You wonder if there's more to those sleepless nights, as you try your darn best to beat the deadline to your assignment. And you believe that you would forget what you've learned from the lecture room five years from now. You're taking your coursework for granted or you haven't figured out how to sell your academic brilliance.
You've accumulated enough stock knowledge, which should make you good enough to be a contestant on "Jeopardy!". You can invite your coursemates (or dorm mates) for a mock game, a chance to make up for you struggles during a recent examination. It would be fun while it last, though. On the other hand, you've been spending too much time on social media. You've been thinking of creating your own brand, an Instagram account featuring your favorite shots of your college. (You're hoping that users will be impressed at you, unaware that many will follow and unfollow you.) Ben Stiller's "Reality Bites" would have inspired you, which is a good idea. You might lose interest in the long run.
If many students are thinking of an academic career, then they know how to make the most out of their brilliant minds. This is the logical step, which means they didn't waste their time on investing in such knowledge. It doesn't mean that other options would matter less. You may be thinking of a graduate (and postgraduate) studies. You might reconsider an academic career. You rather have lots of career options. Something will come up. There's no such thing as College Idol, though.
Hold Your Nose (and Sell Yourself)
Make lots of friends. You'll meet them in the student hall, if not parties.(where you have been invited to). There's a high chance that one or two will end up lifelong friends, but you should go around (so to speak). Be open to your tutor. Keep a casual conversation with the residence hall director. Don't be afraid of your professors. If you want to specialize in a particular field, then you need to know the best people (working in it). Start at your own university. You'll likely meet other college students from other universities. Keep your guard down, as you find your common interests. You might end up colleagues sooner or later.
Define your social media. It's your prerogative to express your thoughts or feelings in your account(s), but freedom of expression has its limits. You can think of creative ways, which you can use as a portfolio later on. If you're leaning towards journalism (and related fields), then try to be objective about a particular issue. Keep a positive mindset, which can run on anyone. You can also think of an abstract image, if not an arresting picture, which sums up your sentiment. The responses will prompt you to adopt a proactive approach, and someone will notice it.
Write something (and publish it). You have lofty goals, but a journal might not be a good start for you. Think of your papers, as there's no deadline on what you're about to do. Nothing is mundane, as long as you can pen a metaphor about a particular aspect of your college. If you're unable to compose a poem, then consider a prose (or something close to it). You'll be able to come up with a brilliant piece without your knowing it. If it's a book, then don't think about a possible bestseller. It may backfire on you.
Know your true worth. You'll be good on something after doing it for some time. You're no longer modest about a particular subject because you know a great deal about it. You should be proud of yourself after you manage to make it through a pressure-filled week of several deadlines and a few examinations. You're not resting on your laurels, as you must be consistent about it. You'll discover other virtues that you're unaware of. Don't forget to mention it on your CV, illustrating it with high figures.
Be a well-informed student. It's only natural to be interested in the latest trends, even indulge on trivial knowledge. On the other hand, you shouldn't force yourself to show your enthusiasm on archaic words. It's not right to spend lots of hours on graphs and statistical figures (to impress your coursemates.). A curious approach to your coursework will make you eager to know more. Your genuine interest will follow sooner.
No Need to Rush It
Some students will be turned off while others may take advantage of you. One of your professors will be annoyed at you while there will be some people who will make a wrong impression of you on their first glance. You don't have to prove anything, as you need to show (to yourself) that you'll look at it responsibly. If you're on your final year, then you would have little time on musing on it.
If you keep on doing the above (tips), then there's no reason why you can't have your moment.