Almost titled the post "MUST HAVE" For Graduates, but then it occurred that all graduates should have a certificate or a testimonial, a budding Curricular Vitae, Birth Certificate, WAEC/ NECO original or official result, probably an NYSC certificate and of course any other paper that constitute your credentials.
Now this is the MUST DO. Transform paper to soft copies.
Truth is, I get pissed when I hear annoying but sad stories of people losing their credentials through fire accidents or worst, rats eating them. Haba?
I find it difficult to feel sorry for people like that cos you shouldn't allow such to be mentioned in a digital dispensation. These are ways you can preserve your documents and keep them at your disposal anytime you need them.
Firstly, everybody needs a clean and irresistible passport. I mean, you need to have a showstopper passport. Abeg no go to the usual "Passport in 1 Minute" kiosks and expect that, except you are Beyonce or you are comfortable with the normal passport that will definitely reveal the only available white powder or talc powder you rubbed before the shoot.
Point is, go to a standard photography studio... I did not say Foto studio. A state of the art photography studio provides a standard dressing room with make up artist, a studio room for photo shoots and of course the perfect background for your passport, not to forget the required amount of lighting for the shoot.
They also take out time to edit the photo to perfection and provide you with not just the hard copy, but the soft copy of the picture captured, which brings me to the matter on ground.
You actually need the soft copy more than you'll need the hard copy. All that might cost you a little too much but trust me, it's worth it.
However, make sure you send that soft copy of your passport to your email address and the email address of someone very reliable. Save that same copy in your phone, tablet, pads, memory card, external hard drive and anything that can contain it. You can also store the picture on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and any other social network that can store your picture.
But wait, you are not done yet. Also scan all your very important documents and send them to your mail box, so you can have access to them at anytime you may need them. By doing this, you can have all your documents in the palm of your hand and leave your original papers in your mother's wardrobe.
Lastly, but most importantly, make efforts to have your result transcript, which is actually school's property but may come in handy one day. Scan and save it too.