Mine has really helped me along the way by giving me a multitude of advice on things from class selection, internship applications, and brainstorming ideas for one of the organization’s that we run together. Maybe it’s the businesswoman in me, but I am really big on building relationships with others. Something that my dad constantly reminds me “it’s not what you know, its who you know!” I am extremely grateful for my professor’s constant support and would not have been as successful in my academic career without him!
3. Greek Life is what you make of it!
4. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about awful professors
This past semester I had one of the WORST professors that I have ever had in my entire educational experience. Not even being dramatic, you can even ask my friends on Rate My Professor! They agree!
I found myself in sticky situation this past fall when registering for classes as there was no one else teaching the class and I needed to take it. I wish I was lying when I told you that my friends and I sat in that classroom for an entire semester literally not understanding one thing that was going on. Not only was he constantly inconsistent in his instructions, but he favored male students, never posted grades for us to see where we stood in the class, and the notes for lecture that he wrote on the whiteboard were all over the place and consisted of so many scribbles that you would have thought that it was art class.
It’s unfortunate to have professors who clearly have no passion for the information that they teach especially if they expect the students to preform well. You would think that they would want students to feel as if they are getting their money’s worth considering that they are paying for it. Anyways, Luckily (and thankfully), I was one of the few who were able to pass his class.
5. Don’t be afraid to apply for internships/jobs!
All in all, from going on several interviews, to being presented offers, or not being chosen, I am so proud to say that I ended up accepting two internship offers; one for the summer and fall! I’ll be sure to do a post or two towards the end of the summer/early fall discussing how to make the most of your internship.
6. Make use of the Career Center at your university!
Piggy backing off of my previous point, I would not have been as successful in landing any of my internships without their help! A lot of students I know shy away from visiting the Career Center and I am not sure why; all it takes is making an appointment and showing up with the requested material. In thirty minutes to an hour of your time they can catch things on your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile that you may have never thought to reword, add, or even delete. They also host a lot of career fairs and conduct mock interviews which I believe is an extremely valuable experience! As I just mentioned, if I had not gone to one of the job fairs I would missed the opportunity to apply for one of the internships that I ended up accepted!
7. Relationships come and go, and that’s ok!
I have always been one to put boys and dating on the back burner because I have always been extremely academically and career oriented. I was in a relationship for a little while last year but we both decided that we were better off as friends. If anything, this situation taught me to be the bigger person and speak up if you aren’t happy and that sometimes things do not always work out (sometimes for the better) but it is important that you don’t waste your pretty, pick yourself back up, and keep on moving!
8. Living at home isn’t ideal, but you can make it (somewhat) bearable
I love my parents and am extremely thankful for everything that they have sacrificed for me, but something that I personally struggled with was that I yearned for independence while living at home. I lived in the dorms my freshman year but between not having the best roommate experience and the cafeteria not offering gluten free food, I made the decision to live at home and commute. That being said, even though I am not a homebody by any means and do enjoy going out and with my friends I had to understand that because I live with them, I do have to obey their rules.
Let me tell you, I was not a happy camper when they tried to instill a 12 AM curfew on me. Anyone who goes out knows that the clubs don’t start getting popping until after 11:30 PM! LOL.
Knowing that nothing good happens after dark and that I have to be especially careful because I am a girl, something that I learned is that communication is key! If I know I am not going to be home at a reasonable hour, I always try to communicate my ETA or will just sleepover at my friends. In addition, I personally believe that developing an equal level of respect is also important. I mean no harm when I say that my parents are helicopter parents, I know that they do it because they love me, but sometimes having your personal life pried into can be frustrating and annoying. That being said, I have learned to only share as much information as I am comfortable. All in all, if you are in a similar living situation like me, at the end of they day, you will always be their baby, but establishing a more “roommate” relationship can make the situation slightly more bearable.
9. Learn when it is time to remove yourself from toxic friendships.
I consider myself to be an extroverted introvert and enjoy being with others but also need time to myself to recharge so that I do not get drained out. That being said, imagine one person draining you out ALL. THE. TIME. Absolutely exhausting? Yep, that is EXACTLY how I felt! I was always making excuses for her bad behavior and definitely tolerated a lot more than I should have. I will admit, it took me a while to recognize that it was an unhealthy friendship until it began to affect me, my life at home, my other friendships, my then relationship, and so on. Speaking from my own personal experience, the minute you recognize that there is a problem is when you should address it. If you speak to them and it seems to go in one ear and out the next or if they decide to play the victim, then it is definitely time to say hasta la vista.
10. Start being more aware of your spending habits.
