Being in college can sometimes feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. For many, you go from being an 18-year-old who still has to raise your hand to use the restroom in high school to being asked to make seemingly life-altering decisions overnight. I’m one of those people, and as my time at college comes to an end and graduation approaches, this imaginary weight is slowly being lifted (the weight of the looming real world is a whole different story).
I’ve been reminiscing on my experiences throughout the past four years of college, and while I’m not one to have many regrets, I have been thinking about all the things I wish I’d done during my time here. It took me until now to realize that college offers so much more than just earning a degree, and I wish I’d taken advantage of more opportunities early on. For those who may be starting college soon or are already in school, here are seven things I wish I’d done differently.
Unsplash / Priscilla Du Preez
Connect With Professors
One of the most important things I learned only at the tail end of my college experience was how important it is to connect with my teachers. College professors are a wealth of knowledge and are typically eager to help students – they were once in our shoes! Not only are they willing to help, but they usually have an already-established network of peers in the same career field you’re interested in. This will open up more doors for job opportunities in the future and put your foot in the door for the career field you’re studying.
Unsplash / Eliott Reyna
Be More Approachable
Let’s face it, walking around campus with headphones and sunglasses on doesn’t exactly make people want to approach you. I get it, though. I’m a shy and reserved person, so this behavior was an instinct, but during my last semester, I started to learn that opening myself up more allowed me to make new friends and give me new experiences. It also helped boost my confidence! Try experimenting with being more approachable, and see the opportunities it opens.
Unsplash / Dan Dimmock
Take It Slowly
As soon as I entered college, I wanted the quickest path possible to graduating. While there’s nothing inherently wrong about wanting to quick-start your career into the professional world, the pressure to graduate as quickly as possible hindered my process. Not only did it add unnecessary stress (over 60 percent of college students finish after the four-year mark), but I also knew I was skipping out on valuable opportunities by trying to rush it. Take it slow, enjoy every step of the way, and get the most out of each year. You will make it to graduation!
Unsplash / Tra Nguyen
Take a Variety of Courses
Given my last example of how I rushed to graduation, I didn’t allow myself to experience courses outside of my major and minor. Most universities offer amazing elective courses, some including wine tasting, hiking, cooking, pop culture, and many more. College is the perfect time to explore different passions and hobbies through class. Elective credits are needed regardless if they relate to your major or not, so try something fun!
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Enjoy Even the Hard Parts
It’s easy to fall into the habit of negative thinking. The common stereotypes of college portrayed in movies and TV is that it’s exhausting and filled with procrastination, lack of funds, and hangovers. While this holds some truth, altering your outlook and mindset to be more positive can immensely change how you feel. The largest disservice I did to myself throughout college was subconsciously forcing myself to dislike it. It’s a difficult time, undoubtedly, but if you focus on how hard you’re working, the not-so-distant rewards, and how much you’re learning about life and yourself, college becomes a great thing.
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Ask For Help
If I only had one piece of advice, it’s to take care of your mental health. There are a lot of changes that happen when you’re in college, and having someone to talk to to deal with the ups and downs can help so much. Most universities offer free counseling that’s covered by the cost of tuition, so make sure you take advantage of those resources. Having a professional you can speak with on a regular basis will help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Unsplash / Danielle Cerullo
Take Advantage of Campus Resources
College tuition is expensive, but have you ever looked into what that money is going toward? Most tuitions cover gym memberships, access to computer labs and on-campus studios, tutors, and more. Use these resources! Spend some time on your college’s website and learn about the amazing things at your disposal.
