I think it’s safe to say that every student wants to have the quintessential college experience. When I was in high school and thought of going to college, I automatically imagined having an active social life, traveling, and pursuing an awesome internship, all while making excellent grades. Now that I’m actually in college, I realize that this ideal life is not as easy as my younger, more oblivious self once envisioned. I’ve come to see that while one aspect like my social life, may be flourishing, another aspect (usually my grades) starts lacking. Not to mention, finances and other major factors play a role in how practical it is to achieve this college experience.
However, I believe that even though attaining the quintessential college experience might be difficult, it is surely not impossible. The key to achieving this abundant college life is motivation, hard work, and balance. Obviously grades are extremely important. But students need to realize that grades are not the be-all end-all to our lives. Life is more than your grade average. Therefore, take your classes seriously, be motivated to do well, and use common sense – you probably shouldn’t go out on a Wednesday night if you have an 8 a.m. lab the next day.
Be sure that you actively communicate with your professor and fellow students to make sure you have all your bases for class covered. But also, don’t be afraid to go on a spontaneous road trip with your friends, get tickets to a late night concert, and chase your dream internship. It’s important to make sure you are living the life you want to live. If you don’t want to listen to me, listen to Mark Twain, who said “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”