Get Your Story Straight

Seth Godin, A former marketing major who has done pretty well in his career since leaving school, often has worthwhile things to say about, sales, markets, and life in general including at times student life.

One basic tenet of Seth's business philosophy says we are all marketers. Well, ok, wait, he says all marketers tell stories. That is, people who are hired to represent products or services or people compose a story about their subject, their employer. This story is of course intended to put the best face possible on the company or person they represent. If they do their job effectively, you, the intended audience or consumer, the market, respond appropriately. You consume their product, applaud their performance, follow their career, apply for their service. If the marketer does not tell an effective story or tell the story effectively, there is little, no or the "wrong" response and the marketer/storyteller looses his or her job or account or position. Simple.
Well, not real real simple but not toooo complicated either. Seth goes one better than the area of commerce. He says we are all marketers, storytellers about ourselves. Worth considering. Right now you are a student. That right there is a big part of your story. What is the story you are telling about your student self? Much of it is what you say or don't say but a much larger part is what you actually do about your student 'story', about your student life.

Are your actions coherent with your general story about your student life? Well, are they? You know, you really do. So, ok, student, what's your story?

Planet College advisory: "Where two or more are gathered. . .".

Right now, for those classes which require them, special class presentations are nearing their due date. Most of these presentations involve only one class member per presentation. At times, however, students are required to work in small groups. These groups contain three to five class members. Usually, when this is part of the assignment, groups are given time to work together during class while preparing their presentation. This Planet College advisory has to do with a time honored fact of group class presentations. It goes like this, " Where more than two are gathered someone will bail." If you've been around the campus for a while you probably understand this. Groups are formed and assignments given early in the term. The group meets sometimes during class and sometimes out side of class. This is to work on presenting the assigned topic. Getting busy young adults together at the same time for something other than a party is quite a feat. Often, though, the group will proceed successfully. That is until the day of the presentation. Then, on the day of the presentation, someone will fail to show up. It is so inevitable that it is nearly a rule. The reasons are varied and often legitimate. But. Still. If you've done your part what are you to do? OK, here's a hint. If you are in such a group, first of all, expect someone to bail. That is it. Just don't be the person who does. No matter what, show up for the presentation and be fully prepared. To protect your self along the way keep a record of everything you have done for the project both inside and out of class. Then. When whoever doesn't show up, you and those who did show up can present as much as you can. Your record of your efforts and your contribution should be enough for the instructor to issue you an appropriate grade. Good Luck.

What good will this do me?

What good will this do me? In the long trek towards graduation students realize almost every decision eventually bears on whether it will help them graduate or not. At least it should. If you are traveling this summer, taking a summer school course or just kicking back at home, think. How does this help me graduate? While you are on PlanetCollege this should be your primary thought about everything. Something to meditate on: what good does this behaviour, this event, this activity do me? Will this help me get to graduation? Well? Will it?

Planet College: Butts in seats.

This is a Planet College Advisory. College is a butts in seats business. That is how it works. In order for your school to function it needs your butt in a seat. Schools thrive on recruiting students. Maybe you've seen this. Maybe you were recruited your self. What ever it was it was because your school needed you. It needs a whole big bunch of yous to make the thing work. You are a critical part of your college. Simply put, your school needs you to function as a school. Seriously. It is the students who make the school. If you and all of your friends left where would the school be?
 Closed.

Now.

It also works the other you. School is why you are there. You have decided that you need this education which the school is providing. So. Whenever it is time, get your butt in to a seat. Get through. Get on with your life. Finish and do whatever you have to do to graduate. You got your butt in there, now get your butt out of there.