If you could redo college, what would you do differently?
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263 answers
Edmond Momartin ☁️
Edmond’s Answer
Two things: (1) I would have tried to convince one of my professors to be my mentor; (2) team up with other students for study and homework. It's OK to study on your own but find one or two other students who are better than you are in a given subject and do some of the harder homework together. In that setting where we explain the topic verbally, the brain functions much better.
Marina’s Answer
Personally, I would be more focused, waste less time and get more sleep. Sometimes in college you become overwhelmed with new found freedom and experiences, that it's easy for your studies to become less of a priority. It's good to be mindful of that and keep a schedule of the work you need to accomplish and stick to it.
Kim’s Answer
Kim
Kaelynn E.’s Answer
Matthew’s Answer
Christina’s Answer
I would have gotten more involved in the school itself- student government, clubs, etc. This would have given me a more well -rounded experience and an opportunity to meet different people. I went to school with a lot of my friends and we had a great time, but meeting other people would have given me an opportunity to get different perspectives. In addition, I would also have connected with more of my professors to gain some professional mentorship. liveandlearn
Amanda’s Answer
I would have taken part in more activities and used all the services that were offered. I was too focused on just the work. I think I missed out on a lot.
Jenna Zebrowski, JD, MBA
Jenna’s Answer
Eugene’s Answer
As you progress through your career, we tend to focus on getting jobs done and working to achieve stretch goals. Time to dedicate to Learning becomes harder, so firstly, I would appreciate the time at college.
Secondly, sometimes we are too hard on ourselves on trying to achieve a grade. You only have a certain amount of energy, so be clear on your outcomes ie. Grade can be necessary vs I'm just here to build a skill.
Thirdly, I would not focus on studying something to get the big $$$. This doesnt mean to ignore it but don't forget to feed the soul and explore different subjects. Experiment don't be afraid to fail.
Colleague is great to develop your thinking and build relationships. It takes practice. I wish I had better habits. Read more, write more papers without trying to make it perfect. Journalling is another great too to create clarity of thought. These give you great foundations to build upon and then you spend most of your energy growing, instead of trying to catch up :)
Eugene recommends the following next steps:
Lisa’s Answer
2. Use your school resources! Placement tests, checking in with career counselors to ensure you're staying on track. Think about your major, and what type of real life job/career you will be able to find after you earn your degree.
3. Prioritize studying over balancing study with work. Most of us need to balance working while going to school, but the coursework should come first. I'd try to find a job where I could study at work if possible.
Nagendra’s Answer
If at all i get an offer to do it , i want to do it from High school level. Since that one particular subject mark pulled me down in getting admission to the college of my wish.
Jasanpreet Kaur’s Answer
1. Completion of SHRM and SAP HR certification. This was told to us while we were in the final year but at that time the relevance of these certification was not known to me.
2. Now after having 5+ years I feel like I must have written some papers to publish with the help of professor. I am certain, that would have been a great learning and add on value.
Sandi’s Answer
1. Study a subject that provides me a hard skill and do supplemental read for the soft skills!
2. Read more books on how to apply the skills I learned in class.
3. Develop organizational habits that will help substantially as I begin my career.
* I wish someone had told me #1!
Lauren’s Answer
Ryan’s Answer
If I did college any differently, I would not be in the position I am in today.
I dropped out, joined the Marines, changed my major 4 times, and went to 7 different universities, state colleges, and community colleges. It took 10 years to finally graduate (and no I'm not a doctor!).
But I never settled and finally found a major that worked for me and at the right time. It set up my career in a way that I would have never expected or anticipated. My college and career experience is anything but a straight line but I am truly grateful for it. So if anyone out there thinks they have regret, just wait, you'll see that it works out soon.
But for sake of the question, I would have spent more time on campus building relationships. I worked full time, and for a period I had two jobs, so extra time on campus wasn't ideal.
Manu’s Answer
Try to invest time in some sports/yoga/dance.
Daniel’s Answer
Take a few hours at a local community college and intern at a local company or organization that you find interesting and are planning to study in college. Apply to a few in-state schools to transfer to after a year of community college. You can get a few hours of college credit, intern on the side and save a little money for college at the same time.
Octavia’s Answer
Robert’s Answer
If given the opportunity to redo college I would be more open and expand the circles of people I engaged and surrounded myself with. College is the most free and widest expanse of opportunity most people will have in their lives. The more diverse experiences you have and broad/varied groups of people you surround yourself with will provide you a greater foundation from which to both tackle the challenges the world will throw your way and the pathways and opportunities to success will be less limited.
Jill’s Answer
rani priya’s Answer
Focus more on skills, and less on jobs and salary figures. College placement continues to be the buzzword among Indian youth. But I sincerely believe that focusing on skills, instead of jobs, is a more worthwhile option in college. If you have the requisite skills, you are bound to be hired.
Create useful networks and safety nets. Networking does not mean fawning up to every senior or alumni from your college. You need to know the contacts who may be helpful and ‘why’ they may be helpful.
Take more free online courses from platforms such as edX. These are potential goldmines of knowledge, which most Indian college goers sadly never make use of. Narrow minded focus on securing a ‘job’ leads to people missing out on exploring such self-education tools.
Not try to fall in ‘love’ just because every one else seems to be in love. In college, most of us are heavily influenced by Hindi cinema and have half-baked knowledge about emotions and relationships. Its advisable to exercise caution before investing too much time, emotion and attention on someone.
Ashley’s Answer
Maria’s Answer
Charles R’s Answer
Tabitha’s Answer
EXPERIENCE life. This doesn’t mean party. Attend university and community events that will expand your EXPERIENCE. Seek out an event or speaking engagement that you wouldn’t normally attend. College is about education and experience.
Remember that your tribe will shift. All of the friends you make during freshman and even sophomore year won’t always remain with you. The relationships you build will be life altering and some will stick with you a lifetime. Choose wisely and don’t despair over lost friendships and relationships.
Marc’s Answer
But in hindsight, a few things I might have done differently...
- researched professions a bit more before starting college. I was definitely naïve on what paths there were. I loved biology in high school, but decided not to pursue simply because I couldn't see making money as a biologist. SMH!
