College. there are only so many ways you could define it. Personally, a few words that instantly come to mind are: exhausting, coffee, and insane workload. 95 percent of the time, I find myself wanting to take a nap. Don’t you just wish you could stay in your bed forever? Projects, papers, meetings, when will it stop? It’s definitely a handful. However, the great thing about college is having the opportunity to find yourself. What the heck does that mean? It basically means that college is a four-year period where you can learn more about your interests.
You’re probably thinking, “OK. How do I do that?” Simple. You have to allow yourself to look! Kind of a vague answer, I know. Depending on your major or what you want to do in the future, it varies. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is, you’re going to have to look yourself. The good news is, I’m here to help!
We have all faced this question, one that often comes up at family parties. “What do you want to do after college?” Some of us are lucky enough to know exactly what we want to do, and some of us aren’t. I have a hard time deciding what I want for dinner, so this question leaves me pretty stumped. Is there a job where I can binge-watch Netflix and still get paid? I wish. In all seriousness, we have to crack down sooner than later. You eventually have to find yourself, learn your interests, and set goals when doing so.
How, Jamie, How?! Have no fear. I’m about to tell you! I have come up with three, quick basic tips to help you out.
First, allow yourself to grow. What I mean by that is, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. Otherwise, it could deter you from amazing opportunities headed your way. Start out slow. If stepping out of your comfort zone means taking an extra class, starting a new job or hobby, so be it! You could end up discovering something you really like. Often times, it happens unexpectedly.
Next, take every chance you get. What do I mean by that? Well, it depends. Here are some examples. If a teacher offers extra credit in a class you're doing bad in, DO IT! If you see a flyer around campus promoting a new job or club, DO IT! If you have the chance to study abroad, well, you probably know my answer by now...DO IT! It definitely does not hurt to try. No matter what kind of opportunity it is, don't be afraid. This could also help you to discover something you really enjoy. If things don't end up the way you wanted them to, at least you learned from it.
Last but never least, use your resources. They are all around. Whether it’s your college career center, counselor, librarian or a tutor, take full advantage! Just think, you won’t have these resources forever. You have people in these departments wanting to help you, so let them. They could also be the key to learning more about yourself. Not to mention, you build strong and personal networks this way.
There you have it. Hopefully you found these tips helpful. Don’t get me wrong, I still haven't completely found myself. I'm still trying to find a shirt I lost last summer. It’s definitely a learning process and takes time. Be patient, stay motivated and set goals; this can help you narrow down future career choices. Best of luck!
