This is a question that sooooo many students stumble over. Should they even be in college.

Should they change their major….again? Should they tolerate their roommate or simply look for a new one, since this one is NOT working out. Or even more important….now that I am graduating, and don’t have a job prospect…what do I do?

Well, set up a 60 day strategic plan. Seriously 2 months will give you enough time to see if other majors are better for you, or if that roommate simply has to go. It also will give you a targeted time plan to focus on who you want to interview with and seek initial employment or least get practice interviews with.

60 days is just enough time to really sink your teeth into what your next steps should be, while allowing yourself to see “light at the end of the tunnel.” Try this method and at least you will feel that you are in some type of control of your life.

If not, you will just keep floundering and questioning and not really knowing where to go to next. Take control of this plan and at least feel secure that you have taken at least one major step forward.

You MUST draw out your plan and put it where it is visible. In a binder, on your screen saver, in your car or up on the wall.

Just give this a try….you might be surprised at the results you will get from this!

Great news! There was a recent study that proves when a student writes down their immediate worries about an upcoming test, it releases a subconscious angst that becomes minimized! Test scores were showing a 5% to 15% improvement over previous scores.
This was not a random one time event….this was done repeatedly with large groups of students….and each time the group of students who “wrote & released” had better scores, than the students taking the exact same test in a different room! HOW COOL!
Simply writing down what you are concerned about…fearful of screwing up….actually helped you.
Why burden yourself with worry? Simply write and release…..simply write and release.
It is simple and cathartic and it works!
I speak on the power of the mind, and have been involved in clinical hypnosis for years. Many of your talents are held back because you are scared, apprehensive and simply do not have the confidence in yourself to achieve so many, many things!
Be creating a different mind set, you create an internal visual of confidence that comes out thru many aspects of your personality. If you choose not to make any of these changes….than you will succeed….and NOT change anything. How sad!
Give yourself the permission to make changes within your life. Because by choosing to make changes…you can.
How many of you simply keep on doing the “same old routine”…and never change? It is not easy to change. It is uncomfortable and most people buck it.
By choosing to take even a few steps that are different, you will begin to see positive changes within your life.
Here’s another study was done that really should be considered a NO BRAINER!

College students prefer praise and positive reinforcement over that of booze, sex….and even money. Duhhh!!!!
But yes a study was done nationwide and it reinforced that students respond to praise more than anything else. It really is the power of words. If someone believes in you and praises you or makes even a simply positive statement…you respond in a different way. A positive way!
Like I said it IS the power of YOUR mind. How you believe in yourself and how you perceive yourself can make a dramatic difference academically, socially and personally.
This is a unique journey that you are on, going thru life. Take some control and make it rock.
It truly is “all in your mind!”
How cool!

Confidence in college can be yours thru each semester…and can continue to grow as you enter and begin your career.

Bring Eileen Strong to speak at your college and take those next steps of confidence. The payback will be incredible!

Face up….it did go by fast. The semester, the exams, the papers, the homework, the headaches….and even some fun. But it WAS work! But now you are wrapping up and soon go “home for the holidays!”
Did you achieve what you wanted to get done. Did your GPA stay or exceed what you were looking for?
Continue to push yourself so that you reach a little bit more. I know this sounds trite, but you have to push yourself. If not, someone else will.
How focused are you? Someone else is possibly hungrier than you are, and will push themselves. This generation of kids born in the 80′s and 90′s are finding a new, more intense level of competition. You have to keep at it. And this type of competition is here to stay. The rules are changing, and bright, focused and “hungry” young people are meeting their goals and objectives.
Gone are the days of going to the office, 5 days a weeks, 9 to 5. Hours are longer, productivity is steeper and competition remains high.
But you are the generation that can and will do this!
Where your laptop is, where your office might be. Hours will not be consistent, but productivity will remain high…because of you have chosen it.