- take more advantage of all the resources and activities offered at a university. Your paying the money, leverage them. There is so much you can do and benefit from.
- and remember it's not all about the academics.
Miyoshee’s Answer
Gaurav’s Answer
1) More outgoing ( Talk with more folks)
2) Focus on couple of things for career planning and gain some certification
3) Learn lots of presentation skills
4) Think about higher study or plan about what I am going to do after college finish
Darrell’s Answer
Ruben’s Answer
To be honest, I would not change a thing. I had the time of my life. I was able to meet lots of new people. I was active with many clubs and organizations. Travelled throughout the US attending conferences and meeting more people. I also worked as an intern for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for six months and received school credit. I also played intramural sports on campus. This social aspect of college was possible due to great time management. Time management was key in having time to do all the things I wanted to do and still do good in school. I surrounded myself with good people and always took care of business/school work. I guess one thing I would like to have done would be study abroad in Italy or Spain. Other than that, I would do everything exactly the same all over again. Great times, great memories, and great friends...
Darryl’s Answer
Gerardo’s Answer
Gc.
Jordan’s Answer
Jordan recommends the following next steps:
Anubhav’s Answer
Sindhuja’s Answer
I would go through the career prospectus of each subject and try to related to my interests. It is also important to understand how is the career marketplace of that subject that you want to work on and depending on your focus during the time of you college, you should be able to decide the path you want to take.
Donny’s Answer
Better time management, and utilise Google, online (free) classes and external publications more.
Don't forget to enjoy college life too :)
kalyan’s Answer
And of-cousre could have played some outdoor games rather then playing PC games :D
Jennifer’s Answer
I would have waited a year to declare a major (my first major was elementary education). In the first year I would have taken classes from different areas of interest to determine what I was naturally good at, and what things I enjoyed learning about. No matter what major you work towards, in today's working world, it's important to at least have some high level business courses that would help in any industry. I did work full time as I went through college, and I wouldn't change that. I found a company to work for that paid for my education (however it had to be a business curriculum - so I changed majors after two years to Communications). I think gaining work experience as I was also completing my degree was priceless, as I was able to enter the job market easier due to having work experience on my resume.
Nathan’s Answer
1. Get involved in your own education, don't prioritize fun over projects and departmental involvement
2. Intentionally develop relationships that will last with your professors, advisers and mentors
3. Use electives to help guide your education path, don't take the easy classes to just get by. An elective course may open your eyes to a whole new field of interest that could change your path
Jeremy’s Answer
This is a very good question! My university experience was heavily focused on academic performance and volunteerism. I was very "future focused" and tried to do everything I could in the moment to prepare myself for life after graduating. Looking back, I definitely could've taken my foot off the pedal and pursued personal goals - for example, I always wanted to learn music and there were clubs on campus that taught music.
I think everyone has something they wish they could change, and it's useful to take these learnings forward after college to continue to improve as an individual.
Donna Speckhard, CBCP, CRMP, CHEP, CSM, PCP
Donna’s Answer
Donna recommends the following next steps:
Paul’s Answer
Dan’s Answer
I started as an English Major and would change that major three times before I graduated. In the end had I not declared until Junior year I would have saved myself thousands of dollars and a year of time.
Take classes that interest you and look for real life experience like internships to make sure you are moving yourself into a strong future and painting yourself into a corner.
Dan recommends the following next steps:
Alex’s Answer
Milly’s Answer
Robert’s Answer
Ron’s Answer
I would have done more research on the long term viability of my career choice. In addition, if necessary, how easy is it to transition from your career choice to other similar careers. I
Heena’s Answer
I would have opted for Graduation in Mathematics, instead of electrical. It took a bit longer for me to understand this fact.
Alicia’s Answer
Jeffrey’s Answer
Victor’s Answer
Jesus G’s Answer
Sergio’s Answer
If I can do college all over again I would do a combination of what I already did and a couple of other new things. In college I focused on being able to balance having great grades and being as involved as possible. In that aspect what I would do differently is instead of being so involved in Greek Life I would also have been more involved in academic/professional clubs and become an executive board member of those clubs. By doing so, I would've gotten more exposure to like minded individuals and other professionals. I would also have also done more consistent research in what majors are in high demand and really analyze if I can see myself working in that industry.
Jessica’s Answer
Patricia’s Answer
For myself I was the first person in my family to go to college so everything was new and I did not understand all of the opportunities before me.
Three main regrets are:
- Study Abroad. I could have spent a semester in London! I was a Theatre Major (at the time) and in love with Shakespeare. I could have gone to the Globe Theatre and seen his works. I had family in London that would have been there in case I needed anything.
I was so enthralled with the idea but never mentioned it or discussed it with family or school counselors. I saw the price tag and knew my family could not afford it. I just assumed students on Financial Aid would not qualify. There were opportunities for financial assistance that I never explored and I know my family would have done everything they could to help me do it.
Don't let (what you perceive to be) your circumstances keep you from going for something you want. Always try and if you cannot get it, learn from the experience and be better prepared to go for what you want even harder the next time.
-Summer Internship with the CIA in Washington DC. I have no idea if I would have gotten it but I never even applied. I was working two part time jobs, going to school fulltime and I talked myself out of even trying for it. But I really wanted to try for it. I let my doubt in myself keep me from trying.
If you see an internship that appeals to you, apply for it. Don't limit yourself and assume you won't make it. Trying different things in college (and not succeeding) does not create a mark on your permanent record. College is the time to explore and find what works for you.
- Speak up in class! If I didn't understand something in a class in both high school and college I would just keep quiet and tell myself I would figure it out later. I did not want to advertise if I was falling behind and assumed everyone else in class understood the subject matter and I was the problem.
Working in the industry I do, we deal with emerging technologies constantly and if I did not interrupt a meeting every once in a while to say "wait what? who understood what that means?" I would not be able to do my job. Funnily enough 99% of the time someone else feels the same way and was just waiting for someone else to speak up.
So speak up if you don't understand something in class and if you don't want to do it in class go to the instructor and/or find a study group to have a support system.
If I could go back to math and science classes with that attitude I would have gotten so much more out of those classes.
