Find Your Bliss Through the College Experience

As influencers and hustle culture take over, students are looking at happiness in a whole new way. Social media, with its curated posts of glam lifestyles, begs the question of whether going to college is even necessary. And the allure of fame can overshadow the value of a degree.

But is this way of life realistic? For high school students contemplating their futures, the pursuit of happiness often intersects with the idea of higher learning. However, college is more than just an education, it’s building the skill sets, friendships, connections and community that will help open doors and foster personal and professional development.

Delve into the essential components that can make college a fun and fulfilling experience to not only help you find your purpose, but to network and make meaningful friendships. Take advantage of your academic community to develop your skill sets and learn from the exposure to diverse cultures in the pursuit of personal growth.

Re-evaluate the Source of Happiness

In a recent TED Talk, Dr. Robert Waldinger a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard University recounts how his work as current Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development revealed that lasting happiness is not found in fame or wealth but in meaningful relationships. The study, initiated in 1938, tracked participants from diverse backgrounds, revealing a common thread to sustained happiness over 85 years: strong social bonds. “The people who were happiest,” Dr. Waldinger explains, “who stayed healthiest as they grew old, and who lived the longest where the people who had the warmest connections with other people.”

College, with its unique environment, provides an opportunity to form those enduring friendships. Even students who struggled socially in high school often find a more inclusive and supportive space in college to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar values and interests.

College Experiences and Opportunities Pay Lifelong Dividends

Continuous skills development is essential in today's ever-evolving landscape. To stay competitive and adaptable, utilize college opportunities to enhance your skills or learn new ones. Work-study programs offer hands-on experience and valuable connections for future references. Opt-in to study abroad opportunities or leadership programs to immerse yourself in different cultures, sharpen language skills and broaden your global perspective.

Find a Middle Ground

Balance is crucial for personal well-being, as demonstrated by the cautionary tale of Beatriz Flamini, a Spanish athlete and elite climber who thrives in solitude. After 500 days in an Andalusian Mountain cave disconnected from everyone, including her own reflection, she recounted the cave experience by saying, “I didn’t exactly lose consciousness, but the darkness saps you of life. The solitude, the social uprooting, it consumes you. Or, to put it a better way, you eat — you down nutrients — but you consume yourself.”¹

While solitude can be enriching, it is essential to dedicate time to physical, mental and emotional needs, avoiding prolonged isolation. Joining campus student organizations and clubs allows for a balance between solitude and community, enhancing overall well-being.

The bottom line? In your quest for happiness, prioritize relationships, community bonds and family dynamics. Unlike isolating experiments, the joy of shared experiences and the bonds formed during college can contribute to a happier and healthier life journey. So, trade screen time for social hangs. Breathe life back into existing connections. Go out and make new ones. There's real magic in human interactions, and, as an 85-year-long study suggests, that's where the essence of happiness lies. What defines yours?

¹Max, D.T. "The Woman Who Spent Five Hundred Days in a Cave." The New Yorker, 21 January 2024, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/29/the-woman-who-spent-five-hundred-days-in-a-cave