College.
I can’t believe it’s already been two years since I graduated with my BFA degree.
I still remember applying to the school, getting in, traveling thousands of miles away from home, and barely surviving my first semester.
This time, I didn’t have any family or close friends with me.
I was on my own, and I had to learn how to do a lot of things on my own. There were still many times when I had to call my mom and ask for guidance.
Looking back and seeing where I am now, physically, professionally, and emotionally, I am incredibly grateful for those years.
Would I have wanted to do more? Definitely.
But I think I came out of there feeling prouder of myself than I ever thought I would have been able to.
College is not as intimidating as movies make them out to be.
Focus on why you’re there.
Find a group of people whose values align with yours and who uplift and support you with your endeavors (be sure to be the same person for them as well).
Things will get stressful. When they do, it is okay to take a break. Go out for a walk. Call a loved one. Eat. Sleep. Stay hydrated.
YOU CAN DO IT. You are a firecracker, and it would take a lot to put your flames down.
The goals list is intended to cover all years spent in college. Some can be aimed to achieve every semester or every school year. Some can be one-time goals or goals that are exciting and challenging to achieve multiple times.
The goals are focused on student life and anything related to, well, school.
Lastly, you do not have to do everything on the list. The important thing is to be able to accomplish as many as you feel comfortable on taking on – whether they’re something challenging for you or something you’ve been wanting to do and can’t wait to cross out. Feel free to revise any of these as you wish as well. If you’re not into sports, instead of joining a sports team, you can enter any other club that your school offers as a substitute.
Making the Most of Our College Years
- Start a blog
- Figure out or change up your fashion style
- Decorate your dorm/apartment
- Enroll in summer classes
- Go on a Spring Break trip with friends
- Get a tattoo or piercing
- Apply lessons to real life situations, don't just memorize
- Make a weekly grocery shopping list and stick to it
- Sit in on a random class, respectfully and with permission
- Treat yourself whenever you accomplish a goal
- Live on campus for at least one semester
- Start a small business
- Build and update resume
- Make a new friend in your dorm or apartment building
- Schedule and go to your dental/eyes/body appointments
- Find and/or be a mentor
- Participate in a campus tradition
- Unwind for a day
- Impress your class with a presentation
- Implement a daily work out routine
- Set healthy boundaries with yourself and towards others
- Invest in a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
- Practice mindfulness, meditation, and gratitude
- Try essential oils or aromatherapy
- Keep memories through photos
- Consider buying used items (textbooks)
- Hike on a popular local hiking trail
- Write a paper that greatly impresses your instructor
- Take a road trip to a neighboring town
- Take a class outside of school (scuba diving, cooking, ceramics)
- Get to know an international student
- Study abroad for a semester
- Attend a local event and/or festival
- Attend a school sporting event
- Celebrate a holiday on campus
- Join/start a club/organization that you are passionate about
- Prioritize healthy sleeping habits
- Do an assignment somewhere different
- Visit home for the holidays
- Journal
- Learn how to cook/cook at home more
- Limit sugar and sweets from diet
- Pursue volunteer work in the community
- Treat yourself with kindness
- Give yourself permission to cry
- Learn how to budget finances and track expenses
- Start building credit score
- Attend a networking event
- Visit all of the popular landmarks in your school's city/state
- Try meals offered on campus
- Be yourself
- Pursue your dream internship
- Instead of coffee, try tea
- Vote for your school's student body candidates
- Ask for help when you need it
- Complete and file your own taxes
- Write a letter to your future self to open on graduation day
- Get to know more about your school and research some interesting facts about it
- Make a college scrapbook for each year
- Apply to scholarships
- Rent an apartment/house with friends
- Learn how to properly sort and wash clothes
- Take a photo with your school mascot
- Go out in nature at least once a week
- Improve your public speaking skills
- Unplug for a day
- Take advantage of student discounts
- Go café hopping in the city
- Visit a friend's hometown during break
- Put at least 10% of income/scholarship funds into savings account
- Visit a friend at a different college
- Try weekly meal prepping
- Create and/or join a study group
- Declutter and organize study space
- Build working relationships with instructors
- Attend a career fair
- Take yourself out on a date
- Create a degree plan
- Keep track of billing due dates to avoid any late fee charges
- Open a savings and checking account, if you don't have either yet
- Take photos of yourself every first day of each semester
- Practice how to actively and effectively study
- Make it to the honor roll list
- Decorate living space for the holidays
- Purchase at least one school merch
- Join an intramural sport
- Keep credit card usage below 40% of its limit
- Ace a test, project, and/or final exam
- Host a Friendsgiving
- Apply for health insurance
- Create a study schedule
- Help out with a school event
- Complete assignments/projects days before they're due
- Catch up on reading or TV shows during Spring Break
- Talk to loved ones at least twice a week
- Get a part-time job (on or off campus)
- Build your network
- Make a yearly vision board
- Attend a workshop on a topic you have no/minimal knowledge/experience about
- Graduate
I am fortunate to have attended two different colleges that allowed me to experience two completely different college lifestyles.
Of course, there are times when I wish I could have done more things to make them as exciting and memorable as I would’ve loved them to be.
I focused a lot on my studies and left little room for personal and emotional growth. There is obviously nothing wrong with prioritizing our studies. Many of us are paying out of pocket or taking on student loans to be able to attend such *expensive* schools.
I mean that I wish I had managed my time more wisely so that I would have been able to also give attention to other areas of my life.
Studying takes up a lot of time, especially on subjects we struggle with. But let’s not forget to take care of our mind, body, and soul every now and then. They mean a lot more to us than we give them credit for.
To the current and upcoming college students, take it one day at a time and believe and continue working on yourself and your abilities.
Manage your time wisely and do your best in everything assigned to you.
Ask for help when you need it.
Socialize and network.
Explore.
Let's chat!
What is your favorite college memory? If you’re still in college, what’s been your favorite experience so far, and what are some of your top experiences that you’d still like to accomplish?
