HOW TO BECOME

AN
EXTRAORDINARY
STUDENT

GEORGE GEOFREY MUTTA.

© 2024

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All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be copied, reproduced,
or used without the author's permission. Doing so
would constitute a violation of the author's rights.

About the Book

This book provides a practical guide for students
to succeed academically and develop the
necessary skills for significant success in their
careers and future lives.

George Geofrey Mutta

Tanzania, East Africa
Email: [email protected]

Book visual and graphics Design:

Esau Godfrey Mukono. [email protected]
Steven Samwel Stanley. [email protected]

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Specially, I thank God very much for giving me this
calling to write and for making it come to fruition in
my life.
I also want to thank my beloved parents, Geofrey
Ladislaus Mutta and Kagemuro Nzarombi Mutta,
for their great contribution to my life that has
brought me to this point. My beautiful sisters
Jacquiline, Janeth, and my beloved younger sister
Joceline, for your love and constant
encouragement.
I also wish to thank those who edited my book, my
mentors Kasian Lumato, in collaboration with
Brother Daudi Mosses Msengi, who had gone to
be with the Lord a few days after editing this book.

Lastly, but not least in importance, I would like to

thank my spiritual father and servant of God, Hans
Richard, for being a good leader for me in spiritual

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matters and life in general. I also want to thank God
for my Mentor, Servant of God Brother Elihuruma
Maruma. May God bless them all abundantly.

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Table Of Contents

introduction ......................................................................6

Reasons For Being An Average Student .....................10

Avoid These 6 Habits That Cost Many Students .........21

Challenges Faced In University. ...................................27

7 Things To Consider To Be A Different Student. .......35

The Friends You Need To Be An Extraordinary

Student. ...........................................................................45

Conclusion ......................................................................48

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INTRODUCTION

In today's world, which is highly competitive, not

only academic excellence is recognized but also
the ability to differentiate yourself from others and
showcase creativity, hard work, and strong values.

This book has been written specifically to guide you

in your educational journey and to help you build
qualities that will set you apart from your peers.
It is a guide that will reveal the secrets to being an
excellent student, including effective learning
techniques, time management skills, and
developing a winning mindset.

As you continue reading, you will learn how to

achieve higher success both at school and in your
life in general.

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Through testimonies, examples, and practical
exercises, the author contributes to a deep
understanding of how to become a distinct student
who can overcome academic and social
challenges, while enhancing your ability to manage
yourself and develop further.

This book is a treasure for every student who wants

to succeed in a unique way, not only in the
classroom but also in life as a whole.

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TESTIMONY OF DR. JOEL NANAUKA

In his first-year results, during the last semester,

he was ranked 43rd out of 50. He was called along
with others together, and everyone was asked to
celebrate and cheer for the top ten students, who
were named and applauded.
They then named those who were at the bottom,
and Joel was among them. His name was called,
and everyone was asked to boo him. He was seen
as a failure, and he was considered not intelligent.
However, the very same person who was booed
for being the last in class, upon completing Form
Four, took ten exams and scored 9 A's and 1 B,
becoming the best student nationally.

Dr. Joel is a leader in human capital development.

In 2022, he was awarded a National Award by

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Hon. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa at the 6th
National Investment Conference held in Dodoma,
Tanzania. He has become a prominent leader, a
person of influence, and has made an impact both
in Tanzania and abroad.

If ever people doubt your ability, don't agree to join

them. You have immense potential, just like Dr.
Joel Nanauka. It’s time to start living it.
Go and Become!

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REASONS FOR BEING AN AVERAGE
STUDENT

1. Negative Mindset
"Your thoughts determine what you say, and your
thoughts determine what you do, and your actions
determine your results."

Students have different mindsets about school.

Before one even reaches school, they already
have a picture in their mind, and often, the

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perspectives they have are not accurate, or they
misinterpret them with poor logic.
For example: the phrase "chuo bata” refers to an
excessive sense of freedom. Many students,
especially those who are away from home for the
first time without close supervision from their
parents or guardians, and who haven't had to
manage themselves significantly, often get
distracted by unnecessary things like indulging too
much in leisure activities and forgetting the real
purpose for being in school.

Others may see college as the right time to get

involved in relationships. There's no problem with
relationships, but the challenge is that those who
get involved often lack a solid understanding of
relationships.

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You will agree with me that young people in
relationships tend to think that in order for the
relationship to seem serious, they must meet
physically, which in their minds, becomes a sign of
true love. This leads to losing their dignity, and
eventually, they don't end up getting married.

