During class one day, while waiting for the lecturer to arrive, we had a mini interview session – one of those moments that happen naturally and feel right. 

I asked my coursemates why they chose English Language and Literature, what they hoped to achieve, and what sparked their interest in the course. It was surprisingly interactive. 

Everyone leaned in. Students wanted to be heard. And I found myself more coordinated and confident than I expected.

Novara – our bold queen of shyness(her shyness is very bold), decided to record the moment, saying it would be something worth looking back on in two or three years. We suddenly became more serious and intentional.

Another girl, who sells perfumes and body sprays and often carries her business with her everywhere – including class, held up a light to improve the video quality.

Her bag, filled with perfumes, lip glosses, and sprays, rested on the empty seat beside her.

Then the lecturer walked in.

We returned to our seats. Class began.

At some point during his explanation on creative writing, he noticed the bag and told her to take it down. 

He said he didn’t want to see it in his class again, or that she should take it out whenever he was teaching. Then he added something that stayed with me:

“If you bend down and learn how to write stories, you won’t need this.”

The implication was clear – that the business was a distraction that wouldn’t amount to much, and that our focus as Literary Students should be on reading, writing, and developing original, compelling ideas.

Now, if you think the lecturer was wrong, you’re right.

If you think he was right, you’re also right.

It depends on the bigger picture.

If She plans to fully invest in creative writing, to make it her main craft and possibly a profession, then his advice makes sense. 

But if she intends to grow her student business into something sustainable and scalable beyond school, then the lecturer may be wrong.

This is the real question every student with a side skill or business should ask:

By the time I graduate, will this skill retire, or will it compound?

Is it something I’m using temporarily to survive school, or something I’m investing in for the future?

In Nigeria today, we cannot pretend money does not matter. Reality demands that we speak both intellect and income. 

Academic prudence and pecuniary sense must walk together. But, without discipline and balance, business can easily distract from academics–especially for freshers who haven't found their footing.

From this angle, I understand the lecturer’s concern.

At the same time, being only academic is not always wise either. Knowledge that cannot solve real problems remains incomplete. 

Relevance matters. Resourcefulness matters. What can you offer? What problems can you solve? What value do you bring?

Maybe the answer lies in skills that align with academics and your path, that don’t steal your focus but your deepen purpose.

In the end, the lecturer wasn’t entirely wrong.

And neither was the student.

The wisdom is in intentional balance.