Communicate Today

We all do it. We open our mouths to say something and instead end up putting our foot in our mouth. Or, maybe you have inadvertently offended someone and wondered how to handle it. Regardless of the specifics, most of us have found ourselves in a position of apologizing at least once in our lives.

Saying you’re sorry is not exactly the easiest thing to do, and many people feel uncomfortable when they have to have these types of conversations. You are admitting guilt, something no one likes to do, and you probably feel ashamed for hurting someone else. These are understandable feelings, but by taking a few steps, you can be more comfortable during the conversation and give a more sincere apology.

Recognize the Wrong

First, realize what you have done wrong. Maybe it has come to your attention that a comment you made at a party offended the host, or maybe you are thinking back on a meeting at work and realized you may have come across wrong. Whatever it is, realize there is something that needs to be fixed.

Say You’re Sorry

Once you’ve realized an apology is in order, don’t beat around the bush. Get in touch with the person you have offended and tell them you realize you were hurtful and are very sorry. Don’t make any excuses or try to explain away your offense. A simple explanation that you didn’t realize what you said or you didn’t phrase your opinion well, when applicable, is enough.

Fix the Problem

After you apologize, ask if there is anything you can do to fix the problem you caused. You could offer to clear things up with others who you spread a rumor to, or you could offer to help the person with another need they have. Usually there isn’t anything you can do to completely take away the offense, but trying to turn the action around can do more than make a sticky situation better, it can prove to your friend that you truly are sorry.

Never Do it Again

Once you’ve straightened things out with the person you apologized to, never commit the offense again. In fact, after you apologize and ask if there is anything you can do to fix the problem, tell the person that you will never do it again. This shows that you are gracious, realize the harm in what you did, and don’t ever want to repeat the offense.

Apologizing isn’t always the easiest thing to do. However, by following these simple steps, making amends is a little easier, and your apology more sincere.

You’ve worked hard at your current job for over a year, and are ready to ask for a raise. But, how do you do it? The thought of walking into your boss’ office and asking him to raise your salary scares you to death. Rest assured, you can do this, and it won’t be as terrifying as you think it will be.

Be Confident

Confidence helps your professional image. Show your boss you are confident by standing up straight and making eye contact. Speak clearly and with your goal of securing a raise in mind. Don’t be arrogant, but be confident!

Don’t Beat Around the Bush

It’s best to get straight to the point when you ask for a raise. Preface your request with a few statements that tell your boss why you deserve to be paid more, then go directly into your request. When you begin your conversation, your boss will most likely know where it is headed, so no need to take forever getting to the point.

Talk About Results

When you are telling your boss why you deserve a raise, tell them about results you have helped the company achieve. For example, if you are asking for a raise of your project manager salary, tell your boss that the projects you have overseen have helped increase the bottom line. If you work as an accountant, mention the fact that the invoices you send out always go out on time. If you have recently been given more responsibility, this can be mentioned as another reason for a raise.

Be Willing to Compromise

It’s a fact of life that we don’t always get what we want. When you go in to ask for a raise, be prepared to compromise on time or amount. Maybe your boss can secure your raise if you can keep sales where they are for the next month. Or, maybe the company can give you a 10 percent raise, but not a 12 percent raise. If you’re willing to compromise, you’ll not only get more than you already have, but you’ll prove yourself to be a good team player.

Asking for a raise is scary. But, by being confident and communicating clearly, you can show your boss that the results you help bring to the company are worthy of a bigger pay check.

Your roommate has done it again. You go to the fridge to fix some dinner, and realize your room mate has used the ingredients you need. You go to the cupboard and realize they have also eaten your mac and cheese. You know it’s time to do something, time to talk to your roommate, but how?

Approaching your roommate about annoying habits like stealing food, leaving the door unlocked or playing music too loud, is never a fun thing to do. However, it can be worth it, and it can make your living situation better, so you’ll both be happier.

The first thing to remember is to make sure you don’t approach your roommate in an accusatory way. Pointing fingers and placing blame will get you nowhere, and fast. People tend to get defensive, shut down and stop listening if they feel they are being blamed for something.

Instead, try coming to your roommate with a solution in mind. Think of ways the problem can be solved, besides telling your roommate to knock it off. If your problem is that they eat your groceries, you could label the packages that are yours. When you approach your roommate, say something like “Hey, so we don’t get our food mixed up, I am going to label mine. Would it be possible for you to check with me before you borrow something?”

This approach is much more open and friendly. It shows your roommate that you are willing to work out a compromise and aren’t there to start a fight. Approaching problems in a positive, open way will lead to solutions much faster. It will also help maintain roommate relationships and can even repair broken friendships.

As you face roommate issues, from storage space to annoying habits, try to approach the roommate with a solution, and watch how willing they will be to work things out with you.

Can you even remember a time before texting? Lots of students today can’t. Texting has been around as long as they can remember and from the time they got their first cell phone, they have been sending hundreds, maybe even thousands of text messages each month.

