Students, invest in yourself

"Any tips in managing and surviving undergraduate life?"

The basis of your university experience should be your vision for the future. You don't have to have everything figured out, but at least you need to know what you want out of your life. In spiritual sense, this is our niat (intention). That is the seed of your motivation in university. 

University life is going to be difficult, and sometimes brutal. But if you have the right mindset and the right motivation as your foundation, you will be able to get back up when you get knocked down. With each punch life gives you, you will get stronger and better equipped to face future challenges. 

But if you are not armed with the right mindset and the right motivation, then a simple poke in the face could be a deal breaker for you. You might give up too early because you don't have a strong push behind you to move on and keep on trying.

So, everything begins and ends with your intention. Of course, for many students, they would simply say, "I do this for the sake of Allah." It is the right thing to say, but it is not enough. It is not enough to say the right thing, especially when you are not clear about what it means. 

You need to understand and internalize what it means, only then will you get a taste of its effects.

I don't want to paint a grim picture of university life, because for me it is one of the most meaningful experiences in my life. In university, I learned a lot about what I want to do with my life. Even though I fell down many times, I would not trade it for anything else.

It made me who I am today.

The key is to always think about self-improvement. Every experience is an opportunity to become a better person. Focus most of your time in university to invest in yourself with learning practical knowledge and mastering new life skills. 

Instead of focusing a lot of attention on filling up your resume with amazing accomplishments, focus more on filling up your mind, your heart and your actions with amazing values, attitudes, and contributions. 

Resume is important, but it is not as important as you. You are the person who will stand in the middle of the society to solve the problems of the people. People will not look at your resume to solve their problems.

Invest in yourself. It will pay off in the future.