It was fun teaching advisers at Ball State University this past week. Teaching the fundamentals of InDesign and Photoshop provided real-life skills, everything from basic text formatting to making a PDF and indexing.

We decided that it’s best not to let the computers get the best of you when learning new stuff. Computers weren’t designed to make life easier; they were designed to do repetitious and arduous tasks.

Thanks to Greg, Jan, Sue, Josette, Jessica and Jim, here’s our list of five things to keep in mind.

1. Be patient.
2. Take small steps that lead to larger ones.
3. Get your hands dirty. Get in and play in the software.
4. Repeat the process. Produce one-page fliers, programs, posters, anything to get in there to use the skills.
5. Utilize your resources, handouts, books and other students/advisers.