T.H.I.N.K

Before you say anything ask yourself:

T – Is it true?

H – Is it helpful?

I – Is it inspiring?

N – Is it necessary?

K – Is it kind?

Apostle Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

Your words really matter to others and yourself. So T.H.I.N.K before you speak…(or post or text or email…)

ANSWERS TO FRESHERS’ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 By Olawale Ayodele

Hello dear freshman, congratulations on your admission to this great citadel of learning. It is with warm delight that I welcome you. May your stay on this campus be absolutely fulfilling. I have no doubts that your mind is full of questions, some of which you would asked returning undergraduates that are around. Well, just in case you still some unanswered questions in your heart, this article attempt to answer some of the questions that are frequently asked by freshmen. If you are a returning undergraduate, you would have been asked some of these questions. Getting the right answers to these questions can save the freshmen a lot of stress.

1.   SHOULD I GET ACCOMMODATION IN TOWN?

There are several reasons why you may be considering accommodation in town.  Perhaps you were not given accommodation on campus or simply because you think hostel accommodation is not conducive enough. As a freshman, accommodation in town is not the best for you. This is so because you need to familiarize yourself with the school environment. Also, when you are in town, information and course materials cannot reach you quickly. Not only will you have to spend extra money on transportation, you will also have to endure long queues and at times rushing. Your movement is also restricted when you are in town. Stay on campus and enjoy unrestricted movement all around the clock.

2.   MUST I ATTEND ELECTIVE CLASSES?

Electives are a major requirement for your graduation, though they do not add to your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).  So try your best to attend the classes when they do not clash with your core courses. This will save the stress of cramming one or two days to the exams. Also know that it is not an impossible thing to fail an elective and that all elective registered will appear on your transcripts (result).

3.   HOW LONG SHOULD I READ?

When it comes to reading, it is not the number of hours that matter but what you are actually able to assimilate. The best way to understand what you are being taught is to read and practice them the very day you were taught. Ask a friend for clarification and consult textbooks for more explanation and exercises. Draw up a reading timetable so as to track your performance and do away with various forms of distractions when you read.

4.   SHOULD I ATTEND TUTORIALS?

Tutorials are not meant to replace your personal reading. I believe tutorials are especially meant for those whose background in core subjects is not that sound. So check yourself to see if you need one and when you register ensure that you are no merely wasting your time and money. Be wise!

5.   SHOULD I BUY NEW BOOKS OR MAKE PHOTOCOPIES?

Before you buy a book, try to see if you can get such book from a senior colleague. If you are unable to get then you decide whether to buy or make a copy. Note that photocopies are uneasy to read. So let them be your last option. If you have a personal computer, you can source for various e-books some of which may not be available in the bookshop.

6.   HOW CAN I GET SCHOLARSHIPS?

Most scholarships are applicable to part 2 students and higher. You can, however, familiarize yourself with the available scholarships by making notice boards, newspapers and the Internet  your best friends.  And when you get the information, act very fast. Don’t wait till the deadline. Also, avoid any scholarship asking you to pay a certain amount of money whatsoever. Ensure that you apply for scholarships yourself, never pay anyone to do it for you. No one can be so concern as you.  So be diligent!

7.   DO I NEED TO CELEBRATE MY MATRICULATION?

A lot of people place little or no importance on matriculation. However, there can be no ending without a beginning. In essence, the beginning as important as the end. So if you have the means of celebrating go ahead and celebrate. Tell your family members to come if they can spare the time. And why would you want to deny several returning undergraduates who are willing to celebrate with you?

8.   WHICH FELLOWSHIP SHOULD I ATTEND?

If you do not make a choice of a fellowship to attend early, you may end up moving from one place to another. Your relationship with God is a very important part of your life and the way you handle it goes a long way in affecting other areas of your life. Choosing the right fellowship for yourself will be a catalyst in strengthening your relationship with God. You need a place where the Word of God is preached with all sincerity, and place where you can serve and in which they care.

9.   HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GO HOME?

Going home frequently can be a distraction to your studies especially if you come from a far place. While those who come from Ife or any other place in Osun state can manage to go home once in a while, those whose come from Lagos and other far places should get this out of their minds and should have whatever they need sent to them. During semester breaks you can go home and do all you wish. Be focused!

