-
“I Said…You Heard”—How to Have Effective Communication
Ever had that moment where what you said was totally misunderstood? You’re not alone. Effective communication is key in all relationships, whether it’s with friends, family, or coworkers. But the message you intend to send and what the other person actually hears can sometimes be miles apart. Let’s dive into how to make sure “I said” and “you heard” are on the same page. 1. Active Listening First up, active listening. This means really paying attention when someone’s talking to you. Put away your phone, make eye contact, and give nods or little verbal cues to show you’re engaged. It’s about making the other person feel heard and understood, which…
-
Getting Mentally Prepared for College
Preparing for college can be an exciting and challenging time. The months between high school graduation and starting college can often be filled with highs and lows emotionally and mentally. It can be scary to prepare for possibly moving away from home for the first time. There are so many things to think about, such as decorating a dorm or apartment, worry about finances, and fears about meeting new people. It can be overwhelming even with a lot of support from family and friends. Here are some steps to get mentally prepared for college: Develop a positive mindset College can be an intimidating experience, but it is important to approach…
-
Good Teachers Have Scary Thoughts
It was my first (and only) year teaching. Though my background was in mental health, I thought I would try my hand at education. Sure, it was an incredible learning curve to be a teacher, but, all things considered, I did pretty well. My classroom was one of clear and high expectations, kindness, creativity, mutual respect, and learning. I had great reviews from administration, fantastic results on evaluations, and my supervisors were encouraging me to continue the teaching path. But good teachers can have scary thoughts. What I would never let anyone know was that, while on the outside I seemed to have a pretty well-put together classroom, on the…