However, texting isn’t always the communication method of choice; or at least, it shouldn’t be. There are times when a text message isn’t appropriate and there are problems that can arise from text conversations.

1. Wrong Time

Sometimes, a conversation deserves a more personal touch than texting can offer. For example, if you have bad news for someone or if you want to tell your girlfriend it’s time to take it to the next level. Both of these conversations are very personal, and can be quite serious. Therefore, do yourself a favor and skip the texts. The person you are talking to will feel much more valued, and you’ll do a much better job at communicating the news.

2. Wrong Impression

Since text messages are so short, and often abbreviated, it is extremely easy to misinterpret them. In fact, there is a whole website dedicated to texts gone bad. Things can be taken out of context, the wrong tone can be implied, and before you know it, the person you are sending texts to has the completely wrong idea. Whether you’re just having a friendly conversation, or trying to get help from a tutor for your accounting classes, you’ll give a much better impression in person.

3. Wrong Relationship

Sometimes, people become text buddies. This means that you hardly ever talk to each other on the phone, let alone in person. The only communication you have with this person is through texting. These kinds of relationships are not healthy for either of you. True friends build personal relationships, the kind that can only be strengthened by spending time face to face. So, instead of building friendships through your phone, try building them in person.

While texting can be a handy way to send a quick note to someone, it can be dangerous if it is relied on. Watch your step and don’t let texting ruin your relationships!

Sometimes it’s hard to have all your roommates on the same page. Especially if you were assigned roommates and didn’t know the people you now live with before you checked in to your apartment. Since everyone comes from different backgrounds and has different personalities, it’s not always easy to communicate with each other.

However, it is possible to communicate with your messy roommate, the roommate who refuses to make more room in the fridge, and yes, even the roommate whose music is so loud you can barely hear yourself think, let alone talk to her.

Clear the Air

If there is ever conflict in your apartment, ignoring it won’t solve anything. Just hoping a problem will go away hardly ever does the trick. Being passive agressive doesn’t help either. So, next time there is an issue between roommates, stop ignoring it, stop writing notes to each other, and just clear the air. Bring up any problems you have in a polite way and with an attitude that shows you want to help resolve the problem. This way, your roommate won’t feel cornered and you will be a part of the solution, not the problem.

Keep an Open Door

Keeping a positive environment in the apartment goes a long way in roommate communication. Try to always be approachable and open so your roommates feel they can talk to you. Chances are, the attitude will be contagious and before you know it your roommates will have the same attitude. When all the people living in your apartment feel free to open up, fewer problems will arise. And, when they do, they will quickly be resolved.

Stay Positive

Whatever you do, always take the positive approach. Instead of pointing fingers, placing blame and telling others to change, be willing to work as part of a group. As your hard-to-live-with roommates see that you are willing to work through problems and even make some changes yourself, they will be much more likely to help fix issues that arise.

Getting along with roommates is part of college and communicating well can make it a positive experience. Next time you sense tension rising in your apartment, keep these tree tips in mind and you’ll be on your way to resolving roommate problems.

If you need a higher grade to qualify for your major or to keep your graduate school scholarships, talking to your teacher about raising your grade is a great place to start.

However, it’s not always easy to approach the person who seems to hold your future in the palm of his or her hand. It can be daunting to talk to professors, let alone when you are asking for their help. But, rest assured. Most teachers are more than happy to help their students find ways to raise their grade. In fact, they will probably be delighted that you are working to salvage your grade instead of just giving up.

How do you do it? Here’s a few tips to help you approach your professor about your grade.

1. Be Flexible

Professors are usually very busy. Be polite and request a meeting time within their already scheduled office hours. Work around their schedule, don’t expect them to work around yours.

2. Be Humble

When you meet with your professor, go with a humble attitude. Remember, you are the one asking for a favor, and they are the one that can help you out of the hole you’ve found yourself in. Express gratitude for the time they are taking to speak with you.

3. Be Direct

Instead of beating around the bush, and wasting both your and your teacher’s time, just be direct. Explain that your grade is not where you would like it to be and that you are willing to work to fix it. Be sure to stress the part about working hard. Professors are much more willing to work with students who are willing to work for their grades than those who expect hand outs.

4. Be Clear

As you talk with your teacher about ways to raise your grade (extra credit, re-doing assignments, etc.), take some notes. Ask questions on anything you are unsure about. When you are done with the conversation, glance down at your notes to make sure you have everything you need. Then, quickly sum up what was decided upon. An example might be: “So, I can re-do last week’s assignment and I will get this extra credit report to you by the end of the week.” Stating the compromise aloud is a way to make sure you are both on the same page.

5. Be Grateful

After you’ve completed the tasks assigned by your professor, send her an email or stop by her office to thank her for the time she spent helping you and the opportunity she gave you to do better in her class. Everyone deserves thanks when they lend a hand, and if you need this teacher’s help again, they may be more willing to give it if you were grateful the first time around.

Talking to your teacher about ways to raise your grade can be scary. Just remember that most professors are more than happy to work with their students; it’s their job. Remember these five tips as you sit down to talk about your grade and you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish.