The best thing college has to offer is not actually finding yourself, it’s the lesson on how to find yourself wherever you go.

Three and half years ago I made it to the campus of The Ohio State University, and more than anything else I was ready to “find myself.” I was not entirely sure what was meant by that, but everything the University had sent in my direction essentially read “Come find yourself,” and I was ready to do so.

What I essentially found out was the phrase “Trial and Error will bring you closer to where you want to be,” would have been a far more appropriate reading of the University’s main objective.

Once I understood the point, I freely joined organizations, switched majors, and increased my affiliations with people who fit into the network I was looking to create. Each new organization I joined, every new person I met, slowly but surely shaped the future I was creating for myself.

What I learned was priceless. Not only was I able to find myself while attending the largest university campus in North America, but I was able to take with me general guidelines that anyone can use to “find themselves” no matter where they go.

Don’t be convinced you need to commit to anything right away.

Take your time; experience everything the college, the community, the city, or wherever you are has to offer. Find what makes you happy, and then dive in. Committing yourself too early to something will just blind you from seeing things from a different point of view, or experiencing it in a different way.

Don’t get pigeonholed.

Leave yourself options to switch majors, switch jobs, or even switch social networks at any point. In other words, get involved with multiple organizations of varying backgrounds. The more people you meet the better chances you have of finding the right person or the right interest that will put you on a path to whatever it is you are looking to be.

Be open to everyone and everything.

Embrace diversity. Chances are you will have preconceptions about everything, from what to order to eat to who and who not to talk to. Do not make this mistake. Cross boundaries of race, religion, gender, and age as often as the chance presents itself.

Be happy and content with ones decisions.

There is nothing more disconcerting than going through life and not being happy. No matter what the situation is, there is always another way to make it better. Sticking to your true convictions will make this step a heck of a lot easier. Don’t let anyone tell you you can or can’t do whatever it is that you want to do. Just follow guideline two “don’t get pigeonholed,” and you will eventually find someone or something that, if not on the exact same page as you, is pretty darn close.

Practice the four principles above and you will be that much closer to having the ability and freedom to move anywhere, do anything, and become anyone that you want to be. Life will only be as rewarding as how true to yourself you are.