If you went to high school, chances are you also went to university.

It is easy to get overwhelmed, follow the crowd, and end up disappointed about your experience in college. I’ve noticed that the students who have the best time and the best results see college as a game. They figure out the rules early and learn how to play them to their advantage.

You don't need to figure out everything, but it helps to have a few goals. For me, the "win condition" for college is pretty simple:

Note: I went to a French “Grand Ecole”, so it is the equivalent of studying 5 years straight for a master (no bachelor).

Here’s the playbook I’ve seen work for people who want to make these 5 years actually count.

Things I would do if I started over again.

“You are the average of the people you spend the most time with” is cliche but true. At least in college. If your circle does a lot of sports, chances are you’ll also be active.

So when you find people matching the values you’re looking for, don’t let them go. Be the person who creates the group.

At the beginning of the year, nobody knows nobody. So don’t be awkward and go meet people. Worst case, they won’t match your vibe. Best case, they become your crew. It is much harder to make friends once the year starts because everyone stays in their own group.

Stolen from Luke Clancy

Try the projects you have always wanted to try.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The goal is to build unique experiences and live an interesting life. Something your GPA alone can’t give you.

There are no rules. Ask for things. What if your university says you can't take this course in Germany because it is not officially listed? Contact the German university to figure it out. Worst case, they still say no. Best case, you might take the best course you ever did.

Student clubs are the best places to learn skills you can’t learn on your own and socialize.

What I mean by that (from my own experience):

Worst case, you realize you don’t like this skill / the people in the club.

Best case, you enjoy a new skill and new people.

I’ve never met someone who regretted studying abroad. But, I have met a lot of people who regretted not studying abroad. **** From someone who did an Europe Tour and an Asia Tour, I can guarantee you the memories you make are completely worth it. I’m a fan of the book Die with Zero by Bill Perkins, which emphasizes the importance of living unique experiences only available at specific stages of life.

Like the cheap, adventurous, rush travel that you experience when you are hopping from country to country by bus and train, where strangers become friends overnight.

You can’t do this anymore when you have a family to take care of.

It won’t hurt your career, but it will definitely open your eyes on how big the world is.

From talking with alumnis and content online, the dirty little secret of college is that your major matters a lot less than the person you’re becoming. If your dream job requires a high GPA, go all-in. If it doesn't? Find the sweet spot of effort for your classes so you can spend the rest of your energy on the projects and people that actually excite you.

Be efficient with your time.

These years will pass very quickly.

You won't regret taking them when you look back on them 10 years from now.

Question of the week:

Until next week,

Rémy