I had a unique undergrad experience. It began at Montgomery College and ended with two years at Towson University.
A lot of the choices I made in my undergrad career had to do with what was going on in my life and who I was at that moment. I was on track to becoming a doctor until I changed my major to English. I always loved writing and wanted to be an English major all along, but for some reason, I always changed my major to some type of science.
I changed my major five times. I began with psychology, and biology was the last science major I chose. The number of times I changed my major really makes a lot more sense now. I was lost and confused about what I should be doing with my life.
The undergrad experience is not just academic. Mine was always based solely on that part. One of my biggest regrets is not having diversified what I did while I was in undergrad. There is so much that people don't realize about what the undergrad experience should be like. The main goal is the degree, but going to college is about so much more than good grades.
College is about:
1. Finding your passion
Find your passion, so you don't hate your life. No one else is going to live your life, so do what you love doing no matter what others think about it.
2. Preparing for the real world
Become prepared for the real world. For people who have never had to be an adult, this is the perfect time to become more self-sufficient so that life does not surprise you with how hard it can be.
3. Finding the authentic you
Learn to be the most authentic "you" you can be. This is a time to really get involved in as many things you are interested in. There is no need to pretend to be someone else to get people to like you. Be you and speak your mind. Anyone who does not like you for who you are does not matter.
4. Learning your limits
Establish your dealbreakers. This can be romantic, if you want to be in a relationship while in school, but this needs to be professional and personal. Boundaries and limits need to be established so that you can have a healthy work-life balance that does not take a toll on your mental health. There is nothing wrong even in school with taking a mental health day. In life, you can take a mental health week, month, or year especially with social media taking over everyone's lives.
5. Venturing into the discomfort zone
Do things that make you uncomfortable. For me, this was public speaking. My professor one semester allowed us to choose whether to present or write a paper. I chose the presentation. I came out alive despite all my anxiety going in.
6. Experiment, experiment, experiment!
Experiment with sexuality, with career plans, or with different extracurricular activities. Experimentation is healthy and leads to happier people. I love when people are pleasant. In retail, I meet very few of them. What they need is to figure out what's making them unhappy and do the opposite.
7. Accepting criticism
Getting feedback on academic papers is one thing, but dealing with the criticism of your peers is pretty difficult. It is easy to care too much or think that their opinions of you are true. That is tough to fathom just because someone else may see you in a less than flattering way. This is the best time to learn to take all the criticism people will throw your way because it only gets harder to handle criticism if you haven't learned how to navigate your feelings when criticized by others.
8. Expanding your social circle
Diversify your friend group. Don't just choose "yes" people. Pick people to surround yourself with that will call you out when you're wrong, teach you about accepting differences in others, and will teach you how to be a better person.
I never really knew what undergrad was supposed to be until the day I walked the stage.
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