College is said to be the best four years of your life. Many assume that is because you get to party all the time, eat whatever you want and stay up all night. While these things definitely make college fun, there are many other parts of the experience that make it much more memorable.
In reality, college is the best four years of your life because you can find out who you truly are and grow in the things you are passionate about. College is a time for students to explore different paths and test out things that they may want to pursue for the rest of their lives.
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College is a 2-year- or 4-year-long launching pad to the rest of your life. What you do in college can help lead to an amazing life post-graduation. Do not spend college just by showing up to class, going home to watch Netflix, spending the weekends drinking and then just repeating the cycle. Hit the ground running and take college as an opportunity to be yourself and grow.
To help assist you or remind you of how you can make the most of your time in college, here are 10 tips to help you use various opportunities to your advantage.
1. Get Involved
Getting involved in student organizations is an amazing way to gain skills while meeting a lot of new friends. Getting involved in one academic organization and one recreational organization is a great way to stay balanced. Academic organizations can lead to professional opportunities such as resume building experience and internships, while recreational organizations help you relax during the week. Studies show that students who get involved are more likely to perform better academically and be more prepared for life after college.
2. Find a Job
Now we aren't talking a full-time job right away, but involvement in any part-time work can help with time management and important skills. Many universities have job opportunities where you can gain experience in your field. If you are a biology student, you can become a lab assistant. If you are a communication major, you can work serve as a social media coordinator for an on-campus business. These opportunities can help you learn applicable skills outside the classroom.
3. Build your Resume
Gaining experiences and learning how to write a good resume are all things that you will want to work on throughout your college career. Having a clean and full resume before graduation can help get you noticed when applying for jobs. The great thing about preparing your resume in college is that almost all universities have the opportunity for your work to get critiqued through a career services center.
4. Find a Mentor
Having someone who you can look up to professionally is a great way to learn more about the real world. A mentor is someone who can help give you advice, help you meet other professionals in your field and can even help lead to careers. Mentors are great to have in any stage of your life: college, entry level positions and even when you are at the top of your field.
5. Ask Questions
Be curious about your passions. If you have an interest in a particular job field or position, request to grab coffee and talk with someone who is currently in that job. Professionals almost always love to help students, and who doesn't love going out for coffee? The best way to learn about a field is by talking to a direct source.
6. Explore with an Internship
One of the best ways that you can learn about a career that interests you is by trying it out. Internships can help you learn about what you are or aren't interested in. They say that one of the best ways to learn is by experience, and in this day in age, internships are the number one way to get that experience. If you are interested in a certain company but they do not have any postings about interns, send them an email and ask about being an intern; the worst they can say is no!
7. Stay Healthy
Trying to balance a social life, school, organizations and a job can get hectic. Bad habits can form in college and lead you down an unhealthy path post-graduation. Get in the habit of making smart eating decisions and try to stay active while in college. If you're going to start any habits, why not start healthy ones? You will be much happier and more energized when you make good decisions.
8. Expand your Network
They say that "it's not about what you know, it's about who you know." This means that it is important to have a wide network of people that you can help connect you to jobs when you graduate. It only takes one conversation to help you land an interview.
9. Be with Friends
Your friends can be your biggest support group. Surrounding yourself with good energy is the best way to stay in love with your passions. Friends are there for you when you come home from a long day and are there for you when you to help you stay sane.
10. Stay Humble
In college, it can be easy to feel like you are at the top of your field when you have had internships and are very involved. It is important to remember that there are always things to learn. Stay humble and curious, no matter where you are in your college career.
