Students, Don't Ever Hesitate to Shine

Recently, a student shared how frustrated they are at the lack of effort being put forth by many of their classmates. A month into starting college, they were shocked at how often only a few spoke up and engaged with the professor in one of their introductory-level courses.

I explained to them that they should always speak up and take the initiative in any situation where they want to. Those students are the ones who will be rewarded down the road.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized I wanted more than this one student to hear this advice.

Life is short, and we need to take advantage of every moment. While talking in your morning class might seem like a small deal, I promise that the professor notices your initiative, which will help you when asking for a recommendation or chatting about careers. 

You need to be your biggest advocate, fighting for what you want and taking advantage of every opportunity. 

It'll never stop bothering those with the drive to be baffled and frustrated by those who throw away their chances. You must embrace the fact that not everyone is wired like you and keep pushing forward.

If you are a new college student finding yourself frustrated for similar reasons, I'd encourage you to push down those feelings and continue to thrive. Ask the questions you want answered. Engage in the group projects to the fullest. Attend office hours and have even bigger conversations with the professors you feel most connected to.

I didn't do any of this in college, and I regret it. You are spending too much time and money not to make the most of it.

Let your light shine and move forward with purpose and determination. Find the people who want to help you reach your goals and surround yourselves with others who see your potential.

Four weeks into the semester, I don't want anyone to feel that being who they are is bad. You decided to attend college to improve your life, and while talking in class might not seem like a piece of that puzzle, I promise you it is. Shine bright and make it an amazing day!