You either love it or hate it. I never in a million years thought I would have a career that required me to speak in front of a ton of people on a daily basis. I can remember getting sick before giving a speech in college! Once I realized that I didn’t have a choice, I had to get comfortable with public speaking whether I liked it or not. Believe it or not, I started enjoying it! Here are a few tips that helped me overcome my fear.
There are various theories of what impacts a student in their childhood and eventually leads to how they respond to college experience. First, understanding “theory” is important, knowing that it is different from practice when principles are tested. A theory is a set of accepted beliefs or organized principles that explain and guide analysis. Focusing on psychological development, which is described as how and why human beings change over the course of their life, is an important concept to research and understand in higher education. There are several psychological development theories that explain the impact that childhood has on a student. Depending on how a student was taught, the people of influence in their life, and the education that was given, a student may deal with unresolved trauma throughout their college years. One theory that can be used in higher education is Erikson’s Psychological Development Theory. There are 8 stages within this model that are in three groups: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development are from infancy to adulthood. During each stage, the person experiences a psychosocial crisis which could have a positive or negative outcome for personality development. According to the theory, successful completion of each stage results in a healthy personality and the acquisition of basic virtues. Overlooked childhood trauma is something that a lot of students deal with, but don’t realize where the problem stems from. Students aren’t aware of this simply because “trauma” doesn’t always mean a bad childhood. By researching the stages of Erikson’s theory, it is apparent that unresolved issues, starting with the parents, can easily be overlooked and therefore, not dealt with. This can follow a student into their adulthood and throughout college. Learning how to help students deal with these issues can be a great accomplishment for higher education professionals.
Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame/doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and integrity vs. despair. Erikson also expanded upon Freud’s stages by discussing the cultural implications of development; certain cultures may need to resolve the stages in different ways based upon their cultural and survival needs. All of these stages are crucial in student development. Higher education professionals should take the time to research each stage; especially stages related to the development of students while in college.
While some high school and undergraduate students are graduating with the understanding of what it takes to succeed in the workplace, others have no idea. I can remember talking with the school counseling, let’s see, once or twice a year for scheduling purposes. We had a Career Center Coordinator and I went to her office for cheerleading fundraising, and that’s about it. Thank goodness I had parents that cared about my future. Others weren’t so lucky.
Having an educator that wants to see their students succeed, helps life after college go smoothly. I believe that educators can do more to ensure that the college experience positions every student for long-term success, regardless of their chosen field of study. However, change isn’t only needed within colleges. Employers may need to alter their recruiting and hiring practices in order to discover talent.
A study that I read found that few students’ graduate high school with the basic math and science skills that many companies need to compete. The study showed that the so-called skills gap is really a gap in education, and that affects all of us. There are some graduates in high school that get by without the basic knowledge of math and science skills. The ACT is an important test for students to complete, but isn’t always emphasized in public schools. The skills gap starts with students in high school and some even before. The challenge that we face is how to keep this consistent among all schools within our state. I took the ACT twice and was satisfied with my score. No ACT prep, no guidance. This is still a problem for students today!
Once graduating from college, students then look for jobs in the workforce. The problem is that the students that are worried about landing a job after graduation might be attracted to a narrow education that focuses on building their knowledge in one area; but that isn't enough to help them pursue successful careers. I am an advocate of a broad, liberal-arts education for all.
In the large debate around a nationwide skills gap that colleges must deal with, attention focuses on reading, writing, math abilities, tech knowledge, and other specialized skills needed for specific industries. Yet, over all, employers report little deficit in basic reading, writing, and math skills; nationwide tests show that students now are doing as well as or better than before in those areas. This is a problem that needs to be addressed sooner than college. Understanding the skills gap and where it starts is the most important way to fix this problem.
Even though some students aren’t getting the skills and knowledge needed in high school, some mentors and counselors can help mend the gap for them. Counseling is most effective when it is conducted in one-on-one sessions and when there is an adequate follow-up to these sessions. If higher education professionals, high school professionals, and managers in the workforce would partner together on understanding and actively pursuing to mend the skills gap, the change would take place. I hope to be that person for a child, before college, to help mend the gap!
Let’s be honest; when you’re in college or fresh out of college, there isn’t much time or money to support your high-maintenance habits by showing off a fancy house or apartment. I’ve discovered items that can make a room look inviting, and you don’t have to spend a fortune doing it. After all, southern hospitality is important, and you want your home to give off that vibe. Trust me, it took a long time for this to click, quality over quantity, if your budget allows. First, start with a mood board to pin your ideas for the rooms. Once you’ve created your inspiration for each room, use these tips for a budget-friendly but also stylish and fun home!
Wallpaper is back, and I’m obsessed! You may not be able to use it at your apartment, but if you have a house, go for it! The cool thing about adding wallpaper to a room is that fabric and art don’t have to be the accent for the room. The wallpaper does it for you. Another idea is to add it to the ceiling with a trendy light fixture. Once you do this, it’s not necessary to spend a ton of money on everything else; unless you have the funds to do so. If you are in an apartment, there are other options. You can add creativity to any room with Wallfetti! This is a peel-and-stick option to make a wall pop with color and design. This would be fun for the wall behind your bed or a statement wall with a neutral seating area or desk.
Throw Pillows are the perfect way to personalize the design aesthetic in your room. Quality pillows are a smart way to make a room look nice and fresh. I can tell you from experience it isn't easy! Finding nice pillows that aren't $500 each is a challenging task, but I have a few sites that are a great start. If you have a local store, I suggest looking there, too. It’s so important to support local businesses! You can buy two different color schemes for fall and spring. If you’re into monogramming, get a plain pillow and add your initials. This would be great for your bedroom to personalize your space.
Accent Chairs are so fun in living rooms, random corners, dining areas, or at a desk! You can have a neutral color sofa and add color and style with a chair. Depending on your style, you can choose bright or dark colors that go with your theme. Chairs can add style to your kitchen table with an inexpensive table and small centerpiece.
Lighting is so fun and can add a classy touch to the bedroom or living room. Lamps can get pricey, but if you do your research, this can be an inexpensive purchase. Chandeliers are my favorite! I will put them in every room if my husband lets me. Add this to your dining area, which will make a huge difference! You can add a light fixture to the entryway or above your dining room table.
Art can get expensive, so buying prints can be less expensive. First, support your local artists and find out if they sell prints of their originals. Then start looking for frames. Amazon has a great selection to choose from. The frame needs to look high quality with a mat framing the art.
