We have a big problem! We have a big problem with students that have matriculated to go to universities or taking a gap year. If we do not fix this problem we will be faced by a continuum of matriculated students with not drive, meaning and direction in their life. I am talking about hard working students who only know the life between school periods and different chosen subjects, yet they claim  they know life until life stared them in the eyes and say, “Let’s play.” but they have no skills whatsoever.

Finishing school is a milestone and not everyone matriculates to this level. Like most milestones in life when you accomplish something and new dawn begins, in essence, we finish so we can start again, it becomes a full circle in education, life, and career. The truth is life does not give a damn whether you matriculated, got a degree or not – life goes on, it is only natural. That is why we must continuously work on developing ourselves and others in every chance we get.

I’ve observed three lacking elements in students that are like me when I was in school. These elements are not only limited to students, they are also for the people that just discovered themselves and thriving to better their lives.

Three Lacking Elements

Expression of One-Self

Expression of one-self is what people see and/or understand about your being, your belief system, where you come from, your aspirations, and ultimately the future person you could become. There is no module in our schools for expressing ourselves, however, there are those student or people who are able to do it without being taught and they are labeled as being too forward. This skill is of paramount importance to every person today in preparation to be introduced to the real world. In the real world you need to know who you are, I mean the real you, not what people say you are. Champion this, “Tell us brief about yourself.” This is a starting point of expressing yourself, if you champion this you have passed Self Introduction 101.

Our task in society, is to take part in community building by visiting schools near us and lend a hand to the future leaders. 

Elevate Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem touches on a number of things but I will touch of the a few. It talks to an individual’s worth because self-worth will show in the way that you handle yourself and the way to talk about yourself. Talking down on yourself means your self-worth needs a lot of work but talking positive to your life changes everything. Another aspect is an individual’s attitude to any situation in life. A person’s attitude can be negative or positive depending on how a person feels about a certain subject in life. If you don’t know which side you belong to observe how people behave when you walk in a room that says a lot about your attitude. If you like it nurture it and if you don’t change your attitude. Self-esteem is nurtured by developing self-worth and positive attitude towards people; situations or events in life.

What people say to us about us, the way parents talk to kids as they grow up is one of the influences to self-esteem. Positive talk will eventuates high self-esteem and the opposite will produce low self-esteem.

Boost Self-Confidence

Self-confidence indicates powers and abilities of a person. The knowledge of the subject and being prepared and ready anytime results to confidence. People who read and acquire knowledge and skills are more confident compared to those that do not. It is of vital importance to reiterate the fact that reading to grow your knowledge is what everyone needs. By doing that you equip yourself for times when walking in a room full of strangers and command respect without saying anything, people that are like that have invested a lot in themselves and there is no reason you cannot be one of them. Also Self-Confidence talks to curiosity in a manner that if you don’t understand ask in order to understand.

Self-confidence can be taught, allowing young people to open up and express their thought without a fear of prejudice or being undermined.

You may be reading these thoughts of mine and thinking that you cannot relate, I can assure you that you are the very same person that these young students in schools need. Someone who can be of an example to look up to and restore their hope. One thing that is so provoking for me is what I have gained now in the real world and thinking of a child that is feeling exactly like how I felt when I was in school and has nobody to tell him or her that, “There is hope and life of the other side of the school fence, therefore, dream big and focus on your dreams and ambitions and believe that things get better as you better yourself .” All I am praying for is for at least one kid to listen and act, if it is more than one that would be unbelievable. As the saying goes, a thousand may hear what you say but only a few may be listening to the words you utter.

I believe human beings want to help one another we are made to be like that, giving back is part of life regardless of the level of life you are on. Starting now I challenge you to make a difference starting where you are, your time is valuable to give, your money is valuable to share, and your knowledge gets multiplied if you give. Let’s do something for the bright future of our youth and security for our elders.

Written by Mduduzi Mthanti