I'm planning content for this fall and I would LOVE to get your help. I just got a new camera and am going to try to do some more YouTube videos this year, but I can't do it without YOU.
Check out the video below and either comment with your ideas on this blog or submit them to the anonymous Ask Isa inbox.
I want to help you this year by sharing content that can really help you move forward in your life (college or career) as well as try to make you smile in the process.
I really appreciate any ideas you can share or any questions you have! Thanks a million.
My favorite thing to do in my day-to-day job is read questions from the Ask Isa inbox. Sadly I've been so behind in answering the questions during what's been a very busy speaking season.
I want to get back to it today and want to thank you for being so honest and sharing your questions. They keep me going when things get tough.
And that brings us to our question for today:
Dear Isa,
What do you do when you get discouraged?
Sincerely,
:(
Dear :(,
Discouragement is the worst.
The more I read about success and successful people, the more I see how common their failures are.
I'd heard my whole life that failure is part of success (for years my little brother had that Michael Jordan poster about how many shots he missed and games he lost), but it's really hard to stay focused when you're in the pit of discouragement.
I've recently had some discouraging times in my life, including last night when I checked my e-mail right before bed (bad idea!) and saw a YouTube comment where the person called me an idiot multiple times and talked about why community colleges were the worst.
What helps me cope with those kinds of things is based on something Marie Forleo said - she never receives harsh criticism from someone who is more successful and whom she admires. If you think about it, the same is probably true for us all.
Because successful people usually don't have time to dedicate to make someone else feel awful; they also know it's not a path to success.
I know criticism may not be what's discouraging you now, but it's definitely something that discourages me. Even though I know it's part of the process and journey, it still hurts.
Below are the four things that help me get through the many many moments of discouragement and self-doubt that come when trying to move forward in your life. I hope they help:
1) Meet with close friends/mentors
Schedule a coffee or lunch with someone.Talk about why you're discouraged and ask for advice. More importantly, though, ask that person about their life and just listen.
2) Write down your past successes and what you're thankful for
I'm all about writing down your goals, but sometimes you need to write down what you've already accomplished to remind yourself of how far you've come. Then write about the things that you're currently thankful for.
3) Journal
My journal is my best friend when it comes to discouragement. I journal every morning, even if it's only a few sentences; it helps me clear my head.
4) Read
Read books about successful people you admire. Every book about a successful person is jam packed with failure and discouragement. It's actually comforting, because reminds you that discouragement is normal and not a precursor to failure if you don't want it to be.
It's how you handle discouragement that can set you apart and help you reach greater heights.
So next time you're discouraged, see it as an opportunity to become more resilient, resourceful, and successful.
And at the risk of sounding incredible cheesy, well, forget it, I'm going to just be cheesy and end with a line from a song I love:
It's always darkest before the dawn...
:)
Sincerely,
Isa
You can submit your question to the Ask Isa inbox here!
From the Ask Isa inbox:
Dear Isa,
I want to go into investment banking and work on Wall Street some day, but here is thing: my high school GPA is low, I've never participated in any activities, and I don't have all the prerequisites for a 4-year school.
I've decided to start out at a junior college for a year and hopefully transfer to the University of Pennsylvania (as you can see I have high standards).
Is there still a possibility that I can get into the school if I change things around when I get into junior college, or should I just forget about Penn and look for somewhere different?
Sincerely,
Still a chance?
Dear Still a Chance,
I love that you have high standards and I say go for Penn. However, since I'm not an admissions officer I'm not an expert on how they evaluate transfer students' high school background and what is needed to get admitted (I suggest starting your research by reading everything on their transfer site).
As soon as you can, visit the campus, go on a tour, and meet with an admissions officer so you can ask any questions you have. Ask for brutal honesty.
Especially be sure to ask them to describe their ideal community college transfer student (e.g. what GPA would you need to have, would it be better to transfer after one year or after getting your A.A. degree, what activities would they want to see, etc.)
And even if after all that research you find going to that school won't be a reality because of your high school past, I say keep on going and start looking into the next-best college you'd like to attend. The process of researching options in this way will serve you in every aspect of your life.
It's never too late to reach your dreams. The key is to be open to how you get there. I believe 100% you can make it to Wall Street if you really want it and put in the work.
Community college is a great way to turn your academic past around. I've heard so many stories of students who didn't do well in high school who then get a 4.0 in community college and transfer to a selective university. I believe in most cases low grades are simply a product the natural unmotivated state that results from not seeing how your current actions can help you get somewhere you want to go.
Since you've figured out what you want to do and seem excited about it, you should have the motivation and focus you need to give your 100% to community college.
