8 Ways To Get The Most Out of College

Now that you’re effectively getting the most out of your classes (because you’re a bad ass who already read my post on that and if you’re not you’re going to read it right now) it’s time to take a step back and examine the experience.

Experiences are what life is all about and if you’re going to be spending four years of your life in college, it ought to be an experience.

1. Discover what you truly value and add more of that into your life.

A lot of people tend to assume the college experience includes getting trashed at parties and skipping class or attending lectures hungover. That’s the college experience of many, but if that’s not your idea of a college experience there’s nothing wrong with that. This is your college experience we’re talking about. For me, the college experience includes living in dorms, attending on-campus events and staying up late with friends.

Whether your college experience of choice is playing beer pong and dancing on tables, attending football games and decorating your dorm or a mix of both, prioritize it. Find your balance and make time for what you want to do, not what you think you ought to do to have the “college experience.”

2. Attend sports games.

Even I, someone who would rather lick a NYC sidewalk than watch football on television, find value in attending your school’s games. Amp up your school spirit and find a feeling of pride and personal investment at the games. Cheering for your school, donning the school colors and shouting from the stands is incredibly fun and keeping the ticket stubs is perfect for any journal or scrapbook.

Find a sport you enjoy watching or support your friends who play. Whether your poison is football or women’s volleyball, attend games and cheer your heart out. My personal favorites are hockey, basketball and lacrosse…even though I don’t entirely grasp what’s going on, you bet you’ll find me in the stands yelling at the players. It’s a fun time, especially if you arbitrarily pick a favorite player and root for him or her the whole game. You certainly get invested!

3. Join clubs and actually participate in them.

When done correctly, clubs can lead to friendships and career opportunities. Don’t join clubs for the sake of joining them, join them for the sake of gaining something.

I wrote all about this in my Guide to Joining Clubs in College if you seek more insight.

4. Partake in college traditions.

Every college has some traditions or rites of passage. At my school, jumping into the river on campus and riding a slip’n’slide down one of our hills is something everyone ought to do before graduation. Even though traditions aren’t everything and you should make new ones, participating in old ones are a fun way to get involved in the college experience. I mean, if the tradition is illegal or dangerous than follow them with caution, obviously.

5. Use your free resources!

I don’t know if you realize this but as college students, we have access to so many freebies. On campus, you can attend the gym for free whereas in the real world you’d have to pay for a gym membership. You can head to the Writing Center/Tutor center on your campus and receive help writing and editing your papers for free. I work there and totally recommended it, even if you have cover letters or job applications that need some help! In fact, your college’s Career Services can help you with your job search and interview skills.

Plus, campuses always have free events whether it be concerts, comedians or slam poets. Attend them for free entertainment! Tickets to events in the real world can be pricey and when your college does it for free (and sometimes even has free food) it’s crazy to not take advantage.

In addition to what you can find on-campus, you also have your student discounts. SincerelyKenz has a great Guide to Student Discounts if you want some specifics!

6. Eat the famous foods in your college’s town.

Almost every college has signature local eateries or dives that almost every student consumes before they leave. Use the idea of wanting to get the most out of college as an excuse to eat plenty of delicious food, okay?

A fun idea to get this done is by making a College Eats Bucketlist to check off with friends. Use the internet and ask seniors and professors the places you must try before you graduate. Try them and use your student discounts if possible. Bonus if you take photos at each stop…memories can and should be made with food!

7. Find your people

Definitely note that finding your people takes time. You might fight your best friend in the end of junior year or maybe you’ll meet your friend group when you’re a freshman. Don’t ever keep your social circle closed off but also don’t feel the need to constantly change your circle of friends. There’s no need to worry that in order to get the most out of college you have to have a huge squad of people. Again, this is your experience. If you have a huge group of friends, awesome. If you have a few ride or die besties, awesome.

Spend your time in college with people you love, not frenemies who are there just for the sake of having a group. Keep your mind open and don’t be afraid to invite your new classmate to lunch, but also continue to strengthen the friendships you value most.

8. Don’t always go home.

It sounds mean and blunt, but home will always be there and college won’t. You should visit home and talk to your parents and friends on the phone or on Skype, but you also need to find a balance. Going home every weekend is a huge faux pas. Being homesick is normal but diving into college is crucial in becoming comfortable and happy in a new place.

College is going to be your home for four or so years. The biggest sign that you were able to get the most out of college is when you find yourself calling it “home” and meaning it. 

How do you get the most out of college?