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How to Transition to Life After College -- A Conduct Manual

Page history last edited by Michelle Navarre Cleary 15 years, 4 months ago

 How to transition to life after college

 
 
How to Manage Your Finances

 By Nicole and Michelle

 

 
Upon graduating from college, many students have large loans that they must begin to pay back almost immediately. Additionally, many of these students do not want to move back home, but rather they want to move into their first apartment and they then begin to incur the many expenses of living on their own. Because of this, it is very important that these new graduates have an understanding of how they should manage their finances. There are a number of things that they should consider as they move out of their parent's home and begin to establish their own credit. Preparing a budget, paying bills on time, living within their means, and saving for the future are a few of the things that they should keep in mind.
 
 
 
Budget
 
 
One of the first things that a new graduate should determine is their monthly budget. In order to do this, they should make a list of all of their monthly expenses as well as a list of their monthly income. For those expenses that are due on a quarterly or annual basis, they should determine the monthly amount (e.g. divide quarterly bills by 3 or annual bills by 12). It is important when setting their budget, that if a quarterly or annual bill is not due that month, that they still set aside the monthly amount and let it accumulate each month until the bill is actually due. This will ensure that they are not caught unprepared for a large bill, such as car insurance or renter insurance.
 
 
It is also important that the budget includes putting money into savings. You may also want to set aside money to be used for unplanned expenses. This money does not have to be in your Savings account, it could be placed into an account where you have easier access. One thing that you can always count on, is an unplanned expense. This has been the one thing that has tripped me up financially more times than I care to mention.
 
 
One way to ensure that you meet your monthly budget, is to always pay close attention to "living within your means". It is so easy to be out shopping with friends and make a purchase that you know isn't in your budget, or go out to dinner to a very expensive restaurant that is more than you can really afford just because the crowd is going, or attend a play or concert, when you really can only afford a movie. These are expenses that you must avoid before your budget can handle them. Sacrifices today will provide future benefits.
 
 
 
Prioritizing your Expenses
 
 
When considering your monthly expenses, there are some that should be treated with a highter priority than others. Those bills that should be paid first each month include your rent or mortgage, food, utilities, and savings. Insurance and monthly credit card expenses should come next in priority and those expenses that should fall on the bottom of your priority list are expenses for entertainment, vacations, or any of those "nice to have" but not really needed items.
 
 
 
Paying Bills
 
 
Paying bills on time is one of the most important things that you must do as a responsible adult. However, most people don't for various reasons. One reason this occurs is because we don't prioritize our bills and forget the date the bill is due. There are tools available to help anyone with paying bills in a timely manner; one method is on-line bill payment or auto bill payment from your checking account. Online bill payment is offered through most banks and is free. How it works is, you give your bank permission to debit your account every month and it will send a check in the mail to whom ever you owe money to on a monthly basis. Or, you may want to setup reoccurring payments from your checking or debit card/credit card through the actual debtor with the credit card company, electric company or your car loan; most companies offer this setup at no charge. You should also consider an automatic deduction payment for your student loans. This is an expense that you can not overlook. For addtional information on helpful hints for paying your bills on time you can go to www.debtsmart.com.
 
 
 
Savings
 
 
As mentioned previously, when establishing a budget, you should always include putting money into a Savings account. Some banks or Credit Unions, also let you set up other types of "savings" accounts, such as accounts for Vacation or Christmas. Putting your money into multiple accounts, can help you to save more and you will probably not even realize that you are saving as much as you are. You can also set up savings accounts for specific purposes, such as an account that you will use to put a down payment on your first home, or one that will be used for a new car or furniture.
 
 
Many financial advisers would also suggest that you establish a Savings accounts where you put away enough money to cover minimally three months of living expenses, but preferably six months.
 