10.      SHOULD I JOIN SO, SO OR SO GROUP?

Joining a group or an organization can be a great way for you utilize your skills and learn new ones. For you to excel in your academics and also function well in such groups, you have to be able to manage your time well. Do not be in a hurry to join a group for now. Weigh your options considerably and if you find yourself in a group that you don’t like or one that is not adding to you, do not hesitate to leave such groups. The choice is always yours. So choose wisely!

GOT MORE QUESTIONS?

If you have other questions burning in your heart, endeavor to keep asking until you get the right answers. On facebook, you post your question on La Charla Editorial Board Page (facebook.com/lacharlaeb) and the Great Ife Student Union Group or tweet your questions to me on twitter @lahwahleh.

I wish the very best of your stay in OAU.

Friendship Tonic by Olu. Ayodolapo Ajao

To a friend,
Do you know the relationship
between your 2 eyes?
They blink together,
They move together,
They cry together,
They see things together
and even,
They even sleep together.
Even though they never see each other
Friendship should be just like that...
Life is like hell without FRIENDS........
I have a testimony that i have never lost a friend ,
how do i do it?
Just like Abraham......Gen.13:7-10.
The mature one reconcile first even when he is right,
this is not British,but Biblical.
Choose one.
People are precious,you cant afford to loss a friend.
learn to apologise,even when you are right but a friend is offended in you.
Now to everyone friend offended or disappointed in me.......do pardon me,lets be friends again.
Ayodolapo is my name.........i am your friend.

EXPERIENCING GOD

A – Z Bible Verse Memorization from Psalm 119

A

All your words are true.

Psalm 119:160

B

Blessed are those who live without

blame. They live in keeping with

the law of the LORD.

Psalm 119:1

C

Conceited people sneer at me,

but I obey your Law.

Psalm 119:51

D

Direct me by your commands!

I love to do what you say.

Psalm 119:35

E

Even before sunrise, I pray

for your help, and I put my hope

in what you have said.

Psalm 119:147

Time Is Precious!

I read this poem by Dr. John C. Maxwell in the book Today Matters and what a way to underscore the point that time is indeed precious. Read it and be blessed!

To know the value of one year -
ask the students who failed their final.

To know the value of one month -
ask the mother of a premature baby.

To know the value of one week -
ask the editor of a weekly magazine.

To know the value of one day -
ask the wage earner with six children.

To know the value of one hour -
ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To know the value of one minute -
ask the person who missed the plane.

To know the value of one second -
ask the person who survived the accident.

To know the value of one millisecond -
ask the Olympic silver medalist.

 —John Maxwell

You Lazy (Intellectual) African Scum! by Field Ruwe

So I got this in my email this morning…

They call the Third World the lazy man’s purview; the sluggishly slothful and languorous prefecture. In this realm people are sleepy, dreamy, torpid, lethargic, and therefore indigent—totally penniless, needy, destitute, poverty-stricken, disfavored, and impoverished. In this demesne, as they call it, there are hardly any discoveries, inventions, and innovations. Africa is the trailblazer. Some still call it “the dark continent” for the light that flickers under the tunnel is not that of hope, but an approaching train. And because countless keep waiting in the way of the train, millions die and many more remain decapitated by the day.
“It’s amazing how you all sit there and watch yourselves die,” the man next to me said. “Get up and do something about it.”

Brawny, fully bald-headed, with intense, steely eyes, he was as cold as they come. When I first discovered I was going to spend my New Year’s Eve next to him on a non-stop JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston I was angst-ridden. I associate marble-shaven Caucasians with iconoclastic skin-heads, most of who are racist.

WHEN LAST DID YOU…?

Some things are very important but we can’t just remember the last time we did them. Your responses to the following questions will tell us more.

When last did you call home just to say hi?

When last did you give your seat to an elder in public?

When last did you pray for a friend who is not in crisis?

When last did you pray for Nigeria?

When last did you read a Newspaper?

When last did you read your sermon notes?

When last did you read the label of what you eat/drink?

When last did you read the cast of a movie?

When last did you actually mean it when you not invite people to come and eat?

When last did you wash your plates immediately after eating?

When last did you buy a birthday gift for someone?

When last did you say ‘thank you’ to a waiter/cashier/commercial motorcyclist?

When last did you read an entire chapter of the Bible?

When last did you read the user agreement before installing software or signing up on a website?

When last did you visit OAU website when you have nothing to do on e-portal?

When last did you say ‘I love you’ to somebody?

When last did you blog?

If you answered positively to most of the above questions above, you are an excellent individual- worthy of emulation. But if your responses to most of the questions were negative, you have a nonchalant attitude. You need to turn a new leaf!

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