2. Finding a parking spot right near the entrance
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Ideally, this summer I would be doing an internship like so many of my peers; however, I don't have the class credits to fill or the time to spend not getting paid. Even though it might be teaching my valuable skills in my future career, I have a car payment to make and I like drinking expensive coffee so there's that lol.
Here's a list of thing's I've learned over the years that I might not know unless I got a job before I graduated.
1. The customer/client is ALWAYS right....most of the time.
GiphyHave you ever come away from a conversation and thought to yourself, "wow I can NOT believe that person is being serious right now!!" But you're in no position to tell them off? This is something I've encountered MANY times. However, it teaches you that sometimes if not all the time, it's best to hold your tongue and figure it out instead of cause a scene.
2. If you don't know something, it's better to ask rather than do it wrong.
GiphyI am honestly surprised at how many relevant GIFs I can find...lol..anyways, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS! I get it, you don't want to bother your boss or your coworker with the tenth question you've asked today. But it sure does save them time and frustration from later fixing your mistakes later.
3. If you see something that needs to be done, just do it because no one else is going to.
GiphyYou know that trash bag that's been sitting in the back of your workplace for a few days? Be the bigger person and TAKE IT OUT PLEASE. You're only going to be helping everyone out. I get it, no one ~wants~ to do it. But you're the kinda person that gets sh*t done. Be that person. Make yourself proud.
4. If you're sick, please don't come into work.
GiphyI'm not talking about your throat having a little tickle and your body aches a tiny bit. I'm talking about when going into work would result in potentially getting all your coworkers sick. Please just stay at home and call your manager or boss and tell them you're not feeling well. It's tough taking a day off but sometimes you need it.
5. If there's drama in the workplace, AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE.
GiphyWorkplace drama can lowkey be the best thing to happen at work. It gives you something to talk about and helps the day go faster. But it is NOT worth getting involved! The last thing you need is your name being thrown around and feelings being hurt and people turning against you. The workplace is meant to be a place where you can work as a TEAM. It's hard to be a team when half of you have beef with one another.
6. If you're given more responsibility, don't be intimidated. You've got this!
GiphyIf you get new responsibilities at work, GO YOU! That probably means your manager or boss notices your attention to detail or trusts you with these new tasks because they know you're the best one for the job. Now if your boss is just doing it to take advantage of you, SPEAK UP. Don't be afraid to say, "This is a big task, can I request some help with competing this project?" Humble yourself and realize when a task is too big for you, it's okay to ask for help.
7. If you're going to be late, let someone know.
GiphyOne thing I have decided to stop doing is giving excuses for being late. Most of the time my employer doesn't really care why I'm running a little late. They just want to know that I'm still coming to work and when I will be there. A simple, "Hey I'm so sorry but I'm running five minutes late, I'll be there soon" works better than giving them a sob story.
8. It's never too soon to act professional.
GiphyJust because you're working a retail job or a job that's not paying you a salary, doesn't mean they don't deserve the best version of you. Handle yourself in a professional manner and always put your best foot forward. The places you work now might end up being references on your résumé so leave a good impression while you can.
9. Encourage your coworkers, because you might be the only one that does.
GiphyGetting recognition or a compliment at your job can sometimes be far and few between. When it does happen, take it and help it encourage you to keep killin' it at your job. However, your boss is a busy person and they aren't going to be patting your back every time you do what they asked you to do. Take initiate and if you see your coworker doing an awesome job, TELL THEM. Help bring positivity into the workplace by encouraging one another. #goodvibesonly
10. Always be kind to others.
GiphyWho doesn't love a good Leo GIF? *All the heart eyes for this man* But really, if there is anything I have learned it's that kindness and patience can fix anything. Even if things don't work out in your favor or even if they do, always be kind to others and leave them with the best impression of yourself.
Campus Life. Courtesy of Wikimedia
Time management
Obvious? Yes, but this concept tend to slip your grasp once the freedom of college life sets in. At first, college seemed pretty easy to me. I pretty much plowed through a lot of classes with A's in my first semester and that made me cocky. I soon ditched my well planned daily schedules to allocate more time to playing video games because no one could tell me otherwise. Suffice to say, that wasn't the best idea.
Don't be like this everyday, be ahead of the game instead.RBL
My grades in my second semester started flunking and soon enough, I found myself caught in dangerous waters. When my life fell out of sync, more than my grades were affected. To tend to my studies meant I had to skip some social activities, doing social activities on campus meant I struggle with maintaining contact with my family. Doing all of the above meant my health would take a huge blow. Soon enough, burnout would set in, but thankfully, the semester ended just before I threw in the towel. It was a scary experience that I do not want to experience again.
Socializing
While college may not be all-party (except for "certain universities"), socializing is a key part in building and maintaining relationships. Socializing could mean the difference between getting a job by yourself or getting a good peer recommendation letter. But it's more than occupational benefits, socializing helps you cope with the at-times-lonely feeling in college. My roommate went home for thanksgiving and I felt completely distraught and went bonkers after 3 days.