 
 
Working with a Financial Manager
 
 
It can be very frightening when you first become responsible for your own finances and you begin to realize how expensive everything can be. If you have not established a good sound budget including a savings plan right from the start, you may find that in a few short months you start to fall behind on your monthly expenses. If you have set up a savings plan, you may even find that you are withdawing your monthly savings as fast as you are depositing - just to cover the monthly expenses. But don't panic - there is help out there. If you are having trouble setting a budget and sticking to it, you may want to consider sitting down with a Financial Manager. A Financial Manager can help you develop a realistic budget and help you identify areas of concern or potential pitfalls. For advice on how to select a Financial Manager or to determine if you are at a point of needing a financial manager, please access the following website www.moneymanagement.org. It provides good information for the "novice" budgeteer and can help answer all financial questions that you may have.
 

 

 

How To Get A Job

by Radka, Erin, and Leonel

 

 

 

Mentors

 

One of the most valuable assets your career can have is a good mentor. A mentor is a defined as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

 

The apprentice is paired with a more experienced person, the mentor, who provides his protégé with expertise that will help advance his/her career, enhance his/her education, and build his/her network. Schools sometimes have mentoring programs for new students or students who are having difficulties with their major.

 

Before searching for a mentor you first have to know yourself. You have to ask yourself where you are in your career and most important where you would like to be in 5 or 10 years after you graduate college. Find out what your weaknesses and strengths are so you can take care of and enhance with your mentor.

 

The following are some mentoring programs:

 

 

 

 

Networking

 

Searching a new job through networking can be daunting and scary. There are two forms of networking, informal and formal.

 

Informal Networking contacts are your college alumni, neighbors, family, friends and basically anyone who you come across with information leading to a job opportunity. Leads will not just drop in you lap, you will need to make lots of phone calls. Make a list of people you know and give them a call, be proactive; you will be surprised who they know that can potentially help you in your job search. Another source of informal networking contacts that can be of great use are usually found in holiday gatherings or in any parties you attend. Make yourself visible and known that you are looking for a job. There may not be an immediate job opening, but someone may remember you in a couple of months when one is available and give you a call.

 

Formal Networking contacts are the ones you come across in association meetings or business social events, the internet, professional network sites and your alma mater online career networks. If you belong to a professional association ask around and make your intentions known, someone may be able to help you Volunteer in a charity to develop relationships that can build business contacts and help others; give and you shall receive. Use the internet to access unlimited network sites in the field you are intending to go into. There are networks sites in nurses, business management, lawyers, doctors, etc. Scan the newspapers in the business section to find out where and when network groups are meeting and attend as many as you can. Bring a friend if you don’t feel comfortable going by yourself to get confidence in yourself. Don’t be intimidated by the individuals in these networks, you don’t know them and they don’t know you; they are probably as nervous as you are.

 

 

 

 

Online resources

There are many resources that you can utilize to do two things:

  • Help you develop your resume and cover letter
  • Help you look for jobs

 

 

There are websites that can help you to develop your resume, such as resume-help.org and resume.monster.com. Having a great resume and cover letter can be the difference between a recruiter calling you or filing your resume in the garbage. Recruiters see hundreds of resumes a day; any type of a grammatical error can de detrimental. You must grab the attention of the recruiter, without overwhelming them with insignificant information. Whether you are posting your resume online of mailing it into a company, your resume is your first introduction to your potential future job, therefore, it is crucial that your resume sets the proper, professional image of you.

 

 

Other websites help you search for jobs. Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com are some of the more popular ones; however, you can also search sites that are specific to a job, such as Accounting.com to find jobs in the accounting field or TeachingJobs.com to find a teaching job. When utilizing these sites, it may be easiest to narrow your search, so that you do not become overwhelmed with having to look through hundreds of job postings.

 

 

 

How to Dress for Success

First Impressions are critical when interviewing for a job as you are trying to sell yourself to a potential employer. A conscience effort must be made to dress appropriately for the interview. Dressing conservatively is always the safest route when dressing for success.

You should research your prospective employer to make sure that what you wear to the interview makes you look as though you fit in with the organization. To find out what the dress code is at the office you can contact the human resources department of any employer and ask. You can also pick up an application and observe what employees are wearing. If you choose to do that, make sure you are not witnessing a “casual day”.

