8 things that can CHANGE your college life forever
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How to avoid a negative college experience
When I was a college student, I didn’t take advantage of all the opportunities that college had to offer.
While I got a lot out of my college career, I feel like there were ways I could have given myself more opportunities.
Don’t be me. Instead, reach for the stars!
I know that seems so cliché, but I want you to treat college like a job and go BIG.
This means making the most of every opportunity you have, getting engaged, and being actively involved in the campus life.
It might be tempting to just crawl back into your shell because you are an introvert, but I assure you that you can do all these things and more.
Are you feeling like your college life has been boring and wonder how to make it spectacular?
Or are you a freshman, and hoping to make the most out of your college experience?
Either way, I am going to share with you 8 things that can make your college career experience memorable and get you some cool opportunities.
1.) Talk to your professor
When I was a college professor, students rarely came to visit or emailed me for questions outside of the course.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Some students took advantage of my knowledge, but others just didn’t.
This really seems common though. A lot of students aren’t running to their professor’s door during office hours.
Just take a walk through your campus. Pay attention to the professors and their offices. Are there lots of people visiting or does it look more like a ghost town? I would bet it looks like a ghost town for the most part.
Don’t be the student who doesn’t stop by, and instead introduce yourself, and get some advice.
You never know when you might need them to vouch for you.
I know you’re probably a little apprehensive to barge into your professor’s office, but it’s not nearly as difficult as you might think.
Talking to your professor can change your college life forever because that professor might just be a reference later or open up doors for you professionally.
I am not saying they are playing favorites, but they might have connections that reach out to them and ask for a few strong students to apply for an internship or position, and they may just think of you.
Or you need a reference, or a letter of recommendation for graduate school.
These professional relationships can greatly benefit you.
And honestly, it just helps you build confidence and communication skills too.
When I was in college, I had a professor who was impressed by my written communication and asked me if I wanted to be an intern with a very well-known agency.
I was floored.
But he saw something in me through my work and communication, that he picked me.
It was something that I was able to list on my resume and helped me land my first real job out of college.
2.) Join a student organization
When you join a student organization, or even create one yourself, you get loads of experience and networking opportunities. You get to meet faculty advisors and network with other students.
Most student organizations are geared towards certain majors and careers, so check out what your college has to offer.
If you don’t find something that aligns with you, consider creating an organization yourself.
Most colleges will allow students to propose a new student organization.
But make sure you take advantage of this opportunity.
Attend the meetings, meet new people, and talk with your advisors.
Make sure you plan campus events and recruit new members.
This will build your leadership and communication skills and you can list this on your resume later.
It may even help with scholarships and graduate school applications.
3.) Make a bucket list
I want you to write down 10 things you want to accomplish, or wish you’d accomplish at college. There is a book that can really help nail down some ideas!
I wish I would have had a book like this when I went to college because I sat in my apartment far too much and could have been making the most out of my college career.
You are spending a lot of money on college, and you want to get the most bang for your buck.
So, try to do as many of your bucket list items as possible to achieve the best experience in college.
It can be something as simple as meeting a new classmate each semester, to joining an intramural.
Push your boundaries a little to really experience college and all it has to offer.
4.) Live on campus
This might not be possible based on your circumstances, but if you can manage to live on campus, I recommend it.
Why?
Because you can meet so many people, engage in the campus life more, and truly spend more time on campus.
There are a lot of advantages to living on campus.
You are much closer to your classes, so you’ll be more likely to attend.
And you are just a few steps from campus events and activities.
You can easily meet new people compared to living more isolated somewhere off-campus.
I think there are a lot of benefits to living on campus, but again, this might be out of your control, and you can’t live on campus.
If so, get as close to campus as possible.
5.) Join an intramural sport
How cool would it be to play a sport that you love, meet new people and be active?
You can do that on most college campuses by joining an intramural sport.
I’ve seen sports like volleyball, soccer, and softball, to name a few.
Signup for sport you love and get involved.
You’ll stay active and get to do something you love.
Even better, try a new sport you’ve never dreamed of playing.
Push your limits.
Why?
Because you’re likely a little fearful to try a new sport, and this way you can gain confidence.
I think it helps students build marketable skills for careers later.
A lot of employers will look at their candidates’ marketable skills like communication and ambition.
There are really lots of skills you can build when you get outside of your comfort zone.
Just try it. What’s the worst thing that can happen?
6.) Get an internship
You might be saying, no way! They usually don’t pay anything.
I know, I know.
But these internships, depending on your future career, can be crucial.
This entirely depends on your career, but sometimes an internship is a rite of passage into your career field.
Most professionals worked as an intern and then got hired full-time.
I see this a lot in some fields.
Other times, it won’t matter, but you can still build your resume.
And your college might give college credit for you completing an internship.
I do recommend you try and find paid internships, if possible, but even an unpaid internship can open lots of doors for you.
I think you should check out what your college has to offer, and if they don’t have any connections, start looking yourself.
7.) Don’t go into debt
With student debt being such a common occurrence, I know I am going against the grain here, but I do not recommend students go into debt to get a college education.
If you have trouble affording college, go to a cheaper college.
I would think about a community college and then transfer to a university afterwards.
Or check all your financial aid options like grants where you don’t have to pay them back.
Apply for every scholarship you can, like it’s your job! Don’t leave FREE money on the table.
Do everything you can to avoid taking out loans because it won’t be near as easy as you might think to pay them back later.
And even if you can’t dedicate too much time to working a job, there are plenty of other opportunities to earn some cash.
8.) Start a blog
What about recording your amazing college adventures?
You can look back on these times and remember all the fun times you had.
It’s been decades since I was in college, and while I remember a few distinct things, I forgot quite a bit.
I think it would have been amazing to record these memories, in written or video form.
You don’t necessarily have to make your blog public, but it would be a place where you could dedicate your time to writing about your college experiences.
What a neat thing to be able to show your children and grandchildren later.
Just be careful if you post anything online, what is online is there forever, sort of.
If you don’t want to start a blog or make videos, you could just write your experiences in a journal.
I keep a journal to jot down memories and even looking back the last few years, it is amazing to be reminded of some of the moments in my life that I would have probably forgotten.
I know these 8 things will help you make the most of your college career and get the best experience from your time at college.
Don’t sit around and expect the opportunities to come to you, instead make those opportunities yourself!
You’ve got this.
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