Many educational journeys start at a very young age and continue over multiple decades. Your academic path is unique, and how you choose to follow it is up to you. What’s important is taking a proactive role in advancing your education. Here are some ways to stay in charge.
Plan to Succeed
Take the time to consider your goals and plan to meet them. What do you want to accomplish? In what time frame do you expect to achieve those goals? What do you need to do to make your ambitions a reality? Once you have a clear understanding of where you ultimately want to be, you’ll be able to make a plan. Looking ahead will allow you to become less reactive and more proactive.
Stay Focused
Sometimes, we push our goals to the back burner. Even when there’s a personal, mental, emotional, or physical issue that seems more pressing, try to stay focused. It’s OK to reprioritize aspects of your plan, but don’t stray too far. Ensuring that your education remains a priority, even if it’s not your first or only concern, will help you remain on course.
Keep Learning
It’s important to continue learning, even when school is not in session. Embrace opportunities to keep your mind sharp, explore new topics, and develop new interests. Take advantage of online learning platforms like Coursera and edX so you can continue fine-tuning your skills.
Practice Networking
Connecting with others is a great way take charge of your education. Whether you’re seeking support or guidance, networking allows you to create relationships that will help you succeed. Nurture this support system so that you have people you can rely on, turn to, and work with. These connections often lead to both academic and early career opportunities.
Turn Negatives into Positives
Rarely do plans turn out exactly as we pictured, and your education is no different. You may receive a bad grade, not get into your first-choice school, or struggle in a certain course. Don’t let setbacks throw you off. Instead, see obstacles as opportunities to reevaluate where you are on your educational journey. Do you need to pivot or stay the course? Addressing issues as they arise can help you avoid similar setbacks in the future.
Having a proactive approach to your education takes planning and diligence. Remain focused, continue to learn, connect with others, and never give up.
ON TOPIC
Four years of college pass quickly, so take charge of your destiny. Set yourself up for success by building a network and gaining experience as early as possible. You can do both by taking advantage of internship and research opportunities or by working as a teacher’s assistant. All three scenarios help you explore areas of interest while getting relevant experience and making important connections.
Don’t worry — you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Tap into one of the greatest resources your campus offers: the career center. Career centers help students build professional skills and prepare for their next step, whether that’s in the professional world or graduate school. Visit your career center early and often to get the most from these professional mentors. Working with a career counselor as early as your first year can help you create a plan that fits your interests. A career counselor can help you choose a major and a minor based on your goals and even advise you on when to take certain courses.
Most career centers offer workshops to help students write resumes and cover letters, create LinkedIn profiles, provide job search assistance, and practice interviews. Do your best to attend at least one workshop on each topic — even if you think you don’t need to. Having a professional’s feedback will help you become a stronger candidate. In addition, career service staff can help you build your network by introducing you to alumni, hiring managers, and others working in your field.
