College Life - How to Enjoy

College life is the most fun-filled days in most people's life. And that is the most important phase of life in terms of various things:

1. YOUR CAREER

Attending college is not sufficient for your career. Academics is important and carries heavy weightage, but that is not enough. When you joined college, you had in mind which career to choose and what you wish to accomplish in your life - or probably, you are forming an idea of it now. Joining a few courses parallel with the study would not only keep you busy, but also interested in the course you are studying at college. The corporate world is too fast and looking for people with multifarious skillsets - not just your academics. And academics in many places is just a qualifying element - cannot help you reach the top unless and until you are the number one in academics (unfortunately, though many aim at it, only a few are going to get to it). So, becoming multi-skilled and developing in other areas will help you become more competent when you step out of college.

2. YOUR FRIENDS

Your friendships are most active, warm and deep only at this phase. The people whom you meet could have a lasting impact on you in many ways. However, to limit the number of friends and the time you spend with the crowd around will help you mould your own self instead of allowing you to be moulded by your friends and circumstances. Hence, choose the right friends who value life and have better values in their life. Being selective in friendship will help you not stumbling into the 'wrong' people whom you would regret having met later in life. You can be friendly with everyone, but do not get too close to anyone to get hurt. Many people make the mistake of searching for their life partner in the college. This could be devastating. Remind yourself of the purpose why you are in college - not to make a mess of your life, but to prepare yourself for a better career. So study well. Join friends who will help you focus on study. Limit your commitment with everyone to the limits of friendship and as far as possible avoid getting closer to friends of the opposite gender - maintain distance and limits.

3. YOUR CHARACTER

Youth is lots of fun. But you need to use that fun way of learning to mould your character. Most of your character is developed in college. You get strong-willed, analytical, gentle and lovable only when you develop your character. That's the difference you see between an unlearned or 'illiterate' man whom you may get to meet everywhere, and those learned ones whom you get to meet only in the best environments you wish to be in.

Develop Your Physique

Exercise everyday. That will help you keep your body fit and mind alert, helping you to stay focussed not only in studies at college, but even when you are grown up and many people find it difficult to focus on what they do, you would be able to keep going. This is the phase when you can do something about making your body fit, the last stages of your physical growth. Do not lose your energy through unwanted habits (smoking, sex, drugs, television and diversions, etc.) which could seem to be fun at college, but affect you in the long run. Determine to preserve your energy for a better and healthy tomorrow. You will automatically see yourself focussed and doing better in all things.

Develop Your Psyche

College life is when you will be able to develop your mind power. This is the phase you would be able to understand the answers to all those questions that you would have asked as a little child. Think about the universe, about the vast world, about time and timelessness, about so many things you see around and are not able to understand -- and the relevance of your college course to it. You will know that you can better apply what you study when you get the opportunity later. Knowledge is power, and your knowledge needs to be developed. Above all, seek God (Ecclesiastes 12, the Bible). Ask questions about God and search for the truth. Only those who seek will find. It's better to find God by seeking Him than allowing Him to seek you when you are lost.

Seek Higher Things

And the Bible says, "Finally, brethren,

whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and

if there is anything praiseworthy -

meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

When you are out of college, remember that there is a challenging world that may want you more, or not want you at all - you may have the whole world open for you or you may see every door shut on your face. Today is the day of preparation; get serious, my friend!

"Those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

YOU ARE BORN TO FLY!

God bless!