After JAMB, What Next?
Now that the UTME is over and results are out, many candidates are left in a waiting phase, anticipating the start of admission processes across institutions.
But this period is not a break. It is a transition.
For candidates who are confident about securing admission in the 2026 academic session, the question is simple: what should be done while waiting?
Experience across Nigerian campuses shows that students who use this period wisely often settle faster and perform better when school resumes. Two practical paths stand out.
Learn a Skill
One of the most common pieces of advice given to prospective undergraduates is to learn a skill and it is definitely for good reason.
Skills, whether vocational or digital, have become essential for financial support and personal development in higher institutions. However, it is not enough to learn just any skill.
Students are advised to be strategic. The most useful skills are those that are in demand within their target institution. A student who understands the campus environment ahead of time can position themselves to meet real needs.
Learning a relevant skill before resumption does not just prepare a student for financial independence, it also builds confidence and adaptability.
Work and Save Money
The second option is simple but often overlooked: work and earn.
This is not the time for unpaid efforts or vague experience. It is a time to build financial capacity. Every income earned during this period should be taken seriously and saved.
Nigerian higher institutions are financially demanding. From accommodation and acceptance fees to books, practicals, feeding, and transportation, expenses add up quickly.
Students who prepare financially ahead of resumption are better equipped to navigate these demands without unnecessary pressure.
Beyond saving, students can also begin to think like entrepreneurs. Identifying products or services that are in demand on campus and investing part of their savings into such ventures can create additional streams of income.
However, the choice between learning a skill and working for money depends largely on individual circumstances.
Students with reliable financial support, such as sponsorship from parents or guardians, may benefit more from focusing on skill acquisition.
On the other hand, those who will shoulder most of their expenses are better positioned to prioritize earning and saving.
Whichever path is chosen, one principle remains constant:
Preparation before admission goes beyond passing exams—it involves building the capacity to survive and thrive within the system.
As for many students, the biggest challenge is not gaining admission, but sustaining themselves after gaining it.
Using this waiting period wisely can make all the difference.
Start something today.
EduTimes Africa wishes you all the best
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.