How to make the most of college
College is one of the most formative periods in your life. At the start, it can feel overwhelming and hard to navigate (it certainly did for me). But over the semesters, I’ve learned it’s similar to a game. Let’s take chess for an analogy. There are strategies, rules, players, and objectives that can guide you to success.
Each move (or decision) you make impacts your future positions. There are countless strategies to win. And the choices you make — like which piece to move or risk to take — steer your journey.
Yet, unlike chess, college comes with two twists.
First, the board changes with each turn — presenting new challenges, unexpected events, & opportunities to grow. The best players adapt, rethink their strategies, and continue with a more authentic purpose.
Second, it’s not about outplaying everyone else. It’s about understanding the landscape, playing to your strengths, and gunning for your own personal high score.
Walking around campus, I’ve found pros who seem like they’ve got it all figured out and newcomers still finding their way. I’ve been both. So, let’s dive into the real purpose of college and unpack the playbook of its best players.
The Goal
What’s the point?
Before you play any game, you need to know why you’re even playing it. Although you should define this for yourself, I believe there are 3 reasons to go to college:
- Make lifelong friendships, relationships, & memories.
- Build a high-powered engine for learning quickly & deeply.
- Figure out what you like (stuff that fills up your cup), what you’re good at (and doubling down on those things), & who you are (emotionally, professionally, spiritually, etc).
I won’t have any of these things fully figured out when I graduate. But, they are good north stars that guide my approach to the game of college.
Best Strategies
Things I would do if I started over again.
- CHOOSE YOUR TRIBE WISELY. They say you’re the average of the 5–10 people you hang with. I think there’s a lot of truth to it. Surround yourself with folks who share your dreams and understand the life you’re aiming for. If you can’t find them, don’t hesitate to gather them yourself. On that note…
- BE THE SUPER CONNECTOR. College is like a bustling marketplace of personalities and dreams. Take the time to really talk to people, learn their stories, and see if your wavelengths match. And once you’ve connected a bunch of amazing individuals, why not bring them all together? A weekend barbeque, Tuesday night potluck, or just an impromptu pre-game — these are the moments and memories you’ll cherish.
- BUILD STUFF. Dive into a side project or side hustle that gets you going. It could be crafting, coding, or anything you fancy. Ideally, it forces you to learn about an interesting industry & develop a valuable skillset. The side project can be basic. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you work at it consistently. It will lead to insights, experiences, & leverage that will help your future self.
a) Insights: Discovering what genuinely sparks joy and excitement in you is a journey in itself. It’s more than just finding a hobby; it’s about aligning your passions with purposeful action. For instance, perhaps you’ve always had a gift for connecting with people. This knack could translate into organizing a transformative club event, bringing like-minded individuals together and forging lasting memories (like me!). On the other hand, if you’re someone who’s always been intrigued by technology, why not channel that fascination into creating a web app? This isn’t just about exploring a field or an interest; it’s about innovation and actualization. These endeavors not only make college life richer but also lay the foundation for skills and experiences that can shape your future in unexpected and fulfilling ways. Eventually, you’ll be so good they can’t ignore you (click this). That’s how you get your dream job.
b) Experiences: The experiences you gain from these projects aren’t just resume fillers. They’re life lessons, personal growth markers, and chances for you to make great friends. You’ll learn to move fast and get shit done!
c) Leverage: Little by little, these ventures add up. The work you put in opens doors. Doors that you can’t picture at the start. I’ve been to conferences, met inspiring folks at all-expense paid retreats, & found dream jobs all thanks to the little seeds I planted. Learn more about leverage with this link.
- TALK TO PEOPLE OLDER THAN YOU. People a few steps ahead of you are your cheat sheet to avoiding pitfalls and grabbing shortcuts. Talk to upperclassmen to figure out your university’s hidden gems, clubs / frats, classes, & general structure. Talk to professionals to figure out jobs and lifestyles you would like to work towards. Intelligence is learning from your own mistakes. Wisdom is learning form others’ mistakes.
- FLASH THAT STUDENT CARD. People like helping ambitious students. Shoot a cold email, get advice, or join a project. But remember, a closed mouth never gets fed.
