4 Tips to Make the Most of College

Many students nowadays are confused about their purpose at university.

Especially among high school graduates today, it is becoming increasingly common to view a four-year degree as just another postponement until adulthood.

This couldn't be further from the truth.

University is a phase of life chock full of opportunity, lifelong friends, and potential for fulfilling careers; so long as you're willing to make the most of it.

In this post, we will cover four tips on bringing out the most potential out of your college experience. The following tips are based on a special guest appearance held at Florida International University with Gerald Grant, President of G Financial Group and Lori-Ann Cox, CEO of Breakthrough Miami.

Tip #1: Help Others

Believe it or not, a kind gesture can go a long way.

Lori-Ann Cox, CEO of Breakthrough Miami, was no stranger to hard work and discipline growing up, having fought her way into university to have a future outside of her home country of Jamaica

I have worn so many hats that now when people ask me for my title, I say: "How can I help you?" - Lori-Ann Cox

According to Cox, her success did not come from her field of study or even her qualifications, but rather by the connections she formed during her time at Florida International University.

How did these opportunities come her way? Her "pursuit of excellence and service of the community". In fact, Cox has never sent a job application, but has only accepted the positions offered her.

In this day and age, most of the advice out there to the youth gives the impression that they absolutely must have a "dream" or a goal planned for adulthood, but Lori-Ann's testimony speaks differently.

Instead of being stuck in a constant state of planning, Cox's advice to students is to choose to put their best foot forward with the opportunities around them, giving a helping hand whenever they can. It may surprise you where charity can lead you...

Tip #2: Make Connections

Continuing in a similar strand, Gerald Grant, the President of G Financial Group credited much of his success after university to the connections he made while being a student at FIU.

Referencing the study group he was a part of, Grant reflected on how this group of people changed his life in more ways he could have imagined.

Not only did they push him to pursue good grades, some of the members went on to successful careers, with one of them actually becoming Grant's first boss.

Become engaged by joining a likeminded group. We can only make change by becoming engaged. - Gerald C. Grant

What with the growing problem of social media distancing students from one another and making it more difficult to form meaningful relationships, Gerald's advice hits home for college students today:

Tip #3: Perfection is a Lie

On top of career uncertainty, many students nowadays find themselves struggling with two glaring issues: stress and motivation.

What if told you, however, the source of these two issues are one? Perfectionism.

Whether a student seeks to achieve perfect grades or is waiting for the perfect moment to be productive, the end of this attitude is always an increase in stress and a loss of motivation.

A 2007 study found that 50% of college students described themselves as people who "procrastinate consistently and problematically". There has clearly been a loss in motivation among college students in the last few decades and perhaps the reason for this can be due to a changing, more perfectionist attitude that has been fostered in American education in recent times.

Whatever the reason, Lori-Ann Cox weighed in on the issue, claiming that there needs to be an attitude shift towards excellence, as opposed to perfection:

Excellence is not perfection, excellence is about putting your best foot forward no matter the circumstances. - Lori-Ann Cox

Tip #4: Be Open to Challenge

This tip has been slightly hinted throughout this article, but for our last point, we will discuss a more practical lesson.

One thing that became abundantly clear in both of Grant's and Cox's presentations is that university students shouldn't expect to find clear direction and opportunity without putting in any effort.

Only by ignoring the fear of making mistakes and pursuing excellence, will a student's way become clear to them and here's a hint: it probably won't be what you expect.

For these reasons Gerald Grant makes a simple call to action:

Anything you don't know, volunteer to do it anyway. - Gerald C. Grant

You won't be able to draw out the most potential from university if you simply go through the motions... If the testimonies of these two FIU alumni have proven anything it is that only by connecting with those around you and helping them even when you think you can't, can you make the most out of your time at university.