Being a college student can be overwhelming and sometimes discouraging, as we'e encouraged to focus 100% on the person we want to be and everything we want to accomplish after graduation.  Because of this constant focus on the future, students often forget that college is full of opportunities to experience new things and change the world.  There are women taking advantage of those opportunities every day on campuses all over the country.  The stories and accomplishments of these women are inspiring and motivating – encouraging all women to not only dream of their bright tomorrow, but also live their today to the fullest.

Meet Lindsey Eidson, a Georgia Tech student majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Aerospace Engineering.  Lindsey is a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha, Vice President of Recruitment of the GT Student Ambassadors, and Director of Staff Development for a Georgia Tech camp for incoming freshman, as well as a member/leader of several other organizations.  While balancing her on-campus activities, Lindsey has also worked for The Home Depot as an Associate Information Technology Developer.  As you can tell, Lindsey has learned to take full advantage of her college years.  Whether it’s challenging herself with rigorous coursework, working at one of the biggest corporations in America, or just following her passions through clubs and organizations, Lindsey is dedicated to investing in herself, her fellow students, and the college community.   What’s her secret to taking advantage of her college years?

‘Don't ever let someone make you feel inferior just because you're a woman,’ - Lindsey Eidson. 

1) Display confidence in the face of adversity

Entering a workforce or school environment, especially one that is male-dominated like STEM, takes an extreme amount of courage and dedication.  Eidson, a woman studying both computer science and engineering, knows what it’s like to feel intimidated by stereotypes.  However, she's overcome those social norms by displaying confidence in the face of adversity.  ‘Don't ever let someone make you feel inferior just because you're a woman,’ says Eidson.  You've earned your place and have the potential to make a huge impact in whatever you choose.  This kind of confidence and courage has landed Eidson several valuable job and a leadership role in extracurricular opportunities.

2) Find motivation in the midst of competition

College and work environments can be stressful and overwhelming, but you should allow the bright and high-achieving individuals around you to motivate you, not discourage you.  People in these high-stress environments are accomplishing their goals and changing the world, but don’t let comparison of others keep you from achieving your own.  Allow their success to push you and inspire you. ‘I've found that it's extremely rewarding to celebrate other people’s accomplishments with them,’ Eidson explains.  Eidson’s favorite part of being a woman at Georgia Tech is ‘getting to brag about all the other women who are taking their education into the world and making an impact.’

3) Invest in your community

Investing in your college or workplace and the opportunities they offer will pay off.  Give back and plug in to the things around you.  Eidson reminds us that the moments you'll remember the most about your college years are from the times you said 'yes' to unexpected things or stepped out of your comfort zone.  Every opportunity you're presented with is a chance to grow, gain experience, and become a well-rounded student, employee, and citizen.  ‘I always tell people to invest in their community, and it will invest back into you tenfold,’ Eidson says.

4) Don’t be afraid to make a change

Eidson shared that at the beginning of her college career, she was drowning in work she didn't enjoy and felt like a failure every time she got a grade back in any of her classes, despite how hard she studied.  I’m sure many other students can relate to the feeling of disinterest and disconnect from our studies and the failures that happen as a result.  Eidson eventually realized she was lacking the passion for what she was studying and finally submitted the paperwork to change her major.  Eidson reminds us that what truly matters is that you're following your passions and inspiring everyone around you, whether that passion lies in coding robots, building airplanes, or writing poetry.

Entering an environment, especially one that is male-dominated like STEM, takes an extreme amount of courage and dedication.

5) Embrace and learn from your failures

As a college student, you'll often put in a lot of effort and not receive the grade you thought you worked for.  You might make a mistake at your job.  You may fail so badly that you feel it's the end of the world.  However, in order to succeed, you must learn from your failures and use those lessons to push forward.  ‘Challenges might not be the most fun thing to deal with in the moment, but the feeling you get when you move past them is incredibly rewarding,’ Eidson says.  It can be a culture shock to move from an environment like high school where you may be the smartest and highest achieving, to one where everybody else is like that too.  You might not always get what you hope for, but as Eidson has shared, these failures can lead to even greater experiences in the future.

I hope Lindsey Eidson’s courage and motivation will serve as a reminder to live your college and post-grad years to the fullest.  Her advice to invest in your community and find your passion will guide all women, in college or in the professional world, to find purpose and meaning in their work.  It's important for all of us to embrace failures, and learn to take advantage of every opportunity we're given.  Incorporating these tips will ensure our success as insiring women in every area of our lives. 

Caroline Balmer is currently studying at the Georgia Institute of Technology, planning to major in Industrial Engineering with a certificate in Marketing and hopes to work in the nonprofit world after graduation.  Her favorite things include Chipotle guacamole, Diet Coke, kittens, and yellow jacket football.  Learn more about Caroline on her blog CarolineBalmer.weebly.com.