2012 State of the College: Finding Truth in the Student Experience

Businesses establish business plans and mission statements. They create a set of values to guide them to specific outcomes. This can be an EXCELLENT practice for all people, especially students. Let's start with a vision and establish some guiding principles or values. See how the President of Montgomery College, Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, articulates these elements to mobilize an institution and it's members to be very deliberate about making a difference. Then, you can try it too.

- Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

De -Stress Before You Depress

As you move into the semester you may notice that deadlines and test dates and papers and assignments and more mounting up.  Getting anxious?  Begin taking action as soon as you can, especially if you notice that you are beginning to feel a little tension.  Just doing one part of an assignment can get the ball rolling towards completing a task, easing the pressure and letting off a little steam.  (Dis)Stress is so widely present in today's society that resources abound to ease our way to comfortability if we just take small incremental steps.

You've heard them before, take some deep breaths, go for a walk.  Do just one task.   Have a good belly laugh with a friend, a movie, a book, a youtube video... then do something on your list.  If you are really stressed, do one or two healthy stress reducers. Here is something with an interesting twist:  Don't worry about your "to do list", just do something constructive then add it to the list and then check it off (ba dump bump ).  Laugh but it may just help you get started.

http://www.liveyourlifewell.org/  offers 10 useful strategies for your consideration.  Click on any of the strategies and get more information on it.  I found this link through the website of a mental health agency in the Maryland area www.mhamc.org/.  It may also prove useful to you.  Breathe, smile and let's get started.

- Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

Mix it Up - or Not - Learn to Love Learning

HAVE FUN WITH IT!  Variety can be engaging... Try different things.  When you do, you reinforce learning and living.  Some of  learning comes by doing, some can come by reading, watching or listening.  Just be sure to take the time to reflect on the experience and draw your own conclusions.

Physically visit your library or bookstore.  Enrich your life.  Expand your horizons. Read, learn and test the waters. Getting the benefit of others' experiences can add confidence and assuredness and when the author(s) share challenges, they can offer insight and preparation as well.  Just make it a point to enjoy the process.  Dr. Nel Noddings wrote in, HAPPINESS AND EDUCATION, 2004,

"The best homes and schools are happy places. The adults in them recognize that the highest aim of education - and life - is happiness... Happy children growing in their understanding of what happiness is, seize their educational opportunities with delight, and they will contribute to the happiness of others." 

I found this quote in a sometimes controversial yet compelling collection of essays and poems from a book called THE LOVE OF THE FIFTH PARADIGM, 2010.  Reserving your right and privilege of reflection, introspection and interpretation is usually a wise decision. 

To be sure there are many ways to learn and entertain.  Video games, books, audios and videos/movies and sports and social activities and even work offer unique and shared benefits.  HAVE FUN WITH IT ALL!  Poise yourself for better living by finding ways to enjoy yourself as you learn.  Put a little bit of your style in your learning.  If you like interacting with people, form study groups.  If you are visual, add videos to your learning.  If you are a hands on person, include activities that teach, to your reading.  Need to find strategies for doing this?  Check out your local library or bookstore... and Youtube... Do you even have a library card?  No problem, you don't need one to visit and a card is usually easy to obtain.

[ ] Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net [ ]

Use all of Your Strength

Young man tries to move a boulder.  Boulder does not budge.  Mom asks, "Are you using all of your strength?" Young man lowers his shoulder, braces his foot against the ground and presses... No movement... Mother asks again, "Are you using all of your strength?"  Son, takes a deep breath, hunkers down in what might be reminiscent of a football or rugby position and leaning against the rock pushes with all his might bearly budging the big rock.  Mother asks,  "Are you using all of your strength?" A bit irritated the young man says, "YES MOM, I am using all of my strength!" Mother replies, "No you haven't.  You did not ask for help."

 Sometimes we act as if we are independent islands, solely and wholly responsible, or, not at all responsible ("not my problem").  The truth is, we are all connected and it serves us to use all of the resources available or at least some of the resources available.  Do you use your Academic Center?  Can you use the internet differently? 

Aside from your favorite music video, Youtube has many study resources, tips and tricks available.  You may be surprised at what comes up when you go to youtube or google and do a search for "Study tips" or "Math tips."  Want a chuckle down as you buckle down to learn, do a search on "Math Rap."  Resources abound, just verify with your professor or advisor the accuracy or what you view and plow ahead. 

Skype and ooVoo make it possible for study groups to gather together virtually from all over the country, perhaps the world over,  surely you can connect with a classmate.  You can have fun while getting your work done.  Add it to what you already do.  Most students just don't put enough time in to begin with to be maximally successful.  Next time you surf the net, remember your classes.

Go to your or another college website and cruise the resources.  Again, do an internet search.  It is amazing how many free lectures you can find when you look.  "itunes" seems to be a favorite medium for professors.  I am not saying you can get free credit but it is great to be able to capitalize on lectures from colleges and universities including Ivy league institutions.  Incidentally, I am not saying you can't find "free" or low cost credits either.  Ever heard of the CLEP Test? You might want to look into it.

Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

Mind Your Money, Mold Your Future

It's not just what you earn, it's what you learn! What will you do with your earnings? Learn how to prioritize and plan. Learn how to employ your money. How much will you keep and how much will you grow?

Will you take your time and choose before you spend or let the media choose for you? Be consious, be awake. I've seen the bottom fall out and I know that even when times are tough, when you are awake, a better future you will make. Enjoy this resource and pass it on.

http://www.pbs.org/your-life-your-money/  Track your money and plan your spending.

Mind your finances for a happier ending.

Feed your spirit and feel your heart mending.  Visit http://www.cliftonmcknight.wordpress.com/

C. McKnight

- Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

Sometimes...

http://www.motivision.net Sometimes things don't go the way we plan. But they do go and we do grow, so we can just know, we are well.

Sometimes we can't tell and we need some rest. Well deserved too, cause we did our best. We may hurt sometimes cause we fail a test. Didn't quite do, or may have done our best. We take a deep breath and continue our quest. 

Each path carries its  own unique style, accompanied by a hug, and a wink, and a smile. Sometimes we need to pause, then we can feel good  because, my spirit warmly embraces yours.

Feel the love from deep within, and then refreshed, we can begin again.

- Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net

9/11 healing: The mothers who found forgiveness, friendship | Video on TED.com

9/11 healing: The mothers who found forgiveness, friendship Video on TED.com

Let us listen to and support our mothers as we create a more healthy and peaceful tomorrow. - Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net