Imagine waking up every day to learn: what you want to learn, what you chose to learn. That’s the opportunity you have in college. And it’s a beautiful opportunity that a lot of college kids forget. So let’s talk about how you can start making the most of college from day one.
First, are you making the most of your life right now?
High school, college admissions, and college campuses themselves: what do they have in common? Well, all these places are competitive. And if you are interested in Empowerly, chances are you are a hard-working person. But sometimes competing or even winning often brings you farther and not closer to what’s most ideal for you.
Don’t study because you want a competitive GPA (grade point average). Study because you want that which a completive GPA represents—strong knowledge. Receiving a high GPA is just an ancillary benefit to the primary goal of being well educated.
Second, do you know what you’re most passionate about studying in college?
Students tend to realize life becomes more fulfilling when you start doing things because you want to be smart and not because you want people to think you are smart. With that in mind, study and learn the things you care about! Look for subjects that you believe will enhance your life and make you a more informed and engaged person.
For instance, I wish I would I have taken a Computer Science class. But I was concerned about my GPA and did not want to risk a low grade for my grad school applications. But now years later I find myself wishing I understood more of what makes up the world around me—but wasn’t that the point of college.
It’s up to you to ultimately decide how you will make the most of your life (and college experience).
So we recommend you study as many interesting things as you can in college. Your goals should be more than just landing a place in a top graduate school or at a rich company. The goal is to be educated, informed and engaged in the world around you. Because the top graduate programs and the rich companies appreciate succinct values in the same way they appreciate competitiveness.
Our counselors have been in your shoes. If you want to talk to someone for advice and counseling, we’re here for you.
