Avoid Distractions on Your Way

Moses Alluyor (2000) stated, “Distraction is something that makes you stop paying attention to what you are doing. When there is distraction, anxiety is created, and you are unable to think clearly. Anyone who is not mindful of where he or she is going could easily be distracted”. Any moment you leave the proper for the improper things then there is distraction.

Not to move at all is better than to go in the wrong way. As you are in school, all eyes are on you. Your parents will be counting days for you to finish your study. It is a thing of sorrow that many students have shattered the hope of thousands of parents. Instead of facing their studies, they took to different things, they joined bad companies, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, engage in sexual immoralities and at the end ruin their lives with diseases.

All these things are distractions, and they will make your academic journey very slow, tough, or even stop you. Just ask yourself, “Where and what will you be ten years from today if you keep on using hard drugs and being a cult member?”

EFFECTS OF DISTRACTIONS

(A) The following are the effects of smoking and drug abuse:

i. Dullness / loss of sense

ii. Cult membership as a way out.

iii. Anti – social behaviours.

iv. Gangsterism

v. Instant death

vi. Economic loss to the family and Nation.

(B) The following are the disadvantages of cult membership:

i. Joining a bad peer group

ii. Curiosity and temptation to do evils

iii. Ignorance about good things of life

iv. Separation from family

v. Unfulfilled educational ambition.

(C) Have you been drinking alcohol? This is a distraction on your way, and you should avoid it now. Dr. Adeniyi O. Adetiba, in his research work on Alcohol Consumption among Students, pointed out the following problems that affect alcohol drinkers:

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.

a. Depression

b. Anxiety

c. Suicide attempt

d. Phobia disorders.

e. Paranoia

f. Alcoholic Psychosis

g. Dependence Syndrome

h. Hallucination

2. MEDICAL PROBLEMS

a. Stomach and Duodenum

b. Cirrhosis of the liver

c. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

d. Hypertension

e. Gastritis

3. SOCIAL PROBLEMS

a. Assault; Victim of crime, homicide e.t.c

b. Absenteeism

c. Automobile accident

d. Industrial accident

e. Neglect of family, etc.

IF you are a drinker, you will have at least one of the problems. Why can’t you shun the habit of drinking now?

(D) Another distraction you should avoid is sexual immoralities through boyfriend or girlfriend relationships. This will waste your time and money now. Everything has a time and a place so you should wait until you are mature or old enough. Marriage is for men and women, not for Secondary School students. There are also sexually transmitted diseases such as Trichomoniasis, Gonorrnoea, Non-specific urethritis (Chlamydia), Chancroid, Granuloma Inguinale, Herpers, Lymphogranuloma Venereum Genital wart and HIV / AIDS. All these diseases are dangerous. They can stop your education or even kill you.

MORE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Can we talk more about health? Yes. Because you want to look good, be in shape and be healthy. Only a healthy and physically sound student can concentrate fully in the class; so it is important to take care of yourself.

Here are some tips for keeping your body healthy:

Drink plenty of water every day. It is good for your body as it aids digestion.
Create time to exercise (at least once in a week) for about thirty minutes. If you are not into sports, try fast walking or stair climbing.
Take some time to relax every day. You may sit or lie down in a quiet room with the lights dimmed for few minutes each day. Peace of minds goes a long way to improve health.
Eat healthy foods that provide all the Nutrients your body needs. Cut down on junk foods such as soft drinks, cake, “puff-puff”, e.t.c.
Engage in useful recreational activities that will help you live positive lifestyles.
Learn about reproductive health (the changes that occur in your body as you grow up) if you see any strange thing, don’t hesitate to ask your parents or teacher of the same sex.
Always feel good about yourself.
Have a sense of hope and set goals for the future e.g. I want to be an Engineer, I want to be a graduate at the age of 22, e.t.c
Take your bath twice daily, especially if you sweat a lot.
Make sure that your under-wear is always clean and free form body odour.
Keep your hair neat and dress decently. The way you dress determines the way you will be addressed. So, make sure that your private parts are covered.
Do not engage in sex now. You might be exposed to diseases.

MISCONCEPTIONS/RUMOURS ABOUT GROWING UP

The following are LIES you must NOT listen to.

BOYS:

i. That you do not need to be a virgin until marriage.

ii. That you would experience abdominal pain if you don’t have sex.

iii. That sex is a big guy’s affair.

iv. That you are not fashionable if you don’t have a girlfriend/sex partner.

LIES you must NOT listen to.

GIRLS:

i. That you’ve got to have sex to overcome menstrual pain.

ii. That you’ve got to have a boyfriend to be like others.

iii. That you need things to make you beautiful and a man or boy must get them for you.

iv. That you need sex in order to have to a sense of belonging.

v. That you need sex in order to keep a relationship.

Tips to Avoid Distractions

Below is important information that will help you avoid distractions as you go up the ladder of your education.

Do not keep bad and notorious friends. Bad company corrupts good manners.
Do not be idle. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
Shun the habit of watching blue films, browsing or reading pornographic pictures/literatures.
Do not stay in a secluded or dark corner alone with a friend of opposite sex.
You can avoid all distractions, evil acts and unclean relationship if you trust and obey God. He is the miracle worker that can give you freedom from failure, poverty, disease and all other forms of bondage.
There is still pride in being a virgin boy or girl. This will establish trust and love between you and your future spouse.

Final Note: Remember that any moment you leave the proper for the improper things, then there is a distraction.