Are you Ready?
In less than two weeks, we say goodbye to the fall semester of 2021 and prepare ourselves for winter 2022. Most of us have looked back with the last few weeks and probably said to ourselves, just one more semester, and we are ready for the world. But let’s be clear coming back to the campus was a challenge, and I am sure most of us have got used to mask life and sanitizing everything we touch. In today’s post, I wanted to discuss making your last semester at BCIT memorable and challenging. However, some new skills on making your career and life in general better.
“No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself”…….Seneca
Yes, that is true and well-spoken by the great Seneca. Now how many of you just threw your arms up in the air and quit once you hit a wall? Or better yet, to surround yourself with friends who do nothing but add more trouble to your problem and complain and not do anything about it. Success comes from the mind, and the more you use your mind, the better it becomes. Another factor to come out from that is that success relates to the people in your circle of trust.
One student, I overheard recently stated, ” BCIT was much harder than I thought. I was pushed to the limit.” After facing adversity, whoever comes back on top will learn a lot about themselves, which builds character and leadership. Another quote that I want to share with you came from a fellow student ” It’s like a kayaking trip over rough seas. At first, your surroundings seem challenging and unacceptable, but over time you become more comfortable.”
Teamwork, teamwork, and more teamwork! Whenever I set up a group, I always tell myself how blessed I am to have these individuals work on the same assignment. I learn so much from them and laugh with them that sometimes I want this project to go on forever. Another key to success is building solid relationships with people who have mutual respect and common interests. Who doesn’t like to work with people who share common goals and ideas? This only leads to more drama and chaos in our personal and work-life without common qualities.
The three keys of the road to success would be to have a strong mindset. The first is to write down your goals, vision, and a backup statement just in case one works and the other doesn’t. Sit down and think deeply about what do you want right now and bad you want it.
What are some of the distractions that are affecting not only you as a person but your studies? Now, if you have to work, that is understandable. What is essential is understanding that time management is vital. However, do you have friends who are constantly asking you to go out all the time? Authentic friends don’t do that. The real ones understand what you are doing and give you your space. Please sit down and reflect on who is in your circle and are these people making me a better person, or are they pulling me down. Set up milestones and reward yourself. Yes, have an extra pint of beer or an extra shot of vodka. Go out and enjoy the fresh, moist air that Vancouver is known for. But whatever you do reward yourself because your brain elicits positive emotions, realizing that your efforts lead to a positive reward.
You are what you eat, as the saying goes. It is so easy to dive into a diet of fast food. However, once you go straight to that path, don’t be surprised if you have high cholesterol and a tire gut belly. By taking care of yourself, I am talking about making good use of BCIT gym. Lift weights in the weight room and then use the gymnasium and run laps around the room. If not, go run up will along Willingdon avenue and back. Trust me, that is one way of working on your cardio. When you run or lift weights, concentrate on each stride and each lift because it clears up the emotional stress that slowly builds up in each of us.
The following are tips to learn and prioritize what you have to do and how you do it. You will look at this ” task ” and say to yourself how important this is and how urgent that is.
They are into four groups. The first group is what is called urgent and needs attention immediately. Examples would be assignments that need to be this minute right now. The second group would be essential but urgent. Yes, the quiz is only worth 5 %, but you get zero if you don’t do it. 3rd are critical but not crucial, like reconnecting with friends, and that assignment due in three weeks. Last on the list is not necessary and not important. Maybe not going out every day or playing basketball.
Now we all know that color codes are an essential tool to snap yourself into that mindset. So use the traffic lights as an example. Red is vital and means now. Yellow is necessary but can hold off but no more than a day. And green signals for a later time. If you can do a task alone, then make that a priority and keep yourself away from distractions. Such as social media posting. Constantly check your phone or visit Tube channels. One of the best things to do when in a team is to make something called a team charter. Where you sit down immediately, talk about goals, what to do, and expectations of each other. What are the consequences of one person doesn’t pull weight? You are building a community that consists of integrity, honesty, and transparency. Treat it like a business, and this way, no one goes away angry.
Have you read everything you need to read on the learning hub. Believe it or not, the learning hub has a lot of information that can help you. We are all adult learners, and what does this mean. Communication is the key to your success. Understanding not to take things personally and immediately talk to the person you have an issue with or management when conflict arises. Be professional at all times and understand that 80% of your success is based on building relationships with people. Communicate professionally with everyone at all times because this will lead to habit.
The path to success is not easy. However, it will be less hard with the proper mindset and people in your corner. So enjoy the well-needed rest and prepare yourself as the new year comes upon us.