5 years ago, I graduated with my bachelor's degree.

I took the opportunity to go to college with the support of my family, becoming the first generation in my family to graduate from a university.

I've learned much from my studies and from my pursuit in finding out more of who I was. Even now I'm still learning from my university years with the benefit of hindsight, such as past regrets, immature choices, and missed opportunities.

That is why I would like to help those entering a new stage in life. For this entry, I'd like to share 4 pieces of advice to anyone who's graduating or is already in university.

I. Be Involved With Discussions

As a man of few words, I spoke only when asked or if it was necessary. If I could change one thing, it would be this trait.

Although this trait helped me through high school, it handicapped my potential for long-term success in university.

Professors make it clear to be involved in lectures by giving answers, providing discussion points, or asking more in-depth questions. I now realize by doing this they would provide additional resources and share personal experiences to make the teachings more applicable.

Being vocal during and after lectures helps you to build a strong relationship with your professors and to set the foundation for your career path (i.e. mentorships, passive skills, and networking).

On a related note, be involved with discussions with your classmates. You are all there to learn the same thing, regardless of the reason behind it. This will help you greatly by building on your communication & social skills.

II. Be Involved In The Community

University is the perfect place to start learning what it means to be in a community.

Secondary schools are excellent places for relationships to form because of consistent schedules and familiar places. Life after university is harder due to conflicting schedules, irregular locations, and differing lifestyles.

The bridge between both of these settings is university.

Your goal is for you to begin managing relationships through communities.

Universities offer clubs, fraternities/sororities, and organizations as mini communities to participate in. Even scheduling a study session is a perfect place to start forming relationships throughout your degree plans.

This was another area I wish I had taken advantage of.

While I did join a business club, I didn't get involved as much aside from attending bi-weekly meetings. And my other source of meeting new people would be in group projects, which would dissolve just as quickly as they formed.

My mistake here was allowing my fears of initiating and maintaining these connections.

I was nervous when just starting out just like anyone else. But now I see the students who overcome these discomforts by showing up and getting involved as much as possible achieve meaningful relationships and develop communities of their own.

Takeaway, strive to take initiative in starting group events by the end of your university time. A good place to start is to join clubs and to offer study sessions with other classmates.

III. Build Curiosity

Curiosity is what will help you make the most out of university life.

This is a time where you're able to ask questions and find different answers. There's no one right answer, only one that works best for you after trying all kinds of answers.

Even a simple change from your normal routine can be eye-opening.

One way I attempted this was by trying out different food options inside & outside of university, always enjoying the novelty of hidden gems. Now I have a new pizzeria and a local cafe among my favorite go-to places.

Same goes for finding hotspots within university, from small quiet places for relaxation to vacant computer rooms for research.

An added benefit is how you'll become the hub of secret wealth to pass on to upcoming undergraduates, the master gamer sharing secret levels to new players.

Be willing to explore the Wonderland that is university life and to become more open-minded for after graduation.

IV. Build Self-Discipline

Let me repeat, build self-discipline.

Not discipline.

I learned the difference in university when I had to make my own choices instead of relying on others for guidance.

University is pictured as an open-space where teenagers become adults free from school rules and parental supervision.

This is true, to a certain extent.

You are free from school rules but you need to express your individuality and build relationships while keeping in mind responsibilities and duties.

You are free from parental supervision but you now need to acquire essentials and manage your resources on your own.

Professors may offer guidance, classmates may offer a hand, parents may offer advice, but the responsibility lies on you in the end.

Thankfully, university is a safe space where you can explore, fail, and try again.

Going back to the curious mindset, there are many answers to how you achieve self-discipline; it's your job to try as much as you can and find what works best for you.

This is a time to see how comfortable you are in being independent.

This is a time for you to make mistakes and to learn from them.

For me, I made the decision to not join a fraternity or stay in a dorm. Instead, I stayed with my family to save on dormitory costs & continued with both work and church service. 

I was responsible for what I ate, cleaned, and bought. There were hard times I needed to budget and avoided asking my parents for favors because I wanted to see if I could do it.

All of this helped me to know my limits and to set time for improving myself aside from work and church service. I even have 7 goals I want to achieve this year & hope to share my progress here soon.

My approach of observing, hypothesizing, experimenting, and repeating has helped me sort through many discipline techniques and I believe it will help you as well.

There'll be times you need to ask for help and that's alright. Remember you're finding the limits and you will continue to expand on them as you build self-discipline.

Final Words

These nuggets of knowledge may have covered principles instead of being straightforward (i.e. scheduling, work study, extracurricular). I believe these have been talked about enough times for you to find a method.

Instead, I wanted to focus on these broad principles because I believe these are beneficial beyond university.

Taking the initiative in conversations and relationships aids in building strong bonds with others. Being curious and open minded allows for meaningful conversations and adding novelty to our lives. Self-discipline helps us to manage ourselves within our limits and be an anchor when others are struggling.

I wholeheartedly believe university has the benefit of growing as a person much more than growing as a profession.

Whichever path you choose after high school, you will have the opportunity to grow into someone capable of greatness. It's all a matter of when you want to and how unique you'll be.

Thanks for reading and comment below any pieces of advice from your university years.

Blessings!