 

 

Women’s Attire

When attending an interview women should make sure to dress professionally. Either chose a pants suite or a skirted suite. If a woman chooses to wear a skirted suite be sure that the hem of the skirt about knee length. Women should wear a blouse under the suite jacket. Women should avoid blouses that are transparent, too tight, or too low cut. Generally the arms should be covered at least to the biceps and often to the wrists. Neutral colors should be chosen, such as black, grey, or tan depending on your skin tone. Women should always wear hose, and carry an extra pair in case the pair you’re wearing gets a run. Wear flat shoes with low heals in neutral colors so not to draw attention to your feet. Avoid open toes shoes. If a woman chooses to wear jewelry make sure not to over do it. Don’t wear dangly earrings and wear only one ring per hand.

 

 

Men’s Attire

Standard interview attire for men should be conservative. Men should wear suites. If you do not own a suite or the company is a bit more informal a sports coat will do. Make sure not to wear any plaids or patterns. Men should wear dark colors like navy or grey or black. A long sleeve button down shirt should be work in a contrasting color with the sleeves buttoned and not rolled up. Men should wear a silk or silk-like tie. Socks should be above the calf and they should be a material that allows air. Shoes should always match the belt and be lace up not slip on. A full length coat can be work on top of the suite, but avoid casual coats. One ring per hand is appropriate but no more. Hair should be short. Avoid facial hair, but if that impossible make sure it is neatly trimmed.

 

 

 

Interviewing

Now that your resume has grabbed the attention of your potential future boss, it is time to interview for the position. Knowing a little bit about the company and your potential new boss can help you tremendously. Whenever possible, searcher the company website to learn a little bit about their history; if you can, try to find out a little bit about your future boss within the “About Us” section of the website, if possible your interviewer.

 

 

Get a good night’s sleep and be on time; if you are not familiar with the location of the company, make sure that you find out how long it will take you to get there. One sure way of not getting hired is to be late!

 

When you arrive, smile and shake hands with people. Be polite to the receptionist, as she is ultimately the first person conducting your interview.

Make sure that you bring your resume and a list of references. Be prepared to discuss your resume; an interviewer will most likely ask you to discuss past experiences at your previous jobs. Many companies nowadays conduct group interviews and/or behavioral based interviews. Group interviews will involve at least two interviewers; while this may seems intimidating, relax and do your best to address the questions you are asked.

 

The group is most likely trying to get a feeling for how you work within and interact with a group of individuals. Behavioral based interviewing will involve the interviewer asking specific questions about specific situations and how you have handled them in the past. For example you may be asked to describe a situation in the past that you had to deal with a difficult customer and how you resolved their issue to their satisfaction.

Most importantly, be yourself. Do not try to oversell yourself or your abilities. If the interviewer asks you a question to which you do not know the answer, be truthful. They are most likely more educated on the subject than you are and this is a sure way to make things not go well.

 

 

Once the interview has concluded, thank the individual or group and once again, shake hands. One your get home, follow up with a brief, but professional, thank you note addressed to the lead interviewer and mail it the next day.

Even if you think that an interview went great and this is your dream job, do not cancel other interviews that you may have in the coming days. The market is very competitive and you will need to save the celebrating until you get the job offer in writing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to take care of yourself by Richard, Maria, Nicole D., Melaine, Peter, Roxanne

  • Cooking-roxanne and Nicole D

 

 

 

They say that food is fuel for your body. Keep this in mind when preparing for your self and others. The food pyramid is a great way to ensure that you are receiving all of you daily vitamins and nutrients.

 

 

 

Eating at fastfood restaurants is ok every once in a while, but should be done in moderation. A helpfull hint to those on the go: buy healthy quick snacks such as carrot sticks and nuts, for nutrition on the run. Also there is alot of healthy portion control microwavable food availble in the freezer section of your local grocery store.

