As much as I hate to admit it, I’m definitely a millennial. I depend on technology far more than I should and I often feel anxious if I am not near my phone. That being said, growing up in the age of social media, I often read online articles or blog posts. Some are funny, some are how-to’s, some are reviews of and opinions on books/movies/current events, some even have GIF’s (my favorite). I’ve read many on “how to stay organized while in college”, “15 things only over-achievers understand”, or others along those lines.
So being involved in everything under the sun while in school is both a curse and a blessing. I was the same way in grade school – if my plate isn’t full then I have room for boredom or to grow complacent in what I do. While this thought process may not ring entirely true, that’s how I have felt and can’t help but continue to feel. Like if you Google searched “Type A” I’m sure a picture of me would pop up under the images category. Here are some of the things I wish I had read about, been warned of, or didn’t have to learn the hard way.
1. Do not do not DO NOT ever place extracurricular activities before your grades
This one was/is a tough lesson. My dad puts it in perspective best, he says “don’t forget why you’re there.” As easy as it should be to understand that, I have a hard time processing it sometimes, but it makes perfect sense. Without school (whatever level you are at) we wouldn’t have clubs, organizations, teams, etc. Obvious, right? Still, it can be difficult to prioritize at times.
2. Having a cute planner is great but it’s useless if you don’t use it
In an episode of The Office, Michael Scott tells Andy Bernard “I am Beyoncé always.” I am telling you now, use your planner/calendar/Google account/Outlook features/etc. always. There are many to choose from with many cute features, patterns, settings and themes – some even come with stickers (thank ya Lilly, Kate, and Vera B) – but nothing good comes from not using one if you have it. If failing to plan is planning to fail, then the quickest way to do that is by not writing down what you need to do and anything that you have scheduled. I’m heavily dependent on my planner, calendar, and Post-It note covered cork board because if I don’t write something down, I may as well not know about it. I’d be lost without a to-do list. Having an organized space can be made cute, but there is nothing cute about being disorganized or disregarding your resources.
3. If it is too much for you to take on alone, by all means, delegate
This may be one of the toughest lessons I’ve learned and I’ve only learned the importance of it this year. I have always taken pride in being a both a good captain and team player, fiercely motivated, hardworking to achieve success, and taking great pride in all that I do, but at the same time I know that I am stubborn, headstrong, and independent to a fault. I have made huge mistakes accepting a task and trying to do everything by myself. Regardless of if it falls under your position, duties, umbrella, ask for help if you need it. Someone is bound to have the skill set and time that you lack that would be willing to help you. If you are assigned a task and have others available who can help, don’t feel uncomfortable delegating some of the duties to those others. Don’t let a project or your pride be the straw that breaks the camel’s back when there are plenty of others capable of working with you to reach the end product who are more than likely going to agree to help out.
4. Mozart is great but white noise is where it’s at
I’m sure you’ve either heard that listening to Mozart can help with babies’ cognitive development. There is dispute on how factual that is, but according to an article published by the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, listening to white noise can improve learning, retaining memory, and attention in children and adults. I usually listen to classical music, ambient music, or Enya/Celtic Woman (LOL) when I study, but I recently streamed a white noise track online while studying for an exam. WOW WOW WOW. Not only was I able to review more effectively, I was even able to read and learn information I had missed AND retained it. Preparing for the exam, my reviewed tests/self-tests were consistently correct and I didn’t feel burnt out or fatigued after. I loved it so much I now listen to it while I work on projects, am writing, or just need to concentrate and get things done.
KEEP IN MIND though, this is a personal preference. No two people learn the exact same. I am a visual and kinesthetic learner who struggles with auditory learning. If I’m not doing something I want to do (studying) I have a hard time paying attention and staying on task. I am not medically diagnosed as ADD or ADHD but sometimes I really question it. So white noise is my new method, but that doesn’t mean it’s yours – find what works and stick with it.
4 1/2. Don’t listen to Fergie while you study. You will not study.
5. Find your skills and stick with them
In reference to friends, we’ve all heard the saying “it’s better to have four quarters than one hundred pennies.” The same can be said about skills and involvement. It’s natural to try everything out at some point, even at the same time (hello first year of high school and college). We’re encouraged to be involved in a bunch of different things and develop our skill sets, try something new, you know. We can often take this to mean “join everything, you CAN have it all” That’s not a bad thing. Join all the clubs. Try it all. The world is your oyster. But once you weed out what you enjoy vs. what you can live without and what you are really good at, it can be time to back down from those and further invest yourself into where your skill set lies.
For example, I was enrolled in 7th grade athletics. I participated in volleyball, basketball, and track. I enjoyed basketball the most and really wanted to be good at it. My parents installed a basketball hoop in our driveway so I could practice. I worked really hard to earn a spot on the first or second team, both of which competed; the C team comprised of the eight girls who didn’t make a team and I was bound and determined to be a member of the A or B teams. You could say ball was life. I truly believed in myself.
WELL, my parents should have named me Catelyn instead of Katelyn because I was destined to shine on the C team. Did I pursue my basketball dreams after that? No. Did I learn I was really good at writing and public speaking and stick with these skills? Yes. Everyone is good at something, find your niche and own it.
It’s also wise to market yourself based on what you’re really good at and enjoy instead of things you’d really like to be good at but still enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, if you like it but maybe don’t initially excel at it, work to develop that skill until it’s natural, but a work setting is not the place to do that. I used to list Spanish as a second language when describing my strengths. You don’t know panic until you’re trying to conjugate verbs while keeping your wits about you. That leads to my next tidbit…
6. Don’t list Spanish as your second language or under “special skills” even if you were the shining star of high school Spanish 2
7. Allow time for downtime or a hobby that you enjoy when you are overwhelmed and uninspired
Hope these help you because I wish I had received these nuggets of advice along with time management, leaving my comfort zone, and everything else I have read in a community-post article LOL. May your planner be full, your grades high, your stress level fairly low, and your days bright.
x
Katelyn
Rhymes with Peach 