Damyon
How can I be as successful as possible in college?
As expensive as college can be, the last thing I want to do is squander my time while I there. #college-advice
5 answers
Rachel Weinheimer
Rachel’s Answer
Amit Kapadia
Amit’s Answer
Hi Damyon. There are many routes/actions that you can take to become successful in college. First, think about what success means to you. Is it getting great internships that lead to a great paying job, making lifelong friends, networking, learning as much as you possibly can, being involved with clubs/groups on campus? Usually, it will be a combination, along with additional personal definitions of success.
College is a great time to explore. Whether it be studying abroad, taking random classes, or working in different fields, getting exposure and experience and becoming well rounded is key to becoming successful. Take classes of areas of interest; learn as much as you can. Pick a major that you will enjoy and one that is versatile.
While in college, it is imperative to be social. Colleges are filled with students from all over the world, with every background imaginable, this people will become lifelong connections. Networking is also very important; many jobs nowadays come via a referral. Knowing something at a company of interest will be helpful down the road.
College doesn’t have to be a 100 percent grind; you are allowed to have fun. But there is a fine line when it comes to partying/skipping class and just enjoying time with friends. Given that you are already want to make the most of your college experience, I feel that you will not squander your opportunity, but make sure to enjoy your experience.
Richard A.
Richard’s Answer
Go to class. Plan to spend 2-3 hours studying for every hour of lecture. Attend your professor's office hours and any TA review sessions. If there is a test bank, use that as a study tool to understand what your professor wants you to focus on for the test.
Kamile Lazauskaite
Kamile’s Answer
One thing I would change about my experience is getting more involved with clubs and organizations. This is a great way to start building your professional and personal network, which always comes in handy when you least expect it to. Colleges usually have events where you can learn more about the clubs and organizations - find a couple and go to some meetings to see if it's the right fit for you!
Being present in your studies is a given, but I watched a lot of people during my years of college throw the opportunity away. You'd be surprised how many people don't seem to care! Always think about the long-term. There will be plenty of time to go to parties or concerts and hang out with friends, but you should try to remember that the sacrifice for now is worth it to be able to finish your education successfully.
Similarly to how colleges look at your involvement during high school, jobs are moving towards hiring the person (attitude, experiences, soft skills) rather than the skills (degree and coursework). Keep that in mind as you start to think about potential career paths! Good luck!
Steve Jones
Steve’s Answer
Hi Daymon,
I think that this question is a great one to ask. The fact that you are considering how to set yourself up for success in college is the first step in ensuring that you do well in your studies.
My first tip would be to consider what degree programs interest you and what the job outlook is for people who choose those studies. For example, technology is playing a larger role in society every day. Therefore, there is a large demand for people who have an interest/work with technology to help expand society's technological capabilities. Receiving a degree in a desirable field is step one in receiving a job offer that will allow you to both use your education and pay down college expenses quickly. Additionally, changing your degree after you have started degree-specific courses is a waste of both time and money. I am not suggesting that you stick with a degree for the sole purpose of not being able to utilize some credits that you had previously taken. However, by considering my first sentence in this paragraph, you are less likely to end up in a field where you feel that a degree switch is necessary, which will potentially forfeit both course credits you have already taken and the money paid for those classes.
Secondly, there may be a lot of pressure to skip classes, go to parties, etc. The most successful students, however, recognize that there is a time to be serious and a time to be studious. While studying on a Friday night for a Saturday exam may not be as fun as hanging out with friends, it is important to keep your long-term goals in sight. I had a number of friends in college who didn't take their classes as seriously as they should have and it greatly affected either their degree progress (more time in school = more money paid) or their career outlook (lesser grades = less desire from employers).
My third suggestion would be to network as much as possible. This could be through your participation in student organizations, employer meet-and-greets, and general campus activities. Networking effectively will provide a foundation for your future job search. For example, my college occasionally asked employers to come in and provide mock interview for interested students. By taking initiative and participating in these "fake" interviews, I was able to get my foot in the door for real internship interviews. Fortunately, I was able to receive 2 different internships by starting at a "fake" interview and allowing the employer to put my name to my face.
I hope these tips help you. As I mentioned, I think you are on the right track by giving consideration as to how to get through college in the most effective and efficient way possible.
Good Luck.