6 real-life skills that are more valuable than academic excellence

Let’s face it – academic excellence is a gateway to open doors, and we’ll be lying if we ever say you don’t need it.

But while your academic skills can open these doors, it is your real life skills that actually keep them open. Entrepreneurs, employers, and even top universities are now transcending the marksheet to what truly counts: the human edge.

Here, let’s look at six real-life skills that will keep you on top of your game in today’s fast-paced world.

Creative Skills

ALSO READ: 5 life skills Nigerian students need to succeed after university

Your imagination is a powerful currency, and you should learn to use it. Creativity doesn’t just have to be for artists – it is the fuel that powers the engine of innovation and problem-solving. We live in a fast-paced world where automation has become the norm. And thus, what sets you apart is the originality of your idea. Where grades stop, creativity begins.

Financial Literacy

Whether it’s budgeting for rent, groceries, or savings, understanding money goes beyond the classroom. According to research, only around one-third of adults are financially literate – yet this skill is vital for real-world financial stability. So, if you want to stay on top in today’s world, you must learn financial discipline beyond what you’re taught in school.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are easily one of the most in-demand skills in today’s job market. It is often not about what you say, but how you say it. Whether it’s when you’re pitching an idea or writing a work-related email, you can’t overemphasise the role of clear and confident communication in building credibility. People will definitely learn to form a perception from how you communicate.

Networking 

This sounds simple, but you’d be sure how often people struggle with it. Fortunately, it is one of the most vital professional assets you’ll carry. Who you know and how to maintain such relationships matter a lot. Your success often depends on the ability to collaborate, trust, and create meaningful relationships. So the earlier you start networking, the better for you.

Emotional Intelligence

Book-smartness won’t save you from stress, burnout, or workplace conflict. Emotional intelligence – the ability to understand and manage your own and others’ emotions – is often a better predictor of success. Experts usually predict that emotional intelligence correlates with better social relations, health, and workplace well-being.

ALSO READ: Prepare Your Child for the Future: 10 life skills they must learn before 13

Hands-On Life Skills

From sewing a button to performing basic first aid or cooking a meal, practical skills are often lifesavers – literally and figuratively. You want to pick one or two of these skills whenever you can because you don’t know which will save you when you get stuck.