3 Things to Do in College to Stand Out From the Crowd

If I could go back to my first day of college, I would not change my branch, my college, or my city.

I would change how I used my time.

Like many students in India, I studied at a regular engineering college. There was no IIT tag, no fancy infrastructure, and no big tech companies visiting the campus for placements. At that time, I believed that if I followed the usual path, attended classes, and prepared for placements in the final year, things would somehow work out.

They rarely do.

Today, as the founder of Fueler, a portfolio platform that helps companies hire people through assignments and real work, I have reviewed thousands of student applications and assignments. I have seen very talented students struggle, and I have seen average students grow very fast.

The difference is not intelligence. It's that they start doing it early.

If I could restart my college life today, here are the three things I would do differently.

Here are the 3 things I would do to stand out in College:

1. I Would Hustle Early to Buy the Right Device

On my first day of college, my biggest goal would not be getting good grades. It would be saving money to buy a reliable laptop.

Not because it looks cool or everyone else has one. But because your device is your main working tool.

A good laptop directly affects how much you can learn and build. It helps you work faster, practice more, and create better-quality projects. Whether you are learning coding, writing, design, video editing, marketing, or data skills, your device decides how smooth or frustrating your learning journey will be.

If money was tight, I would not complain. I would hustle.

I would take small freelance projects, help local shops with basic digital work, assist seniors, or work part-time online. Even small amounts saved regularly make a big difference over time.

One important thing I would do differently is this. I would not rush to buy a laptop on Day 1. I would first use whatever device I had. Once I clearly understood my needs, I would upgrade. That way, I would value the tool and use it properly.

2. I Would Start Reading Books From Day One

If there is one habit that shaped my thinking more than college, it is reading.

If I could restart, I would make reading a daily habit from the first semester itself. Even 15 to 20 pages a day is enough. Over four years, this habit compounds massively.

College teaches you subjects. Books teach you how the real world works.

Through books, I learned how businesses are built, how people sell ideas, how products are created, and how successful people think and make decisions. These are things no syllabus teaches you clearly.

If money was an issue, I would start with PDFs. There is no shame in that. Slowly, as I earned, I would buy physical books and build my own small collection. For me, physical books are a sign of respect for authors who change the way you think.

From everything I have seen so far, one truth stands strong.

The person who reads consistently develops clarity faster than others.

3. I Would Build My Online Presence From the First Year

This is where most college students make a big mistake.

They wait until the final year to build a resume. By then, thousands of students are doing the same thing with the same skills written on paper. Recruiters have no reason to remember anyone.

If I could restart college, I would start building my online presence from the first year itself.

I would be active on LinkedIn and other platforms where professionals are present. I would not pretend to be an expert. I would simply share what I am learning, what I am building, and what mistakes I am making.

I would document my projects publicly, share assignment learnings, and connect with people outside my college.

Building online changes everything.

When you build publicly, companies start noticing you. You make friends across cities and countries. You get feedback, mentorship, and opportunities without asking for them.

At Fueler, I have seen students from small towns get internships and jobs even before graduating. Not because of their college name, but because they had strong proof of work visible online through assignments and projects.

Bonus: I Would Make Friends on the Internet

I would not limit my network to my classroom or hostel.

The internet is full of people who are learning, building, and sharing openly. Some of my closest friends today are people I met online during my early days on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Talking to people smarter than you helps you grow faster. Collaborating on small projects teaches you more than theory ever can.

Your network plays a bigger role in your career than most students realize.

My Final Advice to College Students

Do not wait for final-year placements to take control of your career.

Start early.

Build skills, not just marks.

Read books that expand your thinking.

Share your work online.

Create proof of work through real projects and assignments.

Companies today are not desperate for degrees. They are desperate for people who can actually do the work.

At Fueler, we have helped thousands of students and professionals get jobs and internships by focusing on proof of work instead of resumes.

If you are in college right now, time is your biggest advantage. Use it wisely.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talent for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.