BEST ADVICE FOR COLLEGE

Back when I was a freshman at Ohio State I organized a panel at my high school where college students from various universities would come back to their high school and speak to high school juniors and seniors about their experience at their college. This was a way for high school students to be able to ask questions about the university they were interested in from actual students. I organized the panel for 3 years and had college students come and speak during their winter break. I really think the high school students took a lot out of it. I believe that the panel is now a yearly tradition at my high school. I want to contact someone at my high school see if I’ll be able speak to the students there. Anyways, this is a list of some of the best advice I could come up with for these high school students before entering college.

Stow-Munroe Falls High School

BEST ADVICE FOR COLLEGE:

Don’t get caught up in a routine. It is very easy to get caught up in a regular daily routine in college. You have your classes to go to. You eat 3 times a day. You study. Maybe you work out a few times a week. Change it up as much as you can or life will become dull and boring. But still get your stuff done.

Surround yourself with good people.

Get involved.

To get the best out of your college experience change up the routine of things. College has a lot to offer. Find out what your college has to offer. Explore different clubs that you think you may be interested in. Go to free concerts. Go listen to a speaker. These will be the highlights of your college experience.

Don’t be afraid to meet new people. Introduce yourself to new people whenever you get the chance. Be assertive. Speak up and say what is on your mind. Don’t let opportunities pass you by. By meeting new people you will learn a great deal about yourself. Also, networking is one of the most important things about your college experience.

Don’t be upset if you don’t get into your dream school. You will have another chance at proving yourself in college. If you really want to get into your school of choice prove yourself at another university and then transfer.

Don’t let someone else pick your major. Not even your parents. Everyone has their own unique interests. Most importantly, take time to explore different majors. Set up a time to shadow someone to figure out what interests you.

Don’t be pressured to finish college in 4 years. Don’t be afraid to switch your major if you feel that you will be absolutely miserable. Do what you love. Even if you do major in something you do not like it does not mean that you can only work in that field.

Money is not everything. Find something that you love and pursue that. If you love your career then it will be easier for you to make money anyways.

Volunteer. By volunteering you have the opportunity to try different things that otherwise you could not try. You can try things you otherwise could not do through jobs.

College is like being the new kid at school except everyone is the new kid. Be yourself. College is very different than high school. The students are all coming from all over the place. Everyone is much nicer in college and high school.

When you need help ask for it. Find it. There are a lot of people who have already been through what you are about to go through. Ask as many questions as you can.