1

PRACTICAL GUIDE

TO

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

BY

OLUWASEUNARA AROTIBA PETER

All rights reserved. No part of this book may

be reproduced in any form, stored in any
retrieval system, or transmitted without prior
written permission from the author.

ISBN 978-2481-03-9
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CONTENT

INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8

START EARLY --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

LEVERAGE MOMENTUM --------------------------------------------------------------------- 17

ACTIVE RECALL ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22

DON'T GIVE UP! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26

KNOW WHAT WORKS FOR YOU - AND BE FAITHFUL TO IT. -------------------- 28

MOTIVATION(Vibe) vs COMMITMENT ---------------------------------------------------- 38

RETENTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40

JOTTING ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 43

STUDYING TO UNDERSTAND ----------------------------------------------------------- 48

THE ONE NECESSARY THING ------------------------------------------------------------ 54

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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to God my Father, and the

Source of inspiration for this book; and my parents
- my first and most consistent mentors in the area
of academics, and to every student who has a
quest to do beyond the ordinary academically and
career-wise.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I express my profound gratitude to Olayiwola Peter, who helped

tremendously in every stage in the publication of this book. May
God bless you richly.

I appreciate all my classmates past and present, who have in many

ways added value to me in my journey of academics, especially
members of the 2018 graduating set in AFSS Ikeja. I love you all!
To every teacher who labours to see students excel; your efforts are
appreciated, and your type is golden! Thank you!

Finally, all thanks be to God Almighty for making this book possible,
for His grace that He made available abundantly, every step of the
way.
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INTRODUCTION
THE NEED TO EXCEL ACADEMICALLY: Why should you desire
academic excellence?

1. YOU WERE MADE FOR IT! Believe it or not, you were. Man was
made to reflect God's nature, a dimension of which is excellence.
So, in all that you do, you were not made to be mediocre, but to
excel. However, the potential for fulfilling his original blueprint-
reflecting God's nature - is restored in a vital relationship with
Him.

Also, desire excellence because it opens you up to more opportunities

to be of help to others. Therefore, when you excel, measure it not just
by your grades, but by how much impact it helps you make on others.

Desire excellence in order to become an excellent personality: In

the future, not many of your grades will matter anymore, or your
position in class. Your personality will matter more! Are you a first class
person? Is your attitude welcoming or repulsive or cocky? Your great
grades won't matter much, if you don't have an excellent personality to
receive the people who will be attracted by your excellence.

Excellence is more of an all-round thing than just a performance thing.

Let your chase for excellence influence your attitude, not just your
performance. If your performance improves to world class levels, the
spotlight will be on you, but any flaws in your personality will also be
seen as the king-size flaws that they are. "Oh, he's a lawyer per
excellence, BUT he has such a hot temper.." - that kind of thing.

In any sphere, what is most valuable is an excellent performance

coming from an excellent personality.

Finally, I know someone who comes in contact with the people who
receive Him and makes them into excellent personalities - all of them, if
they cooperate with Him. He is the Spirit of God. He's currently helping
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me grow into a first-class personality, like Him. Find out how to come
into a relationship with Him in the last chapter!

2. YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY:The strength(capacity) of the human

brain is about 2.5 million gigabytes. That's tremendous capacity.
3. It makes it possible to train yourself to easily recall things. You
have sight, hearing, and understanding. What else do you need?

Believe me, you're not dull or incapable. In fact, your mind actually has
the capacity to store EVERYTHING you see, read, hear and
experience. Everything. It's just that your brain sorts through all the
information and identifies some as important(to be retained) and
others as unimportant(to be "forgotten").

So, all you need to do as a student is find a means of making your

brain recognise what you study as important information, and you'll
definitely be able to recall them. It's not really about needing extra
memory power or “brainpower"; it's about maximizing the ability you
already have. And there are many ways of doing that. I have
highlighted many of them in the succeeding chapters.

Therefore, APPLY YOURSELF! Give it your all; do it with all your heart -
knowing that you were created to be excellent. This knowledge will
push us to apply ALL diligence in our academic endeavours.It gives us
certainty that when we push aside slothfulness and diligently pursue
mastery, we'll get it right.
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CHAPTER 1

START EARLY
The early bird catches the worm.

In an academic session, the student who starts doing the right

things early gets a massive head start, because he has ample
room to examine and interact with the course content, make
mistakes and correct them, ask questions, understand properly,
and apply the understanding that has been gained to solving
problems.
In addition to starting early, it is strategic to know that it is the
little things, not the seemingly "big" or "extravagant" or "mega"
efforts that really count:
1. Praying before studying and before an exam
2. Doing your assignments
3. Writing good notes
4. Going through all your notes at the end of the day as much as
possible
5. Having your materials intact
6. Avoiding distractions during classes(distractions rob you of a lot,
to be honest!)
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A senior of mine in medical school once said, "People excel, not
necessarily because they do extraordinary things that others don't do,
but because they do the ordinary things consistently and excellently."

So, you should ask yourself: "The 'little things' that make up my efforts
towards doing well academically, am I doing them consistently? Am I
seeking to improve in them? Am I deliberate about doing them well, or
just anything goes?"

Please, decide to do the little things excellently from now on.

An early starter's advantage is maximized when he/she employs

the right strategies: before, during and after the session.

★ Before the session

Just after the close of any session, it only seems proper for the student
to rejoice, especially when one has done well academically. We love to
make plans to relax and cool off, and that's very necessary.

But in the holiday period before the start of another session, it's also
good to plan. It's good to come up with ways to improve one's journey
in the coming session. Critically examining the mistakes you made and
lessons you learnt during the previous session is a good place to start.
Try not to lose all consciousness of academics during the holidays, so
that when it's time to resume, “the student in me is remaining just 4%”
will not be your predicament. Unfortunately, this has been the
lamentation of many Nigerian student, and it occurs primarily because
of neglect. Long periods of not applying the mind to anything
academic or school work related will leave you in that state. But this
can be avoided.

Obtaining the course outlines isn't a bad idea, for the courses you'll be
taking in the new session; it helps you know what to expect and how to
prepare for it. I did that consistently in senior secondary school; it was
one of the ways I made friends with my Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Maths and Further Maths, and other science subjects then. It really
paid off.
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So, even as you relax during the holiday, don't forget that it's also a
good time to start getting acquainted with the new courses(yes, by
reading them), so you won't be taken unawares by them. This
preparatory reading is done under no pressure whatsoever, which
makes it very advantageous.

Know the subjects that are complex, the ones that are bulky, the ones
that are simple, and so on..and work towards being prepared to tackle
them when the time comes.

Making enquiries from seniors and lecturers (if possible) is also a good
thing to engage in before the session starts. Ask them as many relevant
questions as possible; there's a way having the right knowledge about
what you're heading into gives you an advantage - and this knowledge
is readily available from your seniors.

