Philly Tech Week 2018 presented by Comcast kicks off this Friday, April 27. If you are a college student like me, I can think of only three reasons why you haven’t registered for an event yet.

For one, you probably already have your hands full with finals quickly approaching and you may not be sure what events would be worth your valuable and limited time. Second, you are a broke college student and paying to attend an event is not in your budget. Or, finally, perhaps you are like the majority of college students who find it difficult to get up from the bed you have been laying in for “just a minute” to get the pizza rolls out of the oven that will provide the temporary satisfaction and instant self-loathing you crave because college has made you feel numb. In which case you lack the energy or time in between mental breakdowns to consider what kinds of events you should go to.

You’re in luck, though! I have made it really easy for you. Maximize your connections, minimize the confusion and have a really good time in the process.

What’s the best part? Most of the events are free and its super easy to navigate events that aren’t going to break the bank. Not convinced? Take a look at the whole list of events happening during #PTW18 on our website.

So, without further ado, here is the College Student’s Guide to Philly Tech Week 2018.

Pick an event that will uplift and feed your soul

This is a great place to start. Given the stress of college life, it’s important to seek out an event that will relieve some of that stress, give you a mental break and help you focus on yourself for a minute. What does this mean? It means you need to be at “Its Always Sunny: Networking, games, Friends and Fun at The Yard Rooftop” from 4–6 p.m. on Monday, April 30. It’s the perfect place for both extroverts and introverts. Bring a friend and make a few new ones.

Pick an event that will inspire and encourage you

Philly Tech Week is the perfect time to connect with attendees and speakers that can give you that inspiration you lost at the end of the fall semester. Instead of debating whether or not to drop out, find the inspiration to go further. There are numerous events that will help you get there. But you can be sure you will find me at Female Founders Panel from 2–4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 30. Hear from women who have started, grown and are running their own businesses.

If that’s not really your speed, check out “How to give a damn and stand out in a saturated market“ on May 5, from 12–2 p.m. Invest in learning about emotional intelligence and other skills that help implement empathy into your current or future workplace.

Pick an event that will grow and challenge you

Let’s be honest for a minute. You probably already feel like you have enough challenges. However, its not every day that you get the opportunity to step outside of the typical structure of learning and growth that college offers.

Why wait until you cross a stage at graduation to sink your teeth into what the world is doing outside of the classroom? Start now. Grow in your understanding of what the world will be like when college is in the rearview. Start thinking about your future. Check out “Philadelphia Futurism: a local take on the next 20 years” on Tuesday, May 1 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Learn about how technology will be changing the Philadelphia landscape in the next 20 years. How will you fit into that world if you don’t understand where it’s going?

If you are trying to get your feet wet in multiple topics at one event, the Technical.ly-organized Dev Talks have the kind of variety you’re looking for. Covering AI & machine learning, blockchain & cryptocurrency and leadership & soft skills, there will be something for everyone. Challenge yourself to think and learn beyond just what applies to your major or the job you think you want after graduation. Learn about a new topic or a new skill. It will only make you more valuable to hiring companies in the future. Join us on Wednesday, May 2, from 2–6 p.m.

Close out your Philly Tech Week experience on Saturday, May 5, from 1–4 p.m. with “Keep it onehunted: How to effectively Communicate + Market to an Urban Demo/psychographic in Authentic Ways.” Regardless of what your field of study is, effective communication will either make or break you. Learn how to effectively communicate and market to an urban consumer. This event will be a great way to end PTW. You will have had the opportunity to de-stress, learn something new, be forward thinking, feel empowered, inspired and challenged. Now you can take it to the next level and learn to communicate with the masses.

You don’t have to run a startup, develop software or know how to code to be involved in Philly Tech Week. Check out the full list of events taking place and ask yourself, which event will uplift and feed your soul? Which events will inspire and encourage you? Which events will grow and challenge you? I can guarantee that you will find an event that will meet all of your needs. I can also guarantee that everything you have your hands full with in college is temporary. Take a breath, take a break and take the time to invest in your future. Do it now, do it tomorrow, and do it all at #PTW18.