A headstart to your career

 



College sets the tone for one's career. Here's how you can make the best use of it.

College life is full of fun and responsibility. A careful balance between both is the key to a good future. The three to six years you spend in college, set the tone for your career, at least for the next ten years! You don’t want them to be tough or unexciting, right!

You may be a topper in your school. But in college the courses are tough and you are among equally bright or even brighter students. So, let’s see how you can make the best use of your college life.

Rule 1: Take your first semester seriously. Especially, if you are in campus, it sets the tone for your stay. Do not get carried away by the new freedom. Don’t get scared of difficult courses and smart peers. Just focus on what you want to achieve by the end of college.

Rule 2: Stay attentive in every class. In college, you will have to fight really hard to stay on top. Staying connected in every class is the easiest way to deal with academic pressure. If you have not understood something, ask the professor or your friends and learn it the same day. Most professors set question papers based on what they teach in the class. So being attentive in every class will help you do well in the examinations.

Rule 3: Master your subjects, not because you will use them but because there is a challenge to be won. Do you know that less than 5 per cent of what you learn in the campus would be useful in real life? Then why do you need to study so much? Well, the first reason is because a few will make use of it at work. The second and most important reason is that this develops in you the ability to conquer fear and compete with yourself. The purpose is to prepare you for unexpected challenges in life and build self-confidence to cope with any kind of situation.

Rule 4: Choose good friends. The secret of winning a long-distance race is running steadily and taking off towards the end. So, make friends with students who are smart and serious about their studies.

Rule 5: Respect passionate teachers. Do not dislike a teacher because he/she sets tough papers. Such teachers push you to limits and bring out the best in you. If not tomorrow, you will definitely appreciate them sometime later in your life. So, show respect to passionate teachers.

Rule 6: Play outdoor games. Games and academics go together very well. When you are physically energetic and active, your mind is ready to receive knowledge. Games accelerate learning.

Rule 7: Build skills, not knowledge. There are five types of skills that are inevitably needed to succeed at the workplace. They are problem-solving skills, influencing skills, team working skills, systemic thinking skills and project management skills. Before you embark on picking up these skills, understand what type of learner you are and your learning style.

Then, learn how to learn from the Internet and from peers. This will help you identify the right place to start your learning. Next, chart a learning path and follow it diligently.

Rule 8: Discover who you are before leaving the college. During college, try your hand at everything. At the same time, identify what you like/ dislike and what you do/don’t do well. Take psychometric tests and discuss your future plans with parents and professors. Allow them to guide you.

Rule 9: Chase excellence. Mediocrity kills your personality. Be the best in at least one area — sports, studies, music, debates or anything.

Rule 10: Prepare for placements one year in advance. Choose a career that suits you. Read about the nature of work and the challenges it poses. Devise a social media strategy to connect with people in the field and to land the job. Avail yourself of summer training opportunities. Work closely with the placement committee of your college.

The author is Chairman, TMI group.
 
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IFL  - Kuwait 2024