Onwura Chioma
Member
Get the Best Formal Education:Let me say this clearly: many successful adults who claim they became great without formal education now have their children studying in some of the best schools in the world. All of them!
So please, don’t buy into the narrative that “formal education is not important.” Na lie. I beg you, get educated. Never joke with education. Never.
At the very least, get a degree, even if your dream is to become a sportsperson, musician, entrepreneur, or pursue a career outside the traditional professions. Education may not guarantee success, but it can give you knowledge, exposure, critical thinking, discipline, and opportunities that can be valuable in whatever path you choose.
By the way, people who are doctors, surgeons, SANs, professors, engineers, accountants, lawyers, etc., do not have two heads. Get educated. Take your education seriously. And never be ashamed of wanting to learn.
Acquire a Valuable Skill or Develop Your Talent:Learn at least one solid skill. It could be a soft skill, business skill, digital skill, technology skill, vocational skill, or problem-solving skill. Just make sure it is valuable and relevant to the world you are entering. Don’t spend years learning a skill that is becoming obsolete when there are better opportunities available in 2026.
If you have a talent: sports, music, speaking, comedy, writing, or anything else, develop it, refine it, and learn how to turn it into something valuable. As the Bible says, “A man’s gift makes room for him.”
Learn to Delay Gratification:This stage of your life is for laying foundations, not building mansions.
You don’t need everything right now. Learn to say “not yet” to luxury, peer pressure, comparison, and unnecessary pressure to keep up with others. There is time for everything.
Whatever your parents cannot afford for you may simply not be for you yet. Don’t allow covetousness, envy, or greed to disrupt the beautiful plans God has for your life.
Volunteer, Serve, and Add Value:I shake my head when I see young people running away from responsibility, preferring to waste their time surfing the internet and watching movies. At this stage, take up responsibility. Volunteer in your community, school, church, or other organisations. Serve where you can. Add value. Take initiative. Lead. Don’t sit at the back watching things happen. Be among those making things happen.
That habit alone can open doors and take you places you never imagined.
Avoid Bad Company, Sexual Immorality, and Drug Abuse:The Bible says, “Evil communication corrupts good manners.” An African proverb also says, “Show me your friends and I will tell you your future.” Always remember whose child you are.
Avoid associations that can corrupt your character and derail your future. Stay away from cultism, gangs, fraud, robbery, kidnapping, and other vices.
Avoid sexual immorality and understand that your choices can have serious physical, emotional, spiritual, and social consequences. Sexually transmitted infections are real.
Stay away from drugs. Drug abuse can destroy your health, relationships, education, career, and future.
Choose friends who take life seriously and encourage you to pursue a meaningful and impactful future.
Respect and Use Your Time Wisely:This is one of the most important stages of your life. It is your foundation stage. Every minute matters. Time is life. How you use your time today will influence the kind of person you become tomorrow. Use your time to learn, serve, develop yourself, and build meaningful relationships. Acquire knowledge in character, finance, life, faith, leadership, business, and personal development.
Don’t spend endless hours scrolling through TikTok, watching movies, or chatting with people who may have little or no positive impact on your future. Wise up. Your time is valuable.
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Abiodun Olusola
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