College Is The Best Time To…

“If youth but knew, and old age only could.” –Henri Estienne

There are a million quotes and jokes about being young versus being old. I believe this is one of the older generation’s ways of nudging those of us in the younger generation into action. At every age there are advantages and disadvantages, and I think the advantages of being a college student far outweigh the disadvantages– as long as we act on the many opportunities at hand.

Seize the day: A few things to consider before you’re done with college.

1. Study abroad. Check out your school’s website to find out more about the study abroad opportunities they offer. Usually the price of studying abroad is just a little more than your normal room and board, so why not get out and see the world? College is the best time because the programs are right at your fingertips: organized, thought-out, and designed for your age group so you get the most out of your travels. And, be sure you get overseas medical insurance before you go because you never know what can happen when you’re abroad.
2. Learn how to (insert skill here). Dance? Draw? Knit? Speak a foreign language? Sail?  Chances are, your school has courses or clubs that can teach you any of the above skills and then some. Take advantage of these because now is the time to be trying new things. Maybe you’ll find a new hobby in doing so or maybe you’ll even find a whole career path for yourself. You just never know until you try.
3. Go vegetarian. This might be a weird one… I mainly threw it in there to humor myself, since I went vegetarian at the beginning of college. But seriously, if you’ve ever been curious about being vegetarian, give it a try in college. It’s the time when you’re responsible for your own nutrition– you don’t have to bug your mom or dad to make you different meals from the rest of the family like you would have before had you chosen to eat vegetarian in high school.
4. Live in the city. Don’t think that just because you’ve already picked your college and it’s in a small town that you missed out on this opportunity. Most colleges offer exchange programs where you can try a different college for a quarter/semester while still paying the normal tuition and being enrolled at your usual college. This is a great idea regardless of if you choose a college in the city or not. I only suggest the city because living in the city is expensive once you get out of college, so it’s best to do it when you’re already paying for your room and board. Plus, the city has so much to offer: museums, music, great restaurants, rich culture, etc.
5. Network. Is there ever going to be a time in your life when you’re living with as many people as you are right now in college? Get to know your professors and your classmates because not only will they be connections later in life for your profession but these are also the people that will most likely become your lifelong friends. A college campus is usually quite diverse, so it’s also an opportunity to get to know and learn from people with backgrounds that are completely different from your own.
6. Be an intern. Internships are an awesome way to jumpstart your career and get a peek into the real-life application of your major. Your university has plenty of tools for career planning– utilize them. It’s easier to get placed with a company as an intern if you’re doing it through your school, because they have a more established reputation and connections that supercede your own.
7. Get to know yourself. If you’re not sure who you are, you’re never going to be truly successful in the “real world” that comes after college. Discover your passions, find what you love, and get grounded in what you believe in. Know and understand where you came from and how it’s shaped who you are, and then take a look at where you want to go. College is a time for exploration but it’s also a time for reflection; it’s a key transitional stage in our lives where we go from dependent teenagers to independent adults.

These are just seven of the many things to try and do in college. Want to know more?

Ask someone who’s been there. Your parent, your grandparent, your older sibling, your college counselor, a good friend, a favorite professor… Hindsight is 20/20, so ask someone who’s completed the college journey for some perspective on how to make the most of this amazing opportunity.