Finally, you should rest well and enjoy the break, because it's good to
resume the new session thoroughly refreshed.

★ During the session

At the start of the session, even before the session, it's a good thing to
commit all your ways to God in prayers. When you acknowledge Him in
your academics, He will direct your paths. It is very important, and you
should not trivialize it. I've experienced this time and time again; it's
true. God can direct you in diverse ways; and He will never lead you
astray. His wisdom is more than enough to see you through an session,
any course and any test or exam. Trust Him; it's not a meaningless
cliché.

At the start of the session, it's also strategic to get to know your
teachers and build a good rapport with them. This is because the better
your relationship is with your teachers and the more you understand
their personalities, the easier it is for you to receive and understand
their teaching well.
A good rapport with your teachers, when built early enough,
emboldens you to confide in them whenever any problems arise with
their courses or your academics in general. And I know from
experience, especially in my secondary school days, that counsel from
teachers is really valuable. We just haven't realized this yet.
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Cultivating good relationships with your colleagues is also
important. Do so as much as possible. Finding a reliable study partner
may also be necessary in the early days of the session.

Whether you choose a study partner or not, you should not be a lone
ranger. Humans are not created to be totally dependent or
independent, but to be interdependent. So, never let your own
excellence or feeling of self sufficiency rob you of fulfilling your need
to cooperate with others. Arrogance is such an unhealthy trait to have.

In any tutorial or study group you join, make sure you're gaining and
also contributing in terms of knowledge. It's unhealthy to always be on
the receiving end all the time. Your academic growth will not be
wholesome that way. Contribute, make mistakes, ask seemingly silly
questions, make remarks, voice out your observations and theories;
just make sure you're active and not dormant! That's the best way to
profit with such a setting.

Having a study partner with a similar academic vision as yours will be

great; you'll be accountable to each other in achieving your short term
and long term goals. Both of you can also complement each other's
weaknesses, prepare with past questions together, explain complex
stuff to each other.. The list is endless!!

The benefits of cooperation are limitless; never be a lone ranger.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their
labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him
who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up- Ecl 4:9-10.
This is wisdom drawn from the word of God and it’s true.

At the start of the session, it's great to decide if you'll work with a
study timetable or not, and draft one if your decision is positive.
Draft a workable timetable that enables you to cover what you're being
taught on a weekly basis. This means that by the time you resume a
new week, you'd have revised most or all of the stuff you were taught
the previous week. I believe this strategy is best for students; it worked
wonderfully for me in my senior secondary school days.

It may seem like a lot, but since you've received grace from God, all
your efforts are God-enabled, and as such, you can do it, because it
will glorify Him.
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There are other minor tips like picking a good seat in class, ensuring
you have your study materials - textbooks, good notebooks,
instruments, and so on in order. This makes your ride through the
session smooth.

As I've implied earlier, it's at the early stage of the session that you
should choose and master your study strategies towards performing
well in your tests and examinations. However, as the session goes on,
you shouldn't be afraid to adjust them when the need arises. Don't be
rigid in sticking to a method that hasn't produced good results.

Ask questions from your mates who are getting it right, and from the
teachers when the need arises. Above all, depend on God for direction
in every dilemma.
Also, pay good attention to learning the basics of your courses well in
the first few classes, so as to lay a solid foundation.

The first few weeks of the session is not necessarily the time to play
or joke around with classes, for it is a good time to become sound
in the basics of each subject.

★ During periods of tests and exams

The most dreaded period for students. The day of reckoning. The
D-day. Exam period! How do we cope, and gracefully scale through
tests and exams and come out in flying colours?

Straightaway, I'd like you to realise that most of your preparation for
this crucial period is done within the session, before the tests and
exams actually start knocking on the door. In the few days or weeks
leading up to a test or an exam, you ideally should just revise your
work and improve your knowledge and question solving ability.
It's your conduct during the session proper, from the start, that
determines what your fate will be in the exam.

Let me put it this way: In preparing for your examinations, you are
only building upon the foundation you've already laid during the
session:
● Your attitude during classes and to your assignments and class
projects
● Your study habits(good or bad),
● The level of dedication you have to your studies, and so on….
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So, the first tip to cope well when exams and tests come calling is to
make hay while the sun shines; lay a solid foundation in all your courses
while the pressure of examinations isn't present yet. It's a wrong
approach to postpone necessary efforts at studying well until
examinations are near.

When you concentrate all your efforts on studying when it's a few days
to the examination, you get worn out. And such rushed efforts will not
be as profitable as they'd have been if they were made at the right
time.

When you've put in the right efforts during the session, consolidating
on them when exams are near becomes necessary:

● Revise: Go through your notes/jottings and lecture slides; deepen

your understanding, master the necessary details. Jottings profit
you more when you have made them mid session and then revise
and update them during exams.

● Cooperate: maximize teamwork with other members of your

class to ensure no one is left behind, and because teamwork
multiplies the individual efforts of the team members, and
enables you all to perform better. Group discussions and
brainstorming sessions are of much help in this regard. Try not to
be passive in these discussions and sessions; contribute your
quota.

● Solve PQs: I believe solving questions should form a part of your

mid-session study plans, but when exams are at hand, it should
assume a more major role. Being the best means of
self-assessment before the actual exam, it reveals your
understanding of the course and your ability to apply it in
tackling problems.
Past questions also show the lecturer's pattern of testing
students, which, when accurately discerned, will help you prepare
better.
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● Get good rest: This may be underrated, but when you're in a well
rested state, you will perform better in the exams. So, while
putting in your best to ensure you're well prepared, make sure
you don't wear yourself out. Ensure you get good rest and eat
good food too(again, good food is underrated)!

I've heard of and witnessed cases of students oversleeping(due to

stress) and missing the actual exams, or passing out in the exam hall.
This is avoidable. Working hard during the session eliminates the need
to overwork yourself when exams come.

● Commit your ways to God: This is key also, and has been the
secret to excellence in my academics.

I am a person helped greatly by God - not because of me, but because

He's at the centre of my life; so it's all about Him. I remember how my
parents used to pray specially for my siblings and me every morning
during the session, and during exams also. They taught us that true
excellence that glorifies God comes from Him, and not because of my
competence. I've found this out to be true. In fact, the best
performance in 2018 WASSCE in West Africa that I had came as God's
response to a specific prayer I made to Him in the months leading up
to the exam.
I had weighed my efforts and my capabilities and I knew they didn't
measure up to the goal I had(this ambition to havw the best WASSCE
result was stirred up in me some time before starting SS 1).

So I prayed to Him to help me achieve just that. And He did, giving me

wisdom and confidence which I was lacking.
When the good news came and spread, all the glory was His because
He crowned my efforts with great success. That's how it can be for you
too. Be diligent, but trust in God, not your diligence, to crown your
efforts with the success He desires for you.
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CHAPTER 2

LEVERAGE MOMENTUM
“Momentum, well leveraged, produces good residual knowledge, a
good grasp.”

