Beat the Heat

By Stephanie Larson 

Unless you have found yourself a very cool rock to live under, you are probably aware of the fact that it is very hot out right now. It is so hot that when I stepped outside for class yesterday, my glasses actually fogged up. 

         I don’t know about you, but this heat is terribly detrimental to my productivity.  It just feels too hot to do anything but sleep or swim or, if you are like me and do not have ready access to a pool, stand under the sprinkler.

         As much fun as it is to use this heat as an excuse to lounge around, you really are wasting valuable time that could be put to better use. So, in light of the heat wave, I have put together a few ideas to help you beat the heat and still be productive.

1) Find some place cool. The public library is one of the first places that comes to mind. Most libraries have air conditioning, so you are provided with a cool place to sit and work for absolutely no cost to you. If you want to grab a treat while you work, why not try a coffee shop. Most coffee shops are air conditioned and provide guests with ample space to sit and work while enjoying their drinks. A quick Google search can help you find cool zones in your area.

2) Gather your materials. Now that you have found a place to cool off, gather papers or material you will need to work.  Most cool zones provide you with free access to the Internet, so don’t forget to bring your laptop.

3) Arrive at your cool zone and get to work! Could you ask for a better opportunity to work on your resume, conduct online job searches, or read career articles. Are you one of those people who somehow magically ends up on a social network the moment you turn on your computer? Why not use your cool down time to update your social networks so that they synch with your current career goals? If you are in a social network kind of mood, make sure to visit the LACD Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for some great career advice and job/internship postings. If you are looking to gain insight into career development, why not check out LACD’s career handbook? It can be found on the LACD website and is absolutely free to read.

Stay cool and don’t forget to drink plenty of water!