Maximizing your spring break

Ahhh, Spring break…for most students, Spring Break offers a chance to kick back and relax before the stress of final exams. For some, this is the most important use of this time: reenergizing, recharging and giving you a well deserved break from school. If this is you, then take this time so that you come back to school focused on the last part of the term.

And for other students, resting and recharging also leaves time and energy to be productive and get ahead. Here are some ideas for how to put this extra energy to good use during your time off.

Smaller-Picture Stuff
Map out your time between now and the end of the semester
I know it might feel like the semester just started, but the rest of the year is going to fly by. Make sure you’re ready for it by taking an hour or so to map out what you have planned for the next few months. You can put everything on your calendar or simply list it out. Getting clarity on what you need to get done will save you headaches and stress. Plus, a month from now you won’t kick yourself for not getting organized when you actually had the time.

Investigate summer job opportunities
Whether you are staying near school or going back home for the summer, Spring Break is the perfect time to start making phone calls and sending emails to nail down the job you want. If you are going home for the week, arrange some in-person meetings/interviews with potential employers. That way, you can get it out of the way before the end of the semester, and you can stand out to employers and surpass the hordes of other students competing for the exact same summer jobs.

Research your housing options for next year
If you are staying on-campus next year, research your rooming options and the deadlines for getting your paperwork in on time, picking your roommates, etc. If you are looking to move off-campus, now is the ideal time to start researching where you want to live. Start by identifying the features you want, and then work to eliminate the unlikely candidates and slowly hone in on the potential ones. Though many landlords won’t talk seriously with you until you are 30-60 days before your move-in date, many students make arrangements to pass their housing on to other students early. Get ahead by talking to seniors who are moving or studying abroad next year to see if you can take over their place.

Bigger-Picture Stuff
Dive into internship possibilities, job shadowing, and networking opportunities for the future
Spring Break offers a great opportunity to organize your internship or career search. Research the companies that you want to work for in the future and make some calls to see if you can set up informational interviews. In order to really maximize your meetings, read up on the company and industry, plan out the questions to ask, and think about how you want to present yourself. If you can make a great first impression now with a personal contact, imagine what opportunities could be waiting for you down the line.

Volunteer
Take this week to get involved with something bigger than yourself. Here’s a great website to start with: www.volunteermatch.org. Besides the obvious of helping others, volunteering is a wonderful way to meet like-minded people and build up your resume with relevant experience. For example, if you are pre-med, check out opportunities at the local hospital; if you want to go into education, try tutoring at-risk youth; if you are pre-law, find a non-profit that offers free legal advice. And you never know: a week of volunteering could turn into life-long civic engagement.

Whether you set yourself up to be full of energy for the rest of the term, get organized for the next six months, or focus on the bigger picture, taking full advantage of your Spring break will be one of the best things you do for yourself this year, no doubt about it!

To study abroad, or not to study abroad?

When deciding whether to study abroad, students typically fall into one of three categories:

1) “I am 100% going to study abroad, no matter what!”

2) “Studying abroad just isn’t for me – it’s too far, too costly, or would take too much focus away from the classes in my major.”

3) “I’m not sure yet, but I have lots of time to think about it…”

No matter where you fall, now is the right time to talk about studying abroad – even if it’s for the last time – because it really can set the framework for the rest of your time in college. Also, studying abroad is just one of those things that the more you work out the details now the easier it will be down the line.

Here are the most important things to consider…

Options
It might sound obvious, but you’ve first gotta figure out what your options are. Are you able to go for a full year, or just a semester? Are there partner programs affiliated with your university, or do you want something entirely unassociated? If you want unassociated, will you be able to get course credits? How, if at all, can your financial aid package be applied to a particular program? Do you want to stay in one location, or would you want to travel to different places (like Semester at Sea)? Do you want to stay in dorms, or with home-stay families?

Location, location, location
Because there are so many factors to consider, sometimes the best way to start is just by pulling out a map and listing out possible places to check out. Next, really think about what qualities you actually want your location to have: city vs. country, population size, historical significance, language spoken, cost of living, culture-feel, travel opportunities, public transportation, weather, etc.

Timing
For those of you who feel like you have loads of time to think about study abroad, the truth is, most universities require you to apply at least a year in advance for the program you want!! Yikes! So, you need to gather some information now in order to decide the right time for you to go abroad:

1) How might the coursework for your major be affected? (Hint: Meet with your Academic Advisor asap!)

2) How might leadership opportunities be affected? (Hint: Double-check when officer elections are for clubs, societies, Greek life, etc.!)