Remember, God intended that act as a gift for

married couples, which is why it’s called the act of
marriage, not courtship. So, if you really mean it,
wait until marriage and engage in a relationship
legally. If it fails, it means there was no real plan for
that relationship.

In life, a person who excels in any area is someone

who has more knowledge than others. Your life in
school is a preparation for the life you'll live after
graduation.

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Therefore, it’s crucial for you as a student to decide
to learn many things beyond the classroom that will
touch on life in general, things that will build you up
and make you a better person in society.

For advice, read books, attend seminars, learn, and

make a conscious effort to seek knowledge before
taking any action so you can get good results. Also,
find a mentor who can guide you in life to hold you
accountable and help you achieve your goals.

2. Bad Friends
A shoe that is tight will not allow the foot to grow,
and likewise, the environment where your dreams
grow is determined by the kind of friends around
you.
We don’t just need friends to show off because we
are surrounded by many, but we need friends who

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will help us get where we want to go, and we can
also help them reach their goals.

Your companions are the image of who you will

become. Choose wisely who your friends are, and
don’t hesitate to leave behind some of the friends
you have if they don’t align with where you’re
going. If you fear leaving bad friends because they
will feel bad, tomorrow you will blame yourself for
not reaching your destination.

3. Lack of Vision.

"The worst thing than being blind is having eyes but

lacking vision." — Helen Keller

A person with vision does not wait for motivation to

do something. Helen Keller became blind and deaf
at 19 months, but despite this challenge, she
pursued her dream until it was realized. She is

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remembered as the first blind and deaf person to
graduate with a university degree in the United
States and an author of over ten books.

Proverbs 29:18
"Where there is no vision, the people perish."
Without vision, you lack direction. Wherever you
end up, you will think that’s the end. Your life will
change the moment you know what you want in life
and begin to take even small steps to fulfill your
goals.
There is a Swahili proverb that says "Bandu bandu
humaliza gogo," which emphasizes the
importance of starting small but consistently. It
shows how small steps of preparation can
eventually lead to achieving great things. It also
reminds us that patience and early preparation are
important for accomplishing big goals.

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If you don’t know where you’re going, you will be
satisfied wherever you end up. Life without vision is
unattractive. The flavor of life comes when you
have a dream, something you’re chasing. Dr.
Myles Munroe once said, "The greatest tragedy in
life is not death, but a life without purpose."

4. Lack of Self-Identity.
Know who you are, so that you are not defined by
how others see you. Many people might view you
as ordinary, but if you accept seeing yourself as
ordinary, then you will remain ordinary.
A person’s inner self-image is often the true
reflection of who they are.

There’s a story I once heard: "There was a man in

a village who raised sheep, and one day he found
a lion cub in the forest. He took the cub and raised
it among the sheep.

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He would take the sheep to drink water at the river,
and the lion cub, not knowing it was a lion, followed
along.
Often when they went to the river, lions would show
up, and the sheep would run away, but the lion cub
would run with them, not understanding who was
chasing them.
But one day, as the cub drank from the river, it
looked at its reflection in the water and started
asking why it looked like the lions it had been
running from.
The next time the lions came and chased the
sheep, the lion cub refused to run. It said, ‘I look like
them, I can’t run.’ The lions came closer, looked at
him, and said, ‘This is one of us.’ They welcomed
him into their family, and from then on, he no longer
ran from the lions."

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How you see yourself is how you will live your life.
It’s not how others see you or what people say
about you.

5. Disrespect for the Process

Life is governed by principles. No one can succeed
and remain at the top for long without going
through each step to reach the peak. The journey
to success is a process that prepares you to reach
the heights you aim for.

If you cannot dedicate yourself to studying and

expect others to help you during exams, you will
never mature. There is life after school, and if you
haven’t developed the stamina to fight for what you
want, you will remain the same, relying on others to
do things for you.
The process may hurt at times, but it makes you
better at achieving your goals. Dr. David Oyedepo

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once said, "There is no champion without stories of
challenges" meaning that every hero has faced
challenges along the way.

6. Not Having a Good Relationship with God

A life of sin is not only a disgrace to God but also
takes away your focus from achieving your
dreams. Sin is destructive to human beings. In
youth, there are many temptations, and if you're
not careful, you will be led astray into things that
will keep you from fulfilling your dreams.

No one desires to be ordinary, so the behavior of

sin separates a person from the greatness that God
has prepared for them.

Satan uses deception, which is why Scripture calls

him the father of lies. He misleads young people,
showing them reasons to indulge in the pleasures

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of the world, unaware that the purpose of life is tied
to a time frame. As time passes, you won’t be able
to fulfill your purpose.

