It used to be that the most important factor for going to college was the name of the institution. Top schools are well-known, giving graduates an advantage when it comes to finding work after education, but that is no longer the case. Times have certainly changed, and now recruiters are looking more at your choices while in college rather than the college that you choose to go to. What used to be called ‘designer degrees’ from respectable alma maters, are no longer the top consideration for recruiters. Instead, they have a much closer eye on the work that you have put in and the extra-curricular activities that you have undertaken while learning. If you want to get the most out of your education, then these six tips will help you to have the most fun and the most potential for when you have received your diploma.
- Meet your professors
Your educators are going to be the key to you getting the most from your college experience. As the semester goes on, their time is going to be very tight, so make sure that you get to know them before their workload becomes too great. It’s vital that you spend as much time with your good professors, and the sooner that you can establish a mentor relationship with them, the better. As they eventually get swamped with marking papers and running red lines across assignments, they will have less time to build those relationships with you. Remember that a good professor will be useful even after graduation. Keep in touch with those that you have developed any kind of mentor relationship with, as they are often a great source of contacts and advice for your future.
- Explore classes unrelated to your major
Recruiters and business owners want to see a diversity of interests and skills. As the world of business changes, so too do the criteria for what makes a good employee. If you diversify your classes so that that you have some in-depth knowledge of a more obscure subject, your interests may even end up taking you in an entirely new career direction. If you have a clear goal, then your major is obviously going to dictate the choice of classes that you take, but if you have the space for some calligraphy (following in the footsteps of Steve Jobs) or theater classes (great for confidence building, public speaking, and business presentations), then your resume will look much more rounded.
- Join a society
Every campus will have a wide range of societies that are always worth checking out. While you want your time at college to be beneficial for your future, you should also remember to have fun. Consider your interests, and whether it’s a Dr. Who Society, a chess club group, or a K Pop society, you are bound to meet people with similar interests and passions as you. You should also consider joining an Honor Society, as not only will these encourage you to develop socially, they can also help you to build contacts, learn to network, and even promote your career growth. Check out this website to find out how an honor society can benefit you, and remember that college is about more than education. It’s about finding out more about who you are and what you want from life.
- The exercising student
The stereotype of the student is someone who can’t get out of bed before midday, eats poorly, and drinks the night away. This is becoming a far less common image, and if you want to get the most from your college time then you really need to prioritize looking after yourself. Not only will this potentially be the last time in your life where you have such large amounts of free time, it’s may well be the first time that you have ever had to really look after yourself. It’s vital that you learn some basic cooking skills, and take some time every day to get your heart pumping. Sitting at a desk making reference notes for an exam is no good for you physically, and going out for a run (or even a walk) will work wonders for your physical and mental health. The healthier your body, the healthier your mind, and if you commit just thirty minutes a day to some light exercise, you may well find that commitment to health becoming visible in your final grades.
- Get non-college experience
Getting good grades is no longer enough. If you want employers to notice you, then you’re going to need to do some extracurricular activities. This doesn’t mean joining the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Society. This means getting out into the local area and checking out internship options, charities looking for volunteers, or even work experience in a career related environment. Although you won’t be getting paid for these activities, the effects on your resume can make all the difference. If you want to get the most from these types of activities, concentrate on growing into a leadership position in them. Use your free time in ways that will proactively help your career and your resume will thank you.
- Learn how to be social
No matter how shy you are, it’s always a good idea to make the effort to develop your social skills. These may end up being vital in the eventual workplace. You can start slowly by becoming a more vocal part of your classes, which is the ideal environment to practice being social. The more that you develop your social skills, the more likely that you will be able to build friendships, and that’s essential if you want the most from your college time. Make friends in college and not only will you make your time there more enjoyable, you might also develop a strong professional network for later down the line. Look at the best ways to make friends in college, and you can build a support network and party companions at the same time.
If you’re heading off to college or you’re narrowing down your choice of schools, then remember that your college education is going to act as the foundation for the next stage of your life plans. Develop the skills needed to get you through the college experience, and your mental health and career prospects will be vastly improved.
