How Can You Maximize Your Learning in College and in Life

Alexis is a special pedagogy teacher and a Jacklyn of all trades. She enjoys traveling, writing, and playing the violin.

New York City Public Library

College Isn't Just Almost Academics

Ten years ago, as of August 29th, I walked into my get-go college course. Information technology wasn't English language 101 or a math class, merely instead a Tai Chi form in a martial arts schoolhouse. While a lot of fourth dimension has passed, I can even so visualize my undergrad school and with footling mistake, recite the classes I took each semester. I truly enjoyed my college experience and despite the student loans (please go away) I don't regret much from my experience.

Function of that is because I felt that I maximized most of my college experience. There are some things I regret not doing. Then again you really don't know anything when y'all're 18 (or early 20s for that matter). You can merely promise you lot're smart and brave enough to fuddle through the "gratuitous years." If you're entering college or still in college, hopefully this list will give y'all some guidance!

i. Set up for Life After Graduation Starting in your Sophomore twelvemonth

Going to jump the gun on this 1 and say you should be thinking nearly your future, starting in your sophomore twelvemonth. Generally your freshman year consists of learning to be contained and taking general education classes. In your sophomore year you get-go to plunge headstrong into classes in your intended major. This is oftentimes a time when some students realize that perhaps their intended major isn't what they thought information technology would be.

Now, this doesn't mean yous should commencement applying to jobs, simply it does hateful you should be looking into means that make yous more than marketable. That could be doing independent projects, taking a role-time job in the area yous desire to piece of work in, learning how to design a great resume or cover letter or networking with professionals in the field you lot're pursuing. It doesn't have to exist a lot, just it should be something.

2. Money

Don't be scared when yous read this number, U.S. Citizens, but the average student loan debt is over $30,000.00 In fact, the course of 2022 has a debt of $37,172! It'due south only going to get college as the cost of higher rises most yearly in most colleges or universities. How can you eliminate the need for student loan debt? Through a lot of ways, simply it's still probable you'll need to take on some debt. You can decrease the corporeality you lot'll need by doing the following;

• Start maxim from your part-time job in higher
• Study difficult and apply to scholarships
• Nourish a public Academy
• Work during school (only not enough to bear upon your school piece of work)
• Join rebate programs to get money back
• Use your credit card sparingly
• Wait for ways to cut costs such as buying used textbooks or opting for a cheap repast plan

The cardinal is to plan. Don't simply plan your expenses, but choose your expanse of study carefully. It's 100% okay to make mistakes and okay to have some debt, just know what y'all're taking out.

Intern

This is 1 that is often neglected in college. Let me say that an internship, even a brusque one, is a wise investment. Why? I personally know a couple people who scored fantastic jobs before even graduating because they completed an internship in that company. Companies prefer hiring people they know after all!

A word of caution, however. An internship does become your human foot in the door, merely that doesn't mean information technology'll necessarily lead to a job. I had an internship my sophomore year in Human Resources. It was a great experience, simply it never let to a stable part-time or full-time chore during the summer months. That'due south how it goes!

Also avert unpaid internships like the plague.

4. Network

Networking has become a fizz give-and-take in recent years and rightfully so. In todays earth, jobs are more often obtained through who yous know rather than what your resume or comprehend letter states. Higher is an platonic time to start honing your abilities to network and information technology tin mean a number of things such as;

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• Forming professional person relationships with your professors
• Befriending others in your field and helping each other
• Attention local events
• Going to task fairs
• Volunteering in the customs

It goes without saying virtually, but always treat anybody as you would like to be treated. You never know when you will run into someone again and it could be your interviewer for your dream task! Case in betoken, this summer while volunteering, I worked with someone I went to college with while I was in some other state! Life is strange and information technology'due south a modest world!

6. Volunteer

The college that I went to required u.s. to complete several hours of volunteer piece of work to become our degree. You read that right, it was part of our final thesis that was connected to our degree. While this plan has been disbanded since and seems high schoolesque, the benefits and overall experience was astounding. I was able to get job experience, network and explore other career options. I currently still volunteer for one organization that I started at in my senior year of college!

If y'all're in college or heading there, look into joining an system this semester. A google search or college community lath will yield a couple organizations in your surface area. If you don't like information technology, then try another 1 out later on. Proceed in mind that some can be one time stints, only others do require a commitment of a prepare corporeality of fourth dimension. Having opportunities in multiple sectors can also be very beneficial. For example, volunteering ane semester in an after schoolhouse program and another as a fundraiser at a local not-profit. The experience and sheer fact yous're making a difference is almost always worth every minute!

v. Take at to the lowest degree two 'fun' classes that aren't part of your major

Have you lot ever wanted to have a grade on cyber security but your major is Psychology? Or maybe you want to learn how to make pottery, speak another language or learn what Beliefs Assay is. College is the perfect time to do that exploration.

During my undergrad years, I took 2-iii higher classes that had cypher to do with my 2 majors or minor and I throughly enjoyed them. It tin brand y'all a more than well-rounded student and yous never know what you'll larn about yourself or interests when you lot take a course outside of the prescribed coursework.

As an added bonus, a fun class ways you'll likely be enjoying the cloth and become a higher grade too, correct?

Taken while in London, Canada.

Anything Else?

As I stated in the start, higher is an experience. I still look dorsum on my college experience fondly. After all, I met two of my best friends there as well as several others who I go on to be friends with today. While I take changed careers since leaving, I however use the experience and networking I gained in college soon and volition continue in the future.

Anything I missed? What advice would yous give an incoming or current higher student to maximize their time in college?

7. Written report Abroad and Travel

This is hands downwardly my biggest college regret. I almost DID take a trip abroad, but baulked at the price and never ended up having another opportunity (my fault). Therefore, let me firmly state that going abroad is more than worth the price and a fantastic experience. It's unforgettable and the benefits are overwhelming.

• Learn/Practice a new or existing language
• Gain cultural noesis and Experience
• Gain new perspective
• Overall noesis acquisition
• Bragging rights

Long-term speaking, some companies specifically LOOK for potential employees who have spent time abroad. So take that semester in England or fifty-fifty that winter intermission trip to Tokyo. You won't regret it.

In the event y'all don't travel away, take trips! You don't take to plan a calendar week in cancun, but taking a route trip with friends or traveling for a weekend trip someplace new is well worth the coin!

Sources

Josuweit, A. (2017, September 13). U.S. Student Loan Debt Statistics for 2017. Retrieved September xvi, 2017, from https://studentloanhero.com/student-loan-debt-statistics/

© 2022 Alexis

Alexis (author) on October 06, 2017:

@Ian

I did Full general Studies for my associates before transferring to a 4 year. I'1000 taking Violin right now, but next semester I programme on doing stats to prep for graduate school.

Ian Rideout from Alberta, Canada on Oct 05, 2017:

For my very first twelvemonth of higher, I took General Studies, as I didn't really know what I wanted to do at the time. After that, I took Multimedia Production, which I somewhen graduated from. I took a twelvemonth off from school after that, as I'd been at college for several years at that betoken and needed a suspension. But and so I just recently went back. Correct now I'm in Full general Studies again. I may do this as a one-off year, or else I may try to get an English major adjacent. We'll see.

What are you taking correct now?

Alexis (author) on Oct 04, 2017:

What was your starting time major in? I'thousand planning on doing Grad school officially either next Fall or the following yr. I've taken some fun classes and a few post-grad classes. Definitely someone who is taking classes for the rest of her life!

Ian Rideout from Alberta, Canada on October 04, 2017:

*decided to go back, I meant to say.

Ian Rideout from Alberta, Canada on October 04, 2017:

After taking final year off from college, I recently began a new semester. I had already graduated from my previous program and gotten a major, but I decided it'd to get back and take some of the 'fun' courses I'd always wanted to. So yes, I agree, definitely a skilful suggestion. School'due south been keeping me busy so far, but all in all it is nice to be back. My instructor'south a pretty cool guy.

huiepropis.blogspot.com

Source: https://owlcation.com/academia/Seven-Things-You-Should-Do-To-Maximize-Your-College-Experience

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