Learn to Master the College Experience

I recall going to an orientation prior to starting my college experience and the President of the school said something that has stuck with me ever since. He said “If the only things you learn in college are learned in the classroom, you have missed out.” I didn’t quite realize how true that was at the time, but as I look back I wish I would have taken that advice to heart.

Just like most students attending college out of high school, I looked at college as a stepping stone to a high paying career. All my life I was told you have to go to college to be successful. I can’t count the number of times I was told you will be passed over if you don’t have a college degree on your resume. I have since come to realize that is not the case, but I’ll save that subject for another day.

When I first arrived at college I chose my major based on what I thought I wanted to do. I didn’t really research it prior to going to school. At that time in my life I realize I was not prepared to make a decision that would possibly affect the rest of my life. I began as a physical therapy major. I pictured myself one day being a trainer for a professional sports team. Had I done a little more research I would have known that the major was impacted at my school I had chosen to go to and I would have to bust my ass the first two years of college to even get into it. Well as you can guess, I didn’t give the effort needed and ended up changing my major to Computer Science. Yes, I know, quite a change. I eventually graduated from school with a Computer Science degree and have worked ever since in the computer field.

I am not disappointed with the route I took, but have since come to realize that I am much more interested in business. I think business is a subject that can be applied to so many different fields. When I am at home reading, it is usually something dealing with business and not computers. I feel that I am good at my job, but I just don’t have the passion that I find while researching or reading about business topics. This goes back to what I mentioned earlier. Fresh out of high school I don’t think I was prepared to make the decision of what I want to do with my life and what my passions were going to be. If you find yourself in the same boat as me I recommend that you don’t declare a major (if allowed at your school) and take a broad range of classes your first year. Find out what peaks your interest. Is there a class you don’t mind spending time on outside of class? Is there one that you just dread going too, or doing projects for? Take into account these feelings and tailor your future choices towards your passion. Yes this may delay the amount of time it takes until you graduate, but trust me, I think you will be happier with your decision in the long run.

Also, get out of class! You don’t have to learn everything in college in the classroom. There are clubs and groups everywhere in college. Go to some meetings and see if they interest you. Network as much as possible. Everyone there is working on their future, just like you. Get to know them, share ideas and share contact information. You can learn a lot by opening up and talking about things that interest or don’t interest you with your peers. The wheels will begin to turn and lead you to new insights and ideas that you may never come up with sitting by yourself at home contemplating what you should do with your life.

Did I say get out of class yet? Go to the athletic events on campus. I don’t care if you like sports or not. Go! Meet new people and get into the spirit. Enjoy yourself. Go to parties! What’s that you say? You don’t drink. I don’t care, go have a good time. Dance, mingle, meet new people and network. I can’t think of a better time to meet new friends than college. Take this time of your life to learn about others and more importantly learn about yourself. Be open minded. College is often a melting pot of many different types of people. Keep an open mind, and learn about what makes these people the way they are and share with them what makes you, you. You may have had your little clique in high school, but now is the time to break out of that shell or persona you created to be “cool” and start creating a better you.

I always wondered why there were always one or two classmates older than the rest of the class. They were always the ones sitting up front, asking questions and staying after class. I always assumed it was because they either couldn’t afford to go to college earlier or their job was sending them back for education. Whatever it was, as I look back now, I think I know why they were the students that they were. They had more experience with life in general and had time to figure out what they enjoyed. They knew the importance college could play in helping them achieve the future they wanted. They devoured all the information they could. It was interesting to them and they genuinely wanted to learn the subject and not just do enough to pass the class.

I’m not saying you have to wait after graduating high school to enter college. I’m just trying to point out that you need to find your passion prior to choosing your path. Take the time early to find out what you like. Find what makes you happy. Find something you can’t get enough of. Find something that won’t have you hating waking up in the morning to go to work. Find something you feel in your heart and then follow it. Meet new friends and share your journey with them. Learn from them and let them learn from you. Only then have you made the most of college.