How to make the most of college

#collegeadvice #inspiration #thelittleprince

Whether you’re in the throes of applying to institutions of higher learning or already in the midst of your undergraduate career, you probably know what it means to be seriously stressed out. I’ve been there!

Here are three tips for keeping things in perspective, so you can make the most of your college experience:

1 – Follow what ignites your passion. Life is way too short and unpredictable to obsess over which major could “make or break” your career. Sure, be strategic about your coursework – make sure it aligns with the impact you want to realize in the world. But don’t forget to prioritize joining professors and peers in discussions that make you come alive. ‘Cause that’s where the real joy of learning lies – and, frankly, the real prospect for making a sustainable, worthwhile living after your graduate.

2 – Focus on becoming a better human being. Clearly, AI is massively disrupting traditional work. That’s why there’s no point worrying about checking all the boxes for an “ideal” job candidate profile that probably doesn’t even exist. Instead, commit yourself to a broad range of experiences that build your human capital – your capacity to think critically, feel deeply, and connect with diverse perspectives (including through awkward silences, without being tempted to reach for your crutch of a smartphone). Trust me, none of those higher-order skills will ever be fully replaced, no matter how savvy ChatGPT and its minions get.

3 – Embrace the journey. It’s when we take the time to slow down, breathe, and appreciate every moment (the good, bad, and crazy) of our path, that we’re able to reap the ultimate reward of education: the ability to understand the world beyond the surface-level explanations society often tries to content us with. That sentiment is reflected in one of my favorite lines from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince:

College isn’t a mere rite of passage or obligatory stepping stone to a “stable career.” It’s your life, literally – happening now, in real time. So live it to the fullest. And dream boldly as you let your heart flutter and awaken to itself. Because that’s how you’ll find true success.