The Secrets of (a) Successful? College Student

A couple months ago, I was invited to speak to a class of freshman on my advice for them. What lies below are the main pieces of advice I had for them in going through college. I think it’s important to remember that everyone has different definitions of success; for some, its might be finding a fulfilling career in music, for others, a six-figure salary at a hedge fund. Mine falls somewhere in between – I want to explore a ton of different options, then really dive deep into my core interests. So, here’s an abridged version of the advice I would have loved as a freshman:

So here’s the question I’ve been thinking about for the past six months – what the heck do I want to do with my life?

Before I tell you about my considerations in answering that question,I want to show you what I’ve been up to for the last two and a half years of college:

Steve Jobs had this wonderful quote I adore:

You can’t connect the dots looking forward – you can only connect them looking backwards.

Looking backwards, my progression seems somewhat connected (some of them may be a stretch, but cut me some slack!). I’ve had an amazing time so far exploring all types of different things. I’ve recently realized I want to delve deeper into venture capital and building up my computer science skillset, so that’s what I’ll be working on in the coming months.

So, here’s my advice to you, collected from books, people, and personal experience:

1. Form a personal board of directors. Whether you have a difficult decision to make, an accomplishment to celebrate, or are seeking new opportunities, this board of directors should be people that you care deeply about(and vice versa) who aren’t afraid to be critical of your choices. Acquaintances will often give your positive feedback, but your board of directors should be clear on your values and long term goals – especially not afraid to call you out if something doesn’t align with them.
2. Read a book a month. About anything. This will help you in conversations, in grooming your interests, in learning how people interact with one another. A couple that are on my bedside table right now – Venture Deals, Am I There Yet?, and Mastery.
3. Be vocal about what you want. You should be vocal, first, with yourself about what you do and don’t want, second, with others about the same topics. You never know who’s listening – they could refer you to the job or person that drastically changes your life.
4. Ask people you admire to buy them coffee. If you’re nervous to do it without context, tell them it’s for a school project where you interview successful __(fill in the blank)__ about their keys to a solid career and overcoming challenges. People value initiative, and this is a great way to build personal relationships with powerful forces in your local community.
5. Travel like a local; explore your own city like a tourist. Keep your childlike curiosity close to your heart; it will fill your life with joy.
6. Don’t be afraid to say yes, and don’t be afraid to say no. There are times when you feel pressured to make one decision or the other, but it’s important to try new things. Once you’ve tried a bunch of new things, practice saying no to people and things  that don’t help  you achieve your long term goals. You may feel guilty, but you have to guard your time carefully – it’s your most valuable asset.
7. Create a favorite board. Print out nice emails, pictures of your favorite memories, little keepsakes that are meaningful to you. Look at it when you’re feeling down. Spend a little time every day feeling grateful for who and what you have and have had in your life.
8. If you’ve never thought about where you want to be in three years, do it. My dad always says it’s more important to know what you absolutely don’t want to do rather than what you want to do. What you want to do will often change, what you don’t want to do will most likely stay the same.

So there you have it, eight pieces of advice that I would have loved to have when I was a freshman. In my own opinion (not that I’m at all biased), I’ve been successful in college. I’ve found a solid group of friends that serve as my board of directors, I’ve stayed close with my family, I’ve had a ridiculous amount of amazing opportunities, I’ve traveled fairly extensively, I’m on track to graduate debt-free(thank you, academic scholarship and a never-ending smorgasbord of jobs) from college, and I am happy with myself in all aspects. I am constantly improving, constantly learning.

As for what I want to do with my life? A good showman never reveals all of their secrets. For that, you’ll just have to stay tuned.