-Sam Duffy, Alum
College is one of the most exciting yet stressful times of your life. Between presentations, 10-page papers, discussion boards, classes and all sorts of assignments, sometimes it feels like your head is going to spin. We become so consumed by the idea of the semester ending that we often forget to enjoy the moment that is right in front of us. Being a student should be some of the best times of your life. Yes, the classroom work may be hard, but the world is at your feet. You should be doing more than going to class and drinking at parties- you should be discovering new things about life, the world, and yourself. There are certain things that we need to be experiencing, and with summer around the corner, now is the perfect time to start!
Traveling.
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Often times students say how they like to travel, but they lack the funds or vacation time to do it. Outside of summer time, it can be difficult to schedule a trip when you have classes during the week. While these are pretty valid excuses, there is still a way to work around them. Studying abroad is a great way to experience life in a new place, and still work towards earning your degree. There are also a ton of programs that take you to other countries for volunteer work. These programs can sometimes cost money, but you can easily get donations and sponsorship that make the trip affordable. If getting out the country just isn’t in the cards for you, then don’t let that stop you from seeing new places. Save some money and take a two- week vacation in the summertime or over winter break. You can road trip across the states, take a cruise, or even just go on a camping trip to somewhere you haven’t been. The point is to get out and explore! Not only does traveling offer personal growth, it also gives you a better understanding of new people and places, which is beneficial once you are ready to take on an adult job.
Pulling an all-nighter.
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I don’t know what it is, but pulling and all-nighter is like a college rite of passage. You learn a lot about yourself when you are forced to stay up with your thoughts for 24- hours in order to get something done. You also build character, and have a stronger appreciation for sleep and the comfort of your head on a pillow. If you never have the need to pull an all nighter for work purposes, then do one just for fun with your friends. The point is to watch the sun go down and then rise again.
Become a part of something.
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I know I have said it time and time again, but join a club! Seriously! Get yourself involved in something other than yourself. Clubs and organizations are a how you get to branch out and meet new people in a comfortable setting. Not to mention the involvement looks good on-and-off paper.
When in doubt, dance it out.
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This is probably my favorite thing to do, and if Grey’s Anatomy didn’t make you a believer in dancing out your problems then take it from me; it works! There have been countless times in my four years here that I just felt like I was going to explode from stress. I would be sitting there freaking out, trying to figure out what I had to do and how I was going to do it; then I’d realize that I was never going to get any of it done when it felt like my brain was boggling back-and-forth like an alarm clock. So I get up, crank up my Spotify, and dance all my troubles away. Half the time I don’t even know if you could call it dancing- it was more like jumping up and down and shaking my head, but when I was finished I was smiling and ready to get things done. You don’t have to be alone to break it down either- if you are stressing at school just throw in some head phones and grove a little bit. Let all your thoughts disappear and just focus on the music. Sometimes you just have to shake it off!
Get a job or an internship.
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This one really shouldn’t need an explanation. You need experience and you need to learn how to work with people. Internships are great because it is for the field you are studying, but working in retail or a restaurant is still great. You can make money, and strengthen important skills like communication, problem solving, multi-tasking and much more!
Try new foods.
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Be bold! At this point in your life your style and taste buds are changing, so why not test new things out. You are constantly surrounded by tons of people with different tastes than you, and you may not always have that luxury throughout your life. So if someone is eating a unique dish at a restaurant find out what it is in order it, or when your friend swears something tastes amazing then give it a try! You can always spit it out if you don’t like it. Plus, you never know when you might have a formal dinner and want to impress your boss by ordering something different.
Take classes that aren’t for your degree.
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Normally most degrees require you to take electives anyway, but take the time to look at the courses and see what really interests you. Don’t just take a class because it fits in an easy time slot or because you think it will be an easy “A”. Try taking a class that is a little more challenging but will actually be useful in your future career. Or maybe you want to learn more about your body so you take a health or nutrition class. The information you can take away from these courses could come in handy some day, and you never know what you will end up loving-maybe you will find something you want to minor in!
Put yourself out there.
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Don’t be scared to try and meet new people, or on the flip side, don’t think you’re too cool to talk to someone that you don’t know. Going to school is supposed to be about branching out and developing new relationships and connections, so strike up a conversation with someone new, ask out the hottie in your class, and get to know your professors! You really have nothing to lose but an opportunity. Whether you become best friends, establish a good network connection, or if they become nothing more than an acquaintance, at least you won’t be lying awake at night wondering what could have been!
I could go on and on about the things you should do while in college, because it reality you should be dabbling in everything! You will never be as young and healthy as you are right now, so take full advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Remember that even though school work and the pressure of getting a job can be stressful, this is still supposed to be some of the best years of your life. Enjoy yourself and don’t forget to pause every once in a while and just take it all in. You are young and ambitious, so don’t worry- you got this!
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