How do you make the best of college?

Hi Christina,

During your freshmen year, check out all the things that interest you! Make a list and attend meetings. Reach out to different student organizations. Be sure to have an open mind! In doing that, be sure to sift through and pick out the things that you truly enjoy and are interesting to you. My largest piece of advice with this would be to let yourself drop things that you want to, and aren't teaching you anything. So often, people stick with them just for the sake of it, and it's a total time consumer. Be sure to try as much as you like, and also think about how spending time doing the things that you enjoy most and gain the most from can be beneficial in the long run.

Sincerely,
Elise

Remember life is all about balance! Balance your focus on extra curriculars which help you grow better inter-personal skills and can help you find your passion, equally with your studies. All school work or all play do not make for a well rounded person.

Enjoy your experience, learn as much as you can, make life long friends!

Hi Christina
Here are a few things that can help you to get the best out of the college days
1). Learn New Things.
2). Have a target in mind.
3). Follow a ideal personality.
4). After learning things....Apply them to see if you really did! (This will make difference!)
5). Read about world, read about technology, read about your country.
6). Have 2 type of friend circle- One comprises of lazy people, and other ultra-active (From both you will learn many things :) )
7). Learn to respect (To get respect)
8). Be tolerent
9). Be a thinker

There are many other ways still....you just need to explore a bit.

College is a lot different than high school. You may decide to commute from your home to a local campus. Your freshman experience will definitely make an impression on you. Without doubt, though, the most dramatic freshman year is for those living away from home. What can you expect as you head off into the wonderful world of higher education?
The first thing you’ll notice is the workload. It will be heavier and more intense than you ever experienced before. The major challenges of college work are the large volume of reading, the short deadlines, and the writing, writing, writing. A related effect that can be brought on by the workload is doubt, frustration, and possibly loneliness. You’ll be away from the comforts and friendships your home provided for you over the previous years.
On some of those long, seemingly endless nights of studying and writing, it will be only natural for you to long for the good old days. Hang in there. These down periods will pass. Whatever you do, don’t make major decisions about your major, your courses, or even your roommate during one of these blue periods. Things always look better in the morning.
You’ll be making a lot of new friends. Continue to be yourself. Don’t strike a pose or play the role of someone you’re not. Select your friends with the same care and patience you have always used. Believe it or not, your college friendships will be among the most satisfying and long-term of your life. It’s always exciting to discover how wonderfully diverse college relationships can be.
You’ll also be on your own, your own boss (more or less) 24 hours a day. Be careful here. Don’t go flying off the end of the pier. Enjoy your newfound freedom. Stay up until dawn talking about your ideals and ambitions with your dorm’s regular bull session buddies. Sleep in until the afternoon on a light class day. Explore the local town or suburbs with one or two of your new friends. Remember, though, with freedom comes responsibility. Even though your parents won’t be around to follow up on your loose ends, you shouldn’t let things go completely. Just find your own style.
You may even start to think about your future. Be on the lookout for role models. Maybe a certain professor is especially inspiring. Perhaps your school has some ground-breaking research going on. Be sensitive to your own gravity. If some area of study attracts you, find out all you can about it. It might be the beginning of your self-definition process. Going to college is as much about finding out who you really are as it is about getting that degree.

You are going to enter college, congrats. You can make yourself a better person in 4 years. Just:

1. Grab a particular passion and move ahead. Block other paths that can lead to distraction.


2. Do not waste your time on social media. A big no.


3. Make friends, few friends. Do make worthy friends.


4. Do not think to enter relationship just to pass time. Better to never enter any sort of relationship.


5. Imagine as much as you can related to your passion.


6. Make sure what you want from your life. Move in the desired direction.


7. Do not mug up things. It is all absurd. Think and learn.


8. Have less gossips and more conversations about ideas with other passionate people.


9. Aim high, have fears and believe in yourself.

One of my professors once handed out an eight-page single-spaced reading list.

When everybody groaned, he said "look. My job is not to tell you what you HAVE to read. My job is to tell you what there is to read. Your job is to figure out what you can read."

That was a very valuable lesson. You'll choose what interests you. You'll figure out how you want to spend your time, and which of your fellow students are worth spending time with.

