Blawg.

Most would equate success with starting a Fortune 500 company. I would define success as any goal which you have set for yourself, something that would have enriched the way you live your life or changes the way your view the world. Most importantly success should be something along the lines of "progressive reduction of potential deathbed regrets"

Here's my take on what it means to be successful in college

1. You would have found at least 3 good friends whom are trustworthy.

2. You would have taken up at least 1 CCA in your college life and achieve something from your participation. (medals, organized a large scale event etc).

3. Have at least a mentor whom you could email for advice. For instance: Profs, CCA leaders, Seniors.

4. Take risks. Do something crazy while in college, or try out something new. For me it was going against the Sports club ruling and set up another martial arts club and pushing crazily for it. Not to mention that people weren't really happy. But it all works out fine eventually. Did I mention going to the open area at the top of S1 building and went around shooting cross bow arrows? Night runs, climbing out of NUS building windows, crashing over at a friend's hostel, dinner with exchange students etc.

5. I would end it off with a "grades doesn't really matter", as long as you have the drive to keep on learning and improving yourself. That being said, I'm not saying that one should flunk your examinations. But a balance should be achieved between your grades and other pursuits in life.

[An exception to this is perhaps if your goal is to be an investment banker or McKinsey consultant]