Engaging in the Academic Community

As a part time student, full time professional,  blogger, daughter, shopper among other responsibilities, I used to live by the “I- don’t- have- time- for- that” creed when it came to campus activities and events.  I felt as though, I’d been a full time student throughout my undergraduate years and for my first Masters degree so I’d been there and done that when it came to committees and student organizations.  I’ve recently come to realiz that form of student life is largely unfulfilling.  Your education is much more than what goes on in the classroom.  Actually, you often can learn just as much (if not more) from your peers and professors when you interact in social and other non academic settings.  

In November, of last year I was privileged to start a job that allowed me to spend a lot more time in the campus area.   Since then I’ve been able to hang out with my classmates, meet with my advisors, attend lectures/seminars and just have more of a presence in my department.   Knowing your colleagues/professors on a more personal level is helpful as it gives you a context for many of your academic interactions.  Hearing my advisors stories and the passion the have for their work motivates me more than any good grade ever could.  Because we’re so close, I like to feel like my main advisor has starting giving me better feedback and really shown a vested interest in my success.  It makes going to class a lot more enjoyable than it used to be. It comes in handy when funding opportunities, conferences and other perks come across her desk.  She remembers the kid and always looks out. 

 I’ve also found my interaction with underclassmen and younger graduate students very rewarding.  I’ve participated in a few panel discussions and workshops on graduate school adjustment, job interviewing and the job search process.  It really felt good to be approached on campus by someone who was there and just wanted to say thanks.   Additionally, the networking has definitely come in handy.  I have contacts in various administrative departments on campus because of my rapport with student workers. These relationships have really been clutch when handling my own campus business.

I encourage all students to get involved and really engage with the academic community.  I’ve shared just a few of the in and out of classroom benefits here but there are many more.  A little hob knobbing, and rapport building can really take you far and sometimes for half the price.  Don’t sleep on those emails you get from the department, student activities, etc.  Show up and get involved and let me know how it went.  

Has anyone else benefitted from getting involved in your department.  Leave a comment and share your experiences.   

The Student Union- Social Networking Dos and Don'ts

As several of you are applying to Internships, Scholarships, and Graduate Programs I wanted to share some information with you. You may have even heard it before but the sphere of influence  Facebook and other social networking websites is broadening on college and university campuses across the nation.  In my professional work, I've been advised to refer to Facebook when reviewing applications, making admissions decisions, to settle judicial matters, etc. It is essential for students to make sure their online presence is not conflicting or counterintuitive to their academic and professional goals. In other words, be on Facebook publicly slangin expletives, chugging from a Red Solo cup, grabbing your crotch, in your bra and panties with your middle finger in the air if you want to. But you won't get hired and you may even lose your housing, with your bad self. 

Below are some Do's and Don't to Social Networking that will ensure you constantly keep your best face forward. 

Do Utilize the privacy features. Facebook especially has extremely sophisticated means of protecting the content of your profile and photos. Learn about them and take advantage. If you're a member of your college's network then other member of that network will be able to view your page, photo's etc. without having to be your friend. Keep this in mind. You can set you page to monitor who has access to your profile and your contact information. You can even view your page as they see it to make sure that their is nothing compromising/personal made public.

Don't Turn off email notifications of tagged pictures, videos, notes etc. A lot of times, we may or may not be doing things that we ain't got no business doing and the paparazzi will have all our business in street. Also, sometimes we get tagged to pictures and videos that we don't have anything to do with just because somebody wants to make sure we see them. Tagged photos are the most accessible on your page, keep that in mind . When you receive notificaition that you've been tagged, check it out and make sure that you haven't been tagged in any inappropropriate of illegal photos and videos. . 

Do Be careful of personal emails and/or screen names. Especially if you're applying to internship, fellowship, and employment opportunities. Employers are checking Facebook pages nothing turns the off more then when they see that you can be reached at superheadgiver6969 on AIM or PimpDaddyHoesALot@yahoo.com. Nobody's judging you for those moniker if you choose to use them..  just giving you fair warning. 

Don't resort to block speak- I'm instantly drained when I'm bombarded with all types of code, broken english and slang. Spell out your numbers and for God's sake let's use complete sentences and live by the basic rules of punctuation and capitalization. 

Do you- If this is too much for you and you just think that college staff and employers are overstepping their bounds by viewing you profile you can disappear.  There's a way where you can't be found or searched for and can only be visible to those who you choose to befriend or those you've already approved. If you take advantage of this feature, when your name is searched you won't come up.  So it'll be like you never existed.

Don't Sleep on the Post- Facebook profiles have been submitted for evidence in US courtrooms across the country. The have led to the expulsion of the students and have even landed men and women in jail.  Don't believe me??? Check this out. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2008-07-19-facebook-trials_N.htm .

Those of you who know me and watch my videos know that I am a clown and every part of me loves to joke around and have a good time. But the sometimes defenseless pictures, quotes, videos, etc that are posted on your profile paint a picture of you, even if they are posted in joking manner. People can interpret that picture anyway that choose and make judgements of you. I just want to make sure that you are putting you best face forward at all times. The only way GlamNERDS do it. 

Until next time,

Tykeia

aka

TheGlamNERD

The Student Union- The Social Philosophy of The GlamNERDS

In this post, we're talking People.

As you develop, new experiences present themselves. Each new experience presents the opportunity for new relationships. In college you’ll have a set of friends, your high school friends know nothing about. Even as you take different classes you’ll acquire a new set of associates/friends. Don’t stifle that but be responsible. College is all about building a skill set and a network. Not only do you want to leave ready to tackle the job of your choosing but, you also want to have established a network of relationships to take with you.  So open up, don’t be a recluse and clam up. Crack a joke, smile and be approachable. Participate in study groups and other class activities.  There is much to gain from these exchanges as well

But don’t let it consume you.  It’s so easy for the social side of college life to over shadow your priority, your academics. So be mindful of the time you spend chit chatting in class over the time you spend listening. Engage with class discussion yes, but shut your trap long enough to really get a grasp of the content of the  class session.  Work with your classmates, but make sure your group work is productive even if that means spending a little more independent time. Now ya’ll know I’m a clown and can pride myself on making any situation an enjoyable one. It’s gift and a curse. Studying with Keia in the library, usually comes with a lil gossip, some snacks, music, a lil YouTube, etc. (Don’t judge me).  I’m not saying its right but it happens and I acknowledge it. I understand that it’s a part of my nature right now and although I’m trying to change it, I work with myself and not against myself.  I allocate times in my studying for these breaks/ distractions and I try to stick with the schedule of tasks that I have to accomplish at the library that day. I get it done. This means I may have to stay at the library a little longer than my study group and I do that.   Be honest with yourself.

I just don’t want you guys to get yourself bound to cylos and cliques in college. The mean girls, the athletes, the geeks, thesbians, the trollups, etc.  Remember the GlamNERDS of the cool kids table are cool enough to affiliate and be welcomed and respected by all of these groups.  We work the cafeteria, hunny. Everybody knows us for the right reasons, we speak our hellos  and wave and smile to all as we fix our plates. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying drop your besties, roll dolo, and be the P. Diddy duplicate on your campus. (yuck!) You can have you set because I know I did.  I just hate to see students connected at the hip. Gangs and lil cliques shading, hating and generating beef throughout the campus. Be open to getting out there talking to and meeting new people. It’s really what college is all about.

 Till Next Time,

Tykeia

aka

The GlamNERD