Ten Times Better

Discover biblical truth to academic excellence...

A  student can only operate based on the knowledge he has been able to acquire. The knowledge acquired by a student directs and sharpens him for life. If a student must perform, he must acquire knowledge and knowledge is hidden in the pages of books. The knowledge acquired through reading is like a dream, when planted into any student will explode him on every side.

Many students doubt the possibility of performing better in our contemporary society, where the standard of education drops drastically on daily basis. A society where examination malpractice is the order of the day. Yes, it is possible that one can do Ten Times Better.

Academic success demands discipline just as in every other field of endeavour. It has to do with the training of the mind and the body to self control and Obedience. It is not what one claims or wishes, it has to be worked for. This is to say that Academic success can be achieved through the discipline of not just reading but studying (please read 2nd Timothy 2:15).

A student who aspires to perform better than others must form a habit of reading. "The strength of a man's virtue is measured by his habitual acts". We are creatures of habitats. If we don't develop good habits, we will develop bad ones. Students should as a matter of fact, form a habit of acquiring new knowledge which is gained through learning, demands to be up-dated, impartable not in heritable, and finally valuable.

As stated earlier, academic performance calls for discipline. Though it is our inheritance, we have to CONTEND for it. It is our responsibility to perform excellently. This does not fall from heaven as some think. Joshua 1;8 until you meditate, then shall thou make your way " see Luke 6:40," A student is not above his teacher, but every one who is fully trained will be like his teacher ". Training in this context could be keeping late night reading your books, going without personal needs, consulting books from different authors or visiting the Internet for assignments, project or thesis. When these and more are done, the Bible says, we will be like our teachers." it surprises me to hear the Psalmist say, "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes." (Psalm 119:99)."  It is very possible for us as students to perform ten times better, when we not only attend classes, but punctual to classes, doing assignments, projects, reading related books on a given course, etc. When we try this we would be amazed at level of insight we would gain in that subject. I always hear people say or quote the above Scripture, that no student is above his teacher. I put it to you that any teacher who fails to study or research to up-date will definitely be out-dated and overtaken by his studious students. It's my Prayer that God will arouse our zeal to study in Jesus name, Amen.

Renew your mind:

When we talk of performing excellently, we have to go extra mile, renewing our minds. Yes! Some of us have to change the way we see some things. Some Christians do not understand the difference between suffering for Christ and suffering under bondage of ignorance. Some think that Spirituality is synonymous with earthly failure, so the more you fail, the more spiritual you become ( Jer 29:11). His taught for us is that of academic excellence and not of failure. You should also note that even as a result of your mistake  you failed and if you believe God's word, that failure will eventually work out good, and vice - versa.

You can also read: 'The Importance Of Having Positive People In Your Life" Click here

Vision:

This is the beginning of the journey to excellence. This has to do with what we see with our physical or mind's eyes. Vision is simply imagination. Note that it takes thinking mediocrity to be a mediocre, it also takes thinking greatness to be great. If you see correctly, you get correct result, if you see wrongly, you get wrong result, also if you see excellence, you will arrive there.

Planning:

When we fail to plan, the we have planned to fail. If we don't organise, then we will agonise. Plan means arrangement for carrying out some future activities. It means breaking a big work into smaller workable parts.

• Write down your plans
• Review and plan again if the first plan fails to work
• Avoid eating heavy food to bed
• As you prepare for exams, avoid embarking on long fasting for avoidance of lack of concentration or energy
• Plan to attend lessons /Lectures
• Plan your timetable
• Plan your finance; lack of money leads to lack of concentration. Try to spend according to your income.

Plan to cover the scope

Plan the result you want to come out with. In terms of planning your relationship, some friends are distractions which must be dealt with. Yob have to choose your friends wisely, especially when you are preparing for examination.

We all must admit that everything about excellence is not so rosy. There are challenges to excellent performance. This could come in diverse ways like:

• Lack of Admission
• Lack of money to buy textbooks, handouts, typing of assignment etc
• Reading so much yet making poor grades
• Problem of sorting the lecturers
• Death of loved ones or bad news from family
• Depression, confusion, uncertainty, emptiness, etc.
• Sickness or diseases
• Failure to gain admission in the department of your choice
• Time your parents attributes your failure to your dedication to God
• Times you have to bear the consequences of your actions

The list is not exhaustive, remember 1st Sam 30:3-6, King David felt the same way when the Amalekites broke into their camp, vs 6b, says "But David found Strength in the Lord his God."  Moreso, God does not promise us SAFE sailing but SAFE landing. When you are faced with challenges, learn how to encourage yourself in the in the Lord, looking forward to a better future. It is good you face the challenges squarely, trusting God to see you through.

Finally, as Christian students we should love above every negativity. Improve on your prayer life and believe in yourself. You are the only person who has the ability to stop yourself. Yes! No power, force or principality can stop you to be. Sit up desire and act upon your decision to be TEN TIMES BETTER.