It is sad that college can be so emotionally trying. Last week a young Freshmen from Rutgers, chose to jump off the George Washington bridge, after his roommate and female friend filmed an intimate encounter….that should have remained private.

As a result, a family has lost a son. A young mans life has been ended way too soon. And two young people are going to carry the emotional, social and financial burden of a foolish mistake that has an unbelievable price tag.

Everyone has lost as a result of this mistake. Simply everyone.

Civility has become a hot topic on the college campus. And it needs to be addressed with intensity. But the first step starts with you.

Yes you.

The opportunity to engage in conversation with anyone experiencing rejection, confusion or hurt is just the beginning. But listen…listen, listen.  Do not ignore, if you sense that something is wrong.

Seek counseling, or at least extend a hand out in friendship.

But the suicide, according to my college son….was a cowards way out. He feels that the young man, should have taken steps to seek help. Not to jump from a bridge…and make such a permanent, defining decision.

Please respond with your comments. Lets do a survey and find out how you feel about all three of these students. The victim   –  The “bully” – The participant.

Everyone lost here….simply everyone.

Eileen Strong       Confidence In College

You are the NEW kid in town. People have packed you up, sent you money, wished you the best….and now you are in a dorm, with a person who might become your BFF…or not.
Your emotions are high, the classes can become intimidating, and you might even hate some of your professors. Fess up, it can happen.
In fact you may not even like the dorm you’ve been dumped in. So you are homesick, and sick of school in such a short time.
Well it is time to take a deep breath and realize that this is a mega change taking place in your life. And I mean BIG.
Hang in there.
Talk to friends back home, call the family and just learn to pace yourself.
Don’t do excessive drinking, just to get recognized and accepted.
Everyday another college student dies from alcohol poisoning. Make sure you are not part of that statistic.
The booze, parties, and events will continue to build, as you make your way around. Trust me it WILL all work out.
Just give it some time. Stay in love with who ever you left behind, but know that new relationships can easily be on the horizon. Don’t shut yourself out from new friendships.
Write and release your fears, or talk it out with someone you can trust… even an adult on campus if you have to.
Don’t give up!
There are way too many guys dropping out. The gals are hanging in there.
Believe in yourself, give yourself a pat on the back and recognize what is taking place all around you. It will be okay.
Trust me. Stay in touch with the ConfidenceInCollege.com blog and more answers will be on the way.

I know the job market is tough, but you are the students who are going to change commerce. So many of you are going to be successful entrepreneurs, because current jobs are tough to find.

Lindsay Phillips created “Switch Flops” for changeable design flip flops, and she is  now a multi millionaire at the age of 25. She saw a market and focused on it.

You too can be creative, think of things that make you excited…that you would spend money on. Simply approach it thru a different angle and see how you can market it.

Hey if somebody made $5,000,000 selling “Pet Rocks” think of what you can sell successfully.

Go to it….and hope to read about your success on YouTube and the Wall Street Journal!

Eileen

The partying was great, the grades maybe not so great. But now you have to get serious. Have a plan that can have flexibility and still allow fun. But have a plan. If you have not heard it yet, you will hear it again and again thru out the next several years……”Fail to plan….plan to fail!”

And it is the truth.

These college years are going to go by so fast, and you will be getting your diploma and your college payments sooner than expected. Maybe it is graduate school right away. Most companies want you to wait a little before getting it, but I know a lot of students that went directly  into “Grad” school and did just fine.

But May will be here, and your grades will have impact. As will the knowledge you have learned.

If the partying remains consistent at your school (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday) as it does at many; consider slowing it down….a little. Moderation really does work.

Have fun making new relationships.

Try not to get married right out of college. You may be so very much in love….but let some time past. Travel…..play….save…..and do it again. And then do it again. Take care of yourself first….learn about you, so that when you do share your life….make it a life that is fulfilled, and has an abundance of experiences to share with someone.

