50 Ways to Succeed During and After College

50 Ways to Succeed During and After College

For 50 years, ECPI University’s faculty and staff have been dedicated to helping students prepare themselves for not just a job, but rather a career. That’s why we focus not just on technical expertise, but soft skills as well. From the moment our students enroll, we begin emphasizing the importance of such things as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem solving.

As graduation approaches, our career service advisors begin to spend additional time with students, helping them prepare for the job search and their first steps into the professional world. In this our 50th anniversary, here are 50 things you can do to succeed before and after graduation:

During College

  1. Attend All Orientations – Orientation is the foundation upon which you build your academic career. It may seem tedious at moments, but the information is invaluable.
  2. Get Organized – Read your syllabus for each course and learn what is expected.
  3. Find a Study Spot – Be sure it’s comfortable, has good lighting, and few distractions.
  4. Go to Class – Why go college if you are not going to make class? At ECPI University, attendance is mandatory.  Besides, if you want to graduate in 2.5 years, attending each class is essential.
  5. Learn How to Take Notes – It’s not about writing down everything you hear. There are various styles to choose from. Pick one and practice it until you’ve perfected your technique.
  6. Read for Comprehension – Need help in this area? Try the SQ3R method.  
  7. Review Course Requirements and Due Dates – Failing to meet deadlines in college can cost you one letter grade per day. Doing so in the professional world, could cost you your job.
  8. Get to Know Your Professors – At ECPI University, faculty members make themselves available before and after class and hold regular office hours. They’re eager to help, so let them!
  9. Ask Questions – If you don’t understand something a professor says, don’t be afraid to ask. ECPI University faculty members like it when you ask questions!
  10. Get to Know the Librarian – In today’s digital world, just about any piece of information is no more than a few key strokes away, but you have to know how to look. Librarians are experts at this – connect with them and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!
  11. Meet with Your Academic Advisor – Planning class schedules, explaining university policies, reviewing goals – just a few of the many things your advisor can do to help you stay on track.
  12. Participate in Classroom Discussions – In some classes, participation accounts for part of your grade. Moreover, by sharing your thoughts out loud and engaging your classmates, it will help you remember what you’re learning.
  13. Practice Math Daily – Just 20 to 30 minutes a day can help improve test grades.
  14. Learn How to Take a Test – Don’t just start on question one right off the bat; review the whole test and establish a plan. This list of test-taking skills can help.
  15. Get Involved – At ECPI University, you’ll find clubs, professional student associations, and opportunities to volunteer.
  16. Utilize Student Resources – ECPI University offers free tutoring, as well as math and writing assistance centers.
  17. Connect with Other Students – Compare notes and form study groups.
  18. Manage Your Time – Create a weekly schedule and stick to it.
  19. Set Goals – You can’t manage what you can’t measure. By establishing goals, you’ll know whether you are on track or not.
  20. Exercise and Eat Right – According to a report from Harvard Medical School regular exercise improves memory and thinking skills.
  21. Don’t Procrastinate – Begin studying at least three days before an exam. You’ll remember more if you study two to three hours a day, rather than eight hours the night before.
  22. Seek Help When Overwhelmed – Don’t dig yourself into a hole, at the first sign of trouble, talk to your academic advisor.
  23. Never Cheat – Become familiar with your school’s honor code and learn how to properly cite sources correctly.
  24. Practice Good Email Etiquette – Never write in all capital letters; avoid abbreviations and emoticons; don’t request delivery or read receipts; and be mindful of your emails’ tone. Sometimes words in an email appear demanding or harsh even when it’s not intended. For more tips, read this article from Inc.
  25. Prepare for Your Career – At ECPI University, students meet with their career service advisors long before graduation. They get help working on their resumes and cover letters, and practice their interviewing skills.

After College

  1. Understand Your Supervisor’s Expectations – Listen carefully when being assigned tasks and ask questions to clarify anything that is unclear.
  2. Network with Other Professionals – Join a professional association and make sure you have a fully-optimized LinkedIn account. This post from LinkedIn tells you how.
  3. Avoid Office Gossip – Even listening in creates guilt through association. This article from Inc. shows you how to avoid this toxic situation.
  4. Never Talk about Salary with Co-Workers – Just like gossip, information like this can have a demoralizing effect.
  5. Don’t “Fake it Till You Make it” – No one expects you to know everything. Instead, ask questions and seek real understanding.
  6. Never Eat Lunch Alone – You can learn something from just about everyone in your organization. Get to know as many of them as possible.
  7. Be Authentic – Don’t spend time trying to impress others. Listen more, talk less, and let your work speak for itself.
  8. Be Helpful – Always strive to help out your coworkers just as you would a friend or family member. Building a good relationship with those you work is important.
  9. Be Truthful – Honesty is the foundation of any relationship. Reputations take years to establish, but one momentary slip in judgement can wipe it all away.
  10. Be Patient – Timing is everything. Learn to read the signs before taking action.
  11. Be Enthusiastic – It’s contagious and you’ll lead by example.
  12. Seize Opportunities – If your boss is looking for someone to spearhead a project, be the first to raise your hand!
  13. Show Up on Time – Aim to be at work 10 to 15 minutes early each day.
  14. Meet Deadlines – If necessary, under-promise and over-deliver.
  15. Don’t Cut Corners – It will catch up with you. Do it right the first time.
  16. Create a Career Growth Plan – Begin with the end in mind, establish a timeline with specific goals, and review it a regular basis.
  17. Find a Mentor – Most successful people had at least one person who guided them along the way. Find someone you respect and listen to them!
  18. Pursue Excellence – Find at least one extra thing you can include in each task or assignment that will add value or improve performance.
  19. Read – Become a student of your chosen career.
  20. Earn Professional Certifications – Applicants who have them are highly-prized by employers. ECPI University provides each student with vouchers that allow them to take up to five professional certification exams right on campus for just $15. When they graduate, they receive five more at only $20 per test.
  21. Build a Support Group – Find people who will hold you accountable for your goals and want the same in return from you.
  22. Be Resilient – Failures are inevitable. Do not allow it to distract you from your goals. Learn from them and move on.
  23. Become an Effective Communicator – Do you have a good idea? How you share it often determines whether it’s implemented.
  24. Find Balance – Put in extra hours when needed but do not neglect family and friends if you want long-term happiness and success.
  25. Give Back – When you achieve a certain level of success, pick someone who you can mentor. This is your way of paying it forward.

Are you thinking about college or maybe switching careers? While it’s a big step, having a solid support system makes all the difference. Learn how ECPI University can help you open your life’s next chapter. Contact an admissions advisor today!

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