James’s Answer
1. Pick a school interest that you love, something that excites you and you enjoy learning about.
2. Be open to online school, especially for the first year or two. This gives you a more flexible schedule starting out, and could adapt to your learning style better.
Spiro’s Answer
Megan’s Answer
Also, try to get your internships early and often. It is a great way to have money throughout college while also building a great resume that will set you up for success once you graduate.
Gabriel’s Answer
What would I have done differently? I would not have dropped out/stopped attending/taken a "semester off". I didn't necessarily lack a support system, but I was always kind of independent and my parents kind of let me do my own thing. After three semesters I realized I didn't know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It wasn't until many years later that a former high school teacher told me (and take this with a grain of salt, but it meant the world to me) "You rarely go to college to learn a skill or trade - you go to college to learn how to learn."
No matter what...unless there is some really dire circumstance...don't stop. Don't quit. Those letters after your name mean a ton. Do finals and 8:00 AM classes make life a pain? Yup. Suck it up and do the four years. You made it through high school...you can do the same in college. Don't start something you aren't able to finish. (And there's nothing worse than paying on student loans for a degree you never got.) I know...after high school four years seems like a prison sentence - but the rest of your life will be grateful you sucked it up and got it done. Working a full time job and taking one class at a time (took me about six years) just to get a BBA...had I just sought out help from the mentors I had...my life would likely be different. I can not stress enough how important it is to just get that degree. I come from a long line of "English majors" who did nothing remotely-close to their field of study. That's okay...but their degrees allowed them to get jobs in fields and find their passions. And let's be honest - the days of coming right out of college and working for one company until you retire are long gone.
And if any of you are either a fan of or major in the theatre arts...may I recommend "If I Could've Been" from Working.
Rachael’s Answer
I would have completed a few more internships before I accepted a full-time offer to determine what other types of areas within my field I may have been interested in. I ended up switching roles within my career and I think had I completed more internships I could have determined what other interests I had in the field earlier. That said, it could have also reiterated my choice.
Best of luck,
Rachael
Glen’s Answer
Monisha’s Answer
I would probably have focused on enjoying my time rather than striving for grades. Its the best time to find where my passion lies and pursue them.
Megan’s Answer
Don't hesitate to research/ grab a mentor/ take a few electives, etc. before you focus in on one area of study. This decision impacts the rest of your life. :)
Carol’s Answer
The biggest thing I would have changed would have been to get more involved in the activities that were offered... I didnt really know what to expect at first, so pretty much just focused on my studies... That's not a bad thing at all, but , looking back, I know I had enough time to broaden my horizons!
Enjoy the moments while you are there because it goes by quickly!
Robert’s Answer
Mireia - If I could redo one thing during my college experience it would have to be that I should have listened to one of my professor's. I was finishing junior college and had to decide where I should transfer to continue my studies and he had suggested a college and I decided to attend another one instead. It was a disaster. If you are lucky enough to have that one professor who believes in you and wants the best for you, listen to them!
Think of them as your mentor, an extension of your family as they have been a large part of your life and they may see you pursuing a career track you had not envisioned, pursuing an additional educational degree, etc.. Think about what they are saying and/or encouraging you to do and perhaps take their advice.
Priscilla’s Answer
Great question! I think the three biggest takeaways I had from college were:
1) Study Abroad (if you can)! I know it can be expensive and challenging to coordinate your schedule around an international trip, as well as missing a semester at your actual college, however, my greatest memories were from studying abroad. And, there's not another time in your life where you could really live in another country(ies) while gaining an education.
2) Say Yes to doing everything. My parents gave me this piece of advice when they dropped me off at college, and I said yes to new friends, new adventures, and new opportunities instead of staying in or constantly studying (although, this is important!) and it really made my transition into college seamless.
3) Get a Part-Time Job. This enabled me to build my resume, gain work experience, and create a network prior to stepping into adulthood. This also set me apart during recruitment. I actually had several part-time jobs throughout college and my favorite was working for professors in various departments at my university. The connections I made with them and the work experience I gained still remains with me today in my job at PwC.
Best of luck!
María José’s Answer
I would be more focused on what i wanted to accomplished. There is time for everything, but if I would have focused more on my objectives, I would have done things in a better way. And sleep is a better way to get those objectives done with a good result... so, i would have slept better and more hours :)
Best regards!
REED’s Answer
If I had a re-do, I would've began working for a company that has a really good tuition reimbursement program. A lot of big companies have tuition reimbursement as a built in benefit of working for them (like Verizon).
This may have been a bit more difficult managing work/school but in the long run I would've paid much much less for my school out-of-pocket.
Stephanie’s Answer
Kristine’s Answer
Amber’s Answer
Sovita’s Answer
Emilio’s Answer
College was a great experience for me, but I wish I took more online classes at community colleges. This would have saved me money and allowed me to focus more on my upper division classes.
Mike’s Answer
Hindsight is 20/20! If I could re-do college, what would I do differently?
For me, two things -
1) go to a school close(r) to home
2) invest more time talking to school counselors, and seeking job opportunities (in High School, and during College) which align with the field I believe I'd like to get into for a career.
I started my college career at Ohio State University, while my family was stationed at an Air Force base in Hawaii. The separation was difficult, but manageable. Looking back though, I would have optioned to go to a school closer to my family as I missed out on the opportunities to spend holidays and breaks with friends and family.
Finally, I changed majors after my first 3 semesters of school as I found a passion toward sciences and mathematics, and also architectural sketching. I choose an engineering path, but looking back, would have preferred architecture as the end result would be very satisfying to see something you're working toward actually result in a tangible entity people will use, like schools, office buildings, etc.
My best advice is to talk to others about the careers they choose, seek to see if that is something you'd be interested in doing, then find opportunities to immerse yourself (like a summer internship/job) into the opportunity to get a feel for the work, the industry, and culture, and see if this aligns with your interests.
Hope this helps! Best of luck!
Denise’s Answer
Nakia’s Answer
Archived’s Answer
jacqueline’s Answer
Lindsey’s Answer
Jamie’s Answer
Samuel’s Answer
I would become involved in the entrepreneurial community as early as possible and start a business sooner. I didn't get involved in the entrepreneurial community till my senior project, and it was literally life changing in many ways. There's a reason universities are the breeding ground for so many startups - having access to some of the world's best equipment, technology, software, and last but not least, minds, is such a massive opportunity, that if someone is focused and uses the available resources and support, they can truly change their life.
