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College years present students with different kinds of challenges. Not everyone who excels in their studies necessarily feels content with and rewarded for all they do. Academic excellence does not warrant self-confidence.
A number of insightful studies have found that gifted students and children become more vulnerable and less confident in the classroom. There’s something extra they need to do to capitalize on their hard work and academic diligence.
The simple truth is that you need to work as much on your personal development as you need to focus on your studies. Stay with me to find out what steps you can take to grow up in college successfully.
. Be emotionally intelligent
You should learn how to manage your emotions. You also need to appreciate other people’s emotions and the circumstances in which they make decisions. Do not let yourself fall victim to an attribution error, which is when you start judging people by preconceived assumptions and stereotypes.
. Ask for help
Do not hesitate to ask for help when you need it. When you are in college, there’s so much going on that it’s impossible to keep track of everything or do everything just by yourself. It might be too much to deal with.
And when it rains, it pours! That’s why colleges have student support services. That’s why you can always talk to your professors or fellow students. If you need help with your college assignments, go through the reviews of GrabMyEssay to identify and use reliable and trustworthy writing services to complete your essays.
. Be proactive
Be proactive in and outside the classroom. Participate in discussions. The best learning outcomes are more often achieved through an exchange of ideas and arguments. Similarly, be proactive about introducing yourself to students or lecturers you don’t know.
Engage with people, talk to people, and start building relationships that might last for many years to come. Socialize with fellow students and professors. Make sure you participate in campus-based activities.
. Seek feedback
People do not always feel comfortable asking for feedback on their performance or actions. But this is an unbeatable way of getting an objective assessment of how people perceive you.
It might induce you to make lifestyle changes that can have a lasting impact on the quality of your life. It also protects you from confirmation bias, which can blind you toward your weaknesses and shortcomings.
. Better yourself
Keep working on your character and performance on a daily basis. Read a lot about how you can grow spiritually and spot and address your weaknesses.
No one is immune to failure, errors, or accidental slip-ups. To err is human, as it were. The point is not about erring; it’s about learning from it. So, keep watching yourself, your actions, and your emotions for incremental improvements.
. Volunteer
Volunteering is a splendid way of being a responsible citizen and an integral part of your community. No matter how busy you are, make sure you find time, however, limited, to do something for someone other than yourself. In addition to direct benefits for the individual or community you’re helping, you will see your sense of self-esteem and humbleness grow.
. Appreciate personal space
With everything else noted above, you should have and appreciate your personal space and personal time. This is the time you devote to yourself. Whether reading a book, watching a movie, or just relaxing in your bed while scrolling through social media posts, you need it to recharge your batteries. Just make sure you make the most of it.
Going Forward
College life comes with lots of opportunities and challenges. Academic performance is an obvious challenge, but it is not the only one. Your personal development matters as much, and you need to be intentional about how you grow throughout the four years you spend in your college.
Learn from the experience of others as well as from your own mistakes to build on your strengths while working on your weaknesses to become a responsible, high-performing, and self-aware individual and professional.
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Carl Hill is a professional writer and contributor to online college and student magazines. His reviews and blogs focus on the most useful tips and hacks for college students. Lots of students have already benefited from his recommendations to make their college experience an enjoyable one.
