End of Semester Blues

As I come to the end of another semester of my college career I wonder where all the time went. As a senior, I have come to reflect on many of my semesters at Brockport in amazement. How did I survive those 20 credit semesters while working at Career Services for twenty hours a week, and still having a social life on the weekends? How did I manage internships, classwork, and living off campus? Looking back I am always considerably more impressed with myself than I am during the semester. Of course, during the semester I'm getting roughly 6 hours of sleep a night, and hardly stopping to catch my breath so who knows what I am really thinking during the semester.

Then there is one inevitable thought that always stops my heart for a few beats, and consistently scares me... Was it worth it? Were the 15 - 20 page papers worth the effort? What about the endless hours of class I sat through? After I walk the stage will I be employable? Will someone hire me? Will the classes I barely made it through be worth the sleepless nights and tired days?

When that moment passes I start to realize that throughout my college career everything I did was worth it, and after graduation what happens is entirely up to me. It is like looking at another semester of college - I can handle that gets thrown at me from group presentations, to presenting by myself for 45 minutes, to a 20 page paper about a topic I know nothing about. After learning how to cite things in multiple ways in my sleep, researching scholarly topics, and taking finals I could swear I don't know anything about - I'm confident that I can survive the "real world."

Seven semesters of college down, one semester to go. In the end...it will be worth it. Every single thing I did while I was at Brockport made me a better, smarter and stronger person. So whatever is up next...I'm ready for it. The trick is preparation for your future. As an employee of Career Services you think I would be on the game. You would assume that I know exactly what I want to do, have made all the contacts for it, and need to just graduate already so I can do it. But the truth, in fact, is the exact opposite. I am neither sure of what I want to do when I grow up, or if I want to grow up (appreciate my comedy).

That doesn't change the fact that my internships and my experiences at Career Services have taught me a few things about my future. You know how people always say internships solidify what you want to do in your professional career? Well, in my case internships have allowed me to find out what I don't want to do. Internships have created a base of experience for me. Experience is something that classrooms, professors and all the books in the world can't teach you. Yes, professors can talk about it, and books can use examples, but nothing creates your experiences. Internships, and hands on experience is something that you have to be motivated to do yourself.

So, it's a week before finals and I'm talking about experience because it's more important! Good grades are great. Studying is great. Learning and understanding the material presented in class is great! But, let's face it: experience is the key to a worthwhile college experience, and that is why I know something will work out in my professional career after I walk that stage.

My advice to you? Get an internship. You have all winter break; use it wisely. Start researching a company you like, and find yourself an internship for the spring semester. The experience will shine on your resume, and it will allow you to have a base of familarity within a field. Internships have the ability to change your view on your career college. It allows your knowledge based on textbooks and lectures to become second hand nature in real life situations.

Need credits?!

Are you looking through the course catalog thinking "I don't want to take any of these classes." Well, welcome to my world. I am a senior, and desperately searching for twelve credits that I am interested in!

Here's the thing...there are still things I am interested in learning about, and I can kill hours of time on Google just finding interesting things out. What should I do I asked myself last night in the library. I need twelve credits, and there are only about nine that I'm interested in in taking? Solution: Independent Study! (this came to me at 12:30am in the library)

Since I am a senior I have several professors who know me on a personal level, and most of my professors I have taken several classes with. One professor, Dr. Levy, is an expert in American politics, and during a class of hers I became extremely intrigued with the Bill Clinton legacy. After a project and a paper I would randomly myself in the library stacks looking for other Bill Clinton books. I craved to know anything about him - his policy, his speeches, his scandals, his marriage, and pretty much anything that was about him. I know, I know I'm probably boring people, but I can't help my interests.

Anyway, an independent study is great for any student who is interested in getting more information about a topic. Plus, having a connection with a professor can lead to networking for you! It's an added bonus; don't forget that professors probably met many people in your field of interest, and may have done something else before they started teaching.

An independent study can also be a launching pad for many students. It can be the first step for publication. You may be saying, "Well, why is publication important?" First off, it's a great resume builder. Having a published article as undergraduate will definitely set you away from the pack. It's a great way to get your name into the field early. On top of that, building your resume with publications is good because it lets recruiters or admissions counselors know that you take your education seriously. It's going that one step further than you have to as an undergraduate.

Secondly, if you choose to get your Masters degree in your field of study you are going to have to write a thesis paper. This paper could be up to 50 pages. You probably want some practice before you can get sit down and whip one of those out. Seriously - an independent study course is all about one professor guiding you through the process of making a paper with an original thesis, and a new look at something.

Independent studies allow for students to grow comfortable doing original research and delving into a topic that interests them. Plus, think about how much of your time an independent study can free up! Most likely you will have to present your research (in the spring most professors have their students present their work at Scholar's Day), and be able to speak fluently on the topic. This is another added bonus - it will look great on your resume!

Interested in politics?