You may see others indulging in pleasures and

seeming successful, but what will it profit you to
gain the whole world but lose your soul? (Mark
8:36-37) (Matthew 16:26)

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AVOID THESE 6 HABITS THAT COST
MANY STUDENTS

1. Laziness and Procrastination

This is the habit of delaying important tasks until
the last minute. Students who procrastinate on
studying or completing school assignments often
find themselves working under pressure, which
leads to poor-quality work and bad exam results.
Delaying important tasks results in less time for
studying, which negatively affects your ability to
understand your subjects in depth.

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2. Poor Time Management
Many students waste time on unproductive
activities, such as spending excessive time on
social media, entertainment, or frequently
participating in parties.
A lack of schedule or prioritization in studies results
in the failure to complete important tasks on time,
thus reducing your effectiveness in learning.

3. Lack of Financial Discipline

This group consists of those who owe money to
various people and are not afraid of debt; borrowing
has become a habit for them.

They have no financial goals, and when you look

into how they spend the money they borrow, it's
usually for things that offer no real value. They will
borrow money from one place to pay off a debt in

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another. Most of their spending is on items to
appear successful, rather than on meaningful
investments.
4. Misuse of social media and Technology
This situation arises from the bad habit of overusing
social media and technology for unnecessary
purposes.

Many students develop the habit of spending

excessive time on social media engaging in non-
productive activities, like watching entertainment
videos, style debates, etc., instead of using that
time for studying or doing meaningful activities.

You can combat this habit by following these steps:

i. Set a Usage Schedule: Set limits on the time

spent on social media or using technology to
prevent wasting time.

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ii. Use Technology Effectively: Instead of using
social media purely for entertainment, use it for
academic purposes, learning new skills, or
conducting research.
iii. Turn Off Notifications: This helps reduce
distractions and improves focus while studying.
iv. Track Your Time Usage: Apps like Screen Time
or Digital Wellbeing help track the time spent on
your phone and allow you to take steps to reduce
bad habits.
Important: Change doesn't happen by chance.
You must be determined to make a shift in your life,
and only then will you start to see results.

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5. Cheating in Exams
One of the main purposes of exams is to assess a
student's understanding of the material. Cheating
on an exam is a clear sign that you do not want to
fail, but it is not the right approach to achieving your
goals.
Even if you happen to pass your exams, don't forget
that there’s life after school. You can’t simply mimic
someone else's abilities.

For example, if you go for a job interview, a

company may be impressed by your exam results,
but they will also want to hear about your personal
qualities and how you can influence them. This is
where a person might be asked, "Why do you want
this job?" and they respond, "Isn’t it you who
advertised it?" This is when you realize that simply
passing exams is not enough.

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6. Living a Fake Life
College life is filled with many pressures, and some
students want to project that they come from
wealthy families. This is when you see people
borrowing clothes, watches, phones, cars, etc.
Others fall into deep debt just to show off to others,
going to expensive restaurants, buying costly
phones, and so on.

Don’t forget that people may praise you, but they

won’t help you pay off your debts. USE WISDOM!

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CHALLENGES FACED IN UNIVERSITY.

1. Lack of Tuition Fees

Many students face challenges in paying their tuition
fees on time. I conducted a small study to gather
opinions and suggestions from various people on
ways to solve this issue. Their responses were as
follows:
Implement a Friendly Payment System:
It is common to have two phases for tuition
payments, but to alleviate the problem of fee
shortages, it is suggested that the number of

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payment phases be increased to four. Two
payments should be made per semester, which
could significantly address the problem of fee
shortages.

Create Special Support Systems for Students

with Financial Challenges.
Universities should set up specific arrangements to
assist students facing financial difficulties.

Create Loan Facilities.

The Office of Loans and Accounts should allocate
funds to lend to students who are lacking or unable
to pay their fees. The funds could be repaid by
withholding certain services, like preventing
students from continuing to the next semester.

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Work Opportunities for Students.
Universities should provide job opportunities for
students and set up a system to ensure they are
paid.
If the university has a construction project,
engineering students should be given priority to
work as part of the workforce. The benefit is not just
monetary, but also gaining expertise and hands-on
experience in their field of study.

Reduce Tuition Fees:

Due to the high cost of living in university, the
government should reduce the tuition fees for
students. This would help alleviate financial stress
and enable students to pursue their dreams.

Offer Scholarships for High Performers.

The university should offer scholarships to students
who excel academically. This will motivate many

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students to work harder and aim for excellence in
their respective fields.

