As college students, the world is at your fingertips. So many opportunities, so little time. It can easily become overwhelming. That being said, HackCollege wants you to know that we have your back. We want to help you make the decisions that lead to the best opportunities possible. Here’s how:
Cast a Wide Net
When making a decision, often the best tactic is to imagine all possible outcomes. This means you have to be open to all ideas, even ones you might initially rebuff. Make sure you’re free from bias, fully engaged and willing to go above and beyond in mapping out what could happen depending upon your final decision. Learning all of your options allows you to find the best fit for you. For example, when it comes to dining options, you might consider factors such as : price, proximity, taste, customer service, etc. Being a health conscious student can be difficult on a limited budget. It’s up to you to decide which variables are the most important to you. Do you want to eat well but pay a little more? Would you prefer something quick and easy—and would be okay with it being unhealthy? Do you want to make use of a meal plan on campus? Decisions aren’t meant to be easy sometimes. Understanding all facets of an issue allows you to make an informed decision that will provide you with the best possible outcome.
Limit Your Focus
After making sure you’ve fully explored all of your options, next you have to narrow them down to only those that align closely with what you want to accomplish. For example, if you are trying to make a decision about where to purchase next semester’s textbooks, you should be willing to pick a few options that work best with your current budget. If you don’t eventually limit your focus, you could end up not making a decision at all—which can be worse than making a decision that doesn’t pan out. Narrowing your options equities to making micro-decisions; you’re deciding what works for you and what doesn’t. Those who are overwhelmed by making big decisions will especially benefit form taking a step by step approach to the process.
Compare and Contrast
It’s always a great idea to compare and contrast two possible situations or outcomes. This is especially important when you’re a struggling college student making important financial decisions. For instance, when shopping for car insurance, it’s best to know how young drivers can make insurance more affordable. Certain things can really help, like shopping for a better rate among different carriers, utilizing student discounts, completing a driver safety course and most importantly, obeying traffic laws and maintaining a safe driving record. Comparing expected outcomes allows you to weigh which result yields the best opportunity for you overall.
Go Big or Go Home
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt
You can’t spend all of your time trying to figure out what the best option is. At some point, you just have to jump. Make the decision and own it. Take ownership of it. Embody it. If it doesn’t yield the results you’re looking for, you’re one step closer to figuring it out. But no matter what, don’t let a decision define you. The only thing that has that ability is the lack of a decision altogether.