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The best way to learn while you’re in college is to close your mouth and open your ears. As simple as this sounds, many students miss opportunities to learn about the people, ideas, thoughts and experiences around them because they fail to hear what their instructors and other students around them have to say. Even when you disagree, there is much you can learn from others in the classroom.
Take Part in Discussions
Be an active participant in classroom discussions, but make it a priority to hear and consider other points of view. Instead of being so wrapped up in expressing your opinion, develop an interest in the ideas and opinions of others. When you are talking, you’re not learning anything new. Hearing what your classmate from the Kazakhstan Democracy has to say will enlighten you on another world viewpoint.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Making friends that are much like you doesn’t give you a balanced picture of the world around you. Make friends with different interests, talents, major studies and backgrounds. Part of being a well-rounded person is learning about the world and people around you. The jocks, nerds and foreign exchange students have much to teach you, if you will listen.
Volunteer
Take an active role on campus and in the surrounding community. When you’re helping others, you’re learning about their needs and how to focus on people and things apart from yourself. Find ways to help out, and learn while you’re doing it. Also, it looks really good on a résumé.
