Celebrating Small Wins
Searching for a job or internship while navigating life as a student can feel daunting, not to mention in the environment of general uncertainty this year has brought on. Despite the challenges, ECS has seen students persist in this changing landscape and we think that this is something to be celebrated! We want to remind students that in any search for employment, there are ways that you too can celebrate your own achievements, no matter how big or small. Keep reading for some tips on how you can honor your hard work every step of the way.
Set achievable goals
Think back to the biggest project or assignment you have completed so far in your coursework. You most likely laid out a game plan for this project, including dates by which you wanted to have aspects of the project completed and small goals for yourself throughout the process. This technique translates well to your job search and can be easily implemented! For example, each week you could set the following goals: spend one hour searching for and bookmarking open positions on Handshake, reach out to two alum on LinkedIn, and complete three applications. That way, instead of doing all of the applications, researching, networking, and more in a small period of time, you have attainable goals each week to prevent feeling stressed and burned out. Additionally, as you are keeping track of goal completion, you can celebrate each step you are taking and feel accomplished!
Write it out
Start a journal, mark your calendar, or provide space in an agenda to write down your plan and cross out the action items as you go. Research has shown that those who write out their goals become 42% more likely to achieve them! This technique allows you to acknowledge every effort you have made and serves as a reminder of your persistence. Besides, how good does it feel to be able to cross something off of your to-do list?
Share your progress with others
Find someone in your life, whether it is a roommate, friend, or family member, that you can share your accomplishments with. This is a great way to celebrate your progress and small wins, and having a strong support system serves as a great tool for collecting advice or venting if you need it. Keep this person updated and have them there for a well-deserved high five or “good job!” for each victory. This will help keep you motivated throughout the entire process.
Schedule time for yourself
Don’t forget to allocate some time for the things that bring you joy and allow you to relax. Eating a healthy meal, taking a walk through campus, and getting a good night’s rest are great first steps. Spend some time listening to your favorite music, watching a funny show on Netflix, or facetiming your friends. All of your hard work deserves to be celebrated, and taking some time for yourself allows you to re-calibrate, de-stress, and avoid burnout.
Whatever method you use to acknowledge your hard work and effort is up to you! The ideas listed above are just some ways that you can get started, and the big takeaway is that you choose something that allows you to reflect on your progress. Your achievements are worth celebrating and you deserve to be proud!
Want to discuss more ways that you can manage stress and avoid burnout while achieving your career and academic goals? Find more resources on these topics from the Counseling and Consultation Services and reach out to our Embedded Clinical Therapist.
“Don’t try to rush progress. Remember – a step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Keep believing.” - Kara Goucher
