In my experience, we’re told that college is mainly about getting the degree itself. We’re told that it matters a lot which college you choose. We’re told that college will give us all the knowledge we need for our field of choice. However, looking back on my college experience, I’ve learned that absolutely none of that is the truth. In just a few days, I’m graduating with my Bachelor of Science from Liberty University. But I’m here to tell you that you might believe some lies about what college is really like. I’m not just talking about things like your social life, dorm life, or even classes. I’m talking about the experience of college as a whole and the process of getting your degree—the thing that you’re told you have to get in order to get a job in today’s economy.

There is so much more to college than obtaining a degree, making friends, or choosing a major. College is much more about what you make of it and what you choose to get out of it. While school choice is important, it’s important because it should fit you, not because of prestige. You should choose a college that you feel comfortable at and that will challenge you to be a stronger person. And, while you learn a lot of facts about your field, college is much more about learning about your field, how to succeed in it, and how to be a competent person.

The value of college is not just the diploma. If you just sit in a classroom for four years and get a degree, you’re not going to do all that much better getting a job than you might have if you didn’t go to college. When I was in high school, no one ever told me how important it was to jump into college and take advantage of every opportunity. I saw it as something to get through and get done, but not as a place of endless opportunity. A diploma might allow you to technically meet the “minimum requirements” for a job posting, but it won’t get you the job. People with college degrees applying for good jobs, especially ones that require a degree anyway, are a dime a dozen.

The most important part of college is the relationships and friendships that you make. Meet with your professors. Learn from them. Join clubs and major-related societies. Make friends in every aspect of your life, especially people you admire or look up to. And make friends with people in all majors, not just your own. They’ll inspire you and challenge you and help you look at things, even things to do with your major, from a different perspective and give you advice.

Please, don’t view college as a four-year (or more) vacation from “real responsibility” or a time when you don’t have to be a “real adult.” If you do that, you’ll miss out on the main point of college—making connections, discovering your passions, and honing your skills for your career. If you wait until your senior year to start seriously thinking about life after college, you’ve already missed the part of college that’ll help you get a good job/career. You have to go into college with vision and goals. You should be able to be flexible and adjust, but keep in mind the main goal: to prepare you for your career, which won’t happen by just surviving for four years, having a good time, and walking out with a diploma. By working a little bit harder in college, you’ll set yourself up for a much easier time after graduation. College can be extremely difficult at times, but it’s also a time and an opportunity that should be taken full advantage of. There will never be another time in your life that so much knowledge and so many intelligent and high-achieving people will surround you. Make the most of it!