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Thursday, February 28, 2013

Surviving Your Mid-Semester Crisis

There will come a time when it feels like the whole world is crashing down on you. Whether it’s because you procrastinated or because your professors are conspiring against you, I’ve got some five steps that will help you get through this. Because you will get through this! At least that’s what I’m telling myself right about now.
 

            First: Repeat after me “I can’t do everything, and that’s OK”.

            Second: It’s time to prioritize. Make a list (either on paper or in your head. I have to stop myself from actually writing out lists because I spend way too much time on them and I never follow through and then I get mad at myself.) What do you need to get done (FYI: going to class and doing your homework should be on this list!) and what can wait (you can file your taxes next week, you can do your laundry on the weekend, etc). Usually I wouldn’t endorse procrastination (OK, maybe I would), but just be sure that you aren’t creating an even worse situation for yourself down the road.

            Third: Do something every day that will keep you sane. Some people need to exercise, some need to meditate, others may need to write. Whatever it is that makes you happy and relieves stress, don’t take that out of your schedule to save time.

            Fourth: Cut out the things that you struggle with (besides obligations, like school and work). Here is an example: if you are trying to lose weight and you hate exercising, don’t push it. Physical health is important, but so is mental health. If it’s just going to add more stress to your plate, take a break for a few days. If you put it down on your schedule and you don’t get to it, you’re just going to end up beating yourself up about it, and that won’t help anyone. Just don’t fall too far off the wagon (step away from the extra-large nachos!) and be sure to get back on when you get things under control.

            Fifth: We are human and we all have limits. Like the earth, we have limited resources. If you put 100% of your effort into 100% of the things you do, you’re going to run out of energy. Maybe, just this once, you have to turn in a paper that you know you could have done better on. If that paper is worth 10% of your grade and you get a 75% on it, your grade only drops 2.5 percentage points. That’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world.

Those are my tips; let me know if you have any more to share. We can help each other make it through this mid-semester madness!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Rejected By Your First Choice Univeristy? It's Gonna Be OK

This has probably happened to more people than are willing to admit it. But it’s not as bad as it seems, so take a deep breath.

You were rejected because of your ambition; you had high hopes and high expectations for yourself. That’s great! Don’t hate on yourself for that. Give yourself a pat on the back for aiming too high, it’s always better than aiming too low.

If you’ve got the rejection blues  check out this video on YouTube.  I only found it recently, but it would have made me feel better back when I was rejected.


And if you need more cheering up, here’s my story of rejection and how it all turned out for the best:

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Tips for Visiting College Campuses

Whether you’re a high school senior deciding where to spend your next four years, a sophomore deciding which schools to apply for in the fall, or a current college student looking to transfer schools, I’ve got a few tips for you while you visit college campuses:

1.    Visit more than one school: Even if you already have your heart set on one school, visit a few others. If you only visit one campus, you have nothing to compare it to! Besides, you should always have a backup school (or several). I wasn’t accepted to my first choice school, but I LOVE where I ended up! (P.S. I will be writing a post on getting rejected next week!)

2.    Take a Tour: Sign up with the university’s admissions office to take a guided tour. You’ll learn stuff about the school that current students probably don’t even know and you’ll be able to ask you tour guide (who is probably a current student) questions when the tour is finished.

3.    Sit in on a class: While you’re signing up for a tour, ask the admissions office about sitting in on a class. You will be spending a lot of time in class, and while no two professors are the same, it’s still a great way to get a feel for how things work at your college.

4.    Find a random student and ask them some questions: Pick someone who doesn’t look like they’re in a hurry and if you’re a little hesitant you can start with asking something simple like “can you tell me how to get to the library”. After they answer, tell them you’re a prospective student and ask them how they like the school. You could also ask them what they most dislike about the school or if they have any advice for freshmen. It may be intimidating to walk up to a stranger and ask them a question, but 95% of us won't mind spending a few minutes answering your questions and it’s a great way to get honest information about the school.

Good luck to everyone choosing a college this spring, I hope this post helped! It can be a tough choice, but if you do a bit of research you can start school next fall knowing that you made the right decision. That will be one less thing to stress over as a freshman!

Leave a comment and let me know if you have any questions about choosing a school or if you have any advice!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Sex and Alcohol: College Misconceptions

There are two things that most people think about when they think of college: SEX and ALCOHOL. College is a time for going to crazy parties, drinking too much, and going home with random guy or gal… or is it? Let’s talk about these two ideas and to what extent they're true.
 

Monday, February 11, 2013

FAFSA Tips!!! Keep Calm and Just Do It!

It's that time of year again! FAFSA time!

If you're like me that means it's time to bang your head against the desk and groan loudly. For those of us who rely on the FAFSA this can be a stressful time. And it's even more stressful for those of use whose parents have complicated taxes.

Lucky for me, I have filed my last FAFSA (unless I go to grad school...) Which brings me to the most important point: One day you won't have to deal the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, one day this torture will end! Rejoice in that and buckle down and get it done, because the sooner the better!


Keep reading for 6 Tips to help you make it through FAFSA season with your sanity intact!



Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Dorm Decorating Tips: Cheap, Easy, and Fun!


Whether you're moving into a college dorm or an apartment, you may walk into your empty room on day one and think "I'm living in a prison cell". But don't worry! Decorating can be cheap, easy, and even FUN! Here are some of the ways my roommate and I have fixed up our rooms over the past few years.


1. Bulletin boards and white boards are cool... and also really useful:

I use my white board to write anything happening during the week.
I keep my schedule on my cork board, right above my desk.


I put this on my cork board just because it makes me smile. Keep a look out for fun little sayings on fortune cookies or even clothing tags (that's where my Snoopy came from!)

 
Keep reading for more fun decorating ideas!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Choosing Where to Live During College: On Campus, Off Campus, or At Home

Where Should I Live?!? This can seem like a daunting question for freshman who have to choose between on campus housing, off campus housing, or living at home. But have no fear! I'll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision!

Luckily, most incoming college freshman will not have much of a choice as to where they live – living at home may not be realistic for some while it may be necessary for others, living on campus may be required for freshmen at some universities, and living on their own may be too daunting for some.


But when a choice must be made, students should consider what factors are most important for them. Is money the number one issue, or is it safety, or perhaps obtaining the typical “college experience”? Each person must consider their own situation and should make their decision with the advice, and in some cases permission, of an adult.


My room in a small house I shared with 4 other girls last year.
Personally, I recommend that freshmen live in university housing if they have the means to do so. This allows students to transition into a more independent life gradually, offers the convenience of close proximity to food and classes, and allows for more opportunities to connect with fellow students.


But for many people the decision will not be so easy. Keep reading for more information on how the three housing options compare on the following issues:

·         Price – I will compare the costs of rent, utilities, food, and transportation.
·         Community Experience – I will examine the differences in social experiences.
·         Housing Facilities – I will consider the ways in which the accommodations may differ.