Congratulations to the graduating class of fall 2012! Whether you were on the four-year, five-year or even six-year plus plan– it doesn’t matter. You can finally say with pride that you have completed the college experience at VSU.

So what now? Many of you may be prepping for a graduate program or have some sort of entry-level job lined up. Maybe you are even fortunate enough to have found a way into the position you have dreamed about since the day you decided on your major. If you haven’t though– don’t sweat it.

We all know that with the current state of the economy and the job market, finding that dream job has become harder than it ever was. You may have to settle for something less than optimal for now, but just know that with some dedication, hard work and a positive attitude you will find that opportunity that opens the door for the rest of your life.

For now though, take what you can and make it work for you. It may not be what you initially envisioned, but there is something to learn from every job experience that can be applied toward achieving your life goals.

This doesn’t only apply to graduates either. The college experience is full of opportunities from the moment you first arrive on campus. Take advantage of them while you still can. One of the hardest lessons to learn while attending college is to not be passive. Taking an active role in your education is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

By being proactive and not letting things pile up, you are doing yourself a favor in the long run. Take it from someone who has learned the hard way what procrastination can lead to. No amount of planning ahead is too much planning ahead, and if you are worried about a certain assignment don’t let your worry turn into putting it off. This does not end well– trust me.

It’s easy to forget that the classroom is full of people dealing with the exact same homework and projects that you have to do. Consult with your peers to find out what they are doing to manage the course load. College is as much about learning the content as it is about learning effective time management and problem solving skills that will help you in the work force.

The college experience is an investment in your future. You can only get out of it what you put into it, so be curious and investigate any opportunities that may catch your eye. Who knows– you may find a new interest that blossoms into a different career path that you may not have considered.

Once you leave college, the opportunity to try that one class you were really interested in becomes almost impossible without investing more money and time. It’s highly unlikely that your local community learning center is going to offer a course on procedural law or advanced economics.

The college experience can be easy to take advantage of, and it goes by much too quickly. Before you know it your name is being called on a loudspeaker as you walk across the stage in your cap and gown. So take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I getting what I want out of this college experience?” The answer may surprise you.