As a student, you should learn how to maximize your "peak periods",

times when you're highly motivated to study; or when you start making
tremendous progress and cultivating interest in any one course.

In your academics, your diligence should be consistent whether

there is motivation or not. However, there are times when you're just
on fire. You're more driven to put in effort than normal. The drive is
there, the interest is there, and there is a good understanding of what
you're studying. Sometimes, this good streak may occur in a particular
course. That course you don't normally fancy begins to make sense and
appeal to you. Maybe it started with someone's clear explanation of
concepts to you, or with one mind blowing class in which the lecturer
excellently presented his/her stuff, and everything was just flowing
well. For many, it starts when the exam timetable is
released(momentum is not meant for only exam periods though; if you
can be speially gingered when exams are fast approaching, why not
during the session proper?)
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In any case, you should maximize this period of increased interest to

master the subject involved.

This momentum, if well leveraged, produces a good grasp of the course

that can be sustained for long. So, what you do in that kairos moment
can have long term positive effects.

Momentum is part of what is lacking when, as a student, you say, "the

student in me is remaining 2%," or, "I have no vibe to study." When
there is momentum, you do things more efficiently, understand things
easier, faster and more deeply than you normally would.

•Leverage momentum in different subjects - When your interest in a

certain subject is stimulated, leverage this momentum by
CONSISTENCY. Don't leave time gaps in your interactions with the
subject in question. If possible, study it on a daily basis, making steady
progress in understanding it. Understanding comes progressively, not
in one huge burst. A surge of momentum in a course is not enough to
give you a firm grasp. That's why the momentum must be maximised
through consistency.

Focus: what particular part of the course are you more interested in
and curious about, now? Which parts have you been studying better?
Focus on them, and build a solid knowledge base that will serve you for
years to come. Residual knowledge in a course is built by leveraging
momentum. Two examples:

"I studied on the Femur yesterday and I enjoyed it because I

understood it well; let me use that opportunity to study about the joints
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the femur is involved in. From my knowledge of the femur gained

yesterday, what makes it best suited for participation in those joints?
How do problems with the joints affect the femur? How do fractures of
the femur affect stability of the joints?"

"My coursemate explained inflation and deflation to me yesterday.

Inflation is a widespread and consistent increase in price level in an
economy. Deflation is the opposite. What factors cause these drastic
changes in price level? What tools do the government and central bank
have to regulate these changes? What are the types of inflation? I
must get to know these things to get a robust understanding while my
basic knowledge is still fresh."

In leveraging momentum, you must go for depth in areas of the topic

you have begun to understand, don't just settle for a shallow
understanding. Robust understanding is the goal. The student who uses
this approach ill never get stranded when asked questions on either the
Femur or Inflation and Deflation. Never.

Acquire this deep understanding by consulting useful materials other

than your usual study materials, by consistently interacting with the
topics involved, by asking and answering relevant questions on it, and
finally by teaching others(teaching others forces you to think critically
on how to present what you know to help others understand it, and in
the process deepens your own understanding).
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Now, this doesn't mean you should totally neglect the areas that
haven't begun to make sense for just the easier parts. However,
leveraging momentum well in a course may open you up to studying
such areas of a course(or whole courses) that you once thought
difficult, and you can then crush them with ease.

Also, here's how to use this principle of momentum to crush difficult

courses:

1. Build up momentum patiently from the simplest parts - usually

the basics, and pay attention to understanding these basics.
2. Then, armed with a solid understanding of these basics, study the
complex stuff. When the first step is taken right, the seemingly
complex parts become easily understood.
3. In studying complex parts, look for relevant illustrations and
examples that simplify these things. It isn't a must you stick with
a material you feel is unnecessarily complicated because
everyone is using it. You could return to the 'complicated
textbook' after you've understood the concept from a simplified
text, fine. But go for understanding first.

Neuroanatomy, when I started it, seemed complex and impossible,

epecially with the level at which my lecturers were dispesning
knowledge. But as I patiently built up knowledge on it from the scratch,
with explanations here and there from some of my course mates, I
grew in my understanding and liking for it, and now I've discovered it's
not nearly as difficult as I once thought it to be. You also can get to this
stage of ease that seemingly difficult course. Just patiently build up
your knowledge from scratch. Open up and receive help from the right
quarters too. May God help you to not give up!
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This principle also applies in your approach to an entirely new

topic/concept:

Pick up hints and vital chunks of information to get the full picture
first. There's no real need to bother yourself about many details at first
read; focus more on the overall idea. Knowing the concept as a whole
will help shape your understanding of the details.

A good understanding of the overall concept will tighten your mental

grasp of the details, when coupled with good, spaced, repetitive
studying. So, consolidate your first read with another look at the
concept, early enough. Early repetition gives you an advantage.

If this all seems like too much, don't worry; you can start from
somewhere. That's the whole point of building momentum. You don't
need to be great to start, but you must start to be great.

Being too particular about knowing all the details when you haven't
grasped the full concept will:

● Slow you down(which is bad for momentum)

● Bore you(because details only become interesting when you
understand the full concept).

So, it's not a must to know everything at first read- don't expect to.
I know this is a real problem, as I can totally relate to getting
frustrated by having to know many details and having my attention
shifted from the full picture. Remember, understanding the concept is
what's vital. Knowing every detail is secondary. So, students, let's get
this principle of momentum right!
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CHAPTER 3

ACTIVE RECALL

There's an exercise of the mind students are encouraged to engage in

regularly. It's called Active recall.

The student deliberately attempts to remember specific details

about a topic he/she has previously read, without referring to the
lecture material.

It can be done in a variety of ways, but the student is basically testing

his/her:

● Ability to remember what has been studied;

● Understanding of the concepts;
● Speed and ease of recall.

Active recall is really great, and can be done just before a study
session(recalling what you've previously studied), or a few hours after a
study session. For example, "I am about to study on the Order of
Adjectives in English Language, but before I start, what do I remember
from the class in which we were taught? What are the major principles
underlying the right ordering of adjectives? Can I write some down?
Can I give examples?"
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Active recall can be done at other times too, not onlywhen you're about
to study or when you're done studying.
Engaging your mind in seemingly unconventional settings for learning
is good - when you're taking a walk, while in transit, and so on, you can
task your mind! During active recall, you can form mnemonics or other
memory aids(eg mental pictures) that aid you in recalling what you've
studied. Active recall sharpens your memory and your ability to draw
on previous knowledge in tackling questions.

Attempting relevant questions can also be a part of active recall.

In my opinion, having a written note or jotter, or anything
similar(digital maybe), helps with easy and quick reference to details
after attempting active recall.

