3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to College
By: Ceejay Xiong
Tags: College, Networking, Life Lessons, University, Beyourself

1. Don’t go to college

Well, at least not right away.

I should’ve taken a gap year so I could grow up.

Why is it normal to go to college right after high school? It feels as if it’s expected to go to a recognizable 4-year institution right after graduation. I think this is a combination of societal and parental pressure. Especially parents thinking a college degree is as valuable as it was when they went.

If I went to college 40 years ago I’m sure I’d have no problem getting a well-paying, white-collar job after graduation. Well let me tell you, I applied to over 80 jobs, had 5 interviews, and only got 1 full time offer.

Yeah, it’s not so easy anymore.

Even though it worked out for me, I know plenty of extraordinary people who are unemployed or underpaid right now. There’s so much competition for jobs that a bachelor’s degree is usually not enough.

Going to college does not guarantee a job.

However, I think a gap year of self-discovery and goal setting would have have done wonders to set me up for success.

I wish I took a trip, started a business, or even did something creative like content creation. I would have learned so much more about myself if I had a year to be innovative and free.

The point is, I was definitely too immature when I was 18 to go to college. I needed time to grow up and ask myself if college was really going to help me accomplish my goals.

2. Create a diverse network of valuable students

Connections are everything.

Nothing can replicate the environment that college gave me. I was surrounded by so many talented students that were in the exact same situation as me. They were everywhere, clubs, class, dorms, and parties.

At first, it took some work to find students that I could really connect with. But once I made a few close friends, it became a snowball effect and I could really build my circle.

I didn’t realize it back then, but I was surrounding myself with future leaders. I was attracted to genuine people who thought in creative ways and solved hard problems.

I’m fortunate to have a few friends I can talk to about investing, technology, politics, energy, and my favorite, cryptocurrency. I would drive myself crazy if I didn’t know anyone I could talk to about this stuff. It’s great for my mental health to project my thoughts on important topics and get new perspectives on the world we live in.

However, as much as I put myself out there, the amount of people I met still wasn’t enough. I wish I knew a tax specialist, website designer, and someone who could actually give me a run for my money in FIFA.

My individual social network is the most valuable asset I created in college. But don’t forget to be a good friend yourself.

3. Discover your passions and prioritize them

4 years may seem like a while, but it really flies by. Before I knew it, I was working an 8–5 job and colleagues are depending on me to finish my work on time.

I don’t have as much time to try new things, and my best friends are scattered throughout the United States.

Say yes to everything.

This is how I found my passions and became a more well-rounded person.

I made sure to make time for people and to do things that make them happy. Not only did I learn a lot about my friends, but I ended up having a lot of fun too. Most of these new experiences led me to a new hobby or an interesting conversation.

And sometimes, I had to make sacrifices to do the things I enjoy. Sure, studying an extra 5 hours might have raised my exam score from a B+ to an A-, but did it really matter in the end? No.

Now, I’m not saying I slacked off and just barely scraped by, but there comes a point where more studying is just a waste of time. Time that could be better spent doing something exciting or productive.

Finding a job on campus taught me lessons about time management and customer service that no class could. Talking to classmates reassured me that I wasn’t actually behind, we were all just living day to day. And the number of strangers I met at random parties who eventually became my best friends is staggering.

I learned more about myself by trying new things than a textbook ever taught me.