2. Time Management.
Many students struggle with managing their time,
which leads them to waste significant amounts of
time on unnecessary activities, leaving essential
tasks incomplete.
You can overcome this by prioritizing tasks and
focusing on completing them within the set time
frames. This will help you achieve your goals with
efficiency and quality.

3. New Environment.
For many students, university life is their first
experience of living away from home, making
independent decisions. They meet different people,
and it can be difficult to find the right friends.

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A major challenge is when a student associates
with the wrong group, leading them to engage in
negative behaviors such as drinking, drug use, etc.
Therefore, it is important to be cautious before
accepting someone as a close friend. Take time to
understand them before allowing them to influence
your goals.

4. Sexual Harassment.
Sexual harassment in universities is a major issue,
with many students falling prey to sexual advances
in exchange for good grades, passing exams, or
other academic privileges.
To combat sexual harassment, universities need
strong policies and guidelines that are enforceable,
with transparency in how justice is delivered to
victims. Furthermore, the government and
educational institutions should take legal action

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against perpetrators and ensure a safe learning
environment for students.

5. Engaging in Relationships Too Early

Many students enter romantic relationships
because they feel pressured to fit in with their peers,
especially if they see others in relationships and
fear missing out.

However, there is often no meaningful reason to

pursue these relationships. This behavior leads to
various issues such as health risks, jealousy, and
sometimes even violence.

It is important for students to focus on their studies

and personal growth rather than rushing into
relationships prematurely.

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6. Mental Health Challenges.
Due to academic pressure, family expectations,
personal goals, and social life, students can
experience immense stress.

Stress, anxiety, and depression can negatively

affect students' mental health and their ability to
concentrate on studies. These conditions can also
contribute to sleep problems, loss of motivation,
and a decline in academic performance.

How to Address Mental Health Challenges:

i. Seek Support:
Reach out to counselors, friends, and family when
you feel overwhelmed to help alleviate depression.
ii. Time Management:
Organize your tasks and give yourself time to rest.
This helps reduce stress.

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iii. Exercise:
Physical exercise reduces stress and improves
mental well-being.

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7 THINGS TO CONSIDER TO BE A
DIFFERENT STUDENT.

1. Effective Learning Techniques.

Implementing in-depth learning strategies like
taking notes, reviewing material regularly, studying
in groups, and using cognitive techniques such as
imagery and mind maps can significantly improve
your learning process.

Identifying your learning style will help you become

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more effective in your studies and achieve better
results.

2. Purpose for Your Existence

Purpose is the reason you exist in this world.
"Everything that exists has a purpose, including
you."
Here’s how you can discover your purpose:
i. In Your Nature.
ii. By Identifying What Makes You Restless.
Restlessness can come in two forms:
Passion: Something you love doing, where you
lose track of time and feel your life should be
dedicated to it.
Pain: God might use something that causes you
pain or discomfort. For example, while others
might see students leaving university due to lack
of fees as normal, it might deeply bother you. Or,
you might see street children begging and feel a

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strong urge to help them, saying to yourself, "If I
had money, I would help these children go to
school."
Anything that causes you distress might be linked
to your purpose, and it often requires God's help to
fulfill your calling.

iii. Look at the People Whose Lives Inspire

You: Observe the lives of people who inspire you.
If you find someone whose life resonates with you,
who you see yourself emulating, that person is
likely a significant influence in your life.

iv. Look at What You Can Do Easily:

What is something that you can do with ease,
without much effort? This could be a clue to
discovering your talents and purpose.

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Areas of Calling or Purpose May Include the
Following:
a. Health – Working in the healthcare sector to
help and improve people’s lives.

b. Education – Educating and teaching people

with the aim of enhancing their skills and
knowledge.

c. Social Justice – Fighting for justice and

equality within society.

d. Technology – Developing innovation and

technological solutions.

e. Arts and Culture – Preserving and

promoting the arts and culture of society.

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f. Leadership – Leading and managing people
and resources to achieve social or economic
goals.

g. Humanitarian Aid – Helping people in need,

such as disaster victims or those living in
poverty.

h. Economy – Promoting and managing the

economy for the welfare of society.

i. Religion – Leading people on their spiritual

journey, strengthening their relationship with
God, and contributing to the welfare of society
by bringing peace, love, and justice.

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3. Your Time.
One of the most important resources in life is time;
how you spend your time determines how you will
be in life. Therefore, invest your time more in things
that will build you up, especially those that are
related to your purpose.

But also, be a person of strategy by planning your

personal schedule that will guide you in carrying out
your various activities while in college. This will give
you direction in focusing your efforts on the things
you want to do and achieving positive results.

