3 answers
Sarah
Student
Greenville, South Carolina
1
Question
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What is one piece of advice you wished you had taken before attending college, and what is one thing you would do differently??
Any additional advice you'd like to give?
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1899
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Sarah if I could go back and re-do my undergrad knowing everything I know now, there are more than a few things I would do differently. But out of everything, the number one piece of advice I would give myself is, college is for learning, set yourself up for success NOW.
NEVER STOP LEARNING
Engage with the material that you’re taught not because you’ll be assessed on it, but rather because it fascinates you. Choose a course not because you think it’s what you “should” be taking, but rather because the central topic speaks to you. High school, in many ways, trains you to pick the classes and activities that will set you up best for success – the ones that will look the best on your resume, the ones that will get you the best recommendation letters, etc. But now you’re in. Let go of being interested in what you think you’re “supposed to” be interested in, and take a moment to reflect on what it is that you want to get out of your college experience. What is it that you want to learn? What it is that you are uniquely interested in? Train yourself to be curious, cultivate that curiosity, and follow it wherever it takes you.
NETWORKING
One thing you don’t learn directly in college is the value of networking. You often feel like networking is something that’ll come later down the line, usually after graduation, and very likely once you’ve already entered the workforce. However, this isn’t the case at all. The best time to start building your professional network is while you’re still in school. You can do this by spending more time with your professors during office hours, attending networking events hosted by your college career center or local student organizations, and by initiating conversations with guest speakers who come to your classes. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to networking. Another way you can expand your network (without even really thinking about it) is by using your time in college to make friends wherever you go.
NEVER STOP LEARNING
Engage with the material that you’re taught not because you’ll be assessed on it, but rather because it fascinates you. Choose a course not because you think it’s what you “should” be taking, but rather because the central topic speaks to you. High school, in many ways, trains you to pick the classes and activities that will set you up best for success – the ones that will look the best on your resume, the ones that will get you the best recommendation letters, etc. But now you’re in. Let go of being interested in what you think you’re “supposed to” be interested in, and take a moment to reflect on what it is that you want to get out of your college experience. What is it that you want to learn? What it is that you are uniquely interested in? Train yourself to be curious, cultivate that curiosity, and follow it wherever it takes you.
NETWORKING
One thing you don’t learn directly in college is the value of networking. You often feel like networking is something that’ll come later down the line, usually after graduation, and very likely once you’ve already entered the workforce. However, this isn’t the case at all. The best time to start building your professional network is while you’re still in school. You can do this by spending more time with your professors during office hours, attending networking events hosted by your college career center or local student organizations, and by initiating conversations with guest speakers who come to your classes. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to networking. Another way you can expand your network (without even really thinking about it) is by using your time in college to make friends wherever you go.
Debra Papineau
Market Research Manager
1
Answer
Hartford, Connecticut
Updated
Debra’s Answer
Great question! There are a couple of things I wish I had done before starting my freshman year of college:
1. Connect with other incoming freshman online. This would have helped me not feel as stressed in those first few weeks. Similarly, look for activities and groups with similar interests to you (chess group, anime club, acapella group, etc) so you can look forward to joining that group when you get there.
2. Explore the campus online: If you can't walk the campus and see where buildings are and how the campus is laid out, then virtually become familiar with where things are and how long it takes to get from one place to another.
3. Be your own adviser and review course requirements. Advisors have so many students and there is often a class that is only offered in the Fall but has a pre-requisite that you will need. Plot out those pre-reqs early to get them out of the way.
4. Relax, recharge and regroup: Enjoy the familiar before diving into the unfamiliar. Connect with friends that you want to keep in touch with if they are going on different paths. That way, you will each have a familiar voice to reach out to if you're in need of support.
Congrats and good luck!
1. Connect with other incoming freshman online. This would have helped me not feel as stressed in those first few weeks. Similarly, look for activities and groups with similar interests to you (chess group, anime club, acapella group, etc) so you can look forward to joining that group when you get there.
2. Explore the campus online: If you can't walk the campus and see where buildings are and how the campus is laid out, then virtually become familiar with where things are and how long it takes to get from one place to another.
3. Be your own adviser and review course requirements. Advisors have so many students and there is often a class that is only offered in the Fall but has a pre-requisite that you will need. Plot out those pre-reqs early to get them out of the way.
4. Relax, recharge and regroup: Enjoy the familiar before diving into the unfamiliar. Connect with friends that you want to keep in touch with if they are going on different paths. That way, you will each have a familiar voice to reach out to if you're in need of support.
Congrats and good luck!
C V
11
Answers
Buda, Texas
Updated
C’s Answer
Hi Sarah! I love this question :)
One piece of advice I wish I had taken before starting college is to really understand how financial aid and student loans work. I didn’t realize how much interest could build up over time or that there were grants and scholarships I never applied for. Learning about budgeting early on would’ve saved me a lot of stress!
One thing I’d do differently is seek out mentors sooner—professors, advisors, or even older students. College can feel confusing, and having people who’ve been there before makes a huge difference when you’re trying to choose a major, find internships, or just figure things out emotionally.
Never be afraid to ask for help. College can be a big adjustment, and nobody expects you to have it all together. Use your campus resources, give yourself grace, and stay open to new experiences. You don’t have to have your life figured out—you just have to keep growing.
You’ve got this!
One piece of advice I wish I had taken before starting college is to really understand how financial aid and student loans work. I didn’t realize how much interest could build up over time or that there were grants and scholarships I never applied for. Learning about budgeting early on would’ve saved me a lot of stress!
One thing I’d do differently is seek out mentors sooner—professors, advisors, or even older students. College can feel confusing, and having people who’ve been there before makes a huge difference when you’re trying to choose a major, find internships, or just figure things out emotionally.
Never be afraid to ask for help. College can be a big adjustment, and nobody expects you to have it all together. Use your campus resources, give yourself grace, and stay open to new experiences. You don’t have to have your life figured out—you just have to keep growing.
You’ve got this!