Develop Your Skills and Characters: Mastering Yourself in College

Developing Consistency, Resilience, Tackling Hard Tasks, and Strategic Risk-Taking for Lifelong Success

Hey, Being Bolders! Ready for the bravery inside? Let Koffeemocha add its delightful flavor to your life's canvas!

Ah, college - that magical time when sleep is optional, ramen noodles are a midnight snack, and you're likely to have an anxiety attack or two (Yes, I had more than one). But guess what? College is the most memorable time of your life. Yes, it's not just about figuring out the most efficient way to pull an all-nighter. It's also about taking on those tough challenges and building a solid foundation, your character, for your future.

And part of building that foundation is taking strategic risks by evaluating and choosing your major. So grab a cup of coffee or mocha, put on your thinking cap with koffeemocha, and let's dive into why trying something hard now, including taking calculated risks, will make your life a lot easier (and fun) later.

Yes, if you followed me on Being Bold, I got off to a strange start in college. Fortunately, however, I was able to develop the following skills during my undergraduate years that helped me through my graduate school and later doctoral studies. Most importantly, it helped me advance my career with the core competencies.

• Analytical and critical thinking; 

• Problem solving and innovation; 

• Technical skills;

• Project management and organization;

• Collaboration and communication.

In general, no matter what engineering major you complete. Any major should be able to train you to develop all of these skills in one way or another. Therefore, it is not critical that you choose a major that you will not stick with later in your career.

What is important is that you can develop these skills through the challenging courses you choose, even if you do not remember the course or textbook you took many years later.

Whether you major in Computer Science, Systems Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Civil Engineering, the key takeaway is that it's not the specific major that matters. It's the skills you develop along the way. 

I bet you can develop all of these skills in any engineering major you choose.

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In addition to these skills, I believe that character traits development in college is the most important aspect of college life.

Like all the athletes at the Paris Olympics, students entering college have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Do your best to capture the following to earn your gold medals in life.

Consistency and Resilience

College is like an obstacle course designed by a cruel PE teacher. It challenges you to be consistent and resilient. Completing difficult courses and projects require persistence and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. 

These traits are critical to long-term success and will enable you to handle life's curveballs with the great swing of a seasoned baseball player.

Willingness to Take on Hard Tasks

The willingness to take on difficult tasks during your college years builds a foundation of courage and perseverance. It's easy to avoid the hard stuff, but doing so limits your growth and potential. By pushing yourself to tackle the tough stuff now, you're training yourself to be a problem-solver and a leader, ready to take on any challenge that comes your way. 

Think of it like American Ninja Warrior - it serves as a powerful reminder that effort and struggle are integral parts of success, and that the satisfaction of overcoming a tough challenge is incomparable.

Strategic Risk-Taking

Taking strategic risks in college is like betting on a dark horse at the track. They're not thoughtless gambles, but calculated risks that have the potential to pay off big. Whether it's taking a challenging elective outside your comfort zone or leading a large group project, these experiences teach you how to evaluate risk and make informed decisions. 

College education is becoming increasingly expensive, and for those who choose to attend private schools, it can be one of the biggest investments of their lives. Taking a hard course or major requires such a strategic approach to risk for the greatest reward.

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College is more than a path to a degree; it's a crucible for personal and professional growth. The skills and character traits developed through rigorous academic challenges prepare you for a lifetime of success, regardless of your career path. 

By embracing the hard stuff now, balanced with relationship building, you will build a foundation of resilience, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to tackle challenges head-on. These qualities will serve you well in every aspect of your life, ensuring that you are equipped to handle the pressures of work, family, and personal health with confidence in the near future.

So take those tough classes, dive into challenging projects, and push yourself to learn and grow. The effort you put in now will pay off in ways you can't even imagine, giving you the skills and resilience to handle whatever life throws your way. 

And remember, it's not just about mastering a major; it's about mastering yourself with skills and character.