9 Lessons for Success in College - That Actually Make Sense
Most students know what it takes to be successful in college because some genius told them already. But here's the news flash: The prescription probably won't work. Why? Free advice is usually forgettable advice. And guess what I'm offering? More advice. But guess what? It is sensible and forgettable. Lesson #1: Be honest about your abilities and goals If you don't want to go to college, then don't go. You will only be frustrated and miserable. Forcing yourself to attend college will kill your motivation. It takes dedication and persistence to finish. If you are dying to work as a poodle-groomer after high school, then do that. If you do go to college, be sure you are prepared. The stunts you pulled in high school might not go over so well with college professors. If you were undisciplined before college, you will likely be undisciplined in college and you will likely not meet your main goal-which is to graduate on time. Don't make a career out of being a college student. The pay is awful. Lesson #2: Figure out the college zone There are many different types of colleges and universities from which you can choose. The better your academic record, the more choices you have. Each college or university has a specific mission or purpose. Knowing what that purpose is isn't vital. But you do need to visit the campus and talk to some professors and students in order to determine if that particular institution is right for you. The school you choose should fit you. You shouldn't try to fit the school. Lesson #3: Don't dig a big money pit The cost of higher education continues to go up. It is likely that you will acquire debt in order to finance your education. Fine. But be wise. Getting admitted to a college or university doesn't necessarily mean you can afford it. The truth is that you can get a good education at a cheap school. Prestige is beneficial; however, what really matters most is not the school itself but the professors who teach there. The job market for college teachers has been saturated for years. It is not uncommon to find PhD's from prestigious universities teaching at small state colleges and community colleges. So, it is very possible to get a first rate learning experience for a fraction of the cost. Of course, you've probably heard that student loan debt is "good debt." If it is so good, try missing a few loan payments and see what happens. It won't be all hugs and kisses. Lesson #4: Know that the money is in the major Yes. You should major in something that you love. Sometimes, doing what you love does not pay the bills. If your first love is money, then preparing to enter a field that will provide you with opportunities to make money is very pragmatic. The trick is to find balance. Major in something that you love and that brings you the amount of money that will allow you to be comfortable, if not rich. By the way, capitalism requires only a few rich people and many not-so-rich people. Which group will you be in? Lessons #5: Get the experience you need to get the job you want The degree that you earn will not be enough in today's competitive workforce. You will need experience and you will not gain experience until you get a job. No one will offer you a job because you lack experience. You know the cycle is cruel. However, there is something that you might not know: While in college, you can offer your labor for free as an intern or volunteer. Your pay is the experience you gain and the relationships you establish with people in the workforce. You become more employable when you know someone who knows someone who used to work for someone who is now the boss at the place where you applied for a job. Lesson #6: Learn how to fail The reason most people do not succeed is because they never learn the art of failing. When you accept the fact that failing is a part of success, then you are less prone to fear failure. The fear of failure makes you apprehensive about taking risks. You should not interpret these comments as an excuse to fail courses-although this does happen sometimes. I'm advising you to learn to be resilient in spite of the obstacles you encounter. No guts, no glory. Lesson #7: Develop a critical imagination You should attend all of your classes-not because all of your professors will be lively and inspirational teachers. Most of them won't be. You should go to class to learn how to think critically and use your imagination. What do I mean? Learn to investigate, analyze, and question the ideas that you encounter in the various courses you take. More importantly, learn to challenge those ideas and try to discover new ways to think about them. How? All you have to do is use your imagination to develop those ideas. If your idea is different, quirky, weird, or whatever, stick with it and be passionate about it. That idea distinguishes you from the crowd. Don't just think outside the box. Ask why a box is necessary and who does it belong to and why can't you have your own. Lesson #8: Don't become an island The years you spend at a college or university will offer you opportunities to meet a variety of people and develop lasting friendships. Use this time to your advantage. Everyday you spend on campus provides you with a chance to network. Keep a list of the people you meet and where you met them. Catalog their contact information and keep this information updated. I know you are probably thinking that most alumnae associations take care of this stuff. Don't count on it. Do it yourself. Always remember, an old acquaintance is better than no acquaintance at all. Lesson #9: Don't Graduate You will forget most of what you learn in college before you graduate. Knowledge that is not used regularly dies very quickly. Don't think that once you graduate that your education is over. The world of work changes constantly and you will probably find yourself being retrained on the job or having to go back to college for refresher courses. The workforce will teach you everything you didn't learn in school and much more. Don't be surprised at how embarrassingly different these two worlds are and how much you have to learn and relearn. Life is about learning, and it will never allow you to graduate. So don't do it. Don't graduate. You can forget everything else, except that. J.K. Dennis is the author of "9 Lessons for a Meaningful Life." To learn more about the book, visit http://www.atlasbooks.com/3hp/index.html#titles. Questions and comments can be sent to 9lessons@3hp.us.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Mind-Body Secrets for College Success - Six Key Secrets
Embrace the secrets of the body-mind connection and tap into an
inexhaustible supply of power and energy leading to your college
success. College is a demanding challenge. The role of the
physical
body is key to peak performance. This secret tool allows us to summon
the full measure of our brainpower and talent on demand without
hesitation. Strong study habits and academic discipline are most
productive when performed by a brain and a body well fueled and
precisely tuned. Six key secrets of mind-body performance are nutrition
(do's and don'ts), hydration, exercise, sleep and true relaxation.
