#65 - 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me to Do In College
Aug 27, 2024
This episode is 5 things I wish I knew or wish someone told me to do while in college. If you're in college now, consider taking these things seriously. I think you'll look back and be thankful you did.
The College Advice You Actually Need
Two years out of college, I can finally look back with enough perspective to share what really matters. Not the typical "join clubs and network" advice you hear everywhere, but the real strategies that will make your college experience both more successful and more meaningful.
Whether you're a freshman just starting out or a senior preparing to graduate, these five pieces of advice apply to every year of your college journey.
1. Follow Your Interests, Not Just Career Logic
The biggest mistake I almost made: I entered college with tunnel vision, planning to major in marketing because I wanted a career in marketing. Simple, logical, but potentially limiting.
Then I took a psychology class.
That first psychology course was challenging - one of those "weed out" classes designed to separate serious students from casual ones. But something clicked. The material fascinated me in a way that pure marketing courses didn't.
Here's what happened next: Instead of sticking to my original plan, I followed my curiosity. I ended up majoring in psychology and minoring in both marketing and entrepreneurship.
This combination might seem random, but it created a powerful foundation: understanding how people think (psychology) + knowing how to reach them (marketing) + learning how to build something (entrepreneurship).
The Key Insight
If you don't know exactly what career you want, don't force yourself into a narrow academic track just because it seems "practical."
The exception: Obviously, if you want to be an accountant, doctor, or engineer, you need specific required courses. But for many of us exploring our options, passion often leads to better outcomes than pure career logic.
Why this matters: Your genuine excitement for a subject will shine through much more than dutiful completion of "practical" courses. The professors I connected with most were in the fields that genuinely interested me, and that enthusiasm opened doors I never expected.
Actionable tip: Take at least one class per semester in something that genuinely interests you, even if it doesn't fit your major. You might discover a passion that reshapes your entire academic path.
2. Build Real Relationships with Professors
This isn't about brown-nosing for better grades - it's about accessing one of college's most underrated opportunities: connecting with experts who could become mentors.
How to Do This Right
Look for professors who:
Challenge your thinking
Bring unique perspectives to class
Make you think differently about topics
Have expertise you'd like to learn more about
Then take action:
Ask thoughtful questions after class
Send emails about connections you've made to their material
Seek their opinions on topics you're genuinely curious about
Be authentic - professors can spot fake interest immediately
The Real Benefits
Beyond potential job references, these relationships can provide:
Mentorship and career guidance
Different perspectives on your field of study
Networking opportunities you wouldn't otherwise have
Intellectual conversations that enhance your education
Success metric: Try to develop at least one meaningful professor relationship during your college career. At minimum, introduce yourself to professors in your first few weeks and express genuine interest in their courses.
3. Work Hard, But Find Your Balance
My freshman year reality check: I spent most of first semester partying and putting academics on the back burner. The result? It affected my GPA for my entire college career.
But here's the thing - I'm not telling you to become a hermit and avoid all social activities. College is about both academic and social growth.
The Economics 001 Story
Let me share a humbling example. I took Economics 001 - a huge class required for my entrepreneurship minor. Despite attending every 8:55 AM class and studying extensively, this subject just didn't click for me. I knew from early exams that the best I could hope for was a C.
Meanwhile, my friend Kenny would roll up in pajama pants, attend maybe half the lectures, and effortlessly earn A's.
The lesson: Comparing your effort to others' results will only frustrate you. Some subjects will come naturally to others but require massive effort from you - and that's okay.
Finding Your Academic Balance
Be strategic about your effort:
Recognize which classes require more work for you personally
Don't compare your study methods to friends' approaches
Make conscious choices about when to prioritize academics vs. social life
Remember that you're learning to make your own decisions and mistakes
Bottom line: C's get degrees, and sometimes that's perfectly fine. Focus on getting your work done and feeling good about your academic progress rather than comparing yourself to others.
