EXPOSING The Deception of Traditional “Higher Education” System

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Key Takeaways Many pay more for education that delivers less—outdated curricula, poor infrastructure, and low job readiness. Degrees alone are no longer a guaranteed path to success. Many students stay in the system out of fear, social pressure, or family expectations. Universities, governments, and businesses profit while graduates struggle. The internet has redefined how learning and income work. Cheaper, flexible, even free global alternatives now offer the same knowledge. Build while you learn—use your degree to fund your freedom, not limit it. Those who evolve faster than the system will always stay ahead.       While tuition fees keep rising, the value of education keeps falling. More teens want to be YouTubers and creators instead of doctors or engineers— and honestly, can you blame them? Many students never calculate the real cost of higher education. They’re led by family, elders, or culture into a system that often benefits everyone but them. It’s ti...
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Should You Pause Your Business for School? Here's What to Consider

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Key Takeaways

  • Pausing your business for school may protect grades but delays financial growth and independence.
  • Fear, societal pressure, and dependence on outdated systems keep many students financially stagnant.
  • Running a business during school builds discipline, income streams, and real-world skills, even if it requires sacrifice.
  • Not all businesses demand full-time effort—flexibility is key to balancing both.
  • Starting early compounds wealth and freedom, giving you a head start post-graduation.

THE LIE THAT KEEPS STUDENTS BROKE

          “You need to finish school before chasing money.” That line has been preached to young people across developing countries — from parents, teachers, and even friends who mock anyone that dares to prioritize a hustle over lecture notes.

But let’s be real: how many graduates are actually living the dream life from a degree alone? Every year, millions finish school — yet too many end up running errands, doing gig work, or begging for scraps in overcrowded job markets.

So here’s the uncomfortable question: should you pause your business for school — or pause school for your business?

We'll Break Down:

  1. What Does It Mean to Pause a Business for School?
  2. The Two Paths: Degree-First vs. Business-First
  3. Why This Decision Matters More Than You Think
  4. The Psychology of Fear & Pressure
  5. The Reality of Building a Business While in School
  6. The 9 Core Factors to Consider Before Pausing
  7. Personal Assessment: Should You Pause or Push?
  8. Daily Life Application: How to Balance Both
  9. Common Mistakes & Misconceptions
  10. School is Temporary

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PAUSE A BUSINESS FOR SCHOOL?

Pausing your business for school means: Stopping or reducing your business activities to focus on classes, exams, or projects.
Delaying growth until after graduation.
Relying on allowances, loans, or side hustles to get by.

     This choice feels safe, but it can cost you years of growth, missed opportunities, and financial independence.

THE TWO PATHS: DEGREE-FIRST VS. BUSINESS-FIRST

Degree-First:
Students who focus only on school graduate with no business experience, then scramble for jobs. The result? Many end up broke right after graduation, stuck waiting on “connections” or chasing oversaturated or highly competitive career paths.

Business-First:
Students who build something while still in school graduate with more than a certificate — they walk out with real income, money discipline, and the confidence that comes from not waiting on anyone to feed them.

👉 Which path sets you up for freedom?

WHY THIS DECISION MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK

     Education is supposed to prepare you for life. But in many developing countries, the curriculum is outdated, and the job market is already overcrowded.

The cost of pausing your business for school is high:
Lost time you can never get back — Time is your greatest asset—years spent solely on academics can’t be regained. 
Delayed wealth-building — Investments compound over time. The earlier you start, the bigger the compound effect.
Reduced employability — today’s employers value skills and experience, not just certificates.

     The opportunity cost of pausing is massive—choose wisely. Imagine consistently investing a small amount into your hustle during 4 years of school — by graduation, you could be running a growing venture instead of lining up for an overcrowded job market.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FEAR & PRESSURE

Why do most students hesitate to pursue business during school? 

Fear of Failure: “What if I lose money or disappoint my family?” Yet the real risk is never trying.

Loss Aversion: People fear losses more than they value gains, so they'd rather stick to the “safe” path.

Family Pressure: Parents believe school equals success. Anything else is a distraction.

Peer Influence: Friends may mock your business or side-hustle until it succeeds.

Comfort in Dependence: Relying on parental allowances feels easier than taking financial responsibility.

THE REALITY OF BUILDING A BUSINESS WHILE IN SCHOOL

          Building a business while in school is like juggling a 9-5 job and a side hustle—it’s demanding, but far from impossible. It requires grit, strategic planning, and a clear-eyed view of risks and rewards. Here’s what it really takes to navigate this path successfully:

The Effort and Time Commitment

1. Early Stages (Low Time Commitment): Starting a business—like selling fashion accessories, offering freelance services, or running a small online store—can take as little as 5-10 hours weekly. You might use evenings to fulfill orders or weekends to plan. For example, managing a WhatsApp-based business or dropshipping requires minimal upfront time. 

2. Growth Phase (Increasing Demands): As your business scales—you’ll need to invest more time in sourcing products, marketing, or managing clients. This could mean 15-20 hours weekly, potentially clashing with study schedules or exam periods. 

3. Long-Term Vision: A successful business might eventually demand full-time attention, but the goal isn’t to abandon school. It’s about building systems (e.g., automation, delegation) to sustain growth while studying. Like a 9-5 worker scaling a side hustle, you’ll need to prioritize ruthlessly.

The Risks

1. Academic Trade-Offs: Splitting focus may lead to lower grades. For example, missing a lecture or skipping a study session to fulfill a client order could cost you a few points. In extreme cases, neglecting academics entirely (e.g., due to a high-maintenance business like event planning) could risk failing a course.

2. Financial Losses: Early investments (e.g., inventory, ads) carry risks. A failed venture could mean losing potentially large sums, which could be a significant hit for a student.

3. Social and Emotional Strain: Late nights, missed hangouts, or parental disapproval can lead to stress or isolation. Friends may not understand your hustle, and family might pressure you to “focus on school.”

The Potential Rewards

1. Financial Independence: Even a modest business can cover school expenses, reducing reliance on allowances. A scaled business could set you up for post-graduation freedom. 

2. Skill Development: Running a business hones skills like time management, negotiation, and problem-solving—qualities employers and investors value. 

3. Head Start: By graduation, you could have a sustainable income stream, a customer base, or even a small team, positioning you far ahead of job-seeking peers.

The Sacrifices

1. Time: You’ll sacrifice leisure—fewer parties, less Netflix, more late nights. Time-blocking becomes critical to balance lectures, assignments, and business tasks.

2. Social Life: Friends may not relate to your hustle, and you’ll need to say “no” to a lot of outings.

3. Comfort Zone: You’ll face rejection, failed experiments, and tough decisions (e.g., reinvesting profits instead of spending).

What Will Help You Succeed

1. Choose a Flexible Business Model: Opt for low-maintenance ventures like digital services (e.g., graphic design, tutoring) or dropshipping, which align with school schedules. Avoid businesses requiring 
 constant physical presence (e.g., a physical store) unless you can delegate(outsource).

2. Leverage Systems and Tools: Use apps like WhatsApp Business for automated replies, Trello for task management, or Instagram for low-cost marketing. Delegate repetitive tasks to peers or hire apprentices.

3. Start Small, Scale Gradually: Test your idea with minimal investment. Reinvest profits to grow, rather than pausing entirely during busy school periods.

4. Build Resilience: Expect setbacks—lost inventory, difficult clients, or a bad semester. Treat failures as lessons, not reasons to quit.

5. Seek Support: Join student entrepreneur groups or online communities (e.g., WhatsApp peer groups) for advice and motivation. Mentors can help you avoid common pitfalls.

          Balancing school and business isn’t about choosing one over the other—it’s about understanding your capacity and goals. If your business has clear potential (e.g., consistent sales, growing demand), pausing it for school is like pausing a 9-5 side hustle just when it’s gaining traction.

The key is discipline: treat your business like a part-time job with defined hours, and treat school like a non-negotiable deadline. Not everyone can juggle both perfectly—some fields like medicine or law demand intense focus—but many students overestimate the “danger” of dividing their time. 

     The real risk is graduating with no skills, no savings, and no plan. Start small, learn fast, and adjust as you go. Your future self will thank you.


THE 9 CORE FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PAUSING

1. Fear of Failure & Instability: Are you letting fear block your financial growth?

2. Impact on Academic Performance: Can you balance both, or does your course (e.g., medicine) demand full focus?

3. Societal & Family Pressure: Are you chasing your dreams or theirs?

4. Dependence vs. Responsibility: Do you prefer allowances or financial accountability?

5. Delayed Growth: What’s the long-term cost of pausing your business?— think years.

6. Missed Income Streams: Are you limiting yourself to one career or job path?

7. Career Readiness: Will your CV show only grades, or also real-world skills?

8. Wealth Timeline: Are you starting early or delaying wealth-building?

9. Business Flexibility – Does your business align with your school schedule?

👉 Reflection: Which of these factors resonates most with your situation right now?


PERSONAL ASSESSMENT: SHOULD YOU PAUSE OR PUSH?

Ask yourself: 
  • Is my business profitable and scalable?
  • Can I manage it alongside studies with the right systems?
  • Am I using school as an excuse to avoid risk?
  • Do I want to graduate with only a certificate or with wealth and skills?

If fear drives your decision, consider pushing forward with a plan to balance both. Don’t just read, reflect. Download the full FatCat assessment here.


DAILY LIFE APPLICATION: HOW TO BALANCE BOTH

Step-by-Step

1. Allocate Profits Wisely: Consider your business costs, expenses, and goals when profits are realized.

2. Time-Block Your Week – Map out lectures and study hours and devote an amount of time to your business (e.g., 2 hours daily for client outreach).

3. Delegate Tasks: Hire peers for small tasks or use automation tools like WhatsApp Business.

4. Stay Discreet: Keep your business low-key to avoid distractions or jealousy.

5. Plan for Stress: During exams or important school activities, scale back in operations, e.g reducing orders. Try to keep the business running minimally.

Do’s & Don’ts

DO invest in systems(e.g., automation, bookkeeping)..
DO communicate clearly with clients about delivery times.
DON'T pause for months—restarting is always harder.
DON'T compare yourself to classmates chasing only grades.


COMMON MISTAKES & MISCONCEPTIONS 

1. A Degree Guarantees A Job: Degrees are oversupplied. Skills and experience often outweigh grades in today’s job market.

2. Business Can Wait Until After School: Time lost is growth and money lost. Competitors won’t wait.

Mistake: Assuming you can balance both without making any sacrifices.

Mistake: Pausing without a clear plan to restart.


SCHOOL IS TEMPORARY 

          School is a season, but the consequences of pausing your business can last a lifetime. The world doesn’t wait for your degree—markets move, competitors grow, and money compounds.

What’s riskier: graduating with a certificate or graduating with income, skills, and options? 

It’s on you to evolve, take calculated risks, and build your financial future now. Start small, stay disciplined, and own your path.

Next Time: We'll dive into the Nigerian government and How CBN’s Monetary Policies Affect Your Wallet. Want to be the first to catch our latest posts? 👉 [Click here] to follow our feed and never miss a drop.

The conversation doesn’t end here! Drop your thoughts in the comments—we learn and grow together. And if you want daily doses of finance tips, bold truths, and wealth culture reminders, join us on social media. Your journey to financial freedom is just getting started🚀🚀

Apps, Tools and Resources 
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