Experts advocate discipline, resilience, strategic planning for academic success
By Mustafa Abubakar
speakers at a students career workshop have advocated discipline, resilience, strategic planning, and continuous self-development as essential requirements for academic excellence and career success.
The experts made the call last Tuesday (April 14, 2026) at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences career workshop, themed “The Career Launchpad: Strategic Planning for Real World Success.”
In his presentation, Mr Ademuyiwa Oladapo Ipadeola, a Surveyor and Geospatial and Environmental Mapping Consultant, emphasised that students’ starting points do not determine their final outcomes. He explained that mindset, habits, and daily decisions play a more significant role in shaping academic success.
He urged freshers to adopt a growth mindset, noting that intelligence and ability can be developed through effort, persistence, and continuous learning.
He also stressed the importance of setting SMART goals, maintaining consistent study habits, and managing time effectively.
Mr Ipadeola further outlined practical strategies for academic excellence, including regular lecture attendance, daily review of notes, participation in group discussions, practicing past questions, and seeking help early.
He added that failure should be seen as a learning process and a stepping stone to success rather than a setback.
The speaker concluded by emphasising that excellence is built through discipline and intentional daily choices, urging students to remain focused, develop a clear sense of purpose, and take responsibility for transforming their starting points to excellent realities.
Also speaking, Dr Shehu Abdulkadir Rasheed of the Department of Quantity Surveying, highlighted the importance of career resilience in navigating an increasingly competitive and dynamic labour market.
He noted that rapid technological advancements, economic shifts, and sustainability demands have redefined professional expectations.
Dr Rasheed exposed students to emerging technologies transforming the built environment, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, and Artificial Intelligence, stressing that mastery of these tools, alongside continuous upskilling, is essential for career relevance.
He also underscored the growing importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility, pointing to concepts such as green building, net-zero design, and circular economy principles as drivers of new career opportunities.
According to him, students must develop cross-disciplinary competencies and embrace hybrid roles, positioning themselves as “T-shaped professionals” with both specialised expertise and broad knowledge across related fields.
He further emphasised that career resilience enhances employability and long-term relevance, urging students to pursue professional certifications, adapt to industry changes, and become solution-oriented professionals capable of navigating uncertainties.
Also speaking, an alumnus of the Faculty, Mrs Ezeamalu Jessica, shared practical insights from her professional experience in the United Kingdom as she encouraged students to remain disciplined, focused, and proactive in building their careers.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Ganiyu Amuda-Yusuf, emphasised the importance of deliberate planning and discipline in shaping students’ academic and professional future.
He noted that the workshop reflects the commitment of the Faculty to preparing students for both academic success and real-world challenges.
Similarly, the Faculty Career Advisor and Chairman of the Career Committee, Dr Wasiu Mayowa Raheem, urged students to take ownership of their learning process, stressing that success in the university environment requires intentional effort, consistency, and the right mindset.
The programme brought together students, academic staff, and professionals who explored practical strategies for academic excellence and sustainable career development.
