THROWBACK THURSDAY!
My ThrowbackThursday series feature my personal reflections as I look back into the days gone by with thanks. I hope you enjoy the photos/videos, and may be learn a thing or two
I love to see my life in seasons.
And just as we plan and prepare for different seasons of the year, I love to approach different seasons of my life that way.
I believe the photo above was taken about 18 years ago.
At that time, I was studying for my Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife, Nigeria. An experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
In that season of my life, I had the opportunity to experience “college life,” diving into the ocean of newness – a fresh start—beginnings of new opportunities where new possibilities unfolded.
I call it an opportunity because not many youths who desired to go college can eventually; some for personal reasons and others for circumstances beyond their control.
Today I just want to talk a bit about maximizing opportunities, something that I will talk further about later.
Excuses or Opportunity - You Choose
For many kids like myself that grew up in an average family, the chances of making it to college after high school were slim. Especially if you have uneducated and/or low-income parents, and you grew up in a country where there are no student loans; layered with very minimal (or no) career guidance.
Many studies support the fact that “certain social background variables” impact college enrollment and/or success. Considering all the odds against many youths that grew up where I did, I do not take for granted the opportunity to get a good education; because otherwise the outcome would have been significantly different.
Centralizing on these odds is not the focus of my writing today – and may never be; I will always touch on them – just so you know you are not alone in your struggles. And truthfully, the challenges of my days as a teenager or those that I faced in my twenties are totally different from the challenges of a typical teenager or young adult today (2021). At least I did not have to study at home with very limited internet access or may be in your own case with too much internet access (now your distractions). I did not have to battle with social media while studying. But believe me, I had my own troubles, just like several other teens and youth that I grew up with.
I could have excused not doing well in school because there was no Dad to pay my fees or check my work at home. I could have said not again when I had to write the entrance exam to gain admission to the University (JAMB) the 4th time. I had legitimate reasons to sit down and settle for the lesser. And you probably do as well.
The point is, would you choose the easier way or the higher way?
Would you endure the pain today for the gain tomorrow?
Would you see the problem or the opportunities?
Would you be willing to evolve and and re-evolve again and again to be the person you are meant to be – even if the process is painful?
Remember, “Excuses will always be there for you. Opportunity won’t. – Anonymus
If you are a College/University student reading my note today, I want to encourage you to consider it an opportunity to have your life transformed, meet people, grow, and become a better person – my advice to you is to please DO NOT BLOW IT. Do not overlook the chance to have such a life-transforming experience. You may not have a second chance at it.
Suppose you are already misusing your opportunity to be in college, not putting in the work, or not motivated or just so full of regrets because you did not get the course you want or feel your parents are pushing you around. In that case, I encourage you to please try to stick it out a little bit, persevere, endure, do not quit just yet. Look for what you can make out of the situation. Get counsel from someone older, smarter and trustworthy if you are confused.
If you are studying a course you have no interest in, try to change it to the one you like if the opportunity comes. If not, try to make the best of the chance you have now, make a good grade, and PIVOT later (Got a lot to write about this later). Do not end up with a bad grade because of the “excuse” that you do not like your course or your school.
“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.”
If you are still desiring to have a chance to experience “college life” but are held back by your own individual factors like indecision (either around which course or which school) or limiting beliefs (e.g. “college education is for certain people,” “I do not have what it takes,” “I do not need to go to college to be successful,” “who college help” etc.). My encouragement is for you to change this mindset. Whatever it is you decide to eventually do with your life, education will always make a difference.
I am also aware of external and institutional factors that limit college enrollment. Some of these factors include but are not limited to the availability of financial aids, tuition levels of various schools, entry requirements for each school, private vs. public school issues, quality of school/prior education (including elementary and high school education) – and many more.
Speaking of the quality of education received before college, this breaks my heart, especially when I look at many students learning in Nigerian public schools today. Many high/secondary school students are not college-ready, not because they are not willing but because the schools did not prepare them; unfortunately, some of this problem is deeply rooted in the quality of the elementary/primary education received. A student that could not read by the time he/she is completing grade 6; isn’t that a problem already? Not to even talk about technology requirements for education today. I once saw a video of a rural Nigerian school where kids are being taught about computer with a fake mouse and imaginary screens – how could that be? In this age where grade 5 kids are already coding in other countries. My heart breaks with this kind of situation – and I could only hope that something will change soon.
Infrastructure and technology requirement for education is a big deal – it is painful that so many countries do not prioritize this yet. I am always excited to see those students that are excelling despite these odds. So if you are a student growing up in a developing country and are still able to dream and achieve them, I celebrate you today. I am one fan of yours. And I encourage you to keep fighting, keep sowing your seeds, someday you will reap. Your gift will make way for you.
Like every other aspect of life, continue to control what you can. External factors are often out of our reach; we may not be able to do much about them. But what you can control include – your mindset, personal development, choice of friends, hard work regarding your studies/school work (either pre-college or while in college), and getting help when you need it (among others).
Speaking of getting help when you need it; while attending the Obafemi Awolowo University, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Evangelical Christian Union student fellowship, where I had a great network of fellow growth-minded friends. I also had the blessing of the Fellowship’s Alumni as mentors, some of whom are still my mentors today. I also benefited from the leadership team of my home fellowship (the Evangelical Fellowship In the Anglican Communion – EFAC) – a story for another day. Needless to talk about the continuous guidance of an older brother who became a Dad to me.
There is always help around; reach out for help, please do not stay down, do not stay quiet.
In the words of Milton Berle – “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to create the future you want. You may need to take a short course, a pre-degree program, a diploma, a certificate course, attend extra/evening/weekend classes, whatever, something that will connect you to the door that leads to that opportunity.
I tried to write the entrance exam to the University (we call it JAMB) four times, always scoring lower than the cut off marks for admission – and with no internal connection in any University, just had to wait for another year. Painful. But all that time, I enrolled in a Diploma program (a program that I totally disliked), which I eventually used for a direct entry admission to 200-Level of the University. I imagined if I had failed my Diploma program (which I later used for my direct entry admission) – perhaps other doors would have opened later, but I would have lost a lot more time.
Do not stay defeated, use progress (however small) as your connection to your next opportunity.
“Excuses will always be there for you. Opportunity won’t.
– Anonymus
Maximize Today
According to Napoleon Hill, “Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”
Sometimes we go through life waiting for the big opportunity or our “purpose” – and so many people are sad and deprived of the joy of enjoying today because of that. I challenge you to shift that mindset and focus on putting your BEST in whatever it is you are doing today. I have sold snacks by the road side; yeah, it was allowed in the country where I grew up – painfully so – I do not encourage it, but it was not the end of me), I have worked as a part time teacher assisting teachers and teaching kids songs and dance in a private school; I have taken on various jobs and tried to do business while studying – I made sure I was the best at each of those.
My career has evolved over time, and I always ensure that I did my best every step of the way, and guess what, a new door always opened.
Do not compare yourself to others, your journey is different, run your race with joy, maximizing every single opportunity that comes your way to that PROMISED tomorrow.
Praying that God will give you the strength, courage and wisdom to make the best of the opportunities that He brings your way today.
Keep growing!