 

 

 

THINGS TO GET

  • measuring cups
  • basic utensils( forks, knives,spoons, mixing spoons, spatulas,
  • pot and pans set
  • plate set
  • glass set
  • 2 cutting boards (one for veggies, one for meat)
  • microwave
  • toaster
  • mixing bowls

 

 

 

 

SUGGESTED COOKBOOKS

  • " Where is mom now that I need her?" by Kent P. Frandsen
  • " Where is dad now that I need him?" by Kent P. Frandsen
  • " The beginners cookbook' by Judy Cameron Malis
  • " Betty Crocker" published: John Wiley & sons inc

 

  • cleaning

 

How To Clean Your Home or Room-Melanie

 

Reasons for keeping clean:

  • Ease of finding things when you want them.
  • don’t have to pay to replace things you’ve lost
  • Safer and healthier place to live
  • furniture and belongings last longer when taken care of well

 

The main steps for cleaning

 

  • Organize- find a good place for everything and keep everything in place
  • dusting, vacuuming, wiping down, polishing
  • caring- responsibility and teamwork
  • deciding what to clean and when, plan ahead
  • decide how much time is needed for each chore.

 

Not too many people can afford cleaning supplies, but still to choose to clean because it helps to stay healthy. With some expert help here are some afforadble ways to help keep your home clean:

  • For cleaning windows or glass, mix two-five tablespoons of vinegar with two cups of water. Be sure to use a lint-free paper towel. In areas where delicate curtain fabrics or other items are nearby you are always better off spraying the cleaner on the toweling first and wiping the window with the towel than spraying directly.
  • For furniture polish two parts of veggie oil and one part lemon juice, mix then apply to wood finishes with a dry soft cloth. Keep furniture out of bright sunlight and damp areas. To move furniture from hardwood floors Always lift heavy objects; don’t drag them across the surface of the wood.
  • Toilet cleaner- sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda into the toilet bowl with one cup of vinegar it will then foam up and remove mildew from toilet let stand for a few minutes then flush

 

So what does clean mean?

 

  • Free from Dirt, unsoiled, unstained
  • Free from foreign of extraneous matter
  • Free from pollution, pure
  • Charecterized by a fresh wholesome quality
  • Habitually free from of dirt

 

    • responsibilities
    • your dependents (pets, houseplants, children)
    • health
  • How to maintain a healthy lifestyle
  • You may not always control what happens to you (no matter how fit you are), there are some things you can control such as your willingness to take your health into your own hands, your attitude, and your determination; you can control your heath destiny. Eating healthy foods and exercising doesn’t have to be hard. By making just a few changes to your routine you can make a big difference in your health. It’s very important to eat right and get plenty of exercise to live a long, healthy life. If you make just five adjustments to your life, you can have a dramatic effect on your life expectancy and the quality of your life. These five things are: controlling your blood pressure; avoiding cigarettes; exercising thirty minuets a day; controlling stress; and following a healthy diet.
     
     
    Controlling your blood pressure
     
     
    High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have this disease for years without knowing it. Having high blood pressure (hypertension) doesn't mean you're tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm, relaxed person and still have hypertension. The only way to find out if you have this disease is to have your blood pressure checked! A blood pressure test is quick and painless. It can be done in a doctor's office, hospital clinic, school, nurse's office, company clinic or at a health fair. If you find out that you have high blood pressure one of the most important changes you would have to make is to limit your intake of sodium.
     
     
    Avoiding cigarette smoking
    Your heart will thank you for quitting smoking, so don’t waste any time. The health benefits start almost immediately, and within a few years of quitting your risk of stroke and coronary artery disease are similar to non-smokers.
     
     
    Exercise Your Heart for a Longer, Better Life with just 30 minuets a day
    In addition to eating a balanced, healthy diet, you also need to exercise to stay healthy. Your heart is a muscle and you need to exercise it to keep it strong. Exercises that help your heart are called aerobic exercises. You don't need an expensive health club membership to get the exercise you need. Walking is free and easy to fit into your schedule. A good starting point is 20 minuets of walking for the first inital week, afterwards you should increase your walking time up to at least 45 minuets.
     
