How to make the most of your college experience

Four years is what most college students dedicate to living away from home and experiencing the real world for the first time. We’re nagged all of our life by our older influences about how college is “the best four years of our lives” and to “make the most of it,” but what does this really mean?

According to College Data, the average price of tuition for in-state public schools is $9,650 and $24,930 for out of state. Those numbers aren’t low, and if these really are the best four years of our lives, there’s no better way to compensate for those numbers than to get all the bang you can for your many, many bucks.

College is a major growth period for students because it’s the transition from being dependent to independent. Taking advantage of these first independent years in the most positive way possible is crucial to an individual’s growth.

So, how does one make the most of these years, both academically and socially? 

Join clubs and get involved

Thousands of freshmen flock to events such as Gobblerfest each year, and it’s important to take in as well as take advantage of what you’re seeing.

Some students will go all four years stuck in a major they aren’t completely satisfied with. Joining clubs and getting involved with your specific major gives you hands-on experience that will help you better understand whether or not your major is for you.

A CACD article addresses the importance of hands-on practice over in-class studies: “With classroom studies mostly confined to books and theoretical learning, there is a gap to the real world.  More and more, we see that real life experience is essential to landing the job.”

Spend time with friends

It’s important to manage your social life with school work. Sometimes students will get so overwhelmed with their studies that they aren’t going out and exploring their college years with the people closest to them.

There are those students who spend their entire college career with their head in a book, and others who spend all of their time focusing on the next party. Time management is key.

Explore the surrounding area

Located in Southwest Virginia, Blacksburg has many natural amenities that are a must-do for any student attending Virginia Tech.

On a nice day, you’re missing out if you don’t take advantage of the beautiful nature that surrounds this campus. Not only does it give residents something to do, but it’s also a great distraction from everyday stresses.

Many Hokies have made it a “must-do” thing to have a photo in front of the Cascades somewhere on their Instagram. Virginia Tech being located in such a beautiful part of the country is something that sets it apart from many other universities, and it’s in students’ best interest to take advantage of that.

Take advantage of major events

Being a very large and well-known university, Virginia Tech has been involved with many monumental events. Some of these events include: the Battle at Bristol (Virginia Tech vs. University of Tennessee), the Diplo concert that was awarded by winning the Victoria’s Secret Pink competition, Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia University at FedExField, as well as the many concerts that have come to Burruss Hall.

This university has been lucky to be part of these events because they contribute to making a student’s college career memorable. I highly recommend managing your time (and money) properly so you’re able to attend these events. We go to a large university for a reason!

Virginia Tech’s fan base has awarded the school with so much and has attracted the attention of stations such as ESPN College GameDay and Barstool. This is something that not every college student could say about their university. 

Gain a relationship with professors and staff

College prepares you for the real world and there are people at your university who are there to guide you in doing this. Life is all about building connections and maintaining relationships, and some of the best people to go to for this kind of thing are the people who have already gone through it.

Professors and staff are there to be your support system, not to just give you that bad grade on the paper you decided to write last minute. It’s important to take advantage of the resources right in front of you while you have them.

College is a whirlwind of opportunity and growth. It’s the best four years of your life as well as some of the most important.

It only happens once in a lifetime, so keep your college years memorable.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-college-experience/article_cc0a33b2-b8f1-11e7-8c97-d31fe7a30b2a.html