College mindset should focus on education, not degree alone

As registration for the upcoming semester begins, many college students are reminded that they are one step closer to graduation; however, students should realize that the mindset they have about their time in college could be relative to their lives post-graduation.

Time spent in college is valuable and shouldn’t be wasted with the wrong mindset. Although students are free to choose how little or how much effort they wish to spend during their time at college, it is important to remember that students cannot get that time back. Instead of simply hoping to pass classes and receive a degree, students should make the most of their college experience by focusing on how to make the most of their education.

A degree alone used to have the potential of determining a person’s level of knowledge; in addition, with more and more people receiving degrees each year, degrees can only go so far in that same sense of judgment. Although receiving a degree has proven to be a significant advantage, it is not a definite mark of future success. When everyone has a degree, what will be the deciding factor to determine if someone has what it takes to excel at a potential career?

Although degrees are valued life achievements, they are becoming more common and necessary. Since a degree alone may no longer be able to instantly label someone as unique, college students should use their time in college to academically advance themselves so that they can be set apart from a crowd of people with the same degree.

How students excel through college can determine how they excel through their future careers. When thinking in terms of academics, students who spend their time wisely by trying their hardest and hoping to gain as much knowledge as they possibly can have better chances at not only reaching future career goals, but excelling at them as well. Taking classes simply because they are easy and will raise a GPA will benefit students now, but taking classes to further advance your breadth of knowledge can only help in the future when they are using their degree. When students take classes that will actually help them better understand the future of their careers, they are proactively helping their professional selves.

Students who have the mindset that they should race to the finish line to get their degree should understand that a degree itself is just a piece of paper. Focusing on the knowledge and experience that can be gained in college should be the preferred and more valued approach to the way that time and effort is spent in college.

Going to college to get a degree and a good job are typical reason to go to college; however, what should be put into question is if they are the right reasons. In the end, going through college is about more than just receiving a piece of paper proving you graduated. It’s even more than just trying to get a better job in the future. It’s about hoping to excel as an individual and trying your hardest to be the most qualified and most knowledgeable person you can be for your future professional life.