Samuel recommends the following next steps:
Trevor’s Answer
Donniese’s Answer
If I could redo college the #1 thing I would do is finish my degree program. I let outside people and forces get in the way of my goal and lost track of my initial focus - getting my degree. That currently is my one regret.
Other than that - staying on one path. I knew what I wanted to do when I started and what career choice I wanted to pursue after college but once I got entangled in the University life I ended up switching my major 3 times (which also hindered me finishing my degree plan).
Get the basics out of the way before making an informed decision on what degree plan you want to follow.
Mikayla’s Answer
Hi Mireia,
There are quite a few things I would do differently if I could go back in time to when I was in college. The biggest thing, though, is I wish I had taken advantage of study abroad opportunities. I was so focused on getting out of college quickly and working while doing so, that I didn't really consider studying abroad. It's such a great opportunity though, and I would advise any current college students to consider it.
Ashley’s Answer
David’s Answer
Katherine’s Answer
Katherine recommends the following next steps:
Capria’s Answer
Capria recommends the following next steps:
Tamecheo’s Answer
1. I would have taken advantage of my career advisor's office hours during my freshman year to ensure I was on the exact path regarding my major once I selected it as I started "Undecided".
2. I would have researched majors, salaries, and did some job-shadowing to ensure I was on the path which would make me happy and earn a decent starting salary. I did not understand the important of this until I was older as once you’re an adult you will constantly do this. If you get it right in the beginning, you are ahead of the game.
3. I would have studied to retain the information rather than memorize to obtain optimal grades. Looking back, graduating with honors does not have as much meaning as being able to recall what I learned during my 3.5 years of college until graduation.
4. I would have participated in more extracurricular activities as my focus then was work-study, part-time job, study groups, and my boyfriend. Looking back, I missed a lot of my college life experiences. (Moderation in everything is ideal)
5. I would have taken Spanish more aggressively rather than just one summer school course. I would have immersed myself in the language to become bi-lingual.
6. I would have done an internship, but I don't recall even knowing about internships then. Internships allow you to get your foot in the door for a job and even possibly a career after earning your degree. Employers want experienced candidates, not just those with a degree.
7. Listen to those older than you that are doing well for themselves. Be humble to take the advice they are giving as they know what they are talking about because they have been there done that. Learn from their mistakes and do not repeat them. Trust me, you will be them one day speaking to the youth as it's a never-ending cycle.
Virat’s Answer
I have tried to maintain the balance between the studies, hobbies & the fun one could have in college so have no regrets for that.
In general the intent for this question would have been what are the general regrets that people do have after passing out from the college or the learning they would like to pass on from their experience - I would say have a good time with your college mates as life is going to be tougher ahead in professional world & at the same time don't loose focus on the studies as well. A good practical understanding of the subjects is better than the theoretical knowledge.
Aaron’s Answer
Lane’s Answer
I accepted having a surface-level understanding of careers that sounded interesting rather than diving into the details of what the day-to-day job would look like and how it specifically aligned with my interests and skills.
If I was doing it over again, I would have sought opportunities to engage with people doing the actual jobs I was considering. People are very willing to talk about themselves if you just ask. I also should have utilized the career counseling services offered by the university earlier and more often to help steer me.
Fortunately for me, I found a great stepping stone as a military officer that started me on the career track I'm very satisfied with today!
Carlos’s Answer
Dana’s Answer
Claire’s Answer
Margie’s Answer
Dee’s Answer
Sandra’s Answer
Jonathan’s Answer
Aneree’s Answer
Jillian’s Answer
Quinton’s Answer
At first, I regretted not going to a university because I felt that I belonged there, and that it would've given me so much more in terms of education quality. I complained bitterly about my circumstances, wishing I could go somewhere better, and it wasn't until I graduated from my community college that I realized that my education was just as good, if not better than a university. I only ended up paying for one year's worth tuition after my 2 year scholarship ended, I ended up with no college debt, I had some of the best experiences of my life in community college, and I even got offered a job the night I graduated.
The advise I would give to anyone looking to go to college, is to not rush to university (unless you can absolutely afford it) and to reconsider community college. There are many people like me that attended community college, thinking it was lesser than university, and ended up being more appreciative of what we learned through our time in college. If there is one thing I wish I could redo, it would be to have a more positive mindset on community colleges and promote the value of what they have to offer. At the end of the day, it's still quality education, and you may even find better opportunities than what you would find at a university. No matter what anyone tells you about how you should go about your education, take the steps towards a journey that is economical, purposeful and most importantly, on your own terms.
Dara’s Answer
When I was in college, my first two years I stayed in my own bubble a lot and wouldn’t go out and explore the city with friends or go to campus events. If I could do it differently, I would try to get more involved and get out there earlier than I did.
Michel’s Answer
Kendrall’s Answer
When you graduate, you'll be asked questions like, "What's your experience with ........" or "Have you ever.........". If you take the time to get some of those experiences (in your field of interest) before you graduate, you'll be much more competitive.
Nishanth’s Answer
Pooja’s Answer
After college, you'll be working an 8-5 job everyday so don't forget to have fun and make the most out of it!
Carlos’s Answer
joelle’s Answer
What a great question! I would major in something that I was passionate about and less about what I thought my parents would want me to major in. Get straight A's, take a year off, then decide what I really wanted to do as a career. I really let other people sway my decisions on what I really wanted to do.
Anuja’s Answer
Hello,
I have would have done a lot of independent projects that cover the subjects from my majors. Also, I would have joined a club and taken part in lots of club activity.
Lois’s Answer
Douglas’s Answer
Kim’s Answer
Jonathon’s Answer
Tobias’s Answer
As I've grown in my career, mentorship has played such a big role in growing quickly and the relationships I've built have been more valuable than the technical things I've solved. I would try to start building those relationships sooner, as each professor, co-worker, friend, or stranger is going to have something unique that you can learn from them and that you can teach them.
Ateeb’s Answer
1. Definitely would of traveled more. As you get older an inherit responsibilities it becomes a lot more difficult to find time for long haul travel.
