Junior year is that awkward adolescent phase of college that nobody gives enough credit… but it’s where the biggest lessons can be learned.
1. Always bring a pen, a couple bucks cash and a snack.
By the third year of college, you might really begin networking and meeting important people. If you need someone to write down their email address or the name of that awesome company that’s hiring, you don’t want to be short handed! Also, even more importantly, for your planner you’re carrying around… but more on that later.As for the cash, you gotta be prepared. Even in the age of swiping plastic, it’ll surprise you how essential keeping some paper in your pocket can be. Tolls, food trucks, tips, donations or yard sales..it’s just nice to have some on hand.As for the snack, that’s pretty self explanatory. Throw something delicious that’ll keep your energy up. That way, you don’t have to resort to a vending machine or overspending on dining out if it’s not in your budget. Grab a snack from home and ward off a bad case of the hangries!
2. Balanced diet, balanced mind.
By now you might have learned that eating an entire pizza at midnight makes for awesomeness, but doesn’t set you up for success in feeling alert the next morning. Avoid the “food hangover” and find some balance in your diet. Making some simple switches in your diet, like being aware of what you’re eating and at what time, can make all the difference. There may be a reason you’re having an energy crash at 1pm.
It’s worth experimenting with grocery shopping and cooking, so gravitate toward food that makes you feel sharp and energized for the long days ahead of you.
3. Wait before asking a question, but still ask it if you need to.
When being given instructions, you might have some questions arise. That’s ok! They may not be super clear or you are very interested and need further explanation. It may seem like common sense, but it’s easy to get excited (or terrified) and want to ask your question right away. Hold a sec, wait to see if your question is answered, and then go ahead and ask it. It’ll make you seem interested and that you care, but you don’t want to be interrupting the instructor.
4. Know your surroundings: be considerate and be safe
In case you haven’t noticed, college is crazy crowded. Bikers, walkers, cars, buses, people texting and not paying attention EVERYWHERE. Have you ever noticed that person who’s walking in the middle of the sidewalk who somehow manages to be texting, have their headphones in and is walking super slow and you just wanna get by to get somewhere in time? Don’t be that person. It only takes small, simple actions of awareness to be more conscious of your fellow students. Try to keep to the right of the sidewalk when walking. If you need to stop and tie your shoe, step to the side. These small actions create a friendlier, more generous and efficient campus. Always be aware if you’re holding up the line for no reason or are about to bump into someone. I personally love spending my times walking/biking to class as a moment I get to myself to zone out, but it doesn’t hurt to just keep your peripheral view engaged. Also, the skill of being aware of your surroundings can keep you safe. That goes without saying.
5. There a lot of injustices in this world – pick one and contribute to saving the world!
Your community has given you a lot, now it’s time to give back. There are many causes out there in the world and it can be overwhelming to donate your time/money/attention to all of them. Pick one that speaks to you, one that you wish to rid the world of completely if you could. Animal cruelty, social injustices, homelessness, imbalance in wealth, the list goes on. There is a lot wrong with this world and there is so much potential in just one person who wants to make a difference. Your time is best spent focusing your energy on one cause, and volunteering is always a good use of your time.
6. You’ve already learned how to wing it, now plan, plan, plan.
By your third year of college, you’re beginning to understand how precious your time and energy is. Gone (mostly) are the days where you can just roll out of bed and see where the wind takes you. I would advise anybody who I want to see succeed to invest in a good planner. One that feels good in your hand and bag, has plenty of space for notes and scribbles, and you don’t mind whipping out at any second. Plan for graduation, plan your semester, plan your week, plan your day, plan what you’re going to eat as soon as you get home. You don’t need to go insane (unless that’s your thing), but it’s time to get efficient. Always have a short and long term goal in mind. For example, “I want to graduate by May, I want to turn my paper in by Tuesday, and I want to finish up this assignment so that I can get home before passing out from starvation.” Find the balance that works best for you, but it sure feels good to have a plan that you can manage. I even like to plan when I’m going to have my free time! It doesn’t have to be scary stuff. Find your balance, heck, even plan your balance. Having a pen and planner in hand and a schedule in mind can be very empowering, and isn’t that what we’re all about?
7. Make your own list.
Junior year is a very unique year. No two people have the same experience, so don’t let me tell you how to live your life. With all the information we are filled with, it’s pretty important to sit with it at the end of the day and filter out what doesn’t help YOU. In your third year of college, you may know yourself well enough to sit down and make your own list and live by your own rules!