Getting the Right Classes

Hey, I'm Justin, here with some tips that I find make the MBA lifestyle a bit simpler when picking classes, in the style of Jordan's post below...

Picking your classes: this is probably the last thing you're thinking about since the year just started, but I have my reasons for writing this now. The right classes can mean the difference between an A and a B or a good experience over a terrible one. It's critical that you know which classes to take and how to determine this.

a) RateMyProfessors.com - This website will give you a good overview of the professors at Pepperdine. I've found the reviews to be quite accurate so far, and the site has definitely helped me pick the good professors (and avoid the scary ones); however, don't rely completely on these, as they're often outdated or missing some info.

b) Check the Syllabi - When it's time to register for classes, you can visit the "Syllabi" section in "Academic Resources" when you log into Pepperdine. But you've probably figured that out by now. What I suggest is looking at classes and saving the syllabi now. Why now? Come next year, the syllabi from this Fall (and possibly even Spring) will be gone... so you may not find a syllabus for a class that you're interested in taking. And most of the time, professors use the same syllabus from year to year. So if you save the syllabi right now for second-year classes, you can refer back to them when registering for classes in the future, and pick the ones that suit your style.

c) Don't Be Afraid If You Don't Get In Immediately - First, and probably most important, register for classes at the exact minute when registration opens. Classes fill extremely quickly. But don't worry if the class you want is full--waitlist classes. If the waitlist is relatively short (3 or less people), there's a great chance you'll get in. In fact, every class I've been to has allowed the waitlisters in (feel free to object if you've seen otherwise). I actually went to a class that was closed because the waitlist was full. I went to the class this session and still got in!

d) Utilize Second Year Students - We're uber friendly, for the most part. We'll tell you which professors are mean, difficult, fun, ping pong champs, single, etc. You name them, we know them. Word gets around Pepperdine, and the professors to take are known by the second years. We can also provide valuable info about grading, tests, homework, projects, and more... don't be afraid to ask us.

I can't stress these enough! Classes are everything--they're the professors you'll remember for a lifetime, they make up your grades... it's what you're here for. Great classes = great program. Pick them carefully and quickly, and you'll have an advantage over others.

Good luck!

Justin
justin.malik@pepperdine.edu
Facebook: www.facebook.com/myfavoriteband
AIM: MyFavGuitarist

The Art of Positive Gossiping

I will be the first to admit, I gossip too much.

Guess what? We all do. We are all guilty of it. This school is small. Very small. Everybody knows everybody. Everybody is in everybody else's business. Some of us even date each other (bad idea jeans, but that's neither here nor there). It's summer camp all over again. Let's face it; gossiping is horrible. It's childish. We are all adults and yet we act like children when we say negative things behind people's backs.

I'll be the first to say this because I'm especially guilty of it. My name is Jordan Rockwell and I gossip too much. The first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem. There we go.

To be certain, we ELs have all warned you; be a good group member, pull your weight, do your work, or else you will develop a reputation. Some of you will earn that reputation.

But enough is enough.

So I had a thought the other day. Why not do the exact opposite? Our mothers taught us that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Sage advice. But what if you have something nice to say? Why not say it? Why not say it nice and loud? Why not try some "positive gossiping"?

I have met so many wonderful people at this school, and made some lifelong friends. Why not single some of them out? Justin Malik: one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and he rocks at Guitar Hero. Trey Best: helped me through accounting AND finance without asking for anything in return. Meghan Barnes: mentored me and never gave up on me. Boom. Three right there. And what a coink-kee-dink, all three of them are EL's. Go figure.

I could name more. And why not? JC Garrett, Mark Cathy and James Imantani: even though my football skills are not the best (haven't played since the 90's), they have been nothing but encouraging in Intramural football, true leaders all three. George Granados (a little plug here for our club), President of the Entertainment club. Solid leader, pushes me to work harder and encourages a collaborative spirit in the club leadership (I'll forgive him for liking Terminator: Salvation better than Star Trek). On and on and on.

Lord knows you're going to meet people in your life, let alone here, that will rub you the wrong way. All that I am suggesting you do is not burn too many calories worrying about them; instead, think about how lucky you are to have so many supportive and wonderful people around you. Focus on that, and you'll see a positive change in your everyday happiness. And with those around you.

And don't hesitate to tell them, or anyone else. You'll feel better, trust me.

====================================
Jordan Rockwell
Director of Communications
The Entertainment Club of Pepperdine University
MBA Candidate April 2010
Graziadio School of Business & Management
Pepperdine University
jordanrockwell@gmail.com
310-502-0235 (c)