Creating your college experience

Karey Harrigan

Columnist

Our generation has been labeled as having a lackluster and academically effortless college performance.

It has been proposed that our attitudes may be costing us the critical thinking, complex reasoning and communication that college is meant to teach. We may have a good understanding of how to make the most of college socially, but when it comes to academics it is easy to lose focus and fail to take advantage of the true opportunity college provides.

Consequently, there are solutions that may help make the time and money spent a little more meaningful.

Find something you like about each course, no matter how uninteresting or irrelevant it may seem. This is something many students struggle with, but when many are able to pick out elements of courses and make them applicable to their own interests successfully, it can change the entire feeling and validity of the class.

Often, students do not see any purpose in what they are learning for their careers and future, but if they can think critically about how the lessons and assignments are designed to prepare them for their field of study or even adulthood in any course they will see their drive to excel rise additionally. The rationale of an exercise like this is to create motivation and enthusiasm where there previously was none. Once a student can create the desire to learn what they are being taught, they may manifest the critical thinking, complex reasoning and communication skills needed to thrive in that subject or class.

Build connections and your resume. Classes are not the only chance to develop your knowledge and experience in college, and the strength possessed in those areas are what gives the edge in a competitive career field. Resume building begins with finding places to practice, build and engage in your craft.

Internships, clubs, events and projects are just some of the places that allow students to master the skills needed to be well qualified and to have an excellent resume. In addition, it is extremely important to meet established and inspiring people along the way. These opportunities are not simply given; they are ones that have been sought after and fought for which takes strong ambition and a resistance to complacency.

Now more than ever, it important to understand that a degree only puts students at a level playing field, not at an advantage, so it is entirely up to the individual how worthwhile they will make the college opportunity. The key to the most valuable and beneficial experience is the ability to balance constantly improving and adding to your qualifications while still engaging in the social atmosphere that college provides. It takes discipline to understand how to meet in the middle but is critical to avoid falling victim to the current undermining opinion of students.

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