Group projects are how things work in the workforce. They aren't. In the workforce if someone doesn't show up for work, they get fired. If someone in a class project doesn't show up for work they get free points off everyone else's work and a healthy GPA boost.
I welcome different points of view and will grade your paper without bias. Lie. Everyone has a bias, you are always more critical of differing views and new ideas than of old regurgitated ideas. Just once I want to hear a professor say, "I'm biased. I have an opinion. Write a paper that you think will get you a good grade from me." That's what they usually mean anyway.
It's easy once you get the hang of it. Everything is easy once you get the hang of it. The problem is, we're students, which means we're just learning. This is new to us, we do not have "the hang of it". So no. It's not easy. It's hard. It's very hard.
You'll have plenty of time to do this. Both true and a lie. Some people probably will have plenty of time for a massive project or to get an assignment done that evening. The thing is professor...you don't know my work schedule. You don't know what classes I'm taking or how many credits I'm doing. I might have plenty of time or just barely enough time. Don't pretend to know my schedule.
29 September 2013
17 September 2013
You Have Power! (A celebration of self control)
After some time on the radio, seeing a few music videos and hearing about everyone's surprise about some celebrity's latest behaviors I'm coming to find there is a new theme in the pop music industry. A lot of people are calling this common theme sex. While the message is highly sexualized if not down right pornographic, another dangerous message being shared via undies and boobs: losing control.
There are so many songs based around this idea that you can't control your own body. That you don't have to be in control; you can be impulsive and act however, whenever you want. Being so drunk you can't remember what you did last night is made glamorous.
What is so "freeing" about being out of control? Answer: nothing. There is no liberty in being unable to change, there is no freedom in giving in to addictions, there is no glory in giving up your self-control. We are not so base of beings that we cannot control ourselves and change ourselves and make ourselves more than our appetites and desires.
We are smarter than this. The message to remember through all of the messages broadcast by these so-called artists as you turn off your radios, TV's and leave behind the negative on the Internet...we as humans are capable of progressing and being better. We can rise above baseness. We can make ourselves better people. We don't have to be slaves to our bodies.
Our physical being is just one side of us, our intellect or spirit or however you want to perceive that is another side. The disrespect of our physical being is a sign of neglect of our intellect. We have the ability to foster ourselves and be wondrous beings. We're all capable of greatness.
There are so many songs based around this idea that you can't control your own body. That you don't have to be in control; you can be impulsive and act however, whenever you want. Being so drunk you can't remember what you did last night is made glamorous.
What is so "freeing" about being out of control? Answer: nothing. There is no liberty in being unable to change, there is no freedom in giving in to addictions, there is no glory in giving up your self-control. We are not so base of beings that we cannot control ourselves and change ourselves and make ourselves more than our appetites and desires.
We are smarter than this. The message to remember through all of the messages broadcast by these so-called artists as you turn off your radios, TV's and leave behind the negative on the Internet...we as humans are capable of progressing and being better. We can rise above baseness. We can make ourselves better people. We don't have to be slaves to our bodies.
Our physical being is just one side of us, our intellect or spirit or however you want to perceive that is another side. The disrespect of our physical being is a sign of neglect of our intellect. We have the ability to foster ourselves and be wondrous beings. We're all capable of greatness.
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| This is a sticker I have on the side of my guitar case. Good thing to keep in mind. :) |
08 September 2013
Back at School!
So, here I am. Second week of school survived. After quitting my summer job and starting classes...I'm realizing after I graduate, working is going to be so much easier. Each class is like an individual mini-job, it's a bit intimidating to try and process everything I need to do and everything is so different. Things have gotten a lot better since the general education days where you could go from discussing classic literature to economic theory in a single afternoon. Or worse, Spanish class to any other class where you're back to trying to remember English again and speak intelligently about biology.
At least now I'm only switching from internal auditing information systems to economic statistics to investments. So I guess it's nice to be somewhat in the same realm.
We're still trying to work out how we're getting to campus with our one little green Subaru and my sweetheart needing to go off to work.
Bonus! An entire parking lot disappeared over summer...which is very frustrating. I hate watching our university getting hyped up about being so big and having so many students and then not supplying resources for their students. There aren't enough classes for all of the students and even fewer parking spots.
We arrived on campus a half hour before my class started, a half hour, and there wasn't any parking on campus. Any. I mean not a single spot. I've had an easier job parking on the Vegas strip during spring break than parking on campus the first week of school. Now that's terrifying to show up that early for class and be faced with the possibility of being late to class or even unable to attend. Luckily we found something...not on campus...but somewhere. It's a good thing I'm clever.
With our new apartment we're not in a good position for public transportation anymore. I have night classes (with no options for day classes...lame huh?) there is no way I'm standing out on the side of the road in the dark. Not happening.
Well, how about some photos from this past week, eh? I did actually do more than just struggle for parking. Sent my sister off on a mission, went hiking (September is PERFECT hiking weather) and checked out an outdoor concert.