Fortunately, it's OK to let some opportunities get away. That will happen.

Two more things:

1. 
   

   take a few risks. Push yourself. Try a few things that seem very challenging to you.

   
   


2. 
   

   be careful about sinking too much of your time and energy into the unholy trinity of sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. (Alcohol counts as a drug.)

   
   

College is a good time to begin practicing Life-Work Fit. Your job is your classes. Obviously you need to focus and do well there. But it is also important to enjoy your college years. Think about what you are interested in: sports, volunteering, making friends. You can have it all if you manage your time. Don't let college be just about classes. I know as that is what I did. Enjoy the years, learn to manage time, learn to stop and enjoy life. Study hard.

1. Keep your dorm room open (only when you’re home, obviously)

While you’re living in the dorms, it’s helpful to keep your dorm room door open while you’re home. That way, as people walk through the halls, they are able to stop by and say hello. Usually, people only knock if they have a purpose but will stop in to say hi if a door is open and they see you, so it’s an easy way to make friends and welcome people to make conversation when they normally wouldn’t.

1. Join intramural sports and/or clubs, Greek life, etc.

Consider participating in different sports, clubs and, perhaps, Greek life on campus. It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends. Just trying different opportunities out is okay – it doesn’t mean you have to stick with each one. Try several on for size and stick with those you enjoy.

1. Plan out your schedule in advance & register for classes as soon as you’re able

Work to plan out each semester’s schedule in advance, knowing which classes you’d like to take. It’s helpful to know which professors you’d like as well so that, when it comes time to register for courses, you’re able to do it as early as possible.

1. Always go to your classes

You’re in college for a reason – to take classes. Go to class – you’re spending money on them and not going is like throwing it out the window. Plus, teachers provide valuable information in class that will be on your exams. Just go to class.

College is the place where you can come up with new ideas, where you can develop good relationship with your colleagues & Teachers. On top of that, when come to education, you can get lot of help from everyone which will reduce your problems. After completing the course of 4 or 5 years you will feel like you are fittest person for your suitable job.

Hi Christina!

Here are some interesting perspectives on the subject:
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-college-years-1275838699
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kayla-matthews/get-the-most-out-of-college_b_6017828.html

To make best of college,

1. First make a action plan for your career


2. Try to meet people in the same career and spent time with them


3. Try to attend seminars related to your career


4. Keep yourself updated regarding your career and also with other activities


5. Try to implement whatever you have studied in your practical life

Remember that studies come first and make them the priority. good grades are important and take some effort but don't forget to have some fun. find a club or a group that focuses on an interest that you have. You will not only have fun but meet people that share you interests and make some new friends.

Friends and People

Make lots and lots of friends, but only let a select few influence your decisions. If you have lots of friends, many will be dumb. That’s perfectly ok, so long as you know which they are.

Assume all people, words, and actions are well-intentioned, even if they don’t come across that way. This makes life much easier.

Everyone is starting over—everyone wants to meet new people and make friends. Don’t be shy, go say hi. Go introduce yourself to people in your dorms, classes, etc. in the first days/weeks—(it gets a little harder after the first month or so). Leave your door open in your dorm. Invite everyone to everything. Going to dinner or a party? Invite everyone in the vicinity, and everyone you meet along the way. People will reciprocate this and life will be good!

One metric that I like in the “best fit” category is graduation rate. If it’s in the 90s, that means the college is providing the resources to get students a degree in four years. Staying longer — or not graduating — costs more, especially if you’re borrowing

• Go to the college you WANT to go to, not just the one that is "cheaper" (speaking from experience)
• Live on campus
• Get involved in sports or activities
• Don't be afraid to say "yes" to invitations to do things, yes, your studies need to get done but make the most of the fun times!
• Find ways to enjoy your roomates. Yes, they will drive you insane at times, but they will be a strong foundation for you for at least the first year
• If you are looking for a job while you go to college, find a job that is FUN. Once you graduate, you'll be stuck in careers... go make those lattes in the coffee shop on the corner!

There are so many more I could list, but these are things I would go back and do over if I could!

Good luck!

x