Finding Personal and Professional Success as an Accounting Student
By Amelia Yann, Middle Tennessee State University TSCPA Student Ambassador
Achievements in academics can lead to future success as a professional. Your coursework and activities are preparing you to handle a real-world job situation, which can require extra effort and time. Nowadays, that extra time is hard to find for many people. The time required to also have a social life and take care of yourself can seem impossible to find, but a well-adjusted work and social life can play a big part in your academic success. Balancing school with everything else might present some challenges, but hopefully the following points can guide you towards behaviors and habits that lead to success as a student and future professional.
Prioritize and Organize
This can be applied to anything, from your day-to-day schedule to your yearly calendar. Take a step back and look at the big picture of your life. When do your classes or organizations begin and end? How many hours can you work weekly? What big projects or deadlines require more time or planning? Asking yourself these things can help you set “big picture” goals. These goals can then be broken down into weekly and daily tasks that are more manageable and therefore more achievable! Writing daily and weekly tasks in one place and organizing them by deadline and importance will help you focus on what you need to do and when you need to get things done.
“NO” Your Limits
Many students have other obligations outside of class. Commitments like jobs, clubs and hobbies are helpful to developing yourself as an individual but might demand quite a bit of your time. Create a schedule that balances your academic and work obligations with your social life, and do not be afraid to set boundaries. If you do not feel like you have the time or interest in something, say “no” and stick to it. Find the groups and activities that bring meaning to your student experience and that you genuinely like. It will make college much more enjoyable for you!
Build a Network
It is so important to have both a professional network and a personal support network to be successful in college. The teachers and professionals you interact with during college are there as resources and supporters as you continue to grow. They want to help you become better, so do not be afraid to reach out and ask questions! You should also surround yourself with people (in and out of your major) that care about you. Peers, friends and family can help you through a difficult time or even just listen and give advice - their perspective could help you see or approach things in your life in a different way.
Take Care of Yourself!
Maintaining your mental, physical and emotional health is crucial to your long-term success. Create easy daily routines that prioritize your health. Also, take time for breaks from your work. It can be something as simple as a five-minute walk or even taking a night to eat dinner with a friend. Stepping away from your work is an excellent opportunity to check in and make sure you are still able to give your best to what you are doing.