Written by: Cosme Lozano

Be respectful and cultivate a good sense of morals – These are two of the most important skills anyone, of any age can learn and apply into their lives. Having respect and morals are skills that will not only take you far in your profession, but also in life. You should have respect for everyone you work for or with, and you should apply good morals; to improve any situations you are in.

Time management – Time management is a skill college students will need to learn at one point or another. Good time management should provide the individual with a relatively set schedule of what they’ll be doing for that day, week, or month. Set time aside for classes, doing homework, studying, eating, and of course time to recharge and recover!

Be the person who takes INITIATIVE! – People and organizations love it when people step up without having to be told to do so. This is something that will never change. Be the person in your workplace or class that steps up and does the work. Be the person who suggests new ideas that improve the situation. It’s when you do this that people will give you more responsibility. Do a good job with that extra responsibility and move on up! Who knows, a promotion could be in your future…

Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Once students get to college, they often realize they can’t do everything alone. There is going to come a time where you need help, either from the teacher or a fellow student. Do not be afraid to ask for help in those scenarios. Asking for help is not a shameful thing. People and employers like having problem solvers, but if you truly cannot solve the task don’t be afraid to ask. Some people take asking for help as a sign of weakness, when in reality it is a sign for a person who is honest and upfront. Those are strengths.

Be a team player- There are times where we all have to be team players. Sometimes you have to do what’s best for others or the majority. That’s just how it goes sometimes. This is a very important skill to have in the workplace, but also for when you are among family and friends. You are not always going to get what you want and sometimes you just have to do what’s best for the team, rather than the individual.

Sometimes you have to be assertive – Being assertive is not always a bad thing. Speaking up for yourself and creating proper boundaries at the workplace, or with others, is a skill that is needed as you get older. Being assertive is a great way to make sure people do not silence your ambitions. Using this skill effectively can open doors for you, and it will show others that you have bright ideas. Having said that, it is important to not over do this. Being too assertive can make you appear confrontational and people may stray away from that.