Five essential tips for university students offered alternative courses

Almost every Nigerian student has a tale to tell on university admission ordeals. While some are lucky enough to study their courses of choice, others end up with alternative courses which they had no intention to study in the first place.

Alternative courses are offered to students based on factors ranging from cut-off marks, catchment area, and student population. Here are five essential tips that would help you make the best of alternative courses.

Decide if you’re ready to commit

Studying a different course could imply a drastic change in your career path. Having gone through your basic and secondary school education with a goal to follow a specific professional line, an impromptu deviation may lead to loss of direction and purpose. So, before you agree to take up the new challenge, be sure you’re ready to commit your best to the course without regrets.

Gather facts on the new course

Don’t make the mistake of stepping into an unknown territory unprepared. Ask questions, consult family members, friends or mentors who are familiar with the course. The internet has also proven to be one of the greatest resource center of our age, so go online, research on the alternative course, the department and even the school.

It is recommended that you get your facts right before resumption date or within the first resumption week. This will give you an informed perceptive on the your new discipline, and prepare you for the academic session.

Choose the right circle of friends

Man is a product of influence, hence it is important you carefully select those you tag as friends upon resumption. Bear in mind that you are not the only one offered an alternative course in the department, and keeping friends who tend to speak less of your course of study may negatively influence your attitude towards your discipline.

Course mates who are zealous with their academic work will most likely influence you to follow the same pattern.

Get accessible mentors

Mentors are experienced persons you can trust as far as your new discipline is concerned. They could be senior colleagues, lecturers or even professionals outside your institution. Having an accessible mentor will serve as your first point of call especially in times of distress. These are people you can easily reach out to for advice, guidance and even study resources whenever you are in need.

Look out for opportunities

Aside from just academic performance, securing opportunities peculiar to your course of study will further reiterate the relevance of your discipline to the most important person–which is you. Many students studying alternative courses struggle with depression and low self esteem because they think their course of study is redundant to societal needs. Once you’re able to prove the fact that what you study matters, you’ll be inspired to invest your best and succeed in it.