Phone, music students’ biggest distractions, says Deputy VC

Prof. Adenike Boyo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (VC) Administration, Lagos State University (LASU), said on Sunday that phones and music were the biggest distractions facing modern-day students.

Boyo said this in an interview with the newsmen in Lagos.

The deputy VC said that there was a need for students to have a healthy balance in all they do.

“I’m not saying that having a telephone is not good; it is, but what do you do with it?

“If you are using it to study, it’s beneficial, but if you are using it for music and yahoo yahoo (cybercrime), then such a fellow has no need to have a cell phone.

“We can’t stop them from using their phones; we have our lectures there; at times it’s hybrid; if you have a class of 250, students can join online. So it’s useful, and attendance can be taken online too.

“We just want them to do more valuable things with their phones: research and what have you, transforming your idea into reality with the help of information and communication technology,” she said.

She urged students to take advantage of relevant information and knowledge in cyberspace and focus on their studies.

“Students at this level can practice self-discipline or control and create a boundary that doesn’t compromise their concentration during studies.

“Also, music; they use most of their time to follow all the stars instead of reading their books. Anywhere there’s Wi-Fi, they will keep struggling to sign in, and they mostly focus on what is not beneficial to them.

“There must be balance; that’s what a responsible and goal-driven student should focus on,” Boyo said.

On dressing, the deputy VC applauded students at LASU for adhering to the dress code.

“Because there’s more awareness now, unlike before, it’s the way are dressed that will be addressed. Our students are complying.

“Our security checks them too. That keeps them in check, so they’re neatly dressed,” she said.