It’s so important to know that college isn’t just a break from the clutches of high school but rather a stepping stone to the real working world because contrary to what media and popular belief puts out there, life after college is hard, scary and not a lot of partying.
I know lots of people including myself who never wished to get away from college, what with losing privileges like pocket money, life after college isn’t that sweet.
What about the pressure one gets of securing a job to pay back the hard work each person put to ensure you studied? You all can imagine how scary that is, so to all you university students (and parents with children in college) remember, setting yourself up for success in the real working world is crucial.
How about some tips on how you can set yourself to succeed in college and after.
Change: It’s good to change and if you want to change and be the person you have always desired to be, then do it.Moreover, change is like a holiday. I remember back in high school, it was so difficult to change maybe because of the so many friends we grew up and studied with since primary or even nursery and still studied in the same schools till high school.
In college however, it’s so rare to have to be in the same college with lifetime buddies hence it’s so easy to set up goals that would help one to change to the better.Whether you need an all-over confidence boost or a simple shift in study habits, college maybe a better place to do that because hardly anyone knows you.
College is a place where if you are really determined, you can build a better reputation and you would do well to remember that, who you are in college will play a central in who you become for the rest of your life.
College is the time to figure out what your passions are, what they mean to you and what kind of person you are going to be.
Communication: Learning how to communicate is crucial. It may seem obvious but effective communication skills are among the most rare yet most important skills that must be mustered. Basically, a professor who specializes in building students’ communication abilities once said, understanding what people mean when they say something, as well as being clear in your content avoids unnecessary conflict.
Communication is crucial outside of college, regardless of the course you pursue; this is a skill you’ll want to develop well before you leave college.
You could be the greatest engineer in the world but if you can’t communicate your design in a simple unique and appealing way, none of that matters. Whether you are in engineering, computer science, business related courses, journalism or even fine arts, it’s all the same, effective communication is the key to excellent marketable skills.
Testing: Try things first before you decide they are who you are. Figuring out what you want out of life takes time and college is the best place to do that.
This is the most free time you will ever get and it is a good time to explore your interests. Do yourself a favour and find something you love and not just something you can tolerate. If you love taking photos, try learning some basics on photography and give it your best because eventually after college it may very well become your bread winner.
College is actually a big place, so don’t get lost (lol) .When I say a big place, I included the million people with a million different personalities that one comes across in college. In all, the self-exploration that college offers, it can be easy to lose sight of your goals.
There is no harder thing than sticking to your own values amongst millions of students all with different values and all having influence on you. You just have to define your values and what they are to you and don’t stray from them.
Moreover, we all have to dare to be different and learn the art of compromise because nobody ever succeeded by following the crowd but rather by standing firm in what they believe in even if it means would standing alone.
Nothing is more important than being honest, not only with others, but with yourself as well or in Shakespeare’s words, “this above all, to they own self be true.”
Plan ahead: Strive to be the ‘dream employee’, this will vary depending on your field, but it’s always good to know beforehand what your future employers want.
The more prepared you are, the easier it will be for you later.
Image matters, how you appear, how you speak, how you dress, all of these things make an impact. Take time to build the skills necessary to be a career worker.
Ayesha Mian, Innovation Academy Assistant Director named adaptability, respect and stress management among the most important skills. Follow these simple guidelines and you may be surprised what you’re capable of doing.
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