For example, you can hardly use a textbook to go over details a few
minutes to the start of an exam.

Lastly, many other things strengthen your recollection of stuff -

Discussion with others,
Practising questions,
Mnemonics,
using the imagination creatively to picture what you're learning per
time,
seeing pictures and video illustrations, and so on.
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MORE ABOUT RECALLING DETAILS

Patience

When we students attempt to recall stuff, we are often too quick to

give up and conclude that we're unable to remember, and then refer to
the note. It also happens whenever we attempt questions - too often,
we are too quick to conclude that the question is beyond us- even when
we've studied the topics concerned.

But I've begun to learn that patience in these matters helps.

So, my advice is, be patient with yourself whenever you try to

remember facts. Give yourself time, that's how to master recalling
details - and don't be anxious. If you still don't remember, then refer
to your note.
To help you master patience, I advise you to practise recalling details
with a partner, who holds your note while you respond to questions on
the topic of interest. The person could even mimic an examiner in an
oral exam, and be professional enough to give a feel of the actual
exam. Let the person give you enough time to think your answers
through, and maybe encourage you with hints a few times.

The thing is, mastering this art of calmness and patience is good
because:
-your brain recalls things better when you're patient with yourself;
-you'll need it in the exam hall too, when you're trying to recall.

If you don't learn and master this patience in your personal study time
when there ought to be no pressure, how will you fare in the almighty
exam hall(or before an examiner?) In your best interest, let
self-generated tension be removed from your experience.

I give myself time whenever I try to recall anything. Eventually, the

details start trickling in, and the dots start connecting, and you're home
and dry! Then, when you eventually refer to the material, you'll note
where you mixed one or two things up and then correct yourself.
Doing this over time(stretching yourself through patience) will make
recalling details a lot easier - even under pressure.
 25

Also, when you perfect the art of patience in providing answers to

questions during practice, it helps you master the skill of providing well
thought out answers to questions in the exam hall.
Many students lack this skill, and that's why questions take them off
guard and trick them unnecessarily. Patience ensures that you really
think the question through before providing the right answers - in line
with what the examiner actually demands.

"Perfect the art of patience in providing answers to questions

during practice. It helps you master the skill of providing well
thought out answers to questions in the exam hall."
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CHAPTER 4

DON'T GIVE UP!

“Each mistake corrected leaves you one step closer to maximum
productivity in your efforts at studying, towards attaining excellence.”

Dear reader, be reminded that if your academics is currently below

par, it's not because you're mediocre. It's either you haven't given
yourself enough to diligence, or you've not yet discovered how best to
approach your academics(in terms of methods and techniques to
apply).
You CAN gradually improve your studying and academics generally; so
give yourself to the process. I'm encouraging you. But first, believe you
can. Make sure you're not limiting yourself by a mindset of average.

Ben Carson didn't seem bright as a child. His teacher at school even
wrote him off once - that he couldn't amount to anything.
However, his mum disagreed and decided to put him and his brother
through a process - she mandated them to read books to unlock their
mental capacity. And he certainly did improve overtime - he's now a
world renowned neurosurgeon! He discovered he wasn't dull after all.

Thankfully, his mum believed in God's purpose for his life, and he also
believed and depended on Him for help. I encourage you to do so!
 27

One important thing to do while on this journey is to learn from

your mistakes. Learning from mistakes is a great way to make
progress in discovering yourself academically and what works for you.

"A mistake" in this sense means an approach you discovered was

unfruitful, because the efforts you put in didn't translate into expected
results.
When you discover such an approach is not productive, it's necessary
to modify such an approach, or put it aside altogether. To do this, you'll
have to know what was wrong with the approach, and why it didn't
work for you.

The good thing is: each mistake corrected brings you one step closer to
maximum productivity in your efforts at studying, towards attaining
excellence.
Therefore, don't give up! Don't lose heart. Keep at it, because all your
informed efforts will pay off in the end. Again, you have to believe this.
And I pray God helps you.
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CHAPTER 5

KNOW WHAT WORKS FOR YOU - AND BE

FAITHFUL TO IT.
Rigor or following the crowd doesn't
always birth productivity; wisdom does!

The journey of excellence in your academics does not only involve

hearing other people's methods and adopting them; it also involves
getting to discover what works best for you - what brings out the
champion in you.

There's always a better way to do things for every individual, and what
works best for A may not necessarily work best for B.

This reflects in:

Number of hours that can be spent studying at a stretch.
Choice of textbooks
Being a day or night reader(some don't fall into any category,
and are okay studying at any time).
Taking comprehensive notes or jotting things down during
classes, or choosing to just listen attentively(although I
recommend putting something down for every class, as it helps
you document your thoughts and understanding from each
class).
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Attending tutorials
and a variety of other details about your study life.

This knowledge should make you resist unnecessary pressure to copy

others; yes, you should adopt study techniques that have proven
productive for others, but in every case, discern which ones are for you,
and which are not.
Not every study technique, not every new tutorial in town, not every
new textbook, not every new question compilation available will benefit
you.
For example, many students attend tutorials in order to feel among,
not because they have seen how it will benefit them. And following the
crowd doesn't always end well. Many other students mindlessly rush to
attend tutorials because of a dependent mentality; they believe they
can do nothing on their own. Some of you will be better off spending
more time in personal study, while still maximising group work. But
never sacrifice good personal study for the lazy 'shortcut' of having
others spoon-feed you.
Even after someone has taught you and helped you understand it well,
you must return to your private study table and take a good look at
what you've been taught. This is how you gain maximum benefit from
group work and tutorials.

Another example: just because you see some course mates attend
classes without necessarily taking notes during those classes doesn't
mean you should copy them because they're doing well in the course. It
might be that they have to sacrifice taking notes for giving hundred
percent attention to the lecturer's explanation instead. It may be that
for you, what helps you grasp the knowledge being dished out by the
teacher is penning down the important details from time to time. If
you're writing down stuff, make sure it's not "mindless lifting."
 30

Whichever path you choose, just make sure you're not just mindlessly
strolling in and out of classes without gaining anything.

So, stick to what works for you, and improve gradually on it (this is not
a call for you to be rigid). Always evaluate yourself to see if what you're
doing is productive, or it's just a fruitless ritual. Rigor or following the
crowd doesn't always birth productivity; wisdom does.

Here's a verse from scripture- which is God-inspired, Eccl.10.10: If the

ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use
more strength; but wisdom brings success.

Sharpen your axe through wisdom, else you'll find your work
unnecessarily rigorous and barely productive.

Knowing what works per course is also strategic

1. Genuine interest works for every course:

If you want to enjoy studying a course and be productive at it, don't

study the course without intending for fruitful interaction with its
content. You should not study only because you need to pass the
course. That's definitely a part of your goals as a student, but that isn't
all there is to it.

