Why are you here? This is the question I asked my students at the beginning of the first class. By that question, I wanted to make my students think about what they want to achieve through their classes and college education.

So, what is your answer to this question? Under the current difficult job market situation, getting a job might be the answer from most students. How can you get a job? Is there any formula you can use to figure out the way of getting a job? I don’t believe you have one definite answer to the question. That’s why it is difficult for you to prepare for getting a job.

During college, you are investing a lot of time and money in your education. Usually, you spend 5 to 8 years of your time at college and you need at least 12 million won. This is a huge amount of money and a lot of time in your life. So, what do you get from this crucial investment? Of course, you will get a college diploma which is useless especially in Korea because 80% of high school students go to college and graduate from it.

Here is my advice for your college education. Try to graduate from college as an intelligent and passionate person who is well qualified as a college graduate. These days, college students have become more obsessed with getting a job. However, if you have adequate college level abilities when you graduate, you will have no trouble in the job market. Your dream Job will find you. When you graduate, you must have the college level abilities of thinking, reading, writing, speaking, and listening in addition to your great personality. Try to get the real college education instead of useless efforts for getting your job. Then, how you can get the real college education and become a well-qualified college graduate.

First, set your goal early. The clear goal will help you to concentrate on your courses. To become a professional in your field, you should design your college education around your goal. You must choose courses in line with your goal and plan your homework or team project according to your goal. This clear goal will help you achieve a lot more in college.

Second, use your class wisely. You have to utilize your class to develop the abilities you need. For example, do your best in your class homework or team project. It will help you to think, read, and write better. Raise your hand and speak in the class. It will help you to speak and listen better. Be spontaneous and responsible in the class. It will help you to have the best personality you need for the future. Do not underestimate your classes. They are what you pay for your college education. They are enough for you to develop your necessary abilities as a college graduate.

Third, participate aggressively in what college offers to you. There are many services you can use in college, and you can get additional help from them to sharpen your abilities. Besides the library and computer labs, you have a lot of options you can choose from. Analyze yourself and if there is something you need, fill the gap by these extra helps from your college.

Fourth, connect what you learn and do in college. You will have eight semesters and many extra activities in your college. Do not count them as separate because they are all connected. Try to complete your college education puzzle by connecting what you learn and do in college. When you can see the whole picture and connect it, you can achieve what you want in college. So, plan your college life in advance and analyze what you learn and do so far. From there, you can connect them.

Fifth, expect more and challenge a lot. In college, you will get as much as you expect to get. Challenge every chance you get. Challenging will maximize your abilities; settling will limit your abilities. So, for your homework, team project, and exam, challenge your limits and go over them. This will train you as a challenger for your life.

Lastly, please grow up. You are not in high school anymore. Maybe you want sweet advice or mentors for your life. But you don’t need them. You have all you need in your head or heart already. One thing missing is doing them in your life. College education is characterized as free and responsible. You are the one who decides how much education you will achieve in college. So, enjoy your freedom, but be responsible for your education. That’s what grown-ups do.

I have suggested some tips for you to get a real college education. If you get a real college education and become a real college graduate, you don’t need to worry about getting your job. Companies will be eager to have you as their staff. So, become a student who tries to get a real college education instead of a person who is preparing for a job. Here, in college, you will get as much as you want. Please, expect more.