3) How might internship possibilities be affected? (Hint: Get feedback from professors and your Career Development Center!)


Alternatives
Think an entire semester or year just isn’t going to work out but still want to get some international exposure? What are the alternatives available to you? Check out the potential to do an international internship one summer – it would be a great way to build your resume! Also, some universities offer travel courses, typically led by faculty members, which vary in length from 2-6 weeks, giving you the opportunity to take a course you need while traveling with friends.

Now, Get to it!
Many campuses have a central Study Abroad/Global Education office – check it out and get some good perspective and info from the staff and student workers before you make your decision. If your campus does not have this resource or you want to consider other possibilities, try these websites to get you started: http://www.studyabroad.com/, http://www.goabroad.com/.

Bottom Line: Studying abroad is a wonderful way to be exposed to new ideas and cultures, and also to add to the college experience you are currently building. Putting thoughtful consideration into deciding how, when, where, and even if, you study abroad will ensure that no matter what you decide, you will feel great about your decision.

Financing your education

You’ve heard it a million times before, and here it is again: College is a great investment. The question for you is: how much do you really know about how your college education is getting paid? If your answer is, “Not a lot,” then now is the time to find out…

First, you’ve gotta get clarity
The first step to feeling comfortable with your college financing is getting questions answered around what your individual situation looks like. For a lot of students, that means talking to your parents. I know sometimes it can be awkward asking about money issues, but it’s important for you to know what’s going on and to know what is expected of you during and after college. Here are some good things to find out:

• How is your tuition getting paid? Grants, scholarships, work study, family donations, loans?
• How much are you receiving within each category?
• Could the amount in any given category fluctuate year-to-year?
• What could happen, if anything, to change your financial situation?
• If any is in loans, is your name on any of the paperwork? What are the terms of the loans?
• If any is in scholarships, are you expected to maintain a certain GPA, keep a certain major, etc. in order to keep your financing?
• Similarly, if any is in family donations, are there any expectations for you to keep it?
• If any is in work study, what happens if you don’t get an on-campus job?

Next, you’ve gotta take charge
Now that you have gotten your questions answered, what are the final steps that will allow you to feel like you are really on top of financing your degree? Are there any remaining concerns or discrepancies that you need to get sorted out in order to feel secure about your expected graduation date?

For financing next year’s tuition, here are the two most pressing categories to consider:

• FAFSA. Is your family filling out FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the coming year? Have you started working on it yet? If you aren’t familiar with it, check it out ASAP: www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is the same application that is required for many state financial aid programs, the earliest of which have preferential filing dates as early as March 1st … coming right up! This is definitely not something you want to procrastinate on – be sure to give yourself (and your parents!) plenty of time to gather everything in order to fill it out completely the first time, ‘cause if you don’t, it can affect when you receive your financial aid package. Yikes! If you have questions, be sure to contact your Financial Aid department.

• Scholarships. Feeling the pressure to get some more scholarships? Here is a great website to start with: www.scholarshiphelp.org, and then here is a popular scholarship search engine to check out: www.fastweb.com. But here’s a warning: I work with a lot of students who either think scholarships are going to pay their entire college-way, or who think that it isn’t even worth the time to try for them. The fact is, getting scholarships takes hard work and perseverance, but hey, if you spend 10 hours writing an essay and filling out an application and you are awarded $1,000, isn’t that the best 10 hours you’ve ever worked?! A lot of scholarships start the process early, so check it out now if you are looking for next year.

Remember, feeling secure about your college financing doesn’t mean graduating debt-free; according to www.finaid.org, the vast majority (two-thirds!) of 4-year undergraduate students graduated with a Bachelor's degree and some debt in 2007-08. You’ll be in excellent company if you are among them. Especially considering that according to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a Bachelor's degree will earn, on average, almost twice as much as workers with a high school diploma over a lifetime ($2.1 million compared to $1.2 million)! How’s that for getting the most out of your investment?!

Taking advantage of campus resources

So you’ve got a semester under your belt…think you could start leading daily campus tours? Well, maybe some of you could, but I am guessing for the majority of you there are still a lot of things on campus that you may not have experienced …yet. With the spring semester starting, it’s a good time to learn more of the ins and outs of your college so that you can really take advantage of everything that is offered.

Want to graduate on time? Then take a trip to your Academic Adviser. You can get help looking at class requirements for different majors, General Education class options, four year plans, questions about units, maximizing your class schedule, and checking on “what if” scenarios that could change your expected semester plans.

Internships, careers, and jobs, oh my! Your campus Career Services should become your best friend over the next few years. Most often, they can professionally critique your cover letters and resume, administer career tests to determine interest areas, help you seek out local internships, and then closer to graduation, help ensure that you are equipped to enter the competitive job-market.

Boost that GPA. What’s missing from your study plan? Is there a tutoring center on campus? What library resources are there to help you with your research paper? If you have special learning needs, you may be able to take advantage of individualized opportunities. Check in with your Academic Adviser – you won’t know the answers until you ask.

See the world! Many colleges have an entire department that is expressly dedicated to making sure you get international exposure and first-hand knowledge, so check out the different opportunities available. Your “study abroad” experience might come in the form of an entire semester, maybe even an entire year, living in a certain country, or it might be a faculty-sponsored two week research trip; the first step is to know and understand your options.

Reach out for support. There is absolutely no reason for you to go through anything alone. Of course your Coach is there to support you, but it is also important to know you can be supported by professionals in the fields of health and wellness or personal therapy. Look into the services that are available to students at your school, which can range from general health, personality-exploration workshops, one-on-one counseling, self-defense awareness and classes, motivational speakers, 24 hour hotlines, physical/mental health events, group therapy, the list could go on and on!

And don’t forget, before meeting with any of these departments, you’ll get even more out of it if you prepare beforehand with your Coach so that you can be sure to ask all the questions you have and get all the information you want.

Take pride – you chose your university for a lot of really good reasons, and by really taking advantage of everything they are offering, you can be assured that you are truly maximizing your investment.

Gaining leadership experience

I would like to challenge you as you start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions to consider ways to make this spring semester really meaningful to your college experience. It might seem early, but as you already know with one term under your belt, your college years sure fly by!

Gaining leadership experience can often seem to students like scaling a mountain. I hear it all the time: “But, how do I start getting leadership experience? What am I supposed to do?” Well, of course there is no easy one-fits-all recipe, but here is my advice:

You just start…Just throw yourself in!

Here are some ideas to get the wheels turning:

1) In your club – Probably the easiest place to start. Ask yourself what you like to do and what you’re good at to figure out what positions you might be interested in. Or on the other hand, what is an area you would like to get better at or learn more about? Want to be president? Talk to the current president about the stepping-stone positions they took to help them prepare. Too much pressure? What other officer positions might you be interested in that could give you some great career experience and/or build your résumé?

If no position is open right now, then think about joining a committee or two so that you can meet more people in the club – those are the people who just might be voting for (or against!) you in the next election.

2) In your classes – No, you don’t have to be a teacher’s pet to talk to your professors about your interests. You might be surprised by the possibilities that could open to you just by asking, whether it leads to opportunities to work in a certain department, or with an individual project that a professor needs assistance with. All of those little things can really add up by your senior year when it comes time for recommendation letters.

3) In your job – Got a part-time job? Instead of hiding in the store-room when the boss is looking for help, volunteer to re-fold those sweaters. Or offer your creative skills when they need some fresh ideas for the newest promotion. Talk to your manager about ways that you can step up your game on the job – it can lead to pay raises, promotions, and good networking. If nothing else, it is really good practice for when you are working the job in the career that does matter to you!

4) In your volunteer position – Do you volunteer with a non-profit or political organization? No matter your reason for putting the hours in, really take advantage of your time there. Getting passionate about the cause will serve as a great example to the people you are working with – supervisors and fellow volunteers alike. Think of ways to expand your sphere of influence: what else could you be doing there to make a difference? How do you want people to think of you as a volunteer?

5) At your school – Think Globally, Act Locally. You don’t have to have been a student government superstar in high school in order to get involved with your college student government. Check out the opportunities at your campus – even the seemingly small ones. Many students never get the opportunity to enact real change they care about at their campuses because they do not take the effort to get their hands dirty with the things that really matter to them and their fellow college-students! Talk about a great way to make a difference!

Be proud of yourself – you are paving the way for successful future semesters, and even more importantly, a successful post-graduation future!

Preparing for the end of the term

Whether the last few months have flown by or whether they have gone at a snail’s pace, wrapping up the calendar year usually also means wrapping up your first term. Here are three areas to check-in on to make sure you end it on a high note!

Finals…This is the most obvious thing people think of when the end of the term approaches. Finals do not have to be dreaded or feared -- you just need a good plan! So, what do you need to do to be as prepared as possible? Here are a few ideas:

• Make a list of everything that you have due, plus all of your upcoming exams. Be sure to consider final projects or extra-credit opportunities!
• Double check final exam schedules - the schedule may have changed since you got your syllabus at the beginning of the term.
• Mark due dates and exams on your calendar so you can visualize exactly how soon they are coming up.
• Map out blocks of study time to prepare…and maybe map out blocks of time to sleep and eat too! You have to keep energized!

