Hey guys, Im joining OT school within a month (!!!) and while I am excited, I will be in a cohort with 47 other students. We will all be in all the classes together so we will be spending alot of time together. How can I stay professional, and make good connections with people? I have a tendency of talking too much about myself and revealing details about myself, which definitely backfires. I am also pretty goofy and appear silly at times. I just don't know how to make connections while holding my tongue. I know that whatever I might do/say may have an impact on my future career, which is an intimidating prospect.
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Watch Vanessa Van Edwards' videos on youtube (How to Talk to Anyone), she has great tips for social skills and meeting people (without oversharing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMmnPpjtU7c
What advice I would give to myself if I were younger: Rule #1: don't fck your male colleagues; absolutely no romantic relationships with people there. Rule #2: don't get overly friendly with them either. No need for girls night or extended comingling. Have a couple of drinks now and then but keep it short. Rule #3: remember why you're there. Get your degree, defend your thesis. You can be in a relationship later. * Here I'll go and say: don't start a relationship at this point. I was writing my thesis and the guy I was with was causing immense drama, so much that he broke up with me right after I presented my thesis and got my degree. I guess he felt intimidated and went back to dating high school girls. Oh shoot, what a loss 🤡 This is available for any professional setting. Connections/= Friends Need to spill your "secrets"? Get a therapist. Confidentiality guaranteed.
Make friends in other departments.
I know this is a given, but you also don't have to be best friends with everyone in your cohort! It's great to be liked, but the chance of everyone being each other's cup of tea isn't likely, so don't feel discouraged if relationships build slow! Do your thing
You don’t have to shut down your personality but do realize that some people will be grimy and attack you behind your back. There are also mean girls in grad school who will attack your personal life. I’ve had positive and negative experiences. Do some research on relational aggression, don’t have casual sex with anyone in the program or anyone they might have access to, and try to be proactive by fostering a community and weeding out toxic people (exercise boundaries and consequences for people who show you who they are). Stop sharing your personal life, social media, etc, until after you have vetted your relationships. Outside of that, feel free to be your real self if you can also show your skills in class/research.
I would love you! 🤗 I tend to do the same. Do you do it because you want them to know who you are so they don’t misunderstand you and your intentions? It’s why I do it. As for advice, lol blind leading the blind. If you’re socially capable, great, if not, remember to ask other people questions and don’t blurt out anything that could give off unintentional red flags.