2. Engage in more study groups, its as much about smart effective ways of learning as it is about effort.
3. Develop on my presentation skills much earlier.
Tracey’s Answer
Chirayu’s Answer
Rajesh’s Answer
Kapildev’s Answer
Rachel’s Answer
Jane’s Answer
Illya’s Answer
Noorayaz’s Answer
1. Find a counselor or mentor that can help me determine which career paths are best for me to follow. I made some impulsive choices based on no real data. It worked out in the end but I probably delayed my career by almost a decade.
2. I would focus more on grades. I spent more time socializing than studying. The key is treat college like a job. Get up early and start studying, go to class and study in between. Use the evening to relax, just like you would after a day at work. This will condition you to what life after college is like, while ensuring fun and scholastic success
3. I would focus more on staying at campus. I spent 4 days a week at home, rather than on campus. It was fun but I missed out on a lot of experiences because of it.
College can be the best time of your life. Make it that, while setting yourself up for a great life afterwards.
Tameka’s Answer
GABRIEL’s Answer
Danielle’s Answer
Best wishes!
Kelley’s Answer
I would have done a few things differently...I would have studied abroad, I would have asked my top professors to be career mentors, II would have interned during the summers to get a better feel for what I wanted to do when I graduated. A business degree is so broad; there were many career options to consider.
Richard’s Answer
If i could redo college, will try to understand what companies are looking to recruit from my college and learn more about them. This will help in aligning my choice of the company based on my career goals. Look to connect with the Alumni of the college.
Rohit’s Answer
Loyd’s Answer
Ally’s Answer
Patricia’s Answer
Such a FUN question. Ohboy if I could redo college. College is suppose to be a time to meet new friends and have fun. There are sororities to think about, new friends to meet, parties; extra curricular activities - you are able to choose everything and there is a great deal of responsibility and time management. Unfortunately I started later in life and changing career paths. I enrolled in the BSN-RN program and what a program that is. It takes all of your time (and sleep). I didn't have much time for football, tailgating parties and the like due to it was such a rigorous program and consumes all of your free time. I attended college during the summer months too while in the program (year round) and only saw my friends at Christmas. But I wouldn't change anything at this point. I have my BSN-RN degree and that is the door to all possibilities in this life. So sacrificing football games and sororities for my degree is a good thing. Thank you for such a wonderful question and enjoy your education. Choose wisely and don't allow anything to take you from the path of the 'good life'. Surviving college takes a lot of hard work but once you have your degree no one can take it away from you. Cool huh!
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Mireia, I would definitely be a lot more mindful about organizing my time. You are in charge of how you want your life to be. Be mindful of creating a solid work/life balance. I always find that having a planner was very helpful. I feel that writing everything down makes your goals more tangible.
Jay’s Answer
College is that sweet spot between adolescence and adulthood where you can explore and participate without being told what you have to do, but also without any particularly negative outcomes - you might be exhausted from a night of coding, but if it doesn't work the worst thing that happens is that you sleep in until noon and try it again if you want...or don't.
That said, don't miss out on the frivolity too. There aren't many opportunities in life where you get to live with your friends and don't necessarily have to make ends meet.
Stanley’s Answer
This is a great question and one that I get enjoy answering. I worked multiple jobs and started a small family business while in school and got a degree in a field I am not utilizing. With that, enjoy your time in college. Find a mentor in the field that you think you want to be in and ask for their advice and insight in that field. And most importantly socialize and network. It’s not always what you know but who you know and that is with every career. I hope this helps and good luck!
Cynthia’s Answer
Great question. I would first take a test of interest and interview people in the fields. Then research the future of that field.
Richard’s Answer
Unrelated, but my career started out based on my educational background but took many turns as I grew my networking with people and taking on new assignments.
So, focus on your keeping your GPA up, use the social life to take off the stress of focusing solely on academics and keep in mind what degree you end up with may not be your long term career choices.
K.’s Answer
Abbey’s Answer
Jordan J’s Answer
david_skrivanek@glic.comDavid’s Answer
I would be more thoughtful about the type of school that best suited my goals as well as my personality. I choose a large state school that was full of distractions and learned that a smaller school might have been better for me.
REED’s Answer
If I had a re-do, I would've began working for a company that has a really good tuition reimbursement program. A lot of big companies have tuition reimbursement as a built in benefit of working for them (like Verizon).
This may have been a bit more difficult managing work/school but in the long run I would've paid much much less for my school out-of-pocket.
Elizabeth (Lizzie)’s Answer
Looking back, my grade would not have changed that much, if at all, had I done those fun things. When you look back at college, you don't really remember so much the assignments or classes or crying in lab (just kidding--I do remember crying in lab at night a little.) You remember the people, you remember the social events, you remember staying up late in someone's room to talk about life or play Just Dance.
So go, have fun. It's all about balance.
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Mireia:
This is a great question; thank you. If I could go back in time and redo college I'd do the following:
1) Scholarship Opportunities: Take advantage of all the current scholarship opportunities. There are so many scholarship opportunities out there until most students miss out probably due to their lack of knowledge on where to go for them by not doing their research in advance.
2) Work Part-time: I worked a full-time job while I was in college including during the summer. If I could redo I would have worked part-time and got more involved with on-campus activities and organizations. But, I was thankful for the company's tuition reimbursement program because this helped out financially.
3) Seek a Mentor: Although I was a very diligent student I wish I had seek out a mentor while in college.
I wish you much success on your journey. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Abhishek’s Answer
My suggestion, focus on 2-3 subject which you are interested in, like excel on them.
During the interview drive as being a fresher the more deeper and out of the box answer a candidate provide they have more chances of hiring.
kevin’s Answer
– Connect with job placement resources to start getting experience right away. It almost doesn't matter if it's in your field, you'll learn how to interact as part of a team and build experiences you can speak to in interviews and use to guide your future job searches.
– Study abroad opportunities might take you off the track for a bit, but will broaden your understanding of people and culture while giving you experiences that will last a lifetime.
– Similar to study abroad, explore courses/events outside of your specific field of study. You'll find connections with people you won't run into as your life and work narrow your exposure over time.
