AFTER GRADUATING, WHAT NEXT?

FPO/HND/MC/015/109

ANIEKWE BLESSING UJUNWA

        This question has never come across many students in the institution of higher learning. Some are so engrossed with their studies, assignments, practical, exams, school life and other activities in the school. To some, they took it that they will know how to cross that bridge when the time comes. Well, there are many ways of answering questions about life. You may not decide what you want to do until you are actually in the work force, even many people change direction years into their career. But since the dream of every student is to graduate, be employed not only to be employed but also to be happy in the work one has, it is better for one to prepare him before hand for “a stitch in time saves nine”. 

     

        First of all think of what you enjoy doing that is your interest, the type of work you will be suited to and the skills you have. Is it analytical work, researching, planning or practical work. There are many jobs out there but you have to have a clue of them. It is better for one to work in areas related to his field of study. Once you find this, study yourself to know if you can fit in and if not try to adjust. For instance if the job requires someone that is an extrovert and you are an introvert, it is better you start in time to learn how to speak in public and interact with people. For example one who study mass communication should know that all the jobs related to his course is all about speaking and writing to heterogeneous audience, so he should learn how to speak/write to impact positively to the audience out there.

     After assessing yourself, update your curriculum vitae (CV) start by adding all the experience you’ve gained since you started school, including internships, volunteering stints, academic awards and other achievements. Being prepared before hand, will make you not be taken unawares once your dream job arrives. 

TIPS FOR EXAMS

FPO/HND/MC/015/109

ANIEKWE BLESSING UJUNWA

It has always been a source of worry for students whenever exams is around the corner.  Some are so afraid of examination, that they become sick before or during the exam. This is a result of not been prepared or being afraid of the name “Examination”. Below are some tips for overcoming this:

BE PREPARED:

 Exam time is always stressful, it is better to be prepared before hand, because it won’t be easy for one to study and learn under limited time. If you find it difficult to study and learn, form a studying group with serious and intelligent students. Also one should go through past question, if one has access to it in other to know the nature of question you are expecting. Get your writing materials and other things needed for the exams ready.

READ QUESTIONS CAREFULLY:

Sometimes, exam questions are so twisted that it bring about confusion. First of all, try and read the instructions, read the questions at least twice but don’t waste time in a particular one to avoid having many unanswered questions. Always be mindful of time.

ANSWER ALL REQUIRED QUESTION:

Even if you’re not sure of the question, it is better to attempt it than leaving your answer sheet blank. If possible, answer those questions with higher marks. Also write with clear hand-writing.

DO NOT LEAVE THE EXAM HALL IN A HURRY:

Before leaving the exam hall, go through your papers and correct necessary things. Also always confirm that you name is well written. Using the remaining time to do this can be a life saver

IS MATHEMATICS REALLY DIFFICULT?

FPO/HND/MAC/015/109 

BY ANIEKWE BLESSING

MATHEMATICS! What a name. This course has been a source of worry to many students, to some, it is their worst nightmare. Many students avoided studying some courses in the institution of higher learning because calculation (mathematics) is involved.

  By the way, what is mathematics? According Wiktionary, it is an abstract representation system used in the study of numbers, shapes, structure, change and the relationship between these concepts. Also it is a person’s ability to count, calculate and use different system of mathematics at different levels. From this definition, especially the last one, it is very possible to say that man was created together with the knowledge of mathematics. Even our fore-fathers without going to school were able to count and calculate things in their own ways and levels.

   Every day in our lives, we come in contact with mathematics. We cannot run away from it once we wake up every day, we try to calculate how our day will be. At the end of the day, we calculate what we achieved and what we did not achieve. It is not about been educated or not. One who thought he can run away from mathematics (calculation) will continue to lose things even his life. Though there are advanced mathematics, but everyone is endowed with basic mathematics.

NIGERIA STANDARD OF EDUCATION HAS FALLEN.

    FPO/HND/MAC/015/109
    Aniekwe Blessing Ujunwa
 

      There is no gainsaying the fact that in Nigeria today, the standard of education has fallen. Between 1914 and 1967, the products of primary schools, secondary schools, training colleges, vocational schools and tertiary institutions were the pride of this nation. In those days, a pupil in standard three or four could write good letters and essays. A child who successful completed his primary school education spoke very good English and his writing was admirable. Secondary schools and training colleges at this time were quite few and exclusive for students with very high intellectual abilities. Products of these colleges were good in all branches of learning and serves Nigeria very well in all human endeavors.

      Today, with the government takeover of schools from voluntary agencies that were mainly missionaries and highly discipline in 1970, indiscipline has been the order of the day. There are syndicate that forge certificates for the various examinations today. Lazy students buy these certificates and also indulge in various exam malpractices in other to pass their examinations. Between 1930 and 1980's, student’s ambition was to acquire sound education which will eventually lead them to good job. Today, with money and being well connect, one can get a job even without good grades.