Creating the Acceptable College Applicant
America's colleges and universities no longer have enough room to accommodate all the qualified students who apply. As a result, schools are forced to reject far more applicants than they accept. The goal of admissions committees is to weed out the qualified masses and fill their halls with resourceful, well-rounded acceptable students. In today's highly competitive college admissions process, knowing how to present a student to be acceptable not only substantially increases the chances of being admitted, but is an essential factor for success after college.
Academic Research on the Internet : There Is a Better Way
Students nowadays start their research projects by looking up information on the web. And they are very right to do so, as there are libraries of useful information available. And the best thing about it is that the access is almost instant. With the plenty of articles, research reports, and statistics out there, a new challenge pops up: how do you find the really useful and relevant information among this never-ending abundance? These easy-to-use tips and tricks will greatly improve your online search speed and effectiveness.
What to Look for When Choosing an Online Degree Program
Choosing an online education program should be exciting and fun. While there a many good, recognized diploma or degree programs available through online education, choosing the one which is right for you can seem like a daunting task.
Chiropractic Schools
Before CHIROPRACTIC SCHOOLS accept one into their educational system, it is recommended that students have earned a degree in the arts or sciences from an accredited college or university. Chiropractic schools also require applicants to have at least 90 semester hours in English, social sciences or humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology as well.
Get Your College Degree Online
Have you long wanted or needed to increase your level of
education with a college degree? Perhaps, you have desired
a degree for your own personal satisfaction or because you
have found it difficult to advance in your work field without
one.
Five Questions To Ask A Computer Training School Before Signing Up
As with any field, there are good technical training schools, and bad ones. When you sign up with one of these schools, you've made a significant investment in time and money. You deserve to know everything about the school and your job prospects after leaving that school before you put down your hard-earned money. The problem is, sometimes it's hard to know the right questions to ask.
Education - Let The Learning Begin!
You've probably heard it since you were little, 'get a good education and you'll go far in life.' Maybe you used to wonder how truthful your relatives were when they said those words to you. Maybe now you know or wish you had listened to them a little harder. Whatever the case may be, it's undeniable that education is vital to your success for many reasons.
An Education in Saving on Textbooks
Every year students flock to the college bookstore to purchase the various textbooks that they require for their classes. Little do these students realize that, in doing so, they are throwing good money away. As unbelievable as it may seem textbooks, in some cases, actually cost as much, if not more, than tuition.
The Freshman 15, or 20, or 25
Now I remember being a freshman in college, and let me tell you, there are a couple of key things to keep in mind (that most people don't). One is how to manage your time, another is how to manage your money , and last but certainly not least is how to manage your health (what most don't realize is that all three are closely related).
Is Pursuing A Degree Online Really For You? Who Should And Who Should Not?
Stanford University's Online Lessons Learned
Stanford University's Center for Professional Development has recently completed a survey of those that have been successful in completing online degree programs globally. The results of their research provide useful guidance for anyone considering an online program. The findings of their research are summarized here:
How To Pass Exams
In modern society passing educational examinations becomes an increasingly important and essential means to a better job and improved living standards.
CSI Has Made The Study Of Forensics An Exciting Career Opportunity
Forensics is not just one field of study but encompasses several different
disciplines. You first decision is to determine which area most interests you.
Consolidate Student Loans and Shop Online
If you run a home business, you know that budgets can be pretty tight. Saving money wherever possible can be the difference between the business that succeeds and the one that fails. This article represents a broad survey of things you can do, from consolidating your student loans to getting small business deals on supplies, that will help you spend less each month.
Revolt of the Scholars
http://www.realsci.com/
Online Colleges as a Resource for Your New Career
Online Colleges require successful team building
Distance Education is Now Training the Next Genertation of Medical Assistants
Some people are calling it distance-free learning for the Medical Assistant. Distance Learning happens wherever the learner is most available, free from the traditional boundaries of geography. It could be in the next room, or in the next state. It uses whatever technology is most available and appropriate to allow effective learning wherever needed.
It changes the rules. Now, you and your colleagues, the learners, are more able to adapt and use your newly-gained knowledge for your real world challenges immediately. Laboratory work is done at your own location.
Distance Learning, Online Education, Electronic Education, Electronic Learning?Call It What You Want
Whatever you want to label "learning at home" and however you want to define the latest buzz words for non-traditional education, you can find a program and method that suits your needs. Right now over 1.2 million people in the U.S. participate in some form of distance learning, with a projected expansion to 2.3 million in just a few years.
Reducing the Administrative Burden for Further Education Colleges
The introduction of the Government's Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in September 2004 meant that more young people from poorer backgrounds could afford to stay on in further education instead of being forced to find work.
I Hate My Roommate!
So its the beginning of the school year, your first day of class is over, and you just want to sit down and relax for a moment because you know that the rest of the semester won't be as easy as Day 1. You're alone in the room. Quiet. You sit, close your eyes, roll your head to massage your neck.
|
