This is an archived blog from when I ran Conscious Public Relations Inc. from 2008-2018. Excuse the potential outdated-ness!
Today’s blog post comes from the heart. Here are my top 5 tips for those going back to school. Especially the high school folks.
1. You are in school to learn.
Education is important. You don’t need a post-secondary education to be successful in life, but if that is in your plan you have to take it seriously so that you can pursue your dream. Even if you hate the subjects you’re taking, if you can take one piece of it with you, the knowledge will come back to you in a situation you least expected.
2. Learning includes social interaction.
If you have a great group of friends while you are in school, great. It will make your experience much more enjoyable. If you do not, try to make friends by getting involved in common activities. Social development is so important in life because when you leave school you will be expected to get along with co-workers and society at large. And being friendly and learning to work with a team goes a long way in work and in life. School is not meant to produce a**holes.
3. Respect those who came before you.
I won’t lie, I had some dunces for teachers. Some real disgusting ones. But you are not in school to learn how to overthrow authority. Leave that for when you have enough knowledge to know how to do that. You will learn tolerance and patience when you deal with teachers who do not do their jobs adequately. Even they can teach you how to be a better person.
4. Don’t ever stop asking questions.
The best way to learn is to ask what you don’t know and question what you are learning if it doesn’t seem right to you. In some classes I was too afraid to display my thirst for knowledge and I now I mentally kick myself for it. It’s a great way to get over your fear of what others think of you or of public speaking. Honestly, no one is going to remember the question you asked in that class… unless of course, you turn it into an all-out debate against your teacher. Those can be fun to watch sometimes, but only if you know what you’re saying.
5. School does not define you.
You define you. Remember that school is one aspect of your life that can either enhance it for the better through what you learn, or it can be a time waster if you choose it to be.
