By: Hayley Billet 

A student’s undergraduate career can be both stressful and confusing. This is the time where many things come into question, that is why it is crucial that you ask yourself a few important questions and take stock of where you currently are and where you would like to go. It’s important that you consider the following questions to help you navigate your undergraduate studies.  

Why am I here?  

What do I want to get out of this? 

What are my goals?  

Where do I want to go after school? 

What are my interests? 

Asking yourself these questions will help you better understand what your purpose is as an undergraduate, and where you would like to be by the time graduation rolls around. It is important that you take advantage of as many things as you can, as it will benefit you in the long run. Keeping these questions in mind will help you stay on track and ensure that your undergraduate career is a successful one.  

Undergraduate school can also be a very scary time; you will encounter many obstacles and challenges, but how you respond to these problems will show you who you are as a student and where you see yourself going as a scholar in your area of academic interest. It will also help you be more decisive and make important choices about your future. It can be scary, but undergraduate school is meant to help guide you through the many obstacles you will face. That is why it is crucial that you make sure you have prepared yourself for any issues or changes you might encounter along the way. The more prepared you are, the more these challenges will help you rather than harm you. 

You should be making the most of your time in undergraduate school rather than abusing your time and the opportunities that are available and offered to you. Asking yourself what your goals are and where you want to go after school will serve as a step in the right direction and put you in contact with others who can help you. Get involved and get to know as many people and professors as you can. They can help you throughout your undergraduate career and ensure that it was not a waste of time. 

It is also important that you get to know your professors, as they can help you navigate your undergraduate studies and guide you into the field you are looking to get involved in. The more you talk to and interact with your professors, the more beneficial it will be for you. After all, they want you to succeed just as much as you want to see yourself succeed. 

You might consider graduate school to further build upon your skills and gain an advanced degree to help you in your future career pursuits. In this case, you should be taking classes that not only build upon your knowledge but also challenge you to become a better scholar in your academic field of interest. You should also be engaging in a breadth of diverse course work to determine your area of interest and what you’ll want to study further in graduate school. 

Asking yourself these questions will ensure that you are making the most of your time as an undergraduate. It is a time filled with much uncertainty, so it is crucial that you plan as much as possible. Again, the more prepared you are, the more the challenges you’ll face will help you rather than harm you.