5 College Experiences You Can't Afford to Miss
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Plenty of high school students spend time imagining what it’s like to be in college. While your number one priority in college should be earning your degree, there’s a lot more to the “college experience.” Once in college, you’ll find countless opportunities to get involved, learn new things, and grow as an individual — outside of your classes. From joining volunteer organizations to working on a research project, there’s plenty of college experiences you don’t want to miss out on.
Choosing to join a student organization, do an internship, or study abroad in college can also have lasting benefits. These college experiences enhance your resume while contributing to your personal and professional growth. By the end of your college experience, you'll not only have gained valuable skills but also created unforgettable memories.
Maximize Your College Years
College can be a hectic time, and you may feel overwhelmed when planning how you will maximize your college years. On top of a full courseload, there’s your social life, extracurriculars, hobbies, work, and more to consider.
When it comes to making the most of your college experiences, time management is crucial.
It’s easy to overcommit, so it’s important to prioritize which activities deserve your time. Being realistic about what matters most will help you balance academics, social activities, and extracurriculars. Using a planner or digital calendar can also help you stay on top of deadlines, responsibilities, and events—especially during busy times like midterms and finals.
Thankfully, expert college advising services like College Advisor provide support and resources for students applying to college. Many colleges also provide resources to help you take advantage of all kinds of college experiences. Career centers can help you explore internship opportunities; undergraduate research programs can help you find grants and fellowships; study abroad offices can help you plan a semester abroad—and the list goes on!
Here’s another tip on maximizing your time: don’t forget about your summers. Your summer away from school is the perfect time to work with a volunteer organization, pursue a passion project, or even study abroad. You could also look for a paid internship or summer job related to your field of interest to save up money before heading back to school.
5 Key Experiences Worth Pursuing
In general, the best kinds of college experiences are the ones that challenge you and help you grow. Here are five can’t-miss college experiences to take advantage of during your time in school:
- Study Abroad: Taking classes abroad during college is so much more than just traveling. By choosing to study abroad in college, you’ll become more globally aware and build important skills to further your career. In particular, learning a new language can help you connect with people of different cultures and backgrounds—and it looks great on your college resume. Some students choose to study abroad during their Freshman year to prioritize their international education right off the bat. It also helps those with majors that might make it tricky to study abroad further along in college — like pre-med students or student athletes.
- Research Fellowships: If you’re interested in research, a fellowship is one of the best opportunities you can find. Typically, fellowships are short-term, funded opportunities in which students can get involved in a research project, or an independent project of their own. Students will develop critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills and might even get the opportunity to get their work published. In a fellowship, you’ll likely work with a mentor. This might be a professor or professional in the field. Having a mentor and meeting people in your interest area is a great opportunity to build your network while learning.
- Professional Internships: One of the best kinds of college experiences to prepare you for your future career are internships. Working hands-on in a real-world setting will help you learn industry-specific skills while building your professional network. More importantly, having internships on your college resume shows future employers that you have the experience necessary to handle a professional role. Given how valuable they are, many schools have resources to help students find internship opportunities in whatever field they’re interested in.
- Leadership Roles On Campus: Student clubs offer a chance to further explore your interests in a collaborative environment. Working your way into a leadership role within student government, clubs, or academic organizations can help you become a better communicator and decision-maker. Many students make life-long friends and connections in their extracurricular activities—more so than they do in their classes or study groups.
- Involvement with Volunteer Organizations: Volunteer organizations, whether they be on-campus groups, local nonprofits, or global service programs, offer amazing opportunities for mentorship and leadership. You can learn from others and develop skills such as teamwork, project-management, and problem solving, all while giving back to your community.
Finding a college that offers you the resources and opportunities to explore these different types of college experiences is extremely important to your future. Asking yourself what activities or experiences you want to prioritize can help you narrow down your college list and decide on next steps after high school. Knowledgeable college counselors, such as those at College Advisor, can help you find colleges that align with your academic and personal goals, ensuring you have access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.
Where to Find More Exciting College Opportunities?
