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Seven Tips for Adjusting Your Study Habits During COVID-19

Sep 09, 2020

Things may feel out-of-control right now. You may be facing a lot of unknowns and disruptions. Try to be patient with yourself, your classmates, and your instructors during this time. Making a plan and adjusting your studying may help you feel a little sense of control. Here are some tips to help guide you:

1. Stay organized.

With so many things changing in your courses, you might be reliving that first-week-of-class confusion at a finals-week pace. You may also be having to learn to pace yourself through your units, which can feel daunting. Here are some things you might want to track for each class: 

• Whether or not your class will continue to meet virtually at the regularly scheduled time.
• If not, are there any new parts of the course you will now need to track in place of your class time, such as a discussion board?
• Are assignments changing? Are there new due dates? Will any quizzes or exams be done online? What should you do if you need help?  
• Does the instructor have virtual office hours? When and on what platform?  
• Does the course have an online forum for asking questions? 

2. Avoid multitasking.

If you do more work on your own and your time is less structured, you might be more tempted to multitask. Research shows that few people can succeed at doing multiple things at once or can switch between tasks quickly. 

Consider working on a task for 25 minutes, then rewarding yourself with a 5-minute break. Research suggests this pattern helps achieve better concentration and alleviates “cognitive boredom” in most people. Here is a great resource to help you stay focused 25 minutes at a time! 

3. Make the most of video lectures. 

Some tips: 

•  Find out how to ask questions. Is there a chat feature? A discussion forum?  
•  Close distracting apps and tabs to avoid multitasking.
•  Continue to take notes as you would if you were there in person. Many studies show that notetaking builds the recall of material and helps to increase test scores.
• Watch recordings at normal speed. Watching at faster speeds can decrease retention and result in lower test scores.

4. Set a schedule.

If you find your day lacking structure, setting a schedule for yourself can keep you on task and help you stay motivated. If you don’t already keep a weekly or daily calendar, try using one. Include time for movement, getting outside, and self-care.

If you don’t like sticking to a schedule, try keeping a general to-do list and just make note of important due dates on your calendar. You can use a reminders app on your phone to remind you when assignments are due or when you should get up and get some fresh air. 

5. Find what works for you.

Everyone has different study habits and methods for retaining information. Maybe you need to study in a chair, rather than on your bed or couch. Maybe you need to move to a new spot when you change tasks. Do you need background noise? How about a white noise app?  If you always study in groups, try a virtual or phone-based study session with your peers.  

6. Working with a group or project team.

Remote collaboration will look a little different, but it is possible. Try not to procrastinate. That group project may be out-of-sight, out-of-mind if you aren’t seeing your group members regularly. Try to set up virtual meetings on a recurring basis and take notes on a shared document so you can all stay on the same page.

7. Stay connected and engaged.

Even during social distancing, connecting with family and friends virtually can be more important than ever.

Consider: 

• Scheduling video calls with family and friends. Talking to loved ones can be really helpful when you feel stressed or nervous about something. 
• Taking a break to laugh is also important. 
•  Attend virtual office hours or study groups so that you can stay up on your coursework.

Original Article: https://www.meredith.edu/admissions-blog/seven-tips-for-adjusting-your-s...

Safety and Financial Tips for Young People Moving Out for the First Time

Jul 06, 2020

This is a guest post written by Chris Haymon From Adulting Digest

So, you’re moving out for the first time. Chances are you feel a mixture of excitement, anxiety, happiness, and sadness as you plan to venture out on your own. That’s normal since it’s such a big step for anyone to take in life. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate some of the negative emotions and protect yourself out in “the real world.” If you’re about to leave home for the first time, here are some tips that can help keep you safe and put you in a good financial position.

Establish Good Habits

You may have had it pretty easy living at home, not having to worry much about safety, cleaning responsibilities, and budgeting. If this is the case, the first thing you need to do is start forming good habits that will help you succeed; ideally, you will establish these habits before you move out. Think about what life will be like on your own, and start to pick up healthy habits to ease the transition, such as doing house chores, creating a budget, and waking up early. 

RELATED: 25 Free Apps That Will Make College Easier

Save Up for a Down Payment

Although you may want to jump into homeownership as quickly as possible, it’s very important to take this process one step at a time. Instead of a low down payment, which will result in higher monthly mortgage payments, take some time to save some money. That way, you can afford a higher document payment, which will result in a smaller home loan. It might take a little longer than you’d like, but you’ll end up saving money in the long run.

Pick a Safe Neighborhood

Choosing a safe place to live is half the battle when it comes to staying safe out on your own. Visit any area you’re considering, research the crime rates, and talk to people who live there to get a feel for the place. No matter how safe the neighborhood, you will want to consider investing in a quality home security system. 

RELATED: 19 Life-Changing Lessons From Billionaire, Mark Cuban

Look Into Life Insurance

Even though preparing will better your chances of living a safe and happy life, none of us knows what the future holds. That’s why it could be worth your time to inquire about life insurance. If you were to die unexpectedly, the right kind of life insurance policy can help your family by covering a good portion of funeral costs, medical expenses, and lost income. Plus, it’s easy to purchase life insurance these days, as you can buy a policy from home and use online calculators to figure out what kind of coverage will work best.

Use Credit Cards

There are advantages and disadvantages to using credit cards. Using debit cards can help keep you accountable to your budget because you will likely have to pay overdraft fees if you overspend. However, with the prevalence of cybercrime these days, it’s safer to use credit cards for transactions. This is because credit cards come with better fraud protection. If someone steals money off your debit card, it comes directly out of your bank account, and it can be a lengthy process to get that money back. Conversely, credit companies can quickly cancel any money you owe for unauthorized charges. 

RELATED: 15 Shocking Businesses You Can Start in College For The Low!

If You Lose Your Debit Card, Cancel It Immediately 

Nonetheless, using a debit card may sometimes be the most practical option. If you ever lose your debit card, however, it’s critical that you call your bank as soon as possible to have the card canceled. Thieves don’t need to know your PIN to spend your money, as a lot of establishments will run debit cards as credit with no signature required. 

Going out on your own is the start of a new chapter and, in many ways, it’s an opportunity to learn who you are. Make the most of it by developing good habits before you move out and choosing a home in a safe neighborhood. Also, considering life insurance will provide a cushion for your loved ones if you were to unexpectedly pass away. Finally, opting to use credit cards can help secure your money, and if you use debit cards, be sure to cancel them if you ever lose them. With these tips, moving out will feel like an adventure!

Article Link: https://www.collegeentrepreneur101.com/safety-and-financial/

12 Summer Bucket List Ideas for College & Grad Students

Jun 03, 2020

Even though your summer may be occupied with summer school, a job or an internship, it’s important to take time to enjoy your summer break, too. There’s so much fun to be had during the summer months and you don’t want to miss out on all of the memories and experiences that come along with it! Check out these summer bucket list ideas for college students, which will help you make the most of your summer break:

1. Go to concerts

2. Plan a stay-cation

3. Relax on a beach

4. Read some classics

5. Visit a friend you haven’t seen in a while

6. Get crafty

7. Take a road trip

8. Sleep under the stars

9. Learn a useful skill

10. Learn another language

11. Job shadow

12. Volunteer

Start volunteering for a cause you care about. Giving back will be sure to make you feel great about the way you spent your summer. Find yourself getting bored during your downtime this summer? Conquer boredom with these free-time fillers that happen to be free of charge as well.

Original Article: https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/the-12-summer-bucket-list-ideas-for-college-students