Student Profile with Introduction
2.1The Importance of Motivation, Attitude, and Mindset
2.2Resilience
2.3Understanding Emotional Intelligence
2.4How Emotions Influence Success and Well-Being
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PROFILE
Gustavo Mejia, 20
Business Administration Major, South Texas College
When he was growing up in Turmero, Venezuela, Gus Mejia was encouraged by his family to attend college. “I see college as the path to the future,” he says, “one that will help me build a better life for my family.” Gus began college at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, where he took classes full-time. He quickly learned a few things that helped him succeed. “As an international student, I left important parts of my life behind when I made the decision to go to college, such as family, friends, and my country. Being alone for almost a year taught me how important it is to have a positive attitude and an optimistic spirit.” This realization didn’t come without hard work and practice. One of the most important things Gus had to learn during his first year of college was how to deal with the stress of managing college and living in a new environment.
“Going to college is not only about enjoying success and accomplishments, but also about not giving up when things get difficult or go wrong.”
Gus figured out that understanding how these stresses affected him emotionally helped him better deal with difficult situations. He also had to learn how to work with other students, no matter what their customs and beliefs. “Being able to work efficiently with different people from different backgrounds is very valuable.” Gus had the ability to understand himself and others and to get along with people in a new environment. His one piece of advice for other first-year students: “Going to college is not only about enjoying success and accomplishments, but also about not giving up when things get difficult or go wrong,” he says. “You should always ask for help because many people at the college can help you solve your problems.”
Why do some individuals struggle to handle stressful situations while others, like Gus, seem to handle them with ease? What about you? Do the stresses of daily life cause you to throw up your hands in frustration? Or have you learned to keep your cool even when life seems crazy and out of control? Although we tend to think of these abilities as personality traits that can’t be changed, these are actually a combination of attitudes, learned social and behavioral skills, and decisions, all of which are under your control.