Are you stuck in college?

By Zai of Take Charge Ladies

At the college I went to, it seemed as though most students were going for some sort of Van Wilder reputation. They were considered the “professional students.” The ones who had, for more than five or six years, been sitting in a chair with a desk attached to it.

Many of them had legitimate reasons for being long-time college students. They had children, full-time jobs, or health issues that required much of their time. But most of the students I’d met simply had poor excuses.

For one,  they’d been spoiled throughout their k-12 education. Mrs. Teacher gave them report cards, warnings, detentions, awards, assigned seating, and extra credit. These students probably dreamed of being successful by their mid-20s, perhaps even the next best thing by 30. But, pop. That bubble burst when they were no longer forced to excel. Attending class was optional, and so was college altogether.

Laziness stepped in. They chose to play now and work later. Really later. Especially in Miami, where I’m from, nightlife and social status became real distractions. College students wanted the college lifestyle sans the college work.

And now, I’ve found that some of these students are feeling left out when college graduations come around. They see their peers succeeding and feel like failures. But fear not! Here are a few tips for those students who are stuck in a college rut and need out now:

Prioritize. Let’s make this simple – school should be number one (or close to it if you have special circumstances) on your priority list. School is what’s going to help you get the job, allow you to afford a good life for you and your family and essentially will make everything else in life easier. The partying, drinking and socializing are all tons of fun, but unless you plan on becoming a professional “partier” or alcoholic, they should be nowhere on your priority list. Instead, use them as incentives. Study hard, get an A, and treat yourself to a night out with the ladies. It’s a win, win!

Take responsibility. You’re not going to have anyone guiding you through college.  Every step of getting through it counts entirely on you. So, register to as many classes as you can take, commit to them, and try your hardest to actually learn. And yes, you can definitely do it while working part- or full-time. My humanities professor once told me something that will forever stick to me, and it applies to many situations. It went something like this: “People need to stop saying they can’t,” he said. ” They can and will do everything they make themselves do. If you didn’t do it, it’s not because you couldn’t. It’s because you didn’t try hard enough. You think the Great Pyramid was built by a buncha smiling, happy men drenched in sweat? No! They did it because they had to and made themselves do it.”

Set (and meet) goals. Throughout college, I kept a red, raggedy notebook titled “Goals and stuff.” Fine, I’ll admit to using it for doodling in class, but in it I also constantly set short-term and long-term goals for myself. My short-term goals were always very detailed. And I always set a date to meet each goal by. At times, I felt like I was in a competition with that little notebook. I wanted to prove to “it” that I could and would meet my goals. I pushed myself hard. If I ever slacked, it was like the notebook was sticking its tongue out at me, chanting “nani, nani, boo, boo.” As silly as it sounds, it was my “fun” way of achieving my little dreams. And it worked.

Love to learn. If you constantly refer to school in a negative manner, it will forever feel like a drag. Don’t go to school “whether you like it not.” Go to school because you like it. Take classes that are interesting and enjoyable .If possible, join clubs that encourage your hunger to learn. Doing this will boost your interest in school, which will eventually lead to taking more classes and graduating.

Tips to make it through your first move

By Zai of Take Charge Ladies

Packing: Pack first what’s necessary, then the optionals. Take the opportunity to sort through your belongings and donate the ones that are unused or unwanted. Make sure to wrap any fragile items with newspaper or bubble wrap. And, this may sound silly, but don’t forget to pack toilet paper. Trust me, I speak from experience!

Getting from point A to point B: Once you’ve packed, figure out how you will get your belongings to your new place, and who will help you (oh, and you will need help!) You can ask friends and family for help, or you can rent a moving truck and movers. Some truck rentals allow you to travel one way and drop off the truck in a location near your new home, which is something to think about if you’re traveling a long distance. And, if you’re moving because of business, ask your employer if they cover moving expenses.

 Budget: You’re going to want to purchase all sorts of appliances and decor for your new place. But hold your horses. Make sure to take note of your finances, first. Budgeting is extremely important when you’re living on your own. Calculate the following: Salary – (rent or mortgage + light bill + water bill + cable bill + internet and phone bill + car payment + insurance + bi-weekly groceries + gasoline). Split your leftover money into savings and personal expenses. Don’t forget to clip coupons and watch for deals and Sunday specials! Tip: Don’t grocery shop while shopping – you’ll end up buying more than you need. Also, generic brands can be just as good sometimes!

 Socialize: If you’re moving to a city far from your hometown, it will take time to pick new hang-outs, make new friends, and get adjusted. Once you’ve settled into your new space, it’s important to think about your social life. Get out there -whether it’s to a supermarket, bar, or library-  and talk to people around you. Ask young people about popular places. And don’t be afraid to go out by yourself!

Lose yourself: Turn off your GPS, put away your map, and get lost. It’s the best way to discover your surroundings and get to know your new neighborhood. Take note of places that look interesting, and finding your nearest fire and police station is a must.

Know your neighbors: It’s a good idea to exchange numbers with your neighbors, in case of emergencies. Know who lives where and who drives what. It doesn’t make you nosy, it makes you cautious!

Get a hobby: You might get homesick at times, which is why you should get a new hobby to keep your mind entertained during times of loneliness. Joining a gym or club is always a good idea and is a sure way to make you new friends.

Squeaky clean: As lazy as you may get sometimes, try not to leave dirty dishes in the sink over night or a full bag in the trash. You may find some unwanted pets in the morning!

Be free: Living alone is liberating. There’s no one to nag about your messy room, no one to intrude on your privacy and no one to judge you for singing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun while painting naked in the living room. Everyone should live alone at one point simply because it’s liberating and allows for personal growth.

Five tips for recent grads

By Zai of Take Charge Ladies

 A degree doesn’t guarantee a job. So you’ve done it. You’ve attended class day in and day out, and now you’ve graduated. Great. Pat yourself in the back and realize you’re now part of a society full of college graduates that are desperately searching for jobs. That little piece of paper you’ll get in the mail means close to nothing to employers. As long as you know that, you’ll know to try hard enough to get the job you deserve.

So, you were never an intern? Hm. No worries.  Swallow your pride and intern after graduation. Yeah, it’s tough knowing you’re doing what college freshmen are doing, but experience is key. Plus, as an intern with a degree, you should look at it as an opportunity. Prove yourself while interning and you might just land a job.

A foot in the door. Chances are you’re not going to be a top executive right after college. Moving up the corporate ladder takes time. Before setting your eyes on the position of your dreams, focus on entering a workplace of interest. You may start out at a beginner position, but consider it a foot in the door. Once you’re in, be patient and wait for job openings. Most places will consider hiring in-house before any other applicants. Good luck!  

Relocation, relocation, relocation. You may love where you live. It’s home to you. But if a good job opportunity calls for relocation, give it thought. You may want to make yourself available to move wherever that dream career may be. And if that’s your case, you’re going to want to read this.

Procrastination is not the key. Don’t wait ’til after graduation to plan your career goals and plans. By the time you’re putting on your cap and gown, you should have already applied to some jobs and have an idea of what you’ll do in the meantime. Sitting around and waiting is easy, but it will get you nowhere. Don’t stop applying. And don’t stop working, either. If you have a job, keep it until you have a definite job somewhere else. Procrastination is very tempting. If you fall into the trap, it may be hard to get out. Keep your head up, spirits high, and stay active in your job hunt!