4. Building the Right Network of People

"Friendship is by choice, not by force."
Choose wisely who you want to be your
friend.
Proverbs 13:20
“Walk with the wise, and you will become wise.”

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Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens
another.”
There is no neutral relationship; either you are
influenced by something good or something bad.
Therefore, the type of friendship you have will
determine the type of life you will live. Connect with
people who will hold you accountable, encourage
you, inspire you to reach your dreams—people
whose joy is to see you succeed.

Be willing to pay the cost of leaving behind people

you knew before or after coming to college if they
are not heading where you are going. How have the
friends you have now affected you?

5. Financial Management.
Create a budget to decide where to allocate your
money; you can use the (50 | 30 | 20) system for

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budgeting.
This system was developed by U.S. Senator
Elizabeth Warren and has been helpful to many
people.
• 50% is for essential expenses such as food,
clothing, rent, etc.
• 30% is for non-essential expenses (wants)
that you can live without. For example, going
to see a movie.
• 20% is for saving, investing, and paying off
debts.
Important: Your essential expenses should not
exceed 50%, because if they do, you are moving
into a financially dangerous place. You can reduce
the 30% spent on non-essentials and increase the
20% for savings, investments, and paying debts.
“Live according to your budget, not like your
friends.”

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6. Self-Assessment and Adjusting Strategies
Set up a routine for self-assessment by reviewing
your achievements and adjusting your strategies
where necessary. This approach will help you
discover new methods and ensure that your goals
are achieved effectively.
Self-assessment is a good system that will
distinguish you from others and shows how focused
you are on a good routine. It will not only help you
while in college but also when you finish your
studies and continue with other activities in society.

7. Your Relationship with God

Having all these things and missing this one makes
you incomplete as a unique student. Worldly
wisdom says that youth is like boiling water—a time
when young people are unsettled and distracted by
many things that are not in line with God’s wisdom
for young people.

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1 John 2:14
"I write to you, young people, because you are
strong, and the word of God lives in you, and
you have overcome the evil one."
How you choose to see yourself determines how
you will be in life. Accept being defined only by
God’s word so that you become what it says about
your life.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares
the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you a hope and a
future."
You were created for a purpose, and God has given
you His Word as a guide to help you fulfill the great
destiny He has prepared for you before you were
even born. (Jeremiah 1:5), (Romans 12:2), (1
Timothy 4:12).

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THE FRIENDS YOU NEED TO BE AN
EXTRAORDINARY STUDENT.

1. Friends Who Believe in the Process

The way you will be five years from today will be
the result of the people around you and the type of
books you read, as Charlie Jones says.
"Success is a process, not a one-day event."
2. Friends Who Add Value
You cannot be better than the kind of people you
allow to surround you. Friends who add value are

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those who are willing to help you when needed;
their happiness lies in seeing you succeed.
3. Friends Who Make You Discontent
Having a group of people who think big and are
dissatisfied with the small successes they achieve
will make you the same way, and you will be able
to achieve great things too.
4. Friends Who Draw You Closer to God
No one can succeed by their own strength; every
human being needs God's help to succeed in their
life.
5. Friends Who Are Inspired by Your Dream
There are people who are inspired by your vision,
who wish to see your great vision one day come to
pass.
These are the important friends you need, as they
provide the motivation to keep living your vision.

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6. Friends Who Are Connected to Your Purpose
There are people who share a purpose similar to
yours. For example, if you are an entrepreneur,
they too have the same intention.
The benefit of these friends is that they help you
acquire new information about what’s happening
in your field, and they also make it easier for you
to build a network.
Question: Which of these 6 types of friends do
you feel you are missing?

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CONCLUSION

The journey of learning does not end when you

leave the classroom; it starts anew in the real world,
where what you do matters greatly.

It is important to continue building yourself,

maintain personal discipline, and follow the
principles that guide life. Patience and
perseverance are key tools that will help you when
you face various challenges in life.

Also, don’t forget the importance of having the right

networks, integrity, and hard work. These are the
things that will take you further than personal
success, making you a great leader and a catalyst
for change in your community.

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Finally, remember that success is an ongoing
journey. Continue learning, think outside the box,
and never be content with your current situation.
Have big goals but also learn to enjoy the small
steps you take along the way.

Before you put this book down, I want to

congratulate you for having the desire to be a
different kind of student. The world no longer needs
ordinary people, and you will be one of the
individuals that the world will need. I pray you will
put into action everything you have learned.

It’s not too late to get it right. Go and make it

happen!.

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