"Until the government meets our requirements, we would have to go on an indefinite strike" A simple phrase such as this has put a lot of federal university students in Nigeria on academic hold. ASUU Strike: The reality of a federal university student in Nigeria. I remember vividly the way I planned my academic years but little have I forgotten that the government is the chief planner of federal university students academic years in Nigeria. However, if you're the type that has been so clueless about what to do with this long academic delay, this blog post is for you. Do you just sit at home lamenting about how you didn't plan your life like this" or that you shouldn't still be in school this year", or think your after-school plans are being delayed", or do say, I've been in the same level for over a year now", truth is, I can relate so well. But then, take a pause and think ? of it this way, ASUU Strike might pause my educational plans and goals but they don't have a hold on my life. Yes, they don't and that is why you have to make use of the academic delay wisely and productively. You might not like to hear this but the truth is you don't have to sit and wait on the government, there's a lot you can achieve within the time ASUU and the federal government are still deliberating on academic resumption. I'm sure the question on your mind now is " What can I do to be productive during periods such as this? Here's your answer dear reader;

5 productive ways to cope with ASUU Strike

1. Learn a skill: This might sound cliché but it's one of the best ways in making great use of the strike. Most students in school today didn't get the chance to learn a skill before gaining admission to the university. Some even try to combine learning skills with their studies but find it quite difficult to balance. This academic delay by ASUU is an opportunity to learn a skill. You can learn physical skills or digital skills. Physical skills like catering, photography, Fashion designing, make-up artistry, barbing, hairdressing, etc. Digital skills like blogging, Web designing, Content writing, copywriting, graphics designing, etc. To know more about these skills, you can always search the internet and get acquainted with the one you most preferred. Note that you can't learn all the skills. Pick a niche and focus on it.

2. Take an online course: E-learning is another way to make good use of the strike. The fact that you're on strike shouldn't stop you from studying. There are various courses online that you can learn and even get certified for. Pick a discipline and you can take a course on Coursera, Udemy, etc, and start being productive. The certificate you get from whichever discipline you specialize in can help you get jobs and even step up your CV when looking for jobs before and after school. 

3. Take an internship: You can put in for an internship in an organization related to your field of study or career interest. This way, you can gain work experience or satisfy the requirements for a qualification. With an internship, you are open to more opportunities for career exploration and development, and even to learn new skills. The experience gained from an internship can also help step up your CV when looking for good-paying jobs. 

4. Start up a business: Do you by chance have a business-related skill before gaining admission or during school, this is the time to bring such skill into use. This is an opportunity to focus full-time on that skill and turn it into a business and earn profits. You get to be financially independent as well as productive this way. 

5. Read books: Do you want to be mentally productive? Read books! Apart from academic books, there are several genres of books you can read to spice up your reading lifestyle. Books ranging from personal growth and development, motivational, spiritual, relationships, etc. The knowledge you get from reading books is so valuable and can be used in all areas of human life. You might be thinking "what's the essence of reading?" The truth is that there are a lot of benefits you can get from reading books, to further understand the benefits, read here.

Conclusion

 The things you can do to be productive during ASUU Strike are not limited to the ways I've mentioned earlier. There are other diverse things you can do to cope with the strike. You just have to discover what you can do to be productive during this academic delay. Just imagine going back to school with added knowledge, not limited to what you know in your discipline alone, Isn't that amazing? To think that you can even use the skill learned to start earning and supporting yourself in school is so appealing. Dear reader, Know this today that a pause in your academics is not a pause in your life. Be productive during this academic delay! You won't regret it! 

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