this, consider sitting in the front row or avoiding noisy coursemates who distract you during lectures. Take note of resources and materials mentioned by your lecturer and follow up on them in your hostel or apartment. Conduct further research and study on these materials to stay ahead. Consider using note-taking apps like Evernote and OneNote, which can be very helpful.

3. Exam Preparation:

At this point, you’ve realized that top students don’t study hard, they study smart. They prepare thoroughly for every exam. You can also achieve academic success by creating study groups with coursemates to collaborate and share ideas. Attempting exercises and practicing past questions together. Reviewing past questions, as 60% of Nigerian lecturers repeat them. Reading the entire semester outline to cover all bases. Familiarize yourself with exam formats, as lecturers often have specific question styles; Applied questions, theoretical questions, and technical questions. Understand your lecturers’ unique question styles and approaches.
To manage exam stress, use relaxation techniques. Take a few minutes before the exam to relax, pray and say positive affirmations.
This will help you stay calm and focused during exams.

In conclusion, excelling in a Nigerian tertiary school requires discipline, dedication, and effective strategies. By implementing these study smart tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving academic success and setting yourself up for a bright future.