Category: Student Succes Coaching

We have just about come to the middle of summer, and to those of you who are not in school, I hope you are kicking back, relaxing, and making the most of your well-deserved break. But we also want to help you ensure you have a fantastic post-summer experience, as well.  Last month, we encouraged you to take some time to reflect on the past academic year. Make sure you celebrate your accomplishments and learn from any challenges you faced and overcame. We also suggested that summer is a great time to build connections and expand your network. Attend networking events, finding internships, or industry-specific programs to enhance your skills and gain practical experience is a great power move. Build relationships that can help shape your career and open doors for future opportunities. In addition to those two, here are a few more:

Explore new areas: Use this free time to explore new places, whether it’s visiting a different city, embarking on a road trip, or even venturing abroad. Traveling not only broadens your horizons but also allows you to experience new cultures, make lifelong memories, and maybe even discover hidden passions.

Pursue a hobby or passion: Use the extra time to delve into a hobby or pursue a passion project that you’ve been postponing during the semester. Whether it’s painting, writing, playing an instrument, or even starting a small business, follow your passions and let your creativity soar.

Most importantly, Take care of yourself, Recharge:  Use this summer break as an opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate your mind and body. Remember to prioritize self-care during this break. Get enough rest, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and take time for yourself. Engage in activities that make you happy and reduce stress. This way, you’ll approach the upcoming academic year with a refreshed mind and rejuvenated spirit.

Remember, this post-summer period is a unique chance for personal growth, exploration, and self-discovery. Make the most of it by trying new things, expanding your horizons, and taking care of yourself.

Team FocusQuest wishes you all an amazing and fulfilling summer break!

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a crucial role in American education, providing opportunities for African American students to receive quality higher education when options were limited. These institutions have produced influential leaders, innovators, and changemakers who have contributed significantly to various fields. However, HBCUs face unique challenges that hinder their growth and impact, with one of the most pressing issues being the ongoing funding challenge. 

HBCUs often struggle with financial stability due to a significant funding gap compared to predominantly white institutions (PWIs). This disparity arises from various factors, including historical and systemic inequalities, limited endowments, and reduced access to external funding sources. 

How can HBCUs innovatively move forward? It starts with change.

At the core of every HBCU is the richness of its culture and strong sense of community. Students, faculty, and staff are all part of a close-knit, supportive, and welcoming community. One question school administrators must contemplate is, How to incorporate innovative strategies from external vendors without losing the best part of the school- its culture? 

If we’re honest, change isn’t easy and can be scary. As a business consultant, I know this too well. Although change is difficult, we must remain relevant and impactful. 

Change management provides a structured approach and set of processes to transition individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. The typical steps in change management include: 

• Define the need for change to identify and clearly articulate the reasons and drivers behind the need for change; 
• Develop a change management strategy that outlines the approach, objectives, and critical activities for managing the change; 
• Formulate a change management team to oversee and drive the initiative; 
• Conduct a change impact assessment on various aspects of the organization, such as processes, systems, roles, responsibilities, and culture; 
• Communicate the plan; and 
• Provide training and support. 

Let’s face it. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Transitioning to where you want the organization to be regarding using innovative strategies to acquire and retain students and building robust online and in-person programs will take time. And equally important, you want to ensure that you don’t lose the core of who you are along the way. I get it! If you want to learn how to implement change management in your organization, email info@focusquest.com. We’re here to help! 

And just like that, the semester is over. Can you believe it? It feels like only yesterday we were opening our laptops and diving into the syllabus. Now it’s time to take a deep breath and reset. We know there are some of you who are going to just keep going through the summer, taking classes and continuing your path to graduation. But for others of you, classes are over until fall. While it’s important to take this time to rest and recoup, let’s not forget to keep our minds active. Between the trips and the fun, take a little time to casually review what you’ve learned throughout the school year. It will help reinforce your knowledge and keep your brain in tip-top shape for the next semester.

Summer break also presents fantastic opportunities for personal and professional development. Consider applying for summer internships in your field of interest. They can provide valuable experience and propel you closer to your goals. Summer is also an ideal time to seek out mentors. Connect with professionals in your industry or alumni who can offer guidance and insights into your chosen career path. The wisdom of mentors can be invaluable as you navigate your academic and professional journey.

Additionally, don’t overlook the possibility of securing scholarships. Look for scholarships tailored to students in your field or at your college level. Every little bit helps when it comes to covering the cost of education, and many students have managed to finance their entire education by just dedicating time to finding scholarships during the summer.

So, take the time to rest and recharge, but don’t drop it all. Ask yourself, what will your September self say to your June self once September arrives?  Will you look back and say, “I’m really glad I did what I did to help get myself ready!” Or will you say, “I wish I had done more to prepare myself.” Dedicate a little time to prepare yourself for the upcoming semester. Trust us, you’ll be thrilled that you did when the new academic year rolls around.

So, from the whole FocusQuest Team…Enjoy your summer break and make the most of it!

We, here at FocusQuest, would like to take a moment to congratulate and celebrate you for where you are right now in your semester. It may have been a long and challenging journey, but I’m sure you’ve shown incredible determination and resilience in pushing through and getting this far. Whether you’re a freshman just staring out or a senior about to graduate, you should be incredibly proud of yourself for all that you’ve accomplished so far.

For those of you who are already finished, CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve worked hard to get to this point and now can take a well-deserved break before the next chapter of your academic life or professional life begins. You should feel proud of your achievements and confident in your ability to succeed in whatever you have chosen to do next.

For those of you who are almost there, keep pushing! The end is in sight, and you’ve got this! It can be tempting to let up and coast to the finish line, but I encourage you to stay focused and finish strong. Don’t let all the hard work you’ve put in so far go to waste. Make every effort to do your best in these final weeks and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Remember, your hard work and dedication have gotten you this far, and that’s something to be incredibly proud of. Whether you’re graduating or continuing on to the next semester, take a moment to reflect on all that you have achieved and the challenges you’ve overcome. Wow!
Keep up the great work, stay focused, and finish strong! We are cheering you on every step of the way!

It’s April and spring is upon us. For some, we have the opportunity to see nature literally wake up before our eyes. The science of spring has proven to increase our mood, well-being, and energy. Simply taking time to observe the beautiful changes can allow us to be more present, grounded, and connected. Create space- even if just for a moment- to take it all in and breathe; be still from the work of life and breathe.   

Let the transforming landscape also serve as a reminder that everything, and everyone, requires a reset, a renewal of sorts. Because sometimes, as days, weeks, and months go by, we panic about all the things we planned at the beginning of the year that we have yet to complete and, in some cases, start. Or, we may be so focused on what we determined at the beginning of the year that we don’t see or consider new opportunities. Whatever our situation, every day we wake up with breath in our lungs, we can and should take advantage of the restart.

 So, let’s break it down like this: April is the first month of the year’s second quarter. Technically, that’s a new beginning, right? Make this season of your life about starting fresh. Reflect on how you started the year. Make sure to celebrate the big and small wins [be grateful]; acknowledge any losses and don’t dwell there [honor wholeness and truth]; pivot as necessary [plan + be in the moment]; and keep moving forward [take action, every day]. 

Grant yourself grace to intentionally reset, recalibrate to center, and truly bloom in this season, fully walking out the life for which you were created. Are you with me?