Higher Education

Making the Most Out Of Your College Years

Graduation

College can be the most enthralling time of your life and it can also be the worst. What you make out of this crucial time of your life, matters the most. These substantial years will lay the foundation of the personality you choose to live with, the career you want to opt for and most importantly this phase of your life will hone a number of skills and talents that will eventually help you develop your interests in fields other than what you’re studying. Despite knowing about the importance this fundamental period holds in your life, some students end up juggling between entirely useless activities or doing nothing but study. An unwritten rule to make the most out of your college is to balance everything in a way that no one thing overpowers the other. Here are a few tips to make your college life the most productive yet exciting phase of your life with the stability you need, while you’re young.

The Balance you need

As mentioned before, it’s essential that you create a balance between study and other activities in a way that your studies don’t get affected by other activities and vice versa. In order to achieve the much needed stability in your life, you should learn to manage things according to a well-set plan. A timetable or a to-do list would not hurt anyone and will be of great help. Dividing your time to study, sleep, for other activities and your time with friends can be beneficial to make things go at a steady pace. If you want to remember your time in college as the best time of your life then you need to learn the art of balancing things because it is not all about studying, neither it is just to have fun.

Leave your comfort zone

This one tip is not just for your college phase but for your entire life. Many people don’t try new things in life out of their fear of losing or not being comfortable with anything new. While in college, there will be many things which need you to be dragged out of your comfort zone and trying out things you haven’t done before. If you’re a freshman, you’ll find it difficult to settle in, especially if you’re away from and have to live in a college dorm or another state. Things are not always as you plan them to be so be mentally prepared to try out new things and learn from those experiences. There are all kinds of students in college and you can’t just live all by yourself so don’t be hesitant in making new friends and connecting with other people because you’ll need an active circle of peers to survive college. Remember that, college is not just about getting a degree, it offers a lot only if you’re willing to embrace the randomness that comes along.

Work whenever you can

It’s an established fact that classrooms don’t teach students what they would need in their professional lives. Take advantage of being young and energetic and don’t restrict yourself to just life on campus. Also, students these days are struggling from the burden of hefty student loans which in terms increases the pressure of working and start saving early. If you get opportunities to work along with your studies then you should take that as a chance to learn and earn. Internships or working part time can offer you a number of professional and financial benefits. Some colleges make internships mandatory to graduate so always keep on searching for jobs or internships that are in line with your major. Even if you’re offered unpaid internships, the learning and experience you can achieve from it, is what counts.

Be a good sport

All work and no play made Jack a dull boy and so will it make you so take part in extracurricular activities and find some sport of your interest. There are intramural teams to partake in different kinds of sports. Joining a fitness club or any other club that intrigues you can be a great way to take your mind off studies when you need a break.

Challenge yourself

Set goals for yourself and try to achieve them even if it seems impossible to do so. While you’re young and have the motivation to make the most out of your life, challenge yourself with things you find difficult.

College is not just about fretting; you can have the time of your life during these four years only if you plan it accordingly.

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Danuta Smoluk is a teacher with over three decades of experience teaching both children and adults. She specializes in teaching the Polish language to English-speakers. She has a master's degree in primary and early childhood education from WSP Słupsk (currently Pomeranian University in Słupsk) and had her degree validated by University of Toronto. Aside from education, she also has an interest in real estate and home improvement. She has planned and supervised many house renovations. She loves interior design, cooking, and gardening.

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