2012-01-14, 06:27 AM
So after my successful first semester in college, I looked back to what I did right, and what I did wrong during the semester. But of course, one nagging question that has dogged me during break is "what can I do differently for subsequent semesters and beyond?". In other words, what can I do to make my college experience worthwhile in the short amount of time I have?
Relevant past/current situation: Finished first semester with a 3.54 GPA, which I was very happy about, albeit with a few mishaps that could have been avoided along the way (and end result would have been a 3.6 or a 3.7 GPA, but not going to cry a river over that; what's done has been done). On top of that, I also have junior year standing coming into my second semester of college, which gave me priority for classes (somewhat). I'm currently a history and political science double major, with more emphasis on political science as my future career(s) will be in politics in some shape or form; I'm on track to graduate with those major(s) by May 2014, one year early.
However, in order to earn the GPA I got first semester, I worked my ass off like never before, which meant studying 6 days a week, 4-6, sometimes 7 hours a day on average. I avoided weekend parties, resisting peer pressure to do so, and stayed in my room simply because I didn't want to do anything that could very much screw up the last shot I had at a bright future (and I'm not kidding about this, I was very much on my last legs after screwing up high school pretty badly. Those who know me well know what I'm talking about).
Of course, though, I also wanted to go out there, meet a variety of people, and help out with activities. I joined a number of student organizations, and became part of the student government when I was appointed as a student representative a couple of months back. Lots of fun, and it was a great change of scenery from studying at various times. xD
For second semester, I'm lightening my course load just a bit in anticipation I may get a job or do an internship (but the chances of getting an internship for the upcoming semester has been shot down to 0; more on that later in this post)
To Southperry: Looking into my second semester of college and beyond, what should I do/change that might make college a bit more various/exciting for me? Any general/specific suggestions? I'd like to hear them!
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Now to a second dilemma I have: internships
At this point in time, I have junior-year standing, which means earlier class registration periods (and being ahead of my peers by 2-3 semesters' worth of coursework). If things go the way they are currently, I will be graduating in 3 years (May 2014) with a double major.
With that said, I have a massive dilemma: Getting internships. Being so far ahead, I'm now finding myself having to race against time, and have to start picking up relevant internships/work experience. At this point in time, I don't have any previous (college) internship/work experience to use on my resume. And I may have to dip into my high school experience to cover my ass until then, which might prove to be a huge disadvantage. And sadly, I was not able to get any spring internships simply because I asked way too late (but then again, I was focusing solely on that academics so I could have a solid GPA going into my second semester of college).
My big question is: Being a first-year (now-junior?) college student with little relevant work/internship experience, how should I "sell myself" on my resume when I apply to certain programs and internships? Also, should I take an on-campus job for the upcoming semester? Will that hurt me in any way or form?
Relevant past/current situation: Finished first semester with a 3.54 GPA, which I was very happy about, albeit with a few mishaps that could have been avoided along the way (and end result would have been a 3.6 or a 3.7 GPA, but not going to cry a river over that; what's done has been done). On top of that, I also have junior year standing coming into my second semester of college, which gave me priority for classes (somewhat). I'm currently a history and political science double major, with more emphasis on political science as my future career(s) will be in politics in some shape or form; I'm on track to graduate with those major(s) by May 2014, one year early.
However, in order to earn the GPA I got first semester, I worked my ass off like never before, which meant studying 6 days a week, 4-6, sometimes 7 hours a day on average. I avoided weekend parties, resisting peer pressure to do so, and stayed in my room simply because I didn't want to do anything that could very much screw up the last shot I had at a bright future (and I'm not kidding about this, I was very much on my last legs after screwing up high school pretty badly. Those who know me well know what I'm talking about).
Of course, though, I also wanted to go out there, meet a variety of people, and help out with activities. I joined a number of student organizations, and became part of the student government when I was appointed as a student representative a couple of months back. Lots of fun, and it was a great change of scenery from studying at various times. xD
For second semester, I'm lightening my course load just a bit in anticipation I may get a job or do an internship (but the chances of getting an internship for the upcoming semester has been shot down to 0; more on that later in this post)
To Southperry: Looking into my second semester of college and beyond, what should I do/change that might make college a bit more various/exciting for me? Any general/specific suggestions? I'd like to hear them!
-----------------
Now to a second dilemma I have: internships
At this point in time, I have junior-year standing, which means earlier class registration periods (and being ahead of my peers by 2-3 semesters' worth of coursework). If things go the way they are currently, I will be graduating in 3 years (May 2014) with a double major.
With that said, I have a massive dilemma: Getting internships. Being so far ahead, I'm now finding myself having to race against time, and have to start picking up relevant internships/work experience. At this point in time, I don't have any previous (college) internship/work experience to use on my resume. And I may have to dip into my high school experience to cover my ass until then, which might prove to be a huge disadvantage. And sadly, I was not able to get any spring internships simply because I asked way too late (but then again, I was focusing solely on that academics so I could have a solid GPA going into my second semester of college).
My big question is: Being a first-year (now-junior?) college student with little relevant work/internship experience, how should I "sell myself" on my resume when I apply to certain programs and internships? Also, should I take an on-campus job for the upcoming semester? Will that hurt me in any way or form?