5 Tips to Make the Most of Your College Experience
As a college senior with graduation just one month away, I wanted to lay out some priceless tips about how to make the absolute most of your college experience. College can be daunting. Depending on your high school experience, you may be tempted to reinvent yourself or consciously take a different approach to your college image. In general, all you need to do is be yourself, and you will find your place on campus that supports your genuine soul.
1.) Be Open-minded
First things first: mindset. While you could go into college with specific rules of thumb such as “get involved!” or “talk to your classmates!”, the overarching theme is to be open-minded. Try saying yes more than no, and always remember, nothing is permanent. There is no way to know what you like if you don’t try it.
I found sorority recruitment to be such an amazing experience. I know, I know. Greek life can be scary, but at the end of the day, it helps with building your network and identity. The only way to do recruitment correctly is with an open, transparent, and genuine mindset. You don’t want to end up somewhere that accepted you for a facade…that would be exhausting and unhealthy to keep up. Even if you have no intention of ever accepting a bid, the experience you get from a back-to-back interview process is such an enriching one. This is practically a rehearsal for job-searching. Plus, it helps you learn how to recognize the kind of people you naturally mesh well with. Worst-case scenario, you don’t accept a bid but meet amazing individuals along the way, and best-case you enter into a sisterhood for life (in the least culty sense ofc lol). I ended up on my chapter’s executive council doing marketing, merchandising, and social media management which was an absolute highlight of my college experience!
2.) Get a Part-time Job, Girl Boss
Getting a part-time job is the absolute move when you are in college! When I say part-time, I mean even 1-2 days a week is great. You will make some extra money, have an addition to your resume and learn new skills, and meet people outside of your campus. Personally, my first job was at Jersey Mikes Subs; I learned so much about interviews, how to adapt quickly, customer service, problem-solving, communicating with management, and obviously, I can make a sandwich. I also loved my job because I had amazing work friends who made me feel not alone, but also not too suffocated. As you meet more and more people, you are really growing your network and laying the scene for an amazing career.
3.) Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
The tea is, everyone is trying a lot harder than it looks like they are. If you think Ashley has naturally pin-straight hair or Parker didn’t cram for the exam 10 minutes ago, you’d be wrong. Everyone is trying to fit in and stand out simultaneously. The best thing to do is work hard for what you want, focus on yourself, and be kind to others who are going through a similar experience. What’s meant to be will be, and you’ll be kicking yourself senior year if you waste your time now self-talking instead of growing.
Also, If you feel self-conscious about being undeclared for your major, it turns out 50-75% of undergraduate students change majors during college so you’re not alone.
4.) Strive for Balance
Too much of any substance can be a lethal dose. Don’t overwhelm yourself or indulge too much. Remember, you are here to get your degree, so make sure you give yourself enough time to complete your assignments and succeed in your courses. If this means taking less, then that’s completely valid. You aren’t paying to fail. Try your best to have multifaceted days filled with a combination of leisure/quiet time, physical fitness, socializing, work, and school. This will help manage burnout and keep your mind as healthy and happy as possible. Sometimes, however, you have days where you have time for nothing besides schoolwork and sleep. I like to embrace these days by calling them “student-core aesthetic”. I don’t know, it helps it feel trendy or something.
Also, on a real note, if you feel depressed or lost, don’t hesitate to reach out to an RA that can help connect you to school counselors and support. Support and help are there, and many freshmen experience this shift of lifestyle that leads to a shift in mental health. Don’t feel ashamed to ask, you are human and you deserve care. School counselors will give you tools and resources on how to manage stress and workload, as well as may be able to offer therapy free of cost for you. <3
5.) Hot Girls Take Care of Their Body and Mind
When I say health is wealth, I mean health is everything. Living in dorms means you are constantly exposed to every cold imaginable. The best way to have a strong immune system is to get ample rest, eat healthy (you can do it, baby), and stay active. If you get sick, make sure you set boundaries and give yourself time to recover. Personally, I kept going at it full speed and ended up just making myself even weaker and prolonging my illness, which set me further behind in all my commitments. Be honest with your professors and they will work with you. They want to see you succeed and will be so willing to meet you halfway if you show your respect and interest in learning.
Taking care of your mind means allotting time to do what you love. If that means watching your favorite comfort show, going out to eat, or taking a spin class, then make those things a priority in your free time. If you have a good relationship with your family, make an effort to keep in contact and call. Support is all around, Babe.
There are so many ways to tackle these amazing four years. In the words of the lovely Miss Taylor Swift “So make the friendship bracelets, Take the moment and taste it, You've got no reason to be afraid. You're on your own, kid, yeah, you can face this”. I’m so excited for your future, love you lots, Babe!
Toodles!
Nancy <3
