Lessons Learned

Within the last five months I have experienced the joy and challenges of many life lessons. I have been gaining much perspective into my life and what is truly important. I feel very fortunate to the experiences that have prompted these lessons. Below is a list of just many lessons and renewed perspective that has come to mind as I have entered the "real world".

1) Palmolive soap isn’t a good substitute for Dawn dishwasher soap

2) The difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans

Good reference for those battling loan debt: https://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/SaGlossary.do

3) How to make a Tina certified edible omelet (thanks JP!)

4) Loan companies aren’t always on your side. Cross check companies and speak to two representatives for each company. Keep a log. Make sure they give you consistent information.

5) Lesson planning isn’t as easy as it looks

6) Grad school mission statements are hard to write. Give yourself more than a week to write them!

7) How to use public transportation (yay RTA)

8)How to grate cheese with perfection (my kitchen duty)

9)How to use mail merge and make pretty labels!

10)There is no more precious gift than your siblings

11) Most of the time what you are looking for is right in front of you (aka keys) and God gives us what we need everyday

12) When disciplining a high school student to consciously make sure I am using an adult “voice” and not a parent “voice”. Language use is essential to starting a good conversation. I will give the name of the book below.

The Parent Voice:

Authoritative, directive, judgmental, demanding, sometimes punitive

- You shouldn’t (should) do that

- It’s wrong (right) to do_____.

- Life’s not fair. Get busy.

- You are good, bad (any judgmental, evaluative comment).

- Why can’t you be like__________?

The Adult Voice:

Non-judgmental, free of negative, non-verbal, factual, question format questions

- In what ways could this be resolved?

- What factors will be used to determine the effectiveness, quality of___?

- I would like to recommend_____________.

- What are your choices in this situation?

- Options that could be considered are________.

- I am comfortable (uncomfortable) with___________.

13) Lecturing is sometimes one of the least effective ways to teach

14) The GRE exam is created to make most college educated individuals feel inferior

15)Finding joy in the simple things is an easy way to increase your happiness and enjoy life!

16) Stepping out of your comfort zone can give you needed perspective on your life and your future

17) Just because friendships end it doesn’t mean you can’t look back on them with happiness and smile

18) Take the road not taken

19) People deserve second chances, but not always third, fourth, and fifth chances

20) You never have to settle. Not in a relationship, job, or anything. If your unhappy find a solution as soon as you possibly can.

Payne, R. K., Ph.D. (Fourth Edition). Discipline. In a framework for understanding poverty (Fourth revised ed., p. 84). Highlands, TX: Aha! Process, Inc. (Original work published 1996) Number 12 information derived from this wonderful book!

I'm sorry for the late post! I hope all is well.

Love, Tina