They say knowledge is power, but knowledge doesn't just refer to book smarts. It also refers to being well informed. My purpose here is to take a second look at what impact college can have on your future, except the emphasis will be more on how to get the most out of your time there. I have released earlier posts that discussed aspects of college that people should be aware of before going, such as their statistics, cost, what they provide, what a degree can mean for one's future, and what the future can look like for a graduate depending on their field and interest. Now, I want to provide insight on how students can navigate the college environment to benefit them the most and ensure that they will be well prepared by the time graduation comes around.
First things first, college is supposed to prepare you for the real world. How? Well, you are put in a completely new environment with individuals you do not know, and you are learning to survive on your own - socially, physically, and mentally. It is a tough challenge that is not easy and takes time to adapt to, but while you are in this environment independently, the hope is that you are growing as a person. The entire thing is a learning process and is meant to emulate how things will be when you are on your own in the real world. But, the keyword in my last few sentences was "hope" because like I said earlier, college provides you with the environment, they aren't walking with you every step of the way. There a significant amount of things you're going to have to learn on your own, like how to network, how to ball on a budget and really stretch that dollar bill, how to make connections with the people around you, and other aspects of life that will be crucial for your security and stability after graduation. Since college doesn't really teach you how to do all of these things, how about I give you some pointers on how to learn and do them yourself? Think of it as a stepping stone to help you adapt to the new environment, and really make the most of the time you have at college, because the undergraduate experience only comes once in your life!
Don't Let the People Around You Pass You By
In college, you are surrounded by people all the time (except when you're sleeping -- but even then, sometimes you're not (for those who don't understand, you will when you're older)). Do not go through college without building relationships with the people you encounter. Now, I am not saying walk up to every person you see and try to make them your best friend (that may borderline creepy), but when you do meet people, try to make those lasting connections. I mentioned in the earlier post that professors are a great resource to you and they are, if you take advantage of having them. That means taking the time to get to know them, understand what they do, and their purpose in being a professor. Show them your interest in them, and it will prove to be a huge benefit for your future. The same applies to other individuals that work in the school, such as administration, staff, and even the school's president. These people are here to help you but you have to reach out to them. Even your fellow students serve as a great benefit to you while at school, whether it be through friendship, leadership in organizations to achieve a purpose, advice, guidance, or even someone to help push you when things are tough. One last thing I would suggest is to find a mentor. A mentor is a person that can guide you in numerous areas, not just school, and usually has gone through most of the things you are currently enduring. They are one of the best tools for success anyone can have in anything they do. Make sure you find someone you trust and/or confide in, and can keep things real with you when necessary. Regardless of the person, college is not the place to keep to yourself. It is the time to immerse yourself in the environment and allow yourself to be exposed to the different kinds of people you will encounter to get a better understanding of the world. So, get your interpersonal communication game up!
Stretch Those Bills
Money is arguably one of the most crucial necessities in college. It can make the difference of eating food or sleep for the night. It is definitely a tool that will benefit you a great deal, but that is only if you use it wisely. It is very easy, especially when you first arrive, to get a little crazy with your funds. It can be anything from buying libations for your friends or simply buying a lot of things that catch your attention. But what you will soon realize is that money doesn't always come easy and that when it's gone, it can heavily impact your life in a negative way. So, how do you make sure you're spending your money well and saving as much as you can? My first suggestion is saving separately. As crazy as that sounds, your future self will thank you in the case an unexpected event comes up or you need to start paying off college debt. Also, it's just good practice of self-discipline and speaks a lot to your character that you think ahead. Next, I would learn to manage your money, and a good way to do that is to have a plan of how you will spend the income you make. Mapping out how your money is spent will allow you to see where your money is going and what you should not spend. This will prove to be extremely useful when you are on your own after college because you will be maximizing paychecks. The third tip I have is to learn to cook! You save a lot of money by shopping once for things you can cook for yourself rather than eating out at all the fast food spots available on campus (and to all my single people out there, it's a very attractive skill to have). Besides these suggestions, there are a couple of other general tips you probably hear often, such as not going out as much, doing activities that cost little to no money from time to time, and monitoring your money and where it's going. These few tips alone will probably save you a great deal of money and make you less likely to hit your friends with the "my funds are limited" or "my pockets are hurting" lines.
Attaining Those Necessary and Lifelong Skills
The skills you learn at college will come from many different areas. So, it's in your best interest to involve yourself in those different areas and aspects of school, and not limit yourself. One key area is work. Jobs and internships will make a huge difference for you when you graduate in two different ways. On one side, you are gaining skills in the workplace that will translate in the real world in whatever career field you choose to follow. Even jobs that may not seem as serious or important will equip you with skills that you can use in life after college. On the other side, you are building your resume with work that will show employers that you were able to do more than just go to class everyday (which is what a lot of students end up doing in school) and took on more responsibility to prepare you for the future. Be on the lookout for a post I release later on that goes in-depth about how to find, receive, and keep the numerous internships available for students. Another key area is the classroom. This is where you are learning the information related to your career field that will keep you employed, so make sure you are understanding everything you are learning (remember, knowledge is power). If you are having trouble learning material, take a stab at it from a different angle. Go to tutoring sessions, make friends and study with them (and I mean actually study), speak to your professor during office hours (major key), or take the time on your own to review material, which can entail reading the book or using online resources. You will find that even going through your everyday motions can yield skills, like learning to be social, speaking to others, communicating problems, relationship building, making healthy decisions when it comes to choosing what to eat, and other things that you can only get while being in college. Skills are there for you to learn and hone, if you are willing to put the time and effort in. Whether it's a language, or a soft skill, make sure you are taking any opportunity you can to not only improve in the areas you lack in, but also makes you a better person.
These were just some of the major areas of college I believe yield a person the most benefit while in school, but also relate to improving yourself overall. These areas translate in and out of college, and are necessary if one wants to ensure they are well-prepared for the future ahead of them. The world is an unpredictable place, and we have to be ready for anything. Life can hit you in an instant and life after college can be a pretty rough process. Don't wait until the end to try and maximize your time there. Utilize it as much as possible, and don't just limit yourself to what I have told you. Think of other areas, and feel free to share them here as well. I can guarantee that it will help you in numerous ways after college and put you ahead of a good amount of your fellow classmates.
No comments:
Post a Comment