Read Between the Lines – What College Really Teaches You

Ah, college! What a time to be alive, are we right? The Friday’s off, the parties, and the work put off until the last minute. That's what college is all about, right? A lot of people will tell you what the “best way to do college” is. In our opinion, the answer is that there isn’t one. We think that there are some important lessons to take away from college. We each have fairly different personal experiences that hit these points home, and hopefully they are applicable to some of your careers/lives.

1. It’s not about the material - it’s about the experience

Mitchell: My life for the first two years of college was about 95% work and 5% fun. I have turned down an incredible amount of invitations to events to keep working at an excel problem or to study just a bit more. This past year, however, I changed to more of a 75% work, 25% fun schedule. How did that affect my GPA? Well, it went up. The experience of college is more important than just the textbooks and lectures.

Madisen: You can’t speak to anything unless you’ve experienced it yourself. Learn just enough to be dangerous.

2. There’s not one way to “do college”

Mitchell: Growing up with an older sister allowed me to see what college was like before I actually got there. What did I hear from her? HER EXPERIENCE. No matter how much someone tells you that their way is the best way, know that you’re a unique person that will enjoy other things. If Becky tells you that her sorority is where every person should end up, it doesn’t mean that it’s truly the place for you. Don't let peer pressure permanently change your life.

Madisen: I saw many movies that categorized college in two ways: the party kids or the nerds. Going into college, I believed that was true so immediately I felt the need to pick which path I wanted to take. I found myself squeezing in every social event I could and then cramming in my homework at night.

3. Your life really does start here...ready...set...GO!

Mitchell: In high school, I never really found my place. I struggled to find a group of friends that I really connected with, I struggled in classes, and I left barely getting into the university that I wanted to be a part of. When I got that acceptance letter for NC State, I realized that I had a clean slate. I could start completely fresh and focus on what I need to do. Don’t let that moment pass you.

Madisen: College is a time where you can start over. Pick a “brand” that defines you and roll with it. The strongest asset you have is yourself.

4. Learn from your mistakes (or at least the ones you remember)

Mitchell: Life is full of mistakes. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not improving. College will make you feel like you’re the worst person sometimes - missing deadlines, forgetting about a big test, missing parties with your friends. When you make that mistake, take the opportunity to learn from it, not sulk in it. Seeing yourself grow is a fantastic sight, so don’t miss it.

Madisen: It’s hard to learn how to improve if you don’t make mistakes. Mistakes show you where you can be better. Don’t sulk in your mistakes - it’ll drive you crazy. If there’s anything I learned from college, it is to IDENTIFY what you did wrong and then FIX it.

5. There’s no “cool” in college - (well, there almost is)

Mitchell: Remember 21 Jump Street with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill? I always think of that movie when I talk about being cool in college. Channing and Jonah go back and forth on whether “one-strapping” their backpacks was still cool or not, creating an anxious atmosphere. If you wanna “one-strap” through college, do it!! There’s no one way to hold your backpack. Feel free to apply that to absolutely every factor in the college atmosphere :)

Madisen: “Cool” means something different to everybody. I think it is important to define cool for yourself and then make the most of it. Think of a role model, someone you admire, and then figure out why that admiration exists. Pick a few traits, habits, moods you want to exhibit and then be the best at those few. The “coolest” people I know are the ones that are most self confident.

College is an amazing experience - no matter who the student. The important thing is to find a way to enjoy college in your own way. Don't you want to look back and realize you don't have any regrets? Set goals and work hard to achieve them every day.

We hope these tips help you through your college experience! Any other suggestions? Leave them in the comments below!