Students blog

Life can be so busy. That’s why students make resolutions to be more organized or prep their meals at the beginning of each week. However, I believe students don’t do enough to “meal prep” for their own mental well-being. Our generation puts a strong emphasis on self-care, whether that be valuing work-life balance or doing a facial mask once a week! However, I believe “meal-prepping” mundane and easily-forgettable tasks is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to show your future self that you care.

An overwhelming load

This past semester, I was enrolled in 20 credit hours consisting of a few of the hardest classes I would have to take for my degree. Although my overwhelming course load was largely due to poor planning on my part, it ironically taught me the importance of planning to make sure I survived my demanding semester while ensuring my success. I learned to focus on the little things that would make daily life a little bit easier and help prepare me to face any future hardships and curve balls that could arise.

An idea in the parking lot

It all started when I signed up for a Pilates class on the other side of campus. I remember having a meeting before my earliest class with a department head, and I woke up extra early to make sure I didn’t miss it. When I arrived on campus I witnessed the rare sight of an abundance of empty parking spaces in the lot that is usually the most overcrowded parking lot at my university. I was determined to get a spot nearest the business school when I remembered the Pilates class I had later in the day. That morning, I was so extremely early that I had time to park further away and walk an extra 5 minutes to my meeting, but now would be able to leave campus as soon as Pilates was over.

Being kinder to ‘future me’

It’s as simple as that. Life is so much easier when there is a little bit of forethought. I began parking strategically to be kinder to my future self because I realized I don’t know what the day will have in store for me. I don’t know if ‘future me’ got a bad grade on a test or sprained her ankle at the gym or made dinner plans with a friend after class that require me hurrying to make it to the restaurant on time.

My new philosophy began to manifest itself in multiple, different ways. I began to always keep workout clothes in my car; I would lay out my clothes the night before class; I even went on a weekend trip before Christmas Break and made sure to leave a breakfast bar for my early morning return. I decided to make it as easy as possible to make sure my future self has a simpler time.

If you happen to find yourself with difficult classes or too many time commitments or even want to improve your performance in school, I implore you to start thinking today about what you must do tomorrow. It will make all the difference.

A new semester is a perfect time to set new, challenging goals. It’s a wonderful time when students are allowed a fresh start for grades, organizations, and hobbies. You can change your priorities based on lessons learned from the past. Some semesters may require you to become less involved while others may inspire you to do more. Either way, a new semester allows you to expand both your mind and your commitments. Here are a few ideas and guidelines for setting your G.O.A.L.S. to create a winning semester.

Get ahead

It’s a common goal for most college students: do all the hard work now so you can cruise at the end of the semester. My mom always tells me to get ahead in the beginning, but sometimes that’s impossible. If you haven’t learned the topic, you can’t start the homework. However, it IS possible to get ahead in textbook reading and to do your homework earlier than the night before. You can also use time in between classes to even get ahead on stuff you have to do later that day.

My summer internship for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had. Everyone around me was so professional and knowledgeable. It was easy to feel as if I didn’t belong. However, that is precisely why internships exist. As students with little to no professional experience, we do NOT belong. Internships thrust you into new experiences, initiating a period of rapid growth that helps prepare you for your future.

All internships are unique and explore different specialties at various companies, but there are some key learning concepts that are similar across the board: adaptability, critical thinking, and professionalism. To sharpen these soft skills, I have compiled the three most important things I learned this summer that helped me keep my head above water.

Ask Questions

You may walk in the doors on the first day of your internship and be greeted by seasoned professionals who have worked at a company for over twenty years. It is easy for them to forget that all of this is new to you. Questions help bridge gaps in education and communication, and they allow your boss to make sure you are completing a task correctly the FIRST time.

For instance, once my boss asked me to take down a shelf where the new copier machine was being relocated. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, not until you realize the whereabouts of the office’s toolbox is a mystery to you. After asking around, I was told the toolbox was in the “spider closet,” which both terrified me and made no sense. Through more questioning, I found the closet and realized that it required a code to enter. I had to ask for additional assistance to complete a task that should have been a quick and easy assignment.

Employees at an office take for granted the knowledge they have gained through years of work experience with a company. Although it may feel like the opposite is true, asking for help is not a nuisance. Your boss will be much more annoyed if a job is done incorrectly than if you have a few questions about it.

Bite off more than you can chew

You intern with companies for the sole purpose of learning, so don’t be afraid to ask for more responsibilities. Ask your boss and coworkers if they need help! At no other point in your life is assistance going to be so readily available, so ask for new projects and solicit help accordingly. Not only will this teach you how to become adaptable when thrown into novel circumstances, but it also demonstrates initiative that will not go unnoticed.

Manners Matter

Everyone wants to work with people they find pleasant. When you are kind to your coworkers, they are more likely to ask for your help on projects. “Thank you” should be the most common phrase that comes out of your mouth, next to “please” and “do you need any help with that, sir or ma’am?”

Now, go thank your momma for raising you right and preparing you for a professional career.

PRO TIP: Write a handwritten, personal thank you card to your boss or supervisor whenever you are done with your internship. It is so rewarding and means so much to them, especially in this day and age. After writing a thank you card to my boss, I was asked back for the next summer less than a week later.

During your next internship, are you going to sink or swim? Internships are a fun way to learn about your career potential, and with these 3 tips, you can stay afloat and will sail with breeze.