Re: How to be better than your professor

Last week’s column drew a lot of reactions; surprisingly, from professors as well as students – including my own professor who sent his comment infused with his usual humour. Let’s start with him.   Professor Alan G. Downe: So that is how you did it!  NOW I KNOW!!!   Rakiya M. Na’iya Zaria: As usual, […]

Last week’s column drew a lot of reactions; surprisingly, from professors as well as students – including my own professor who sent his comment infused with his usual humour. Let’s start with him.

 

Professor Alan G. Downe:

So that is how you did it!  NOW I KNOW!!!

 

Rakiya M. Na’iya Zaria:

As usual, your posts are mesmerizing  and inspirational. I wish I had this piece back in the day.  But,  Alhamdu LilLah, it’s absolutely useful even now.

The first step would encourage students to have more contact with the physical books as against what’s obtainable now. The next step would definitely help the students not only master the topics but, have more devotion in learning as well as encouraging retention.

However, for the 3rd step, as good as it may be, it is not quite accessible to most students. I sincerely hope that something is done about it to make internet connectivity available and affordable for all.

As for the last part, I strongly believe any student who engages in it will surely become an outstanding guru in research and comparative analysis. All the best to all those who work hard… Nothing like luck, so WORK HARD!!

 

Khalid IMAM:

Very useful steps. I have shared it with many of my former students now in universities. A good number of them were thankful to you. Personally, step 4, has been my weapon now. Step 3, for the very poor students would be difficult to implement. So if l were in their shoes, I would go for step 1,2 & 4 always. Thanks for your insightful piece.

 

Nda Kwales:

This is another good one. Although,  I’m not a good reader but I always find time to read all your write up to the end. Allah yakara faimta.

 

Dr Abdulmunaf Umar Farouk Kano:

I think a student has to be fully committed and ready, to serve as a motivation before embarking on this mission; then you follow all the four steps. But I suggest a fifth step, which is identifying any student who read ahead of the class, then you had a discussion with him on the topic before the class or the lecture.

 

Dr. Abubakar Khaleed:

Thank you, Prof. for this fascinating/edifying piece. Surely, step 1 and 2 if fittingly followed by any student, he/she will definitely be ahead of his/her classmates; step 3 is another powerful step that I always use as a university lecturer a night before my class; whereas step 4 will give a student a general understanding of the topic of discussion in the class. In general, this piece is not essential to the students only but also to the professors and other university lecturers/teaching assistants.

 

Dr. Ziya Mukhtar:

Masha Allah. Jazakallah khair Prof.

 

Dr. Usman Gana:

The professor is back at his best. I am on call and now on my way to the emergency unit to review some patients then this popped in. I am in doubt already and my heart is full of thoughts should I proceed or wait and read, chew, digest and absorb this piece. It was one of the best I’ve read in recent times. Will surely read over and over again after checking my patients’ ABC (Airway, Breathing and Circulation).

 

Dr. A. A. Ahmad:

Politics is over.  Alhamdulillah, our prof is back.

 

Abdullahi Abdulkadir Waziri:

Wow wow wow. Word’s well spoken. I’m inspired and motivated by these tactics and am fully ready to implement them in my academic pursuit.

 

Abubakar Lamido Abubakar:

You’ve been  such an encouraging teacher day by day, Doc. May Allah increase in you wisdom and shower his blessings upon you and your family.  Thank you.

 

Victor Kulugh:

A great eye opener, its is empowering, I am infinitely grateful, Prof.

 

Hafiz Isah Chado:

This is indeed a perfect illustration of the art of academic writing and criticism. This brings out something ambiguous into a very clear understanding of a topic.  Thank you Dr.

 

Abdulyazeed Ladan Kgora:

This is a positive step towards achieving  higher esteem in school. I appreciate.

 

Hasheem Ibraheem:

This is awesome! People like you are rare in today’s academic field.

But reasonable number of  students are lazy. They will find your technique cumbersome and time consuming.  Also some wicked lecturers who don’t appreciate constructive challenges in the class may victimize students with such study habits.

In nutshell, the idea is encouraging (though tedious), but may come with some consequences if not carefully managed.

 

Muhammad Muhammad:

I strongly agree with the prof; to me,  when you are determined to go higher, you can do better than your professors.  However, it used to be difficult for  some of my colleagues (students) who always develop lazy attitudes towards their academic pursuits, but sure, you can always get there when you’re determined. Thanks prof.

 

Ahmed Haruna Tswata:

I think this is good for me , it has inspired me  to know that I can be my own teacher, I can get better!

 

Aminu Naganye:

It’s really works like magic. I did something not really as comprehensive as this during my undergraduate degree. And it paid.

 

Muhammad Awal Bida Muhammad:

Our  prof, sincerely you have laid a robust foundation for the potential academics!

Insha Allah I shall implement this technique against every odd! Thanks, jazakallah our soon to be prof.

 

Abubakar Mohammed Sani:

I refer to this as a directory to learning.

 

Ibrahim U. Wali:

Dr Dooba has been inspiring alot of us. Prof Brainy column is one of the reasons I buy Weekly Trust.  I hope students at undergraduate and post graduate levels take this advice seriously notwithstanding our unfriendly academic environment.  Most students are busy on social media.