How Do You Network as a College Student?

Did you know there’s a high probability that the connections you secure while in college will remain with you for the rest of your life?

They definitely have for me!

When you recognize the importance of building relationships as a student you put yourself ahead of your peers. It also shows you understand how to play the long game — and your efforts will be rewarded down the road in more ways than one.

So, how do you network as a college student? Here’s some advice to forge the right connections with the right people who will help pave the way for your success.

Approach it with the right attitude. First things first, establish a proper mindset. Why do you want to develop these relationships? What value are you able to offer to people? What benefits are you looking to obtain from others? If you approach it with a positive mindset, then positive results will occur. Check out this post Make Networking a Mindset Habit – Not a Goal to learn more.

Build trust. The main goal is to create as many meaningful relationships as possible. You want people to get to know you and understand you, and ultimately to trust you. As I always say, trust is the holy grail. If someone knows you, they’ll talk to you. If they like you, they’ll spend time with you. But if they trust you? Now, that’s where the magic happens. When someone finds you trustworthy, they’ll put their name behind you. And when that happens, the sound carries twice as far! Discover strategies to do this in the article How Do You Build a Trusted Professional Network?

Spend time with your classmates. Take part in activities and hobbies you have an interest in, and volunteer for causes that are close to you. Participate in study groups and seek out other social gatherings on campus. When you devote time to meeting new people and getting to know others, especially through something in common, you’ll find yourself creating significant connections. I recommend you read 10 Ways to Build First-Class Networks While Still in School for more tips.

Listen to your peers. Be present in the moment and contribute to discussions that can possibly lead to opportunities. Don’t talk over people and really listen to what they’re saying. Many don’t realize just how important it is to have the ability to engage with your peers and how this deepens your connection. You’ll find ways to start and end a discussion and how to create a great first impression in this post How Long Should Small Talk Last?

Connect with your professors. Yes, it’s OK to do so! Ask for their guidance on certain topics or inquire about their career path, or even ask them to be your mentor. And you should take advantage of the opportunity to create rapport with your teachers not only while in college but also after you graduate! See my article 7 Strategies for Connecting with College Professors for advice on forging these relationships.

Write down notes. Even about your good friends. When is their birthday or another special date? Or what about the day they received an award or achieved something special? Keeping track of these distinctions, and then reaching out on these dates in years to come, will show just how much you care about them and your relationship. Better yet, make it a habit to journal about your daily interactions! Find out more by reading Improve Your Relationships by Doing This Daily.

A great thing about being in college is there are others just like you who are interested in meeting new people. But you must make the effort to do so! And learn about the value you can provide to others and how to make networking a habit.

This advice applies not only while you’re in school! Once networking becomes part of your routine as a college student you carry this with you after graduation as well. And getting started early improves your chances of reaching personal and professional success.

See original post on Quora