- KEEP THE WONDER ALIVE. After your freshman year, comfort might creep in. You hangout with the same friends, go to the same places, & learn about the same stuff. You don’t even realize what you’re missing out on! By not exploring new places & new people, you are betting that your freshman self made all the right decisions. Pretty dumb bet if you ask me. If you are at UIUC, explore new places with Galleon or strike up a convo with someone new. It only takes 5 seconds of confidence.
- STUDY ABROAD. I’ve never met someone who regretted studying abroad. But, I have met a lot of people who regretted not studying abroad. Imagine having access to a library with thousands of books, and only rereading the same one over and over again. Absolute madness. And yet, we do this every day. Trust me, a few months in Peru won’t dent your career, but never taking time to explore will starve your soul. Travel isn’t a luxury reserved for the young, but a certain type of travel is only available while you are young. The cheap, adventurous, adrenaline rush travel that you experience when you are hopping from country to country by bus and train, where strangers become friends in a matter of hours, where luxury is frowned upon because it detracts from the travel experience? The opportunity for that experience isn’t around for long. (thank Jack Raines for this insight & click on that link for further convincing)
- CONTEXUALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CLASS.
- Far too many students think that what they study determines their career. Or that simply getting good grades will lead to success. The person you become & your future success is a result of the actions you do every day. It is NOT a result of your major. Putting effort into studying will play some role in your success. But, you need to calibrate how much the optimal level of effort for you. Identify your goals and plan the steps to achieve them. If those goals demand a high GPA or specialized knowledge from your major, prioritize academics. Otherwise, focus more on other impactful actions that align with your desired future. Always steer towards the most efficient route to your goals, whether it involves classwork or not.
Optimal Traits
Traits that are rewarded in the game of college (and life). FYI, you can develop all of these.
- CHARISMA & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. Picture this — you’re diving into the college scene, with its bustling classes, lively bars, and cozy apartments. Having charisma and emotional intelligence is like having a map and compass. They guide you, ensuring you reap the rewards of every encounter — from memorable laughs to chance meetings with lifelong pals. For charisma, start with How To Win Friends & Influence People & Charisma on Command. For emotional intelligence, start with Brené Brown & Adam Grant.
- AUTHENTICITY. Being your authentic self all the time is the ultimate form of personal freedom. Be your authentic self in-person to find people you genuinely want to be around. And, post your authentic thoughts / projects on social media to send signals to aligned people & opportunities all of the world. Being known well is better than being well known. To become more authentic, read this blog post.
- OPENNESS TO CHANGE. Let’s face it, college is a maze, and sometimes, we take the wrong turns. You’ll join an org you don’t like. You’ll hangout with people you don’t really want to spend time with. Maybe you’ll even pursue a major that isn’t totally aligned with your future professional goals. There’s an endless list of decisions you’ll look back on & wish you did differently. Sadly, you can’t go back in time. But, you can change your current life circumstances to pivot into a better life. An open mind accelerates that pivot. Start changing things up by writing down what you want out of college & comparing it to what you are doing right now.
- ORIGINAL THINKING. College can sometimes feel like a conveyor belt, with everyone heading in one direction. But, making big life decisions (ex: major, friends, job, location) because of external pressure is dangerous. If you genuinely want to do that career path or join that org, do it! Just make sure you are doing it because it feels right for you, not because it’s trendy. And who says you can’t make a detour. What’s stopping you from being a scuba instructor in Bali for a semester?? Live a life filled with tales that’ll make 80-year-old you nod in approval. And start carving your own path with this blog post.
Life gets a lot easier when you realize what game you’re playing, why you’re playing it, & how you can play it best. If you’re a student, college is one of life’s most important games. Hopefully, this essay makes you a better player.
For more info on me & what I’m working on, check out my personal website.
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Enjoy the ride,
Luke
My Other Posts
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- The Jam Session Manifesto (solving society’s tribalism & loneliness)
- How To Talk To Anyone
- How To Change Your Reality
- Why You Shouldn’t Follow Your Passion
- Save 15 Days A Year With One Small Trick
- How To Give The Best Gift Ever
- You Can Have It All…Here’s How
Blockchain
