Regardless of your level of self-confidence, times may come that will cause you to feel inadequate or less capable of success than you previously believed. A fool proof way to overcome this is to remain confident in your abilities and never lose your willpower. To take a line from the Stations of the Cross, ‘no force on earth, and none in hell can take away one’s will. Hence, you will only accomplish what you believe you can accomplish and desire to accomplish. Whenever necessary, seek help from fellow classmates and trusted seniors. You may be surprised to see just how willing some might be to contribute to your success.
GET A SUPPORT NETWORK
I entered part one pretty much the same way I’ve been my whole life-quite antisocial-but somehow I left it with a small but formidable group of caring friends and a network of acquaintances. So go on and surround yourself with whom you share common interests and allow yourself to savour the comforts of companionship. This will provide a safe place where you can always relax, regroup and return to battle ready to conquer any obstacles. However, be careful not to get carried away and avoid distractions by engaging in activities that contribute to self-development.
BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
THAN YOU
Involve yourself in activities that give you a sense of responsibility and help you to make positive contributions to the people around you. You can do this by joining a club, volunteering at a religious association or devoting yourself to fighting for a cause. The joy of participating in an activity you enjoy as well as
the service you provide can make you feel self-confident, fulfilled and happy. This is also a good way to meet people with similar interests and build your support network. Take care not to overwhelm yourself with too many activities or obligations as this will only lead to extreme stress and under productivity.
REMEMBER LEISURE
Take some time to do the things you enjoy. Read a book, listen to music, watch a movie, play a game or take a stroll. When the notes are starting to look like Greek, it could be a sign that you should give your brain a little break and when you return, things should be much easier to assimilate. ‘Africa’s most beautiful campus’ isn’t just an advertising gimmick. Go on expeditions with your friends and explore the beauty and serenity of the environment. Sometimes all you need to regain clarity is a breath of clean, fresh air.
KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY
Skipping breakfast, eating gala and coke for lunch and noodles or ‘risky’ for dinner. Yes, every one of us is or was, at a time guilty of running a deplorable diet. Be sure to consume foods rich in proteins, vitamins and healthy fats including fresh fruits and vegetables. Replace sugary, carbonated drinks with healthy, fruit smoothies and juices and drinks lots of water to stay hydrated. Carrying a water bottle can help with this. Opt for healthier snacks like nuts and water crackers and let up on the pastries. Contrary to popular belief, a healthy diet doesn’t drain your pocket. Instead, it helps you to save time, energy and resources. Although several of the toilet facilities are in dilapidated conditions, do your best to practice to practice good personal and environmental hygiene to avoid infectious diseases. If you feel unwell, be sure to visit the health centre.
REST WELL AND EXERCISE
It has been argued that the human body can go longer without food than it can without sleep. Get at least 7-9* hours of sleep per day to ensure that you feel refreshed and remain lucid enough to carry put your daily activities. Also, whenever you have the extra time, skip the bus or bike and take a walk instead.
Exercise has been shown to improve blood circulation and is a good way to prevent obesity and several other diseases.
MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL
All of the above tips will only work well together if you practice effective time management. Avoid unnecessary distractions and procrastination and make yourself a schedule that’s flexible enough to serve unforeseen exigencies and rigid enough that you can perform all outlined activities when you should. Remember to incorporate everything from study time to laundry time so that you don’t find yourself searching for extra minutes and leaving your work undone. Of course it might take a little while to get used to, but with perseverance, you will be able to live a well-organised and do all must in due time.
They say seven is a lucky number but this is a game that will require much more than just pure luck. In spite of the fact that the above tips are widely known to be helpful and very simple to achieve, many of us seldom apply them in daily life. It is important, therefore to remember that all aspects of our lives work together and that like a machine, all the parts have to be in perfect working condition to ensure effectiveness. As you work, live.
*Source: The National Sleep Foundation
Tenny
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