Book Summary Preview : The Game of Life

Starting Out

The moment you step out of high school, you are faced with a crucial decision. As in the board game, you have to decide between going to college and joining the workforce straight from high school. Choosing the former means spending thousands of dollars and putting off earning any significant amount of your own, while choosing the latter would mean earning a living, but possibly hurting your chances for advancement in the corporate world.

Difficult as this major choice may be, it should be made. Should you choose the college route, here are some tips that can help make the financial, mental, and intellectual burden easier for you:

• Manage your debts. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
• Research on scholarships that you can apply for. You’d be surprised at how many available programs there are.
• Remember that the people you meet can be great connections in the future. Network, network, network!
• Get a part-time job. Not only will it help you financially, you’ll get a lot of perks. Some employers supply free food, others distribute free CDs among employees. Aside from these, a job will help you learn new skills that you can’t always learn in a classroom.
• When you need to cram, studying with a group will help. Also, learn how to use highlighters efficiently.
• Consider studying abroad.
• Make sure you score some points with the dean. The dean is one of the best connections you can have.

Career Path

Maybe you choose to forget about college altogether and just jumpstart your career? Or what if you’ve already graduated and now ready to join the workforce? Hold on to your horses, because it’s going to get more exciting.

First Day at Work
First impressions are crucial. It’s easy to make a mistake that would hound you for the rest of your career. Here are some tips:

• Dress appropriately. Do not overdress, but do not dress too casually, either.
• Learn the names of your co-workers – paying particular attention to the names of your superiors.
• Accept all lunch invitations but don’t participate in gossip or bashing.
• Refrain from making personal phone calls.
• Try to personalize your work space but be tasteful and don’t go overboard.
• Remember that the company doesn’t owe you anything.

Other Tips
After school, your troubles do not end upon finding a job. There are a lot of other things to consider. Here is some advice to help you along the way:

• When finding an apartment, carefully consider whether or not you are going to get a roommate.
• Never ever think that the cash value of your salary is the equivalent of your success.
• Pay yourself first and save for the future. This means setting a fixed amount aside, for savings even before you begin to pay your bills. This practice will help keep you in the green in rough times.
• Consider adopting a pet. However, make sure you can assume the responsibility of taking care of an animal and give it a good home.
• If you start feeling lost, do not succumb to the temptation to drink or take drugs. Instead, seek help from a therapist or a spiritual director.
• Do not be afraid to take risks. However, learn to stay away from foolish ones.
• Reach for the stars. Even if you don’t succeed, you will learn more about yourself.
• Know when to call it quits, whether when drinking, working, or struggling with a bad relationship.
• When encountering obstacles, remember that it is not the end of the world regardless of whether you fail or succeed.