Sneak Peek of my Parent College Students OU Project

Sneak Peek of my Parent College Students project that I'm doing for OU ~ Shelly


University of Oklahoma Student Alia with her daughter


link to Shelly's Facebook page and sneak peek ~
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151498516494679&set=a.10150275454584679.348229.362716799678&type=1&theater

College Student Parents Keep Working

Stock image from Sociology in Focus


Currently I am working on my final project for my Women and Gender Studies minor at the University of Oklahoma. I am making photographs and writing biographies about mothers who are currently college students. Both jobs are equally hard but combining them makes it quite a challenge. I know from being both that there are times when it just doesn't seem like I have enough time to complete everything in the day. I found this article and wanted to share it with others.

"First-generation college students (i.e. students whose parents did not graduate from college) are at higher risk of not completing college compared to students who have parents who completed college. Consider these statistics reported in USA Today: Nationally, 89% of low-income first-gen[eration college students] leave college within six years without a degree. More than a quarter leave after their first year — four times the dropout rate of higher-income second-generation students."

"I think my perspective on the importance of parental socialization regarding college crystallized as a graduate student. I did become a second-generation graduate student and first-generation doctorate student. But it was my grandma who had the Master’s degree, not my parents. In other words, graduate school was a world that my parents did not know. And after completing a graduate degree, I know exactly how to advise my own daughter on navigating graduate school. There are a number of things I understand about graduate school now that I am on the other side of it that I wish I had known and understood before I started graduate school. If you have teachers who are willing to share their graduate school experience, listen to them and ask them lots of questions."

"Having college-educated parents, does not just mean a likely higher household income growing up, but also helps socialize children into future roles as college students themselves (thanks, mom and dad!)." So remember when you're working so hard being a mother and you're a college student staying up all night, remember you're not only working to better yourself, but future generations. You're also working hard to improve the life of your children and their children. Keep working. Keep your head up. Study hard. Keep being a good parent. Don't forget in your day when you're spending so many hours reading, writing, and studying, don't forget why you're doing this. You're doing this for yourself, your kids and your family. Spend some time with them too. If you don't have a lot of money to spend on an activity with them, just take for a walk in your neighborhood (without constantly looking at your mobile device). Take your kiddos to the park, they're everywhere and they're free. Go to the library, not to check out books for your class or next research paper, but instead pick out books and sit in the corner and read to your kids. Don't forget in all the craziness of your college and parent life that you need to spend time with your kids and take some time out for yourself. Now, go get your degree.


http://www.sociologyinfocus.com/2012/10/22/socialization-the-advantage-of-being-a-2nd-generation-student/

Job Interviews and Social Anxiety

Job Interviews and Social Anxiety


Here are some tips for people with social anxiety for a job interview:

Treat Yourself Well
Avoid caffeine, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. By following these three simple rules, you will greatly reduce job interview anxiety.

Visualize Success
Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed, close your eyes and visualize yourself being successful in your interview. Visualizing success is more than just positive thinking; when done correctly, you are getting your brain ready to behave in the way that you desire. This technique is used by elite athletes before competitions to improve performance.

Reduce Stressors
Reduce stressors unrelated to the actual interview, such as uncomfortable clothing, getting lost, or showing up late. Well in advance, choose an outfit that is comfortable and that looks good on you. If you aren’t familiar with the location of the interview, give yourself plenty of time to find it or do a trial run a day or two before.

Do Your Research
Being well-prepared is a great antidote to anxiety. Research your potential employer. Prepare answers to common questions. Every bit of preparation that you can do will help to increase your comfort level and make you feel more confident and capable in the interview.

Don’t Succumb to Pressure
Once in a while, you may be interviewed by someone who grills you to see how you handle stress. Although as a person with SAD it can be tempting to start spiraling into negative automatic thinking, such as “He knows I can’t handle this job; I should never have applied” or “They don’t really like me; I’ll never get the job”, stop. If you find yourself in this situation, realize what the interviewer is trying to accomplish and don’t let him ruffle your feathers. Know that the other candidates have been treated the same way and that it is no reflection on you or your capabilities.

Interview the Interviewer
A great way to feel less self-conscious in an interview situation is to realize that interviews are a two-way street. You are deciding whether you want to work for an employer just as much as they are deciding whether they want you to come work for them. Try putting yourself in this mindset and see if your focus doesn’t change.

Release Anxious Energy
Anxiety has a way of leaking out even when you think that you have it well-hidden. If you find yourself fidgeting, try doing something to release anxious energy that no one will notice, such as wiggling your toes.

Take Your Time
Realize that you don’t have to answer questions immediately. Pause before answering and collect your thoughts. If you worry about drawing a blank during interviews, a great technique is to take notes as everyone talks. This takes the focus off of you and allows you to refer to your notes after a question has been asked. If you start to draw a blank, keep making notes and comment that you want to collect your thoughts before responding.

Be Prepared
A well-prepared interviewee has an immediate advantage in an interview. In addition, being well-prepared and proactive will take the edge off of job interview anxiety. Be sure to bring everything that you think you might need, such as your resume, cover letter, business cards, references, licenses, certifications, and a pen and notepad.

Congratulate Yourself
Regardless of how you felt that the interview went, congratulate yourself afterward for taking the chance. Do something that you enjoy as a reward. Above all else, avoid ruminating about how the interview went or what could have gone better.

For information check out the link and the complete site~ Release Through Art.
http://releasethroughart.tumblr.com/post/35214914824/job-interviews-and-social-anxiety

www.shellyperkins.com

#art therapy, #social anxiety, #job interview, #help