This month I’m writing a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure post!
I started brainstorming what I should write about this month and had a handful of ideas but rather than ramble on about one specific topic (because a month’s-worth of thoughts kind of builds and I feel a little weird if I only talk about one thing!), I think I’ll briefly address (ramble about) all of them (it’s okay, there are only 5). Quantity AND quality!? So you can choose what to read!
Also, please comment with any thoughts you may have from any of my topics! I love hearing what other people have to say! 🙂
1: Awesome Supervisors
I did some thinking this week about the experiences I’ve had (cleaning up the resume means lots of reflection!) and it got me thinking about all the supervisors and mentors in my life. I have been extremely lucky to have had really amazing people guiding me along so far. So I just want to give a shout out to you. Thank you for your patience, understanding, answers, patience, advice, patience, and confidence in me. 🙂 I may not always have much faith in myself, but your faith in me has helped me succeed!
Moral of this adventure: Sometimes we all need a little encouragement and sometimes all it takes is remembering the people who already believe in you.
2: NASPA Region 1
This will be my second regional conference and I AM SO EXCITED. I mean, I was so excited last year, too, but last year I had no idea what I was doing, I knew no one other than the classmates I tagged along with, and I didn’t quite extend myself as much as I could have, BUT, you live and you learn.
This year I am attending in full force: I volunteered to…well, volunteer… I signed up to participate in the Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community (SLPKC) Graduate Student Mentor Program, I’m hoping to attend paint night, and I’m going for the entire conference, open to close, while also making the roundtrip to class on Tuesday night for a presentation. It’s gonna be awesome.
Moral of this adventure: Attend conferences! And do so with enthusiasm and intention. Make the most of each experience!
3: Realness, but Honestyness
I never (okay, rarely) break rules. And when I do, I usually over think about them and freak out with guilt over what I did. I skipped class last Monday to attend a concert. I’ve been a fan of this band for ten years and have never had the chance to see them live. (In my defense, when I bought the tickets I thought the date was one of the dates where class was not being held!) And while I feel appropriately guilty for missing class (I DID notify my professor ahead of time!), for once I’m not going to get over anxious about it because you know what? I am a good student, I work hard, I get everything done, and when I’m 89 years old will I regret missing one class for a concert? Or would I have regretted missing a concert for class?
Moral of this adventure: Don’t make a habit of skipping class (or neglecting responsibilities/commitments in general) but, if you get all your work done, and are honest, it’s okay to treat yourself every once in a while! Just make sure you gauge the situation.
4: Due Dates!
It’s that time of year again. The end (of the semester) is in sight and all I can see are due dates. Due dates EVERYWHERE. And they all seem to be clustered in the same couple weeks. Riiiiight around the time of the NASPA R1 conference. And the comedian I’m going to see. And my tattoo appointment that I’ll have to reschedule (again). To all my #SAgrads out there riding the same struggle bus: We got this. (…right?)
Moral of this adventure: THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
5: Tips for Organizing Your Ish
I could list out a bunch of tips for crunch time techniques and good practices to getting all the assignments done but you know what? There’s only one tip we all need (and by “we all,” I mean me…) and that is: “JUST GET IT DONE.”
Don’t clean off your desk, don’t meditate, don’t start your laundry or make dinner or finish up that episode on Netflix first. Just sit down and get started. Maybe take a minute to map out exactly what you need to do and when it’s due (That’s something I NEED to do)… and I’ve also been advised to break large assignments down into smaller sections which I think might actually be helpful so I think I might actually do it this time… Just start. Start now. You’re welcome.
Moral of this adventure: Did you read what I just said? Get going!
Ultimately, you are the master of your own destiny.
Choose your own adventure, but choose carefully.
Metaphors aside, the moral of the story: Be responsible for your stuff and make choices appropriately.
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> BONUS <
Podcast With Danny Malave on New Professional Retrospective on the Job Search