There are plenty of ways to learn about exciting college experiences. At the beginning of your freshman year, they’ll likely be some kind of student org fair, where you can learn about different organizations and groups on campus. Be sure to check your career center for internship listings and on-campus job fairs, as well as advice on building your college resume.
You can also find great websites online that have countless listings to explore, from summer programs to opportunities with volunteer organizations all over the country. If you’re looking for a more global experience, organizations like CIEE can help you find study abroad and internship opportunities in countries all over the world.
Finding Experiences That Shape Your Future
While college is often fun and exciting, there are many college experiences that can directly impact your future. Taking advantage of internship opportunities, research grants, and student activities related to your intended field often serve as key stepping stones in your personal and professional development.
Think about your future career and the kinds of experiences you can pursue that align with those goals. For instance, students interested in a career in STEM, specifically software engineering, might consider joining an on-campus coding group and entering a hackathon or coding competition. Students interested in a career in international business might study abroad to improve their language skills, then take a summer internship in another country.
Whether or not you have a clear goal for your future career, you can certainly lean on advisors and mentors to help you explore your options. Discuss your interests with your academic advisor, set up a meeting with a career counselor, or talk to your favorite professor about the kind of work they’re doing. There are plenty of opportunities geared specifically towards college students—everything from scholarships to internships and more. Connecting with a college advisor can help you plan ahead and make a gameplan for taking advantage of them before you graduate.
Take Your Learning Beyond the Classroom
You’ll certainly learn a lot in your academic courses, but there’s plenty to explore outside of the classroom. Engaging with hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships and research projects, is a great way to put your education to the test. You might also get involved with campus events, such as conferences, workshops, or guest lectures. These types of college experiences can expose you to new ideas, industry trends, and could even inspire a new career path.
However, one of the best ways to take your learning beyond the classroom is to take your classroom abroad! You’ll take courses directly related to your major while also being exposed to different cultures and students from all over the world. Skills such as cultural awareness, adaptability, and language proficiency if you choose to study another language are also extremely valuable in the workplace, which is why students who choose to study abroad in college often have an easier time securing a job after graduating.
Focus on Critical Opportunities for Success
Remember, college is a time to explore different interests—but it’s also important to stay focused. For example, if you want to get into a leadership position in a student group or work in a particular professor’s lab before you graduate, you’ll want to start early. Don’t be afraid to be proactive as a freshman; there’s no better time to explore what’s happening on-campus and start planning for your future.
No matter how your college experiences unfold, be sure to stay connected to your own sense of personal growth. Think about how you can stand by your values, dive deeper into your interests, and build a diverse skill set. Look for experiences that will build both your hard skills, such as technical skills related to your major, and soft skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and communication.
College Opportunities: Final Thoughts
Whether you’re already planning to study abroad in college or are dreaming about landing your first internship, there’s a ton to look forward to as you work towards your degree. The best schools provide more than just a great education—they provide the resources and opportunities you need to reach your goals. As the admissions experts at College Advisor can attest to, finding the right fit is a crucial step towards making the most of your college years, which is why they do everything they can to help their students get into their dream schools.
College is undoubtedly a time of personal growth, where you’ll gain knowledge, discover new interests, meet diverse people, and develop important life skills. When you look back on your college resume, you’ll find your experiences outside of the classroom were just as important as the courses you took. So take a chance and seek out new experiences, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. You never know what amazing opportunity might set you in a new direction.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to “do” college. What matters most is getting involved and embracing the opportunities that come your way. By doing so, you'll gain valuable experiences and start building your path towards a bright future.
About College Advisor
Each year, College Advisor provides expert, personalized guidance to countless students working toward their college dreams. College Advisor’s team of over 300 former Admissions Officers and experienced Advisors supports students through every step of the process—from selecting the right schools to crafting standout applications and writing compelling essays.
By matching each student with the right advisors based on their unique background and goals, College Advisor delivers tailored support that boosts students’ chances of success. Through its easy-to-use platform, College Advisor streamlines the application process, allowing students to manage deadlines, upload essays, and stay organized all in one place. Students also gain access to expert-led webinars, workshops, and exclusive resources designed to give them a competitive edge in the admissions process.