College is seriously what you make of it. Sure, you could go out five nights a week but there's so much more you could be doing as well. College is the one place where all these opportunities are going to be laid out in front of you unlike after college where you'll be desperately searching for a job and wishing you built up your resume back in college. Here are 11 ways to make the most of your college career.
1. Make friends.
This should be a no brainer but it's not as easy as it sounds, at least not for everyone including me. Get out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you in class. I know at SUNY Oneonta our class sizes are generally small and there's a good chance you'll be sitting next to the same person next semester. Who knows that person may be a CEO of a company one day and you might want to interview with them.
2. Network.
Bouncing off of making friends, college is also a great place to start networking. Not only with students but also with your professors. Most of your professors have experience in your field so make sure to visit them during office hours and get to know them. They'll be who you turn to for a recommendation or possibly a referral if they still have connections in the industry.
3. Join clubs and organizations.
This is an obvious one, but I can't emphasize it enough. Freshman year you go to the huge campus wide club fair and write your name down for 15 clubs that you won't remember the next day. The next step is actually attending those club meetings and narrowing it down to two clubs is enough. I joined a sorority, which has given me many opportunities to get more involved. I'll also serve on the e-board next semester. Clubs and organizations are the best way to gain leadership experience. Plus, you can add them to your resume!
4. Internships.
Internships are the key to your future. They give you hands on experience in your field, provide valuable learning experience, and of course, a strong resume. Sometimes, you have to do extensive research but the right internships are out there for you. Even if you attend a small college in upstate New York, there are internship opportunities like my virtual internship with the Odyssey. Also, your internship supervisors can write recommendations for you or even better offer you a job! Start searching because internships can be highly competitive but well worth the effort.
5. Scholarships.
College is expensive and could put you in dangerous debt if you aren't careful. However, there are ways to lessen the burden. Many students think there aren't scholarship opportunities for them after being accepted but they are wrong. Before college, I did my research and found private scholarships in my town -- such as a rotary scholarship. In addition to that, I applied to more scholarships my sophomore year through my major's department. This means your department may also give out scholarships. Sometimes, clubs and organizations also have scholarship programs. In college things aren't handed to you anymore but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
6.
Study.I wish this was a given. I know you hear the phrase, "college is for your education," but there are too many students who still don't take it seriously. So what, Cs get degrees -- you're telling me you don't want an A or to make dean's list at least once? Set your goals higher and study more. GPA isn't everything, but it certainly helps.
7. Experiment.
What I mean by this is take a class you wouldn't normally take. This class could be a fun elective that could boost your GPA and act as a stress reliever like yoga for example. This class could also be a potential new major class. How do you know your major is the right one for you if you haven't looked into other options? You might be surprised to find that there's more out there for you. Even if you don't want to change your major, maybe you found a potential minor.
8. Minors and concentrations.
Everyone should have a minor and most major's require a concentration. It's fine to have a broad degree but it's even better to enhance it. Minors are created to go along with our major but also open up new doors for you. For example, I'm a fashion major but my dream career is in fashion journalism. My major only says I have an interest in fashion, yet adding an English minor like I did tells potential employers that I'm a strong reader and writer. Majors are designed so you can finish them in two years. This means you have ample time and no excuse to not add a minor to your degree.
9. Get a job.
This is not completely necessary for everyone and I know a lot of students have a hard time finding time for a job. However, I want you to know that there are jobs that aren't typical part time jobs off campus. These jobs can be done on your own time or not frequently enough to add stress but still help you earn extra money. At SUNY Oneonta, I'm paid to be a Peer Mentor and tutor through two departments. I love both of these jobs because I help students and the hours are flexible. Again, these jobs don't jump out at you but if you look in the right places, you can find them.
10. Explore the area.
Typically, you're at the same school for four years, why not get to know the area? I personally love where I go to school. The town is small but beautiful and there's amazing places to eat. I'm sure there's something to appreciate in your college's town as well.
11. Go out.
College shouldn't be treated as a never ending party but it doesn't hurt to go out and let loose on the weekends. It doesn't mean you have to drink either. I promise it won't hurt you to put your textbook down for a couple hours and grab lunch with your friends or go to a party. Learning how to balance your academics and social life will make your college experience more enjoyable.