I'm all for strategic studying to pass and excel in one's courses, but if
this motive stands alone without an intent to also enjoy the
course(based on genuine interest), you are likely to find yourself
struggling or studying under pressure. So, to avoid frustrating
academic endeavours, ensure you choose courses you're genuinely
interested in, or cultivate genuine interest in the courses you already
have on your hands.
 31

Either way, let your interaction with the course be founded on genuine
interest.

How do you cultivate interest in a course?

⭐The first wise thing to do will be to choose courses you know you
are interested in. This helps you to avoid a situation in which you'll
spend a long time struggling to find your feet in the course.

⭐Two, have an open mind to learn. Try to be open to know, "what is

this course saying, and what is it really about" "What's the value of
knowledge in this course, in today's world?" "In what ways can man's
knowledge on this subject be improved upon?"

Such an open, questioning mind is the key to building interest in any

course. I think we students just get caught in the rush to store stuff in
our minds to be able to survive the exams. We hardly even interact with
the course as a student should.

When last did you study a material and come up with questions of your
own for which you desired an answer?
And when last did a study session spur you on to acquire more
knowledge on the subject matter? Or is it that once you don cram the
lecture materials, you don dey all right? This mentality, respectfully
speaking, breeds mediocrity.
We students should study with curious minds instead, because we are
the future researchers! Students ought to be people who get
knowledge handed down to them to the end that knowledge might
increase. If the people who discovered the things we are studying now
were only interested in studying to pass, knowledge wouldn't have
advanced this much.
 32

In summary, when you study with genuine interest in your course,

you'll enjoy it and pass it with ease. And that's not all; you'll also find
yourself on the path to becoming a solution provider with regards to
knowledge in that field. My charge to you is: prepare yourself to be
more than just a passive learner, but someone who actively pursues
a working and current knowledge of what he's studying.

As you walk this path, I pray that God's grace be with you. I do so
because while knowledge is great, it can puff one up- make one proud.
The excellency of knowledge is the knowledge of God- because this
knowledge humbles one. In all your 'knowings', please seek to know
God!

★ Second key to knowing what works for a course

2 Check out the approach of the lecturer

Friends, there's a lot you can learn from how your lecturer approaches
the course.

The structure of the lecture slides, the lecturer's approach to explaining

it, the manner of setting questions, the learning objectives for each
topic, and so on, are all pointers that help you devise an effective
approach to studying the course and excelling in it.

From this, it is readily apparent that purposefully attending classes,

studying with past questions, and understanding the lecturer's slides
are crucial to adopting a wholesome approach to any course. For
example, your lecturer will surely set questions true to his/her
approach to the subject.

Another reason to carefully observe the lecturer's approach is, it helps

you to know what he/she places priority on. So, distancing yourself
from the lecturer's classes and materials isn't good. Something about
 33

how the lecturer treats the course and dispenses knowledge on it will
guide you on how to study it effectively.

Another example is, the questions the lecturer keenly asks the students
during the lectures can point to what he's interested in us learning.
Purposefully asking questions in class will help you understand the
lecturer and the course better. So "reading up" the course without
being present in the classes is not good enough, because most of your
education about how to tackle the course well comes from the lecturer,
and not from the material.

YOU CAN READ UP THE MATERIAL, BUT YOU CANNOT READ UP THE
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF THE LECTURER.

Guess who I drew this quote from? My lecturer, who's a medical doctor,
blessed us with her experience, as well as with the knowledge we
needed from the text.

• Law of Honour

It's a wise thing to honour your lecturer, and a foolish thing to do

otherwise. If possible, find out how he/she came to understand and
love the course. The principle of honour is a valid principle for receiving
grace to achieve what another has achieved and do even more.

Very simply:

"What you honour, you attract."

"What you despise, you repel."

Eg, when you dishonour your parents, you despise a long, fulfilling life
because it is through their being alive that you came into being.
 34

If you want to consistently excel in whatever field a lecturer

represents, please respect them. And respect the sacrifices they made
on their path to becoming who they are, regardless of their faults. I
don't regard any form of honour that cannot overlook the flaws of
another person as true honour. A lack of honour is probably what's
behind the struggles of students in many courses. Also, I don't care
how high you score in your courses, when you lack honour for the
person who is to communicate the knowledge to you, you're depriving
yourself of many benefits.

Learn to honor every one, especially your teachers and course mates.
Envying others who are successful is a form of dishonour; instead,
respect them and their diligence.

Medical school has afforded me the opportunity to have a lot of

profitable interactions with my lecturers, and I've learnt that there's far
more to them than just what they communicate in class. They have far
more value to add than what we get taught in class. So it's only
reasonable for me to avoid communicating dishonour for them in my
thoughts, speech and actions, whether they're present or not.

And these extracurricular interactions have not only helped me know

and admire them more, they've helped me tremendously in handling
my courses well.

One of the things that helped me do very well in secondary school was
the sound guidance I received from many great teachers. Please, your
teachers deserve to be honoured, not treated with disdain. Whatever
you sow, you'll reap, and definitely, honouring them will open you up
more to their wisdom and make your ride easier in the courses they
teach.

The lecturer is there for you. Ensure you profit greatly from his/her
efforts over you - through honour.
 35

The last tip on getting to know what works in a course is to learn keenly
from your course mates/seniors who have done well in the course;
learn from them how they study and pass the course so 'effortlessly'.
Don't let them just teach you the course content; let them teach you
HOW they approach the course effectively. Let them "teach you how to
fish."

★ Another key to knowing what works for you: Understand the

times, and know what you ought to do in each season.

3. Productive labour:

Not every academic activity is profitable at every point in time.

Maximum productivity demands that you do the right things at the
right time, literally.

For example, there usually is a particular time in the day where you do
your most productive work(with regards to studying); don't trade that
time for anything! Concentrate your efforts within that time window of
the day during which you know you're most focused and ready to learn.

● For some, that's early in the morning(before dawn).

● For others, it's when the daylight dawns(7am - 12).

It may be that it is at such times that external distractions are least, or

internal motivation and strength are at their peak. It's
counterproductive to waste away those precious hours on frivolities or
things that you can always do at other times.

With regards to productivity in studying, All hours are equal, but

some are more equal than others.

A variant of this principle will be: study before you get burnt out, or
don't wait until you get burnt out before you give the remaining
 36

crumbs of your time and energy to study. Many students habitually

violate this principle. Apart from your most productive hours, studying
is still very possible, but it may be less productive and feel more
burdensome - probably because you're already stressed out from the
day's activities.

So, dear student, after a tiring day at school, it is wise to deliberately

take some time to rest and reflect, before studying. One habit that will
prevent us from doing that well is 'pressing our phone' mindlessly. This
habit makes time fly, really. Studying after a good rest means you're
more alert and effective at what you're doing.

