Diversifying Your College Experience
Financial experts often advise investors to diversify their stock portfolios to increase their potential yield. Mixed bouquets of various types of flowers are more colorful and appealing than homogenous arrangements. Similarly, well-rounded college students who diversify their experiences enjoy a greater likelihood of achieving success, both academically and personally.
Like an appealing mixed bouquet of different flowers, students should diversify their activities for a more colorful college experience.
Diversification allows students to expand their horizons, meet people they wouldn’t ordinarily encounter, learn new things, explore their interests and become more involved in their college and community. Most colleges offer a vast array of opportunities and outlets for students to get involved and engage with their interests and their peers.
Students can take elective classes outside their majors that pique their fancies. They can join clubs and organizations tailored to their interests, such as culture, politics, religion, art, technology or music. They can participate in intramural sports or enroll in athletics-related lessons such as yoga or martial arts. They can study abroad. They can participate in community service projects. They can work at a part-time job or internship to gain real-world experience, network, earn spending money and build their résumés. Successful students combine several of these activities with academics and socialization for a well-rounded college experience.
Diversifying their experiences allows college students to take risks and explore their interests. In high school, students are encouraged to dabble in numerous areas, but when they arrive at college, they are expected to specialize in one particular area corresponding with their major. Engaging in a variety of different activities allows students to avoid the monotony of attending class, eating and sleeping. Participating in activities also adds enjoyment and excitement to students’ schedules. With a diverse portfolio or colorful bouquet of experiences, students develop holistically and become well-rounded individuals.
Explore posts in the same categories: Activities, College, Diversification, Involvement, StudentsTags: Activities, Athletics, Clubs and Organizations, College, Diversify, Interests, Involvement, Job, Student, Success, Well-rounded
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Strategies for Success for College Students 
January 24, 2011 at 9:06 pm
I’m a college parent with 2 boys in school and I’ve been encouraging them to get involved in activities. There’s no better place than a college campus to try new things, meet new people, and have fun experiences – all while building a resume. I recently gave my Freshman son a book called Making College Count which emphasizes this and talks about how activities can help build “winning Characteristics” that employers are looking for – leadership, team skills,communication skills, organizational skills, etc. Having a lot of diverse experiences will definitely help build these skills and help students have college success!
January 24, 2011 at 9:14 pm
BTW, you can get “Making College Count” on Amazon or http://www.makecollegecount.com. I’m going to order multiples to have on hand for high school graduation gifts. My son read it in one day, so I know it was good if it could hold his interest during Christmas break!