College Success: The choice is yours.

You can decide and take an active part in building your future.  If you don't, someone else surely will.

Who's steering your ship?

This is a reminder that you have complete control over the choices you make.  You get to decide whether you are the captain of your ship, or the one taking orders.

Sometimes, it seems difficult to think beyond this semester, or academic year, or college degree.  But as an adult, you must consider how your actions today could (and most definitely will) impact your future 5, 10, 20 years ahead.

How do you do this?  

Ask yourself if what you're doing today is something you'd be proud to report on the 6:00 news tonight.  

If not, re-think your decision.  



(c)2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.

College Success: It's supposed to be difficult.

Live every moment as though it is impossible for you to fail.

There's a saying that goes, "If you think you'll succeed or if you think you'll fail, you're right."  In other words, whatever you tell yourself will happen, will happen.  [Every time.]  

Our minds and attitudes are powerful influences on how we behave and what we believe.

Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan
"A League of Their Own"

Pursuing a college education is hard.  Damn hard. 

"It's supposed to be hard.  If it was easy, everyone would do it.  The hard is what makes it great."  

I'll bet you know lots of people who chose not to go to college because they didn't see the value or believed they couldn't handle the work. 

That didn't stop you, though.

Just because something is challenging doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing it.  

Tell yourself that even though reading a big chapter or taking an exam will be difficult, you can do it.  It is impossible to fail.  You will do it.  You will be successful.  You'll earn decent grades.  You will graduate.

Did you know that it takes just as much of your energy to pump yourself up as it does to knock yourself down?  

Which kind of energy will you be using this semester?




(c)2011-2016 Robyn King.  All Rights Reserved.

College Success: Pay it forward.

Write thank you notes to people who add value to your life, for even the smallest of things.

Perhaps a professor gave you an extension on a paper or project.  

Maybe the cashier lady in the Commons is especially helpful and nice to you.  

A classmate offers to carry some of your stuff, or gives you a compliment.  

A security guard walks you to your car and waits until you're safely inside and the car starts.

These are all acts of kindness, and they deserve your recognition.

A short note expressing your appreciation for the specific gesture is not only good manners, but it will make the person feel great for having been nice to you, and it shows that you acknowledge that what they've done for you affected you in a positive way.  [Wouldn't you want someone to appreciate something you've done for them?]

This little note can make a big difference.

Slip the note under the professor's door, put it on your classmate's seat, hand it to the cashier lady when you pay for your food, or hand it to the security supervisor and let her know that one of her crew went out of his/her way for you.  

Your benefactors will be surprised and happy, and they'll be encouraged to continue doing good deeds.  As a bonus, thank-yous are a way for you to pay it forward and do something nice for someone else in return.

(c)2011-2016 Robyn King.  All Rights Reserved.

College Success: Appreciate different points of view.

You can learn a lot from people who view the world differently than you do.

The way you view the world is not the only way to view the world.  

An important part of the college experience is to expose students to various perspectives, opinions, and beliefs.  As you mature, you may find that your current beliefs are no longer relevant. 

I found this great quote:  "See the commonality of diversity so that you may see the diversity of commonality."  

Keep your mind and heart open to the diversity around you, and give others the same respect you expect for yourself.

(c)2011-2016 Robyn King. All Rights Reserved.