Handling Conflict

Almost from the time children first learn to talk, they will find themselves expressing desires and feelings that place them in conflict with others. This begins with telling their parents “no” for the first time and continues throughout the rest of their lives. By the time they enter the professional world, they will either have acquired a level of skills that allow them to handle conflict diplomatically, or they will be in dire need of mediation training in order to learn to do so.

There are a wide range of seminars, workshops, and even degree programs out there to teach people how to handle conflict. Some provide skills for handling individual conflicts in the workplace. This makes workers into better team players. The prgrams focus on skills in communication and teach people to work towards cooperation in the fact of conflicting goals and desires.

Other programs are designed to help people facilitate larger conflicts. These individuals study mediation, negotiation, and diplomatic skills . Upon completing the program and honing their skills, they may be called in to negotiate disputes between companies, governments, or even countries. It is their job to help calm all sides and get them communicating with each so that an eventual resolution can be reached.

Tips for College Freshman

Going into college can be scary. Here are some tips that can help.

Don’t Skip Classes
You chose these classes, so they should be full of things you want to be learning about. Also, skipping classes in college isn’t cool.

Don’t Party Too Much
If you are partying all night you won’t be able to ace that test the next morning. While it might be tempting to party with the upperclassmen, being underage and at a party where there is alcohol can also be very dangerous and some colleges will kick you out if you are caught. Also, parties with alcohol are more likely to get broken up.

Don’t Party in You Own Place
Let other people throw the parties. You won’t have control over the alcohol, but you will have control of how late you want to be there and you are less likely to get in trouble. This applies even more if your dorm or your living area doesn’t allow alcohol. There are some places around campuses, like those owned by Transglobe , where you might be able to have alcohol as long as you are legal, but there are others that won’t allow it at all.

Make a Study Schedule
While it may feel like you can run all over the place and do everything you need to make sure you don’t forget your studies. These days more and more students are procrastinating on Facebook . Make a schedule and stick to it. You can add in your schedule little breaks and take those breaks to get your head straight again.

Make Concessions for Your Roommate
You and your roommate are two different people. You will like different music, have different classes, have different home work. If your roommate needs you to be quiet, or needs a little alone time, try to give them what they need within reason. Hopefully they will do the same for you.

Have Food Will Gather
This awkwardly applies both to your fellow college students and bugs, rodents etc. If you leave food out in your room, bugs and rodents will come eat it. On the other hand, if you leave food in a common area without labeling your fellow students will eat it. If you don’t mind others eating your food, this can be a good way to get rid of that food that a few seconds ago was going to attract bugs.