First Class Graduates Give Tips On How Students Can Achieve Academic Excellence

Getting first class is the ultimate goal for many Nigerian students after gaining admission into their preferred universities. However, the journey to achieving this goal is often difficult with distractions, frustration, and self-doubt, leading many to fall short of their aspirations. As a first-year student, it is essential to start early and stay focused to increase chances of success. In this feature, we share ten tried-and-tested tips gathered from interviews of Nigerian students who have achieved academic excellence, to help stay on track and secure a first class degree.

1. Set Clear Goals: A student who wants to make first class in a Nigerian university should start by setting clear goals. This involves defining what excellence means to them and making first class their non-negotiable target. For Mary Otunba, a first class graduate in Economics from the Caleb University graduate, setting a clear goal was crucial. “My goal was to either graduate with first class or finish as the best graduating student, and with that in mind, I ensured I had a plan that would be actionable daily to achieve my set goal,” she said.

Similarly, Christopher Asor, a Computer Science first-class graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, had a clear understanding of what he was there for, and that fuelled him. He knew that he wanted to make his parents proud and prove to himself that he was capable of achieving greatness.
“I had a clear understanding of what I was there for. I didn’t just see newfound freedom but an opportunity to show my parents that I was capable of being trusted with making critical decisions for myself, and that fuelled me, ” he said.

2. Work Hard And Smart: Developing a study routine, staying consistent, and making the most of your time are essential for achieving academic excellence. Victor Emmanuel-James, a first class graduate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Covenant University, learned to break workload into small, manageable goals and stick to a schedule, prioritizing rest and mental clarity. According to him, “I learned to break my workload into small, manageable goals and stick to a schedule. I prioritised rest and mental clarity; burnout is real, and being productive requires a healthy mind.”

Otunba also emphasised the importance of finding a study routine that works for you.
“I didn’t get to use the library for long. While I was in college trying to obtain my diploma, I mostly preferred group discussions in the day, while I did personal studying at night,” she said.

3. Seek Help When Needed: Asking questions, seeking guidance from lecturers or peers, and learning from others is a sign of strength, not weakness. Speaking on this issue, Otunba noted that she was grateful for the support system she had in place.
   “I’m grateful life gave me some friends I could call my own. It gave me mentors who are like my parents and I’m still amazed at how far they could go to make sure I was okay,” she said. Asor also met senior colleagues who helped him with tips and seeing that they had achieved it made him feel he could too. “I met some of my senior colleagues—Adedro, Isaac, and Amalagu. These were students a year ahead of me who had achieved perfect GPAs. They helped me with tips, and seeing that they had achieved it made me feel I could too,” he said.

Emmanuel-James on the hand added, “Talking to lecturers, friends, and seniors helped, as their experiences reminded me that pressure is part of growth. I was blessed to have people who believed in me and guided me through both academic and personal challenges.”

4. Balance Academics And Social Life: Making time for relaxation, exercise, and socializing is crucial for avoiding burnout.
   The student should schedule time for activities that bring joy and help unwind, such as sports, music, or spending time with friends. Exercise, in particular, is a great way to reduce stress and improve focus. By taking breaks and engaging in non-academic activities, a student can recharge and come back to studies with renewed energy and focus. A healthy social life can also contribute to academic success. The student should nurture relationships with friends and family, and participate in extracurricular activities that interest them. This can help build a support network and reduce stress. By finding a balance between academics and social life, a student can maintain physical and mental well-being, and achieve goal of making first class in Nigerian university. A balanced life can actually improve academic performance, rather than hinder it.
   Speaking on this, first class student of University of Lagos, Department of Mass Communication,. Funmilola Onabanjo, said, “I had a social life while in school. I joined the sport team and won the Dean’s Cup twice for female football on behalf of my department.”
   Another first class student from same university, Ahuruele Akani,added, “I had a blast in school; from parties to business fairs, conferences and networking events, I did it all. Balance is everything, and one can excel academically and socially.”
5. Trust In God: Many graduates credited success to faith and trust in God. Trusting in God can give resilience and determination to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.
   Ifedayo Ayilaran,, UNILAG, Mass Communication first class student said, “I combined my hard work with consistent prayers, and by God’s grace, it all paid off in the end.”
   Oyindamola Arikawe, another UNILAG, first class student said, “My relationship with God aided me through different phases in school.”
   For Emmanuel-James, “Faith gave me direction. Discipline kept me consistent. Mentorship gave me perspective. Together, they formed the framework for my success.”
6. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences: A student who wants to make first class should surround themselves with positive influences. This involves building relationships with like-minded individuals who motivate and support them.
   A student is often a product of their environment, so it’s essential to be around people who will lift them up and push them to be their best. The student should also learn to distance themselves from negative influences, such as people who discourage or distract them from their goals. By surrounding themselves with positive influences, a student can create an environment that supports their academic success and helps them achieve their goal of making first class in their Nigerian university.
   Asor advised, “Surround yourself with like-minded students, and always prioritise your academics over anything else in school because distractions will always exist.”
7. Stay Disciplined And Motivated: Developing self-discipline is important. A student who wants to make first class must stay disciplined and motivated. This involves developing self-discipline, which means doing what needs to be done, even when they don’t feel like it.

Emmanuel-James, explained, “Discipline kept me consistent. I learned to silence doubts by focusing on effort rather than perfection.”

Asor also noted , “I always advised myself, saying I only had one shot at graduating with excellence here in school, but I would always have multiple shots at building a skill.”

8. Take Care Of Your Physical And Mental Health: Managing stress, eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep are essential for academic success. Students often neglect their health while focusing on academics, but this can lead to burnout and decreased performance. The student should develop healthy habits, such as eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly. Exercise can help reduce stress and improve focus, while a healthy diet provides energy for studying. Getting enough sleep is also crucial, as it helps with memory consolidation and learning. Asor noted that he ensured he gets six hours of sleep daily.
   Eniola Daramola, a UNILAG, Mass Communication first class graduate stated that,”I adopted healthier eating habits, stayed hydrated, and relied on regular medical advice.”
9. Learn To Prioritize: Focusing on what is important and saying no to non-essential activities is vital. A student should identify their priorities and learn to say no to non-essential activities that can derail their focus.. By prioritizing, a student can ensure they are spending their time on activities that align with their goals.
   These UNILAG first class graduates explained further , Oyindamola Arikawe, said, “I learnt to prioritise and do the right things at the right time,” while Eunice Obidi, added, “I had priorities and I stuck to them.”
10. Stay Focused: A student who wants to make first class should stay focused on their goals and avoid distractions. This involves developing strategies to stay focused, such as creating a study schedule, avoiding social media, and minimizing distractions. The student should also remind themselves why they’re working towards a first class, and keep their goals in mind.
    By staying focused, a student can achieve academic excellence and make first class in their Nigerian university. Asor advised, “The structure that worked for me was reading during the early hours of the morning—a compulsory three hours of deep reading daily from 3 am to 6 am.”

First Class Graduates Give Tips On How Students Can Achieve Academic Excellence is first published on The Whistler Newspaper