Stay on Track This Semester

Classes have already begun for many colleges and universities and will start for the majority of the remaining ones today.  We might as well start off on the right foot this semester and pave the way for smooth sailing in the next several months.

• Get a planner. Use it.
  There is no better way to stay on top of your schoolwork, social activities, and other commitments.  If you write everything down there is no reason to forget it. That way you'll always know what's coming up and what you have room for, be it homework or fun events.
  
• Talk to someone new.
  Don't be a loner on the first day of class. Scope out your classmates and sit next to someone who seems like they might have a similar vibe to you. You could end up making a great connection, helpful study buddy, and possibly even a new friend!
  
• Go to office hours.
  Professors notice the students who go above and beyond in class. If you visit them during office hours you will stick out in their mind. Spending time outside of class with your professor will also ensure that all your questions get answered.
  
• Eat breakfast.
  You're a busy bee and you need energy for the day. Eating even just a little something for breakfast every day will keep you going through all your classes and extracurricular activities.  You'll beat that mid-day funk and be able to perform at top speed. 

These are just some of the things you can do to keep yourself on track for the upcoming semester.  Get organized right away and you'll stay organized throughout.  End the year with a successful semester and reward yourself with a summer of fun (not that we're counting down the days or anything)!

What will you be improving on this semester?

The Unspoken Rules to Surviving the Semester

My brother started his freshman year of college this August. Being his older sister, I have always felt the need to look out and protect my brother. I do not want him to feel completely overwhelmed with work in a new place with total strangers. I thought about what I wished somebody had told me before starting freshmen year. I realized I wish someone had told me how to plan and manage my work. After some thinking, I came up with three tips I wish I had figured out before starting my freshman year.

1.   Look Ahead: Prior planning is key to minimizing stress. Each week, figure out what you have going on. Go through your syllabus and record in a planner readings or assignments due that week. Indicate due dates in red. List your weekly meetings in the calendar and daily agenda sections of the planner. After that, determine what times you can complete work. Have an hour to kill in between class and PRSSA? Plan to bring your laptop to campus and get homework done. Being aware of your upcoming schedule will prevent surprises and missed deadlines.

 
2.     Develop an Action Plan for Papers- When assigned a paper, give yourself a cushion of time to complete it. Plan what to accomplish each day. For example, plan to create the thesis on Sunday; outline your paper on Monday; write the intro and first paragraph on Tuesday; write the second and third paragraphs on Wednesday and Thursday; write the conclusion Friday; and edit the paper on Saturday. Doing a little bit each day will create the sense that you are in control of the situation. Making gradual progress also leaves room in case an issue occurs.
 
3.     Stay On Top of Readings- Lets be honest, nobody likes to read textbooks. To keep the pain minimal, know when the readings are due. Need to read a thirty-page chapter in the next three days? Plan to read ten pages a day. Doing this will make it seem much more manageable than cramming. If you leave it all for one night, chances are you may not complete the reading at all.

Although I am sure my brother does not feel the need to listen to his older sister, I hope he finds these tips helpful as he navigates his way through his piles of work. What tips to you have to help manage your course work?

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Lauren Bentley.

Help, My PR Class Is Closed!

In the past few years, Temple University has seen an increase in the number of strategic communication majors, which is great! However, it doesn't always seem so great when it's time to pick classes for the new semester. Several required courses often have a limited number of classes and most don't exceed 30 students. With such a small window for some of these courses, there may be times when you find yourself without your desired PR class for the semester. Instead of filling that space with a general education course, take something that can actually help you grow as a PR student. Just because it isn't in the strategic communication department doesn't mean that it can't help you grow as a communicator.

Graphic Design One skill that is great for PR professionals is the ability to design promotional materials themselves, as opposed to having it sent out. Learning the basics of graphic design can be very beneficial and put you a few steps ahead of other PR students. 

Journalism It's a fact that PR professionals have to be strong writers. Taking a journalism course not only helps you to strengthen those skills, but it also helps you to learn what types of stories and angles attract journalists. That can be helpful knowledge to have when pitching stories. 

