Government Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

          Self image is an individual's persecption of self-formed through experieces with the environment, interaction with significant others and attribution of his own behaviour.(Shalveson and Bolus 1982). Self image can also be defined as the idea that one has concerning himself. It is the totality of an individual's thoughts concerning himself. One's personality, attitude and response are all affected by his self image.
          Self image is developed in either positive or negative manner based on the treatment showed to the individual by others and how the individual interprets such actions meted for him. An individual born and lived in a warm, accepting and self expressive environment and has the ability to adjust to behavioural influences of others will develop good self-concept. The other way round an individual that is being rejected will feel a sense of neglect and coul withdraw or become aggressive.
                                        ADVANTAGES OF KNOWING ONESELF
          Knowing oneself helps the student to discover more about himself. If one's self image is measured and adequately interpreted it affords the person concerned to be knowledgeable about who he is; that is, understanding his abilities, capabilities and deficiencies; this will lead him in whatever tasks he set for himself.
          Knowing oneself also helps individual to understand the environment where he is existing. There are lots of environmental factors influencing on the self and the self influencing on them. The knowledge of oneself will help the individual to adjust favourably to the environment having known what can benefit him within it and what he can give out to same to. This will make the individual to function effectively in the society. The knowledge of oneself helps in the acquisition of decision making skills. No individual will take any decison inconsistent with oneself. However, the knowledge of oneself can help the teacher understand the students and their problems. An individual's behaviour is usually consistent with his self image.
          Above all, the nation can be rid of criminals of all types if counsellors can help students develop good self concept. Many maladaptive behaviours or behaviuoral excesses are occasioned by attempts of an individual to compensate for deficiences in self. So if ideal self image is acquired from the beginning of one's life and counsellors help to shape such and remedy shortfalls; Nigeria could be a better place to live in.
                                                                                              Mrs. Adesola Toyin.
                                                                                              Guidiance and counselling Department
                                                                                              Government Secondary School, Minna.