Brainstorm ways to make studying most effective for you: Want to form a study group or find a study partner? Where do you study best? Do you need to develop flash cards to study for that big test, or find someone you can talk through your final class essay with?

Bottom line is that when finals are done, you want to be able to tell yourself, “I did absolutely everything I could to get the grade I wanted!”

Grades…Double check where you are at with your class grades going into finals so that you can plan accordingly and feel prepared. When you’re juggling lots of finals and final projects, be strategic about where to spend your time based on where you need it most, and where you can most impact the final results. If your grade is right on the border in one class, and the final is a big percent of the grade, then maybe preparing for that exam needs more of your time than for that class that you’ll get an “A” in unless you completely blow the final.

A lot of students tell me, “But my professors haven’t given us any grades.” Well, that just means you have to get a little creative. Asking your professor during office hours shows that you care, and that is never a bad thing to get across to professors right before finals and grades come out. Or you could work backwards from your syllabus – check out the percentages for things you have gotten back and how they relate to the total class breakdown, then do the math to see what you need to do in order to keep/get a certain grade in the class.

Spring…With the end of fall comes the promise of spring! Cheesy I know, but seriously, thinking about spring now is a great way to really enjoy your winter break because you are prepared for what is on the other side of that break. The obvious is your class schedule: Are your classes set? Are you on any wait lists? Have you talked to the right people about the classes you are planning on taking? Do you have any questions that need to get cleared up with your Academic Advisor or the Registrar?

Besides your class schedule, what are some other things that need sorting out between now and the start of spring? Maybe a job or internship search? Maybe looking for some new / different campus activities to check out? How about getting ready for study abroad? Spend some time now thinking about what’s going to be important to you so that you and your Coach can just dive in when the new semester starts.

Congratulations!!! You have done an AWESOME job this semester! For those of you who maybe don’t believe me, give yourself a break, and make the commitment here and now that next semester will be as awesome as you’d like it to be!

Thanksgiving weekend

It’s kind of crazy, but Thanksgiving really is the beginning of the end of the fall semester. In other words: Congratulations! You have almost completed your first semester of college!! Whether this is your first time going home, or even if you are staying at school, the long weekend marks a real turning point for so many college students. Here are two of the big things that can come up:

“Ok, so maybe some of that homesickness has finally kicked in...” It’s totally understandable – you have been going along in your semester, enjoying your classes, meeting people, joining clubs, and then Thanksgiving comes, and the homesickness can hit you seemingly out of nowhere. Or, on the other side, maybe you haven’t had the greatest of starts. Your parents are doing your laundry for you again, you have a kitchen at your disposal, and of course, I can’t leave out getting to sleep in your own bed! So, what do you do about it?

For one, if you are home, enjoy your time there! Do the things that feel good to you and that you used to enjoy doing before you left home for college. If you are staying at school, start planning what you want to do when you do go home again. And whether you are home or not, talk/IM/email/Facebook/Skype with your friends and family about all the great things you have been doing with your time in college! If things have been less than ideal, then take the time this weekend to think about what could really turn your experience around. What are the things that are missing that you and your Coach can really work on for the last few weeks of the semester? What are you looking forward to for spring semester?

Above all, reminding yourself of all that you have gotten involved in and accomplished is a really great way to get motivated for getting back to your college life and getting started on all that you have coming up!

“But I just started relaxing! I don’t want to study for finals!”
The long weekend can be a bit of a tease – on the one hand, you want to relax and enjoy some well-deserved time off, but on the other, you know that final papers, projects, and tests are just around the corner. And you know that those final papers, projects, and tests are worth a huge part of your grade, especially compared to high school when maybe you could rely on your homework grade to get you through.

So, how do you want to get on top of your upcoming schedule and still enjoy a little fun and relaxation over the break? Everyone has different styles – what’s going to work best for you? Would you rather get stuff done before the weekend so that you can really enjoy having time off? Or maybe you would rather just do a little now and plan to do the majority over the weekend because you know that’s when you will a lot more time. Just remember to be realistic with yourself, your study habits, and your time – it can be super hard to focus on homework when you have friends from high school waiting to hang out with you!

The bottom line: your finals aren’t going to take care of themselves. The longer you pretend they aren’t coming up, the harder it will be when you actually do get around to studying for them. But the sooner you start, the sooner you will be able to feel rest-assured that your first semester grades are finishing the way you want them to.

Have an awesome long weekend – filled with relaxation, and of course, some good productivity thrown in for good measure.