College life is believed to be one of the best times of one’s life. For the majority of the students, it is that part of the time when they first got freedom from home, to live far away all alone.

Until now, they have been living with their parents or with some guardians. They didn’t have that much freedom such as: roaming the streets at 1 AM, going to movies every weekend, going on a solo trip or with a group of friends or going out partying with friends etc. Now, along with the freedom, there also comes a lot of responsibilities as a student enters into his/her college such as: managing your expenses from a fixed amount of money you get from home, managing your academics, looking for the perfect career for them and working on it etc. The majority of the students just heed the fun part and completely neglect and forget about the responsibility part. One has to maintain a balance between both. Many students just come to college and spend the majority of their time exploring books, and completing notes and assignments and when they are near their 30s, they regret thinking of the time and the fun they missed while they were in their 20s while some enjoy it in such a level that in their 30s they are left with no option other than to regret about how they spent their time during college. A student must do and perform a particular set of things while they are in their college. Here, is a list of 8 things that college-going students must do while they are in college:

1.Working on Weaknesses

At college, you are academically not so much burdened as you were back then in school times. So, it is the best time to unleash your talent and work on your weaknesses. Look into yourself, and try and spot your weaknesses and strengths. Start working on your weaknesses now. If you have stage fear, just participate in as many events in college to overcome that fear. If you have that fear about making new friends or talking to new people, just go out and interact with new people.

2. Try New Things

It is the best time to give try to new things, which you always dreamt of when you were a young kid. Learn a new sport, a musical instrument, or start writing a blog (as I’m doing Android). This is the best time to leave your comfort zone and try out new things in your life. If you were always afraid of wearing that designer jacket, give it a try. Ever dreamt about trying that new trendy hairstyle, just gives it a try. Also, don’t be afraid to experience new things while you are in college. Try and experience as many things as possible in college.

3. Travel New Places

In college, you will get a lot of free time. Make the perfect use of it by travelling and going out and exploring new places. Go with your friends by forming a group, or with a travel group you had, or with some friends you planned to go on a trip back then when you were in your 7th class, or solo. When you visit new places, you are exposed to a diverse and completely new culture. When you get to know about them, you start to think out of the box. You experience a completely new set of people and weather situations which you were unaware of until then. You try new food, develop new tastes, get to know about new clothing sense, dance forms, sports, tradition, ideology etc. Thus, it is a must to travel to at least 4-5 new places when you are in college.

4. Build network

Try to develop a network with good professors, seniors, and batchmates in your college. While you are in college, you meet a diverse set of people with different goals and ambitions and thinking patterns. Find your breed that aligns perfectly with your career goals and interests. Avoid forming relations with people having bad habits. Your company affects you a lot. It is being said that a person is an average of five people that they spend most of the time with. Thus, it is very necessary to form relationships with good people.

5. Meet new people

Join existing councils and take part in events that are being organized in your college. They are the best place to know new people. Just don’t be that shy student of the class or college and try to develop great communication skills within the college itself. Initiate conversation from your end and start building connections with people. Use social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn etc wisely to meet new people. They are the best platform to meet new people with similar interests. Connect with your alumni over LinkedIn and maintain contact with them.

6. Start Investing and Saving Money

Start saving some money. Invest in crypto, in FDs, buy stocks or in gold, whatever you like or believe to be which will multiply your money. Financial education is the most ignored thing in India. Many people don’t even have the idea about all such things even till their late 30s. The earlier you start the more return you are likely to get till you turn 40. You can collect such a big chunk of the amount by your 40s, that you can retire and just enjoy your life after then. Thus, start investing some money. Just don't spend all the money you get from your home while enjoying yourself.

7. Start building your brand

Start something new such as an Instagram page, a YouTube channel, a blogging page, a website or just build an android app. These things help you build a great profile as well as add value to your resume. Recruiters nowadays just don’t look out for technical skills but also on what you know about apart from your academics. What all things you are proficient in apart from your academics also matters a lot. No company wants to hire dumb employees who are just into technical stuff. They expect all- rounders nowadays.

8. Pay attention to your health

Now, this is the most important thing to heed attention to while someone is in college. Many days you will just spend nights without sleeping, but make sure to cover that as the effect of such habits won't be visible now, but when you will reach your 30s you will experience the effects of activities you did when you were in your 20s. Don’t involve in unhealthy habits of taking alcohol or tobacco. Try and invest in good and healthy food.

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