Being a part of a very large and naive Community was one of the opportunities that School brought, one of the very opportunities that comes but once.
At that stage, one is surrounded by people who really don't need a solid convincing to follow you in your course. Just appear like you know what you are doing, even when you make slight mistakes, they wouldn't even notice. At that stage, one could try so many things and fail, then pick it up again without losing credibility because the network then appreciates efforts just as they appreciate success.
The mistake that most people including myself made was, failure to identify and maximise the three "Es" that shapes men in life. Education, Environment, and Exposure. So we focus more on education, since what was what we were sent to school for and ignore making the most advantage of the environment and the exposure attached to it. But if you really think about it, there is no real education without exposure and making good use of your environment.
So while I was in school, I already had a couple of good skills, at least good enough to explore with such an opportune environment to access speedy growth. I was also an individual that attracted people even when I do not really understand why. Other students wanted to be around me, I guess they could feel the spirit of leadership in me, something I didn't see in myself as at then. But instead of making use of that very opportunity to grow my influence while I keep learning personal skills and growing.
I focused on getting cool grades, and enjoyed the company of my closed doors and privacy. Now that I understood the importance of such a magnificent community, everyone I knew or who knew me are now in their various spaces, graduated, traveled, and the path of most of them will just never cross with mine again.
If I could turn back the hands of time, these are some of the things that I would do differently. This might also help anyone who is still an undergraduate or about to be one.
A group picture from school days I found in my archive
First. I would pick one of the skills I already have, for those who do not have any skill, you can look for a skill of your interest. Then search for real world people who are actually big business builders in the niche, check for what can be picked from their business strategy that students in that niche haven't started to incorporate. And then, I would learn it perfectly, build a brand around it and sell the services to students.
Secondly. I would make my learning process visible to everyone on Campus. I won't portray it as a learning process, but as perfection at a growing stage. This way, there is trust in my brand. I would make absolute use of any non-academic program on campus to showcase what I've got while connecting to more people.
Thirdly. Rather than competing with other students who also are striving to make a name for themselves both in my niche and other related or unrelated niches. I would form an alliance. I would support them by always being available in the significant milestone of their career. This would place my picture in their success stories thereby gaining more credibility, visibility and a strong network.
Fourth in the list. I will carry out a project that stays in that environment long after I have graduated. This would make my name remain in that environment even as new tropes comes in. (A community project, is also something that could bring back a huge next step at any time).
Lastly, I am going to make sure that I make as much money as I can while in the process. Nothing propels someone faster in life than entering the real world with financial preparedness.
But then, It's all in the past. we look forward to the next set of opportunities hanging around. But for those who are still in a student environment, I hope this stirs something in your heart and prompts you to make moves.