To double major, or not? Generally, I don’t think double majoring – or even minoring – is necessary, and I think the negative effects are likely to outweigh the positives. But students are individuals, and they need and want different things. And I respond differently depending on whether I’m wearing my coaching or mentoring hat.

When I work with students, I don’t encourage them to do all the things that they think will make them happy. Instead, I support them as they experience both happiness and unhappiness and help them develop a tool kit for navigating the bumps, swerves, and setbacks on the road between them.

An essential tool is confidence.

We think (critically), therefore we are …

College is a remarkable opportunity for learning of all kinds. We tend to be transactional when we think about college, but I’d like to encourage you to think a bit more broadly and take a wider view of learning in college.

Image: Typeset tiles that spell the word “learn.” Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.