     
    Controlling stress
     
     
    Stress cn be a powerful motivator when reacting to sudden danger or trying to meet a dealine. But more often than not, stress robs can rob you of good health in mind, body, and spirit. as the pace of life accelerates at breakneck speed, how and where can you find a balance? By using some simple techniques, you cn control stress in your life. For instances, don't take on more than you cna handle. This will help you minimize the stress that is attributed to not finishing something. Another good technique is to simply say "no".
     
    A healthy lifestyle is an on-going daily process that can help you live longer and enjoy life. Changes you start making today will benefit you in the long run.

 

  • insurance

 

How to make sure you actually graduate by Polly Hoover and Michelle Navarre Cleary

 

Although it worked well for Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, for most people, the transition to life after college is smoother if they leave college with a diploma. To make sure you graduate, you need to know yourself and know the system. That's it. You don't need to be brilliant. The gods do not need to smile upon you. Knowing how to manage yourself and the system will get you to that graduate day.

 

Knowing yourself means paying attention to what your body tells you about its limits and keeping focused on what your brain tells you to do. Life offers limitless opportunities for distraction. Sometimes, you just cannot "do it all." Be realistic about how much partying, working and other activities you can do while in school. Sometimes, the smart thing is to take fewer classes at a time. It is better to take longer finishing your degree, than to not finish at all because you burn yourself out. Every fall, I see students who come to school wanting to study full time, work full time, and have an active social life. By November, they are a wreck and think they just are not cut out for school. In fact, they would be excellent students if they gave themselves a chance. Remember, "slow and steady wins the race." Persistence is crucial, so is prioritizing. If you cannot do it all, be sure to do at least a little of the most important things each day. Before you know it, you will be done. After the end of each term, give yourself a little time to think about what did and did not work well that term and to celebrate what you have accomplished. Then, make sure you register for at least one "fun" class for the next term. Studying things you are passionate about and exploring new possibilities that intrigue you are two of the great gifts of college, don't pass them up.

 

College has many stated and unstated rules -- from how to format a paper to how to register for classes. Students who do not have older siblings or family members who went to college can be at a disadvantage because they do not know the "rules of the game" that are often assumed by teachers and others who have been "playing the game" for a long time. Even students with family and friends in college, can find the workings of their particular school baffling at times. To help learn and navigate these rules, seek out a mentor. A mentor might be an older student, recent graduate or possibly even a faculty member who can be your guide into the academy. Talking to your fellow students can also help you learn not only how to do things, but also invaluable advice about which classes and teachers to take. Attending class and being sure to read through and hold on to your course syllabus will also help you know what the requirements will be for success in each class. When you are unsure or confused, do not hesitate to ask your teacher.

 

 


 


 

I finally finished school!Now what?

 

By: Liza & P.J.

 


Managing change, coping with loss of structure.


You worked hard, you put in your time, and now your finally done. You finished school. On average, by the time most people finish school, they will have spent between 16 and 20 years in a formal educational system. Most peole will go on and find a job, some people will struggle have to wait a little longer.

 

One thing everyone deals with, is the loss of structue that school provided for us. Here are some helpful tips to help you cope with change.

 

 

 


Change


Change can be perceived as good or bad, depending on the person and circumanstances that are living it. For example, a divorce may be seen as a tragedy or relief. A promotion is generally viewed as a change for good, but if your anxious or unsure of your skills you may view as negative or threatening. Change may be sought out, appreciaated or accepted or it may be forced upon you and resented or resisted. It may challenge or stimulate you or make you feel anxious or threatened. Too little change can make life boring or depressing, while too much change can be uncofortable or overwhelming.


Tips for managing your stress


There are a variety of ways to deal with unhealthy stress in your life. Below are some tips that can be adapted to a variety of situations---school, work, family, relationships.

