 Hey students, when I was an undergraduate student, MySpace was still a social media king and I was using a handheld camcorder to record video because not all phone cameras had video recording capacity. As an undergraduate I was fixated on my grades and lacked personal finance skills. Reflecting back on my college days I wish that I knew that studying wasn’t everything, to enjoy the small things in life and credit card debt is a dangerous thing that can have significant repercussions. Here are the four things I wish I’d known earlier. Don’t Study 24/7 When I was an undergraduate student, I was focused on studying. I did not bother much to attend a lot of house parties or make a lot of friends. My typical day was wake up, breakfast, drive to campus, class, lunch, work, workout, study or class, and drive home. The weekends were almost the same so partying wasn’t much on my agenda. What I wish I’d had done in undergraduate was find internships that would lead to a job after graduation and grow my network. I believe that networking and internships that lead to jobs are a key component of college success. Unless your parents can provide access to a high paying job after college your going to have to put in the work to find a job after graduation. Don’t get caught up in studying. Spend time in an internship and grow your network. Enjoy your time When I was a sophomore in college I studied abroad my spring semester at the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras for a semester. I had one of the most significant times enjoying the atmosphere, meeting new people, and embracing the culture. However, I missed out on some great experiences because I was too busy studying to get good grades. I later realized that as long as I passed the classes with a passing grade, I would get the credits and would have no effect on my GPA. If you're not going to medical school or law school after college enjoy your time because studying abroad doesn’t happen to every college student. Enjoy the environment not the books. Credit card debt is serious When I was an undergraduate getting a credit card was easy. Once I got my first credit card the swiping happened over and over again throughout my undergraduate and part of my graduate years. The debt reached $10,000, and I finally put a stop to it. I wish I would have to know the severities of credit card debt and how much I had spent on stupid things. The $10,000 I spent along with paying it all back could have been used for a downpayment on a house. Do not use your credit card like its free monopoly money. Credit card debt is a serious issue, and once you start the debt, it only gets harder to pay it off. College is a great time that you only enjoy once. Studying is important, and I am not advocating for you to party 24/7. What I am saying is focus on your studies but also learn to have fun, grow your network, and don’t get into credit card debt. Dr. J Real TalkDiscussing business, ed tech, and life. Follow me on social media @DrJRealTalk
0 Comments
 You're stuck in a remote island for an indefinite amount of time and you have an mp3 solar-powered player with you that can only play 15 songs in total. What 15 songs would you want in your mp3 solar-powered player? Dr. J Real TalkTalking about real things that matter in life. Follow me on social media @DrJRealTalk  I have a funny story about new years resolutions that I have to share. Watch as I talk about new years resolutions. I keep it real and talk about things that matter in life. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. Follow me on social media @DrJRealTalk Check out www.drjrealtalk.com Dr. J Real TalkFollow me on social media @DrJRealTalk  My New Years Eve celebration was celebrated at Theater on the Lake in Downtown Chicago and some crazy things happened. *the venue was Theater on the Lake and the hosts were Chicago Social I keep it real and talk about things that matter in life. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. Follow me on social media @DrJRealTalk Check out www.drjrealtalk.com Dr. J Real TalkFollow on social media @drjrealtalk  Mr. J Real TalkFollow @mrjrealtalk and visit www.mrjrealtalk.com 50cent once said, "I don't think ambition is a learned behavior. I think it's part of a person's natural character." The question I ask in this vlog is, "do you think ambition is part of a person's natural character?" Let me know by commenting on the video. Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Mr. JPersonal Finance/Entrepreneurship educator and blogger. Follow Mr. J on social media @MrJRealTalk Listen as I discuss why passion is part of the process. People will try to get you away from chasing your dreams and doing something that you are passionate about but what people forget is that passion is part of the formula. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel Mr. JPersonal Finance/Entrepreneurship educator and blogger. Follow Mr. J on social media @MrJRealTalk  50 Cent is known for his music, books, acting and entrepreneurial ventures. He is highly successful, with a net worth estimated at $270 million, despite lacking even a high school degree. Read more at http://www.commdiginews.com/business-2/words-of-wisdom-from-50-cent-20326/#SSFDIXCyo6vqLd4Y.99 Mr. JPersonal finance & entrepreneur educator and blogger. Follow Mr. J on social media @MrJRealTalk As 2016 comes to a close start preparing your 2017 goals. Whether you achieved your 2016 goals don't let it get to you. 2017 will be a fresh new start with brand new ideas, people, and mindset. Before writing your 2017 goals follow the HAR&D Mindset pillars to help you achieve your goals. Once you have your mindset ready start writing down your goals. Economic Pillar: Hustle Goal Pillar: Ambition Process Pillar: Respect Fuel Pillar: Determination https://magic.piktochart.com/output/19086854-2017-goals  Mr. JPersonal finance & entrepreneur educator and blogger. Follow Mr. J on social media @MrJRealTalk June 2006 is the time I stepped foot into a HARD (Hustle, Ambition, Respect, & Determined) Lifestyle as a college freshman at Northeastern Illinois University. Each acronym of HARD Mindset represents my code of work ethic that I’ve upheld since 2006. The system has helped me graduate from college, graduate school, begin businesses, and get me through the hard times. This past April I had the opportunity to speak at my Alma Mater, Northeastern Illinois University about my journey as an undergraduate and how I’ve accomplished my goals over the past years. The moment was ever more special because it was one month away from my ten year anniversary as a freshman undergraduate. Over the past decade, I’ve accomplished goals that wouldn’t have been possible if I did not apply a work ethic, HARD. Hustle There is nothing sweeter in life than obtaining something you worked hard especially after the potential seemed impossible because of circumstances. I did no have an ACT score higher than 16, of which I took three times, and because of my low score, my chances of graduating from college in four years were slim. I had to work extra hard, meet with tutors and put faith in myself. As Don Zimmer said, “what you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle, and giving 110% all the time.” My commit to the hustle got me through college in four years. Ambition People have ambition, but sometimes it lacks direction or a goal. Some people are ambitious to get home right after work and watch television until their eyes shut. Others are ambitious to reach financial success. But learning to control one’s ambition is important. Having too little ambition can lead to a mediocre life with no meaning. Too much ambition can lead to losing of trust, friendships, or family. Respect the Process As a graduate student, I was in a rush to defend my thesis before spring break. My persistence of getting my thesis done quickly led me to disrespect my thesis chair thus causing the chair to leave my committee. After lots of apologies, I realized that the process cannot be rushed and that I have to respect it because it’s done for my good. Determination Being determined with a goal in sight is better than having a goal but not determined to accomplish the goal. I was resolved to achieve my goals because I set my goal and knew that I had to be determined no matter the circumstances: break-ups, money issues, family or work. Watch the video Mr. JPersonal finance & entrepreneur educator and blogger. Follow Mr. J on social media @MrJRealTalk  For college students, summer is a time to relax after a tough semester, save up for the upcoming school year, and have fun with your friends. Whatever your plans are for the next 3 months, make sure they the time doesn’t go to waste. Read more https://community.saltmoney.org/community/plan-school-costs/blog/2016/05/26/3-goals-i-ve-achieved-over-the-summer Mr. JPersonal finance & entrepreneur educator and blogger. Follow Mr. J on social media @MrJRealTalk |
|