What are your top tips for college years?

Be courageous, follow your dreams of what you'd like to do or become and stretch your limits on what can you accomplish. You need to study and work at the same time in order to get ahead and apply for better jobs in the future. All this while having fun! The friendships last a life time so those you form during college years will likely stay for many years.

Hi Bethany !

Be curious

Don't be scared to try new things

Be sociable and build relationship

Be at 100% in the college lifestyle

Try to find the good balance between work and play. If you work too hard you won't enjoy your college years and if you play too hard, you won't learn anything.

My best advice for college is to say YES to whatever you can. I think that is the best way to get to know others, get to know yourself, and get involved in the community! I personally joined a lot of different clubs/ activities my freshman year then realized what I liked and what I didn't like and quit the clubs that didn't make sense to me anymore. That is where I found my true friends and my passions.

Hi Bethany! This is a great question. Although people can answer this question with what works well for them, you must always remember that what works for some people is not going to automatically work for you. This being said, I'd be happy to share some of my tips with you!

1. Always maintain balance between work and play. Spend enough time working hard through school work and any jobs you have in college, and allow yourself to go to bed at night knowing you worked your hardest. But do NOT overwork yourself. Make time for friends and for fun. A way that I did this was to allow myself not to be absolutely perfect with my school work. I tried my best, but did not obsess with perfection.
2. Be a good friend! Everyone needs friends during college, especially during freshman year when you are new to your surroundings. Be there for people, and they will return the favor.
3. Build relationships with your professors. They want to see you succeed, and they want to connect too! The greater your relationship with your prof, the more encouraged you'll feel to succeed in their class.

Good luck!

Hi Bethany,

In my experience of over six years of college pursuing my BS, and then a Masters degree, I recommend you work on campus while attending college. It’s low pay, but if you can get a job at your college Associated Students organization it opens up lots of doors to free money. For example, I worked for the college in my Student Activities Office. That office oversaw the Associated Students. I organized their calendar and filed paperwork from them to the college accounting office. I worked directly with a Dean, a Dean’s Management Assistant, the college accounting office, and most importantly Faculty Advisors. 

When it came time to apply for scholarships I asked for a letter of recommendation from the Dean, the Dean’s Management Assistant, and the Faculty Advisors I had gotten to know all just by working a student job on campus. The first year I got $2,000 in scholarships. The scholarships I have received have only grown exponentially and this year I have $10,500 in scholarships! This is the first year I can actually quit my job and just attend college and live off my scholarships. All of my achievements came from networking at school through a job. But if you aren’t able to accept a job on campus then you can join a student organization (aka student club) or start one at your school. This is another way to get at least one Faculty Advisor who can then give you a letter of recommendation for scholarships. All student organizations (aka student clubs) can be found by visiting your Associated Students. They have an office someplace on campus, and they should have a webpage within your college website too. Go to your college website and search for “Associated Students”. Go meet them and see if they have job openings, or get the list of student organizations (aka student clubs) from them.

We’re about ready to start our fall semester again and fall is the time the most opportunities are open because a bunch of students should have graduated in the spring causing vacancies in either student governance positions, or office jobs within the Associated Students offices. Go check it out, and good luck!🍀 

Either way, getting a paid job, or joining a student club —you’ll come out on top! You’ll find many resources within the Associated Students and you’ll have a greater college experience by getting familiar with who they are and what they do and how you can contribute to them. 

Finally, any work you do in a student club can also be put on your resume. Employers really appreciate students who not only work, but volunteer time as well. So make sure to find ways to show both on your resume.

Best,

Julianne

Congratulations on embarking on your college years. Here are my top tips:

1. Take classes from different majors: try science, try languages, and try math and computer science.
2. Travel abroad, if you can, and study a semester abroad to broaden your perspective
3. If you like sports, join a team. If you are a dork (like me!), join the debate team, or another extracurricular activity like theater, or newspaper. Just like in high school, this will help you become a more well-rounded person.
4. Find a mentor: perhaps a professor or coach, or someone who is in the same college and can share with you their challenges, tips for success and victories.
5. Find time for your friends who do not go to the same college. You will learn a lot from them, too.
6. Do something new during your college years: if you have never done theater, be in a play. If you have never tried field hockey, take a lesson. Show others and yourself that you are game for new and challenging things.

Take advantage of Career Services departments at your college wherever you can. I did this and their tips and ideas helped me get an amazing internship. A lot of Career Services departments will give you resume coaching, and provide you interview tips - even mock interviews in some instances! The resources available at colleges are truly so helpful.

1. Be willing to try new things
2. Don't be afraid to ask questions
3. Allow yourself the opportunity to get good at things (which may mean not doing as well as you'd like in the short term).

Best of luck!

I think it is important to take advantage of internships and all the clubs and societies that college has to offer.

Hi Bethany,

I would suggest completing as many internships in the course of your college careers as possible to determine which career within your field will be suit you. I would emphasize networking because it will enable you to open the door to opportunities and connections. I'd also attempt to create lasting connections with your professors and classmates who will serve as part of your network as you continue into your career.

Best of luck.

Try to get involved in a variety of things!

In addition to your schoolwork, college is a great time to become involved in your community. Is there a cause you're passionate about and can get involved? demonstrating leadership in a passion project is a great asset when you begin interviewing for internships and post-graduation jobs. When hiring Early in Career candidates, I look for passion and involvement in something, not just schoolwork.

Have fun! 20+ years after I graduated from college, some of my closest friends are from my college days.