A look at how taking the time to connect with the students around you in college will reward you in both school and life.

1. Address:Centennial College,P.O.Box631, StationA, Toronto M1K 5E9, Ontario,Canada
Tel: 416-289-5300, Email: success@centennialcollege.ca Page 1
Step Outside The Classroom: Why College is More Than
Your Courses
Your academics will always be important to your success in life. They're not the
only factor, however, and there's more that you should be doing when you're in
college than simply attending classes and doing the work. The social experience
that comes with spending time at a Toronto College attending events, joining
clubs, or simply hanging around can be equally valuable. It's not slacking. It's an
investment in your future. Here's why:
Social links will help you in times of need
Everyoneneedssome help sometimes, and having the support of a community of
student friends will be valuable when the going gets tough in school. Whether it's
getting assignments finished, sharing resources like notes or textbooks, or just
havingsomeone to vent to when stress gets to you, there's numerous advantages.
Takestudyingfor an exam, for example. I've found in the past that the best way to
learn a subject is to attempt to explain it to someone else. Having to teach a
subject embeds it in your own mind, and having a friend teach it back to you
makes it an equal exchange. And on top of that, even if you think you've studied
all the important bits, having someone else's perspective when cramming is an
excellent way to pick up on things you possibly hadn't thought of.
Those social connections will also link you to a career
Getting a job these days is all about who you know, a process formally known as
networking. Students, teachers, guest lecturers, and anyone else you need in
school who'svaguely connected to your career field can be a potential connection
to a job, so getting to know those around you is an essential part of the
employment game.
There's ways other than networking that these social connections can help you,

2. Address:Centennial College,P.O.Box631, StationA, Toronto M1K 5E9, Ontario,Canada
Tel: 416-289-5300, Email: success@centennialcollege.ca Page 2
too. For one thing, you're going to have to do at least a few job interviews in your
lifetime, and they include the question "tell us how your friends describe you?"
Inevitably, you'll need to know some of those opinions. And even if that's not the
question, it's harder than you think to describe yourself. Having some friends
describe you can be a shortcut to that particular answer.
You'll need to know how for your job.
Life experience is more important than grades, and there's one practical bit of life
experience that they don't teach in a classroom: How to connect with people. No
matter your profession, you're going to need to know how. It could be to get the
job, or it could simply be while you're on the job, interacting with coworkers and
customers. Practice makes perfect, and the supportive ecosystem that is college is
the perfect place to hone that skill. Socialization is universal, and something
everyone should look into developing. After all, the people around you, being in
the same school and being at the same point in their lives, all have something to
talk about with you.
Author:Jason White