Archive for the 'College Life' Category

What type of employee will you be?

Written by Lethbridge College on July 11, 2012. 1 Comment
hardworkingemployee

I am moving on to new challenges and will no longer be contributing to the College Cliff Notes blog from Lethbridge College, but I wanted to leave one last piece of advice for new and returning college students.

In college you have assignment after assignment and some of them may seem like a waste of time, in fact they may all seem like a waste of time.  But they’re not!

When I was in college I remember some classmates would put in the bare minimum to pass the assignment.  Their projects quite frankly, looked like crap, but they met the requirements of the assignment and passed.

I was one of the students that spent a lot of time on my projects. I enjoyed working on them and creating something cool.  I didn’t always get the highest mark, but I put 100% in.

In my career I don’t always succeed, but I always put in 100% and it shows.  I’ve been very fortunate to have an amazing career (all stemming from my Lethbridge College diploma) in the field I studied.

The work habits of students set the tone for their work habits during employment.

Are you going to be an employee that does the minimum to get by or are you going to excel and do your best – not for those around you, but for yourself?

 

Setting goals boosts your college success

Written by Jen Golletz on June 6, 2012. 0 Comments
Image from SGFsoccer.com via Flickr

I have discovered a vital step to success in college is setting goals. There have been many teachers and others that told me this through the years. However, I truly never honed this skill until my time in college.

With a constant barrage of class assignments and study demands, college can be over whelming. Having distinct goals allows you to have a concentration, and focus your time on what is most important to you. It also makes you think about where you want to go with your education.

Goals can be as big or as little as you like. From being on time to class to maintaining a certain G.P.A., it is all about what you want to improve on.

I personally find it best to start out with smaller goals. Making goals that are unrealistic or are too difficult for you to reach can discourage you and make you throw in the towel before you have given yourself a fair shot.

Start out with a goal you know you can accomplish with a little bit of effort. This will get you started on the right foot. If you stick with it soon you will see yourself setting and accomplishing one goal after another.

What will be the first goal you will accomplish?

Lethbridge College has a team of people just waiting to help you with your list of goals. Check out all the support services available to present, prospective, and former students.

What are some of the goals you have set?

Image from SGFsoccer.com via Flickr

10 tips to enjoy your college experience

Written by Jen Golletz on May 9, 2012. 0 Comments
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Your college experience is an amazing opportunity.  Here are some quick tips to make the best of it:
  1. If you are not a morning person, don’t schedule classes for 7am. You will not go.
  2. Get involved on campus. All work and no socializing is boring.
  3. Sit near the front of class.
  4. Many colleges have free tutoring centres on campus. Take advantage of them.
  5. Too much socializing = bad grades. Everything in moderation.
  6. Get your flu shots. Yearly.
  7. Just because you *can* do something doesn’t mean you should.
  8. Sleep. Get it. Get enough.
  9. Stay on campus on weekends. If you go home every weekend because you are homesick or have a girlfriend/boyfriend back home, you will be missing out on a lot of the college experience.
  10. Enjoy your college experience – it’s one most rewarding experiences of your life, academically and socially.

Lethbridge College offers a variety of services to support students in their academic and social activities.

What suggestions do you have for students to enjoy their college experience? Please share below.

Image from aoifep via Flickr

The most important skill

Written by Lethbridge College on May 3, 2012. 2 Comments
knowledge

College programs equip you with a variety of skills that you can apply in your chosen career.

What’s the most important skill? Topographical drafting? Project management? Assessing client health needs?

While all of these (and others) are required for you to successfully perform your job, they are not the most important skill.

Jim Carroll, a well know futurist, has said that half of what a student learns in their first year of college will be obsolete by the time they graduate.

Whether you agree with that prediction or not, the reality is that throughout your career, you will be required to adapt and learn new skills.

The ability to learn is critical. It may seem obvious that you’ll gain that skill in college, but it will really be put to the test in your career when you need to teach yourself new concepts or skills to stay relevant.

I graduated from the Multimedia Production program in 1999.  You can imagine the changes that have occurred over the years in this area.  I had to adapt and teach myself several new skills along the way.

I often tell people that the skill I use most from my college education is my ability to learn.

Technologies have changed. Concepts have evolved. But my ability and passion for learning remains constant.

When you’re in your career, you won’t have the external forces (good grades, instructors, etc.) motivating you to learn.  Your desire to learn will be completely from within.

So, during your time at college (or high school), make sure you foster the love of learning. Your future self will thank you.

In what ways do you foster your love of learning? Please share below.

Image from pfv. via Flickr

Top 10 Tips for Convocation Day

Written by Lethbridge College on April 26, 2012. 0 Comments
convocationtips

Many institutions around Alberta will be celebrating the success of learners through graduation/convocation ceremonies.

Convocation represents the culmination of your academic endeavours.  It is an opportunity for the campus community and your friends and family to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments.

It will be a busy and exciting day.  Here are the top 10 things to remember on the day of your convocation:

  1. Check your institution’s convocation web site for specific details.
  2. Make you sure you know which day/time your ceremony is, as many institutions have multiple convocation times.
  3. Wear comfortable shoes.
  4. Allow for plenty of time for parking.
  5. Pick-up your gown early enough before convocation.
  6. Don’t forget to go to the bathroom before the processional.
  7. Smile as you cross the stage.
  8. After convocation, don’t forget to return your gown and stole/hood.
  9. Enjoy every moment of your special day – you’ve earned it!
  10. Celebrate!

Lethbridge College’s convocation ceremonies are on April 27th. For specific details for the Lethbridge College convocation, visit the convocation web site.