Changing the Summer Slide into the College Glide

In numerous cases, what happens during the summer stays in the summer. A gloomy reality, though is, what is learned in the classroom may very well be put to the side and filed in our brain somewhere, only to be used once we get back to school. Avoiding that summer slide is essential, even though our courses can drain the life out of us throughout the semester. Here are two tips that can assist you in keeping your mind sharp, as well as allowing you to enjoy the glamour that is summer.

1.     Read, read, and do a little more reading

Not everyone is fond of reading, but staying on top of a good book will help increase vocabulary, and reading part of the news will only keep you well informed. So when you go back to school you can use all the fancy words you had learned, and give insight to what is going on in the world, and not solely about what you did July 4^th. You can also see some of the Prowl-recommended summer reads here and here.

2.     Staying in contact

It is always a nice feeling to know that someone is looking out for you, so why not be that person to check up on a new friend you had made during the year and see how their doing. College; and even life as an adult are all about relationships, so you want to keep the relationships you make with others strong. Also if possible, it is always helpful to get in contact with professors you admire. Those professors may know something new that is going on around campus that could help you get ahead.

Having a fun summer is vital to keeping our sanity, but keeping ones mind sharp is just as essential--especially when you forget certain things that are common sense.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Joshua Ortiz. 

Unconventional Stress Relief Tips

     If you Google “stress relief”, thousands of articles will come up with suggestions you've been hearing from your mom since middle school: get a good night’s rest, eat healthy, etc.

     However, as PR majors, our lives become so hectic, oftentimes, these helpful tips are not enough to keep a crisis at bay.

     If you are looking for a new way to de-stress after a long day, week, or month, take a look at these three unconventional stress-relieving practices that have helped others in the past:

1. Read a Book: Diving into a good read that you have been anxious to start will help you de-stress, and no, a textbook does not count.  Reading transports you to another place and forces an individual to focus on the novel without thinking about other things. Also, reading gives you an opportunity to settle down in your favorite cozy spot with a snack, coffee, or hot chocolate.

2. Interact with Animals: It has been scientifically proven that animals can be a de-stressing agent for the humans they come into contact with. If you can afford to adopt a pet, that is the best option, however, if you can’t, taking some time to visit or volunteer at an animal shelter will give you a chance to play with as many animals as you want, for free! Many city shelters look for people to socialize animals they hope to adopt out, so this will be a win-win for you and the animals you visit!

3. Start a Journal: This may seem like something you would tell an elementary school student to do, however, journal-writing is a great way to release tension and stress in a way that won’t cause you consequences. Many people bottle up stress and frustration to the point where it boils over and cause problems. This is why it is important to be open about your feelings, and sometimes, a word dump is the best thing to do.

     Do you have any advice for relieving stress? If so, let us know in the comment section!

Must-Reads for the PR Pro: Succeeding in Organizational Leadership

As public relations professionals, the best way to stay up to date with the industry is to curl up with a good read, whether it is a book, article or blog post. Take some of your free time during break to pick up one of the books reviewed below:

Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schulz

“Onward” is a great book to learn more about organizational structure and image, as well as leadership. It provides a first-hand account of how Starbucks recreated itself, and how CEO Howard Schulz developed his main leadership philosophy. This book is especially appropriate in terms of seeing how a company was able to be successful and revive its image in one of the most tumultuous economic times in history.

The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott

Especially important for the modern workplace, “The New Rules of Marketing and PR” is a great read. It provides readers with the knowledge of how web communications may benefit your business. Establishing a proper personal relationship with your customers via the Internet is essential in the new media world. The book offers first-hand examples of marketing and PR trends, techniques for using social media sites, an action plan for utilizing new media and suggestions of how to craft powerful, effective messages.

The World is Flat, 3.0 by Tom Friedman

To know your world is to be a better public relations practitioner. Tom Friedman helps readers to understand globalization. It is important to know how globalization provides opportunities for individual and organizational success, how it is helping poverty around the world and how it may be detrimental environmentally, socially and politically. The book helps address the essential question “How may globalization effect different industries?”

How to Win Friends and Influence People

This was one of the first books I read relating to public relations, and one of the most influential I have read so far. The best advice I received from this book is how to communicate with others and to value them and instead of manipulating their attitudes and beliefs working to change them by ethical means.

Do you have any PR reads to add to our list? Let us know!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kurie Fitzgerald.