There are times where I know the ideal thing to do is just study past
questions, because I'm probably too tired to take on the study material
at the time, or I'm not in a proper setting for intense studying. So I let
the past questions guide me, putting my faculties to test on topics I
already know, and thereby solidifying the knowledge. That's less
tasking than studying. And then I leave studying proper to a later time
when I'm rested and refreshed.

I do this because I know taking on the material at that time will not
be very productive, and it might make me have to duplicate my effort
at a later time. So I'd rather just use my little 'energy' to answer
questions or verify things I'm not yet sure of. It works; it really does!

I trust you understand this principle. So in knowing what works for you,
one of the things you should find out is this: At what time will you be
least distracted and most willing to learn? Discover and maximize it.

However, this is not to say you shouldn't study at other times in the
day, because a good student should be able to put in good effort any
day, at any time.

But jealously protect those precious hours when you do your best
work, and spend them working, not playing around!!
 37

Knowing what works for you:

Understand the 'times and seasons',

and know what you ought to do.
 38

CHAPTER 6

MOTIVATION(Vibe) vs COMMITMENT

What should keep you going?

Commitment is what keeps you going even when there's little or no

motivation to study.

I've talked about making the most of your "high" moments - studying
to get much work done when you're highly motivated to, and
consolidating quickly any progress you've begun to make in a
particular course, instead of shooting scattered shots.
All that is great.
But commanding excellent results takes more than that. It takes
dedication. Beyond "vibes", which swing from one extreme to another,
or which seem to be low perpetually for some; you will need to be
committed, to see yourself through to enviable heights of excellence.

Commitment ensures that for you, effective studying is not restricted to

when you're highly motivated to. Instead, you study effectively as is
demanded, motivation or no motivation.

"I just cannot get myself to study this week, no vibe." - Commitment
gives you mastery over this.

So, it's not necessarily the motivation you should wait for, all the time.
Your commitment to excellence in your studies can be motivation
 39

enough. The knowledge that I need to study, for example, should be

enough to spur me to START, even when I don't feel like it.

Building an unshakeable commitment to your studies will take time. But

you can and should start building it, because commitment is a virtue
you need to achieve success in any sphere of existence.

★ How do you strengthen your commitment to your academics?

You can build solid commitment to any endeavor by:

● Having a good understanding of its purpose and rewards,

● Setting relevant goals to keep you on your feet, and
● Associating with people who have the right mindset towards it,
and learning from them.

For example, the "school na scam" mindset makes one blind to both the
purpose and benefits of schooling, and it will drastically reduce both
commitment and motivation to excel in it. If school na scam, kuku no
go school. Period! To be honest, it's unwise to spend time, energy and
other resources on what you consider unprofitable. School is not a
scam though, I hope you know?

I believe that sometimes, when you're unmotivated, all you need is

that little push to start, and then you'll be able to continue from there. A
committed person will always be able to give himself that push.
Again, keep company with great minds, understand the purpose and
rewards, and set goals.

It cannot be overemphasized; you must be committed!! Then, you'll be

able to consistently overcome any reluctance and do the needful
towards achieving better performance in your academics.
 40

CHAPTER 7

RETENTION
Why do we forget the things we study?

Here is a question that may help you find out how to retain stuff better.

Are there things you usually don't forget (e.g. movies, song lyrics, or
details of a novel) or that you seem to have inherent power to retain?

If yes, ask yourself the things you do that makes you retain these
details, and if you can apply the methods to your studies.

If you consider yourself forgetful, check: does it show up only in your

studies? Your answer may guide you as to how to retain academic
stuff better.

Now, why does it seem like our memories don't serve us perfectly? I
won't lie, I'd love my memory to serve me better! So how does one
study to retain for longer?

I've talked about how having good understanding, being calm and
patient while trying to remember things, are a great aid to retention.
 41

It's easier to retain details about a concept you understand well. So, go
for understanding.
A relaxed person remembers things better than a person who is tensed
up about forgetting them. So, be relaxed.

I've talked about some memory aids like mnemonics, audiovisuals,

creative use of the imagination in picturing things where possible, and
then teaching others what you know.

So I don't have many (new) answers.

One technique I believe will work, though, is to take out time to reflect
at the end of each study session.
Rushing out of a study session immediately you're done may be
detrimental to your healthy recall of what you learned in that session,
especially the new things.

Take good time to ponder on and sort out in your mind the new things
you learnt in a study session. This sends the signal to your brain that it's
something important.
On the other hand, quickly moving on to other tasks without any
consciousness that you have just learnt something sends the opposite
signal - "not so important information."

Come to think of it, there are movies you've watched that you hardly
forget the plot, even to the details! Why? In the first place, you
probably watched it several times.
And when you watched it, it was so fascinating to you, that you
couldn't get your mind off it for a while, maybe hours or days. That
period of retaining it in your consciousness when the movie was still
fresh, was vital to its getting stored in your long term memory. It was
vital to your ease of recalling it.

I believe you can apply this energy to your studying. Take some time
to reflect - maybe 30 minutes, not actively studying; but just letting
your mind "take in afresh" what you've just learnt(preferably, this
should be done without the material). It will make your grasp better,
and your understanding deeper. This exercise will also reveal the things
 42

you thought you understood, but which you really didn't. It will help you
honestly evaluate your study session, not just by how much ground you
covered, but by the depth of understanding you acquired. It's a
strategically timed period of active recall. Ask yourself, "which
concepts did I learn?" "How well did I understand what I learnt?"

Have you also noticed that pondering on all that you learnt after a
class solidifies your knowledge of it? It's the same principle. In case
you don't write things down during classes, as soon as you can after
the class, ponder on what you learnt and put something down. It will be
of great help to you.
So, I implore you to apply this exercise. After learning, think on what
you have learnt. Don't be quick to forget that you ever studied
anything. No! Pay attention even after you're done with the books.
Avoid distractions not only while studying, but also in the few minutes
after studying.

Finally, wisdom, knowledge and sound understanding come from God.

As you acknowledge this, it's a good thing to pray to Him and depend
on Him for help all the time! He won't disappoint you.
 43

CHAPTER 8

JOTTING

How should it be done? And, does it really help you as a student? Let's
take a look at this list:

1. Making jottings helps you keep track of (and summarize) the

information you're taking in.

2. When you jot, you are able to track your understanding of the
course, to know whether you understand it or not.

3. It helps you easily refer to your work for revision, both mid-session
and just before exams.

Sometimes, it is too strenuous and time consuming to check for

relevant information in your textbooks or the lecturer's material,
especially just before entering the exam hall, or the night before the
exam.
Your jotter will come in handy then.
 44
4. While jotting, see if you can 'synthesize' information, ie, come up with
observations, theories, and deductions which are not necessarily in the
lecture material.

See if you can think up solutions to (scientific) problems posed, or gaps

in knowledge..eg "why aren't scientists sure of the exact physiological
importance of sleep?"

