Getting into a top school used to be all you needed to become successful.
But times have changed.
“Your choices in college matter more than your choices of college,” say Peter D. Feaver, Sue Wasiolek, and Anne Crossman, authors of Getting The Best Out Of College in a Q&A with Freakonomics.
We compiled tips from Feaver, Wasiolek, and Crossman, along with other experts, on how students can get the most out of their college experience.
A 'designer degree' is not as important as most people think.
Too many students focus on the name of their alma mater rather than the choices they do or don’t make while they’re there, say Feaver, Wasiolek and Crossman. While it may seem important to get a brand name degree, it may not be as important as most think.
What's more important is what students choose to do during college. According to the Huffington Post, the extracurricular activities, internships, and jobs you have during and between semesters “are the things that will truly contribute to a depth of self-discovery, transforming college students into adults with not only education, but confidence, job skills and a global perspective.”
Get to know your professors before they get too busy to know you.
Feaver, Wasiolek and Crossman call your professors the “heartbeat” of your undergraduate institution, so you should invest as much time as possible in your relationships with them. Sooner is better than later, as they are more likely to become swamped with grading and assignments halfway through the semester.
Your professor is more than just a teacher. He can serve as a great mentor, can guide you through life at your college, and can introduce you to others who may serve as valuable resources. After graduation, be sure to keep in touch with your college professors, who will likely have many connections to others who can help you launch your career.
Take classes out of the realm of your major.
Branch out and take a class in an obscure topic that interests you. This will make you think differently and potentially inspire you in the future in unexpected ways.
“Taking interesting classes reminded me of Steve Jobs talking about how he went to calligraphy class, which ended up influencing the typography for Apple," Kim says.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider