How to Make Your University Life Worthwhile

By Njeri Mickeydan Kioko

Campus life is the most interesting, yet surprising shortest phase of your life. Your existence as a student at the university swings in a pendulum of semi-adult maturity and youthful abandon. Your youthfulness is at its peak best and you have more energy joules than a KenGen power plant working overtime. It is at this time that vices gobble up whichever little time is left outside class and end up with permanent regrets and irreversible errors that haunt us forever. This can, however, be averted by sober and responsible engagements that are value adding to our long-term livelihoods whilst still affording us the youthful pleasures that we all need and keeping our studies in focus. Here are simple yet very effective ways to realize this.

First build long lasting relationships. A university like Chuka University is a melting pot of multiple cultures, religion and all creeds of people from all over the country and beyond borders. Friends that one makes while in the university can go a long way in being crucial career and life pivots. This is the last institutional school stage for many, and that classmate, roommate or even lecturer can turn out to be your first job connection. So, keep progressive and loyal friends while forging important and impactful relationships with people around you for tomorrow might call for their services and help.

Secondly is networking and socializing. There exists a faulty attitude held by campus students as far as approach to career progress and school time is concerned. Most students assume that, with good grades, an irreproachable Attachment or Practicum recommendation and some lucky connections out there is all they need to get a job after graduation. Newsflash, career placement starts right from your first year of study. Through the various networks you build in school, volunteering and participating in various events held around school, you lessen the hustle of a job search once you clear. Indeed, many students are already working part time for companies and people they met during events such as Career week, Cultural week, Motivation talks and public lectures. Attend those events and actively participate what is in line of your passion.

Campus students networking and socializing. Pinterest photo.

Thirdly start pitching your ideas and proposals early. Do not wait until you are an alumni to start running around with your mega project and business proposal. It will be too late. Do not stash your idea away no matter how untimely or green it seems. The university is where the best brains and facilities are. Draft your proposals, projects or those film or book manuscripts early with daily and gradual progress. When you are through, take your ideas to relevant quarters such as Unit lecturers you are comfortable with, Mentorship offices and any other avenue you might have in mind. It might surprise you that, once outside the campus, time and resources become acutely scarce and expensive! Even friends and relatives seem a different kettle of fish altogether from the everyday helpful folks you knew before.

Fourthly plan and shape your lifestyle. It is said that as a person grows older, he or she becomes more set in his ways. This means that certain lifestyles, habits and character you adopt now and stick to will become harder to drop as years move on. The cue then is, for you to embrace healthy and safe living. Avoiding reckless drinking, irresponsible sexual indulges and any other vice that might become impossible to shake off later in life.

Last but not least, have fun and venture new grounds. “Apart from your class experience, what else do you have to show us?” This is a question that will invariably confront you at one time in your job hunting. You do not want to fumble and stammer hopelessly trying to recall anything to fill the gapping vacuum. So, it is in your best interest to engage in such co-curricular activities around the campus that will make your resume reflect a holistic, dynamic and open minded person. Get a sport, a talent or a hobby that you can really perform in. Join one of the many theatre groups, choir, bands and approved clubs and societies that give a wider and long term fulfillment to their members. Also, do not hesitate to explore your talent as you study.

People having fun and venturing new grounds. Pinterest photo.