College should be about preparing yourself for the future, while you try to figure out what to do with the rest of your life. Some people go to extremes; however, finding a balance is the best way to get you through the next four, or five, years of your life. Here is a list of the 5 college experiences no one should miss to ensure you leave as prepared as possible for your real life to begin.
Job Preparation
Having several resumes ready will give you an edge. Creating an effective personal website will catapult you to the top of the interview list. Becoming active in a professional social network will lead to invaluable contacts. And, you should also consider completing an internship or taking an on-campus job to begin building your resume with real-world experience. If you are unable to find work, find a mentor in the field you wish to work to begin learning everything possible about their company and their job. You will be graduating into an environment where even people who have 15 years of experience are struggling to find work. You should do whatever it takes to get a head start on your future.
Learn to Speak and Write
You may think you know how to speak and write; however, you may not be as qualified as you think to do either in the working world. You should practice public speaking as often as possible and take a writing course. The more comfortable you are speaking in front of an audience the more dynamic and confident you will be in the workplace. Also, having examples of published work will demonstrate to employers you did not spend all of your time consuming adult beverages.
Master of Personal Finances
If you are able to master your personal finances before you graduate college, you will have a significant advantage in life for the rest of your life. Establish a yearly budget. Manage your monthly expenditures, which is how much you spend each month and on what, and file your own tax return. Learning to file your own tax return while you have unlimited free resources for assistance will make your life infinitely easier once you have a proper job. This will also save you money to put into your savings account in the future.
Think Globally
You will most likely work with people from another country at some point, and you will definitely work with people who are very different from you; therefore, you should learn a foreign language and study abroad while you are in college. Both of these experiences will provide you with an almost unfair competitive advantage to those who chose not to do either. If you do not wish to move to another country for a semester, you should still learn a foreign language without fail.
Learn to Cook
Learning how to cook will save you money in undergrad and after you graduate. It is very easy to fall prey to the tempting restaurant and fast food specials in and around campus; however, you should try to find a cooking club or a cooking course to take to prepare yourself for living on your own. You will also be teaching yourself healthy habits to follow for the rest of your life. As a bonus, being able to cook is often a highly-attractive-quality people seek in a potential partner.
You will have many experiences in college. Some experiences will be amazing and others will be important life lessons. As long as you take these 5 college experiences no one should miss to heart, your potential for future life success is practically guaranteed.