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what is something you wish you did differently in college?
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9 answers
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Kelly’s Answer
Hi Daniela, here are my two personal thoughts on what I wish I would have done differently:
1. I wish I would have traveled abroad or participated in a national exchange program. These types of experiences are much easier and typically more affordable in college than they are after college. Plus, once working in the "real world", it can become hard to put time and finances aside for these experiences (although not impossible). Many of my friends and classmates participated in thee adventures and it is their favorite memory of college - I feel like i missed the boat on this one.
2. I wish that I would have taken more classes outside my comfort zone. I double majored in mass communications and psychology, and took electives that were really only tailored to those two majors. The one "outhere" class I took was oceanography and it was so exciting to be learning about something different. I didn't feel the pressure to be the best in the class because I took it out of interest instead of requirement. Classes I wish I would have taken include: American Sign Language, some sort of theater or music course, money management course, and something around international business.
Best of luck in your college career!
1. I wish I would have traveled abroad or participated in a national exchange program. These types of experiences are much easier and typically more affordable in college than they are after college. Plus, once working in the "real world", it can become hard to put time and finances aside for these experiences (although not impossible). Many of my friends and classmates participated in thee adventures and it is their favorite memory of college - I feel like i missed the boat on this one.
2. I wish that I would have taken more classes outside my comfort zone. I double majored in mass communications and psychology, and took electives that were really only tailored to those two majors. The one "outhere" class I took was oceanography and it was so exciting to be learning about something different. I didn't feel the pressure to be the best in the class because I took it out of interest instead of requirement. Classes I wish I would have taken include: American Sign Language, some sort of theater or music course, money management course, and something around international business.
Best of luck in your college career!
Updated
Devin’s Answer
Personally, I wish I had developed closer relationships with my professors. It wasn't until my junior and senior year where I really began utilizing their expertise and coming to them with questions outside of class. Your professors have a vast wealth of knowledge and life experience and are more often than not available and happy to help guide students with their careers and interests. Though personal contact will be harder this academic year, I encourage you to reach out to your professors with questions or just for conversations. You never know how valuable it could be.
Thank you!
Daniela
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Jeff’s Answer
My answer is a bit different than the others. I wish I took more opportunities to have fun and do things off the campus. I declined many trips and social activities because I had to "study" In reality my friends and I probably procrastinated and fooled around twice as much as we studied. If I had focused myself more and learned some more diligent study habits earlier in my college career I could have probably completed my "studying" faster and then gone out to have fun, guilt free.
Updated
Vito’s Answer
I am very happy with where I ended up, but as someone who has a newfound love of learning later in my adult life, I wish I saw college more as a chance spend time on intellectual pursuits that interested me. I was a business major and, when possible, kept my course load to a minimum (12 credits each of my semesters senior year, for example) and focused on getting good grades in those classes. There are so many interesting classes, extracurricular activities, people, and resources for you to love to learn outside of your major. There is plenty of time for you succeed in your major, have fun, *and* build the intellectual foundation that will be with your whole life.
Updated
Chloe’s Answer
Hi Daniela!
I just graduated from college this past May 2020 and I am already missing it! In terms of doing something differently, I would say be in the moment your freshman and sophomore year and do not let anyone or anything hold you back. You are going to have the opportunity to meet so many new people and do new things, you do not want to let old friends or a significant other hold you back if they are trying to be controlling or jealous.
I personally regret letting my then boyfriend control me by making me feel bad about going out and being with new people. I feel as if I wasted half of my college career since I spent most of it with him. Once I left the relationship, I began to make so many new friends and feel as if I was a new person. I am not sure if you have a significant other or not, but this advice can translate to anyone in your life who you may think is controlling you.
College is a time for personal growth, not just educational growth. While studying and learning is of course extremely crucial, you should also take the time to figure out who you are as a person since you will be most likely be on your own for the first time. Having negative people in your life will only hurt you not help. If you are able to confront these people about how they are affecting you and they can see what the issue is that's great! However, if they do not try to change their behavior, it may be time to let them go. You are the most important person in your life and when you get the opportunity to grow (which college is one of the best ways to do this) you have to take full advantage of it!
Good luck :)
I just graduated from college this past May 2020 and I am already missing it! In terms of doing something differently, I would say be in the moment your freshman and sophomore year and do not let anyone or anything hold you back. You are going to have the opportunity to meet so many new people and do new things, you do not want to let old friends or a significant other hold you back if they are trying to be controlling or jealous.
I personally regret letting my then boyfriend control me by making me feel bad about going out and being with new people. I feel as if I wasted half of my college career since I spent most of it with him. Once I left the relationship, I began to make so many new friends and feel as if I was a new person. I am not sure if you have a significant other or not, but this advice can translate to anyone in your life who you may think is controlling you.
