CSU Fullerton reported that this year’s class of freshmen of select CSU’s have the highest GPA ever.

While this is good news to see students taking their education serious at an early age it isn’t themost important factor in determining true success in college, their careers, and in life.

The most important things are character, critical thinking, who you know, and determination.

When a person becomes a college student they must raise their game to another level; especiallyif their field of study is competitive.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensivelyand to think critically…intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

A student who is looking to make an impact in society must know that simply doing everyassignment won’t get you where you want to be.

What will give one an advantage over their competitors is their ability to network and meet the

right people. And when I say the right people, I mean those who are established with the knowledge and expertise to help you progress as a person as well as in your career.

Also it is important to remember the age-old saying, “you reap what you sow.”

If you’re the type of bookworm who has been sheltered for most of your life and not exposed to different things, then college parties, fake people and a drug called, “freedom,” can prove to be your worst enemies.

Another key component of taking advantage of the opportunities given is internships; which pertains to all college students, not just freshmen.

Internships are designed to give students the inside scoop on how a business or job works, and allows people to have a job lined up after graduation. Many students race through college passing up these great networking and financially satisfying opportunities.

Then once they graduate they go home and wonder, “what’s next?” While their parents come in the room and throw a stack of minimum wage job applications on their bed.

King says that intelligence plus character is true education.

If you are a shy, introverted person then it is essential that you take courses that will help you end that horrid character trait.

As many big mommas in the past use to say, “a closed mouth won’t get fed.”

If you’re over the age of 18 and still can’t speak your mind to tell people what you’re about, what you want out of life, and how you feel on certain issues then you’re shit out of luck for most careers because the person with a much lower GPA and the gift of gab will beat you out for almost any job.

Last time I checked mimes weren’t making a great living and neither will you if you’re unable stand your ground, express yourself and be your own person. It takes courage to be an individual.

All in all, a person must leave college with the ability to think critically.

They must have book smarts, street smarts, great character, and most importantly the increasingly scarce skill of common sense.