    Teachers are perhaps the most neglected set of workers in Nigeria today. They often go on strike leaving their students like a sheep without a shepherd. Negotiation between government and teachers takes a long period of time thereby slowing down the process of learning and destroying the standard of education in Nigeria.

THE DICHOTOMY BETWEEN HND AND BSc.

    

    The discrimination between Higher National Diploma (HND) and University degree holders has been a source of grave concern especially to HND holders. When it gets to get a job and career progression, BSc holders is highly placed than the HND holders.

     The maximum promotion for BSc holders is unlimited while that of HND holders is limited.  Some companies do not employ people with HND qualification. Even when both are employed, the BSc holder would usually earn more than the HND counterpart.

     What actually is Polytechnic education and University education?  Educationist described Polytechnic education as a system of education that places considerable emphasis on practical training and technological know - how while University education is designed to produce graduates with theoretical understanding and competence in various disciplines.

      It takes four years of academics studies, a year and four months of Industrial training   (I.T) to acquire HND. University degree on the other hand is acquired after undergoing undergraduates’ studies for four years or more years depending on the courses. 

     The question here is why the discrimination since HND holders and University graduates has the same process of training and each is specialized in its part? If Polytechnic education is inferior and it an understatement to  compare it with University education, then government should scrap it and establish more Universities to avoid frustrating, wasting peoples time, energy and money on what would not let them get a good  job or Higher promotion. Besides, it is not about institution but about individual.

OVERCOMING THE RESISTANCE TO STUDY

       FPO/HND/MAC/015/109
       BY: Aniekwe Blessing Ujunnwa

       The majority of student have difficulty studying hard from time to time. They see studying as a burden that is difficult to deal with. some of the causes of this procrastination, stress, laziness towards studying, noisy environment, and hatred for a particular course or the tutor. 
       This when not deal with, leads to failure in academic  performance and poor performance in the labour market. 

       For a student to overcome this stigma, he/she has to first of all motivate himself. Morale can play a huge role in determining whether one's study session is a successful one. 
      
       This has to do with doing away with procrastination, though it's much harder to start doing something than it is to keep doing it but once one break one's initial resistance, it will be more easier to continue studying. 

       Acquiring the necessary materials like books, note books, dictionary, writing materials is very important for studying. Also, setting of time table to suit one's chronotype ( a category that classifies the usual sleep time and active time of a person), if you understands things more at night, do not stress yourself before sleeping so as to be able to stay awake at night. 
      
      If it is early in the morning, sleep on time so that you will wake up early. Understand your learning style and stick to them. 

      Try to familiarize yourself with your learning environment, do away with negative thoughts and anxiety.

THE ROLE OF SCHOOL AS AN AGENT OF SOCIALIZATION.

     

            One social agency created to enhance the processes of socialization and education is the school.
            Socialization is the process of creating a social self, learning one’s culture and learning the rules and expectations of the culture.
            The school is an artificial institution set up for the purpose of socialization and cultural transmission. The school can be regarded as a formally constituted community as opposed to mutual communities.
In terms of socialization, the school has, in recent years, come to take over some of the forms functions of the family and community i.e. the school has become a primary agency of socialization. The school is the first large-scale organization of which the child becomes a member. It is a miniature reflecting what goes on in the wider society.
          The school is said to be next to the family in terms of importance as far as socialization is concerned. It combines the formal (e.g. classroom teaching, fines, caning, suspension, expulsions official mention, prices) and informal (e.g. peer group influences/ pressure) approaches in its socializing function.

How the school performs the function of socialization.

1. Through the curriculum; the school in a formal way provides the child with:
i. Knowledge of basic intellectual skills such as reading, writing, verbal expression, quantitative and other cognitive abilities,  Education teaches languages and allows people communicate with each other according to positions in society,
ii.  Cultural achievements of one’s society,
iii. Opportunities to acquire social and vocational abilities which are necessary in order to make one a social, useful and economically productive member of the society.
iv. Gender roles as perceived as suitable roles by the society.
2. Educational systems socialize students to become members of society, to play meaningful roles in the complex network of independent positions.
3. Education helps in shaping values and attitudes to the needs of the contemporary society.
4. Education widens the mental horizons of pupils and teaches them new ways of looking at themselves and their society.
5. Education offers young people opportunities for intellectual, emotional and social growth. Thus education can be influential in promoting new values and stimulating adaptation of changing conditions.
6. Informally, and especially through social clubs, the school enables the child to learn a number of other social roles and skills which are also important for his/ her overall development as a member of society.