 

  1. Manage Your Time Effectively -Keep a to do list or daily planner and make sure to include time for yourself and time for stress reduction activities. Give priority to the most important activities and do those first.
  2. Get Some Exercise-Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to deal with stress. It releases endorphins and gives you a natural “high.”
  3. Avoid Using Drugs or Alcohol to Deal with your Stress-These things will only mask the symptoms of stress and when you stop using them, the stress will return.
  4. Take a Break-Schedule several short breaks throughout the day to help minimize your stress. Get up and stretch, go for a walk, call a friend. When you return to your work, you’ll work more efficiently.
  5. Minimize Interruptions-When you have something important to get done, make sure to block off a period of time when you can work without being disturbed or distracted. Put your phone on voice mail, shut your door, or go someplace to work where no one can find you
  6. Eat Healthy Foods-Avoid foods high in fat, sugar and sodium. If you are going to be out all day, make sure to pack healthy snacks and don’t skip meals because this will lower your energy levels.
  7. Practice Daily Relaxation Exercises-Good ones include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization (imaging a relaxing scene).
  8. Think Positive and Learn to Control Worry-Instead of focusing on negative thoughts, focus on the positive things in your life and say to yourself at least one positive thought each day. Don’t waste your time worrying about things you can’t change or always planning for the worst.
  9. Know When You Need Help and Get It-Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. There are many resources available to help students deal with stress and problems, so take advantage of them.
  10. Learn to Say NO- Don’t feel guilty when you have to tell others no. Taking on additional projects or work for others when you are busy will only cause you more stress.
  11. Put Stressful Situations in Perspective-Will it matter a month from now? What about a year from now?
  12. Get Enough Sleep- Most people need between 6-9 hours, but most people give up sleep when they’re under stress to finish more work

 


Stress and College


 

 

Stress is the result of coping with life’s daily demands and the major cause of stress is CHANGE and FEAR of the unknown. Not all stress is bad and without some stress our lives would be boring. However, too much stress can cause both mental and physical health problems. These include headaches, backaches, sleeplessness, irritability, increased susceptibility to colds, stomach problems and/or depression.

It is normal to feel stress and almost every college student has some stress in his or her life. Some typical college stressors include roommate problems, test anxiety, deadlines, midterms, finals, relationships, parents, and school and work responsibilities. About 25% of all college students have reported that they have felt like dropping out of school because of too much stress. Fortunately, there are many different things you can do to help control your stress levels. The Health Education Office offers free Stress Management Workshops to full time students during the Fall and Spring semesters.

 

 


 

Relaxation Techniques


Deep Breathing

 

Deep Breathing is one of easiest stress management techniques to learn and the best thing about it is it can be done anywhere! When we become stressed, one of our body's automatic reactions is shallow, rapid breathing which can increase our stress response. Taking deep, slow breaths is an antidote to stress and is one way we can "turn-off" our stress reaction and "turn-on" the relaxation response. Deep breathing is the foundation of many other relaxation exercises.

L Get into a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down.

L Put one hand on your stomach, just below your rib cage.

K Slowly breathe in through your nose. Your stomach should feel like rising and expanding outward.

K Exhale slowly through your mouth, emptying your lungs completely and letting your stomach fall.

J Repeat several times until you feel relaxed.

J Practice several times a day.

 

Other helpful sites:

http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/coping/coping.htm

 

http://www.coping.org/

 

http://www.macses.ucsf.edu/Research/Psychosocial/notebook/coping.html

 

http://www.metrokc.gov/employees/EAP/articles/CopingwithChange.pdf

 

 


 


 

 

Whatever its form, change requires a transition period, i.e. moving from the familiar to the unkown. This takes energy and, when the demands are too great, it can drain you physycally and mentally. Both positive and negative changes can create stress. In order to prevent stress-related symptoms it is important to effectively manage it. Unmanaged stress can lead to physical and emotional disorders, including everything from headaches and digestive problems to hight blood pressure adn insomnia.

 

The key to coping with stress it to recognize it and and much as possible, bring your responses to change under control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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