7 Things Undergraduate Students Should Achieve Besides Grades

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University is not just about grades. There are more things to achieve as an undergraduate student that will leave a greater impact on your life later on. Having graduated from University almost 10 years ago, this list compiles some of the things I regret not doing (achieving) enough during my university life. After all, grades are not the only key to success, right?


1) Networking & Contacts

However smart you are, the truth is there’s only so much one person can achieve with a pair of hands. You’ll need friends and contacts to help you reach a greater height in time to come. And University is the best place to build your network. Remember, you do not know who your mates will become someday. Therefore, be sociable and start building your network early!

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Image Credit: honorsprogram.gwublogs.com

2) Travelling Experience

Knowledge does not come from just books. Often, it is resulted from travelling too. The more places you go, the more exposure you will gain. Studying at university gives you the time & chance of a lifetime to travel all you can. Especially for those who study at abroad, be sure that you make full use of your breaks and holidays to travel, as you’ll never have the same freedom anymore when you start your working life or have your own family.

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Image Credit: www.seeyouinaporridge.com

3) The Excitement of Party Life

Play hard during University because Y.O.L.O. That’s when you can go all out without getting wrapped up in responsibilities to career, children, parents, and curfew. Whether partying is your thing (while i’m not saying that you can overdo it), remember that life is to be lived now, not someday (when you are 60). Just so you know, partying actually helps you to socialize better and become street smart too.

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Image Credit: www.insomniac.com

4) Get in Love

While the partner you meet during University might or might not be your future wife/husband, your early experience in love will dictate what type of lover you’ll become later on. At University, that’s when you can love like there’s no tomorrow and cry like mad being dumped on the next day. One thing for sure is that you will become wiser in love as you get on new relationship. After all, remember youth is what you have. Hence, be bold enough to express yourself!

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Image Credit: reigninglorraine.wordpress.com

5) Part Time Job Experience

A part-time job whilst at university can have a positive impact on your life. The extra cash from part-time work lets you cover the cost of living more comfortably, sometimes even leaving a little aside for a spot of fun. But money is not the only thing you can gain from part-time work. It’s a great way to get a hands-on feel for real working and what it’s like to work with other people. It is also a good opportunity to try on some jobs you know you’ll never do it anymore next time. (Don’t tell me your plan is to become a waiter or a ticket seller after you graduate).

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Image Credit: www.quickmeme.com

6) Savings

A penny saved is a penny made. Not saying that you should squeeze yourself and live on a very tight budget, try not to go excessive with your spending. True that most of the pocket money during University will still come from your parents, a smart student will save a portion of these ‘FREE money’ for rainy days. Though not much, it will prove useful one day when you need to afford your own basic living necessities such as paying for your own petrol etc. You do know that the starting pay of your first job might not be as optimistic as you would like it to be right? Not everyone will be headhunted for a high-paying job, that’s for sure.

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Image Credit: couponpal.com

7) Extracurricular Achievements

Academics are important. So are extracurricular achievements. From strengthening your people skills to promoting better social aptitude, extracurricular activities can help you succeed in much more than just your academic endeavors. Extracurricular activities increase a candidate’s appeal when applying for jobs as many employers find extracurricular achievements important these days. They also deem your extracurricular achievements as parameters on how outgoing you are. Therefore, as much as you can, be active, take part in events and become member of clubs & societies at University! (No. Beer is not an extracurricular activity).

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Image Credit: memegenerator.net

University is more than just achieving good academic grades. Quit staying in your dorm room, go out and blend with the society! You have nothing to lose anyway.


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