What should a student do with his free time
For those who have a demanding schedule and hardly find free time to do certain things, what is something important that you don't have time to do that you would advise a student to do it now or start doing it?
A common example would be to study for the CFA while in school compared to when working 70 hours a week. Also, another example would be to get in shape as it's easier to maintain it than to build it later on.
What else, in your opinion?
Chill out and have fun. Find hobbies you actually like and can do as an adult.
So many ambitious people overschedule themselves, especially in school, and then come out as very anxious people always looking for the next "milestone". You're allowed to have free time without getting something productive done and you should find some things you like to do for fun and can maintain once you're working.
Hell, I'm an adult twice the age of a freshman and I still abide by the notion that "hey, it's Saturday. Unless we made plans earlier this week or it's an actual occasion like your birthday or anniversary, piss off because I ain't beholden to doing jack. Maybe Jill if she calls and wants to hang out, wink wink. But otherwise, today I'm doing me." Even so far as if you're calling from the drunk tank because you had too much fun Friday night? #sorrynotsorry but picture the scene in Office Space where he just keeps hitting delete on the answering machine and goes back to bed. To quote another movie (because that's just what I do apparently), "Yes, of course. Who has time? Who has time? But then if we never 'take' time, how can we have time?"
So spend some time having fun, shelve the CFA for now. Because you honestly may not even need it depending on what you wind up doing after graduation since that's another fluid part of life that I think you need to just let play out. Instead of trying to dictate some gospel level plan before getting stuck trying to shove a square block through a round hole thinking it was written in some scripture that was what you were supposed to do with your life when you're really better off doing something else.
I'm with everyone else saying to go do something active (on your terms! We already talked about that). Whether it's just as simple as walking through the gardens like Arroz said, working out, or picking up a hobby like skeet and trap like I did. Sitting around playing Fifa or COD and learning new "gamer words" is not the best use of time unlike getting out of the house and doing something active where, god forbid, you might meet someone interesting. A new friend, significant other, professional connection, what have you (could be all three rolled into one, honestly).
Definitely enjoy the rest of school once you've secured a full time. No point wasting the time not enjoying the free time you won't be seeing until retirement. If you desperately feel the need to do something, work on a hobby of yours or find a new hobby and start as a beginner in it.
I agree with others that you should enjoy your free time, meet family, friends or spend time with your partner.
But if you really want to invest in something else
1) languages if you are into this
2) new hobbies like a sport or a new diet or more exercise in general
3) travel
Nobody ever asked me for a CFA, but they always ask the countries I traveled to and if I can use my language skills to land a new client. (my languages alone landed more deals than any certification or degree)
I also considered foreign languages, but I've heard that English is enough for banking.
or we're talking about PWM/Europe?
English IS enough for banking. But is enough the bar for you?
Also, it could be any language, i.e. programming language. Coding could be very useful in finance.
Because of my languages, I can cover US/CA and also D/A/CH besides the UK while learning other languages in the future. Spanish would be one of my goals.
Improv workshops. Toastmasters. Sports. Etc. Try to have some normal outlet that’s not chasing shots/women.
Don’t study for the CFA in college. All you need is a high gpa and internships each summer.
While in college, you should be exercising a minimum of 1 hour a day. I used to wake up around 11am, go to class, play fifa for 3 hours, then go play pickup basketball for 4-5 hours. Then I’d lift weights and then party. Did this every night every year in college.
I simply don’t have time to play basketball anymore, and the gyms around me are filled with people I don’t associate with (loud and ghetto - can’t get a game of basketball in without a fight almost breaking out).
Meet new people. Do stuff you normally wouldn’t do. I have great memories of my college days where I would walk in the botanical gardens. Funny how my best memories aren’t from when I was piss drunk at the bars. Most of my friendships were built on drinking and partying, and those all fell apart.
Met one of my best friends through study abroad. College is special because you’re young and experiencing things for the first time.
I love hooping, but unfortunately encountered this too much at the old courts I'd go to. Plenty of great guys and gals out there - you know, competitive but not dickwads. I had to stop going to my favorite outdoor court because over the past 2-3 years it just became bombarded by egotistical teenagers and young adults just constantly trying to start shit. Fights were extremely common, I'd say a minimum of one out of every three times I was there somebody seemed to swing.
Really a shame. I miss that court. Now I go to an indoor one which is a lot 'nicer', but it's a bunch of sixty year-olds who can't dribble. Miss the days of playing with guys my age. Didn't matter who you were or where you came from, if you wanted to hoop they'd tell you to hop right in. Good times.
Improv workshops. Toastmasters. Sports. Etc. Try to have some normal outlet that’s not chasing shots/women.
I’ll also echo NOT doing the cfa while in school. Most companies who require it will help you get through it. Companies that don’t require it may think ‘that’s nice, but what else’ when they see it on a resume.
Focus all your energy on a perfect GPA and getting good internships and good FT offers. Don't study for the CFA exam in college.
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