Chapter 34

Chapter 34

What do you want out of your life?

“30.5 hours”

October 2014

And like that another fall break has come and gone. My break was much of the same; I had fun times with the family, I taught my nephew how to “dap me up,” (highlight of my break) and I was able to catch up with old friends. However, this fall break was the beginning of the end. I really hadn’t thought thoroughly about how fast college was going until my academic advising appointment this past week.

“30.5 hours… yep, that’s all you need,” said my advisor, as she smiled at me.

As I stared at the “30.5 hours needed for graduation” she had written on the notepad in front of me, I felt a bit of relief, but I also got a rush of anxiety. I can graduate college in 2 semesters, 2 semesters! Meaning, I could graduate December 2015.  

Before moving forward, I think it is pertinent that I touch on the thought of graduating early (semester early). When I began college I figured I would have the opportunity to graduate early because of credit in high school. Knowing that this would be a possibility, I started seeking advice from older students during my sophomore year. All of the advice I received told me to stay in college for the four years, they asked me, “What can you really do in a semester out of college?” They also told me that I only had 4 years (some 5) to be an undergraduate student.  I respect all of the advice I have been given, but I haven’t ruled out graduating early because I am an opportunity chaser, and I never know where God will lead me.

Currently, I still plan on graduating at the regular time, May 2016, but options are always best!

Since the end of my college career is approaching, I’m sure you’re wondering what I am feeling. Much like the roller coaster I spoke of before, my emotions are just the same. One minute I am excited and can’t wait for the future, and the next I am worried and scared about my future career/finding that “someone.” Although these worries seem pressing, I have learned that Jesus knows best, and he will lead me down the correct path.

Last week, I attended a bible study where I was posed with this question, “What do you really want for your life?” It was a question I hadn’t really thought about. In a lot of ways, I have only thought about my “worldly” goals (career, family). Never, before the bible study, had I taken a deep dive into my spiritual desires for my life.

After some thought, and I definitely recommend you spend some time in deep thought thinking about what you want for your life, I came up with a simple picture of what I desire.

I’m big on using metaphors, as I’m sure you’ve already have figured out, so here goes something:

Imagine a basket

This basket is used for eggs, something like you would carry to an Easter egg hunt. The basket has 4 sections, a large handle, and you have 12 eggs to place in the basket. There is a man holding the basket, that man, is not me, it’s God. In each section, I place 3 eggs. The sections represent 4 sections of my life (Family, Career, Health, and Social). My basket is different than your basket. It was hand weaved by God himself. He carries my basket. If he tilts my basket, the eggs crack; he is in control. He might shake my basket, raise it for others to see, but he will always be holding on to it. He will not leave my side.

If my life was perfect, that is how I would want my life. The sections represent all of the “worldly” goals of my life, but the entire basket represents my “spiritual” goals. I want to glorify God in all things I do. Although this is what I would like for my life, I know that it holds little to what God wants for my life. God will shake my basket more times than I’d like, and I realize sometimes my life will not be as balanced as I believe it should be.

This past week was eye-opening because I also heard a sermon that spoke of these things I have been worrying about. JD Grear, a well-known preacher in the RDU (Raleigh-Durham) area, spoke about finding your purpose in life. He explained that most college students worry about their career, who they are going to marry, and other small things that cause tons of anxiety. I felt as if his sermon was directly targeted towards me, it was one of those “you know you’re in the right place” moments.   

Pastor J.D. told the well-known Bible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from Daniel 3. If you’re not familiar, the three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. When they refused to bow they were thrown into a fiery furnace. All three men survived the fire because the Holy Spirit protected them. Pastor J.D.’s point and the lesson from the story was that relying on God will provide you with the best outcome.

I was touched by the sermon, and will try my best to leave every worry with God. It will be difficult, sometimes very difficult, but I have to realize that if he can protect men from fiery furnace, he can protect and guide me into my future.

