Five Habits of Highly Successful College Students: Words of Wisdom from a 2019 Grad
Back in late June, Beatriz Gil sat down with co-hosts Sid and Sharfuz to discuss her college journey and how she made the most out of her experiences as an international student at the University of Rochester. Originally from Barcelona, Beatriz was extremely excited about having the opportunity of “belonging to a bigger thing, . . . a community [of friends who’d become like her family].” Although she was nervous initially, Beatriz knew her passion for the community was greater than her fears. Wanting to give back to the community, Beatriz successfully ran for Class Council, and later on, was elected as a Senator of the Students’ Association.
Besides being active in student leadership, Beatriz also excelled in her studies, double majoring in political science and economics and double minoring in international relations and Chinese. Consistently working hard and applying herself, Beatriz gained a wide variety of opportunities, taking her college experience to the next level. Beatriz acknowledges that juggling her demanding academic load and extracurricular activities was definitely a challenge; however, these wide range of experiences definitely prepared her well for the world of consulting.
Since graduating from UR in 2019, Beatriz joined Deloitte, a top Consulting Firm, as a Strategy Business Analyst. Although her studies in political science and international relations may not seem directly applicable to consulting, Beatriz shares she found the will to consistently upscale helped her when facing the new expectations of her job. She advises students to do the same; instead of relying on prior knowledge, continue to ask questions, develop new skills, and seek to improve.
This is just a tidbit of the words of wisdom Beatriz shared in the livestream. Continue reading to get the full breakdown of Beatriz’s college insights!
Step outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to try new things and gain new experiences.
College is a place for you to learn, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes and try new things. Learning doesn’t just include academic knowledge and technical skills, but also your soft skills (i.e. public speaking or critical thinking) which requires personal initiative. You need to be active and step outside of your comfort zone to gain them. Some examples of this could include going to office hours, applying for a student leadership position, or joining a student group. Give yourself these opportunities to gain new experiences and skills.
Stepping outside your comfort zone also helps you find your passions. Even if you already know what you’re passionate about, there’s no harm in trying new things! Beatriz recalls joining approximately twenty clubs during her freshman year. After joining various student organizations and activities, she narrowed it down to a few she was truly interested in. She eliminated activities that didn’t excite her, and kept the ones that did. For her, exciting activities were the ones that she was consistently enthusiastic about, despite any hardships or challenges.
“Just follow your passion. . .There’s no one right path.”
Once you’ve determined your passions, be proactive and expand on them. Take initiative to gain more experience and knowledge. Don’t be limited to what you see right in front of you. Search for more opportunities. Whether it be taking elective courses, being part of like-minded student groups, or simply educating yourself about it. For example, perhaps you’re part of a dance club on campus. An excellent way to demonstrate your passion for dance is by becoming a member of the executive board. Alternatively, take that passion outside of campus. See if there are opportunities to perform or teach in the local community.
For students interested in consulting, don’t worry about compiling certain experiences to prepare. Beatriz shares that “you can apply nearly anything to consulting” since the industry is extremely versatile.
Engage with your peers and build a community.
As Beatriz mentioned, one of the most exciting aspects of college is the community. Take advantage of the opportunity you have to meet all kinds of people. From simply saying “hi” to your hallmates to reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn to thanking the dining staff at the cafeteria, slowly build long-lasting relationships and friendships that you can rely on even after college.
For introverted folks, talking to others can be extremely challenging. Beatriz recommends introverts to try out having more personal, one-on-one conversations if you’re not comfortable with larger groups. Another way to meet people is through a common interest. For example, if you’re interested in painting, joining the visual arts club would be a great start to meet people and build relationships. If there’s anything Beatriz does not recommend, it’s staying inside, holed up in your room, and sequestering yourself from the outside community.
Learning to build long-term relationships translates into the workplace as well. In any professional industry, teamwork and collaboration is important. Knowing how to effectively communicate and maintain relationships with various types of people is crucial to being successful in general.
Maximize the little moments.
Once you’ve found the subjects, activities, and other things that spark your interest, it’s important to know how to effectively balance everything. Sometimes it’s as simple as reviewing lectures when waiting for your drink at Starbucks to ensure you know the material for your next class. Beatriz recalls during her bus ride to downtown Rochester for her internship she would work on her Chinese homework. By the time she got to her workplace, she was usually finished with her assignment. For others, this can look more different, so recognize those small moments, and make the most out of them.
Don’t overcommit and learn to say “no.” Know yourself and prioritize your passions.
Finding your passion ultimately relies on how well you know yourself. Go after the things you enjoy, and dial down the things you don’t (if possible). In today’s culture of toxic productivity, Beatriz reminds us that “it’s not necessary to always be doing things and always be stressed.” If you’re asked to help with an event or participate in another extracurricular, be sure to know exactly how much time and what type of work that’s expected of you prior to saying “yes.” Don’t compare yourself to others who’re always busy and working. Know your limits and focus on what you’re capable of.
Michelle Shuai is the chief writer for Careers Uncorked and a rising sophomore at the University of Rochester, majoring in economics & history. Passionate about writing and story-telling, she is also the Features Editor for the UR Campus Times and an upcoming Writing Fellow at the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program.
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