David’s Answer
If I were to go back to college, I would probably stress less about finding the perfect major/ career early on. I would also make sure I had a better balance between my studies, social life, and get involved in student groups & clubs.
You have your entire adult & professional life ahead of you to figure things out. Too many young students feel pressured to figure out their long term career when they start college. Your career is more of a process than anything, and you might find something that interests you later in your career. Every role you have is going to be a learning experience.
I started school studying to be a Civil Engineer, then switched to Marketing, and now am working in the technology field.
Additionally, college is a place that you have so many opportunities to make lifelong friends and make connections. Taking part in social & academic clubs will also help you make connections to help you find a job after college.
Shannon’s Answer
Alex’s Answer
Racheal’s Answer
Cookie’s Answer
Personally, I would have taken a little more time to find something that I was passionate about and that I LOVED doing!
Wes’s Answer
David’s Answer
As long as it is not impacting your grades negatively.... HAVE MORE FUN!
Lison H’s Answer
denny’s Answer
Norma’s Answer
1. Focus - apply myself more
2. work less hours - working full time plus overtime and going to school full time prevented me from sleeping enough and studying
3. live on campus - I attended what is known as a "commuter school" (live close enough not to live on campus that you can drive yourself - i lived 30 minutes or so away)
4. get more involved - i was a member of student government, but didn't always volunteer as I was interested but not motivated to participate
When planning your future, think about some of these things before you make a decision as to where you will go. :-)
Rachel’s Answer
Matt’s Answer
Paul’s Answer
I'm personally in college right now but if I could redo my college experience - I would focus more on my academics. I feel as though I didn't as much academic success as I had done in high school so definitely could work on that with a fresh start. I would also reach out more to the people living next door or who I sit next to in class cause honestly I feel as though everybody in college is on the same ship - but just going to different destinations. We still all go through the same waves and motions so why not make some conversations while we're at it. Great and interesting question!
Sincerely,
Paul
Jennifer’s Answer
If I could redo college, I would worry less and take more chances. You have the rest of your life to play it safe, college is the time to take chances and see what happens. I tried to be too responsible and serious in college and didn't enjoy that care-free time as much as I should have. I am not advocating not studying, but I guess the old adage, "work hard, play hard!"
Ed’s Answer
Tiffany’s Answer
Christina’s Answer
Christina recommends the following next steps:
Linda’s Answer
Jerome’s Answer
Great question!! I would have taken greater advantage of being around very smart people who have devoted their life to teaching others. Most profs I encountered really enjoyed getting to share their experiences and insight beyond the textbooks and tests which are really beneficial in really seeing if these fields of study have potential as career paths. Additionally, their contacts in various fields of study and industry can prove very valuable for your post-studies path. In short, take advantage of office hours and build those relationships!
Wenmiao’s Answer
Donna’s Answer
Michele’s Answer
What a great question ... I would definitively invest more time networking, giving back to the community and focusing on self development. There are so many opportunities, you now have time to explore, travel, meet new people and make a difference; take advantage of the time you have and help others. If i could go back i would definitively join the peace corps and travel the world before jumping into corporate America!
Deborah’s Answer
Zhu’s Answer
In my opinion, no matter what I answer to this question, It always is a supplement for my achievement based on my experience. It's for myself, not others. Thus is not instructive to others. Everyone has his/her own aspiration, you may find the right way to spend your time only based on your own. What do you want to be? Usually, we know what is the right thing to do, but we just cannot control ourselves, we know we should read more books, we should focus on knowledge, we should study harder, don't waste time. But the entertainment is more attractive, those electronic games, those movies and TV series, and we are easily persuaded by ourselves that I can master my life, spend some time to relax will not have any bad impact.
So don't ask others, just ask yourself. what do you want to be? what do you want to get in that period? everyone has a different answer, but the answer is for himself and will help him to know, what he should do.
Doug’s Answer
If I were to redo college, I would have went sooner. I didn't start college until I was almost 40. It's been a great experience even at a bit of an older age but I wish I had started sooner and had a bigger head start.
Richard’s Answer
Amy’s Answer
Erich’s Answer
Michael’s Answer
Debjeet’s Answer
1. Be more social and keep networking
2.Learn a lot more on my areas of interest
3.Take part in more student club activities.
4.Keep my lethargy aside and do something productive.
sridhar’s Answer
I would have spend more time in learning history and literature, Students who understand the history and historic mistakes can only take this socitey forward by avoiding the mistakes from the past.
Kiran’s Answer
If I were to redo the college, I will do below..
1. Connect with more people to learn different things from them.
2. I would have joined more sports related activities.
3. Don't plan on anything specific skill(technology) instead learn some broader skills.
James’s Answer
Xavier’s Answer
Jarebb’s Answer
1. Grades - Do what interest you in college. the subject matter as this will give you extra energy to complete it.
2. Time - better allocate and spend time that matters.
3. To say Yes/No - We are not super human, it is better to say yes and commit to the end to complete the journey in college.
Angus’s Answer
Hi
Speaking for myself and some of my colleagues ... we have a few suggestions:
Think about a "study break" - take a break from the "academic" pressures - doing stuff for college (coursework, deadlines, exams results etc) - but getting out into the real world (travel, work experience, whatever) gives a different perspective which will help, when you come back, have a different, broader perspective - makes you realise why you are studying / why it matters - so helps you work hards with a better level of focus (clearer end-goals)
Consider international student exchange ... that is a GREAT way of being exposed to other cultures / countries / career opportunities etc ...
<span style="color: black;">I would have worked for a year first before going to university in order to discover what my passions were. Instead, I started a course I thought I would like but hated, essentially wasting the year. I then had to work for three years before going back in order to save money for the extortionate re-entry fees! So be careful with your initial choices. </span>
Think about the skills you need in the industries you may go and work in and think about the "softer" skills you may need that they are not teaching you in the classroom. e.g. I did a business degree, and no one taught be presentation or negotiation skills - which are every-day requirements in the "real world" - think what the equivalent is for your degree / work environment ...
