College is more than just getting a degree.  College is about discovering yourself, your interests, and your passions.  It’s about preparing yourself for the next chapter in life, whether that’s medical school, graduate school, or industry.  College is the four years you spend growing and developing, personally and professionally, so that you may lead a fulfilling life. 

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I'm currently a senior set to graduate in May 2016, and words cannot express the value of my college experiences.  From grabbing coffee with a professor to serving on the executive board in student organizations, all of these experiences have allowed me to grow and develop.  With graduation quickly approaching, I have been spending more and more time reflecting on the past four years.  There’s a common adage that states experience is the best teacher, yet there are three things I wish I had known as a freshman that would have allowed me to take more advantage of my college experience.  

1) Create relationships with your professors

Throughout college, I’ve always been told to go to office hours.  If you plan on continuing your education, you’ll need references from faculty and that is your chance to get to know them.  But with the hectic schedule of most students, that can be very difficult to prioritize.  This tends to be further complicated if you don’t have actual questions about the material.  That was usually the position I found myself in.  It wasn’t until my junior year that I began taking advantage of office hours.  I realized that although I may not have course-related questions, my professors are an infinite source of knowledge.  I have received academic, professional, and personal advice from several teachers and know that I would not have been as successful without it.  So, take a moment to jot down a few questions (about almost anything!) and get to know your professors.

2) Network with your peers

The key to successful networking is to ask meaningful questions and follow-up with a quick thank you email.  If you’re an introvert like me, just saying the word ‘networking’ makes you nervous.  When I think of networking, I envision a room full of people shaking hands and handing out business cards.  That’s a rather negative perspective to have.  In reality, networking is meant to be a learning experience.  You have the opportunity to gain insight and knowledge about a variety of industries and positions.  Also, sending a quick thank you email after hearing helpful advice or information is an appreciated courtesy.

3) Develop your personal brand

Social media has become intertwined with professionalism.  It’s not unheard of for someone to lose his or her job based on a controversial post.  However, you can use social media to your advantage.  Creating a blog, sharing DIY projects, or starting a podcast are simple (and fun) ways to start developing your personal brand.  A positive online presence shows initiative, creativity, and dedication.  However, this doesn’t mean you need to be attached to your phone or laptop every second.  Developing your personal brand is about consistently exploring your passions, sharing that content, and hopefully receiving feedback and encouragement.

All of these actions can be used at any stage of life.  Your ‘professor’ may become your ‘boss,’ but that need to develop relationships will not change.  Similarly, you will continue networking and developing your personal brand for the rest of your career.  Knowing these three concepts at the beginning of college definitely would have helped, but now that I’m aware of them, I’ll continue to use them as I progress professionally.  Hopefully, you will too!

 

Maya Mason is a senior biomedical engineering student at Vanderbilt University.

 

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