Why being a "Teacher's Pet" is something to be proud of!

How many times have you been poked in the back and heard-

"Well isn't somebody the teacher's pet?"

 

 

Unfortunately, the average 21st century  kid (unlike us leaders, dreamers, and believers out there) have been conditioned by society to correlate being a "good student", to a "suck up, insincere, goody-two shoes". What we know today in pop culture as "The Teacher's Pet".

 

A bully's definition of "Teacher's Pet": a suck up, fake, pretender, etc.

 

Well, guess what my fellow Teacher's Pets?

 

IT IS A GOOD THING! BE PROUD!

 

My definition of a "Teacher's Pet"- a student who goes above and beyond to show respect, compassion, and appreciation for the teacher, subject, and their own personal academic career.

 

 

Have no fear (for all you bullies with a change of heart or shy freshmen), there is always time to work on your "Teacher's Pet" Skills

 

5 Essential "Teacher's Pet" Skills:

 

 

1. Be yourself- Teachers appreciate when their students engage in class and contribute their own personal experiences and opinions (even if they are against the status quo or the popular vote of the class, especially college professors). It shows you're willing to be yourself and put your ideas on the table. A skill that will be asked of you as a business professional.

 

 

2. Keep your eyes peeled- I know. When you are sitting in Math at 8am it is hard to look at anything but the back of your eyelids. But try to imagine  how you would feel in the teacher's shoes. No one, no matter what time of day, wants to be disrespected or feel unimportant.

 

If you find yourself slipping into dream land, take a moment to stretch, remind yourself about the teacher's feelings, take a deep breath, and refocus. It can be hard, but it makes the biggest difference when the teacher notices that you are THE ONLY PERSON who is giving them your attention. Trust me. (Not to mention it pays off on exam day too!)

 

3. Visit the Teacher outside the Classroom- Some of my best mentors are past professors and teachers who I established relationships with during my time in their class and beyond. Take the time to swing by their office and maybe say something you were scared of saying in class  (or make up a question, that's fine too, we all get nervous). You will often find that you learn about who they are as a person and how they work, which can be very helpful when trying to understand how they want assignments completed.

 

More than that, they often appreciate your extra effort, and like I said, some of the best advice (and career building opportunities) have come from inside those "Office Hour" walls.

 

4. Respect your classmates- The teacher isn't just watching your interaction with them, but your classmates as well. SO IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PULL A "FAKE YOU" ON THEM, THEY WILL NOTICE BY THE WAY YOU ACT AROUND YOUR FRIENDS/CLASSMATES.

 

-I know most of you don't have issues with this, but just keep that in mind the next time you want to say a crude joke to your "bro".

 

5. "Work Hard"- One of my past  professors gave me a great piece of advice, "Do good work and the result you want will follow."

 

So while working on your "Teacher's Pet" skills will help, just:

"Do good work, your best work".

...and that leaders, believers, and dreamers, will be enough.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Meredith



 

 



Fasten Your Seatbelts

The picture below, is an in movement shot of "The Rock'n Roller Coaster" in Hollywood Studios,
Walt Disney World.

For you freshmen (and maybe even seniors like myself), your first day of school can feel exactly like getting on Rock'n  Roller Coaster.


Approaching the Queue- So you are walking up to the line to pass the passenger tracker, your friends are convincing you that this is going to be fun, "its the best roller coaster ever".

      For you freshmen, your parents leaving you last week was this moment. Your teachers, older siblings, and parents keep saying, "College is the best time of your life", and "Its going to be a blast". But if you were anything like me, I cried uncontrollably when my parents left me 18 hours away from my home. Just like passing that queue entrance, my parents leaving was the beginning of a long road on my own.

Waiting in that long,long line- Your parents are gone, and your nerves are "ok". They are there, but as you try to prove you are worthy of this so called,  "best time of your life", you shove them deep down. Crying is now not allowed in public and you can't let your roommates, or the few acquaintances you have made, notice you aren't ready for the challenge. You tell yourself over and over again, "I can do this, why am I so afraid? It's just school".

Entering the building- Orientation is over and you have managed to smile and laugh at least a few times. Calling your parents is still a daily must, but you feel confident that things aren't going to be so bad. You have found a few clubs that interest you, maybe they excite you because they are vastly different from your involvement in highschool or its something you always wanted to do. You are finally feeling the "change" that is becoming a college student. Those nerves from before...they are almost non-existent. Orientation has been a blast and you even got to go out this weekend. Getting dolled up, eyeing up college boys, and finally putting on those killer pair of heels has you feeling on top of the world. Its like you are living in in a Gossip Girl episode.

YOU SEE THE COASTER= FIRST DAY OF CLASSES- Its the first day of classes and suddenly all those "exciting", "I can do this!", "fun" moments are gone and those nerves, worries, and doubts are erupting inside you like a volcano. Its here, and its real. It sets in that college is going to be a lot more than hanging with your roomies and cafeteria jokes. All of a sudden, you aren't sure you can do it. I mean think about it all. You were never confident in the high school you went to. And lets face it, most of us girls have never really grasped the full concept of confidence in our high school years.