Photography/Videography The more well-rounded you are, the better. Gaining basic experience and knowledge in these skills allows you to step in and offer a quick fix if needed. If you still have to outsource for photography or videography, you also know how to determine the quality of their work. 

Website Design Learning and practicing HTML and CSS will go a long way personally and professionally. Although it's an invaluable skill to have, many PR students don't possess it. This is another resume booster that will put you a step above the rest. 

PR professionals are all about productivity and efficiency. If we can tackle an assignment ourselves as opposed to outsourcing, we will. We are detail-oriented thinkers that want to ensure every element of a campaign or project is handled professionally. Learning other skills makes you more well-rounded and gives you the ability to see a project through from start to finish. 

What are some other skills or courses you think are important for PR students to have? We would love to know!

Keep Calm and Start the Year Right!

The start of the new school year is officially upon us. I know everyone is thinking the same thing, “Where did the summer go?!” Trust me, I feel your pain. However, let’s not let the end of summer deter us from a great school year! For us PR majors, it is important to make sure we take advantage of every opportunity the school year has to offer. Here are a few tips to ensure a great academic year without getting too overwhelmed:

        1.  Get Involved- Not only does joining a club look great on a resume, but meeting new people every year is such a rewarding experience. So, go out and find something that interests you. I promise it will be super beneficial in the long run.
2.     Stay Organized- Every PR person should have a planner. I would die without mine. Keep your schedule organized and neat so you never have an excuse for forgetting something.
3.     Eat and Sleep- I know it sounds cliché, but the busier you are the less important eat and sleep become. Make sure you are eating well balanced meals and maintaining an appropriate sleep schedule, you will be more productive.
4.     DON’T STRESS- A new school year can be a lot to handle for most people, but stay calm, relax, and don’t let yourself become stressed. If you follow the prior tips, you’ll have the best school year to date! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Kelly Dougherty.

PRowl Is Hiring!

PRowl, Temple University's only student-run PR firm, is hiring! The start of the new school year ushers in brand new clients and PRowl will need fresh, innovative ideas. 

PRowl is the only space where you can gain real world public relations experience with clients, all while receiving mentorship from fellow students. Why not join the elite?

If PRowl Public Relations sounds like a firm you would love to be a part of and contribute professional work to, visit  http://tackk.com/snokwz for further detail and instructions on how to apply. 

Best of luck this new school year!  

Staying Healthy for the Overly Active Lifestyle

The back to school commercials are on and new Temple flags are going up on the streetlights of campus.  As much as we hate to admit it, fall semester is quickly approaching.  Once the semester picks up, it’s often hard to remember your health on top of everything else.  But here are some helpful tips to keep you healthy and fit all semester long.

Public relations is one of the most stressful industries out there. In fact, Forbes lists Public Relations executive as the 5^th most stressful job of 2013, not far behind military general! Scheduling activities that help you relax after being in a hectic work environment is important. Fitness is one great way to relieve stress after a busy day.  Practicing yoga allows your body to get the exercise it needs and your mind the rest it deserves.

During those late nights at the Tech Center or all day classes, it’s easy to work through dinner or lunch.  I’ll admit to a Red Bull-fueled morning or two.  But skipping meals, especially breakfast, can have some detrimental effects on your body. This bad habit alters your metabolism and lowers blood sugar, making you feel sluggish and tired. An easy fix is to snack throughout the day, providing your body with the nutrition it needs to make it through the day. Try carrots with hummus or trail mix with dried berries and nuts to give you energy on the go.

On the busiest days, it’s even difficult to find time to snack and the go-to energizer is, of course, coffee.  Those sugary lattes and Frappuccinos are great for a burst of caffeine but make you crash later.  Thankfully there are healthy alternatives to give you much needed energy.  Green tea is a nice replacement that helps boost your immune system in addition to a little caffeine buzz.  Hot water with lemon, although it is caffeine free, is a great coffee replacement for coffee in the morning with benefits like clearing your skin, enhancing your mood, and reducing anxiety.

What other health tips do you have for leading a healthy and active lifestyle? Let us know!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Jaime Martorana.