Chloe Reid
Reporter
During the time of being a college student, it’s fair to say the many questions of potential success have loomed in most of our minds. Will jobs after college be accessible? Is your major going to stay something you’ll be interested in for the years after graduation? Will your future job be giving you a fair wage? Will you be able to start a life on your own comfortably?
The years you spend in college can definitely make you feel intimidated by the potential to make it or break it in the career world. When most people think of success, the ideas of good grades, a good salary and confidence typically come to mind. However, success in college can be defined as much more than that.
Within college, the professors on campus can be one of the most accessible resources to find out the best ways to be successful. Many of them have been a part of the college community for years, and have picked up a few insightful things on how their students can act their best and have the most potential during their time in college.
Several of the faculty and staff at Idaho State University reached out to give students’ advice on how to live the college life to the fullest, and the best ways to achieve overall success in school and beyond.
“One of the most important things students can do to be more successful in college is to be organized and proactive about deadlines. It is good to keep a calendar of assignment due dates from across your classes so that you can plan ahead for (and get ahead during) weeks when you will have a lot going on,” said Alex Bolinger, who has a doctorate in management.
Dawn Brooks, a University Honors Program advisor had several tips for giving yourself the most beneficial college experience. “My very first tip is for a student to build their own student success cabinet, while you’re seeking your degree you need to be careful about your selection of friends, instructors, advisors, tutors and mentors,” said Brooks. “Make sure that you’re surrounding yourself with supportive people.”
“Learn to love ideas even when it hurts; difficulty in a subject can be a start of love rather than a signal to abandon the subject matter entirely,” said Brooks. “We often have a flight or fight reaction to new information. Take concepts that are offered to you. Don’t be thrown by it, be grateful that new things are coming to you.”
Brooks further suggested that students remember to celebrate milestones. “Be motivational to yourself, and don’t overwhelm yourself with work and activities, focus on what you need to do to complete your major,” said Brooks.
Shannon Kobs. who has a doctorate in geology, said, “Use campus resources. The longer I’m here, the more I realize that many students don’t realize how many resources are available to them as students. Use these resources proactively, not just when things go bad. There are a lot of resources on campus, but two of my favorites are the Counseling and Testing Center in Graveley Hall, and the Writing Center/Math Center/Content Area Tutoring Services in Rendezvous. Time management is important too. This is such a hard skill to develop, and many students don’t pay attention to it until something goes wrong. Work on this skill just like you’d practice a sport or musical instrument.”
No matter what the situation, learning to manage stress and take care of oneself during your college years is extremely important to the college experience. Learning to adapt the tips from above, or any tips you have found helpful to you during your time in college into your routine can significantly help in the long run.