College is a time for personal growth, not just educational growth. While studying and learning is of course extremely crucial, you should also take the time to figure out who you are as a person since you will be most likely be on your own for the first time. Having negative people in your life will only hurt you not help. If you are able to confront these people about how they are affecting you and they can see what the issue is that's great! However, if they do not try to change their behavior, it may be time to let them go. You are the most important person in your life and when you get the opportunity to grow (which college is one of the best ways to do this) you have to take full advantage of it!
Good luck :)
Thank you!
Daniela
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Alejandra’s Answer
Your first year in college can be overwhelming, everything is new and exciting.
From my personal experience, I would have wished that I had scheduled more in-depth conversations with the career center / academic counselors since my first year. Aside from getting their input on what classes you should take, these professionals can help guide you through which internship opportunities or activities would be a good fit for you to get involved with to prepare you for your future career. Knowing the requirements your future profession expects early on can help you make sure that your academics and extracurriculars reflect that you are an applicant worthy of consideration.
Another recommendation I have is to get in contact with students who are older than you or reach out to alumni. They can offer you helpful study advice and also offer their perspectives on some of the programs your school has to offer that you and your friends may not have been familiar with. Juniors and seniors can offer insight into what worked for them and you can learn more about how they are preparing themselves for their future careers which will help you prior to graduating.
From my personal experience, I would have wished that I had scheduled more in-depth conversations with the career center / academic counselors since my first year. Aside from getting their input on what classes you should take, these professionals can help guide you through which internship opportunities or activities would be a good fit for you to get involved with to prepare you for your future career. Knowing the requirements your future profession expects early on can help you make sure that your academics and extracurriculars reflect that you are an applicant worthy of consideration.
Another recommendation I have is to get in contact with students who are older than you or reach out to alumni. They can offer you helpful study advice and also offer their perspectives on some of the programs your school has to offer that you and your friends may not have been familiar with. Juniors and seniors can offer insight into what worked for them and you can learn more about how they are preparing themselves for their future careers which will help you prior to graduating.
Thank you!!
Daniela
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
1. I wish I had followed my gut on what I wanted to do professionally. I was always curious about human resources, but I struggled to find any encouragement or support from professors, counselors, or fellow students. Instead, my program was way more focused on public relations and journalism. I wasted precious time and energy trying out those fields only to confirm my initial feelings that they weren't for me. I wish I had listened to my gut and used LinkedIn or other networking resources to connect with HR people outside of my college bubble who could have helped me find and nurture my true interests.
2. I wish I had done more internships. While in college, I was so focused on getting good grades and working to make money. While making money is often absolutely necessary for a lot of college students, I now realize how little GPA matters for most job searches (some exceptions like grad school and very competitive internship/analyst/associate programs). Employers care about tangible job experience, even if just for a few months. It demonstrates your ability to step outside your college comfort zone, adapt to a new business environment, and prove your continued interest in the field. It also gives you more interesting and relevant things to talk about in job interviews beyond college clubs and projects, which don't translate as well in the professional world.
2. I wish I had done more internships. While in college, I was so focused on getting good grades and working to make money. While making money is often absolutely necessary for a lot of college students, I now realize how little GPA matters for most job searches (some exceptions like grad school and very competitive internship/analyst/associate programs). Employers care about tangible job experience, even if just for a few months. It demonstrates your ability to step outside your college comfort zone, adapt to a new business environment, and prove your continued interest in the field. It also gives you more interesting and relevant things to talk about in job interviews beyond college clubs and projects, which don't translate as well in the professional world.
Thank you, this was helpful!!
Daniela
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hi Daniela! One thing I wish I did differently in college is to take a variety of courses. I was a business major and I mostly chose several business courses as my electives (different courses related to finance, marketing, human resources). My reason for doing so is to allow me to explore which area in the business stream I would enjoy the most as a full time career. However, looking back, I should have done something out of my comfort zone, like a history, french or even a music course for instance. That would’ve made my college experience far more interesting.
Thank you!
Daniela
Laura - Good advice. My best friend was in the Engineering program and I was in the Pharmacy school so you can imagine there wasn't much (i.e. any) overlap in our schedules. We decided we wanted to take a course together so we looked through the course catalog to find something that would work. We settled on Witchcraft and Magic that was dual listed as both a history course and a women's study course. It was eye opening on many levels!!
Jeff Kreitman
Thanks, Jeff. Witchcraft and Magic sounds really interesting! Didn’t come across such a unique course in college. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough! I’m glad that you got to do it with your best friend.
Laura Sutardja
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Krystyna’s Answer
I wish i had taken more advantage of the different clubs/activities offered! These clubs usually had a lot of resources for tutoring, volunteering, practice interviews, among other things that would have definitely assisted to pursue the career I ultimately chose. For instance if you are looking to go through graduate school, a club that is geared towards people looking into that career may have advice for studying for any tests you may need to take prior to admission, advice on how to write your resume, volunteer opportunities for your resume, professors you can talk to who have went into the field, interview technique advice etc. Also, take advantage of your professor's office hours! Most professions are a small world and it helps to have someone you are familiar with to give advice or even write a recommendation letter.
Thank you!!
Daniela