Finals Tips

Dare I say it? It's time once again for finals. The spring semester can be especially brutal because it's starting to get nice out and harder to concentrate.

Here are my best tips for staying focused and acing your exams.

Eat Healthy & Schedule Exercises// Eating healthy and exercising will actually keep your energy up, and help you stay alert during study sessions, group meetings and your actual test.

Have a Daily Schedule// This may seem weird, but map out your day. Don't over schedule yourself, but give yourself time blocks to study and complete group work.

Work 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break//  This is the easiest way to study for hours and not have your neuro pathways fried. A break could be painting your nails, socializing with a friend, or watching one of your favorite Youtube videos!

Switch Up Locations//  Don't just sit at your favorite table at the library! Go to a little coffee shop, or study outside. It can actually help you concentrate.

Have a Study Kit// When you go to study, bring all your books and notes for your scheduled study time. Also have on hand: flashcards, highlighters, different colored pens, extra paper, and extra pencils. Make sure to also have snacks, water, and money for coffee!


Good luck with your exams! What are your favorite study tips?


xoxo

Time Management Tips

Each semester I have to adjust my schedule and be flexible with my study habits or I would go crazy trying to fit it all in. Here are some of my best time-management tips.

Create a Schedule// I have a weekly schedule that I create in Microsoft Excel every semester that I carry around with me. It has all my classes, work shifts, and internship hours on it. I also put meeting times, which can include group meetings, organization meetings and work meetings. This is my lifesaver when I need to sign up or volunteer for something.

Use "in-between" Time// During your day you are bound to have some time in-between classes. I would recommend using this time wisely, whether it be reading, doing homework, working on tasks for your organization or applying to internships. Use this time to call your mom or print things off. Make a list of tasks you want to do during the day, and use that time to complete them!

Prioritize// This is the most important when it comes to time management. Sit down and decided what is most important to you. Here are some ideas to start your list: school, future career (internship opportunities, free-lancing, job shadows etc), part-time job, family, health, activities and traveling. Once you have your priorities, it can be easier to make to-do lists and make commitments.

Relax// This may seem like a weird time management tip, but I'm most effective when I have down time to just relax without worrying too much about my to-do list. It recharges me and allows me to be the best version of myself!

Daily To-Do Lists// Every night before bed I make color coded to-do lists. While making these to-do lists I make sure to remember how much time I actually have to complete tasks, and how much mental energy I have. This semester I spend most of my weekends completing homework and tasks because that just seems to be easier.

How do you manage your time? Any other tips?

Fall Semester Finals Survival Guide

Honestly finals are tough for more than just academic purposes. They're so close to Christmas, and you usually don't have that much time in between Thanksgiving and the start of finals to do much. You're worried about packing for home, seeing you friends, buying Christmas presents and more. Here is how I get through finals!

Packing & Christmas
Packing during your study breaks! Bring home pjs, whatever clothes are appropriate for your climate and what you'll need for holiday parties!

When it comes to gifts start a list of who you need to buy for and when you'll give it to them. Next start a list of what you should get them. Decided before you leave for Thanksgiving break so that you have time to shop while your at home (in your pjs if you prefer to online shop like me!)

Studying: 
Make sure you know what projects and papers you have to do before you leave for Thanksgiving break! Create a study plan like you did for your mid-terms before you leave so you come back to school somewhat organized.

Not unlike mid-terms, make sure you start a week before. However you might be covering more material than last time. Allocate for that.

Some people may have papers or projects in place of a final, or both. Make sure to be on track with papers and projects before you leave also.

Study like you would any other test, using note cards for vocab and concepts. Highlight important concepts or facts in your notes.

Make sure that you take a deep breath and remember that while school is important, it does not define your worth!

What do you do differently during finals? What are you most excited for during winter break?

xoxo

Mid-Term Test Tips

I can't believe it's mid-term time already! Here are my test tips, everything from what to wear studying, to snacks to when to start!

What to Wear Studying:
Don't get me wrong, I am all for super comfy clothes, but I have to wear something that I wouldn't want to fall asleep in. It usually means jeans and a sorority tee with some sort of sweatshirt, or leggings with a chambray shirt and rain boots.


Snacks:
A seriously underrated part of studying, here are some snacks that won't make you bloated, give you a sugar crash and taste good.

-Apples & peanut butter
-Almonds, cranberries and sunflower sends
-Cherries
-Cucumber & dressing
-Crackers and cheese



When to Start:
Start studying a week before each test, or a week and a half depending on how difficult the material is. If it means only reviewing your notes for twenty minutes, or working on your study guide for a short period of time each night. (not including weekends unless your test is on a Monday)



What to Do
Create a study guide for your self
If your professor doesn't already have one, or has a very limited study guide create one for yourself.

Calendar of topics 
This doesn't have to be anything fancy, maybe just written on a sheet of scratch paper or outlined in your head (but you really should write it down).

Study for 45 minutes, take a 15 minutes break. 
This can include checking social media, calling a friend for a quick chat, making a snack, a run to Starbucks, a quick workout or watching part of your favorite show!

Study with a group:
Study with people who have different strengths in the class from you.  This way you have some one to bounce questions off of, and they do as well. Make sure that this group can actually focus, otherwise you're just wasting your time!

Night Before/Day Of
Night Before.
Go to bed at a reasonable time, and make sure to have everything you'll need for the test either packed or in a packable position.

Review the material right before you go to bed for 20 minutes. Do this right after you get ready for bed so you have a little break!

Day of
Eat something and drink some water along with that caffeinated drink. Your stomach won't be grumbling and your mouth won't be dry this way, and you can focus on the test!

Get up 15-30 minutes early to review the material one last time.

Arrive a little early to ask any last minute questions of your TA or professor.


What do you do to prepare for mid-terms? I know they are a little harder to study for because you still have events, extra-curriculars and a job/internship to worry about!


xoxo

A Note-Taking System

Since I love to see how other people organize their agendas, notes and life in general I thought that I would post my system for taking notes!

I use loose-leaf in a binder for all of my classes. This way I can add paper when needed! I also only take notes on my laptop in non-major courses because those classes are typically lower-level and don't require me to concentrate as much. (I tend to Pinterest a lot)
Also, make sure to check your syllabus to see in

First start with the date of the class. It's easier to reference later and helps you keep your notes in chronological order when studying!

Label the top of your notes with what the title or topic of the lecture is. Make this bigger than the rest of your notes.

Start taking notes. I take mine in bullet style.I start with the main idea on top then indent with each supporting idea.

*While your professor is speaking, make sure to make note of anything they say that isn't on the screen. Most professors post their presentations online, so you can leave room and fill in the information later. You usually aren't able to listen to what they have to say again.

Use different colors for different ideas or facts. Underline or circle key concepts in a different color pen

Leave the highlighting for when you study!


Different Ideas:
If your professor posts lectures beforehand, print them out and takes notes on the side of what the professor says.

Take notes on your computer instead of on paper and use the same guidelines by either printing them off or underlining on your screen!

How do you take notes? Do you prefer your computer or laptop?