Stepping on campus for the first time is always a very memorable experience. There is so much to discover, new places, new faces, and definitely a lot to learn. It can be overwhelming, there are a lot of big choices to make, like choosing a major, finding your passions, professional development. But don’t sweat it! The next four or however many years spent in college can feel like they’ll go by fast, but it’s okay to take your time.
It is important to remember that life is not a race. Sometimes people reach certain milestones first and that is ok! It’s not a competition. What is important is setting your own pace to ensure your own growth and development.
One thing that really helps with setting your own pace is finding your goal. Everyone always asks what you want to be when you grow up, and now is the time to really think about it. What can you see yourself doing five or ten years from now? What can you definitely not see yourself doing? What gives you the most fulfillment? These question might have been answered before you even set foot on campus, or maybe it takes the entirety of your first year. What matters is finding you direction eventually.
After you have decided where you want to go, it’s time to put your best steps forward to get you there. There are so many campus resources to help with this. You should be able to find an advisor on campus for almost everything and they always have useful insight. They can help you pick your major and coursework and even find opportunities.
Now that the ball has started rolling, keep the momentum going. Start building on your profession and your goal. Create a LinkedIn and Handshake account. I was able to land my first internship in just a few months after downloading handshake!
College is definitely very important for professional development and growth. There are so many opportunities provided to us as students, and we should take advantage of every single one of them. But it is also so important to remember that we are human and all still figuring this out together. While building your future always remember to enjoy the present. The memories you make here will stay with you forever.
By: Josh Saguiped