// BLOG

Where Is The Best Place To Study?

March 4, 2010

students studying in college lounge area
All college student should have a few good places to study. Everyone is different. Some students can study with noise and people around them. Others need silence and get very distracted by noises by the radio/TV, other students or even muted sounds coming from outdoors.

Don’t wait until the day before the test to find a spot. You just may end up going from place to place looking for everything you need. So here are a few tips.

1. Decide what you really need. This may not exist in the most convenient place (break room at work, dorm room, lounge).

comfortable chair
table/desk at the right height
enough room for books, pencils, calculator, etc.
total silence or low sound level
no annoying sounds like the hum of lights, refrigerator, vending machines
good lighting
near a computer printer/computer lab

2.Once you know what works best for you, find several places to study. There is no guarantee your first choice will be available.

library
quiet room at home/dorm
lounge area outside of class or in the hall
coffee shop
your office at work (only before/after work)

3. Have a plan. You should bring everything you need such as your syllabus, pens, calculator, notes, bottle of water, etc. It is a good idea to make a check-list so you don’t forget anything.

4. Don’t get off track talking to friends or family who are in the same room or who walk by. Say hello and let them know you will call or visit them later. It is study time!

Where Does The Money Go?

March 3, 2010

Broke student

The ATM refused to give you anything or your bank statement is now in the red. How did it happen? At the beginning of the month, you had a few hundred bucks. This is a common scenario in college. Money just seems to evaporate. In a matter of days, you can blow through a lot of money and not even realize it. Let’s use Mark as an example. His parents gave him $100 for spending money. They figured it would last a month. (LOL) He could buy toiletries like toothpaste and school supplies if he even needed any. They figured he had everything he needed already. Well, the money was gone in less than two weeks. Let’s see where the money goes…

$10.00 two trips out for a slice of pizza and soda
$7.50 a cold soda right after biology or English class
$20.00 five frozen coffees with caramel topping
$10.00 used video game
$13.00 chips, Juice and Deli Sandwich for late night studying
$5.00 quarters for laundry
$22.50 cheap dinner and movie for two
$5.00 large box of microwave popcorn
$7.00 new tee shirt
$5.50 computer magazine

There you have it. A few snacks, cans of pop and tips to the campus bookstore can magically make your money disappear. It doesn’t take long. Believe me this is not just a college problem. Lot’s of people don’t realize how those regular trips for coffee and a muffin can add up to $30-$40 bucks a week or more.

Even if you already have money troubles, it is not too late to begin budgeting. You don’t need a fancy budget book. A simple notebook will do. Write down how much money you have coming in and decide ahead of time what it will be used for. Don’t forget to save funds for times when an unexpected expense comes up like an outing with friends or a study guide. You may have to limit your trips to the vending machine but it will be worth it.

If you really need something, decide if you truly need it. You can also take the time to look for cheaper options. Instead of going to a vending machine or convenience store, purchase snacks at a discount store or grocery store. If you are on a food plan at school, use it wisely. Don’t buy pizza for lunch if you can use one of the campus eateries. If you still cannot make it with the funds you have, maybe it is time to look for a job. Some campus jobs can be a lot of fun.

Don’t forget to secure you budgeting information. It is not a good idea to leave it laying around so your friends will know about all of your riches.

Skipping a Few Boring College Classes

March 2, 2010

students talking

Everyone does it right? Some classes are really boring. You stayed up until… Well, you never actually went to sleep. You didn’t finish start that paper. You have to do too much paperwork for the job. You would just rather do something or anything else.

Yes, it is hard to resist the temptation to sit in the campus lounge and watch soaps, play cards or just sleep in. But skipping class is a bad habit that you never want to start. Here’s why:

Once the lure of the lounge takes over, you’ll end up having to drop the class before you know it. Then you will have to take it again! ugh

Most classes have a strict attendance policy. And even if they don’t, there is a good chance your professor will know who is coming to class and who isn’t. Don’t expect to get the benefit of the doubt if you fall short a few points to get the higher grade.

