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6/5/2023 By University Frames
Starting college can be both exciting and overwhelming. From balancing books to seeking internships and experience, you must be street-smart to have the best of your college life. We asked professionals from various fields to share life advice for college students based on their own experiences.
This blog post will discuss 17 invaluable tips from experts like Technical Content Writers, Anesthesiologists, Strategic Advisors, and more to help you make the most of your college experience.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, being book smart means acquiring scholarly knowledge through experience and practical application.
Becoming book and street-smart gives you a competitive advantage among your peers as you learn and grow through studying mentorship, and skill-based training. It allows you to stand out as an authority leader in the industry once you complete the degree.
A. Margot Blair, Author, Educator, and Strategic Advisor, AMB Consulting & Co.
When you're going to start college life, the best advice is to find your favorite subjects. Most students have at least one favorite subject, and by taking a personal interest in it, you can undoubtedly make a brighter future in the related domain.
You just need to devote a few extra hours to your schedule and explore the subject. You can further do a Ph. D. or any other higher studies in the related field. Leverage social media, search engines, educational applications, or websites to get information about the subject or related degree to enhance your skills.
However, succumbing to the pressure is unnecessary while following the process. Instead, enjoy and explore the subject the way you want to.
Amita Raj, Technical Content Writer, Technource
College campuses are vibrant and diverse, bringing together people from various backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and experiences. For me, college life was the most significant opportunity to understand different customs and people.
And I suggest new students should also actively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds to understand the world's complexities, nurture empathy and contribute positively to create a more inclusive society.
Additionally, it will foster your personal growth and improve your overall learning experience. A life advice for college students would be to embrace diversity as it promotes global citizenship, builds networks, and contributes to social justice.
Liz Craig, President of University Frames Inc.
Every college student must develop the ability to think critically, as it is a crucial aspect of life and an essential skill. It doesn’t mean you need to be critical of everything; instead, develop objectivity in your thinking.
If you want to develop critical thinking ability, always vet new information with a cautious eye and look for the sources, try to gather additional information, and then determine its trustworthiness.
It would be best to generate the habit of actively listening, asking questions wherever required, considering multiple perspectives, and then forming your independent opinion.
The ability for critical thinking will help you deal with complex situations with much ease.
Ajay Prasad, Founder and CEO of GMR Web Team
The best advice for a college student would be to take advantage of your school's resources. Free tutoring, academic advising, career services, and counseling- These resources can help you stay on track academically.
You can look for free access to subscription-based online resources like Khan Academy, Coursera, and edX to supplement your college courses.
Grammarly, Canva, and other tools are free if you use your .edu email address. These can be great resources for writing papers and creating presentations.
Denise Hemke, Chief Product Officer, Checkr
It is vital to make connections with the students in college. A good connection with peers allows you to navigate all the challenges of college life, be it examinations or projects.
It helps to have one or more people in every class with whom you can connect and work together when it comes to studying and understanding the course subjects. Your peers can be someone you can rely on to take notes in case of absence and vice versa, making your college experience less difficult.
Eric Nerhood, Owner, Premier Property Buyers
One of the absolute best pieces of advice for any college student is to not be afraid to change your major! There’s a belief that you should not change your major because it might take you a much longer time to graduate.
This is completely false, and you are not required to stick to your first major choice if you end up not liking the subject or the eventual line of work after college.
Take time and analyze how the first full semester or year will go with your first major set of classes, whether it meets your expectation, and whether it’s challenging enough. If the selected stream is not in alignment with your needs then it is always okay to switch majors, and try to pursue a different field or career that you love!
Chris Hunter, Director of Customer Relations, ServiceTitan
College may be a difficult time, and you may find it difficult to keep up with coursework, assignments, and deadlines. However, by using valuable academic tools such as note-taking apps, time-management tools, and study aids, you can stay organized, focused, and productive.
Valuable academic tools may also help you improve your learning results and meet your academic goals. Online study aids, digital textbooks, and interactive learning platforms, for example, can provide you with additional resources and help outside of the typical classroom setting. These resources can help you better understand complicated subjects, strengthen your knowledge, and prepare for tests and assessments.
Sunny Kumar, Founder and Marketing Specialist, TheWPX
One piece of good advice for college students would be to learn basic coding, regardless of your major. People might perceive that coding is just for computer students, but having a foundational knowledge of coding is beneficial for everyone. This not only increases your productivity but also makes you a more valuable asset
For instance, if you are working as an Executive Assistant, you might need to use automated administrative tools. If you are aware of the basics, you’ll be able to use coding to streamline and automate administrative tasks. These skills come in handy and can set you apart in your career.
