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What advice do you have for a future college student?

#college-advice

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Subject: Career question for you

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Doc’s Answer

“College Graduates Are 177 Times More Likely To Earn $4 Million or More throughout their lifetime than a High School Graduate.”

INVEST IN YOURSELF WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION

Most students are advised to treat their college search like finding a 'soul mate' and are told to look for a place where they'll be happy, Remember Henry you need to think about choosing a college more as a business decision. Think about your upfront investment of time and money to attend a college and compare it to what you expect to get from that time and money: hopefully, a fulfilling career that allows you to live a life unburdened by debt.

CHOOSE YOUR MAJOR WISELY
Of course, like any investment, some are better than others. A degree in basket weaving, Renaissance art or golf is likely to result in significantly lower earnings than a degree in information technology, business or the health sciences. Choosing your major wisely is a lot like selecting an appropriate investment for your long-term portfolio. In other words, you need to choose something that dovetails with your goals and has a realistic opportunity to provide the return on investment that you are anticipating.

FIND THE RIGHT COLLGE FOR YOUR INVESTMENT
Choosing a college is about more than the name on the diploma. Wherever you decide to go to school will touch numerous aspects of your life, from academic studies, social activities and beyond. Considering the importance of this decision, you should think carefully about where you decide to enroll when looking over these options.

A lot of thought should go into developing a short list of schools you would like to attend. But what kind of factors should drive your thinking when crafting that list? Take time to make your own rankings, weighing the pros and cons of a particular school when you are working on choosing the right college. Carefully consider your wants and needs when thinking about where you'll spend the next four years or longer. Ask yourself where you want to be in four years. If you can pinpoint a reasonable job and financial outlook, consider which college might best help you reach your investment in yourself.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS
Every investment has risk, and a college education is no different. One of the greatest risks is that you extend your stay beyond four years (increases your initial cost) or don’t graduate at all (diminishes your return). This is another reason the college selection process is so important. To address these risks, my advise is you work with a college admissions professional who can help you determine where you might fit in best, select a major you will stick with and increase your odds of graduating on time.

* https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereknewton/2018/10/01/college-graduates-are-177-times-more-likely-to-earn-4-million-or-more/46359e402048

HENNY HERE ARE FIVE RECOMMENDED STEPS FOR PICKING THE RIGHT COLLEGE MAJOR FOR YOU.

Doc recommends the following next steps:

Make a list of majors you’re interested in.
Think about which majors will be the most valuable 10 years from now.
Download the official curriculum for each major.
Talk to the professors of your major.
Ask alumni who’ve taken this major about the pros and cons.
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Blake’s Answer

Hey Henry,

I would recommend having a light class workload your freshman year. You won't to have extra time to learn your new surroundings, meet friends, etc. Having a heavy class workload will make that difficult.

Thanks,
Blake
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Tessa’s Answer

Go to the college to really want, to the course you really prefer.
Be ready to face responsibilities and take it seriously.
Participate, get involved and speak your mind.
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Kelsey’s Answer

It sounds super cliche, but college really is some of the best years of your life. For many people, it's their first time being away from home and having to do things on their own. It's a time of great change with a lot of opportunities to grow and discover who you are as well as who you want to be.

College isn't easy. It can be really tough to learn how to balance everything. There are going to be bad days, but there are also going to be lots of really good days. College is where I made my best friends and found the love of my life. I don't remember the tests I didn't do well on; I rather remember the amazing memories I made.

Make sure to study hard, but to also make time for yourself. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do. Seek help when you need it, whether it is in your academics, extracurricular activities, or your mental health. There is nothing wrong with needing to go to office hours to get extra help, or to seek campus counseling services to make sure you stay healthy mentally and emotionally.

Truly savor this incredible time and enjoy every moment of it! Wherever you decide to go to college, you will have incredible experiences and make lifelong friends.
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Riley’s Answer

Don't worry so much! I can see that you have posted several questions on this website, and it actually reminds me a lot of how I was feeling before college. I was so nervous that I would have no friends, and I really had no idea what to expect. My most important advice to you is just to take it one day at a time. I promise you will find friends so much easier than you would think and life will not be that different than how it is now. Just focus on building a good schedule for you to follow to ensure that you don't fall behind on schoolwork, and try to be as outgoing as you can when you first get there. I know it is hard to just walk up to a stranger and introduce yourself, but during the first weekend as a freshman in college, it seemed that this was exactly what everyone was doing!
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Katherine’s Answer

My advice is really simple–just savor every minute of it, the good and the bad.
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Syed’s Answer

Hi Henry,

My advice to you is to focus on getting heavily involved in 2 extracurriculars. One should be social/community oriented and one should be aligned to your career interests. You should be in a leadership role by your sophomore year in both. Try to take advantage of every opportunity afforded by these student organizations. This will bode well for your career search down the line.
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Cristina’s Answer

Hi Henry!

My advice would be to get involved in campus activities. Studies show that students who get involved on campus are more likely to graduate and feel connected to their institution. Being involved on campus also allows you to make meaningful relationships with other students, faculty, and staff. Good luck!
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Melanie’s Answer

My number one piece of advice is to do college for YOU. This may sound crazy, but discover yourself and study what you are passionate about. Many kids go into college and try to fit into what their family, professors, friends and advisors want; however, the truth is that the only person who truly knows yourself is you. If you are unsure of where you passions lie, take a variety of classes and surround yourself with a variety of people. Eventually, you will find what you like and dislike.

Be aware that some people may not accept your ways and you know what, that doesn't matter. They won't shape your future or success, so indulge in knowledge, self-development, and relationships. A few bad ones aren't the end of the world. In the end, everything will teach you a lesson whether the experience is positive or negative. And once you have learned and experienced, you will have gained wisdom you wouldn't have had otherwise. Popularity is construct and it is not the most important thing. What is more important is surrounding yourself with those who make you grow and flourish as you become an adult.

This will be difficult. College involves a lot of time management, motivation, and challenges; however, if you learn to take things day-by-day, you will get through it. Good luck!
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