Song:

1. I am a winner man (x2)
Jesus made me a winner
I am a winner man  

2. He has given me victory, I will lift him higher Jehovah
I will lift him higher.

A. Introduction

By principles of academic success I mean; an important underlying law or assumption required; a standard of moral or ethical decision-making you need to succeed academically.

By techniques academic success, I mean the procedure, skill, or art you need to succeed academically.

Some people don’t succeed until they fail first because failure in itself teaches lesson. But more than that, there cannot be success outside the Lord. He alone gives success and promotion.

Issues to discuss here are:

B. The determination of the target

You’ll need to set three targets namely: strategic (long term), tactical (medium term) and operational (short term) goals.

“What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.” (Proverbs 10:24).

“Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.” (1 Corinthians 9:26).

Strategic: for instance; you can say: ‘I’ll like to finish my studies with a first class grade.

Tactical: my Commutative Grade Point Average (C.G.P.A) at the end of each session will be a first class grade.

Operational: I will attend all lecturers, I will do my home work properly and I will ensure that I have a good score in every course for my continuous assessment.

C. Discovering the terrors

You must wrestle against the spirit of laziness.

“The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.” (Proverbs 21:25).

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
       consider its ways and be wise!

  7 It has no commander,
       no overseer or ruler,

  8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
       and gathers its food at harvest.

  9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
       When will you get up from your sleep?

  10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
       a little folding of the hands to rest-

  11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit

       and scarcity like an armed man. ((Proverbs 6:6-11).

Positive confession must be backed up with positive commitment.

i. Laziness: Remember that success doesn’t just come on a platter of goal.

ii. Lack of foundation: it is dangerous settling for any course because you are desperate to enter the university.

iii. Personal hatred for lecturer(s): leads to failure and lack of interest in the course.

iv. Bad method of study: refusing to read before test or examination; accumulating assignments, procrastination and when examination finally approaches, you’ll begin to buy sleeping tablets and studying for longer hours.

v. Doing the right thing at the wrong time: not doing your assignments.

vi. Carnal comparison and evil influence: forgetting why you came to school in the first place. Lost of vision and unnecessary distraction.

D. Description of the tools

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

There must be motivation, attention and concentration. You must have interest for any course you are reading. You must also be proud of your course of study and don’t be ashamed to mention it (internal motivation). Set your eyes on the department or school prize (external motivation).

You will need maximum concentration. Anxiety and indecision will distract your attention. As a Christian, don’t worry, just get close to God. Day dreaming can distract your attention. You must avoid all illicit relationships and any form of godless revelry.

Basic principles:

1. Have a good study plan – personal time table. You will time for quiet time, rest, cooking, washing, reading newspaper/literatures by allocating time for every course.

2. Efficiently organised study room – conducive and comfortable.

3. Efficient contact with other people – group study.

Techniques:

1. Understand the difference between cramming and memorising.

Cramming – committing things forcefully to the brain.

Memorising – learning things by heart.

There are visual (what you see), auditory (hear) and kinetic (do) memories.

For instance God used visual (aid) memory by telling Noah that whenever you see the rainbow I will my covenant.

Mnemonic is what helps to remember things, e.g. MR NIGER represents the seven characteristics of living things.

Have good handwriting and learn how to use the library.

How to pass an exam: check your exam timetable to see if there any changes. Arrive on time on the day of your exams, pray, read instructions, don’t cheat, desire to sit at the front, distribute your time for each question and attempt all questions.

E. Distribution of time

Be wise with your time. Don’t waste it but invest it.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,” (Ephesians 5:15).

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5).

If you read the creation story in Genesis 1 you’ll realise that everyday of the seven days was accounted for.

Seven ways of using your time from creation story:

1. Time table; (2) Do one thing at a time (3) Give more attention to a thing of higher priority (4) Monitor your progress [when God saw all he has made, he said it was very good] (5) Don’t procrastinate (6) Don’t do everything, Adam gave names to what God created, don’t leave word of God to serve tables Acts 6:2, 7 (7) Learn to rest, keep appointment, avoid too much discussion, or spending too much time during visit.

F. Depending on the tutor

2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:2, 7).

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. (Daniel 1:17, 20).

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:31).

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5).

9 Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. (Exodus 20:9-10).

 God bless you

 Evang. John B. Oseh