Students who don’t go to class never get recommendations from professors for jobs, internships or graduate school. Believe me when I tell you that others will know about you, even if you don’t skip out in their classes. Your professors are human and do talk to each other.

You’ll have no “sick days” if you really do get sick or have an emergency.

Not everyone will take great notes. If you skip out all the time, it will be unlikely that you’ll get all the information you need.

Those hints the professor gives about the test or additional notes… well you’ll know nothing about them. Sometimes those little tidbits of information end up being worth a lot of point on exams.

Although it may not happen frequently, you professor can have you removed from the class.

Moral of the story: JUST GO TO CLASS. Save your day(s) off for times when you really need them. And, be patient. Eventually, one of your professors will have a flat or get stuck in the snow. Let it happen naturally.

Eliminating All Night Study Sessions: part 1

March 1, 2010

tired student

If you are like most students, you have probably pulled off more than a few all-night sessions. Let’s be honest here. Your work may not be at its best and you feel horrible in the morning, right? Don’t forget about the afternoon crash when your eyes just won’t stay open. And when that happens you better not be in a class or worse, driving. Yep, I’ve been there many, many times.

I know, there is just too much school work, group work, labs, research, too many activities, weekend parties,upcoming exams, etc. Some students have children and others have jobs. Believe me, I totally understand. The dreaded all-nighters bring back bad memories. You are so tired that you would trade almost anything for a few hours of sleep. By 2:00 in the morning, you are hoping for a second wind. Sound familiar? If so, read on. Let’s see if we can stop the madness. I can’t guarantee that you won’t have to pull any all-nighters, but here are a few tips that will at least help you to find more time…

1. Love your calendar & check it often: If you know day 1, that you have a research paper or a group project due, write it in your monthly (or yearly) calendar. Check your calendar often. If you carry a pocket version, pull it out at least once a day to see what you have coming and to add a chore to your “to-do” list. If you keep a yearly poster sized calendar, make sure it isn’t hidden on the inside of a closet or in an area where you don’t see it regularly. Also, if you don’t have space for changes consider writing in pencil. Your professor or coach will, on occasion change the syllabus or your schedule.

2. Look for tidbits of study time: Think about all the times you spend chatting complaining after class with a friend, staring at the ceiling during your break at work, texting someone about, well nothing and procrastinating. All of those times represent precious minutes that you should be working on your academics. Review your syllabus, do some reading or write a few notes. Getting ahead = more sleep.

3. Class cancellation/early dismissal: When you get out a few minutes early or a professor cancels class (it does happen), use that time for studying, research or group work. Even if it is just 10 minutes, go and find a comfortable seat and get started reading a chapter or one of your research articles. As much as you might want to watch TV, hit the campus pizza spot or just go to bed, don’t do it. The few minutes gained here and there can add up to several hours of study time –time you won’t spend losing sleep.

4. Learn to say NO: Just because someone wants you to do something doesn’t mean you have to do it. Studying and completing your assignments are priorities. With a research paper and a test due in a few days, you may have to skip out on helping your friend move, going out with friends to meet people you don’t really like or baking snacks for your job’s lunchroom. When asked to do something decide if it is really worth your time. Although you may want to help, think about the hours you are taking away from your sleep because you will be behind on your work. Yes, some people may get upset. Just remind them that you are a busy college student and you have lots of assignments due. If they don’t understand, maybe it is time to find new friends.

Stay tuned for part 2. I’ve got more tips for using your time wisely so you can cut down or eliminate those dreaded all-night study sessions.

“Ask Dr. Harris” coming soon!

February 6, 2010

I know many of you have questions about college and no one to help you find the answers. So I decided to add a Q & A section to the blog. Reoccurring questions will be added to the newsletter too. Eventually, I will probably make a searchable page where you can read all the questions by topic. But until I have enough, they will be posted on the blog in the future.

I feel that everyone should be able to ask any question even if they think it is embarrassing or silly. Just think, you can ask right here and no one will know it is you! I plan to post the first name, city and state of the person requesting assistance. If you have a name like no other, then go ahead and use an alias.

Don’t wait for the Blog to get started next month to submit your question. Click on the button below and Ask Dr. Harris!