Hafsa Unnar, Executive Assistant, On-Site First Aid Training
Starting college can feel overwhelming—choosing classes, navigating the campus, making friends—but let your interests be your North Star. Far too often, parental and peer pressures can dictate what you pursue, but if it's not something that truly resonates with you, you will be left unfulfilled and unhappy.
Explore your curiosity—there are so many clubs, internships, and activities—see what you like and see where that goes. Even if you do nothing more than discover a new hobby that you love, that is a worthwhile discovery! If you do not know what you like, then just start with what you are curious about and go from there.
Elisha Peterson MD MEd FAAP FASA, Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine Physician, Elisha Peterson MD PLLC
When you start college, it's typically your first experience dealing with expenses and liabilities that your parents had previously taken care of.
Most of us don't realize how fast the money saved for college expenses can be spent, especially if we're not tracking it. Creating a budget that's as realistic as possible but also responsible, such as earmarking a certain amount for leisure activities and for emergencies, can greatly help you be accountable.
As a student just starting college, we are very trusting and don't realize the amount of theft that goes on in the college environment, especially of electronic devices. Hence, it is important to have insurance coverage.
For Instance, If living on-campus, you should ensure your parent's homeowner's insurance covers your personal belongings. If living off-campus, you should have renter's insurance, which is actually quite affordable.
Michelle Robbins, Licensed Insurance Agent, Clearsurance
You should also read: Money Management Tips for College Students.
Get your general education requirements out of the way early. It can be tempting to pick courses that seem fun or interesting when you get to college. As for many, it's the first time there's been any say in what you're taking.
A piece of advice for all college students is to choose the course wisely. By taking random courses that don't apply to your degree, you can drag out the amount of time you have to be in school, driving up costs and delaying your advancement.
To be safe, it's always best to get required courses done early. Then, you can assess how much availability you have in your schedule for things you find more interesting.
Josh Weiss, Founder and CEO, Reggie
While college is a special time for making new friends and memories, you must also pay attention to your studies. Try to balance focusing on academics and keeping your grades up by going to parties and participating in extracurricular activities.
If you focus too much on your social life, your academics could suffer, hindering your grad school opportunities or your ability to graduate.
Miles Beckett, Co-founder and CEO, Flossy
One piece of advice for college students would be to get involved in student clubs or organizations.
By participating in these activities, you develop leadership skills, gain practical knowledge, and form connections that can have significant value in your career. So jump into clubs that interest you, as it could open doors you never even knew existed.
Haya Subhan says, “I learned this lesson a lot later, but I was lucky to join the renewable energy club on campus, which not only expanded my social circle but also provided hands-on experience in the solar industry that I could later apply to my current job. We worked on projects like installing solar panels for low-income families and hosting sustainability workshops.”
Haya Subhan, General Manager, Solar Panel Installation
While academics are important in exercising the mind and exploring potential career options, real-world experience is just as important in these regards.
So, in addition to applying yourself academically, meet with your school's career services department and find out what kinds of internships they can connect you with. This way, you can learn more about what certain career paths would actually look like on a day-to-day basis.
Natalia Morozova, Partner, Cohen, Tucker & Ades Immigration Law Firm
One of the best advice for students would be to invest their free time in productive activities during college. You can enroll yourself in extra courses as this will significantly add to your skills. Also, an additional certification will help you have an alternative career path.
For instance, you can enroll in a Transcription course from an online institute and have a certification. You will have an additional skill and can also generate income from this in the short or long term.
Meenu Prasad, President of Transcription Certificate Institute
One of the best pieces of advice for all college students would be to focus on a degree and look to gain experience by working on real-time projects. You should look for short-term employment opportunities that allow you to gain experience for future career opportunities and enable you to pay for your expenses on your own.
You will also be able to develop interpersonal skills by working with people of different mindsets and attitudes. Also, it will reduce your dependence on your family for financial support.
Beth Worthy, President of GMR Transcription
Starting college is an exciting and transformative time in one's life. It is a time for growth, exploration, and self-discovery. In this blog post, we have gathered life advice for college students from experts in various fields to provide valuable insights. These 14 tips encompass a wide range of areas, from academic success to personal development and career preparation.
As you embark on your college journey, remember that this is a time of growth and self-discovery. Take advantage of the wisdom shared by these experts and make the most of your college experience.
A piece of final advice for college students is to embrace the opportunities, challenge yourself, and remember to enjoy the journey. With the right mindset and a willingness to learn and explore, college can be an incredibly rewarding and transformative chapter in your life.
