All Tuckered Out... & It's Only MONDAY!

So we meet again.

Today was a busy, busy, busy one. Ugh. What does Class + Work + Internship + Homework equal? Well I'll tell you, it equals a very tired me!

So I have mentioned a few times about having an internship. I've been at the same place for just over a year now, and absolutely love it! Keeping with yesterday's theme I thought I would create a thumbs up thumbs down for having a crazy demanding internship while still being a full time student.

THUMBS UP to the amazing experience you are almost guaranteed to get while being an intern. I am soooo lucky that we have a relatively small staff at the Erie SeaWolves; it allows be to become familiar with more than just the one area that I specialize in. The people you meet and work with also get two thumbs all the way up! Of course you're not going to like everyone you work with, but creating relationships with your co-workers not only helps you to become team players, but also gives you someone to count on. Plus internships look AWESOME on your resume and even if it's only a recommended elective in your program it's great to get you're name out in your desired field.

THUMBS ALL THE WAY DOWN to the crazy schedule you are bound to have. Since you will still most likely going to be taking classes at the same time you won't be a "full time" intern. In my case because my internship runs into the summer I don't start full time until classes are over for the year. However I still go into work for about 20 hours during the week. That means, the 20 hours you used to use on, homework, dinner, extra sleep.. HA GONE! But really though, when you add a time demanding internship on top of classes, and work study, plus homework, a few other clubs and organizations you belong to, it can get intense.

So here are my Top 5 ways to stay sane and healthy, and still pass your classes during your internship:

1 - Make sure that you schedule time for you. The first thing to go is eat and sleep, and you can't forget them! Try setting a sleep schedule when you start your new position. Get up 2 hours before you need to. Not only will you feel more prepared for the day, but you'll also have a few hours to get in a little extra studying, and some breakfast!

2 - Work Out. Get to the gym at least 3 times a week. Even if all you're doing is hitting the treadmill or shooting some hoops, it keeps you active and healthy and gives you a nice break in between study sessions.

3 - Get to know your co-workers. It's really important to create a good relationship with your boss and co-workers. That way if you have a big test, paper or project you don't have to feel bad or awkward asking to leave work early or even take the day off. Chances are you deserve it! Plus knowing the people you work with really help make it a better place to work.

4 - Don't forget about school. Seems simple right? Well when the tired hits, and all you want to do is sleep, skipping one or two classes may seem like a good idea. Right until you're about to take a midterm and you realize that half the test is from the class you missed. Trust me, it will happen, and Trust me you will be pissed. Go to class, and study. It actually works!

5 - If all else fails, just remind yourself why you're doing it in the first place. When you get an internship in your field it's key to remember this is going to help you get to where you want to go in the future. Sometimes you'll do an internship and realize that this career isn't for you. But even if you realize this is exactly what you want to do, you are going to have a few rough days. In sport for example, the hours are long, the pay is little, but the experience is priceless! It's easy to forget where you want to go when the going gets tough, so keep you're head up and remember it only gets better from here!

Rachel's thought of the day: Drink Milk. (and oreos.) :)

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

Ok, so this week I am inspired by one of my favorite people in the whole world. My sister, Bekah O'Connor. This lady is probably one of the funniest, greatest people I know. Anyway she has recently started her own blog in hopes of becoming a social media phenomenon.


Here it goes,
Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Mercyhurst College Edition:

The lack of snow removal in the parking lots gets a BIG THUMBS DOWN in my book. Don't get me wrong I love this place more than dino chicken nuggets (which I love a lot) but come on people! I am constantly scoffing at the commercials where the vehicles go off-road into the snow. Like who needs a car that can do that? However my eyes are rolling less when I think of the advantage I would have parking if I had those extra capabilities. Rest assured though you can purchase an underground parking space if you want.

TWO THUMBS WAY UP to Mercyhurst College Athletics. Ok, so one of the things that you are going to be concerned with when choosing a college is what else is there to do besides going to class? Have no fear! Not only do we have events that LSC, MSG, and SAC put on every weekend, but we also have 24 AMAZING sports teams (2 of them are even DI!!). Pretty much every weekend you can find a sport to watch whether it's football, basketball, hockey, volleyball... the list goes on!! It's not just that we have a lot of sports, but we're pretty darn good at them too! Check it out the sports we offer at hurstathletics.com


Thought of the day/week: Check out the blog that inspired this post at http://thumbsindifferentdirections.blogspot.com

Yo.. Yo.. Yo..

Hey guys! Christmas and New Years are over and its been back to work and school as usual. I recently started my internship again and that has been keeping me busy (yes, with all that extra time I had to spare.)

Besides the fact that I officially have my entire day scheduled from now until September life is GREAT! Classes are once again fantastic and we are starting the advising process for our Spring Trimester.

Which leads me to this topic: Advising. Whether or not you go to Mercyhurst - which you should - this is something that you are going to have to do. Some things that I've learned over the years?

1 - LISTEN TO THEM! I mean come on.. they are getting the big bucks to help you!
2 - They are there to HELP, not plan your life. So don't go into an advising session expecting them to lay out everything for you. That's the cool thing about college, you actually get to pick and choose what you want to take and when you want to take it.
3 - 8:00 a.m.'s? Not as bad as you think. Ok, Ok, they can seem brutal.. AT FIRST, but really it's so nice to get your classes out of the way in the morning to leave you with your afternoons free for.... studying!
4 - Make sure that you have everything you need. i.e. the schedule you made and some alternate courses.
5 - Be on time!

The first couple times I had advising I was a little ummmm unorganized to say the least, but I was really lucky to have a great adviser who really helped me get everything in order. (**cough** **cough** Mrs. Kim Zacherl!!)

Rachel's Thought of the Day/Week: Paint a picture.