At least now I'm only switching from internal auditing information systems to economic statistics to investments. So I guess it's nice to be somewhat in the same realm.
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| Doesn't this just get you all happy and excited? |
Bonus! An entire parking lot disappeared over summer...which is very frustrating. I hate watching our university getting hyped up about being so big and having so many students and then not supplying resources for their students. There aren't enough classes for all of the students and even fewer parking spots.
We arrived on campus a half hour before my class started, a half hour, and there wasn't any parking on campus. Any. I mean not a single spot. I've had an easier job parking on the Vegas strip during spring break than parking on campus the first week of school. Now that's terrifying to show up that early for class and be faced with the possibility of being late to class or even unable to attend. Luckily we found something...not on campus...but somewhere. It's a good thing I'm clever.
With our new apartment we're not in a good position for public transportation anymore. I have night classes (with no options for day classes...lame huh?) there is no way I'm standing out on the side of the road in the dark. Not happening.
Well, how about some photos from this past week, eh? I did actually do more than just struggle for parking. Sent my sister off on a mission, went hiking (September is PERFECT hiking weather) and checked out an outdoor concert.
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| Me and my supermodel sissie! |
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| I think if you look up this concert online you'll find a zillion photos of these lanterns. I think people took more pics of the lanterns than the artists or selfies. |
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| We spent more time playing at the creek than doing actual hiking... |
01 September 2013
How to Get Customer Service to Love You (and Therefore Get Whatever You Want!)
Earlier I talked about how to get the cashiers, technicians and receptionists of the world to hate you. (See post.) Now on a more positive angle, I'd like to tell you about how to get every cashier, technician, and others on your side. I think this will be the more helpful post.
1. When there is a problem or hang up in your customer service issue, ask what the options are.
A lot of people come with an issue and then lay out what they deem a good solution is, and then are upset when the business doesn't accommodate them. While suggestions as to how to resolve problems can be helpful...what you might not know is that there are laws that regulate certain how things can be handled (you would be VERY surprised) or that company policy dictates certain things take place.
Your customer service rep handles these things every day at work and knows how to best work the system, so instead of getting frustrated at the "how the world ought to be" work with the agent not against. Ask them to help you find a solution that's both legal and acceptable for them to offer and helpful for you.
2. When greeted with a "How are you?" reply, but even better ask them how they are.
From my work in customer service experience, I know I appreciate in general those people who take a little time in their brief interaction with me to ask me how work has been. A little friendliness goes a long way. You don't have to be chatty, but a little acknowledgment that the people behind the counter are human is good for everyone. No one likes asking "How are you?" and being met with utter silence and no eye contact.
3. Take your time
So many people are in a huge hurry. Being rushed leads to anxiety, anxiety means stress, stress often manifests as anger and anger just isn't an effective tool for getting what you want. It just creates more anger. When you're out interacting with people, make sure you either have time or make time for those people.
If you say "take your time" and are patient...yes, they might take advantage of your willingness to wait for a few minutes but you'll get better service and actually will end up getting service very quickly. It will be a lot quicker than if you pressure or rush them.
To be frank, if you rush them they might work on it right away, but they might also purposefully delay you a little. It's not nice, but it's something that happens if you rub someone the wrong way. It is best to avoid it. Slow down your life and relax, friend.
1. When there is a problem or hang up in your customer service issue, ask what the options are.
A lot of people come with an issue and then lay out what they deem a good solution is, and then are upset when the business doesn't accommodate them. While suggestions as to how to resolve problems can be helpful...what you might not know is that there are laws that regulate certain how things can be handled (you would be VERY surprised) or that company policy dictates certain things take place.
Your customer service rep handles these things every day at work and knows how to best work the system, so instead of getting frustrated at the "how the world ought to be" work with the agent not against. Ask them to help you find a solution that's both legal and acceptable for them to offer and helpful for you.
2. When greeted with a "How are you?" reply, but even better ask them how they are.
From my work in customer service experience, I know I appreciate in general those people who take a little time in their brief interaction with me to ask me how work has been. A little friendliness goes a long way. You don't have to be chatty, but a little acknowledgment that the people behind the counter are human is good for everyone. No one likes asking "How are you?" and being met with utter silence and no eye contact.
3. Take your time
So many people are in a huge hurry. Being rushed leads to anxiety, anxiety means stress, stress often manifests as anger and anger just isn't an effective tool for getting what you want. It just creates more anger. When you're out interacting with people, make sure you either have time or make time for those people.
If you say "take your time" and are patient...yes, they might take advantage of your willingness to wait for a few minutes but you'll get better service and actually will end up getting service very quickly. It will be a lot quicker than if you pressure or rush them.
To be frank, if you rush them they might work on it right away, but they might also purposefully delay you a little. It's not nice, but it's something that happens if you rub someone the wrong way. It is best to avoid it. Slow down your life and relax, friend.
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