5 answers
Grace
Student
Richfield, Wisconsin
2
Questions
Updated
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What's one skill or habit you wish you had developed earlier in college that made the biggest difference in your professional success?
I am a senior in high school who has big goals in life. I’m someone who cares deeply about helping others, always eager to learn, and determined to grow both personally and professionally. I'm definitely nervous about entering the next step in my life, college! I am/was someone who loved high school, and I really hope college provides the same "environment" for me.
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4 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
There are two elements, that I wished that I had established in my career, a lot earlier. These were Industriousness and Enthusiasm. When I was introduced to them, later in my career, they allowed me to set the cornerstones for my future achievement and success.
I learned these two elements during a lecture, presented by former UCLA coaching legend, John Wooden.
John Wooden viewed industriousness and enthusiasm as the two cornerstones of his "Pyramid of Success".
He defined industriousness as hard work and careful planning, believing there was "no substitute for work" to achieve worthwhile results.
Enthusiasm, he said, was enjoying what you do and transferring that positive energy off on others.
Wooden saw them as intertwined. Hard work without enthusiasm becomes tedious, but enthusiasm without hard work leads to unrealized potential (something that I have seen happen to many students in my career).
With Industriousness, he emphasized that hard work and careful planning are the keys to achieving worthwhile results. He stated that there was "no substitute for work" and that "there is no trick, no easy way" to success. In basic terms it means that success is not an accident, but the result of diligence and effort.
With Enthusiasm you must "truly enjoy what you are doing" and let that love and passion have a positive influence on those around you. Wooden believed enthusiasm fuels persistence and is what turns hard work into something sustainable and inspiring.
So, without passion, hard work can lead to burnout, and enthusiasm without hard work is often wasted potential.
When I learned how to apply these elements and developed the philosophy of the Pyramid of Success, it helped me to increase my focus and achieve my future goals and objectives.
I learned these two elements during a lecture, presented by former UCLA coaching legend, John Wooden.
John Wooden viewed industriousness and enthusiasm as the two cornerstones of his "Pyramid of Success".
He defined industriousness as hard work and careful planning, believing there was "no substitute for work" to achieve worthwhile results.
Enthusiasm, he said, was enjoying what you do and transferring that positive energy off on others.
Wooden saw them as intertwined. Hard work without enthusiasm becomes tedious, but enthusiasm without hard work leads to unrealized potential (something that I have seen happen to many students in my career).
With Industriousness, he emphasized that hard work and careful planning are the keys to achieving worthwhile results. He stated that there was "no substitute for work" and that "there is no trick, no easy way" to success. In basic terms it means that success is not an accident, but the result of diligence and effort.
With Enthusiasm you must "truly enjoy what you are doing" and let that love and passion have a positive influence on those around you. Wooden believed enthusiasm fuels persistence and is what turns hard work into something sustainable and inspiring.
So, without passion, hard work can lead to burnout, and enthusiasm without hard work is often wasted potential.
When I learned how to apply these elements and developed the philosophy of the Pyramid of Success, it helped me to increase my focus and achieve my future goals and objectives.
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Grace,
It is great to hear that you are looking to prepare for college and succeed in your future. There are a few things you can keep in mind when going about your studies. Your main priority is to have a good educational experience. This can go into a few different categories. Making sure you are studying hard and passing your classes is important. Whether you are financially obligated to your tuition or not, you are investing a lot of time into it so use it for all it's worth. Learning your time management will be important as well as self maintenance. Making sure you are staying healthy and keeping good habits will be good for your self as well as your studies. Get good sleep to prevent burnout or off-railing. If you have a late night, or a few late nights, make sure to find time to nap. Eat food, including healthy greens, and drink water.
Something I wish someone told me was to not wait to get an internship or even a job. All internships and jobs take some time and digging around for, but there are always some companies that are looking to hire college students of all years. Reach out to companies that you are interested in through either email or LinkedIn and try to reach out to specific people. Share why you are interested in them and that you are eager to learn. Most of all, be persistent!
Best of luck on your journey!
It is great to hear that you are looking to prepare for college and succeed in your future. There are a few things you can keep in mind when going about your studies. Your main priority is to have a good educational experience. This can go into a few different categories. Making sure you are studying hard and passing your classes is important. Whether you are financially obligated to your tuition or not, you are investing a lot of time into it so use it for all it's worth. Learning your time management will be important as well as self maintenance. Making sure you are staying healthy and keeping good habits will be good for your self as well as your studies. Get good sleep to prevent burnout or off-railing. If you have a late night, or a few late nights, make sure to find time to nap. Eat food, including healthy greens, and drink water.
Something I wish someone told me was to not wait to get an internship or even a job. All internships and jobs take some time and digging around for, but there are always some companies that are looking to hire college students of all years. Reach out to companies that you are interested in through either email or LinkedIn and try to reach out to specific people. Share why you are interested in them and that you are eager to learn. Most of all, be persistent!
Best of luck on your journey!
Ava Mariya Gencheva
College Consultant
5
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Ava Mariya’s Answer
The best advice I can give is to learn how to prioritize what is urgent, immediate, and necessary, in that order; with your sleep and health always urgent. This goes to anyone who goes to college and also later enters a professional career. Next, you have to know how to study. Almost everyone enters college with the wrong expectations of continuing their high school activities, and soon, right around finals, they discover that the strategy is not working. If you are a learner, you will likely excel in your career as well. Take the time to figure out your major(s) and explore your options before college. Also, don't give in to the pressure of fear that you will be without friends and rush into a club or frat. Knowledge of self is power. Good luck.
Keith Topinka
Compliance
6
Answers
Morris Plains, New Jersey
Updated
Keith’s Answer
Don't be afraid to fail.
As I was growing up, I always wanted to do thing s right the first time and would get upset if I didn't do well. What I saw in my life was that I often took the safest route, something that I knew I could do. I had less risk of failure.
What I learned later on in life is that if you don't fail, you don't grow. You need to take risks in order to grow. Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. The safest route isn't always the best route, so don't be afraid to take chances.
As I was growing up, I always wanted to do thing s right the first time and would get upset if I didn't do well. What I saw in my life was that I often took the safest route, something that I knew I could do. I had less risk of failure.
What I learned later on in life is that if you don't fail, you don't grow. You need to take risks in order to grow. Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. The safest route isn't always the best route, so don't be afraid to take chances.