10 Habits to Start in College

Dear college students, 

If I were starting college all over again, here are ten things that, in addition to the formal expectations, I would urge myself to accomplish. Some of these I did. Others I did not.  
 

1. Establish a daily morning and evening routine that, in some combination, includes prayer and reading the Scriptures, even if it is just for 5-10 minutes.  
    
2. Maintain the habit of attending church each week. 
    
3. Build a personal library of at least 50 rich and inspiring books that you would gladly read two or more times and expand this library for the rest of your life. Having a personal library is about more than re-reading the books. It is a visual reminder of your learning journey. For me, I will probably never post my diplomas on a wall, but I almost always surround myself with books that inspire me and remind me of important lessons. They are a much better visual reminder of my learning journey than any piece of paper.  
    
4. Know your primary field as well as possible, not as a major or series of subjects, but as a lifelong field of study—as a community in which you intend to participate longterm. As part of this, learn the names of 10 to 20 of the most important and leading people (past and present) in your field of study. Learn about them. Read their work. Find ways to connect and communicate with them, even just to thank them. As part of this, take the time to have a deep understanding about the nexus of faith and your chosen field of study.  
   
   Tip: If you are selling classic works/books from your chosen field at the end of each semester, maybe consider a field where you are compelled to keep the books. That is a bit like a tennis player selling her racket at the end of a match. 
    
5. Learn how to be a great friend. Learn how to have deep, meaningful, and honest conversations with others. Create at least 5 deep and lasting friendships that you are committed to sustaining after college.  
    
6. Develop at least two skills you are committed to growing and practicing regularly, daily or multiple times a week, throughout life (playing an instrument, a sport, a craft, an artistic practice, learning a language, etc.). 
    
7. Learn to make at least 5 signature dishes or meals you would gladly make and serve others.  
    
8. Establish daily fitness and health habits of 20 or more minutes a day that you plan to continue for the rest of your life. 
    
9. Visit at least two countries outside of the United States or at least go on two trips that you are likely to remember for the rest of your life.  
    
10. Establish the habit of learning without the motivation of grades or the accountability of a professor. Set personal learning goals for yourself each month, semester, and/or year; learn how to create plans to achieve the goals;create feedback systems; etc. These should be separate from anything formally required in a course or program. 
     

Dr. Bernard Bull 
President, Concordia University, Nebraska 

To learn more about resources available to students at Concordia Nebraska, click here.