I also recommend reading How to Become a Straight-A Student and my book Community College Success to ensure you're using the right strategies. Pay close attention to the third section of my book which teaches how to reach out to mentors who have your dream job (e.g. you should be connecting with people in finance as soon as possible, and start researching how to get those coveted internships).
You can do this. Don't give up. Explore every option. And remember there are many avenues to get to where you want to go. People who set big goals, as long as they're not rigid about how they achieve them, succeed far more than they ever would have had they not set goals at all.
Go for it! :)
Sincerely,
Isa
Below is a question from the anonymous Ask Isa inbox. Feel free to share your advice with this student in the comments section, and as always you can submit your own question to the Ask Isa column.
Question:
Hi Isa,
I'm thinking about pursuing a career in business, and this is my second semester at my community college. I'm taking my General Education requirements now, and a few core businesses classes such as math and economics.
So far these classes meet the requirements for my reach schools, UC Berkley and the University of Southern California (USC), and my back up school: California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo (SLO).
I have read that it is less likely to get into graduate school with a degree from a California State University (i.e.SLO) rather from a UC.
Financially, I'd prefer to go to SLO because the cost is WAY less than the cost of a UC, however I don't want this to hurt my chances of getting a job in the future.
It just seems that UC's and private schools have more prestige over California State Universities. I still have a couple of semesters left to complete my requirements, I just want to have a clear path of what I am going to do so that I'll be motivated to accomplish my goal.
Any advice?
Sincerely,
Overwhelmed CC freshman
My answer:
Dear Overwhelmed CC freshman,
Huge kudos to you for thinking about your path now, as a freshman. That will pay off big time - because you are right, having a path will keep you motivated. The more research you do about your direction in college the better.
I live in Florida and am not an expert on the California college system, so my first piece of advice is to ask this question of someone who is. Meet with an advisor at your community college, admissions officers at all of the colleges you are considering, and any professors who went to the colleges you are considering.
Share your dilemma with them honestly and ask for their advice. Take as much advice as you can and then think about what sounds like the best path for you.
When it comes to figuring out the best college to help you get a job, I recommend seeking out someone in your local area who has a job that interests you in business, and ideally who has also gone to a graduate school that interests you. Ask him or her for advice and listen closely.
The best way to choose a path with the end result in mind is to talk to people who have gotten to the place you want to be and find out what they did. They will be more than happy to help you if you just reach out.
What I've learned from going to community college and meeting many successful people is that where you go to college matters much less than how much work you put into it - and how much networking you do.
You're on the right track! :)
Sincerely,
Isa
I recently received this question from the Ask Isa inbox:
Dear Isa,
I am feeling unmotivated because this is the last semester of my senior year. I don't actually want to go to my classes. I'd rather do all the work online and just go to my exams. How do I get my previous undergrad excitement back or is it gone forever?
Sincerely,
I'm afraid I have the beginning symptoms of senioritis
Dear Senioritis,
This feeling is completely understandable. And while you have probably changed a lot since your freshman year, that level of enthusiasm is definitely not gone forever.
Last weekend, I spent some time at my alma mater as part of an alumni leadership program; walking through campus I realized that those years were some of the happiest of my life - especially my senior year (because I was engaged in a really challenging senior research project on a topic I loved). I love my job and my life now - so much - but still nothing compares to the college atmosphere of pure learning and growth. I would go back in a heartbeat.
It is normal to go through highs and lows of motivation in college and in life. What I hope I can help you remember is that college is a huge privilege - and when it's over, it's over.
So below are a few things you can try in order to combat senioritis and enjoy your last year of college:
1) Journal
Take a moment to journal about what you are feeling. Get it all out there, and you might just find writing it out will help you feel better. Then, journal about your college journey so far. Consider the new friends, the new experiences, and the way you've grown. Think about the person you were before college, and what it has done for you so far.
2) Friends
Go to an event or club meeting on campus and reconnect with old friends or make some new ones (it's never too late). Or consider planning a trip with your best buds. After college there are very few opportunities to be around so many people your own age, all working towards the same goal. Enjoy the time before the "real world" competition for jobs kicks in and have fun with the people around you.
3) Contribute
This is your last year on your campus and your last change to contribute. Look around your campus community and consider how you can make an impact before you graduate. Apply for a new opportunity or project. Consider travel opportunities. Talk to a professor about your dilemma and see if he or she has any solutions to help you take on a new research project or engage with the campus in a new way. The best way to increase your feeling of engagement is to give.
I hope this helps! You should be so proud of yourself that you have come to your senior year - it is a milestone that sadly too few students are reaching today. Embrace this unique time in your life and enjoy it for all it's worth. You deserve to.
Feel free to ask your anonymous college or job-related questions on the new Ask Isa anonymous form on the homepage tab! :)
