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what are things people dont tell you about college?
#college #career
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Hooman’s Answer
1. Grades matter, but the most important part of college is learning about yourself, in my opinion.
2. To that extent^, try new things, do things you don't think you'll like, do things you're scared to do. Above all stay open-minded and keep trying new things.
3. If possible, try to go to college away from home. You'll learn much more about yourself, others, and life.
4. No decision is permanent, especially in college, so relax and know it's okay to not know what you want to do and it's okay to make mistakes.
5. Work hard, play harder. I didn't believe that at first but it's true.
2. To that extent^, try new things, do things you don't think you'll like, do things you're scared to do. Above all stay open-minded and keep trying new things.
3. If possible, try to go to college away from home. You'll learn much more about yourself, others, and life.
4. No decision is permanent, especially in college, so relax and know it's okay to not know what you want to do and it's okay to make mistakes.
5. Work hard, play harder. I didn't believe that at first but it's true.
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Jessica’s Answer
1. have fun! 2. you may or may not use your degree in your professional life. 3. study what you're interested in and take classes in things that interest you. 4. grades do matter - not all the time, but often. 5. the people you meet in college will likely be lifelong friends
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Jeanie’s Answer
1. You have to actively take charge of your free time. Take advantage of the time you have after classes. Make time for friends and hobbies - not just academic clubs and activities. Your college years go by fast. This is a period with some of the most time you will ever have to not only soak in knowledge, but also to build friendships and enjoy life in your early twenties!
2. You have to step out of your comfort zone. There are a lot of things that take a bit of bravery in college - joining a club and running for a leadership position, striking up conversations with new people, going to interviews, raising your hand and asking a question in a large lecture class...the list goes on! College is the prime time to put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to try new things and maybe feel a bit uncomfortable - it can be good for you!
3. The "Choose only two: Good grades, enough sleep, social life" triangle meme is a myth. You can for sure have a balance of all three. Stay organized. Remember one bad grade is not the end. Professors are often accommodating and will work with you if you miss an assignment or do poorly on an exam. Your happiness and mental health is more important than your GPA.
2. You have to step out of your comfort zone. There are a lot of things that take a bit of bravery in college - joining a club and running for a leadership position, striking up conversations with new people, going to interviews, raising your hand and asking a question in a large lecture class...the list goes on! College is the prime time to put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to try new things and maybe feel a bit uncomfortable - it can be good for you!
3. The "Choose only two: Good grades, enough sleep, social life" triangle meme is a myth. You can for sure have a balance of all three. Stay organized. Remember one bad grade is not the end. Professors are often accommodating and will work with you if you miss an assignment or do poorly on an exam. Your happiness and mental health is more important than your GPA.
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
Hi Karoline, I think what people do not tell you, or at least not often enough, is that two things matter just as much as getting grades and learning in college. These things are:
1. Relationships. Who you meet in college will set the stage for future networking and learning by experience.
2. Practical experience: if you work part-time during college and/or make an effort to secure meaningful summer internships with great mentors, you would be in a much better position to find a job after college.
College is not your entire world. It is important to work hard but also explore opportunities that may not be right on campus and keep in touch with people.
Good luck!
1. Relationships. Who you meet in college will set the stage for future networking and learning by experience.
2. Practical experience: if you work part-time during college and/or make an effort to secure meaningful summer internships with great mentors, you would be in a much better position to find a job after college.
College is not your entire world. It is important to work hard but also explore opportunities that may not be right on campus and keep in touch with people.
Good luck!
Updated
Tsui Ying’s Answer
Hi Karoline,
This is a great question. I have just graduated with a Philosophy degree from a UK university.
1. Imposter syndrome is real. You often find yourself in classes where you feel like you are less knowledgeable than others; however, this is not true. Your place is your place for a reason. Don't devalue your knowledge and skills.
2. Equally, I would say that you are allowed and encouraged to speak and reach out to tutors and lecturers if you do not understand something. They are paid to help.
3. You will meet many people and leave with a few. But a few great friends is better than many acquaintances. Most of these people won't be the people you meet in the first few weeks, so don't worry if it takes a while to find friends.
This is a great question. I have just graduated with a Philosophy degree from a UK university.
1. Imposter syndrome is real. You often find yourself in classes where you feel like you are less knowledgeable than others; however, this is not true. Your place is your place for a reason. Don't devalue your knowledge and skills.
2. Equally, I would say that you are allowed and encouraged to speak and reach out to tutors and lecturers if you do not understand something. They are paid to help.
3. You will meet many people and leave with a few. But a few great friends is better than many acquaintances. Most of these people won't be the people you meet in the first few weeks, so don't worry if it takes a while to find friends.
Updated
Troy’s Answer
Hi Karoline -
I think something that is key to learn in college is building relationships/partners and learning to work in a group or team. In order to be successful in your career, in addition to the technical skills for your field you will need to become effective at working and partnering with others. College will give you many experiences to build that skillset and I would say to take advantage of that as much as you can so that you are ready to enter the work force post graduation.
