Life Skills

Personal Life

Living Healthy

• It is critical to your sanity to make time for yourself every day.
• Be sure you achieve balance out of work.
• Get enough sleep.
• Do you have hobbies? Do you make time for them?

Social life

• Who do you choose to socialize with – people from work and/or friends outside of the company?
• If you socialize with co-workers outside of the office, do you talk about topics not related to work? Do you have other interests in common? Realistically, are they friendships of convenience?
• Your actions outside of work can impact the company and your professional reputation.
• How do you spend your free time?
• Think about the consequences of partying during the week when you have to get up early and go to work the next day.

Community

• Get involved in your community: join the library, gym, religious affiliation, softball, bowling league, etc.
• Volunteer so you stay connected.
• Take a class in the non-credit programs offered through the town, schools, colleges, etc.
• Join the Chamber of commerce.

Leaving the familiar

• Now you will be working in September vs. going to school – it may feel weird when you hear on the news about the students gearing up for the fall semester.
• You may have to work during the holidays – no more semester break.
• You may need to make new friends as your college alliances fade.
• You may be living on your own – do you know how to cook, get proper insurance, budget for the month and year, etc?

Returning home

• Think of how your life will change from living on your own, either on or off campus, to being back under your parents’ roof.
• Be sure to have a conversation with your parents about expectations of one another – i.e. staying out late, laundry, meals, overnight guests, etc.
• Issues between other family members may involve you more directly now that you are under the same roof (parent/sibling arguments, for example).