You can't be an expert at everything

Something I like to do is set vague goals for myself every school year. This way, I get to go on binges of bettering myself, but if I don't necessarily do anything HUGE, I still gain something. For example, freshman year I worked on time management and sophomore year I got more involved.

This year, I'm working on finding my expertise. I love sports, I love social media, and I love finding people who share my passions. It's a journey, but I know there's a way to combine those things and make myself marketable for my dream career.

One thing that I find myself learning along the way is that I want to do everything myself. That way, I know that it's getting done and that it will be the way I want it. I've never thought of myself as a control freak, but the reality is, I am a HUGE control freak. I want all of the information, I want it in advance, and I want everyone to work with me on it. And honestly, I'm okay with it as long as I know that I'm the person who can do the BEST job.

The hardest lesson I've learned, though, is that I'm not always that person. You can't be an expert on everything, and why would you want to? No one likes a know-it-all. You can, however, take a step back. Let everyone weigh in! You can bounce ideas around, combine them to build something great, and if someone comes up with a solid plan, let them take the lead. Being a part of a team can be just as great of an experience as taking the lead, and you get the chance to learn from someone else's skill set.

I try (and fail a lot!) to take everything day by day and not be so hard on myself. Like I said, it's a journey, but this is what college years are for. Have fun and learn! You'll never regret it.

xox, Alexa

I want to punch someone in the face

I am really frustrated today. Don't my professors realize that I don't have time to do guesswork? I cannot sit here and research what you're looking for from this assignment. How hard is it to just give us a sample and a rubric? Not a template, that means nothing to me. UGH.

To my professors:

No, I can't spend weekends working on your assignments. I work 3/4 weekends a month and I travel because I'm in college, this is when it's possible, and the only person who can keep me sane is 3 hours away. So no, I don't have time on the weekends to work on things other than my actual job.

You make me mad at you, you make me mad at education, and you make me mad at myself. This is a great way to break down your students' confidence levels! If that's the goal, I hope you know you've achieved it.

I have been doing so well this semester staying on top of things, and in one badly set-up assignment, you have crushed all pride I had in myself.

SO THANK YOU. I'll take this as your resignation of credibility as a decent professor. or person.

Sincerely, Alexa