How to Make the Most of Your College Years

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Student Lifehacks
college student

‘Is that even possible?’ You’re probably asking yourself as you read the headline. I mean, college is all about studying to get good grades so that you can graduate with a diploma and hopefully get a job, right? Well, no, not really. Even if you do get good grades and a diploma, it’s not a guarantee that you’re going to get the job of your dreams. But this doesn’t mean that in the end, it’s going to be all for nothing so you should just spend the rest of your college years not giving a damn and partying to the break of dawn. You see, college is a mixture of everything. Here you learn to balance your responsibilities with the things you do for fun, as well as seek knowledge not only while learning from textbooks but also from your surroundings. Sure, studying is important but if you spend all your time with your head buried inside a textbook you might miss out on a lot. Just as if you spend most of college hovering between a state of drunkenness and a hangover, your college years might pass you by on a whim. So here are some tips on how to make the most of your college years, so that when you look back on them you’ll have no regrets!

Socialize

How to Make the Most of Your College Years 1
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To all the introverts out there, as hard as it may seem this is definitely worth giving a try, and before you know it you might get the hang of it. I’m not saying that you have to be a social butterfly and forcefully crawl out of your comfort zone; you can start with your classmates, even if just a few of them. I cannot stress how meeting people and making friends is an important part of the college experience, and some of these friendships can last a lifetime. Years later you might find yourself at a job interview and your friend from college (who happens to be in a good relationship with the boss) puts in a good word for you. All friendships come with benefits, even if just for social support, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to share joys with.

By socializing, you get to know more about the people around you, those who come from different backgrounds, cultures, and have different points of view. This might help you learn more about yourself.

Go Abroad

How to Make the Most of Your College Years 2
Designed by jcomp / Freepik

If you’re presented with such an opportunity, don’t hesitate to take it. You don’t even have to wait until it’s offered to you, just look for it and take it! There’s nothing more enlightening than going abroad, and such an experience will prove to be beneficial not only in your job prospects but for your personal development as well. By going abroad, you immerse yourself in different cultures, get to meet new people, explore beautiful places, learn foreign languages, and make lifelong friends. And such a life-changing experience can all be arranged through your university. If money is an issue, many universities offer scholarships. Some clubs even raise money to travel together. Whether it is for a whole semester or just a week, consider studying abroad if you can.

Take Internships

Some college majors require internships and some don’t. Regardless of whether or not it’s required for you to graduate, you should try your hardest to get an internship related to your major. Even if you have to take an unpaid internship, you can often substitute your internship for a class, which can help you graduate on or ahead of schedule. What’s more, studies show that internships play a key role in deciding which undergrads get hired right out of college and which struggle to find jobs. Having at least one internship experience under your belt before graduation is a great way to increase your chances of getting hired right and make the most of your post-college life. Many companies even offer their interns full-time positions upon graduation, which can make paying back those student loans a whole lot easier.

Take part in Campus Activities

students taking part in campus activities
Designed by gorinov / Freepik

How? Most colleges tend to host fun, student-friendly activities throughout the year. Anything from theater productions to concerts, basketball games, and festivals – it won’t be difficult to find something you enjoy. There are also some college amenities that you can make use of like gyms, fitness classes, pools, special collection libraries, conference rooms, volleyball courts, the list goes on, and the best part is that they’re all for free. All you need is your student ID. Don’t be afraid to explore new interests and passions, even if you have to check out an organization alone. You can attend a meeting without having to commit, and you never know all the fun times that may come from it!

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Inna