Introduction

As a reader of this book, you likely are a college student. Perhaps you are entering your first semester, beginning to explore college majors and discovering how to be an effective college student. Maybe you are later on in your college experience, solidifying your career pathway and facing more complex and challenging academic assignments.

Regardless of where you are in your college journey,  it involves self-reflection and exploration of our lives and ourselves. This entails building self-awareness, seeking options and alternatives, taking positive risks outside of our comfort zones, and assessing our progress. Often there is a realization that it’s time to make a change, whether small or large.

Making changes can be scary yet exciting, difficult yet rewarding. Since change can be challenging, we need to believe that it will be worth it.

Let’s take how we approach our learning.  Whether prior to or during college, students typically have ways of taking notes, studying for exams, reading assigned texts, writing papers, and managing time. One may even say that these became habits over time, even if not intentional. Consider your own approaches to learning, and ask yourself the following questions:

• Does the way I take notes result in instantly remembering the information and concepts?
• When I take exams, do I feel prepared, ready, and calm?
• When I finish an assigned reading, do I remember and understand the information?
• Do I feel like I am efficient with my time spent on writing papers and completing other assignments?

If the answer is “no” to any of the above questions, you are not alone. However, the answer could be “yes”, even by making a few minor adjustments. This would be an example of change being worth it.

Consider your current or future college major. Many students initially select a major based upon past experience, perceived job security, or the suggestion or expectations of someone else like a parent, partner, or coach.  If you have a major in mind or already declared, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this major based upon what I have learned about my personality preferences, skills, and interests?
• Can I connect this major to my values and life goals?
• Have I gathered up-to-date and reliable information about the future career prospects of this major?
• Do I seek out experiences that will build my skills and professional network associated with this field of study?

If the answer is “no” to any of the above questions, again, you are not alone.  And, again, the answer could be “yes”, even by making a few minor adjustments. Adjustments that would be worthwhile.

As noted above, change can be challenging, even when we really want to make the change happen. Often this is because we need to “undo” some of our habits and beliefs. It does, though, become easier over time, with the “new” transitioning to the new normal.  As you build new skills and approaches to integrate into your life, you will be rewarded with success all the more.

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This book will guide you through expanding upon your current insights, talents, skills, and interests in order to make the most of your efforts in college, and beyond.  By the end, you will be able to:

• Learn, remember, and apply information and concepts more effectively and efficiently.
• Articulate how your values influence your college and career decision making.
• Set meaningful and achievable short and long-term goals.
• Apply your preferences and interests towards a fulfilling career.
• Develop next steps for your learning and career-exploration efforts.

The success you can experience in college and career is in your hands!