I spent most of my high school and early college days reading young adult novels. I know them like the back of my hand, so let me tell you the story of my college days as such.
Officially, I started college in Fall 2021. But really, I don’t count anything before Spring 2022—when I landed a job at Student Media.
I was fully convinced I wanted to become the next Lois Lane, so I applied for a radio reporter position that I thought I was unqualified for, yet somehow, I got it.
After that, my social circle and college life skyrocketed.
My role was literally to be nosy, to know all the campus happenings. I was always in the middle of it all, checking out rumors and tracking down the truth. I loved it.
I had a blast being in everyone’s business and having the opportunity to question people.
I attended everything: sporting events, dance recitals, Distinguished Speaker Series, symphony concerts and award ceremonies.
I witnessed new deans come in and others leave. I even met some incredible people, such as Dolores Huerta and Marlee Matlin.
I saw a rat in a building before I saw real campus equality, but that’s probably par for the course of a college student, right?
Somewhere along the way, I found out that, instead of having to talk to representatives, I wanted to become one. So, I switched my mass communication concentration to public relations and never looked back.
I also found friends in the oddest of places. I made friends with the girl who wants to be the first female president of the United States, the most amazing photographer, the friendly fashionista and the girl who has potential to be everything she wants to be.
Some friends stayed, some left, but it was all meant to happen. I found my chosen family.
Now that I am a hair away from graduating, I learned some things I would implore you to consider while completing your degree.
Get out there. Go to the random event that takes place on campus. Ice cream on Mondays? Why not? Free soccer game? Count me in. This is how you will meet people and create connections.
Be careful of the people you choose to include in your circle. It’s true when they say people do make or break your experiences. They can either ruin your college experience, or they can make it the best years of your life.
Not talking to your professors or using available resources only hurts you. Professors have connections in their field due to their years of experience, so asking for a little push or a letter of recommendation could only benefit you.
Academic centers are more helpful than you think. If you are writing a scholarship essay or updating your resume, they can help.
Sign up for competitions. Some competitions have monetary compensation if you place or all expenses paid. They give you experience, and you make powerful connections.
The last thing I will bring up is joining an organization. After I joined an organization called Young Life, it changed my life for the better. I found my community.
I found people to spend my afternoons with and, most importantly, they helped me better myself. Looking back, I could not have asked for a better experience or for better people to have spent this time with.
I am finally standing on the ledge, anxious for takeoff.
I might just end up being unemployed for one week or one year, who knows, but I’m grateful for every moment leading up to this.
I think I am finally ready to leave and start working for the rest of my life.
