What not to do in your undergrad years

1. Do not spread yourself too thin.

It is of course intriguing to be able to cash in on every new opportunity that comes your way, but overdoing it isn't a good idea. University life is indeed about exploring new horizons but you should not have so much on your plate that it starts spilling over the sides. Many students not only stay engrossed in academics, but are also involved in club work, competitions, ECAs, internships, and community service. Gaining new experiences and building networks in your student life is just as important as having fun. You still haven't graduated, you still don't have a stressful 9–5 work life—so do take a break sometimes. Don't wear yourself out by working too much unless you truly enjoy it. Don't try to explore too many different things—sometimes it's better to be a master of one or two things than to be a jack of all trades. Recruiters look for specialised skills, not a moderate level of expertise in everything.

2. Do not obsess over making money.

Teaching students, doing part-time jobs or helping out with a senior's research are some of the many ways you can earn some quick bucks. There almost seems to be a sweet spot after which you become addicted to the habit of earning and start running after money. You start to think self-sufficiency is too crucial for social validation, even though your family can provide for you fairly well. While it's important to be financially independent, keeping yourself too busy means you'll miss out on hangouts, trips and quality family time. You're going to look back and realise that it was the bonds one makes in their university days that truly matter, rather than earning excess cash. So make sure you've chalked your schedule out well enough to include some time for yourself and your friends.

3. Study hard, party hard—NOT harder.

Nobody likes to hear this, of course. Partying till late is everything you would be looking forward to amidst your otherwise exhausting life at university. Frequent trips and sleepovers might be getting the better of you. Many of us get a new taste of freedom when we start university, so it's very easy to get carried away. It's easy to tell yourself that you know where to draw the line. But one fine day, you might find yourself actively defending your guilty pleasures or overindulgences against your plummeting grades and worsening relationships. Is it still worth it?

You can pretend that it's harmless to be in probation or to have a low CGPA, but you know you're just lying to yourself. A high CGPA isn't the ultimate benchmark by which your intellect should be judged, but the world isn't always fair. Your transcript acts as a first impression for foreign schools and recruiters, and they will judge you for it. Slack off sometimes, but make sure you're in control of your life. Having too much fun has a price that you don't want to pay.

4. Do not procrastinate.

There are countless motivational speakers on your news feed that are trying to get you to work, and failing. None expects you to see the light because of these videos and suddenly become a driven, hardworking individual. But it is expected you take something away from this article, and make some small changes in your life. Instead of putting off that 1,000-word report, get started on it. Instead of being afraid of rejection, apply for that part-time job. Have some fun with your family and friends—you won't regret it. The point is, do everything you want to do, but maintain a balance.

As long as you check yourself once in a while and hone some strong skills besides holding up decent grades, you are good to go. Do not live your life at university by the standards of the celebrated "heroes" of the class—live by your own means.

Halima is a junior at the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.