The following post is from Jayle E. who interned with Reynolds.

6 Pieces of College Advice I Wish I Would Have Listened To

Before setting off on my journey to college, my parents and I had a sit-down chat. They gave me some advice to live by while I was away from the nest. I wish I would’ve paid a little closer attention to it. Enjoy your time at college, but also remember a few of these tips while you’re away:

1. Don’t Just go to class; go to class and get something out of it.

Showing up for class is only half the battle. Many times my body was in class, but my mind was elsewhere. I would sit in the back of class and talk with friends or be on my phone. If I could go back, I would be in a front row seat without the distractions.

Getting to know your professors and the content you are studying will benefit you in the end. Build a rapport with professors by being attentive. This will make you more comfortable visiting them during office hours to get their assistance. Also, your grades don’t lie. Being alert only helps your grade and your understanding of the content.

2. Don’t Skip Class

By showing up to class, many times you learn things from professors you can’t learn from a textbook. Often, professors explain what the textbook is saying in a way that relates to everyday life. You are at college for an education; go and get the most out of it.

3. STUDY. STUDY. STUDY.

I cannot stress this enough – study. Take the time to effectively study for upcoming midterms and finals. Even quizzes and tests need time to be prepared for. Everyone has a different way of learning. Find the best study routine that helps you retain information and stick to it. From going over the material out loud in your dorm to sitting with a study group in the library, find the way you can study that benefits you the most.

4. Find internships or jobs for the summer.

Summer school is an easy way to graduate, but how will you be able to find a job without experience? Take a break from school and look for internships or jobs that are useful for building your resume. Try different things and figure out what you enjoy. This gives you the opportunity to really define your career path.

You can also make some money to put in savings or to help now with paying college expenses.

5. Go out.

Go to sporting events, go to dinner, go dancing – go out! Meet different people and enjoy life with them, and support your college! This is your opportunity to network and build your group of friends.

6. Call your family.

This may be the most important piece of advice I wish I had followed during my time in college. When you leave your family, they lose a little piece of themselves. They will miss you. Call your parents, your siblings, your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, whoever, on a regular basis. Share what you have learned during your time at school.

College is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; make sure you get the most out of it!