Starting university can be a very exciting experience to anticipate. For some people, it is the first time when they would actually have freedom outside their parent’s house. The university is an avenue to explore different possibilities.
As a university student, you do not only learn about your academic works, and you also get to learn a great deal about the world and about yourself.
Advice for students starting university
Before you get too excited about starting this new chapter if your life, here are some tips on things that you should know before starting university.
Self-Confidence is important at this point in time
Confidence is highly based on your experience and accomplishments; therefore, you should not hesitate always to learn something new that interest you and would be of benefit to you. In the same vein, always put in your best in whatever you do by working hard and immersing yourself in beneficial things and become skilled at them.
Let’s be realistic; it wouldn’t be easy trying to build up confidence, but neither would it be easy to go through the university with low self-esteem. You stand to lose a lot if you are constantly doubting yourself and not having any belief in yourself.
If you are able to build a little confidence in yourself, it would be so much easier for you to explore opportunities and get to know yourself, enabling you to think for yourself and make sound decisions that concern you, and also the activities and people around you.
Focus your time and energy Into building your future career
So many people spend college being carried away by things that are of no value to their life and future career, they unknowingly waste a lot of opportunities and resources.
For you to make the most of your time in the university in preparation for the next phase of life that comes after you graduate from the university, It is important that you know what you want to do for a living early. It puts you in a better position to start working towards what you want to be.
The university is an avenue for you to discover what you want to do and to explore the many possibilities of getting the right knowledge, networking and also job opportunities.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to People In your field
Reaching out to people in your industry of interest can go a long way for your success in that area of speciality. Learn to make good use of any opportunity you get to meet them; you can ask them if they’d like you to buy them a cup of coffee just so that you can get to talk with them more.
You can start with people who are close to your location like professors on campus, alumni, and other professionals. If you can ask the right questions, you’re more likely to get the right advice; many people love giving advice to students.
They are more willing to advise you during your time as a student than when you’ve become professional, so it would be very wise to take advantage of this time and meet as many people as possible.
If you are able to maintain those connections, you might be lucky enough to get any of their recommendations when you apply for internships or jobs.
Apply For Jobs And Internships Now
Make use of job and internship opportunity in your industry that you would like to work in it after you graduate. However, it may be difficult to combine work and studying, but it is possible. You’ll be surprised to find other students doing the same thing.
Working as a university student would help you get more experience, expose you to many professionals and things you wouldn’t get know until you have spent time working.
If you can get as much experience as you can before graduation, you surly would do extremely well when you start working as a graduate, it also puts you in a better position to have a job waiting for you upon graduation.
And also, professionals that you have worked with during your university days could recommend you to other companies that you wish to work under.
Aim for a higher GPA
Your GPA is something that you build throughout your study at the university; do not keep it for your final year.
The higher your GPA, the more chances you have of working in your desired company, and the more options you will have because you might have a long list of companies that are willing to employ you.
For your greater good, you have to strive to attain and maintain a high GPA. Always have in mind that your GPA is something under your control, and neglecting it might limit your chances of getting employed where you desire.
Therefore you have to make your studies your priority; it would also help if you build a healthy relationship with your professors and top students in your class.
End Note
Finally, starting university and meeting new faces can be fun and scary at the same time, but make sure to be yourself at all times and don’t let the social pressure choose your friends for you.
It is very easy to get carried away with socializing in college, you would meet people from all over the world with different personalities, opinions and beliefs.
So don’t expect everyone to accept you, it is okay not to make friends with everyone. You are very likely to meet and spend time with people who would treat you less because they are part of a certain social circle and for other reasons, some people will like you and some people would not.
So don’t try to change yourself to fit in, because no matter what you do, people are definitely still going to judge you.
Instead, summon the courage to choose who you want as your friend. Surround yourself with people who have your best interest in mind, people who share the same interests and ambitions as you and who are ready to support you.
