COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Networking and Communication

College is essentially one huge networking event that has been cleverly camouflaged as education. Your communication skills will determine whether you become “that quiet kid in the corner” or “the one everyone calls when the group project is due.” Verbal communication doesn’t imply that you have to talk all the time it is a matter of understanding the time to speak, the time to listen, and also knowing how not to sound like you are performing for a TED Talk every time you introduce yourself.

The trick? Just keep it simple. A bit of humor also works. Whether you are having a chat with professors, classmates, or the cafeteria staff who secretly control your happiness (and food portions), concentrate on good communication; be clear, respectful, and aware that sarcasm is not always understood by all social settings (especially group projects). Networking in college is not fake friendship; it is just meeting people who will not you ignore your texts later in life. Your groups for projects might not be your friends later on, but remember to be respectful to them to expand your network.

Conflict Resolution & Roommate Hacks

In casual setting

Living with a roommate is essentially being part of a social experiment that challenges your patience and tolerance on a daily basis. The typical issues that arise with roommates can be the annoying ones (e.g. different sleep schedules) or the "If you put one more wet towel on my bed, I swear to God..." kind of chaos. However, instead of jumping into a full drama, you might want to try a conflict resolution method with your roommate. Talking first, threatening later. If your roommate is mentally troubled, stressed, or anxious and let’s be honest, who isn’t in college then you should communicate in a healthy way rather than being judgmental. A simple "Hey, are you okay?" can do wonders. Sometimes, they are not being annoying on purpose; they are just overwhelmed. Conversely, if your roommate is like a hurricane in human form, you better set your limits right away. Having a shared space does not mean that you have to share your sanity. Secondly, a piece of advice: you should always label your food. The reason is that you might be surprised to find out the number of friendships that have ended due to people stealing Maggi.

In formal setting

Formal communication is not about using big words or giving a monotonous "Yes, sir" type of answer. What it is really about is showing that you have everything under control even if your mind is somewhat confused. Your communication skills are the only thing that separates the characters of the movie from the group of "confident and composed" actors and the others who cluelessly stammer, "uhhh, so yeah..." These skills are nothing if not crucial, especially when handling a group presentation, going for an interview, or attending that awkward meeting where all members seem to have forgotten the art of eye contact.

Communication of a basic kind is what you should focus on first: make your verbal communication clear and concise. There is no need to fill every awkward silence with "basically" or "like". Try to slow down your speech a little, take a deep breath (radical, I know), and really listen to the other person's words rather than preparing your answer while he or she is talking. You should be amazed at how professional you sound when you don’t cut other people off.

If you care to promote healthy communication in formal situations, then you have to understand that this also entails being able to decide when not to talk. It is not every meeting that requires your opinion and also not every disagreement is a debate to be won. To calm yourself and practice respectful language, try saying "I see your point" or "That's an interesting perspective" - not only does it take the pressure off you, but it also makes you appear as if you have read management books.

Non-verbal cues can be extremely helpful as well: don’t slump in your chair, make sure that your hands are in a viewable position, and maintain eye contact without overdoing it. A real smile (not the "help me, I’m dying inside" kind) is worth a lot more than you may think.

Also, here is a fantastic fact that only a handful of people are aware of – successful communicators are not necessarily the most loud people in the room; they are the ones with the most clear communication. If it is professional emailing, stating your viewpoint, or meeting an important person for the first time, do it in a humble way but at the same time be confident. Simply due to the fact that no one is fond of that person who, in reality, seems like a LinkedIn post coming to life.

ALCOHOL AND AWARNESS

To be truthful, alcohol and college are something that work together in a very similar way to the relationship between deadlines and procrastination. However, the fact is that enjoyment must not be limited to a hangover and a lost shoe. Knowing your restrictions is not "not cool", it is a wise way of keeping yourself alive. The aim is to have the next day a memoir of the evening, and not as if it had been a crime scene that you need to put back together.
There are people who are of the opinion that getting blackout drunk is one’s personality, whom you will come across. It is not true. The real self-assurance is not the quantity of alcohol that you consume but it is the act of telling “I’m good” without flinching when another round is handed to you. Being aware of alcohol means that your body, your decisions, and your limits are not something that people can comment on. In case you feel uncomfortable, you should exit. In case your friend is looking uncomfortable, you should make him/her feel comfortable. It is not that you are a buzzkill, it means that your are looking out for yourself and your friends.

COCKTAIL RECIPES

HANGOVER CURES

The worst hangover that could happen to us all is the morning after the "best night ever" when our head feels like it is being hit repeatedly and our stomach seems to revolt. Thirst should be the first thing on your body's list of necessities. In order to turn your body back on again, here are a few simple, real (and a bit desperate) hangover cures which really work.

CRY FOR WATER

Get yourself accustomed with the simplest water. Not a cup of coffee, not a can of soda, just pure and simple water. Your body is an all-time low in water after sleeping for eight hours, and your liver is getting overworked with detox while your skin is quietly waiting. Don’t give up on your water intake; think less of it as relaxation and more as a remedy that will help you with your day.

ELECTROLYTE DRINKS

This should be your next choice. All such as coconut water, sports drinks, and rehydration tablets are great helpers to your body to regain what it has lost during your “fun.” Though these drinks may not be miracles, they could be compared to the most advanced wizard potions in case you feel half-alive.

Here are some tried and tested cure (amazon and blinkit links):

Amazon links:

BlinkIt Links:

EAT SOMETHING

Greasy food is not only a delight; it also happens to be a regret absorber. A greasy breakfast with eggs, toast, or even leftover pizza is a way of giving your body a little support while your system is getting back to normal. If it is within your capability, go for banana and toast; carbs for energy, potassium for recovery, and no work at all. And in case you are unfamiliar with cooking, check out our page.

NAP AND SHOWER

Sleep is definitely the best medicine. A quick nap will rejuvenate your brain, slow down the metabolism of your liver and simply give your perception a rest from the annoying ringing in your ears. A power nap of about 30 minutes will also help you to get back to your senses faster as your body will still need some time to recover. A shower sometimes can do more than it seemed to. A warm shower works as a muscle relaxant and also increases the blood flow, while a cold shower gives you an adrenaline boost.