5. Think while you jot. Mindless jotting doesn't really help. So, jotting
isn't a "copy and paste" exercise. It's putting your thoughts on a
concept into words, the way you understand it.

6. Jotting helps learning; it reveals whether you're truly paying

attention to the material, whether you've discerned what is important
and what is minor, and whether you can begin to answer questions on
that topic or not.

7. You can frame your jottings as answers to preset questions, based on

the "learning objectives'' revealed in the material). That is, before
starting to study, you can set questions based on the learning
objectives. You could also set the questions while studying (students
call these "flashcards.")

Set the questions and then answer them afterwards based on what
you've understood from the study.
This helps because that's the same thing you'll do in the exam hall in
answering questions. Write what you remember and understand. See if
you can explain to yourself the ones you remember but barely
understand.

So, this form of jotting is actually a means of practising how to

thoughtfully answer questions in the examinations.

8. Note in your jotter the not-so-clear concepts and task yourself with
finding clear explanations on them - online, from a course mate, from
textbooks, and so on. And then jot down the simplified explanation that
activated your understanding. This is for future reference. There's
something about jotting; it gives you a feel of your previous study
sessions- it is the "something to show" for your labour during a
 45
particular study session. And it makes it so much easier to revise at a
later time, all that you studied and deemed important.

Finally, concerning jotting during classes:

•Some students feel it will distract them from the explanations the
lecturer is making.

•Some others see it as a good way to concisely capture the lecturer's

knowledge(which is important).

•It's good to know which group you belong to- and not follow the
crowd.

-•for those in the first group, I recommend taking something down not
too long after the class. I know the lecturer's slides will be made
available most times, but not all that has been said will be represented
in the slides. Besides, the lecturer's explanation of the slides reveals his
emphasis and his approach to the course(we discussed this earlier).

•for students in the second group, don't jot mindlessly. I feel it takes a
good deal of energy to focus, understand and then put things down
during a class, but then it's a great thing to do.

P.S. I doubt learning is complete until you've put something down on

the concept - whether in class or your private study, or in practising
questions. Don't settle for emergency jotting when the exam is already
knocking loudly at your door. That may provide some help, but going
through previous jottings is better, I believe.

Finally, apply jotting well; excel at it and excel in your exams.

 46

More on Knowing What Works for You.

ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE OF EXACT TECHNIQUES TO APPLY

In your academics, work consciously to get to the stage where you

know exactly what to do to achieve any particular aim you have for
your course. In essence, at this stage, you're assured that, A and B and
C are what I have to do to get the level of results I desire.

There's this stage where a student doesn't know what to do to get to his
goal, so he randomly tries so many things to see which one works out.
Leaving this stage of uncertainty to the stage of applying exact
principles, tested and trusted, is key to excelling.

•A typical example is knowing what to do in a course or subject.

Simply asking the right questions and submitting yourself under

good guidance from seniors who have gone ahead can save you the
headache of trial and error.

In order to avoid making too many mistakes and having to learn from
your own mistakes, you should learn from theirs instead. Ask your
seniors the right questions, and ask questions on issues peculiar to you.
Some relevant examples are:

1. "How do I cope with this bulky course, being a slow reader?"

2. "What mistakes did you make with this course, and how would you
have corrected them if you had the chance to? How can I avoid
making such mistakes?"
3. "What are the strategies to employ to keep up with the (fast-paced)
course and not get lost?"
 47
4."What's the nature of the course, and how do I understand it?"
5. "Any extra advice for me, regarding this course?"
6. "How do I answer the lecturer's questions in the exam hall, is there
any special approach? What exactly will the lecturer expect from us?"
7. "How far do I go with extra study, apart from the lecturer's
material?"

The last question can save you from doing too little, and also from
doing too much and overshooting the syllabus. Both extremes are
possible, and both are unhealthy. Strike a balance between the two.

These and many other relevant questions need to be asked. Finding the
right answers will make your labour in the course precise and more
productive. Asking the seemingly 'foolish' questions and gaining clarity
on them is better than holding back and remaining ignorant out of fear
of being ridiculed. Ignorance will always be punished by the poor
results that follow.

Therefore, let's deliberately learn from others, course mates and

lecturers included. It makes our journey of excellence easier.
 48

CHAPTER 9

STUDYING TO UNDERSTAND
"Learning is not complete without understanding."

Understanding. I've mentioned this a lot as an indispensable ingredient

for excelling academically and retaining stuff for long. You must
understand whatever you study. Make it your constant aim.
Learning is not complete without understanding.

Possessing understanding in any endeavour means that you have the

information, and beyond that, you know the 'how' and the 'why' of the
concept such that you can explain it to people who have questions, and
make them understand too. You know how it works!! If you really
understand something, you will be able to teach it to someone else in
the simplest terms.

Sometimes, the difference between your understanding a concept and

your remaining in confusion can be just one missing piece of
information, or one wrong idea corrected.
This missing piece of information, like the last piece that completes a
jigsaw puzzle, when you unearth it, can make everything suddenly clear
to you. And you be like "Oohhhhhh, so that's why this is this and that is
that!" At this point, you have a solid grasp of the concept. Your mind
 49
has begun to reason along with the concept or topic. That's when you
truly understand.

This is the basis on which you can read through a section of the study
material again and again - with purpose and curiosity - to unearth
whatever missing piece you need to unlock your understanding.

This is also why one should be open to 'research' the little things.
Anything you're not sure of can be made clearer by asking the right
questions. Personally, Google research is one of my study aids, it helps
me clarify things quickly. Google scholar is an even better research aid
for students! Once you get clarity by research, your understanding
solidifies. Medical dictionaries and equivalent aids in other fields are
also very important to help you understand.

•When fellow students who have understanding teach you, it solidifies

your understanding.

•When you teach others, your understanding of the concept improves.

Teaching others kind of forces you to think through what you know
about the topic, sort through and then dish out details from your stored
knowledge in order to help another person get it.

•Answering questions(which the lecturer set because of his

understanding), gives you more understanding too.
Answering questions involves sorting through the pieces of information
you have stored in your memory about the concept, to provide a
solution to a problem. How I wish our exam questions were more
problem->solution oriented, though!

In summary, solving problems is proof you've acquired a depth of

understanding in that field.

For medical students, clinical correlates help us see how to apply our
understanding to solve real problems. For your own course and
profession, find out what helps you see the application of what you're
studying in solving problems. Watch videos of professionals at work in
that field, documentaries, and so on. It gives a real boost to your
understanding, and prepares you to become a solution-provider.
 50

Now, how do you study to understand?

First,
★ Desire.

Passive interest is different from desire.

Active interest is desire.

