Somewhere along the way, people picked up the idea that you should stay in your lane; if you’re a writer, you should stick to writing or if you’re an athlete you should stick to sports. I understand that there are advantages to specializing in one’s craft and dedicating more time to mastering something, but college is the perfect time to try something, or even everything, new.
The saying, “jack of all trades, master of none,” discourages branching out too much, even in your field. So, as you start your freshman year of college, here are my tips on how to become a “jack of all trades, master of some” and not be boxed in by your own niche.
Identify your core strengths and interests
Before branching out, you have to figure out what you already enjoy and what you’re naturally good at. Now this doesn’t mean choosing one thing and sticking to it, but instead looking internally at the skills and interests that you could build on. Say you’re a strong writer but are also interested in photography. Maybe sit in at a Daily Campus Photo meeting on a Sunday night at 9 pm. and cover a couple of events, or if you’re a finance bro but you love sports maybe go join the UCTV sports section.
Your interests don’t have to compete with each other. They can be different, which in turn can make you a more well-rounded and balanced individual, which helps you discover combinations of skills that make you stand out in the future.
Don’t be afraid to be a beginner
As I write this, I admit it’s even hard for me to try some things that I’m not already good at. Luckily as a freshman, you’re surrounded by people who are also figuring things out, so use that to your advantage. Join a club even if the only thing that interested you was the cool name; if you’re trying to fill credit requirements, take that class you know nothing about; or pick up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try.
You don’t have to immediately be talented in something that you’re pursuing. In light of the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” being a beginner is a part of finding out what you might eventually become good at.
Say “yes” to unexpected opportunities
College is full of opportunities that you won’t know about unless you put yourself out there. And I know I sound like every orientation leader, but go to that meeting, attend that event, talk to someone in a different major or apply for something even if you’re not sure you’re qualified. I mean, hey, I worked at The Daily Campus as an incoming freshman and couldn’t (still couldn’t) tell you the first thing about running a paper, but I did meet my best friends here, so a win is a win. What I’m saying is you don’t have to say “yes” to everything, but being open to new experiences can introduce you to new interests, people and opportunities you would’ve never found otherwise.
Don’t let your major define you
Choosing a major doesn’t mean you have to limit your learning to that one subject. Your major is only one part of your college experience, not a box you have to stay inside of. Join clubs that have nothing to do with your degree and continue pursuing the interests you had before college. You can be an engineering student who dances, a film student who loves poetry or a biology student who loves filmmaking. The goal shouldn’t be to have one perfect niche, but rather to build a combination of skills and intrigues that make you uniquely you.