 Fall Break Pics with the Parents

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Seek Guidance:

“Connections that Count”

September 2014

He’s 6 feet tall, white headed, mid-60’s, and he began working in the business field before the students in his audience were even thought about. His energy is contagious as he runs around the classroom demanding input from the 15 students. He has more “spunk” than any of the other students in the class, despite only being an adjunct professor (paid much less than a regular professor). The class, consulting for the entrepreneurial firm, is held once a week from 5-7:30 PM.  As you might notice the class is held right in the middle of dinner time, which for college students is a big deal. However, the professor’s love for business is very filling, allowing students to postpone their dinner plans. 

In past chapters I have spoken about the impact of professors, but never had I been a classroom setting like mentioned above. I am a student in the class, and I absolutely love it. Before the class began I was already excited, and immediately following the first class I felt even more excitement. 

It wasn’t until the second class that I really made the most of this classroom setting. The professor continued to amaze me with his passion for the topic. So, after the lecture I stayed to speak with him. We spoke for almost 30 minutes after class, and he even offered to give me a ride back to my dorm! It was in that moment that I realized how special the faculty and staff are at the Kenan-Flagler Business School. He took time out of his night to speak with me about something we were both passionate about, business. When you get where you going in college, work, and life, seek guidance from people who have been there before. These people are most likely willing to answer any question you may have. Just know, when you find yourself in a situation where you can learn from someone else, embrace it.

After reaching out to my professor, it was much easier to reach out to my other business professors. And as you might guess, it has been beneficial in a number of ways. For instance, if you remember back to Chapter 16, I mentioned starting a business called “Buddy’s.” One of my professors is acting as a mentor as I begin to start that company (more details to come). During this semester I have also learned something that is rarely taught. How to “listen.” 

As my parents and my friends can attest, listening (patience) has never been a strong suit of mine. However, I know that in order to be a great business person, or person in general, I must become a great listener. In order to become a better listener, I made this list

1. Listen attentively, look the speaker in the eye
2. Become an active listener, listening and then answering with questions to better understand 
3.  Attack arguments, not the person
4.  Just put your phone down, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook can wait.

The beginning of a new school year means a lot of things for many, football games, meeting up with friends, and just being back on campus. For me, the beginning of the year means all of those things, and one more. It’s time to give more campus tours, which is one of the most enjoyable things I am a part of on campus. 

My first tour of my junior year was by far the most rewarding tour that I have ever given.

My tours usually follow the same route; I begin with housing, move quickly to history (where I share my Halloween stories), I then follow with the academic section, zoom through the dining hall, and then end in the “pit” (center of campus) or the Student Union. At the end of the tour I share my experiences as a college student, sharing most of what I have told in this book. Finally, before I release the tour, I “pitch” my book by passing out my business cards. I encourage the students to read my blog and to contact me with any questions. Most of the time, that’s how it ends. I walk away, and they never see me again. However, this time it was different. 

After passing my cards around the group, one of the parents approached me. He said, “Here, I’ll give you my card, I think I know someone who can help you out.” To be honest, I didn’t know how to handle the situation, so I shook his hand, stuck the card in my pocket, and darted to class.

On my way to class, I remembered the parent giving me his business card, so I pulled it out of my pocket. 

I began to read, “NBCUniversial, hmm, Syfy. Oh my goodness.” I had just met one of the top executives of Syfy and Chiller. To keep a long story short, I was beaming when I got to class. The fact that an executive from NBCU give me his card was incredible, but mind-blowing that he said he could “help me.” I was on cloud 9. 

As soon as I finished with class for the day, I sent my new connection an email. 

Quick tip: If you make a connection, make sure to follow-up, it’s crucial!  

A week after I sent the email, we had scheduled a phone interview. The phone interview was awesome. I learned a tremendous amount in the 30 minutes I spoke with him. Here are some of the things he told me: “Whatever you do don’t lose your drive and enthusiasm” and “Continue to be appreciative.” 

For now, I’ll leave you with that. If something BIG happens, you’ll know, trust me. (Internship…perhaps?)

