In one of the very first finance classes I ever took, the professor was shockingly candid with us. He told the class that we would learn more about finance reading the Wall Street Journal everyday than we would from taking his course. It was a somewhat tongue-in-cheek statement, but he did strongly encourage everyone in the class to sign up for the Wall Street Journal using a student subscription and read at least a handful of articles everyday. His point was that it is important to stay up to date with macroeconomic and financial issues on a global scale, as these matters trickle down into everyday business. I took his advice and signed up for a cheap student account with WSJ that day, a subscription I still have. I read the Wall Street Journal online every morning, and even if I don’t have time to read every article, it does keep me abreast of important financial issues. I feel like it was one of the best pieces of advice I got while still in school.
Corporate Trainer - Public Speaker - Instructional Designer - Queen Bird at Merlin & Associates, Inc.
Answered 3 years ago
Never stop learning. Be a "student of life" and look at everything that happens as an opportunity to learn something new. For example, when I submit a proposal and do not win, I will try to find out what I could do to improve my chances next time. It becomes a learning opportunity for me. If you are asked to do something and you do not know how, find a way to learn it (take a course, watch a YouTube video, ask someone who is an expert, Google it, team up with another colleague, just dive in, etc.). I use this philosophy as a way to expand my business and be able to offer more programs to my customers.
I used to love making flashcards to study for any test or to prep for a presentation, and that habit followed me into my professional career. It’s essential to review and rehearse before we do anything significant. We need fast methods for hammering the essentials into our brains for long-term retention, and the best way to do that is through repeated exposure and practice. Flashcards make repetition easy and cater to people with short attention spans and average ones. There’s inherently only so much information you can fit on a card, so you have to choose wisely and aim to make the most impact in what information you group together. Whether I am studying for a presentation to a client and want to ensure I remember the key points, or if I’m prospecting to new clients or stakeholders and want to nail that first impression, flashcards are timeless, easy to use and understand, and help us remember better through straightforward repetition.
One learning habit we adopted as students, which continues to keep us updated and competitive in the business world, is the traditional pen-and-paper approach. Despite the digital age, jotting down key points during webinars, podcasts, or while reading articles helps in better retention and comprehension of new concepts. This practice ensures that we thoroughly understand and can apply the latest strategies in the ever-evolving landscape. If you're aiming to stay ahead, remember the value of writing things down. In a world buzzing with information, clarity comes with quiet reflection.
Know thyself... These two words helped me form my success habits more than anything else to keep me on top in business. You have to be strong at your core so you can stand in your conviction in your work, sales, and leadership. You have to know what you want, be willing to stand up for it, do whatever it takes to be the best to make it happen, and be willing to stand in the fire for it unafraid. There will always be people trying to define you, challenge you, tear you down, anger you, and stop you from doing things your way. You have a gift only you can bring! A passion, a specific purpose that you are here to serve and only YOU know what it is. I always ask myself... "IS THIS IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHO I AM?" when I am challenged to change. If not, then I only trust myself and make my decisions on what my core says....even when others think I am crazy. The only crazy thing is not trusting yourself! Then and only then will you face defeat! Remember you know yourself now trust you!!!
As a financial advisor, I've always been a voracious reader. But the habit I cultivated in my student days, which I fondly call 'The Power Hour', has been my secret weapon in the fast-paced business world. Every morning, before the sun peeks over the horizon, I dedicate an hour to learning something new. It's like my morning coffee, but for the brain. I dive into the latest financial reports, devour economic analyses, and dissect market trends. This ritual is my daily dose of intellectual adrenaline, keeping me sharp and ahead of the curve. It's like being a surfer, riding the wave of knowledge, while others are still waxing their boards on the beach. The Power Hour isn't just a learning habit, it's a lifestyle choice that has kept me competitive in the ever-evolving financial landscape.
As a student, I made it a habit to participate and test my knowledge regularly. In the competitive world, I continue this practice by actively engaging in webinars, where industry experts share insights that I can apply in my work at TechNews180. Remember to embrace continuous learning as it can significantly enhance your knowledge retention and skill. (Not Eller Alumni graduated)
The learning habit I used to use in school that I still use to this day is: Writing things down repeatedly! I used to go over things I needed to learn and write it down on paper in front of me as I went through things. Even if I know some things, I like to go over it all and write it down on paper by hand. As I write it down, there's a better chance of having it stick with me and for a longer period of time. This is something I used to do in school (as well as many others) and it's stuck with me. As I learn new things, try and come up with ideas, and even refresh my mind on certain things related to my job.
One habit from my student days that continues to keep me updated and competitive is the practice of continual learning and curiosity. The business world is dynamic, and staying relevant requires a commitment to constant knowledge enhancement. For example, I used to dedicate an hour each day as a student for reading beyond my textbooks - be it a new scientific breakthrough, a novel, or a historical event. I've carried this habit into my professional life, dedicating time each day to read about industry trends, technological advancements, market dynamics, or even a book on leadership or psychology. This habit of nurturing curiosity and continuous learning keeps me ahead of the curve, allows me to spot opportunities, and fuels innovation in my strategic decisions. It's not just about staying updated; it's about broadening your thinking and perspectives.
