A yearly struggle that is faced by today’s youth is a new school year. While some years are worse than others, it is fair to say everyone has experienced trouble in coping and dealing with a new school year, especially when it comes to college. As a junior in college, such emotions are at an all-time peak for yours truly. As of now, I am officially halfway done with college, and very soon, I will graduate and no longer be studying or in school. In two years, I will be officially an adult, and that prospect is pretty scary in my current position. Am I taking the right classes? Am I taking full advantage of what I have available? Is my network too small, too large, not good enough? In two years, will I be able to be out on my own?
These issues and problems rack up in my mind a lot, and I’m sure these issues are being felt by a lot of other college students, from freshmen to seniors. And while I don’t wish to call myself an expert, I believe I can offer plenty of advice to other college students stuck in the same position as me.
1. Take advantage of your university’s activities.
Obviously, college students are expected to learn responsibility and take action in beginning their careers. The nice thing about college is that there’s still plenty of free time and access to fun activities, whether they be sporting events, games, workshops, and so much more. While it is important to find a balance between fun and work, one should take some time out of their schedule to experience some fun.
2. Make a schedule, routine, and plan.
How detailed said schedules should be will vary from person to person in terms of effectiveness, but this is ultra important. As a student, you are expected to deal with classes, jobs, food, and socializing, and it can be hard to balance it. The best way to do it is to get a planner and organize yourself. Write down specific time frames for you to do certain tasks at certain times of the day, and try to stick with it. It’s okay to break it from time to time, but try and stick to your schedule, and you’ll be okay.
3. Talk to as many people in your field as possible.
Networking is exceedingly important, as it will take you closer and closer to the great position you would want in your career. Sites like LinkedIn are very helpful, as well as job sites like Indeed, and which form of communication is the more effective one varies, just giving out an e-mail or two to some important figures in your field will go a long way.
4. Take advice from those who went through your experience.
While not every adult will offer valuable advice, it’s always important to know that those who are older than you have gone through what you are going through and can offer important tips to help you with whatever trouble you’re going through. Upperclassmen, parental figures, and even professors can all give good ideas on how to make your problems easier to face. Speaking up and talking to them can be a challenge for some, and plenty of adults won’t offer the best advice, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