Literally me during Thanksgivingmedia0.giphy.com
Make friends, keep contact, and balance that with your studies. You don't want to be dancing in a club while there's 3 essays due for the night.
Taking notes effectively
This may sound weird but you might want to get on doing that. Although in college, some concepts are quite familiar to what you've learned in high school, taking clear and effective notes of the main details are quintessential to your success. Clear notes could quickly summarize 15 chapters of physics from 400 pages worth of textbook content (I've been there).
Me during PhysicsGiphy
Also, if you're taking classes that are directly connected to the ones you took before (Calculus II, Physics II, etc.) then taking notes clearly will help a lot with reviewing old concepts to build new ones upon.
Spend wisely
Ah, financial freedom, we all love to have our own cash now, don't we? Not so fast, there are a lot of things that you have to look out for. Credit cards are one of them. Sure they will establish your credit score and offer nigh limitless spending, but they're deathtraps for those who tend to throw their money everywhere for everything. If your credit score is damaged from a late payment, your student loans will also be affected. Better watch out for that!
Then there's the Black Friday syndrome. Honestly, I spent $200 worth on clothes during Black Friday when I could be spending the same for $60 in Ross. Be conscious of your spending, sometimes the sales and discounts will squeeze more out of you than you think.
Careful with that dough thereGiphy
Also, if you're living off campus in a student apartment somewhere, make sure you pay your rent on time. This may be an obvious thing but it's very easy to forget. Read your contract and note down the date you have to pay your rent. Be very careful with money!
Now that summer is here, you might want to make some plans or budget to prepare for college. It's right around the corner and you won't want to miss this amazing experience!
The key to good lecture notes is not writing what is on the board. Take notes on what your professor says.
To help with quick annotating, abbreviate longer words!
It's almost habit for us to see something on the board and think it important enough to write down, but this is WRONG. You can always have the professor post/email the presentations for review on your own time, but you can never get back the important facts your teacher SAYS!!!
My professor ALWAYS talks about stuff that later shows up on her exams!! So it's my job to forget what's on the board and focus on her words. It has helped me maintain an A average in her class (her grading scale is 95-100=A).
Here are my notes. They look scrambled and my handwriting isn't neat, but these are my holy grail for the tests. I keep all my notes in one bullet journal.
It also helps to review your teacher's syllabus and schedule relevant readings BEFORE class so you have an idea what will be discussed and can therefore ask the IMPORTANT questions in class. It helps you look informed, too. ;)
Sarah Fetter
Sarah Fetter
Sometimes it helps to make quick mind maps to link ideas and info together. It helps to visualize, too, for tests! Sarah Fetter
Open your textbooks/online resources.
Since you already paid a couple of hundred bucks on those bad boys, might as well use them. Also, this will make your teachers very happy because a lot of them write their own books and make you buy them.
Plan it out so you can rock it out.
I feel that having a planner has truly saved my life from total doom. Deadlines are no joke, and your professors don't think so either. Save up those two dropped assignments for important situations not because you forgot to turn it in. Overall, planners help you plan out your life and what needs to be done for the day. Use it to your advantage!
Have designated notebooks/tabs on your computer for each subject.
If you can have a notebook with every subject in it, then honestly good for you. I personally can't do that because I would lose my mind. I think it's very helpful to have everything in its own place. Trust me, it will help a lot.
Round up all your favorite pencils, pens, and highlighters.
Although this seems small, having your favorite study tools will help with your self-confidence. When I use the same pencil when studying and then use it on the exam it really helps. Honestly it may just be a placebo effect, but don't knock it until you try it!
NOte cards? More like "yes" cards!
These little guys are very helpful because they help you by applying some of your senses. For example, when you write down the definition and say it out loud it increases your learning curve. Once they're all written out you can always re-look at them. Don't limit yourself with just paper though—I've found that Quizlet has been helpful too!
Procrastination is not key.
Try to not wait until the last minute. You're going to be more stressed out due to all the material that you have to look over. Then you realize that you have to study more than expected because you actually don't know anything. Moral of the story, don't procrastinate and wait until the last minute.
Team work! Team work! Team work!
Don't understand a concept? That's okay! You asked the professor/TA and still don't understand? That's still okay! Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your friends aren't just there to hang out—some of them tend to be really good "tutors" and can explain the concept to you easier than the actual professor.
If you snooze, you don't always lose.
I can't stress this enough, but sleep is important. I'm not saying to sleep for 12 hours, but sleep enough to where you feel like you would be energized and ready for your exam. You know yourself better than anyone, so that will depend on the number of hours you need to sleep.
Confidence creates quality work.
Don't stress too much about your exam. I'm sure you will do great. If you've studied and prepared enough, it will show. A test does not define who you are, and I'm sure you're a pretty awesome person.
I hope these steps help you do well and prepare for your exam. I believe in you and you should too. Also, if you're procrastinating at this moment, finish reading this article and then go ahead and study. I appreciate you for taking the time to read this and good luck!
