Lessons beyond classroom: 12 opportunities to grow a better self while in college

First published on Linkedin and twitter

"Lessons beyond classroom"

We learn valuable skills inside the class (or lab), but life outside classroom will help us master them. Remember, the product of #education is YOU, not just degrees.

🧵 Here are 12 opportunity ideas students could try, to grow your better self:

— Paul Kasemsap (@paulkasemsap) August 11, 2022

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You learn valuable skills inside the class (or lab), but life outside classroom will help you master them. Remember, the product of #education is YOU, not just a degree.

🧵 Here are 12 opportunity ideas you could try, to help you grow a better self:

(1) Assemble your personal advisory board –
• Build a network of supportive mentors you could learn from
• Reach out to professionals from different career paths for advice, job shadowing & info interviews
• Be proactive – Don’t just wait for your advisor to help you out!


(2) Take a coffee break (& socialize) –
• Just a break is not enough to get more works done
• Food & Drinks, e.g. coffee, boba, beer = great excuses to get connected
• Research confirmed socializing with others at breaks can boost productivity! (reference)


(3) Exercise & Move regularly –
• Try team sport, cardio, yoga, weight training, or whatever fits with your energy/taste
• Sports help you form a habit, stay fit & connect with other players
• Be surprised how a daily few steps adds up to a long meaningful (marathon) journey!


(4) Join a search/admission committee –
• Get a taste of being on the other side of the table!
• See good vs bad examples – learning how to evaluate candidates helps you prepare for your own job searches
• Now, you can update your resume & get ready for next job interviews


(5) Be a rep for your constituents –
• Volunteer to represent your community at different levels, e.g. City council, campus committee
• Advocate for causes that you care & engage with local policy makers
• First-hand experience to see how you can make your voice heard.


(6) Volunteer your skills and time–
• Immerse in local communities by lending hands or time to help
• Need ideas? Try food bank, non-profit, or cultural/language exchange groups
• "During a crisis, the people who cope best are those who help others."


(7) Internship (with your future employers?) –
• Explore potential/alternative career paths even before you finish school
• Put your skills into practice & see if your planned career choice makes sense
• Expand your network– it's "who you know", not only "what you know"


(8) Put on an entrepreneur hat for a day –
• Learn how to give an effective pitch & market your transferable skills
• Through a different lens, see how business thinking can leverage the impacts of your work
• Check if your school offers workshop, short course, or fellowship!


(9) Train on how to write and talk better –
• Join workshops (e.g. improv training) to communicate with diverse audience more effectively
• Try @3MT_official or others to defy your fear of public speaking
• Perhaps write opinion articles to share your perspectives in school. Some mainstream writing opportunities for early career scientists/trainees: Science's working life , Nature's careers, elife's sparks of change


(10) Get outdoor! –
• Let nature heal you from tough exams or failed experiments
• Soak the☀️, catch the 🌠, and learn to navigate/survive in wilderness
• Research showed just immersing in nature can already boost creativity & problem solving!


(11) Learn some crafty skills –
• Check out local art groups, or art flea markets
• Unleash your creativity & make a few gifts for friends/family
• From pottery to 3d printing, arts can bring inner peace & reduce stress. Some cool ideas from @UCDavis


(12) Join a club! –
• Don’t know where to begin? Start from just picking ONE club – academic, sport, art, culture etc.– to join
• Find community you could connect with & go from there
• Slowly expand your comfort zone & before you know, you’re ready to rock the world!


We learn differently, but all motivated by 3 "ABC" needs: Autonomy, Belonging, Competence


Tailor your experience to get what you want, find where you belong & master key skills. We find time for what we care.


Any more idea? – Share your passion projects with us!

category: thoughts  inspirations 
tag: science  gradschool  growth 

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