Graduating high school was one of my favorite times of my life. Knowing I had accomplished an incredible feat was an amazing feeling and looking to the times ahead in college was something I looked forward to with great anticipation. A new life was to begin for me that fall and I couldn't wait.
Several years have passed since I graduated high school and started college months later and I am still continuing my education to this day. The information and knowledge learned in the classroom during my undergraduate years at Otterbein has helped me beyond my college years but what I learned outside of the classroom helped open up my life even more.
Learning will take place inside the classroom but what a lot of you soon to be high school graduates can benefit from can be learned outside of the classroom. The work you put into a class will help but what you do outside of class can help you soar even farther.
Take some time to consider the following tips below prior to starting your college years:
1) Starting college is an opportunity to start a new life and put any bad memories, feelings or anger you felt in high school and leave it in the past - Take any negative experience you may have had since high school and leave it in the past. You will have a new opportunity to start a new life when you start college in the fall and take the time to work on creating new and fun memories instead of living any pains or frustrations you felt in the past. For most of you, moving away to college will take you to a setting where many people will not know you (I only knew two people at Otterbein when I moved down there in the fall of 2004) and use it as an opportunity to start over.
2) A small hello and conversation can pay big dividends - How often do you think the people who serve the food in the cafeteria, the people who work in the bookstore or the people who work in the library receive a small hello or conversation from a student? How many students do you think just always walk in and walk out without paying much attention to these people? The number may alarm you once you think about it and taking a few moments each day to say hello and get to know these people will help set you apart in a positive way. It may feel awkward at first but it will pay off in the end.
3) Keep your mind open - Had I been closed minded in college, I never would have gotten the internships I had during those years, I never would have found my love of photography and I wouldn't have made some of the friendships I created during that time. Take an opportunity to meet new people, find new hobbies and find different passions by keeping an open mind. You may never know what you might find or who you may meet.
4) If you are happy and you know it, spread it around! - Walking around with a smile on your face and a positive attitude will show and get noticed. If you have an awesome feeling inside, don't be afraid to show it. There may be those who say you need to tone down your personality or become more mellow (I have heard both from people) but don't be afraid to walk around with a positive attitude. Continue to be positive no matter what the circumstances are.
5) No matter how far you go, don't forget those who helped you along the way - Chances are, there have been people in your life growing up that provided the extra boost you needed at key times in your life. It may have been a tutor, teacher, coach, parent, friend, etc. that took the extra time to help and don't forget these people. Take the time to drop an e-mail, phone call or stop by to say hello. These people helped you along the way and don't forget the kindness they showed.
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