What advice would you have for college students who feel lost?

Here’s my take:

1. Realize you are not alone, many people in college are searching for … something.
   
2. Begin to focus on this question: What is the purpose of your life? What do you want to spend your life doing? You may not find that answer immediately—and you may make revisions along the way. AND if you can define that before you die, your life will take on meaning and give you energy and focus. Mine was/is “to help people find themselves.” This came out of my having had 3 last names—and everything I did in my career once I figured that out took on energy and focus. I loved every minute of it.
   
3. Strive to build a solid, data-based self-assessment that describes who you are. Once you have this, you can use it to assess and evaluate every kind of option you face—partners, education, careers. I inherited and developed an award-winning system at the Harvard Business School which is summarized now for free (free free) on my website near the bottom the Career Option Workbook COW. 20+ self-assessment tools, and methodology for analyzing them and building a solid, enduring self-assessment. Your list of “Life Themes”, your habitual patterns, are not likely to change that much once you reach 20ish. I’ve taught this system at HBS and UVA for 30 years. Personal Web - James G. Clawson
   
   
4. Do all your homework to the best of your ability every time. Get in the habit of doing your best. Don’t cut corners, postpone, slide by. Every course will teach you something you can draw on later in life—whether you see that now or not.
   
5. Brain chemistry can play a part here. Some people have clinical depression—and may need counseling and/or medication. If “lost” is serious to you, find a good counselor (not all of them are good), and take care of yourself.
   
6. Get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day. Walking, riding a bike, taekwondo (super), whatever. Exercise produces endorphins which will raise your mood.
   
7. Stay away from alcohol and drugs when you feel “lost.” They will make things worse.
   
8. Find 1–3 kindred spirits to share your thoughts with—non-judgmental people, people who can listen, people who will care about you. Don’t expect them to give advice. (Read On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers).
   
9. Read my book, A Song of Humanity: A Science-Based Alternative to the World’s Scriptures. See A Song of Humanity for the Table of Contents. Start with the Book of Self. How do people become their own person? I know it seems self-serving: I wrote this my retirement to summarize what science has taught us over the last 200 years. I believe every child in the world should read it.
   
10. Anticipate what you can learn tomorrow. Each day, write down one or more things you learned that day. LOOK for things to learn and add to your understanding of how the world works. Look and you will see.

I hope this helps. And I guess you can see how in retirement, Quora helps me continue to fulfill my life’s purpose. Best wishes on finding yours! Anytime before you die is good.