The “Confidence In College” – Attitude Gal

Eileen Strong

Believe it or not, those mid term tests are almost here. I have a great technique that will help you remember more and feel less angst when taking your tests. Here is the best way to remember more….

Whenever you are studying, always break it into 20 to  25 increments. Then take a 3 to 5 minute break…come back…sit down and study again for another 20 to 25 minutes. You can do this for 3 or 4 hours….if you need that much time to remember the data.

But this technique does work and you can change your patterns. I know, I know you have always studied like a marathoner…..into the night and staggering into class with all your freshly read data…but WHY beat yourself up so much.

Just this small change can improve your scores….and your GPA.

Try it you’ll like it  and the results that you get.

Call me into your college, so I can speak directly to your group to make even more “win-win” changes!

You can find me at ConfidenceInCollege.com

School will go by way toooooo fast. You’ll find out. Why not make it a better experience.  Technically you are there to learn…..remember more, and test easier. Now that is awesome.

Eileen Strong

ConfidenceInCollege.com

Ever question how your friends really feel about you? Sometimes, the truth is that your friends can change. Maybe the chemistry just isn’t there anymore.
Remember, you really need only ONE BEST FRIEND….all the rest can be acquaintances that you can hang with.
A really good, good friend will be there with you….when it seems that the rest of the world has walked out on you.
I have a sign in my kitchen that says…..” A good friend will be there when you call….but a GREAT friend will be sitting next to you in the cell saying “Damn that was fun!”
Not that  great fun has to go to that extent…but it is kinda cool.
I still have my best friends from elementary school. You can show up at any time, anywhere in the country and even though months have passed…it will seem like you just saw them.
They are always there for you….anytime and anyplace.
But you have got to work at having friends. What you want from a friend is also what you have to put into a friendship. It is a two way street.
Make sure you are listening when they talk.
Be a great listener. And don’t comment right away. Sometimes a friend just needs and wants to talk.
Learn to be quiet.
Learn to listen.
Genuinely listen….and then respond.
Also learn to RESPOND NOT REACT!
Be the friend you want to be…that is the best friend YOU could ask for.
What you will get in return, will be a safe place that you can go to anytime.
The TV show “Friends” was a great show….how would you place your friends….if you were the casting agent?
Think about it.
It should bring a smile to your face.
Better yet….listen to Bette Midlers song……”But you gotta have friends”
It’s a great song to listen to with YOUR friends.
Keep Smiling,

Eileen
ConfidenceInCollege.com

Wanting to be accepted as you move into a new room or new dormitory is your priority. You simply

WANT TO FIT IN!  Everybody wants to be able to feel good about themselves. Are you judging yourself too harshly.

We really can beat ourselves up…and no one can do it as well as ourselves!  Give yourself the complete permission to be yourself. BREATHE IT IN….LET IT GO….BREATHE IT IN AGAIN…AND BE FRIENDLY…and BE YOURSELF.

My first roommate smoked cigars in the room and got away with it…..but when she took my clothes and wore them, was TOO MUCH.  She was 5 ft. 1″ and I’m 5′ 10″.  Now c’mon, that is quite a height difference. She simply had the “balls” to take what she wanted and NOT  care about the repercussions.

I left that roommate after 1 semester. Some things are simply not meant to work out.

With the pressure of classes, homework, money, acceptance & (rejection)….you’ve got a lot on your plate to handle.

If it is bothering you, what is taking place all around….write it down and shred it. No one needs to know about your angst….but you’ll feel better by writing it and shredding. In a way you got it off your chest and out of your mind. Hey this REALLY WORKS!

Seriously try this, it will give you a calmness and clarity to stay focused.  By staying focused you will be more at ease to accept new relationships, and let go of ones that you simply don’t need anymore.

Stay true to you. You’ll feel better and so will the people in your life!

At my website ConfidenceInCollege.com you get even more info. Let me know what’s going on.

Keepin the Attitude,

Eileen