By Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Intern
My life as a college student will soon be a memory. I’ve 
found myself growing personally and professionally during my time at Iowa State University (ISU), equipping me with the skills to start my career. From the classmates who turned into friends and the supervisors who turned into mentors, ISU helped create my adventure.
Looking back on the last four years, I comprised a list of the top 5 takeaways from ISU that are lessons I will carry with me throughout my life.
- Be spontaneous
Living in a new town on your own is one thing, but making the best of it is another! Take advantage of your free time and independence. Be spontaneous! You never know with whom you may cross paths or when you’ll find your next hobby or interest. Give yourself the leeway to be adventurous! - Good things happen when you step outside your comfort zone
Economics classes have taught me that “high risk creates high reward.” Apply this same concept when you’re on the fence about running for office or applying for an internship. Some of the best things happen when we step outside of our comfort zone and find out what we are truly capable of. - Keep the big picture in mind
Four years may seem long, but it’s just a flash in the pan compared to the rest of your life. Homework assignments and club meetings can be tedious, so it’s important to keep the end goal in sight. The building blocks of a successful career start with going to school, being involved in clubs and on-campus organizations, as well as completing internships. - Turn negativity into positivity
It’s easy to become discouraged when a test doesn’t go as planned, or you don’t get the internship you’ve been eyeing for a year. Channeling your energy from a negative outcome into a positive alternative forces you to grow beyond your initial expectations. In disappointing times, remember you can’t control the outcome but you can control the way you react to it! - Don’t Regret the Past
We all have bumps in the road, but don’t get hung up on them. I believe that every situation leads to a new experience, which has brought me to where I am today. There is always something to improve upon, but look toward the future rather than regretting a past circumstance past. Challenging situations taught me valuable life lessons that helped shape me into who I am today.
It’s bittersweet knowing that graduation is so close, but I’m ready for a new challenge! I know that the lessons I have learned while attending ISU have helped prepare me for an exciting future. Although driving by campus will never be the same, I know every beginning comes from some other beginnings end.