Student Speak

While talking to a recent graduate of the American University in Dubai, the topic of the ‘university experience' came up. This particular graduate, who incident-ally works for a major multinational, was telling me the factors that really shaped his career at AUD.

At some point, I began to think what actually contributed towards a good ‘university experience' and came up with a list of some things a student should do.

Get involved

Over these last three years I have noticed that many of my fellow colleagues suffer from a disease I like to call ‘Café-itis'. Symptoms include sitting in rather large groups in the cafeteria all day and complaining that college is dull.

They seem to have nothing to do but catch up on the latest gossip around campus.

I urge my fellow freshmen to get vaccinated from this disease by going down to Student Services and getting involved.

Seriously, students should look to involve themselves in sports or other activities being offered in college.

After all, at what other point in their lives can they get involved in such activities? Remember college is not only about studies, but also about having fun.

Make friends

One of the highlights of attending AUD is getting to interact with people from so many different cultural backgrounds (more than 65 the last time I checked).

Over the next four years make a conscious effort to cross that cultural barrier and make friends from a variety of backgrounds. I guarantee this will aid your overall development and will enhance your people skills. As the cliché goes, variety is the spice of life!

Change and develop

One of the first things that hit me when I joined college (and I'm pretty sure it will hit you soon) was that no one knew me here.

It was a wonderful opportunity to correct some of the mistakes from the past and to begin anew. The sooner new students realise this, the faster will be their development.

Remember, second chances are hard to come by, so make the best use of this opportunity. Choose a good role model and try to emulate them.

Be open

A wonderful new faculty member at our college told me something that was really motivating. He said that minds are like parachutes, which only work when open.

So my fellow peers, I ask you to be open to views and ideas that are different from your own. The ability to think clearly and innovatively will flourish in such an atmosphere.

Counter your opponent, but do so with humility. Respect for others' viewpoints is a rare gift that should be treasured.

Try something new

Take this opportunity to try something new and different. Find something you know very little about and develop your knowledge about it. If you are shy, take up acting. If you can't sing, join a band.

Believe me, at the end of it all, you will definitely be better off than when you started. This is one of the best ways to build up your confidence and skill.

Be different

It is an old fact that success comes with risk. Students should not be afraid to take risks and be different. It is much easier to blindly follow the pack, but much more difficult to make your own path.

As students, try new and different ways to approach various issues. Always introspect to see whether you are getting stuck in a rut and make necessary changes.

Trust me, your professors and peers will appreciate your efforts to be different and who knows, maybe you will have set a new norm.

Have goals

I strongly believe people should have some goals to work towards. It drives an individual and keeps them aware of their position.

Goals can be as simple as making the starting eleven in the football team or as ambitious as wanting to be the top student in the Visual Communication department and graduating with honours.

No goal is too small or too limited. Understand that a person without a goal is like a man stranded in the desert without a map.

Gain experience

One of the biggest blunders that college students make is not supplementing their education with work experience. I would strongly recommend that each student do an internship at least once during his or her four years in college.

This will not only help you to think ‘outside the box' but will also raise your personal market value upon graduation.

A general manager of a multinational company actually told me that students who show good internships in their resumes are likely to command a higher salary and a better position compared to others at the same level.

Learn

Please remember the real reason you are here - to get educated. I urge you to learn something at the university and not to become a face in the crowd.

Introspect and take care that you do not end up becoming one of those students who look for only those professors "who give good grades".

Challenge yourself and rise to higher standards of intellect and growth. Remember education is your anchor, without which you will just drift out to sea.

Have fun

It would be absurd to go through college without enjoying yourself. After all, all work and no play does make Jack a dull boy. So go out there, make friends, party and be yourself; but always remember your anchor.

I think I have really covered what I believe contribute towards a well-rounded college education. It is now in your hands to shape the next four years.

The coach of one of the college teams always told me that nothing good in life came without pain and perseverance. You know what? He was right!

The writer is a fourth year business administration student and editor of the university newspaper at the American University in Dubai