In my time as a college student, I've had the opportunity to see many of my peers thrive and many of my peers come close to crashing and burning. If there was ever any advice I could give to both those successful and also to those struggling it would be these five things. Realizing some of these things has helped me immensely. And I hope that maybe knowing these things will be as beneficial for others as they were for me.
1. Please open your eyes and your ears
Ignorance is not always bliss. While sometimes being able to cling to an “I didn’t know so what was I supposed to do about it,” kind of mind state one needs to remain well informed. Knowledge is power. Your surroundings speak volumes, so simply pay attention. Before turning on that Netflix series you’re dying to finish turn on the news for even five minutes and tune into what’s going on in the world. Believe it or not these things effect you. Pick up your local campus paper as you're walking to class, look at your headlines and read an article or two. Students just like you write those articles. Even platforms like Twitter and Instagram allow you to stay updated on news. If you want to keep up to date with what’s going on locally, nationally and even globally it’s a super easy way to stay in the loop. Stay informed.
2. Become involved in or familiar with your student organizations on campus
Also become familiar with their leaders. Groups such as your Student Governors Association can allow you to have a voice, and allow that voice to be heard. Figure out their platforms and what they stand for. Figure out what it is specific to your campus that they're hoping to change or improve. Seek outlets to have your voice heard. Aside from having your voice heard become involved in one of the student organizations on your campus to surround yourself with those with similar interests. There are clubs and organizations of almost all varieties, but if there's something you're looking for that isn't there then look into starting one.
3. Look someone in the eye when they are speaking to you
Being able to meet someone’s gaze when you’re having a conversation shows a sign of respect. Surrounded by my peers I have noticed that this is in fact a dying art amongst my generation. So many people are uncomfortable looking someone else in the eye. I’ve heard people say that it can be uncomfortable and weird at times, but to me there's nothing more weird than having a discussion with someone who can't even look me in the face.
4. Remember that one voice can start an entire movement
Even though you may feel as if you’re only one person at times remember that it can take only a single person, one voice to set an idea in motion. All great things have taken persistence, time, and dedication.
5. Do not let what other people have labeled you as define you
Do whatever it is you want to do and be whoever it is you want to be. Do not come to this new place with the newfound freedom of finally being able to be whomever and whatever it is you want to be and then remain trapped by the same ideals of what someone else wants you to be. If you come to the land of opportunity but never take it then why’d you come? Stop letting what your parents, your best friend, your grandpa, your first cousin twice removed thinks matter. What matters is what YOU wake up and get excited about each day. What matters is you being driven enough to go to class and work hard because one day you want to do great things in the field that you’ve found a deep rooted passion for.
So what if your dad wants you to become a doctor because he thinks you’ll make more money doing that one-day? If you love English and you want to become an English Literature professor then that’s exactly what you need to do. If biology and human anatomy don’t interest you and they aren’t something you're good at then why come to class each day miserably unexcited about what you’re learning now and struggling in, and what you’re supposed to want to do with the rest of your life just to ensure you’re keeping someone else’s vision of your dream alive? Your dream is just that, yours. Your aspirations should be the most alive. Your dream is supposed to be what fuels and motivates you every day. Take each day as it comes; one day at a time. And be who you want to be.
