Prioritise personal development before success, don urges Unilorites
By Muizdeen Adewole
Students of the University of Ilorin have been advised to prioritise personal growth and character development as a foundation for achieving success in their academic and future careers.
This advice was given last Tuesday (April 21, 2026) by a Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Dr Bashirat Abdulkareem Sa’ad in a chat with UNILORIN Bulletin in her office.
Dr Sa’ad emphasised that success is not merely attained through results but through the kind of individual one becomes over time.
According to Dr. Sa’ad, many students enter the University with aspirations such as graduating with First Class Honours, securing scholarships, and attaining financial independence.
She stressed that these goals can only be realised when students consciously develop the right mindset and habits. She described the University environment as a space not just for academic learning, but for personal transformation.
The don highlighted the importance of adopting a growth mindset, noting that research shows that students who believe in their capacity to improve tend to perform better and remain resilient in the face of challenges.
Dr Sa’ad further identified key character traits necessary for academic excellence, including discipline, consistency, responsibility, resilience, and curiosity.
Emphasising discipline over motivation, Dr Sa’ad noted that students must learn to study even when they do not feel inclined to do so.
The lecturer also outlined practical habits that distinguish high-performing students, such as effective time management, active studying, regular self-evaluation, and maintaining the right social circle.
Warning against procrastination, Dr Sa’ad described the common belief of postponing seriousness in studies to later years as a “dangerous lie,” stressing that students ultimately fall back on their habits rather than rise to their goals.
She encouraged students to adopt a positive identity by affirming themselves as serious and capable individuals, explaining that such a shift influences actions and outcomes.
Dr Sa’ad also urged students not to chase success, but to become individuals worthy of it.
She emphasised that excellence is a deliberate choice, achieved through consistent effort and intentional living.