I actually started my career at Brockport as a political science major and a communications minor. With no real idea what I wanted to do in politics I felt lost in the major, whereas I immediately fell into communications so by the time I was a sophomore I switched my major and minor. My minor mainly focuses on American politics which has always been my true interest. As I started looking into more political programs I started realizing that more people focus on American politics than I originally thought.

I think the hardest part about being involved with politics at a small school is getting onto the career path. So when you are searching for a political internship around the Brockport area, don't get discouraged because they are many opportunities in the Rochester region!

If you are interested in working for a House representative, you're in luck. Brockport is in Monroe county, represented by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter who has several offices in the surrounding areas, and right next door is Ontario County, represented by freshman Congressman Eric Massa. I'll be interning for his Pittsford office in the spring semester! There are also regional opportunities in intern with State Senators in the office. And beyond this, Rochester is a fairly large city in New York State allowing for opportunities with an important mayor and his sucessful staff. These are just a few ideas to get your search started.

Don't forget about two programs that Brockport offers for anyone interested in politics - Washington Semester Program and Albany Semester Program. These offers allow students interested in politics to get their hands dirty in D.C. and Albany. Check out the Brockport Career Services website for more information!

Reaching for the stars!

As a senior at Brockport, with one semester to go, I realized that to start accomplishing anything I needed to simply make goals. So I started with something simple, finding a final internship. After a few weeks I was getting no where, so I started looking to goals. I wanted to know what I needed to do to make mine work. Turns out it's simple - when reaching for the stars you need concrete time lines, written down goals, and you have to be realistic. Like most things, you have to start small, and build up to your big goal, and it certainly will not come quickly.

A goal can be key to accomplishing almost anything. Let's start with why some goals just won't work. According to John M Grohol, Psyd, 75 percent of people who make a resolution fail on their first attempt and most people, 67 percent, make more than one resolution. WHY? First, New Year's Resolutions are often caused by a negative response to something. This means that something bad happened, and they feel like they need to correct it. Second, New Year's Resolutions are often too broad. To reach for a goal you need to have something concrete and specific. And finally, there is typically a lack of true motivation behind New Year's Resolutions. To really accomplish a goal a person has to be willing to try.

What should goals really do? A goal is an effective tool when you need to focus your direction, get the maximum use of your time, achieve the best results possible, and it can also boost your self-esteem and confidence. Keep in mind that a goal shouldn’t be a mashed together effort, but it should be specific to each thing you are interested in accomplishing.

If you are interested in making a goal work for you then I suggest you use something called a SMART goal. This is a specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goal. Having these five components be a part of your goal will ensure that you are effective when working through your goal. So, let’s start with the “S.” A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished versus a goal that embodies too many objectives. To reach one specific goal try asking yourself the six W questions: Who, what, where, when which, and why.

Now we will move on to measurable. This represents how much you will accomplish during your goal. When you are working with the M word you want to measure your progress to ensure you stay on track. This means reaching your target dates and tracking your experience. For example, if you were doing an internship search I suggest having certain dates like, “I will contact Company X by this date,” as well as saying, “I will contact X amount of companies.” Along with the measurable aspect, you need to have an attainable goal.

Having a goal that is something along the lines of owning a $10 million home goal is not attainable right now. Something more attainable is finding an internship for the spring semester. Goals are attainable if you can plan steps to get there and establish a time frame. But even if you set a goal like owning a $10 million home it may become reachable as you grow and expand to match your goals. It all depends on YOU.

Next you need a goal that will be realistic. You want to have a goal that you are both willing and able to work towards. A goal can be high and realistic; for example if you were looking for a paid internship you might consider this high, but as long as you decide to work towards the goal you are more likely to accomplish this. The more you believe in your goal, the more realistic it will be. And finally a goal must be timely.

And finally, goals should be grounded with a time frame therefore you will know that you are working towards something. Think about it like a “due date.” If you are lacking that finality then there is no sense of importance.

Buy an umbrella!

Rainy days are back at Brockport.

This isn't really life or goal related, just a simple reminder that everyone needs an umbrella or a good rain coat if you attend The College at Brockport.

It doesn't do it on purpose, but the rain seems to happen at the most inopportune moments. Days I want to keep my hair straight because I'm presenting for a class, or days that I'm in a good mood but because it's raining I'm automatically more prone to be quiet because of the rain. So instead of walking around campus getting soaked and being more miserable than you probably are already (because you're going to class) invest in an umbrella or a raincoat! Wear shoes that won't get soaked throughout the day, and of course when you are done for the day enjoy the sound of the rain. It's soothing, and can add an incredibly calming effect to your day.

Money? That's right. Money.

College kids, and money. Oh - what a topic to embark on...

Compulsive shopping habits.
Walmart. Wegmans. Tanning. Movies.
Stress means spending money.
Food! Alcohol! Bars!
Shoes. Clothes. Bags.

If any of these ring a bell to you, it's probably because you send your cold, hard-earned cash on it...errr, rather swipe a plastic card, but still you're spending the money you worked for!

