I write this in every college thread. Work hard, but don't make school work your life. I was a straight B/C student and I got offers for plenty of jobsafter I graduated...why? Internships and extra-curricular activities. Real talk. No one ever asked for my GPA after I graduated. I never killed myselfover-studying like some people now I'm better off because I invested in my future on my own time.
Whether it be doing college radio (which I did), TV, greek life, student government, athletics (which I did), school newspaper, clubs within your major -it's all good. Use your Summers to get REAL LIFE experience and build a resume up. You will thank yourself after you graduate.
In terms of the laptop question - my school 'required' one, but I didn't use it all that much for actual in-class work. I found it more of adistraction than just taking normal notes with a notepad....75% of people with laptops in class/lecture halls are browsing facebook and playing solitaireregardless. So, in essence, I could have easily just used a desktop.
Honestly, I think, aside from the reason you're there (the privilege of higher education), a social life can make or break a person. I've seen peoplewho were absolutely miserable because they'd go to class, come back, sleep, eat and watch TV as an every day routine. These are the kids that get thefreshman 15, feel like outcasts and wind up getting depressed and/or not happy with themselves or their college experience. It's the kids who were active,whether it be athletically, school-wise, or just socially that were generally the most satisfied.
You have a boatload of kids in the same position as you, so PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE.
