In high school, I was surrounded by teenagers that constantly talked about what they would do when they grew up. High schoolers believed that growing up meant having more freedom and less rules. Many of these people realized that growing up doesn't usually happen in high school and they hoped college would create a better atmosphere with fewer restrictions more conducive to truly "growing up." These teens felt they could actually grow up and mature because their parents wouldn't have full control anymore and wouldn't be able to monitor their every move. They could make decisions on their own and do things on their own terms. However, when my peers and I started college, I realized that many of these people who claimed they wanted to "grow up" and make decisions for themselves didn't actually grow up at all.

When I went to college, I immediately wanted to start making strides towards a successful career and set myself up for a successful life. However, many of the people I knew from high school or became acquainted with at my college with didn't actually use college as a time to better themselves and to truly "grow up" but rather screwed around and made poor decisions. In their mind, they had confused growing up with doing whatever they wanted and going a little bit crazy.

You see, growing up shouldn't be about how many keg stands you can do at a party. Growing up shouldn't be about how many times you can smoke weed in a day. Growing up shouldn't be about hooking up with 20 girls or guys in one month. Growing up isn't about the freedom to make poor decisions. Growing up is about improving yourself in all aspects of life and it is about so much more than the ability to get drunk, high, or both.

As a senior in college, I realize I have a lot of growing up left to do. However, I know that I have used college as a way to mature and make grown-up decisions that will benefit me later on in life. I have made choices that will help me in my future career and that have improved my skill-set. I have taken chances and I have taken risks. I have taken on more than most people can handle and I have been successful. I have held a job, a D1 scholarship, a decent grade point average and two internships. I have pushed myself while many people around me have paid more attention to their party schedule and their list of potential hookups. Because of the way I have lived the last few years, I am confident about going out into the world and know I can make something of myself.

While I can't mentor and/or convince everyone on how to live their life, it is my hope that I can encourage future college students and current students, that are struggling to focus on what matters, to think about their future and not to ignore it. Success doesn't happen overnight. The choices you make every day will directly affect you later on in life.

I believe students who are serious about wanting to grow up should try the four things I suggested listed below. I truly believe that all of these things have helped me out tremendously while I have been in college. They are as follows:

1. Surround yourself with ambitious, goal-oriented people

When you get to college, growing up and making strides is important. However, it is hard to mature if you are surrounded by people who are in college mainly to party their brains out. Make friends with people who regularly attend class, get good grades and seem to have a good head on their shoulders. These people can still be fun but they know how to balance and prioritize what's most important better than some other college students do.

2. Get an internship

This is without a doubt, the best way for students to get hands on experience in a job-related field. Students who have internship experience are more likely to receive better job offers and can also negotiate better salaries based on experience. Students that graduate college with internships are taken more seriously than students with no experience.

3. Get a LinkedIn and network

Once you have experience to build a resume, getting a LinkedIn account can be a great way to tastefully boast your accomplishments. It is also a great place for students to reach out and network with other students and professionals that have similar interests. It is important for students to put themselves out there so other people can see what they have to offer. Establishing connections before graduation is a big help in finding the perfect job.

4. Take on more than you can handle

In college, there are so many opportunities to stay busy. You should take every one of them. Whether it be joining a study group, joining a club, volunteering, interning, getting a job, etc.; you should do as much as you can. Once college is over and real life hits, you won't have the freedom to do all of these things because you'll probably be on your own scrambling to make your rent payment.

While college should be a time to have fun and to experience life, it shouldn't be a time to make partying the number one priority. Everything in moderation is okay, but college can provide so many opportunities and chances to set up a solid foundation for a great future. Don't just say you want to "grow up" and then make childish decisions; think about what you want in life and what you want to achieve and go make it happen.