Quick tip: First impressions, might be the last impression. 

In college, you’ll learn quickly that some people are great at networking (speaking with professionals), and others aren’t. However, we all must learn how to network effectively because it is a crucial tool to the path to success. 

During the fall semester, universities/colleges host internship and job fairs. This allows for all students, no matter the major, to learn about opportunities for the upcoming summer. An internship fair is a great time to use your networking skills. The fairs usually have employers from all around, from all different fields. I really enjoyed the time at the internship fair because it opened my eyes to opportunities that I hadn’t even thought about. If you’re not great at networking with employers, use this platform to practice. The more you speak to employers, the better you will become. 

Every person I have met during my life has benefited me in some way. Maybe they passed me the “rock,” helped me on homework, or maybe career advice, no matter how crucial they were, they have left an impact. While in college, or in life, make connections that count.   

 My man Toby and I during an Internship Fair (Business Symposium)

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Chapel Hill Round 3:

Click.Click.Click “Hang on”

August 18, 2014

Have you ever been on a roller coaster? A really big roller coaster? I’m not talking about a community fair roller coaster, but a coaster that takes you hundreds of feet in the air just to drop you at speeds of 80-100 MPHs.

In a lot of ways the college journey is a lot like a roller coaster. It seems like you’re in line forever, as you await the ride, when you finally get on the coaster you have mixed emotions (scared, excited, etc.). The trip of the hill is a lot like the first two years. It is quite stressful for some, for others it’s a time to relax, and some like me, enjoy screaming like a man before I scream like a girl on the way down.

Currently in my journey I am atop the hill. I have reflected on my past experiences, but nothing can change that. That coaster (my life) will continue, and I believe the best is yet to come.

Back to the roller coaster analogy:

The last two years is the rest of the ride. Before you know it you have zoomed down the hill, screamed your head off, and have arrived back at the station. You unlatch the harnesses (cap and gown) and you walk away. Some walk away with tears, laughter, and most had a life changing experience.

As FDOC (First Day of Class) approaches it is still hard to comprehend that I am a junior. With that “upperclassman” title comes different feelings than that of an underclassman.

Since I chose to live in a dorm again I live around underclassman. Most of which I don’t recognize, although I actually enjoy that. More people I don’t know, means more people I get to meet.

Packing was also a different story. Each year (dorm life) I have brought less and less. The time it takes to pack also takes about a day, which in comparison took an entire summer when I was an upcoming freshman.

Finally it has been difficult slowing down and getting into a routine. If you do and I hope you will have exciting summers like I have had, coming back to school is actually slower paced. It didn’t take me long to realize that college is much easier than the real world.

One of my close friends at UNC, known as @THERoyWood on twitter taught me a valuable lesson this summer. The simple premise of “staying relevant.” The story behind the “stay relevant” movement is actually quite funny, yet it has a lot of truth to it. He asked me how I thought the Kardashians stayed so popular in everyday society. I looked at him as blankly as I possibly could, and said I don’t know, they just do. “Exactly.” His simple response. He said that they stay relevant, although their relevance is often frowned upon, they are always “making moves.” With all of that being said, Stay Relevant during your college journey. Continue to try new things because nobody will remember someone who had an unbelievable first two years, and then just disappeared in the following two years. As Roy says it, just Stay Relevant.

I used to be deathly scared of roller coasters. Every time I would consider hopping on a coaster my dad would tell me the exact same thing. “It only lasts a minute or two and I know you will like it.” College is a lot like a roller coaster ride, and I think I bought a pretty good ticket. I’m about to make the most of these next two years.

Just a side note:

For those of you who don’t recall, I post the chapters via blog posts to share my journey with family, friends, and students. With these posts I have received numerous emails and messages regarding questions and concerns about college. Whenever or wherever you are reading this, never hesitate to reach out.

Austin Helms

Email: austinhelms32@gmail.com

Twitter: @HelmoftheHill

 Selfie with Dad because he actually got scared on this coaster. 

X2 Six Flags- Magic Mountain