A desire to study to understand is primary, everything else is

secondary.
This is what will spur you to do all that it takes to ensure you have good
understanding. With mere interest, you may still sit around without
doing anything tangible towards hitting the mark. It's not so with real
desire. So, you should get the difference between these two.

★ Mindset
Expect to understand. Settle it in your mind that, "what I'm
studying is for keeps - not just for the exam." In your course of
study, what you're being taught is relevant to(at least,
foundational to) what you'll apply in the profession. So you're
being taught to keep and apply for life. Passing exams is only
necessary to prove that you're qualified and to get the necessary
certification. After that, what next? Don't settle for just
certificates; go for depths of understanding that will stand you
out in practice.

(Bonus tip: to easily cultivate a desire and a mind to understand, keep

company with people who have this desire and this mindset, and learn
from them).

Then finally,
★ Read to understand.

What techniques can you apply while studying to improve your

understanding?
 51
Think: process what you're reading in your mind, don't just store
it(cram). I already mentioned that it helps to deliberately spend time to
reflect on what you studied during a particular session, especially when
it is done in the hour following that study session. Jotting purposefully,
asking questions, making personal charts and diagrams/illustrations,
repetition, are means to actively engage your mind while studying.

•Consult widely. Don't restrict yourself to the lecturer's materials and

lectures; consult textbooks too.

Simply put, consulting widely improves your depth of understanding.

That's what makes consulting textbooks and online research useful. It's
always advantageous to get a second opinion or alternative
explanation on the same concept. Even if you've understood the
explanation proffered by the lecturer's notes or your favourite
textbook, it pays to check what a different material has to say about it.
This is not a call to become a "Jack of all textbooks" and master of
none. It is rather an encouragement to you to always seek for a robust,
balanced understanding that is not one-sided. Seeing things from
many angles gives you better insight. To maximise the different
materials you use, the following tips will be useful:

•To avoid information overload at any point in time, you could consult
the different sources sequentially, that is, at different times following
each other. Eg: YouTube video today → My note tomorrow(Could be
YouTube video and your note/slide on the first day though) → Textbook
next → Smash Past Questions during the weekend.
•Because of time constraints, it is advisable to have the lecturer's
material as your principal guide, if comprehensive enough(many
lecturers and teachers combine information from different textbooks to
give a healthy dose of basic information about a topic).
•Next to the lecturer's material/teacher's note, should be a very good
textbook which you can go through after gaining basic understanding
from the class and the lecture notes.
•Afterwards, some online references can complement both
above-named resources.
•If you find it difficult to understand the lecturer's notes standing
alone, you can start with online references like YouTube videos that
make concepts easier to understand, before sitting down to digest the
 52
lecturer's slides and other texts. Basically, the idea is that you should
start with whatever source gives you a basic understanding, and
then move on to the other materials, which are important for
building on the basic understanding you gained at first.
It is possible to consult widely and still manage time well; be smart
about it.

•Make the best use of pictures, illustrations, tables and charts - whether
online or in the study material. These are good study aids; they make
learning easier. We should utilise them more, especially when they're
part of the lecture material.
I learnt the importance of such aids when, in some medical school
tests, I couldn't provide accurate answers to certain questions because
I rushed through while reading and missed valuable details(answers) I
needed. Why? They were 'hidden away' in diagrams or charts or tables
in the lecture slides.
Unfortunately, I initially made a practice of skipping them or just
glancing through to 'save time.' Don't make the same mistake; consider
them as important as the lecture notes. A picture, they say, is worth
a thousand words.
While studying, depend on God for understanding, and ask in faith for
✨
it. Faith in God works powerfully.

Lastly, I'll touch on two concepts related to understanding:

Cumulative understanding and Integration.

Cumulative understanding: is that even a thing? It's more like

gradual, step-by-step understanding.
It's basically that in every course, even the most complicated ones, you
should move patiently from simple to complex.

Very voluminous courses: you can understand bit by bit. That's how it's
originally meant to be. Rememberthat understanding comes
progressively. So, you can understand a very large topic by
understanding effectively each part or subtopic. Focus more on the
idea contained in each subtopic; they are the building blocks that will
eventually form your overall understanding of the topic or entire
course.
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You shouldn't rush to finish the entire course so you can pat yourself at
the back. The better you understand what each subtopic(topic) is
saying, the better you understand the topic(course) as a whole.

Integration: studying different topics in a course and relating them to

one another helps you understand well.

Ideally, no topic is to be understood in isolation. So, you should study

each new topic in the light of what you already know about the subject.
I heard this first from maybe a lecturer or a course mate, and then it
really made sense. It's good to be deliberate about linking each bit of
knowledge you receive into a whole picture.
Then, you can say you really understand the course.

To aid cumulative understanding and integration, you'll need to

understand the basics of the course well! When students don't get the
basics, they tend to develop a dislike for the course. It may haunt them
for a long time. To rectify a foundational problem in a course, you'll
need to return to the basics. To improve your knowledge in a course,
improve your grasp of the basics first. The basics are the building
blocks that you stack one on another to arrive at the complete
structure.
So, friends, you can apply some of the techniques listed above. Above
all, be deliberate about really thinking about what you're studying.
Understanding isn't far from you, actually. You don't watch movies with
complex plots mindlessly, because you want to understand the story.
Apply the same energy to your studies. Good results will follow.
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CHAPTER 10

THE ONE NECESSARY THING

A Knowledge of the Person of God

Friends, academic excellence is good. It's great indeed. I mentioned

in the first chapter that we can only talk about excellence because we
were created by an excellent God. And He wants us to partake in and
reflect His nature.
However, the core of His purpose for you is not for you to be excellent
outside of Him. God Himself is who you need, to enter into life, a
quality of life far higher than mere human life. You were made to
operate in the divine life!

God's breath gave us human life, and with it, we can do a lot in the
physical.
But without His Presence with us, and in us, we remain dead spiritually.
Thus, a man without God, no matter how excellent and successful
physically, is unable to make any mark where it matters: in eternity.
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God's breath resulting in human life is different from His living Presence
resulting in eternal life. The former is present in all living humans; the
latter is available to all who accept God's loving call. God has done all
that is necessary to redeem you from spiritual death. And now, He calls
you to Himself, because He had chosen that you would willingly enter
into a loving relationship with Him, having been set free by the blood of
His Son.

If you with all your heart accept that you have a depraved nature
without God, lay it down, and receive His own nature by faith in His
Son, Jesus Christ, you will be saved from spiritual emptiness and death.
And then God will come and dwell in you by His Spirit. God's Spirit will
make you into a first-class personality, by working out His nature in
you. In that way, you glorify God by nature, not just by pious talk or
deeds that don't come from the heart.

This call is to everyone! Do well to heed, and enjoy quality, everlasting

life with God as your Source within. Reach out to me via mail:
[email protected] for more guidance on how to live the new
life in Christ. Cheers to a life of true excellence, within and without!
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