Having been in school for four years (here excluding the somewhat boring high school days), I see every school year as unique - there ain't two identical years that I could recall. I believe what has happened each year impacts every individual in their special ways.
This year has been quite a ride; here I would like to reveal some little experience of mine that are valuable not only from courses taken but also the everyday curriculum that has helped shape the semesters.
1. Trust your guts
I was a TV journalism major before fall 2010. Though I have taken several pre-req classes to the sequence I have intended to pursue, I find it intimidating to walk into almost anyone at anytime to conduct interviews for stories. While I can do it with pen and a voice recorder, I find that TV reporting may just not be my cup of tea. I hence quickly research for other options and switched to an advertising sequence in the first week of classes. Not every important decision needs to be made under an Ah-Ha moment. Most of the time, you guts feelings are sharp.
2. Time is gold
Your kindergarten teachers were right: time and tides wait for no man. It is important to keep track of your schedule and try your best to keep things organized. Albeit a planner, notebook, calendar, etc., just find the most appropriate - if not personalized - method to help you keep the days going. I find it this all the time in college that keeping things on track will also help boost your motivation to achieve goals - procrastination has no place to sneak in.
3. "Networking"
I swear I have heard at least ten times from ten different personals who said, "It is not what you know, it is who you know." The last person who told me that was the cashier lady at JCPenney department store. My point is, the society knows it, you know it, why not act on it? I thank God for a student worker position offered to me, which was introduced to me by an instructor of my ad class, who then referred me to the particular specialist to this position. What is true to many graduates is that you'll need a dozen of contacts ready in your hands at the time you are hunting for jobs. Though the knowledge part of your field is important - it is the foundation to you profession - the channel and vehicles to help you arrive at your desired destination is crucial, and networking does that.
4. Dare to be different
This somewhat relates to "trusting your guts" but going further knowing that what you do may be different than the next door kid, yet having the courage to keep doing that. Many friends of mine said college is the best time to experience what it can offer. It indeed is true. Never keep to studying textbooks, revising papers, and reading every updates on Facebook. You need to do what others do not have the dash to accomplish. Like stepping up to be an University Ambassador.
5. Practice makes perfect
Many hate me for making this statement. I do accept the fact that "no one is perfect" and "perfection is merely slow death." What I intent to prove is that extra effort is required for any mission wanted to be achieved. Social media specialist/speaker Jesse Dee reports the average number of hours that Steve Job puts into every keynote he delivered is 90 hours. Imagine going through all the materials, ensuring the method was of most effective - all that effort that is put into a mission. This year, I participated in the annual Student Research Colloquium and participated in the paper and presentation competition. I daresay I have rehearsed the presentation materials (with myself and with some poor guys who had to listen to me) for at least 10 hours. Trust me, that was the minimum effort that ensured a winning presentation. The point is, there isn't free lunch.
There is a lot more I should learn from the people I know and people I have yet to know for the remaining semester I have in school.
I have always said that school is the best ground discover yourself and learn more about the future that lies ahead. Therefore, don't take things too lightly when you're here just because this is not the "real-world." Believe me, now is the time to excel.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." - Yogi Berra, American Major League baseball manager.
I hope you find this helpful.
