“College inspired me to think differently. It’s like no other time in your life.”
– Lara Oleynik
Going to college is that phase of our lives where we can discover ourselves, learn new skills, meet new people, have different experiences and explore new possibilities. College is a place to grow and have fun while growing, and at the same time overcome new challenges.
Here are a few things that you should do in first 100 days of college:
- Learn to communicate with others:
One should work on their communication skills, especially by interacting with as many people as you can. People you have never talked to before, people from a different social and cultural background.
- Explore your campus
When you get to campus, it will be confusing, in terms of finding your way around and intellectually. But, one should remember that the best way to learn about a new place is to get lost in it. This way one ends up seeing places you never would see otherwise.
- Don’t be afraid to try:
Go out there and be yourself. Try new things, you will be amazed by the experience you will gain and the things you never thought you could do. Do things you have never done, don’t just get stuck in one place.
- Make BFFs and maintain a social circle:
Make friends and with them make memories you can cherish all your life.
- Learn a practical skill:
Master a skill that you can apply in real life, whether that be learning a new language or honing one of your existing skills like writing. Believe in experimentation rather than theory.
- Actively participate in events:
Let go of your fears and face the world. Be proactive and take part in various events both within and outside of college. College is the best place to give you this opportunity to shine in front of the world.
- Organize something:
Organize a fest or an event, whatever you are interested in. This is going to give you important management and organizational experience. It will enable you to deal with people, possibly lead a team, and even convince people to do things you want.
- Learn to handle stress:
Balancing classes with all the other new activities in college can be tough, so be sure to prioritize managing stress. In today’s day and age, stress is a part and parcel of life and learning to handle it while you are in college is ideal because that is when one is just starting out in life and inculcating new habits becomes easier. Try some meditation or breathing techniques or yoga – whichever makes you feel better. Increase your spiritual dimension. The habits you develop in college will last you a lifetime. So, experts recommend you develop good and useful ones.
- Develop a physical routine:
Mind and Body are two things to keep in best shape if you want to achieve success. Have a morning physical routine and work out, regularly to stay fit and healthy.
- Don’t waste your Holidays:
Invest some part of a holiday in something productive that can help you. Learn new practical skills.
- Develop a reading habit:
Reading can help you widen your knowledge, and thinking ability and give you different views to perceive this world.
- Start something new:
Start something in college that will exist after you leave – perhaps a club or a community initiative. Do something that has never been done before.
- Go on trips with your friends
where the best memories are made.
- Work on your character:
These are the years that will define your future self and character is the foremost thing that matters.
- Know your goals and values and turn long-term goals into short-term plans
Acknowledging your goals can be one way to visualize your version of success. Understand your goals with powerful questions:
- What do I want to get out of college?
- What am I trying to achieve?
- What does success feel like to me?
- When have I felt successful in the past?
- When I think about a more-perfect future version of myself, what do I see?
One method to distill long-term goals into short-term plans is to create SMART goals.
SMART is an acronym for:
Specific: Identify your goal.
Measurable: Determine how you’ll measure your goal.
Achievable: Create realistic goals that you have some control over.
Relevant: Focus on goals that will guide you toward your idea of success.
Time-bound: Set a deadline for yourself to stay on track.
- Learn to Manage time
Time management is a daily practice. When it comes to achieving success, use your goals to guide the way you manage your time by prioritizing the tasks that will keep you on your desired path.
- Volunteer through programs offered by organizations
- Explore your interests
College is a great time to follow your passions. Take classes on subjects that are interesting to you. You never know what will grab your interest and become a lifelong dedication. Now is a great time to try a lot of new things.
- Study to get good grades
To get good grades, learn how to study in the most effective and time-efficient way.
- Have fun!
College is a special time. You’ll be surrounded by people your age, and generally will have more free time than you will later in life. Plus, your friends tend to be in the same classes, programs, and campus buildings, so you’ll be running into people all the time. There will be events, gatherings, parties, and excursions taking place all the time.
Take advantage of this great social atmosphere while you can! Join clubs, do inter and intra college sports, go on exchange, learn a language, get good at guitar—do it all.
College Life is a remarkable time in a person’s life. It teaches us many things and builds our confidence to face the challenges and struggles in our future. Instead of just focusing on studying, a person must participate in other activities and socialize as much as possible in their college life as all these things help in the holistic development of a person.
“This is the time you should figure out what you love doing, what you hate doing, what you’re good at, what you’re not so good at .”
“ Learn to dream, and learn to have a plan for yourself and your future. Think big, think free”
Written by Mr. Vikram Soni – Jitin Chawla Team
