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Career, College

Learn To Love It: College

December 1, 2008

As I entered my fourth year at UC Riverside, I looked at my current surroundings and realized how much I would actually miss this place. Looking back to the first day I arrived at the dorms I remember thinking how I couldn’t wait to get out of this place. From the desert surroundings, to the staggering number of homeless individuals around University Ave., UC Riverside looked far from home.

It took four years of sleepless nights, countless energy drinks, ridiculous pranks, ‘psychological warfare’ with the girlfriend, and hours of studying for me to realize how much my college had become my second home. Speaking to many of my friends who have graduated, they tell me how much they miss school and how they wish they could go back. Sometimes I think, “really?” Were these not the same people who the first day of school said they wanted to go back home. Now I hear how they want to get away from there “real” home.

For some of us, life after college means moving back home and going back to a house of rules and structure. No longer are you able to stay up as late as you want blasting your music. And no longer is leaving your dishes in the sink for weeks on end an option (yes, it happens).

I have been blessed to have been able to attend a UC school and have been able to experience the quality education that they offer. The UC system is unique in that it gives prospective college students in California a chance to go to a four year university and receive a top tier education without having to go to far. From UCLA to UC Berkeley, they have campuses all over the state for all types of students. If you are considering attending a UC, I would strongly suggest visiting the campuses to make sure you know which one would suit you best, because you have to remember, it will be your ‘second home.’

With my ‘second home’s’ lease ending soon, I wish to offer some advice to soon to be graduates as well as those who are still in college.

1. Enjoy it

Plain and simple. As the saying goes, “You only live once.” Applying that concept, you will only be an undergraduate once in your life. Whether it’s re-inventing your image or building life long relationships, enjoy this time of your life.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “Hi”

All of us have seen the freshmen who go up to other classmates and introduce themselves and try to be sociable. Some people laugh at them and some find them awkward. What other people think in the end is irrelevant. Unless you plan to work with them for the next 10 years of your life, they can be one of two things in your life: Significant or Nothing. Why let fear of what other people think stop you from meeting someone significant or meaningful?

3. Relationships and Balance

Everyone hears about the one night stands that happens in college. While this does occur, finding someone that means something more to you than just a physical attraction is a part of the college life many college students find. The key to this is to find a ‘happy medium’ where you are able to balance both your love life and school work. Remember, no one wants to date a bum.

4. Be Active

For most of us, college will mean being in the best physical shape of our life. From the weight rooms, tennis courts, a numerous treadmills, it is hard to say you can’t find a place to be active. Go out there and be active, because when your are out of college, staying in shape and finding ways to be active is harder and might even cost your wallet more.

5. Plan Ahead

College teaches us that time management is important. It is also important to look at the big picture and plan ahead. Use all the available resources to make sure that you are not only prepared for your classes, but life after college.

It may be too late to do everything I’ve wanted to do while at college, but it is not too late for others. Hopefully someone will read this and go out and say “hi” to someone or find someone meaningful in there life. If not, I can say that I have found someone meaningful in my life and that I no longer laugh or question when people introduce themselves to strangers because I know that this is college. Anyone can be anything.

Career, Dining, Food

Etiquette 101

November 9, 2008

For most of us, sitting down at a table and eating breakfast, lunch or dinner is a time of relaxation and leisure. It is during this time, that we also exhibit some of our most ‘un-attractive’ manners and table etiquette. From talking with food in our mouth to leaning or slouching in our chair, many of us forget the table manners that our parents tried so hard to teach us.

While some may see no need for table manners in our own ‘personal space’, it is important to have some knowledge of them in the event that you need them as for example during a business luncheon or a formal dinner. So let us refresh on some key pointers that will help us seem ‘civilized’ at the least.

Table Setting by tracyhunter.

Continental vs. American

No, the title is not in some reference to a sporting event but rather in reference to the two different styles of eating etiquette.

The first, Continental, is considered to be the less formal of the two and some believe to more ‘efficient. Using the Continental style of eating, the fork is never moved from the left hand when eating. When eating and cutting food, the index finger is placed on the back of the fork and the knife is kept in the right hand. It is also noted that when cutting the food, the cut strokes should be made in one direction only (top to bottom). When using continental just remember, right hand – Knife & left hand – Fork.

The second, American style, which is most commonly used in the United States, is similar to Continental style. Similar to Continental style, the fork is in the left hand and the knife in the right hand when cutting. Your index finger rests on the back of the handles and you should cut several pieces of your food. After cutting, you will rest your knife on the edge of the plate with the sharp edge looking into the plate.

The big difference between American and Continental style is that after you rest your knife, you switch your fork to your right hand.

Tips

Whether you use the Continental or American style of dining, here are some helpful tips that may help you make a great impression in front of your boss or parents in-law.

  • -Used utensils shouldn’t touch the the surface of the table. Balancing them on the corner of your plate is a better place.
  • -Most dishes will be accompanied by the appropriate knife. For example: steak and seafood. Don’t use the butter knife to cut that 12 oz. New York Steak
  • -Most upscale restaurants go for the cloth napkins, which means you only get one. Try dabbing the mouth when needed which will your napkin last longer. (This doesn’t apply to Buffalo wings. We all know that’s just impossible.)
  • -If something is even remotely out of your reach, ask for some assistance from someone at the table.
  • -Sit up straight and don’t lean your elbows heavily on the table.
  • -It is best to wait till your party is served all there dishes out of courtesy.
  • -Be on time. Being early also shows that your dinner/meeting with your guests is important to you.
  • -In most cases, if you are the one inviting, it is suggested that you pick up the tab. No clear rule here
  • -Napkin should be placed on your lap when you sit at your table and placed on your chair or to the left of your plate when going to the restroom or stepping away from your meal as to show you will return.

The next time you sit down to a business luncheon or an important dining engagement remember to enjoy your dining experience. Also don’t forget one of the key elements to succeess: always be confident and composed. With that said, bon appetit!

Career, College

Without Fear

October 25, 2008

Looking back, as a young child we had many dreams of what we wanted to be when we grew up. Some wanted to be doctors, some wanted to firefighters, and some police officers. Fast forward the picture to the present and that same child that wanted to grow up wanting to be a doctor or a firefighter has new dreams and desires.

Gone are the days of dressing up as cowboy, and in are the days of looking through hundreds of job listings.

Gone are the days of when we would play cops and robbers, and in are the days of trying to figure out how we will pay off those enormous college loans.

When we first embarked on the adventure known as’college’ we were gullible, curious, and imature, but after four years we have transformed. As ‘adults’ we are now inquisitive, assertive, and most of all aware. Aware that this could be the most crucial time of our lives. Our parents, our professors, and our college experience for the most part, has given us the tools to go out into society and contribute and be sucessful. Still one thing has not changed. Fear.

Fear is a invisible foe that exists all around us. Especially in today’s current economic and global situation, we are pressed to confront this ‘fear.’

For the individual that is fearful of what the future may hold I will cite a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do“

We live in a historic time. How will we remember it? Will we remember how we stood there fearful of what economic crisis would happen next? Or will we stare ‘fear’ in the eyes and find a way to fight it

As individuals, we have the knowledge, the dedication, and the perservernece to suceed. We must not let ‘fear’ hold us down. Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live. Therefore I tell you.

Go. Live without fear.