The concept I come back to over and over here is that where you go to college matters much less than what you do while you are there. And while there’s no one-size-fits-all checklist of things to do in college that will turn you into a successful college grad, I think any student who spent four years trying to answer “yes” to each of these questions would be well-prepared to enter post-college life:
1. Do you care enough about your future to work hard?
2. Can you connect with other people, whether you’re working as part of a team, managing or leading?
3. Have you discovered and developed your natural talents?
4. Can you spot opportunities and go after the ones you want?
5. Do you take initiative?
6. Do you accept a challenge or responsibility even when it scares you?
7. Do you treat people well?
8. Are you able to attract mentors who take an interest in your success?
9. Can you learn from your failures and come back stronger and smarter?
10. Do you make the kind of impact that leaves a noticeable vacancy when you move on to something else?
If you’re in high school, why not start getting to yes now?
Here’s a past post on building a remarkable college career.