But now as you read over the syllabi that have been posted on Blackboard, you aren't sure if you are going to see your bagel again you had this morning or burst into tears.

The tests, group projects, assignments, movie reviews, finals schedule, and daunting rumors about your professors are suddenly too hard to bear. Not to mention, all those clubs you were excited you joined, are only adding to the pending panic attack you are about to have.

 

Take a breath.

Here's my advice:

JUST GET ON THAT COASTER

 

 

Freshmen year is exactly like getting on Rock'n Roller Coaster or any scary ride. You were confident you could do it in the beginning, but when it's really there, in front of you, suddenly you are the size of an ant.

 

 

Here's what you do. Here is how you beat those "First day of school" jitters:

 

 

• Remember your past successes- What did you accomplish this summer or before graduation you were proud of.  Remember, if you were successful then, you will be successful now.
• People love you- Nothing is more comforting, then taking a moment to flash back to a favorite memory with the people you love and love you. It brings you back down from all those doubtful thoughts and reminds you that at the end of the day, "All you need is love".
• Remember why you are going to school- Did you always dream of being a kindergarten teacher or swimming  with dolphins as a marine biologist? All those idols you have in those fields, they went to college too. It is a part of getting to your dream career and your dream life. So take it as a routine must, something everyone has to do. Trust me, you definitely aren't in this alone.

 

 

Finally...

 

• Imagine the feeling of reaching your goal and suddenly it won't matter what stands between it and you because you will be willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

 

 

Freshmen, you got this.

 

 

Best Wishes,

 

Meredith

"Your People"

We all know the saying, "You are who you hang out with".

If I had one piece of advice for all the freshmen flooding campus, it would be:

Find Your People

 

Finding "your people" is all about finding those unique relationships, the ones that push you to become better and you grow from. These are the people you find yourself to have a "deep connection with". (And no, by "deep connection" I don't mean love (I mean it's possible) but what I mean is you and this other person have a certain spark, that your other relationships don't have.)

By surrounding yourself with successful, motivated, driven people, you too will begin to gain speed within your endeavors. They push you, like you push them.

So for all you freshmen out there who want to walk away with your dream career or want to become a leader on campus, it's  time to create a team of "Your People" here is a list of People Types that will make you the best version of yourself you can be:

The Mom- This is the peer who is your support system. More than likely this is a best friend or roommate (if you got lucky). The person who you can call when you flunk a biology test or just can't handle a group project. They should be your #1 fan and understanding, but shouldn't sugarcoat (just like any good mom). This person should be able to walk you through a logical system to solve the problem you face, give you their support and tools, and smile at you when it is all over. But be warned, you must learn to not lean too much on this person. In the end, you need to learn how to thrive on your own. Hopefully you will gain The Mom's ability to somehow "get it all done" and still be there for you, an important lesson to learn especially when you become The Mom to another.

Qualities to look for in The Mom-

• Supportive
• Great time management skills
• Not a perfectionist
• Good Communicator
• Can see the big picture

The Clown- This is the peer who doesn't let life get them down. That person who can make you laugh and you feel like you need them on those bad days. But don't let The Clown  fool you. They are still a leader, but unlike you, they remember to have fun. To reach your goals, you have to take care of you. Don't forget that! So spend some time with The Clown  laughing at a night out or while watching Ted in your dorm you. The Clown  is the person who brings you back down to earth and reminds you, "Life is supposed to be fun".

Qualities to look for in The Clown-

• Down to earth
• Grades aren't the "be all, end all"
• Optimistic
• Reliable
• Give good hugs

The Mentor- Now pay attention, The Mentor  is "in my opinion" a very tricky person to find, but they are IMPORTANT. I encourage you to seek a mentor who would otherwise be out of your relationship comfort zone. You should look up to this person (maybe literally) and find within them attributes that you are lacking. In all, that is what a mentor is. A person who can guide you in ways that you can not guide yourself. They are not there to be like The Mom who comforts and they are not like The Clown  who would rather just laugh things off. This is the person that you know will not be afraid to lead you in the right direction, even if it means making you cry (which trust me I have left my mentor and cried in my dorm multiple times). But remember, The Mentor is not the bad guy. They are just as invested in your success as you are and most of the time they are older so probably therefore have  lived some of the choices you are making.  They just want what's best for you.

Qualities of The Mentor-

• Forward
• Opinionated
• Leader
• Experienced
• A realist

So how do you find the "right mentor?"
        -That my friends is unknown. You will ultimately fall into the right mentor for you and you won't even realize that it happened. Just keep your eyes and ears open.

