It is BECAUSE the expectations that I had for myself were so low, and it is BECAUSE I did not plan for better – that so many possibilities slipped by.  Looking through the ‘rear view mirror’ has amplified this for me.  And given this, it is the wisdom from hard lessons learnt that I just love what I do – instilling hope, self assurance and courage to ‘give it a go’. 

So, with the new university term started, my wish is for students to embrace the learning, embrace the challenges and embrace the joys.  Recently there have been, however, just too many calls from students who have become disinterested in their courses or fear that they are already too behind on course work to catch up.   Hence this first column of the year, asking our students to INTEND A SUCCESSFUL AND FULFILLING term ahead – INTENDING to apply themselves to their studies with diligence, determination, a plan and some ambition.  

TO THE STUDENT:

How would it feel to start this university term with an OBJECTIVE IN MIND and with ASPIRATION for yourself that is really exciting? What does that feeling of being exhilarated, content and inspired feel like for you?  What can you do to be assured of this feeling at the end of the day?   

What makes me happy is when you are stimulated, excited and learning.  When you express the satisfaction gained from working hard at university, whilst also enjoying a rich and connected social life, and are involved in societies and organisations that are not a part of their academic life – then I know that you are on a good track.  

It is so easy to excuse ourselves however from actually getting the work done.  Whether you are dumbing yourself down or persuading yourselves that you don’t really care about your work output and the results, it is easy to find the (very believable) excuses to do the minimum amount of work or just not show up at all.  Getting caught up in the sheer fun of university even though your work is compromised is common and so easy to do.   

If you are in this category, I urge you to reconsider what you are telling yourself about yourself  and to reset your goals, giving yourself a fighting chance of accomplishing something meaningful.  University is not an end in itself.  It is the training ground to the work place and other ventures that you will want to undertake in the future. It is worth using this time productively, consciously and with some wisdom too.    

With this in mind, here are a few questions that might be interesting for you to ponder upon:  

Why would it be in your very best interest to properly apply yourself to your studies?

If you were to be giving somebody an amazing work opportunity, what part of their university life would you be interested in?  What are the questions that YOU would be asking?

If you were completely free of excuses and deterring habits, what would you really like to strive for?  What are you saving yourself from when NOT doing the work?

In KNOWING that you CAN do it, what WOULD you be doing and HOW?

If you were to remind yourself that you are very capable, able and powerfully equipped to use your intelligence – how would you approach your studies?

What are the tiny ‘must do’ habits are keeping you away from actually getting down and doing the work that matters?

How do you describe yourself as a student?  Are there some more uplifting and empowering words that you can use to describe yourself?

Why not study really hard?  Why not be very ambitious for yourself?  

If you know that you are not applying yourself as well as you could, what is the story that you are telling yourself about yourself?  Is it true?  Really true?  What is a truer version of the story that is uplifting and inspiring.  

What is the point of being at a university or college and not putting in the effort to learn?  The learning is more than just the information gained.  It is also about the learning to research; developing the skills to remain at a task; embedding the life long vital good  habits of working to deadlines, thinking, coming up with fresh ideas, interacting within groups, asking questions, looking for new answers, of managing yourself effectively and being for ever curious.   Also, at university, you are creating your great connections that will be so valuable during your working years.  What is the impression that you are making on your peers now?

IN SHORT:  

Choose to attend lectures and tutorials;

Choose to get on and do your projects asap;

Choose to work hard – and then enjoy the rewards of parties and outings;

Choose to work hard – for yourself, and for somebody who is important to you;

Choose to create good work habits;

Choose to high aims  for yourself;

Choose to WANT to make the very most of your university life;

Choose to stop the procrastinating and get on with the task at hand!

BRAVO TO YOU and may this academic year start with gusto!

PODCAST – Mel Robbins – ‘Mindset, Reset’.  

And if you are in need of an extra boost, call me and we can talk it through together.