So, you want to get the most out of college. That must mean taking as many classes as possible so that you don’t miss out on any content. Oh, and also be sure to join a project team, because you won’t have success finding a job if you don’t. Summer doesn’t mean a break from technical work; if you can’t get an internship, how are you ever going to be employed after graduation?

I was recently talking to my fellow seniors about what they wish they knew during our first year at Olin. The response that inspired me to write this article was “I wish I was aware of any seniors who weren’t dedicating their life to project teams and who were only taking 12-16 credits per semester finding good jobs after graduation.” I heard that and immediately thought, “Hey, that’s me. I’m a senior with a relatively empty calendar who found a good job in her field.” So now I’m here to tell you my experience and how I got the most out of college (as an E:C).

This right here is my simple advice for happiness: focus your energy on things you enjoy. If you are ever putting time and effort into a class or club and feel that you aren’t getting enough out of it, just stop. You don’t need to get an A in every class or be the most productive member of a project team if you aren’t enjoying it. Instead, choose 2-3 projects/courses/activities that you are most interested in and spend your time delving into those subjects. Next, commit to 1-2 other activities, and complete the minimum amount of work expected from you. This does not mean completely slacking off, but it means becoming less attached to producing quality work and more attached to your general well-being and happiness. If you are on a team, be sure to communicate the amount of time and effort you are able to contribute.

Pro tip: you can take 12 total Olin credits as pass/no credit throughout all your semesters. These can only be applied to courses that aren’t being used for major requirements. However, if there is a non-required elective that you feel is taking up too much of your time, you can apply for pass/no credit, which will remove the stress of maintaining your GPA, if that’s something that’s important to you.

Finally, I want to talk about my experiences with internships. Mainly, the fact that I never did one (although I did do a summer of research at Olin). Internships are important for gaining professional experience and connections, and I recommend pursuing at least one throughout your time at Olin. However, it is not the end of your prospects if you do not manage to get one. They create connections and improve your resume, but are not necessary to get a job after college. Again, I never got an internship, and I feel that it didn’t negatively impact my job search.

*Insert conclusion here* Moral of the story: Marie Kondo your iCal and keep only the commitments that spark joy.