Here's the thing: We are bombarded with credit card offers in the mail. We are bombarded with advertisements for new cellphones, new laptops, new iPods, and even the hottest fashions. How do we get what we want without overspending? How we do define the difference between things we want versus things we need, and how do we get through college without going into credit card debt?

It's not just Brockport, and it's not all college students, but it is a growing concern for our generation. Lucy Lazarony, from Brakrate.com, sums it up the best "It's absolutely epidemic the debts I see with young people and it follows them into their 30s and 40s."

Check out this article for tips about how to avoid credit card traps: How to budget, limit yourself, and use your credit the way you should.

But reading an article won't solve your problems. As a fellow student, let me give you some tips and ideas...

I don't carry cash. Ever. For a few reasons - it can get stolen much easier, I spend it much quicker, and honestly I hardly ever need it because credit is accepted pretty much everywhere. So how did I manage to make it through college without any debt? I'll give you a few ideas...

1. Keep an eye on your money. You should always know how much money you've been spending, and how much is in your account.

2. I want that new iPod. It doesn't mean that you have to have it RIGHT now. If it's going to blow your bank account, then leave it in the store. Like it? Love it? Start a piggy bank for your expensive gifts to yourself. When enough change builds up you'll be able to get it. Or try and make a deal with your parents. Got a younger sibling? When you are home for breaks try this: "Listen, I'll pick up _____ whenever this break if you guys chip in half of my new iPod." They might surprise you with a yes answer.

3. Limit yourself to one credit, and one emergency card. Set a limit for yourself. If the company tries to give you a $5000 limit, call them and ask them to lower it. Limits can be overwhelmingly high, so you have to force yourself to make a budget. Know your monthly bills - your cell phone, car insurance, gas and electric, food bills, cable and internet, and anything else that you pay monthly. Once you have your monthly bills set, you can know then how much money you have to play with!

4. Are your friends going to the bars, and you don't have the money for it? Offer to be the DD, that way there is no temptation to spend the money you don't have on alcohol.

And finally 5. Don't waste your money! Don't go to Walmart or Wegmans and buy eight things you won't ever use. Spend wisely - it's key to making the right decisions.

Senioritis

In August I slowly started to realize that this year would be senior year of my undergraduate. Going to college I never pictured myself graduating. I pictured myself going to class, finding a job, doing internships, but I never pictured myself receiving my degree. As weird as it is I find myself in the third week of my second to last college semester. With only 12 credits, I'm working 17 hours a week, and also teaching swim lessons. It turns out 12 credits feels like quite a bit more when you have the dreaded...SENIORITIS.

It's true; I have the bug. Although I managed to make it out of high school without getting it I seem to be one of the first infected for my senior year. It started slowly; you know things like, "Oh I'll do the reading later..." and get to class just to remember I had not done the reading yet, and now I just admit to, "Yeah I'm probably not going to do it." So what now? I have 27 weeks of my college career left. I can't spend the rest of it slacking...

Of course, it is not just seniors that need to be worried about the "itis". Many underclassmen will experience the same feelings. Thoughts like "does this really matter?" and "it's just one chapter" should be your first sign to knowing you need to pull it together. No matter if you are a freshman or a senior you should your do work well, in advance, and ask questions about the material if you are unsure.

So let me give you some advice for kicking your "itis;" It is a a real challenge, I know.

Tips to get your head back in the game!

1. Make a schedule! Knowing where you should and when you should be there is key to success. And beyond that knowing when things are due, when your group meetings are, when you are working, and anything else that you need to know or be at put on a calendar. Planners, agendas and wall calendars can help to get your head in the game. Use a whiteboard if you need to write you homework somewhere that you can see it. Don't put this in a place that it can be ignored!

2. Keep regular activity in your life! If you are a daily runner, swimmer, weight lifter don't let these things slip out of your life. It's okay if you don't do it everyday, but you should try and keep it in your week schedule 3 to 4 times a week. Physical activity allows your body to release different chemicals in your order to keep from getting overly stressed. Plus, when you are eating like most college students do you should keep active just to keep off the weight!

3. Eat healthy! College is not an ideal place for lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains, but try making good decisions. Fast food is an easy answer for when you are hungry, but it won't fill you up. Researchers also believe that fast food makes your brain work slower, and motivate you less to do work - physical activity or mental.

4. Constantly remind yourself that there is LIFE after college! Really. There is. I swear; Brockport has alumni that can prove it. Life doesn't end after you get your degree. In many cases, the real world will just be starting for you. Make the best of your college experience by learning as much as possible when you are here. Regardless if you are going into the workforce, or right into graduate school, your last here at college matters.

and finally...

5. Don't distract yourself! If you have things that you need to get done, then do it. Turn off the television and music, close your bedroom door, get away from your friends, housemates, roommates, and even turning off your cellphone will help. Close your Internet browser - Facebook is the number one distraction for college students, and we have learned to waste priceless hours on it. Whatever it takes, get your work done.

In the end kicking the senioritis bug is a choice. It is not a real disease, and it only affects you if you let it! Take advantage of these tips, and get started. No one wants to finish their college career on a bad note.