Five Tips On Going Back To (Broadcasting) School

It's like September all over again — getting your new school clothes, wondering how your classmates have changed, getting new teachers, meeting up with friends in the cafeteria like you used to before. Okay, fine. It's not like that at all, and that might make starting broadcasting school seem somewhat intimidating. But everyone loves a new experience, right? If you're experiencing any nervousness about beginning your broadcasting school career, follow these simple tips on how to survive going back to (broadcasting) school for the very first time.

1. Know where you're going. This isn't the time to slip into class late because you couldn't find the right building; since you're the only student, your lateness will be pretty obvious. If you can, make sure your first interview with your broadcasting school mentor is in the actual location where you'll be apprenticing. This will allow you to get a little bit more comfortable with the studio while you're first getting to know your mentor.

2. Know your schedule. Although you might not nail down a firm schedule for your broadcasting school sessions during the initial meeting, you'll certainly need to find the right time for your first class. Once you've agreed on a time with your mentor, it's up to you to make a good second impression and show that you're ready to learn by showing up on time. When you get there, you can work together to find the permanent schedule that works the best for you.

3. Keep your schedule. Your broadcasting school mentor's time is valuable, and depending on what you're looking to learn, showing up on time every week could be an essential part of your broadcasting school education. Some students might have a favorite program they want to sit in on with their mentor, and radio shows can't be rescheduled because you got caught in traffic on the way to your scheduled session. If you're in broadcasting school because you love eighties hip-hop, then you need to commit to making it to the station every week to sit in for your mentor's eighties hip-hop hour. This isn't high school anymore — you want to be in broadcasting school, so be there.

4. Get to know your mentor. The relationship you'll have with your broadcasting school mentor is more like an apprenticeship than a standard student/teacher relationship. Think of every session as office hours and ask all the questions on your mind, no matter how silly they may seem. Your mentor is there to help you and guide you in your broadcasting career, and you couldn't ask for anyone better to do the job. The access you'll have in your one-on-one relationship with your mentor means you'll be head and shoulders above all the rest when it comes time for you to graduate and move on to a proper career in broadcasting.

5. Remember, this is your career. If a life in broadcasting is the life for you, then commit to it. Broadcasting school students often find employment at the very station where they're apprenticing, and sometimes before they even finish their coursework! While it's not exactly like a six month long job interview, it still wouldn't hurt to think of your broadcasting school sessions as times during which you should get to know your mentor, but also remain on your best professional behavior. Your goal is employment, so have fun, but don't forget that. You'll be glad you did when you're getting that job offer!