The Models We Choose

As I have been observing my younger grandchildren this summer I am reminded of how much children model many of the behaviors they see adults do. Most behaviors are very cute....some are not.

Children have no choice over the role models who are available to them. But as children get older and are away from home more they are exposed to a variety of individuals and are able to select those people they want to pattern themselves after. It may be a family member or someone outside of their family.

It would be worth the time to think about those people who are in your life and are positive role models. Pay attention to their outstanding characteristics and CHOOSE which people and which characteristics you would like to develop. You are in charge.

Where Did the Time Go?

If you have been following this blog regularly, I apoplogize for my neglect in posting. I have been very consumed with the writing of a student workbook called On Your Own-Student Workbook which is a companion to the book I published last year, On Your Own: Navigating the Road to Independence. All of my time has been consumed with the workbook, but it is now at the publishers and will be available in the fall of 2010.

Many of the blogs that I post are related to the tips and techniques in my book. If you are finding these helpful or would like information on some other area, please let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Academic Honesty

There is a big discussion going on right now where I teach about academic honesty. On occasion there is a student who cheats. It is so easy to cheat, but there are so many consequences. Cheating certainly effects the cheaters as they do not learn important information that may be of great help in their futures. Of course there may be other consequences like being kicked out of class or school. But it also effects the classroom learning environment, the other students and perhaps the future employer who thinks their employee has actually learned the material in the classes that they attended.

Often the cheaters hold higher standards for others than themselves. They expect their doctor, pilot, or banker to have not cheated. We all assume that they have earned their educations honestly and actually know the information they were taught in school.

Tip for the day: If you actually do the required work yourself, you have a win-win-win situation. You learn the material, your self-esteem improves, and your integrity is in place.

Act Like You are Prepared

I gave a test today and found that students arrived without pens, pencils or paper. I am not sure how they thought they might complete the scheduled test.

Tip of the day: Always have a pen or pencil available. This is also important if you are asking for job applications or interviewing for jobs. You never know if a possible employer might want you to fill out an application on the spot.

You always want to be prepared if you want that job to be yours.

You Only Have One Time

Yesterday I spent some time with my "friend" the dentist. He really is my friend, but more so when I am not in his dental chair! We were discussing hiring and the way folks approach job interviewing (between the times when he had his hands in my mouth).

He recently had someone who was applying for a professional position come to the interview dressed in shorts and a tank top. Needless to say, the interview didn't last long and this person did not get the job.

Tip of the day: Dress in the most professional looking attire you have. Be sure it is clean and neat.

People understand that individuals can always "dress down" and be more casual, however, they do not know if someone understands how to "dress up". You only have one opportunity to make a first impression.

If you are interested in more tips for looking for jobs and how to handle job interviews these can be found in my book On Your Own: Navigating the Road to Independence. There are also tips about managing money, renting an apartment and managing time and stress.

Bad News/Good News

The classes at the community college where I teach are well under way and we are finally in a rhythm. The students are more comfortable with their schedules and with discussing things after being together for several weeks.

One student told the class what I found to be a very sad, but important story. He said when he was in high school, he was voted the "least likely to succeed" in his class. How sad that there was even a category like that in his school for students to vote on, but also how sad that was for him. He talked about how badly that made him feel for a long time and how that label influenced his behavior (in a negative way) for many years.

The good news is that he is an adult now and he has been able to undo the image of himself as "unsuccessful" and has become very successful in school and in his career. He is an excellent student, responsble and a hard worker. He has some lofty goals that I am sure he will reach. Interestingly, these goals have to do with how he can help others.

This situation points out so clearly how just a word or two can greatly impact another individual, sometimes for many years. All of us are so powerful and can have such an effect on others. Why would we not do this in a positive way???

Tip for the day: Find one thing that a friend or coworker does that is positive and comment on that. Spend your energy leaving a positive impact and impression on others rather than a negative one. (It makes you feel so much better as well as the other person.)

Now is the Time

Now that school is under way for many people it is a good time to get organized. I teach at a community college and our semester has begun as well, so I am in the process of getting organized.

Being organized is one of the most important tasks in being successful in school.

Tip of the day. You can become more organized if you decide on a particular color for each subject or class you are taking. For instance, for Math your color might be red, for English it might be green.

Let's use Math as our example. You would purchase a red spiral for Math in which to take notes. You might also cover your Math book in a red cover. Purchase a red pocket folder with brads to keep the papers and handouts you accumulate for Math. At home in your study area have a red file folder to keep any returned and graded papers for the semester.

You will soon find that you are able to quickly access any item you need for a particular subject, thereby saving precious minutes as you are heading off to school or trying to get a good night's sleep.