In college, you are given an opportunity to go on a great journey. Take advantage of that chance to learn, grow and explore. Along to way, be sure to savor and appreciate every experience.

As you move along your path to the future, make friends, make something better and do something for others. Ask questions and say what you mean. Learn about yourself. Think about your future and clarify your dreams.

In order to fly on your own, you must spread your wings, start to flap and then leap into the unknown. You won't always succeed on your first try. In fact, you may even get hurt once in a while. However, it is your responsibility to identify the possibilities, explore your options, find out what you are good at, and pursue the things you love.

"It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the limits to our abilities do not exist." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

These responsibilities are yours alone. Nobody else can tell you what to love, what makes you proud, what inspires you or gives you a feeling of satisfaction. Only you can do that.

As you chase your dreams, always reject the dark side. When there are opportunities to take advantage of someone, don't betray them. Do the right thing. Deceit, lying, cheating, and stealing are never the way to go. However, being a person of character will aid in your success. Demonstrate that you are a person who others can trust and respect. Only then can you find true success.

If you are paying your own way through college, I know how tough it can be. You are probably working while going to school and also have college loans, lots of them. Stay strong. Be proud of what you are doing. For those of you who are fortunate enough to have parents who contribute to or completely pay for your college education, be forever grateful. They are providing you with an important opportunity and probably making a huge sacrifice. Don't take that for granted. Show your appreciation.

“Education is the fountainhead of opportunity.”

People who become successful look for, find or create opportunities, and capitalize on them. They pursue education in an area that excites them, develop communication, leadership and people skills, build a network of helpful people, and hang out with people who are also going someplace important.

You have an obligation to do your absolute best in your classes. That means that you will devote plenty of time and effort to all of your assignments, do whatever it takes to get good grades and be willing to make sacrifices, in order to find success in college.

“Your success in life is only limited by your determination to succeed.”

Nobody can make you want to succeed in your endeavors. However, the most successful people regularly demonstrate their personal determination through their words, actions and accomplishments. Don't get me wrong, success is not easy to achieve. It takes a depth of knowledge, an above average level of skill in an area that you love, an ability to see the possibilities, and an exceptional inner drive that won?t allow you to quit.

“Success requires more than a halfhearted or part-time effort.”

Unfortunately, many students hope to succeed without giving their all. That's why success doesn't come to everyone. It requires much more. It is something that you must be willing to fight for, something that ignites a passion within you, something that you can't ignore and something that can't be denied. When you find your calling, nothing can prevent you from achieving success.

Most college students say that they want to be successful. And, I hope you say that too. However, the thing that differentiates one student from another is often their determination to succeed. In the real world, so-called ordinary students with an extraordinary desire for success will often bypass more gifted students. Since college is a place where students can begin to turn their wishful hopes into reality, every student should be eager to take advantage of the opportunity to become successful in the field that they love.