Consider "mixed" topic degrees / double degree ... e.g. a colleague did Communications, but would have preferred to have done Communications AND Business combined to make it a more "real-life" useable degree (easier to change industries etc) . My daughter does Psychology AND Spanish - so gives her that extra edge for where she could work in the future
Howard’s Answer
Erik’s Answer
Gloria’s Answer
Kevin’s Answer
TV’s Answer
Dear Mireia,
I graduated from college almost 8 years back and the memories that I made are still fresh in mind. I had a fabulous time in college which involved lots of challenges like stressful nights before exam, worrying about results etc. However, I had a great group of friends, who were my support system during those tough times. Eventually everything fell into place but in hindsight I feel I could have worked harder and earned better grades. But that certainly cannot take away the great time I had there.
So, if I could redo college, I would work harder, learn more and make many many more memories!
Good luck!
TV recommends the following next steps:
Ryan’s Answer
Ganesh’s Answer
Another point is to work closely with teachers in building the content for upcoming students.
Denise’s Answer
Shadow. Sometimes your perception of a career and reality of the career differ. Better to know that before investing years of college to find out it is what you want to do. Ask about other career opportunities within the organization which may align with your interests/strengths. Don't be fixated on having to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. Explore several different options.
Steven Chang-Hsun’s Answer
If I could redo college, I would explore more interests and opportunities outside my major. Seek more opportunities to study or work abroad. Pick up a new language and try to master it.
Steven Chang-Hsun recommends the following next steps:
Emily K.’s Answer
Marco Sanchez
Marco’s Answer
I hope you are well! I would look for a way to learn about entrepreneurship, about business. I am an Engineer in Cybernetics and Computer Systems, I loved the university, I was a student who really struggled to learn the technical, but if I feel that I lacked to expand my knowledge on the above topics, I have learned throughout the years based on experience, courses, diplomas, books, certifications, etc.
I hope the advice is helpful and I wish you the best of success.
Cordially,
Marco
Owen’s Answer
Jaclyn’s Answer
I would have gone abroad or travelled further from school to broaden my perspective
John’s Answer
Veena’s Answer
Laura’s Answer
Simeon’s Answer
Dennis’s Answer
Wes’s Answer
Chandra’s Answer
Jamie’s Answer
Naveed’s Answer
I really enjoyed my time at college, studied science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics). I would study IT more, spend more time in understanding how the internet works. I would do some certifications on my own apart from just going to college for a degree. College degree helps but certifications get you the job. This is what my experience is. Learn a skill like photography early in my life, and keep developing it through out my life.
Naveed recommends the following next steps:
Carla’s Answer
Carla recommends the following next steps:
David’s Answer
Great question.
I worked full time while attending school. I would highly recommend, concentrating your time and efforts into your classes, studies, and school activities. Get more involved in on campus groups and only work part time if needed.
Best of luck to you.
David recommends the following next steps:
Alnaya’s Answer
Jim’s Answer
Great question! I would take more time to form relationships with others going into a similar field/career. I found that most people formed their core groups of friends early and just continued to spend time with those core people. Though I met others in classes, I didn't build or foster those relationships with those going into my field which would have been helpful when first entering the workforce.
Vishesh’s Answer
However with every thing that you do in life you always have a feeling that there are some things you could have done better or differently. I am no different to this feeling. I would like to answer by talking about two different phases of my life when I went to college.
1. The first one and most fun is 4 years of my bachelor life in Pune, India. I enrolled myself for bachelor's in computer engineering. One thing I never did during those 4 years is take up a job and earn money. My family supported me throughout those 4 years. Looking back at that I thing I realize I should have done any sort of job. It would have taught me the value of money early in life and how difficult it is to earn. I am more than grateful for my family for supporting me financially however I would highly recommend to get an experience of doing a job in college. It can be any type job.
2. My second phase of college is when I first came to United States to pursue my Masters. During this phase I feel I should have connected and networked more with people in my industry. This was the time where I was trying to get a job in software engineering. However looking back I realize I did not network enough to spread myself out in the world. You are your own publicist.
So here are my two cents. One for each phase of my life :)
Avi’s Answer
Different cultures have different ways of practicing business principles. Getting an internship internally or studying a course abroad would have allowed me to gain a higher appreciation of business practices across cultures.
Rob’s Answer
William’s Answer
I had an idea what I wanted to do and I knew my strengths and interest. I would have seek more career paths that allowed me to marry my strengths and interest versus focusing on each one individually. From there my best advice is to really spend time to get some experience what you think is a good fit. Try to connect with someone who is in that field and try to explore as many other paths you think would be of interest. From there you will be better prepared to use your time in college to focus on what you want beyond college.
Jerel’s Answer
Sheila M.’s Answer
Victor’s Answer
Roberto’s Answer
Jasanpreet Kaur’s Answer
JOSEPH’s Answer
I went to college part time and did not live on campus or in a dorm. If you have the opportunity to live in campus do it. I am pleased with what I learned at college, but feel I really missed out on the full college experience of living in a dorm and forming those bonds and friendships with classmates
Lucie’s Answer
Let me explain, the decisions you make when going to college, which major to chose, how many years, etc. in the end do not "matter" too much compared to the experience you will get working for a company.
I think what really matters is, if down the road you can course correct or switch path if you need to. Once you will get experience, you will truly be able to see if a role or an industry is made for you, and if after a few years you will get tired of it, etc.
There are not many ways to know about that going into college, you learn through experience.
In my opinion, If I would go back to college, I would look for the same path, the one that makes it open for me to switch from one role to another. The best combo I have seen so far is engineering degree + business degree. This combo allows you to change fields and opens the most of role options in the job market.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
Patricia’s Answer
Kamaris’s Answer
Lesly’s Answer
Karen’s Answer
Justin’s Answer
David’s Answer
David recommends the following next steps:
Kaitlyn’s Answer
I would think twice about taking out large student loans. I chose a school I wanted to go to and I lived on campus. Had I been a commuter or even chose a school with lower costs, I would have saved some serious money and wouldn't be paying the student loan debt I am paying now (it costs more than my mortgage).
In addition- I would have waited to obtain my Master's Degree. I got it right after getting my Bachelor's. If I had waited until I was employed, my employer would have paid my tuition (instead of me now paying back a loan for the degree).
Last thing I would have done differently: I should have taken networking more seriously as a college student. I don't have many contacts from college I could go to for advice or for various opportunities. I wish I would have spent more time building my professional network.