The biggest change in my studying happened when I started looking at my notes proactively. When you’re a busy student attending classes, studying for tests, and completing an endless stream of assignments, review your notes after class seems like an extra step that usually get skipped. But that after-class note review gives you the time to pull the teachings from your memory while they’re still relatively fresh and reflect on it. That reflection time helps transition more of the knowledge from your short-term to long-term memory so it stays put. An extra 30 minutes of reflection will save you from trying to remember or reference the material in later projects or trying to cram for an exam. In the working work, a reflection after a big meeting, important project, or development course helps me retain more of the information I need to keep!
Find mentors to provide insight on specific skills. For instance, in college, I remember consulting with particular professors to help me with assignments and job-related questions – this sparked the realization of how critical mentorship would be in my career. Having a network of mentors with their own areas of expertise is priceless.
Microproductivity is the act of breaking down projects into a workflow of smaller, manageable tasks, and it was a major breakthrough in my student days. When we staring down a big, intimidating or time-consuming project or study session, it’s difficult to get motivated to start. You know the work will be hard and the potential for failure seems high, so procrastinating takes over. The one trick that always helped me move faster was to break everything down. I’d create a timeline that split the work into tasks that took no longer than 30 minutes to complete. The smaller the chunks you break the work into, the easier it will be to find time throughout your day to complete them. The same method keeps me moving and productive today. While it’s nearly impossible to find 4 hours for uninterrupted head-down focus to work without distraction, it’s much easier to block of smaller time segments. Once you get started, you realize that is usually the hardest part of all!
CMO at Schwartzapfel Lawyers
Answered 3 years ago
Asking for help when you really need it is one best practice for staying on top of your game. Everyone needs a hand understanding a concept or idea they cannot comprehend the first time around every once and awhile. Learning to ask for help as a student is ideal because there is no better environment to, as helping understand is a teacher’s bread and butter. The positive reinforcement a good teacher gives following a question can do wonders for nurturing a healthy competitiveness in the business world later in life.
Continuous learning through reading industry publications and relevant books has been invaluable. As a student, I cultivated the habit of staying informed about current trends and developments. This practice carries over to the professional life, helping me remain updated and competitive. Regular reading broadens my perspective, fuels creativity, and equips me with insights to make better decisions. It's a simple but effective habit that ensures I'm always well-equipped to navigate the challenges comes through leading one of the largest business in my industry.
One learning habit that has helped me stay updated and competitive in the business world is networking with professionals from diverse industries. By engaging with individuals outside of my field, I gain new perspectives, insights, and knowledge that can be applied to my own business endeavors. For example, as an Eller alumni majoring in Marketing, I actively seek connections with professionals in Finance, Operations, and Human Resources. This networking practice has allowed me to understand the broader business landscape, identify emerging trends, and develop a holistic approach to problem-solving. Graduation Year: 2010.
I think most students get the shock of having to set their own priorities, and school taught me that it is up to me to choose what deserves my time. This is helpful when balancing a full academic schedule, and is absolutely crucial when you enter the workforce! You only get busier and have more responsibilities, so learning to prioritize based on your goals is something you can't learn soon enough.
I first used the Pomodoro technique to study in my dorm room, and over a decade later I'm using it to succeed at work. Set a 20-minute timer and work nonstop until the chime rings. Take a five minute break, then repeat. Every fourth Pomodoro break should be 15 minutes. You can adjust the times to suit your preferences. Once you start tracking data on how you perform each session, you begin to understand your natural productivity rhythms. That's when you really start to excel in business.
Attending annual conferences is one best practice for staying up-to-date and competitive in one’s industry. Conferences remind us that we are all part of a larger community and we can all learn something from one another. Being among industry leaders and innovators, there is an excitement that makes us more open and receptive to these new ideas, versus sitting at home trying to conceptualize them alone. Whether you have your own dialogue to share or just want to see new solutions and spark new ideas of your own, a conference is never short on learning experiences.
While you’re rarely facing the need to cram for a big test once you leave school, situations often come up unexpectedly, like trying to land an unfamiliar client, in which you might need to learn a skill or data set much faster than you’re used to. I found the best way to cram or study quickly as a student also comes in handy in those cases. Rather than trying to read endless texts and memorize them, try to attack learning through every sense - visual, auditory, touch, and reading or writing. Source relevant images, podcasts, books, videos, and discuss the topic with others in-person or via community forums. Vary the sources and lean on the ones that seem to make learning easier. Always set a timer if you’re stuck cramming. You’re far better trying to learn for shorter timeframes with ample breaks in-between - otherwise, you’ll burn out quickly and lose your ability to focus.
During my university days, I embraced the practice of cross-disciplinary learning, which has since proven invaluable in navigating the business realm. For instance, while majoring in architecture, I developed an interest in environmental studies. This led me to design sustainable, compact dwellings for a project, an idea that was novel at the time. Little did I know, this concept would become a key differentiator in my tiny home business. This business now thrives because it caters to the growing market of environmentally-conscious individuals seeking sustainable living options. Continually learning outside my field has kept me ahead of the curve, offering unique insights and fostering innovation.