I would also say it is important to explore all of the activities and courses that you may be interested in since once you leave College behind it will become challenging to re engage on those opportunities.
I think something that is key to learn in college is building relationships/partners and learning to work in a group or team. In order to be successful in your career, in addition to the technical skills for your field you will need to become effective at working and partnering with others. College will give you many experiences to build that skillset and I would say to take advantage of that as much as you can so that you are ready to enter the work force post graduation.
I would also say it is important to explore all of the activities and courses that you may be interested in since once you leave College behind it will become challenging to re engage on those opportunities.
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Scott’s Answer
It will be equally the most challenging, but also the most fun time in your life.
Dont forget to enjoy yourself.
Dont forget to enjoy yourself.
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Nikita’s Answer
Absolutely agree with what most folks say here. Always say yes to job opportunities even though they may not seem ideal. These opportunities may lead to the job you love!
Make great relationships with friends and teachers. Teachers really do help you out even after you graduate.
Always connect with people from school or internships on LinkedIn so you can keep in touch easily.
Lastly, studies are important but so is fun! Be open-minded in trying new things and meeting new people. Make memories that you can look back to, long after you've graduated.
Make great relationships with friends and teachers. Teachers really do help you out even after you graduate.
Always connect with people from school or internships on LinkedIn so you can keep in touch easily.
Lastly, studies are important but so is fun! Be open-minded in trying new things and meeting new people. Make memories that you can look back to, long after you've graduated.
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Karoline,
One of the things that I didn't know was how much you are going to have to own your own experience. Especially at a big school, you are going to have to follow up with teachers or counselors that have a lot of students who want their time and attention. You are going to have to build your own networks among students to get support with classes that you are having problems with. This is a bit different than high school, where a lot of resources are easy to find. The resources in college often depended on the major that you are pursuing. Make sure that you know what resources are available to you with every class you take. Who are your contacts if you are falling behind, need tutoring, or just need help with being far from home as I was when I went to college as a freshman? Stay engaged with your peers. Cultivate relationships that will help you succeed, like joining study groups. A great resource for this type of help is often the Student Union.
if I had it to do over again, I would have gone to school closer to home, at least somewhere in my home state. You would at least have a familiar vocabulary or even laws to access. When I moved to Texas, the fact that the state didn't have a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to go to for things like my car registration or changing over my driver's license. Well they had them but they had different names. And it made everything so much more foreign, on top of college being very foreign. I was lucky to be surrounded by people who could help me navigate the strangeness.
Gloria
One of the things that I didn't know was how much you are going to have to own your own experience. Especially at a big school, you are going to have to follow up with teachers or counselors that have a lot of students who want their time and attention. You are going to have to build your own networks among students to get support with classes that you are having problems with. This is a bit different than high school, where a lot of resources are easy to find. The resources in college often depended on the major that you are pursuing. Make sure that you know what resources are available to you with every class you take. Who are your contacts if you are falling behind, need tutoring, or just need help with being far from home as I was when I went to college as a freshman? Stay engaged with your peers. Cultivate relationships that will help you succeed, like joining study groups. A great resource for this type of help is often the Student Union.
if I had it to do over again, I would have gone to school closer to home, at least somewhere in my home state. You would at least have a familiar vocabulary or even laws to access. When I moved to Texas, the fact that the state didn't have a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to go to for things like my car registration or changing over my driver's license. Well they had them but they had different names. And it made everything so much more foreign, on top of college being very foreign. I was lucky to be surrounded by people who could help me navigate the strangeness.
Gloria
Updated
Yekaterina’s Answer
Hi Karoline,
Great question. I agree with the responses you've already received but would also like to add that it is okay to explore classes that may not be within your chosen major. I do think you should have a focus, however college is the place to discover if you have any hidden interests. I say this from experience. I started off in pharmacy school, and quickly realized it was not for me. My next goal was to go to law school, so I transferred to a political science school, but during that time I took a journalism class, a marketing class. While in pharmacy school I also took a history of western art class, and a law class. A lot of these random classes have really helped me to become who I am. I ran my law school's newspaper, for example. And I still hold an interest in art, and I believe this has shaped who I became as an adult.
Good luck!
Great question. I agree with the responses you've already received but would also like to add that it is okay to explore classes that may not be within your chosen major. I do think you should have a focus, however college is the place to discover if you have any hidden interests. I say this from experience. I started off in pharmacy school, and quickly realized it was not for me. My next goal was to go to law school, so I transferred to a political science school, but during that time I took a journalism class, a marketing class. While in pharmacy school I also took a history of western art class, and a law class. A lot of these random classes have really helped me to become who I am. I ran my law school's newspaper, for example. And I still hold an interest in art, and I believe this has shaped who I became as an adult.
Good luck!