By Iorgboko Michael
General Studies (GST) courses, as the name suggests, are courses set out for the general students irrespective of their course of study. These courses are special courses designed for special purposes. They are of different subjects, and are aimed at introducing some peculiar areas of study to the students.
Therefore, a student from a particular department may be introduced to a subject totally or partially unconnected to his or her discipline.
The purpose of GST courses is to give students a general viewpoint of the society and all that goes on within and outside the society in which we live. GST courses cover virtually all aspects of human endeavors; natural science, technology and social science.
For the past few years, GST continuous assessment and exams were taken manually, using pen and paper to write them. In reference to what I learnt from those who witnessed the manual exercises, to pass GST was as demanding as hunting for a lion in a wild bush. Notable among the UDUS GST courses with such challenging nature are Arabic and French, as they are courses that are literally unconnected with a great number of students’ discipline. They don’t have generic features.
In recent times, due to massive improvement in technology of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, the mode of conducting the tests and exams for these courses has changed. They are now computer based tests and exams. No doubt that, with the involvement of computers in these courses, activities associated with them become easier not only for the students but also for the lectures, and exams officers of this division by assessing students’ results faster, compared to departmental exams.
Considering the fact that GST courses are computer based tests, it helps in boosting the CGPA of many students at all levels. When you prepare very well, GST courses are an advantage you can manipulate to have your way through. Conversely, if you are not well prepared and you see them as insignificant, you may end up being disappointed.
Moreover, to graduate as a Danfodite, you must pass all the GST courses just as departmental courses. Unfortunately, many students fail to give much attention to these courses because of the mode (CBT) of conducting their exercises. Some have become so unconcerned about them that they feel attending their classes is unnecessary. This unbecoming conduct of students towards the courses has moved many lecturers who are assigned to take these courses, to suggest to the school management that the mode of conducting the GST tests and exams should be returned to the initial system.
Undoubtedly, should the management buy the suggestion of returning to the earlier system, the majority of the students will feel the rigor associated with it. It’s therefore very important for the students to take advantage of the CBT system, and at the same time consider the GST courses significant, through which they can add value to their academic endeavors.
On a final note, I deem it fit to encourage my fellow students to always attend GST lectures and be serious about them the same manner they do to their main courses.