Kaitlyn recommends the following next steps:
Melissa’s Answer
Tova’s Answer
I would have relied less on my classmates for help and worked more on learning how to work through coding issues on my own (I'm a software developer). When I struggled with a homework assignment or got an error I didn't know how to handle, my first reaction was to call a friend, rather than spending some time working through the issue. When I entered the workforce, I then had to unlearn this habit and learn how to do my own research and ask well-thought-out questions, rather than instinctively going straight to team members when I was stuck.
Stephanie’s Answer
Amy’s Answer
Expenses are often a consideration. I had scholarships and financial aid and needed to finish in 4 years, so I was nervous about going outside of that to pursue "fun classes". However I think there were some quarters, where I might have had the same costs for tuition even if I took an extra elective class. So basically it would have been free to me :) Check into that with your financial aid resources at your school if you are concerned about costs.
Sanjai’s Answer
Kavita’s Answer
2. Network more—it’s not just about having contacts, but it’s about knowing people who know things that might not be your domain of expertise. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. I would’ve loved to take part in more activities and explored more.
3. Foreign exchange programs—look out for them. The world has so much to offer, and I should’ve taken advantage of it.
Jay’s Answer
I think the biggest thing I would try differently is that I would like to experiment with different classes in my first couple of years. Looking back it seems too much to expect someone to really know their career choice at that age. Use the time and try a bunch of different classes. You never know what will spark your interest and lead you down a role that you may not have expected.
Best of Luck
Ana’s Answer
Cassie’s Answer
GABRIEL’s Answer
Lisa’s Answer
What a tough question! Sometimes we have an idea of what we'd like to study, but not a definitive idea of how that would translate into a career. If I could go back, I would make a list of my interests and strengths, and compare those with available career opportunities to ensure my courses and major are going to result in job placement after college. I ended up in a career that I love, but I have friends and colleagues whose selected their major without thinking about the number of available jobs in that field and have settled for jobs that are outside of their field of study. Good luck!
Rushita’s Answer
1) Make more friends within my classes to work with on assignments or create study groups with
2) Take advantage of the school clubs/organizations for making connections
3) Do more research on different career fields/majors, there are so many I got pretty overwhelmed and should've spent more time on it
4) Talk to professors about your potential career trajectory and ask for their advice on it, they know a lot about what they teach so they are likely to give you some information you had no idea about
5) Take advantage of the student discounts!!!
Angel’s Answer
Karthik’s Answer
The primary reason one should participate in extracurricular activities is networking and socialization. Activities outside the classroom enable opportunities to social and meet people that one wouldn't otherwise see in a classroom. For example, I was a computer engineer major and got to meet folks from business and liberal arts disciplines due to hobby-related activities. This exposure helped make me a well-rounded human being and exposed me to other perspectives. At the end of the day, you are going to graduate and end up in the real world. The real world is full of individuals who have different perspectives and different backgrounds.
Matthew’s Answer
Lexi’s Answer
Shi Min’s Answer
Wesley’s Answer
Sirlei’s Answer
I don't think I would redo anything in College, but I would definitely have prepared better for it.
I feel like I could have done more to prepare for SATs/ACTs, to better understand what the college life really entailed, etc.
I believe I would have been better positioned to make decisions regarding what classes to take, when, what to avoid taking together and so forth.
At the end of the day, the most critical thing is to learn to adapt though. In college and in life, you will regret decisions you make, just learn from it and be ready for the next one.
Best of luck!
Regards,
Mafalda’s Answer
1. I would attend more lectures rather than relying on self-study. This is because I spent considerable time grasping basic concepts on my own, which could have been easily understood in a 5-minute classroom explanation.
2. I would make it a habit to jot down notes during each lecture, thus reducing my study load as exam time approaches.
3. I would be more proactive in asking questions to clarify my doubts.
4. I would participate in more university events to broaden my experiences.
Karin’s Answer
Niraj’s Answer
I would have chosen the pilot career since the cockpit, controls, airplanes, airbus fascinate me. Even though I am quite happy with whatever I am doing currently (server virtualization engineer), I am an aviation enthusiast as a side interest. There is no harm in doing any side activities or hobbies, we all have it.
Sincerely,
Niraj
Jan’s Answer
Alyssa’s Answer
2) Been less hard on myself. I had a lot of notions of perfection, and it's just not a possible or healthy standard to hold yourself to. Unless you're continuing onto graduate school, the grades you get really don't matter. Doing your best is important, but pushing yourself to your limits just to get an A is truly not worth it.
Alyssa recommends the following next steps:
Mark’s Answer
Rick’s Answer
Demetrio’s Answer
Test yourself, challenge yourself with things you need to discover in and out of the class. Take courses outside of your interests and try to understand their applicability to things. Try different things with caution and make a difference in other lives, too. Don't just think about yourself. Volunteer locally and nationally. 'Just do it with a FOCUS.
Jeff’s Answer
Jenna’s Answer
I would get more involved in the college life. Take advantage of the all the programs offered. Enjoy socializing and networking. I would probably live in campus the first couple of years.
Jessica’s Answer
I also wish I had more time in between my first job and when I graduated college. I started my first job a week after graduation and I felt rushed. You don't have to start your new job right after graduation. Give yourself some time to relax in between.
Aman’s Answer
Another thing is that I would do differently is that I would have paid more attention to my projects and build some really cool stuff. Back in the college, I did projects just to ger the credits and pass. Also this time I will learn mostly from online resources. Back in 2012 when I finished college I didn't know about Udacity/Coursera/Udemy/etc. and I am ashamed of that.
Himanshu’s Answer
2. Talk to academic advisers monthly from the beginning and spend more time getting to know my academic interests than trying to get my rocks off and party.
3. Get myself in a solid sleep pattern early on, and not totally destroy it every break.
4. Attend more classes, and not rely as much on lecture videos or textbooks when possible. As much as I did well, several of those B+'s and A-'s could have easily been As had I put forth that extra effort.
5. Pursue more friendships, network with like-minded people, separate myself earlier from deadbeat friends (since that was the end result anyway without my doing).
6. Pursue more internships and other professional experiences earlier to build up a better resume before the end of college.
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