*THE INSANE STUDENT*

Seun Abiola was a first year student from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He had been nostalgic over the last exams, knowing he didn’t prepare very well for the exam. S.A as he’s popularly called, had been an average student who pays less attention to his studies.
His chief distractions as a student were playing games, watching movies and attending social activities. He’s the second son of a wealthy Hausa merchant whose interest is only in his business. Both of his parents were illiterates and their children’s education
didn’t matter much to them.
In his usual manner, S.A was on his way to the campus’ recreation centre where he normally plays Play Station 3 with Shola his roommate after lectures. Suddenly his phone rang and then he was informed by their course representative that the first semester result has just been pasted. Knowing his performance in the last concluded exams, Seun started nursing ambivalent views about his results.
However, he reluctantly decided to go and check. As he approached the balcony that separated his Head of Department’s office from that of Mr. Emenanjo, he could not believe his eyes when he saw his results on the notice board. He had made 3 Fs, 2 Ds, 4 Cs and only a B, out of the 10 first semester courses he sat for. He knew he didn’t do well, but the result was worse than he had expected. That was the worst result he had ever
seen in his life as a student. Immediately, his countenance changed and he sat down sadly on the wooden seat behind the notice board, like when a man retires from his toiling throughout the day without any income. Fortunately for him, only few students knew his name.
From that moment on, he made a solemn decision to make the best result in the current semester’s exams. He encouraged himself by saying that “the second semester exams will tell who is who”. Seun had made up his mind to become nothing but the best this time.
His failure had only motivated him to study like never before. This happened only the day after the result was pasted.
He soon continued his game habit and even increased the rate with which he attended social activities. While all these were going on, he was still hoping against hope, and kept telling himself that he would be the best. This continued until the time table for the second semester exams was released.
He then realised himself and started studying again with zeal, but it was too late! *He ended up gate-crashing all the 9 second semester courses just like he did the previous semester*. He started feeling happy and telling other students in his department that he’s going to make the best result this time. He called his siblings at home and told them that he was going to become the best student in his class after the second semester exams.
Soon, the exams came and went. After the exams, he started boasting the more, this time even to his parents. Two weeks later, the results were pasted. As he heard the news, he was overwhelmed with joy and made haste to his departmental notice board.
Again, Seun Abiola got the worst shock of his life. Out of the 9 courses, he made 4 Cs, 2 Fs and 3 Ds. It was even worse than the previous one. He suddenly started shouting on top of his voice, accusing his lecturers of failing him and calling them names. Other students gathered and soon, it became a big scene. Some lecturers came to the scene including Prof. T.N Maduka, the H.O.D. He immediately dispersed all the students and summoned Seun to his office. After calming him down, he showed him all his answer scripts which confirmed all the results. After going through them and seeing his grades, Seun became dumb-founded and could not utter a word. The Prof. cautioned him seriously before asking him to leave.
All through his way home the question that kept ringing in his mind was *WHY*? It was as though he had gone insane!

Yes, he has gone insane! For insanity says the 20th century celebrated genius, Albert Einstein: “is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”.
Most students find themselves in Seun’s shoes or have had a similar experience. The truth is that academic excellence is a choice that must be backed up by positive action. Seun only made a decision but failed to act on it. You can never become that great student you desire until you decide to work it out.
Most students spend half of their time wishing for things they could have had, if they had not spent their time wishing. If you want to improve and become the best, then you must change your attitude about your studies. Attitude they say, is more important than altitude! You have to change the process. Chance your actions and start doing it the other way. The genius is in you, but if you must unleash it, you need persistent effort! Why not change your habits today and start doing it the other way round?
Your success is just on the way. You’re the next success story the world is about to hear. It is my mission to help you unleash the genius in you! Don’t say No cos it’s in you!

Yours truly motivational,
THE ACADEMIC COACH.