7 tips for crushing a new PR school semester

Originally published on my old website on September 5, 2017.

Summer’s gone and fall is here. Autumn means more than cold weather, Halloween candy, and pumpkin spice lattes. Fall means the start of a new semester for PR students.

Whether you’re a new student in PR, or returning to campus, here are 7 quick tips for you to make the most of the start of the new school year.

1. On the first day of class, arrive early! 

No, I don’t mean arrive five minutes early. When I say early, I mean 15-30 minutes early. Don’t worry, this isn’t necessary to do every class for the whole semester. But if there’s one theme I’m going to hammer home on this list, it's this: first impressions matter.

When the professor arrives, and you’re already there, set up and ready to learn, that sends them a few key messages about you – you’re punctual, you’re excited for their course and you’re ready on day one. Most of the time this gives you a chance for one-on-one conversation with the professor before they meet the other students. This is helpful for making a lasting impression.

Also, when the professor comes in, stand up and shake their hand. A little courtesy can go a long way.

2. Dress to impress 

Again, don’t worry. I’m not suggesting formal attire. You don’t have to out-dress the professor. The question here is – what do you want your appearance to say about you as a student? Professors understand that students are busy. During exam season, they won’t think twice about seeing students in pyjamas.

But for that first class, set a professional tone. Dressing respectfully shows readiness, confidence, maturity and respect.

3. See professors during office hours 

PR professors will set aside office hours for students to come see them. The challenge is many students don’t and the few who do, do so mostly because they need the professor to do something for them in a pinch (e.g. grant an extension). What would you think of someone who only approached you when they needed you to do something for them?

We’re in the business of relationship building. Relationships are not one-sided. Showing up in the first two weeks to see your professor may be time well spent. Ask questions that demonstrate interest in the subject and professor. For example, ‘can you recommend any other resources related to the course I should look at?’ or ‘what PR books or resources are you currently reading?”.

Being eager is not a bad thing and it’s not sucking up to be curious about the industry you’re entering and the people who have worked in it.

On the flip side of this, however…

4. Remember your professors are not your BFFs 

Treat school like work. When you do, this will mean an easy transition to working life after graduation. Many people, especially millennials, don’t understand the difference between a productive working relationship and a friendship. Your professor may be warm and welcoming to you, may communicate with you out-of-class and may even offer up personal information about themselves. This does not mean you’re friends.

The old rules still apply – sex, politics and religion should be off-limits for discussion with your professors. When emailing your prof, don't start the email with 'hey', 'yo' or 'how's it goin'?'. On that note, remember your profs check your social media, especially if you’re asking them to recommend you for a role.

Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want to explain in class.

5. Apply for scholarships 

Most schools offer scholarships. Some offer media students/PR/communications scholarships specifically. There are a number of student awards, grants and bursaries you may qualify for. There are a growing amount of PR firms and organizations which offer support to students.

You’d be amazed how few students bother to apply (and yet complain about being broke). For very little work, you can receive up to several thousand dollars in tuition discounts or cold, hard cash. It’s worth it. Ask about these and apply for all the ones you’re eligible for.

6. Get involved 

I remember being in first semester of first year and our professor let us know about two volunteer opportunities that had opened up. Many new students decided that they were either too early in their education to worry about volunteering or too inexperienced to get the roles. I applied for both and got both. These opportunities gave me chances to expand my network, learn about internship openings and gain valuable experience and insight.

PR is a growing industry but it’s also a bubble. It’s not hard to make your name known in the field and find opportunities. Part of success in PR is mustering up the courage to do it. There’s no magic and no arrival date. If you’re inexperienced, apply for as much as you can until you get opportunities and build experience. If you’re in first year, start planning out how to make the most of your time at school. This includes volunteering and work opportunities.

7. Have fun! 

Whether you’re new, or returning to school, PR classes can seem overwhelming. Ranging from statistics to writing and public speaking to law and ethics, PR education today is wide-ranging and intensive. It’s easy to get discouraged or feel like you can’t do it. Remember – you totally can do it and you will!

The first step is believing in yourself. If you’re struggling, ask for help. Your classmates, professors and campus staff want you to succeed. Above all, stay positive. Refuse to complain when homework comes. Get rid of the phrase ‘I can’t do it’. Don’t look for a lighter burden but broader shoulders.

Imagine where you’ll be in ten years. It’s worth it.