By Erik Squire

Connections, hard work and commitment are the most important ingredients in a successful college career. Knowing who to go to for help and having a network to support you is so important, so make connections with the faculty, staff and your fellow students. Hard work is what learning is all about. Learning is about facing challenges, overcoming them and walking away having the knowledge, skills and abilities to do better next time you face a similar challenge, regardless if that is a math problem, and essay, building a staircase or dealing with a roommate.

Finally, commitment. You need to be committed in order to be successful in any endeavor. Boston Celtic’s great Bill Russell once said, “Commitment separates those who live their dreams from those who live their lives regretting the opportunities they have squandered.” If you don’t want to squander this awesome opportunity you have to create the person that you desire to be, you need to be willing to stick with it through good times and bad