501. 5 Principles from The ONE Thing Every College Student Needs

It’s graduation season—and whether you’ve got a child, a niece or nephew, or just a young person in your life heading to or already in college, you’re probably wondering how to best support them in this new chapter.

In this episode, Jay gets personal. He walks through the highs and lows of his own college years—from social misfires and major indecision to joining the rugby team and becoming a double major in French and English. But more importantly, he shares what we wish college students learned… and what they actually do.

Back in 2015, the ONE Thing team interviewed 15 students from across the country who had read the book and tried to apply its principles. With a little coaching and a few worksheets, they surfaced six core discoveries that can serve any young adult stepping into independence:

1. Lay a Future Foundation – Even a vague purpose provides powerful direction.
2. Set Mid-Term Targets – Clarity around “where you want to be when college ends” helps shape present-day decisions.
3. Make a Success List, Not a To-Do List – Prioritize ruthlessly, especially when everything feels urgent.
4. Think Big – Sometimes we create unnecessary limits. Big goals can make hard things feel smaller.
5. Time Block for Willpower – Willpower isn’t on will-call. Structure your calendar to match your energy.
6. Clarify Core Values – Use your values as a compass for choices, especially when you're on your own.

Whether you're a parent, a mentor, or a recent grad yourself, this episode will inspire you to share the tools of focus, goal setting, and intention with someone who needs them most.

Challenge of the Week:

Identify a college-aged person in your life. Then go to the1thing.com/college to download the free college guide. Consider giving them a copy of The ONE Thing and the Core Values Deck as a graduation gift—and don’t just give it. Follow up. Ask if they’d like to go through it together. Help them put these tools into practice.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

• Why “figuring out your ONE Thing” matters even when you’re young
• The halo effect of getting clear on your goals
• Why willpower should be scheduled, not summoned

Links & Tools from This Episode:

• The ONE Thing College Guide
• The ONE Thing Core Values Deck
• Episode 483: Are You Using This Simple Tool to Make Better Decisions?
• Free Resources
• Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing.

Produced by NOVA