Stupid.  This word is spoken repeatedly as self-speak by talented students across the nation. I have heard it said many times and always find it jarring to my senses.  I hadn’t considered how the power of that word multiplies when it takes the form of self-speak. I hadn’t realized how much it scared me to think that such a damaging word might follow each student into their future aspirations.

Every time I hear someone say things like, “I just feel so stupid about . . . ” I believe you.  But, lack of awareness is not the same as ignorance. Ignorance is a choice.

We are constantly being presented with perspectives that we may have not fully understand.  The barrage of information can be overwhelming.  We cannot fully grasp everything which makes us feel overwhelmed and, at times, stupid.

We’re not stupid. We’re not ignorant. The biggest lessons with the most powerful punch are smack dab in the middle of the uncomfortable moments—always the clearest indicator that we’re present in a perfect storm of learning.

Feeling stupid is a gut reaction of fear that you are being judged and someone may be thinking less of you. Maybe they are.  Stupid can be such a divisive word. It’s harmful because it rejects the fact that you always had, and will continue to have, the capacity to learn.

Don’t worry. You’re a better person than you were a moment before, and it’s mostly because of the most real form of education.  So, please think twice before you use such a word to describe yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself who will?

C.A.N. is here for you to ensure that you are up to the challenges that lay ahead.  If you would like to discuss the transition to college and how C.A.N. can be of assistance, please fill out the contact us page on our website. http://www.canstudentconsultants.com/

“The most important investment you can make is in yourself.” – Warren Buffett

You don’t feel like rolling out of bed for that 8am class.  You were too busy at your side job to complete your paper for class.  Your professor is so boring that you can’t’ keep your eyes open, let alone take good notes.

These all seem to be reasonable reasons for not doing well in class.  But will these reasonable reasons pay your tuition bill?  Each class that you miss is costing you money.  Each failing grade is costing you money.  That boring professor?  Well, the notes you didn’t take just cost you money.

Have you ever taken a look at your tuition bill? 

Let’s say your tuition plus room and board equals $23,215/semester (insert correct amount) now divide that by the number of credits you are taking, for the purpose of this exercise let’s say 12.  That gives us the answer of $1935./credit.  Most college classes are three credits so each class is costing you $5805.

Total cost per semester ÷ number of credits taking=cost per credit x number of credits/class=total cost per class.

Using the example numbers we used above, if you fail a class it will cost  you $5805.  Wow!  Not only do you have to pay for that class twice (because you do have to retake required classes) which will cost you $11610.  So not only will the class you didn’t like cost you a lot of money you will get to sit through it twice and it could possibly hold you up from taking other classes and change your graduation schedule.

Ouch!  This week let’s take a look at your expenses and find ways to cut expenses, eliminate procrastination, and remove distractions to your success.

C.A.N. is here for you to ensure that you are up to the challenges that lay ahead.  If you would like to discuss the transition to college and how C.A.N. can be of assistance, please fill out the contact us page on our website. http://www.canstudentconsultants.com/

The secret to getting ahead is getting started. The secret to getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. — Mark Twain

Have you ever had so much to do that you didn’t know where to begin? Just writing things down seems too overwhelming. How do you get from the feeling of being overwhelmed to the feeling of being accomplished? Baby steps are the key.

Blocking off time for uninterrupted focus is half the battle. The other half is avoiding distractions. Our current society of easy access to information and social media are huge distractions to getting work done. Start with blocking off small amounts of time with no TV, phone, internet, friends, etc. and focus on your assignments. As you become more accustomed to blocking off time, increase the duration of the blocks.

C.A.N. is here for you to ensure that you are up to the challenges that lay ahead.  If you would like to discuss the transition to college and how C.A.N. can be of assistance, please fill out the contact us page on our website. http://www.canstudentconsultants.com/