4. Stay Connected to Your Family
College creates an intoxicating bubble where your social life feels like the center of the universe. Everything outside campus can seem irrelevant and distant.
Don't fall into this trap.
The Weekly Check-In Rule
Make it a priority to call someone in your family at least once a week:
Tell them about your classes and the people you've met
Share what's exciting you academically
Keep them updated on your life beyond just "everything's fine"
Why this matters: The people who supported you getting to college still care about your daily life. When you go weeks without contact, that "hey stranger" greeting when you finally call should be a wake-up call.
Extend This to High School Friends
Maintaining friendships from home requires intentional effort. Send texts, make phone calls (better than texting for really staying connected), and resist the urge to completely immerse yourself in your college world.
For guys especially: We're typically worse at maintaining long-distance friendships, but this skill becomes increasingly important as you get older.
5. Take Time to Actually Experience Your College Years
The perspective problem: When you're in college, you're completely absorbed in daily life - classes, social events, relationships, stress. It's hard to step back and appreciate what you're experiencing.
But here's what I know now, two years later: you'll look back and realize just how good you had it.
The Gratitude Practice
Once in a while - maybe once a month - deliberately take a step back and:
Notice what's around you
Reflect on how things are going
Check in with yourself about what you like and what you'd change
Appreciate the people in your life
Be grateful for this unique time period
Course-Correct When Needed
Use these reflection moments to:
If something doesn't feel right: Figure out how to make changes
If something does feel right: Identify how to keep it going
Assess your growth: Who are you becoming? Do you like that person?
Don't take this time for granted. I know that's easier said than done when you're stressed about exams or dealing with social drama, but college represents a unique life stage you'll never get back.
The Bigger Picture: Why These Tips Matter
These five pieces of advice work together to create a more intentional college experience:
Following your interests leads to genuine engagement and better connections
Building professor relationships creates mentorship opportunities and references
Working strategically helps you succeed without burning out from comparison
Maintaining family connections keeps you grounded and supported
Taking time to reflect helps you make the most of this unique life stage
What This Means for Your Future
The habits you build in college - intellectual curiosity, relationship building, strategic effort, maintaining connections, and regular reflection - will serve you long after graduation.
For your career: Employers can tell the difference between someone who just completed requirements and someone who genuinely engaged with their education.
For your relationships: Learning to maintain connections across distance and time becomes crucial as you enter the working world.
For your personal growth: Developing self-awareness and the ability to course-correct will help you navigate the uncertainty of your twenties and beyond.
The Academic vs. Social Balance
Notice that most of this advice focuses on the educational side of college rather than social life? That's intentional. While social experiences are crucial, the academic and professional development opportunities in college are unique and often underutilized.
You'll have opportunities to party and socialize throughout your life, but you'll never again have such easy access to:
World-class professors and researchers
Diverse academic resources
Structured learning environments
Time to explore interests without immediate career pressure
Taking Action
This week, try:
Identify one class or professor that genuinely interests you and ask a thoughtful question
Schedule a regular call time with family
Reflect on what's working well in your college experience and what you'd like to change
Consider taking an elective in something you're curious about
Focus on your own academic progress rather than comparing to others
Remember: You're Learning to Make Decisions
College is your first real chance to make your own choices and learn from your own mistakes. Some decisions will work out great, others won't - and that's exactly how you develop judgment and self-awareness.
The goal isn't perfection. It's learning to make intentional choices about how you spend your time, energy, and attention during this unique life stage.
Whether you're struggling with challenging courses like my economics experience or discovering new passions that reshape your academic path, remember that you're building the foundation for everything that comes next.
Make it count.
Want more real talk about navigating college and your twenties? Listen to new episodes of Guyset every Tuesday on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for the weekly newsletter at guyset.com for additional tips and insights. Have questions or topics you want discussed? Email josh@guyset.com or connect with us @theguyset on social media.
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