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Graduating with Confidence by Torrey Trust

Looking for the perfect book to prepare you for life after graduation? Check out Graduating With Confidence: A Guide To Making The Most Of Your College Experience With the status of the economy today jobs are becoming harder and harder to find after graduation. College graduates with degrees in every field (Engineering, Biochemistry, Humanities, and Political Science just to name a few) are having a lot of trouble finding jobs after graduation. Many of these graduates end up working in administrative assistant jobs or interning because there aren't any other options. According to the CNN Money article Have Degree - and Pink Slip, "There are currently a record number of unemployed college graduates seeking work. So many, in fact, that they outnumber high school dropouts on the job hunt" (CNN Money.com). If you want to get ahead of the game, then Graduating with Confidence is the perfect book for you. This book will show you how to make the most of your time outside of the classroom in order to define your career goals and take the extra initiative you will need to get that dream job.

Stop Studying & Start Doing!

One of the most important tips I can give those of you intent on getting good grades is to step away from so much studying and start doing! This may sound ridiculous, because you are going to college for an education. However, there is much more to education than “book learning.” Experiences outside of the classroom can provide you with essential skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and leadership, which are very important to have for any job. Studies have even shown that college students consider their learning experiences outside the classroom more valuable than their experiences inside the classroom (Seidman, 2006).

Studying seems to be the number one excuse that students use when it comes to missing out on many of the life building opportunities available in college. College classes can be hard; there’s no doubt about it. But spending every waking hour studying for midterms, stressing over finals, and working on projects is not what your total college experience should be about. While graduating with high honors from a prestigious college will look good on a resume, it is not the only thing you need to get a job these days. You need experience, a variety of skills, references, letters of recommendation, and a multitude of other things just to get a job.

Of course I am not saying that you should stop studying altogether. Instead, you need to find a balance between classes and everything else available for you to do. It is possible to be a full-time student, work, intern, compete on a sports team, be involved with student organizations, and still have time to relax everyday. I enjoyed all of these experiences at UC San Diego, while still earning Provost’s Honors every quarter, and I ended up graduating Cum Laude. It is all about time management. And believe me when I say this: the more you have to do, the more productive you will be with your time.

One of my mottos during college was to never miss an event because of studying or losing a little bit of sleep. If I knew I had an all-day track competition coming up, I would start studying a few days earlier than normal. If one of my friends was having trouble dealing with relationship problems and we spent three hours talking (when I should have been studying for a midterm), I would not stress out because I had a few hours free in my schedule the next day to prepare for the midterm.

Planning and time management are key things to help you make the most of your college years. So when you are deciding about whether or not to join a student club or take a weekend ski trip, do not let studying be a factor in that decision. Take advantage of every activity and event that comes your way and study later (or earlier if you can plan ahead). And don’t waste your time procrastinating and “relaxing.”

However, just as it is not good to spend all of your time in college studying, don’t spend all of your free time playing video games or partying. Your time in college should be valued, because throughout college you will have the chance to learn more about yourself and find a direction for your life. You should use your years as a college student to your advantage so that you do not end up graduating and wondering where to go next.

If you balance your time in college appropriately, you can have many wonderful experiences and graduate with new skills, work experience, professional job contacts, and the confidence that you are on the right track to pursuing the career of your dreams. So how do you make the college experience worthwhile? Do internships in jobs you are interested in to see whether you are majoring in the right field. Take advantage of the multitude of programs that offer free food. Get involved on campus and make connections with students, staff, and faculty that can help you out. Take time for yourself and relax or travel to contemplate what you are really interested in.

Most importantly, make your college experience something to remember. Regardless of what college you attend, you should be able to have fun and enjoy your time at any college. Your college memories will be based on the friends you meet, the opportunities you take advantage of, and the fun times you have. So even if you are attending a college that other students have deemed “unsocial” or an “Academic-only’ school, you will be surprised how much is really going on at that school if you get involved.
Read More 2 comments | Posted by Torrey Trust edit post

2 comments

  1. SEO on February 22, 2015 at 9:54 PM

    Very interesting one!! Good one about graduation!! Planning for mine too and looking for best college to pursue my degree in gaming!!

     
  2. gopipatel on December 2, 2019 at 9:28 PM

    Most wonderfull Article, Thanks for sharing!
    TOP 200+ Best Graduation Wishes Quotes Messages

     


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  • About the Author
      Torrey Trust was actively involved in student affairs both during college and after graduation. She graduated Cum Laude from UC San Diego and was honored with the Thurgood Marshall Dean's Office Oceanid's Award for outstanding service to the college and community and the Alumni Association's Campus Community Award. Trust worked in Academic and Student Affairs at UC San Diego from 2008-2010.
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    Reviews

    "I wish someone had given this to me as a freshman! It's all things you think of but never really do, definitely a good find." - Elizabeth Knapick (college graduate)

    "This book should be required reading for graduating high school students and all college students who would like to actually get a job after they graduate! If you're in college or thinking of going to college...read this book! Don't end up with a college degree and no job prospects. This book will show you how to tie all of your college experiences together in order to prepare you for the 'real world.'" - Beth Jackson (mother of 2 college students)

    "I read this book AFTER I graduated college and it hurts to think of how much I would have benefited from reading it before I entered college. The author gives numerous ways to use college to your advantage. I played sports in college, but I didn't have a mentor or come out of college with any advantages. This is one of those books (like the "for dummies" books) that give important, useful tips on how to succeed. I have recommended this book to all of my friends in high school and currently in college!" - Trevor Takayama

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