Tips #7

College is a time to focus on learning the communication skills (reading, writing, and speaking) and knowledge presented in the classroom. However, the college years are also a special time to learn more about life. For the traditional student, who arrives at college at the age of eighteen, the next four-five years are the time for learning how to make sound decisions, how to live independently, how to see things from other perspectives, how to be a leader, how to work with people (even those we dislike), how to appreciate others, how to forgive people's shortcomings, how to see the good in others, how to develop lasting friendships and how to sustain loving relationships.

Most students, when they graduate, look back on who they were when they arrived and see a very different person. The changes that have taken place are often dramatic. Students who have grown the most have taken advantage of the opportunities that occur during the college years: they have wrestled with some of mankind's greatest thoughts, they have considered their values and expressed their views, they have challenged the views of others, they have searched for the understanding that comes from experience, they have tried new things, they have met people from all walks of life, they have taken an honest look at who they are, and they have considered who they wish to become. Going to college is a privilege--few people in the world have such an opportunity for self-reflection and growth.

Some of the things that people begin to more fully understand while in college are:

1) It is easy to criticize. It's much more difficult to create.
2) Being a part of a group means making sacrifices and compromises.
3) We may not be as knowledgeable, smart, or good looking as we once thought.
4) We can accomplish amazing things if we believe in ourselves and are dedicated.
5) People make mistakes, and we have to be able to forgive them.
6) There is good and bad in everyone, and we have to try to see the good and the potential for good in others.
7) We are responsible for our own happiness. Our attitude is most important.
8) There are times in our lives when things will look bleak, but we have to be patient because things will improve.
9) Planning is a key element of implementing any good idea.
10) We must appreciate those people (often our parents) who really care about us.
11) There are times when we have to stand up for what we believe, even when arguing a point makes us unpopular.
12) We should not give up on ourselves or others.
13) Living with others requires daily effort and consideration.
14) Relationships have to be maintained through honest communication or they will suffer.
15) We often do not know what is best for us; sometimes our teachers, friends, counselors, enemies, and parents have insights that we lack.
16) What we get out of something is often proportional to the effort we put into it.
17) We should do nice things for others with no expectations of any reward.
18) Having things like fast cars, nice clothes, music, alcohol, and money are not as important as friendships and doing things that make a difference.
19) Life is short and we won't live forever, so we have to make the most of each day.
20) Our problems and our frustrations are generally trivial when seen from a broader perspective.
21) Listening is a more important skill than is talking.
22) The things that we value will change as we grow.
23) We have to be able to laugh at ourselves.
24) Each person is unique and should be given a chance to make a contribution.
25) The prejudices that we have against others can be overcome if we try to become aware of them and work on them.
26) Complaining is not the same as problem solving.
27) We must learn to enjoy the daily process of living, not just sacrifice and work to achieve desired outcomes.
28) The physical, emotional and intellectual parts of our human nature are interconnected.
29) When we look back on our life, we hope that we have lived a rich life, one filled many more accomplishments than regrets.
30) We have to take risks.

Even though we may really understand ideas like these as a young adult, it is a life-long challenge to try to live up to our ideals.

This school year's last learning tip is a suggestions that you take some time to reflect on what you have learned about life these last two semesters. How have you grown? How can you become a better person? How can you contribute to the happiness of others in the future? What do you have to be thankful for?

Good luck on your final exams.