Although this is something that you’ve heard plenty of times in college, it still rings true in your college days. By now, I’m sure you’ve heard that college determines the type of person you will be. In just four years many factors will go into molding you into the person you will eventually become, from where you live to the people you hang out with. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen amazingly talented students who came to Rutgers with such high hopes of success only to find themselves dropping out, fighting addictions through rehab, and getting arrested for the first time in their lives. Although these may be some more of extreme repercussions of your decisions, it’s important to know that these circumstances can be easily avoided.
Many of these decisions may be the consequence of seeking acceptance from those you call friends. I posted a tip about asking yourself “Why am I going to college?”. Make sure that you are aligning your goals with people that can help you attain those goals. Surround yourself with people that share the same ambition, diligence, and interests. There are too many students that make up the student body for you to hang out with those that can’t accept you for who you are.
You will be changing as a person every single day, influenced by factors you may not even pick up on. The people you hang out with will ultimately be your decision to make and can really make a difference in the direction of your life. If you’re having trouble meeting new people, the easiest places are your classes, clubs that interest you, or even the dining hall.
Hope this helps,
Zion