Chiamaka Okigbo | Student Success Series
By: Chiamaka Okigbo
This blog has been reviewed by Bre O’Handley and Matthew Patterson; edited, formatted and published by Nicholas Murray.
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Chi, tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Chi Okigbo, and I recently earned a degree in Psychology from Carleton University. Graduation marks the end of my time in education (for now at least), so I question how I can discuss student success if I am no longer a student. Honestly, I did not anticipate introducing myself would create such an existential crisis. Let me attempt to reintroduce myself by highlighting my other attributes beyond being a student.
As mentioned, my name is Chi, Chichi, or Chiamaka, depending on who I’m talking to. I am a 25-year-old Nigerian Irish person who currently lives in Canada. I enjoy reading, writing, working out, and spending time with my loved ones. I find pleasure in most things in life, both good and bad. Whether studying, cleaning, waiting for a bus in the cold, or even getting lost, I enjoy life in general. My fascination with positive psychology stems from my interest in understanding subjective well-being or happiness. In my struggle with the question of ‘what makes me happy,’ I recently decided to just live a happy life. I wonder if I have discovered the secret to eudaimonia, the Ancient Greek term for “the good life.” I’m not saying that I don’t find life difficult or struggle. However, despite my hardships, I have decided to appreciate and enjoy my life. So that’s me — an outgoing individual in the middle of an existential crisis who loves books and has opted to love her life.
What do you think made you successful as a student?
Before discussing student success, I feel like I should open up about my failures as a student. When I was 18, fresh out of the Leaving Cert (a set of exams that determine your place and field of study in any university in Ireland), I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Of course, I had big dreams of making money, getting a fancy degree, and living a successful life, but I didn’t know how to make that happen. I had always been a “good” student, which meant getting good grades, so I studied Health and Performance Science at one of Ireland’s top universities. Although I did well in my classes, I didn’t engage with the material. I just wanted to pass my exams and get that piece of paper at the end of four years. When I finally graduated, I felt unfulfilled; I hadn’t learned anything. Soon after, I decided to pursue a degree I was more passionate about and started studying Psychology. Once I was studying something I enjoyed, I decided to change my approach to education. I realized that my key to success was being interested in what I was learning. Instead of focusing on grades, I started applying the concepts I learned in class to my own life and asking new questions. I became more curious and engaged with the material, and that’s when I started to succeed.
To sum it up, I think that the key to being a successful student is to be interested in what you’re studying. When genuinely invested in something, you will want to learn more and engage with the material more meaningfully. That’s what will lead to success and personal fulfillment.
What strength, skill, strategy, mindset, or habit allowed you to get where you are today?
As a student, my curiosity is the primary skill that has allowed me to be successful. I have always been naturally curious (or a busybody if you ask my mum), from figuring out where ants were headed in my school garden to wondering why my teacher wore pink instead of green. To study psychology or be involved in research in general, you must maintain a sense of curiosity. However, curiosity alone is not enough. Even with a strong desire to learn, without the skills to ask the right questions or seek answers in a meaningful way, your inquisitive nature can go to waste. Thus, while curiosity is vital, the subset of skills that I’ve had to develop to satisfy my curiosity are equally important.
while curiosity is vital, the subset of skills that I’ve had to develop to satisfy my curiosity are equally important.
Every nosey person knows that tenacity is essential to learning. Being audacious in one’s thirst for knowledge increases the likelihood of finding solutions to questions that would otherwise remain unanswered. Another skill a curious person possesses is discernment: determining which information is or is not crucial to gaining valuable knowledge. In addition to tenacity and discernment, another essential skill that a curious person possesses is open-mindedness: being able to listen to the opinions of others, even if they challenge your current beliefs or knowledge, is extremely valuable. This skill is vital in fields like psychology and research, where new information is constantly discovered and theories continually evolve. Without an open-minded approach, it can be easy to become stuck in a certain way of thinking and miss out on valuable insights and discoveries. Being open-minded also allows you to make friends and connections in the most wonderfully strange places.
Acquiring specific intellectual skills is an unusual approach to achieving success as a student, especially when compared to more conventional methods such as memorization or organization. However, focusing on the why behind one’s studies and seeking meaning in the learned information can lead to a more fulfilling and ultimately successful academic experience.
By approaching education with a curious mind, one can ask more profound and meaningful questions about the material. This can lead to a more engaged attitude towards learning. Tenacity and discernment can also translate into tangible results in your schoolwork. The former allows for a deep dive into any subject matter, while the latter enables you to determine what information is valuable and relevant. Such skills can translate into better exam grades and stronger relationships with your professors. Similarly, being receptive to different perspectives and ideas through becoming open-minded is essential for gaining a well-rounded understanding of a subject and arguing your point in your papers.
My experience has shown that a curious and engaged approach to education can lead to meaningful and rewarding learning experiences. By developing tenacity, discernment, and open-mindedness, I believe that students can gain a deeper understanding of the material and ultimately achieve greater academic success.
How would you invite other students to cultivate those qualities?
It is difficult for me to answer how to develop qualities such as curiosity, tenacity, open-mindedness, or discernment. While it is possible to cultivate these skills to a certain extent, they ultimately stem from an internal desire to learn and grow. Instead of prescribing a specific set of skills necessary for success as a student, I encourage you to reflect on your own unique strengths and abilities. While particular skills may be more highly valued in academic settings, it is important to recognize that success as a student can take on many forms. Ask yourself, what does success as a student mean to you? Is it achieving high grades, engaging in stimulating discussions, or being involved in organizations that you are passionate about? The definition of success varies from student to student, and it is important to identify what success means to you personally. Rather than offering a formulaic approach to cultivating specific skills, I encourage you to reflect on your own values and goals. By doing so, you can identify the skills and attributes most important to your definition of success as a student.
Any last words you’d like to share with fellow students?
Thank you for taking the time to read my story as a student. As I reflected on my academic journey thus far, I realized that as long as I remain curious about life, I am still learning and, therefore, still a student, regardless of whether or not I have graduated.
If you would like to connect with me, please feel free to email me at Chiamakaokigbo@gmail.com. I would love to hear about your own experiences as a student and continue to satisfy my insatiable curiosity. For more CPPA Student Ambassador content, follow us here on Medium and check out our Student Zone. If you like what we are doing at the CPPA, you can also get a Canadian Positive Psychology Association membership.
Thank you again for reading, and stay curious!
