Student leaders have an important role to play today on college campuses. The world is changing much faster than before and our coursework doesn't seem to be keeping up with the times. Students need to prepare themselves outside the classroom and take the world by storm through active participation and leadership. But, while taking an initiative or idea into your own hands can be exciting, it is the follow through that is most important. As students we have few resources and often not enough clout to start big projects. However, we all know where there's a will, there's a way. Here are five tips for success when you are in the groove and ready to move but need somewhere to start.

1. Invest in ideas that you have a personal stake in.

Don't try to solve other people's problems. This often leads to ineffective solutions that don't hold a lot of water or do what it was intended. Instead think about what has affected you personally and deeply and how you would enhance your experience in the situation. The bottom line is you should not work on something that only sounds like a good idea or could make some money.

2. Use your time wisely.

If someone is known to have the capacity for leadership they may find themselves very popular with all sorts of groups. But it would be smart to identify a set of personal core values and pick through every project with those values in mind. Running back and forth from project to project won't allow your creativity and problem solving skills to kick in when they really need to.

3. Be inclusive!

Ask yourself who is missing from the conversation. If you are sitting at a table and everyone there looks the same or you understand each other so well that there is never any dissenting opinion, remind yourself that there are a lot of people in the world. Whose ideas and opinions could expand your view and make it more inclusive of other cultures or applications?

4. Listen to other people

If you do find yourself wanting to help more vulnerable groups of people, from students of color to the homeless in the streets, make sure you find an advisor with good experience or representatives of that population to help you flesh out your idea. The last thing you would want to do is end up harming these people more because you don't understand the issues and vulnerabilities they face.

5. Find high performing and energetic teammates.

The key to forming a strong team is to create a low barrier, low stakes environment to work in. Remember that no one will be as passionate about your idea as you will be. So manage your expectations as well as the team's expectations for the type of work that will be produced. To start the project, begin with small goals while having a bigger picture in mind of how it will all come together to save the world.