Pass What Class?

Before things get too far along this term it is important to take a minute or two right now to determine what class you are going to pass. All of them? Well by now you know stuff comes up on Planet College and as a student you often don't finish everything you start. At least not in the same term. So what class must you pass this term? This is important. Are you serious? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to pass this one class? If your answer is anything but yes you are probably wasting your time. And, it is your time.

Roommate Wars, How to avoid them.

Roommate disagreements happen. Even among the best of friends. The best way to avoid roommate disagreements is to get everything in writing. Ok. You can't think of everything. But up front, even before you move in, get as much as possible written down.
Finances first. Who pays what and for what. House rules, that's housekeeping, i.e. who cleans what and when. These can be printed and posted. Usually that is in the kitchen and the bathroom. These are the "common" areas where the most common problems occur.

Stay over rules are something else again. Whose friend(s) and when. And when does a guest become another roommate.

You're thinking,"Yeah like this is practical". Well, no, you just can't think of everything that might come up. And no one ever thinks they will have a disagreement with their friend. But. Here are the two most common areas of human disagreement. Love and money. Yup. I'll bet if you think back to the major and minor disagreements of you life. They were about either love or money. The rules of love aren't generally written down. But. Money can be determined and divided up easily.

So to keep a roommate as a friend get stuff in writing. If you've already moved in and especially if "stuff " is coming up take some time to talk about it now. Now, before disagreements become a war. And there are no winners in that one.

To do and to don't.

Around this time of the term it is common to find yourself writing lists. Usually of things to do. These lists help clarify daily activities which need to be accomplished. There are many such methods available on line and they are usually under some time management heading. Most students have some method of compiling these lists from sophisticated day runner multiple reference overlay or iPhone apps to a short list scribbled on the back of a Domino's receipt.

However you do this, it is important that you do. Do a list. Do a 'to do' list. Some lists are too general, i.e. "file taxes." Others are too specific containing tasks the student might be doing anyway like "brush teeth". Unless it is unusual or uncommon for you to brush your teeth it is probably not necessary to write down such mundane tasks.

Still your list is your list. And if commonly occurring mundane tasks give you a feeling of getting some thing done then write them and do it. Some list is better than no list at all.

Not often found but equally effective are don't lists. This negative approach can actually jar a student into a greater level of awareness. Don't park in the dean's parking place, don't forget the paper for Comp Lit. Don't spend your share of the rent on Jeager, stuff like that. Dont's are important too.

If you are not familiar with the common 'to do' or less common 'to don't' lists then right now get a piece of paper and write down three things you can do today toward your graduation. Three things. Simple.

However you do it and what ever your approach get to it. It is that time of year.

What do you do when you got no class?

A great deal about negotiating Planet College is about all of the small things that add up to a student's day. When you are in class it is pretty easy to be a student. You know the drill. Sit there and look like your taking notes. Occasionally glance at the instructor in order to appear interested. By now you may even have perfected sleeping with your eyes open. If you feel particularly ambitious you may actually be taking notes.
That's class, by now you know how you do it.
What about when you are not in an actual class session. what do you do then? Most of your real student life is outside of the classroom.

What you do with your time and your life outside of the actual classroom will eventually add up to how much time you will spend on Planet College.

Well? Isn't it time you decided when you will get back to Earth? You can greatly help your own cause by focusing your out of class time on completing your degree.

It is up to you.

Another year older and deeper in debt.

Every new year brings with it some form of reflection. Resolutions. To do lists. Goals, new and old. For students the start of a new calendar year can mean many things. But one thing it means for sure. More money for school. School costs money. School stuff costs money. Often this money is borrowed. Loans. Currently nationally the economy is adjusting majorly. This could mean fewer hours at work. It could mean overall money is harder to get. It often is for most students. Most students live in limited economic environment, their own personal recession. So. The current "downturn" wont be such news. Still. Right now. Early in this calendar year. Is a good time to pause to review. How much do you owe? How much more will you owe at the end of the year?

Take some time to consider this. And consider what you may be gaining from it. Right now you are investing your time and money in your own future. A future which will last your life time. Take care to use it well. Next year at this time will you be wiser? More capable? More employable? Will you be more than just another year older and deeper in debt?

Think about it.