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3. How to Make The Most of University

University is about more than just attending classes and earning good grades. It’s one of the few times in your life where you have access to a huge range of resources, mentorship, and opportunities — all designed to help you build the foundation for your future career.

You’re investing tens of thousands of dollars and several years of your life into this experience. That’s why it’s so important to approach it with intention, rather than just going through the motions or doing the bare minimum to graduate.

To truly get the most out of your time at university, there are three major pillars you should focus on:

Community​

The people around you — your classmates, TAs, and professors — can become some of your most valuable assets. They might be your study partners, your mentors, your future coworkers, or even the ones who refer you to your first job.

Make the effort to connect. Join clubs, attend events, introduce yourself after class, and go to office hours. Some of the most useful knowledge you’ll gain during university won’t come from a lecture or textbook — it’ll come from a conversation with an upper-year student who’s been where you are, or a professor with years of industry experience.

Opportunities​

University gives you access to a wide range of opportunities that can help you build your resume, gain real-world experience, and explore different paths. These might include:

  • Co-op programs
  • Research positions
  • Hackathons and coding competitions
  • Grants and scholarships
  • Volunteer and leadership roles

These aren’t just ways to pad your resume — they’re accelerators. They help you discover what excites you, build meaningful experience, and grow your network.

The biggest mistake most students make is waiting too long to get involved. Start early, and say yes often.

If you have nothing on your resume, this is the best way to start building it.

Academics​

Yes — this is the actual “school” part.

Your coursework forms the foundation of knowledge you’ll build on throughout your career. Even though grades aren’t everything, taking your courses seriously matters. This is where you develop the mental models and problem-solving skills you’ll rely on again and again — no matter what new language, framework, or technology comes along.

The key is to focus on mastering the fundamentals and learning how to learn. That’s what will allow you to adapt as technologies and paradigms change over time.

Do I Really Need a University Degree?​

There is no one size fits all answer to this question. It depends on your goals, financial situation, and career aspirations.

However, I'd argue that for most people, university is still worth it.

If you're on the fence, try to land an internship at a real company without the degree and see how it goes. There's nothing stopping you.

If you can get an internship without it, great! But if you struggle to find opportunities, it might be worth considering a degree.

We all know it's hard to find entry level positions with zero experience, and university does tangibly help solve this by giving you access to a network of peers, mentors, and resources that can help you get your foot in the door.

Alternative paths like bootcamps have taken a hit in recent years, and while they can still be a viable option for some, they often lack the same level of recognition and support that a traditional university provides.

However, is it worth going into significant debt to attend university? I'd argue that if you can avoid it, you should.

I've seen some outlandish tuition fees, and I know in the united states there are many students who are graduating with six-figure debt loads.

That said, if you can find a way to attend university without taking on massive debt — whether through scholarships, grants, or working part-time — it can be a worthwhile investment in your future.