Yourself- Now you would think that "Yourself" would be a give-in on the list of "Your People" but often this is where we all lack. Everyone believes in us, but we don't believe in ourselves. No matter how much The Mentor  tells you right from wrong, The Mom  gives you a shoulder to lean on, and The Clown wipes away your tears, you won't be successful in whatever you do unless you are on your own team. If you don't believe in yourself and GLOW WITH CONFIDENCE, then everyone around you (even "Your People") will start to not believe in you either (as horrible as that sounds).

Qualities of Yourself-

• Just be yourself and believe in yourself

So to all my freshmen out there dying to make a name for themselves, GO FIND YOUR PEOPLE. They will be your greatest asset on your journey to greatness and achieving your dreams.

 

 

Best Wishes,

 

Meredith

 



Make People Fall in Love with You

Make People Fall in Love with you From the Start

 

http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/7-ways-to-make-a-killer-first-impression.html

                  -This article is a great "go-to" for those first few minutes in an interview. That first impression when you walk through the door can make or break your interview.

 I personally have had some of the best "first impressions" when I was honest and candid with the person I was meeting with. Generally, new contacts appreciate and acknowledge your openness and vulnerability. These facets often open the doors for great conversation, networking, and an overall fulfilling conversation. Interview or not.

And always remember, SMILE!

Best Wishes,
Meredith

Once Upon a Time...

"Children have definitive purpose about who they

 will become by the time they are 9 years old."- Dr. Shefali Tsabary

That was the exact age I was when I first became enchanted by "the indescribable Disney magic".

Like most students who go to college in Florida, I am originally from the northeast, more precisely Hanover, PA (known as the "Snack Food Capital of the World"). I grew up your typical "girl next door" with hardworking parents and a pesky little brother. My Dad is a third generation car salesman, my mother a librarian assistant at our local school district. Most of my early childhood days were spent in the back of a classic Camaro or Corvette, usually strapped to a car seat passed out, despite the loud roar of the old engines.

With my Dad being a car salesman and owning his own business, money was always "tight". It was every Christmas my brother and I heard, "Now, don't expect much this year, your father hasn't sold many cars this month". While at the time I would have liked to have been given anything I wanted, but little did I know then that  this "tightness of money" is what ignited an every growing drive in me (which some now say is what sets me apart from most people in my generation).

Christmas 2003, I was in fourth grade, 9 years old (keep in mind Dr. Shefali Tsabary's theory on children  above). I remember there only being two gifts under the tree. They were about the size of a small book. One addressed to myself, the other my little brother.We opened the boxes to find a daily Disney calendar. I remember my exact thoughts, "Don't cry Meredith. Don't be selfish. Mom and Dad said it was going to be tight this year". But I couldn't help a well of disappointment form in my throat.

My mother must have read my face, because she immediately told me to flip to May. And there it was. That sentence that every kid dreams of since they knew that Walt Disney World existed.

"We are going to Disney!"

On our trip, I had hundreds of magical moments. I started every park day with chocolate chip pancakes that even I, a die-hard chocolate fan, thought at times were too sweet. I challenged myself to ride all the "scary rides", like Rock'in Rollercoaster, Test Track, and The Tower of Terror (which I may or may not have bawled the whole time and vow till this day to never ride again).

But the moment that embedded the constant need for that 'Disney Magic'  was with Cruella de Vil (not a princess like most other girls at that age). Her ability to seemingly remember me anywhere I saw her, wave during a parade, and  whisper witty comments about puppies in my ear solidified the 'Disney Magic'  in my heart forever. 

I was hooked. 

On that trip, and any time I go to Walt Disney World, I get that again get indescribable feeling. The just like the one I got during my very first trip at Walt Disney World.

 Money doesn't matter, real world problems are gone, and the  feeling of the "impossible" being "possible", is overwhelming. This 'feeling' is something I want to share with ALL children around the world. With so many today suffering from life threatening illness, socio-economic setbacks, and lack of resources, many children have never or will never walk through the gates at a Disney theme park or hug a Mickey stuffed animal on Christmas.

I don't want to work for Disney for the money or the perks, but for the joy of helping those kids, the ones who really NEED 'that magical, indescribable feeling', that drives my passion for my dream job and life.

If I could spend the rest of my career putting smiles on children's faces all around the world that are touched by Disney, then that to me is a life well lived.

As I enter my senior year at The University of Tampa, I feel like Secretariat in 1973 rounding the corner for the last leg of the Triple Crown. Every class, every project, every path I have chosen, was all driven by my desire to work for Disney. Senior year is the final chapter, the most important, riveting, exciting, nerve-racking, memorable chapter. 

The "career services lady" said, "You need to start a blog, your path to Disney is fascinating". So here it is. I will share all the good days, bad days, memorable experiences, do's and don'ts, worries and fears, love and magic.

I hope this blog inspires you all to follow your own dream, destroy your inner demons, believe in yourself, and let nothing stand in your way.

Best Wishes,
Meredith