You get out of college what you put into it. And one thing that will not mean a hill of beans after you get out of college is your GPA. You don’t see special rings to commemorate a high GPA. You don’t see special parking spots at work for employees who had a high GPA. You will, however continue to hear people talk about their involvement in college.
College life offers so much. Some of what you experience in college will never happen again in your life. Some of what you experience in college will prepare you for more of the same. Probably never again in life, will you live in a building full of people the same age all looking forward to what they are going to do in the world and what the world has to offer them. Never again will you have such a collection of highly trained professionals all completely bent on preparing you and equipping you with all that you need to know. Never again will you have anyone looking out to help you further your own career as in college there are those whose sole purpose is to find a position for you after you graduate.
There is so much to prepare you for regular life, also. Student government is often the spring board for future government involvement. As students find their ideas listened to and their voice being important they see how their position in government could be that much more important. Even if you do not choose to go into government, student government most definitely prepares you for leadership. The clubs can hone your interests and knowledge in a particular interest. As you find new interests you will find that your ideas and concepts might change a bit. But that’s not bad, it’s growth. Volunteering helps you to take a good look at your community and see that it doesn’t take much to make a positive difference. You can see that the small actions of just one or a few can change lives for the good, and volunteering, you’ll find, will help you as much or maybe more than what you do benefits the lives of others.
Sure, college is about learning and gaining an education, but it’s not only about the academics of learning. There is so much more to learn and experience. College will be, to many, one of the last times that you are able to broaden your mind and consider different notions and truly think outside the box. Sure, you should get a good GPA. You should do your best at whatever you do. Remember, though, that your GPA will not go with you as you seek positions and you further your life. But you should also make sure that your college life and your college education is well-rounded. Take the time to look up away from your books and see what else is out there. Remember, this only happens once. Make the most of it.