We all know that most students donβt take assignments seriously unless they are graded. π Especially reading assignments. π You know, the ones where the lecturer says, βGo and read about this topic.β But since nobody is asking for a printout, most people just ignore it. ππ΅
But hereβs the thing: assignments arenβt just about getting marks. It’s a tool to help you understand your courses better. π§ π‘
I used to be that student who only cared about the assignments that would be graded. π€·π½ββοΈ But along the way, I realized that those βoptionalβ reading assignments were the key to performing wellβ not just in exams but in truly understanding my course. π―β¨
π Assignments Help You Retain & Understand Concepts π§ π‘
Think about it.π€ A class is usually an hour or two. Do you expect to master everything the lecturer says in that short time? π Nah, be honest.π Most times, you leave class thinking you understand, but when you sit down later, you realize your brain was just vibing the whole time. π€―π
Thatβs where assignments come in! They force you to:
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Revisit the material π
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Think critically π€
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Fill in knowledge gaps π
If you sit down and complete your assignments with the right mindsetβ not just to finish them but to understand them βyouβll notice that concepts start making sense faster. π Itβs like reinforcing the bricks of knowledge so they donβt crumble later. ποΈπ
π Assignments Give You an Edge Over Your Classmates π©π½βππ
Do you want to know more than the average student in your class? π€ Then take assignments seriously.
The students who consistently engage with their assignmentsβespecially reading assignmentsβare usually the ones who:
βοΈ Answer questions confidently in class π€
βοΈ Perform better in discussions and exams π
βοΈ Stay ahead of their peers ππ‘
Why? Because theyβve exposed themselves to more knowledge than those who just rely on what was said in class. ππ
π Itβs Not Just About ExamsβItβs About Real Knowledge πΌπ‘
Letβs be honest: school isnβt just about passing exams. π― Yes, exams are important, but what happens when you graduate? What happens when you need to apply what youβve learned in real life?
If you donβt take the time to deeply understand your subjects now, you might struggle later. π¬ The truth is, the students who excel in life arenβt always the ones with the highest gradesβthey are the ones who understood what they were learning. ππ‘
π² Go beyond the AssignmentβUse Other Learning Resources π₯π
One thing that helped me was using YouTube, online courses, and other learning platforms to understand topics better. ππ
π‘ Hereβs what I did:
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After a lecture, if I was given an assignment, I would search for the topic on YouTube and watch expert explanations. π₯π
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Sometimes, I even took free online courses on platforms like Coursera, Alison, and edX. π»β¨
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Not only did this help me understand better, but some of these courses gave me certificates that I could add to my resume! ππ
Imagine applying for a job or internship and showing that you took extra courses in your field. Thatβs next-level smartness! ππΌπ₯
π How to Approach Assignments the Right Way π―
Instead of seeing assignments as a burden, start seeing them as an opportunity to:
βοΈ Consolidate what you learned in class π
βοΈ Discover new aspects of the topic π
βοΈ Train yourself to think critically π§
βοΈ Build research skills that will help you beyond school π
βοΈ Develop a habit of independent learning π
π Final Thoughts π₯π
At the end of the day, your education is YOURS. Whether you take assignments seriously or not, you are the one who will benefit (or suffer) from your choices. π€·π½ββοΈπ
π Donβt just be in school to pass examsβbe in school to gain knowledge and skills that will make you stand out in life. ππ
So the next time you get an assignment, donβt brush it off like an annoying notification. π¨π« Take it seriously. Do it well. π― Use it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and set yourself apart from the crowd. ππ₯
Because in the long run, youβre not just doing assignmentsβyouβre building yourself into a knowledgeable and skilled individual. π‘ππ
Have a wonderful day guys, and let’s keep this in mind!π€π
Written and posted by: Dr. Richeal Shola Makinde, UCC School of Medical Sciences Alumnus, LinkedIn Profile