Succeeding in Higher Education/Four Tips – Anna Thomas
Anna Thomas has got this college stuff down, graduating with a perfect 4.0 she is a consummate winner. Here are her tips for collegiate success in her undergraduate career at Michigan State University.
1. Being Prepared
● Learned this lesson early in my college career- moving from TX to MI, winter was quite
The shock to me made me question if I had made the right decision choosing MSU,
Once I got appropriate clothes, I was better able to handle the cold. This lesson can be
applied to many other things in life- being prepared for class, exams, presentations,
interviews, etc.
● Global Learning Conference presentation
2. Getting a job early on in college
● Kept me out of trouble, important to get in the field experience, and understand what you like and don’t like networking, building a resume and LinkedIn, developing skills,
● Briefly talk about experience at the anaerobic digester and EDL
3. Balance
● One of my key takeaways from NZ, talk about their culture, choose classes that make
you happy that helps balance out the super stressful ones you are required to take for
Your major, like my boxing class or basketball class, this semester. Stay on top of your
schoolwork but also go out and enjoy time with your friends, because you will never be
at this stage of your life again.
4. Experiment, be present, and attentive
● College is a time to experiment, go across the world, and try new things
● Ex before college I rarely hiked. If I took half my advice of trying new things, I would have
just tried it out, hiked up the hill, down the hill, and just called it good. It takes being mindful
to realize this is something I thoroughly enjoy doing. Then, taking it a step further and
figuring out what specific things about it I actually enjoy? The effort, the way it makes my
body and mind feel to accomplish something difficult, that I love seeing different
landscapes and unique environments across the world, giving me a greater sense of
purpose and reason to fight for a more sustainable future. Then, taking it even further
and thinking about how do I continue to incorporate it into my life now and in the future.
Career? Just a hobby? Slowly overtime gather data points about yourself to help build a
life and career that is fulfilling to you.

