Should you work your way through college

Which would you prefer: a), you work while in college, perhaps at two jobs or maybe one full-time job, to get the money to pay for it, or b) mom or dad,or some other person, pays all your college costs so you don't have to work at all?

I think I know what your answer is. But a lot of parents, including those who can easily afford to send you to college, don't want to pay. They think it's better for you to learn firsthand about the world of work while in college. They also think you'll appreciate your education a lot more if it isn't handed to you on a platter.

Your argument, and it has merit, is that you can't participate in all the extra curricula activities your school has to offer, if you work. You won't be able to join that club, play that sport, go to that performance, if you are at work all the time you aren't in class. You'll miss out on a lot of fun, fail to make some good friends, and later in life look back on your college experience with some sadness over the campus life you missed.

I worked my way through college and I benefitted in more ways than financially from the effort, such as learning the discipline of getting up early every morning and showing up for work on time. So I lean towards recommending the work route. But if I could do it over again, and could have someone pay for my tuition, books, room & board, etc., I'd do it that way. I'd enjoy the "campus experience." But would I be as ready for the "real world" when I graduated? I don't think so.

I hate "kids."

I hate the word "kids" when its used to mean college students. Some professors will call their students kids when talking to other profs. College students aren't kids anymore. Some are married, some with real kids. Most work. Some are nontraditional students coming back after a few years in the "real world." Some are coming back from military service. They aren't kids.

Worse than when profs use "kids" is when students call each other kids. I hear it often. A student will tell me something like "some kids are just lazy" or "he's a nice kid." Calling each other kids is like saying you're still in high school. At least that's the way I see it. So what should you call yourselves? How about "students," or "the men and women in the class?"

Is this your next job?

I can't resist a funny video. Here's one about a recent college graduate and her new job that I think you'll appreciate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo97KRbLlAk&NR=1

Keep your passwords handy

Yesterday was the first day of classes. In the two that I held, a total of maybe a dozen students had to run down to the computing center to find out what their system passwords are, so they could do the in-class activities. How do you keep track of all your different passwords? I have a dozen or more, and of course they change from time to time. It isn't easy. The people who run our computer center will tell you not to write them down. But I do, though I'm not as bad as the guy in the cartoon who has post-it notes all over his desktop showing his secret passwords. Do you have a better way of keeping track of them?

Do your instructors treat you with respect?

Some people say that respect is not automatic, that you have to earn it. My approach is that you deserve being treated respectfully until you do something to lose that respect. That's pretty hard to do, since most of the actions that would cause you to lose my respect I'll chalk up to momentary immaturity or loss of cool. There's really only one way you can be sure to lose my respect: when you don't treat me with respect!

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The 5 most valuable things you can do in college to help your career.

Read this great article, The Five Most Valuable Things I Did in College to Help My Career, by posting this link into your browser: http://adage.com/gennext/post?article_id=141196 Read the comments below it,too. Just don't start thinking it's a sure bet to get you your great job in advertising by asking your prof to get it for you!