While college is meant to be the best time in your life, nothing can truly prepare you for it. There’s always a sense of confusion, stress, and uncertainty when you’re trying to decide what to do with the rest of your life. Here are a few things I’ve learned and hope to pass onto future or current pre-professional students
1. Make sure you’re truly passionate about your field
If you don’t love what you do now, chances are you won’t 20 years from now. Plenty of people change their mind about what field they want to get into. It’s OK, that’s what college is for. Most importantly though, don’t get into a field because your parents want you to. You’ll eventually resent them for it and you’ll resent yourself.
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2. Find an interest outside of your field and embrace it
There is nothing wrong with having an interest outside your field. In fact, most graduate schools want you to have other interests. It not only shows you to be “well-rounded” individual, but engaging yourself in something else can actually help you succeed in your field of interest.
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3. Only take on what you can handle
Juggling school, work, volunteering, and being a member of multiple organizations is a reality for many college students who are trying to pay their way through undergrad or “beef up their resume.” However, make sure you don’t take on too many activities as it can keep you from doing well or cause you to burn out.
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4. Don’t underestimate your graduate school exam
Whether it’s the GRE, MCAT, DAT, OAT, LSAT, or GMAT, graduate school exams are a beast of their own. Make sure you set aside time to study and truly dedicate yourself to it because your scores actually do matter.
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5. Reward yourself
School is stressful so make sure you set aside time for yourself everyday or at least reward yourself while you study. Whether it's taking a 10 minute break for every hour of studying, or allowing yourself to watch an episode of your favorite show everyday, a reward system can actually keep you going.
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6. Don’t stress yourself out!
A small amount of stress can actually motivate people or give them energy to keep going. However, too much stress can keep you from performing and doing well.
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7. Make time for your family
Your family will be there long after undergrad is over. They truly want the best for you and will always give you the best advice!
8. Make friends outside of your pre-professional circle
Although having friends who are on the same career path as you can be extremely helpful, you should also take the time to get to know people who aren’t pursuing the same profession. It makes you open to new ideas and different ways of thinking. As for those who don’t know exactly know what they want to do, talking to different people may even help you find something you’re passionate about.
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9. TAKE A BUSINESS CLASS
Whether we like to admit it or not, everything in today’s world is a business. As a college student, we eventually have to go out and live in the “real world.” Knowing that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell may help you succeed on a biology exam, but it won’t help you learn how to manage your finances.
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10. There is nothing wrong with taking a “gap year” or an extra year to graduate.
Taking a gap year or extra year to graduate is becoming extremely common these days. Whether it’s to taking extra time to complete your degree or boost your GPA, it doesn’t matter; do what’s best for you!
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11. Try to take a vacation at least once a year.
It doesn’t have to be a month-long European tour or something really fancy. Try to get out of town for a couple of days each year to unwind and relax. We all need a break from time to time.
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12. Take care of yourself
Throughout college, people forget to take care of themselves because they’re so busy. Make sure to take some time to eat well and exercise!
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13. Don’t give up!
Taking the next step in a career isn’t easy, but if it is something you’re truly passionate about and are willing to work for, you will make it. Everyone has to struggle to get to where they want to go!
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