college

Studying Tips for College Students

Posted on by Allison

Around this time of the semester is when we all start to feel a little overwhelmed between midterms and the threat of finals week in the future. This can be a very stressful time where it is easy to want to give up on homework, but we must push through and make sure that we are studying for all of the tests in our futures. The process of studying itself can seem overwhelming if you do not have a solid studying plan already. In this post I will include some study tips to help you through this stressful time in your life.

 

  1. Handwrite your notes

There have been a lot of studies done that handwriting as opposed to typing things helps your retention. I personally find that I tend to remember things a lot better if I write them by hand instead of typing them. If you feel overwhelmed handwriting in class because the professor talks too fast you can type everything out but then when you are going to study, write everything that you had already typed. It may seem a little tedious, but it definitely helps you remember the important information for your test.

 

  1. Use Quizlet or Flashcards

Quizlet offers a really unique “learn” program where it quizzes you as you go along and focuses on the ones that you had difficulty with. In my experience, using this feature has really helped me study better than pretty much anything else I have tried. While the task of uploading all of your studying material into the site, if you typed all of your notes, you could just copy and paste everything to make it easier. And if you do not want to give Quizlet a shot, old fashioned, hand-written note cards will also get the job done.

 

  1. Put yourself away from distractions and find a studying playlist

While in college we tend to want to hang out with friends and make the most of

our social lives, when we have to study it is best to find a quiet space that is free of distractions where you will not be disturbed. The library on campus is a great place to study as it is filled with people trying to do the same thing, so it is usually pretty quiet and free of distractions. Another thing I recommend is finding a playlist of lofi or instrumental music to keep your brain on task instead of thinking of other things. A quick google search should send you right to a playlist on Youtube.

 

Goodluck with all your studying and try not to stress too much about getting everything done!

-Allison Schwengler

Stay On Top of Your Assignments

Posted on by Allison

College is definitely stressful, and it can feel a bit overwhelming when you start having multiple assignments due in one day. Especially when you are taking multiple classes this will definitely be a situation that you run in to frequently. In this blog I will provide some helpful tips as to how you can avoid feeling too overwhelmed with assignments.

 

  1. Check D2l (or your school’s equivalent program) every day.

Most professors utilize the calendar feature of D2l so that when you log into the course homepage your assignments will show up on the right-hand side. If you log in at least once a day just to check this feature, it will take a minute out of your day and it could save you a lot of points from missing an assignment. Take advantage of the programs given to you.

  1. Refer to the Syllabus or Class Schedule.

At the beginning of a new semester refer to the syllabus or schedule that your professor provides you as it will include all of your assignments and the dates that they are due. If you keep this paper handy in an easily accessible place you can refer back to due dates on assignments very simply.

  1. Use a Planner or a Spreadsheet

Once again at the beginning of the semester if you put all of your assignment dates into a planner (see my previous post about planners) or a spreadsheet so that you have another thing to refer to when looking for due dates and check them off as you go.

  1. Do Not Procrastinate

The absolute best way to make sure you are staying on top of your assignments is making sure that you are not waiting until the last minute to do them. It sounds very self-explanatory, but sometimes this is the only way to not fall behind. When you wait until the last minute it is easy to have assignments pile on top of each other or miss assignments. By allowing yourself enough time to complete your assignments ahead of time, you will stay on track to passing your classes!

Getting points taken away from assignments just for being late is one of the easiest ways to get worse grades, but it is also one of the easiest things to fix. Good luck with all of your schoolwork!

-Allison Schwengler

Tips to Extinguish Academic Burnout

Posted on by Angela Vorarath

Have you ever felt overwhelmed or unmotivated in college?

I’m sure most of us have.

The immense stress many college students, including me, feel is academic burnout, which according to the University of the People, means “a negative emotional, physical and mental reaction to prolonged study that results in exhaustion, frustration, lack of motivation and reduced ability in school.”

How do you know if you are burnt out?

Here are some signs according to UOPeople:

  • Mental and physical exhaustion
  • Skipping classes or assignments
  • Increased irritability
  • Decreased participation in class discussions and/or projects
  • Missing academic deadlines
  • Increased pain in your body
  • Frequent illnesses due to stress
  • Feeling anxious and depressed

How do you overcome or prevent it?

It’s surely not easy, but we can take baby steps and make gradual changes (or keep these tips in mind to prevent burnout entirely). This way, you’re slowly getting back into your groove (or keeping these in the back of your mind).

UOPeople suggests the following tips:

  • Spend time outside with nature—it reduces stress levels
  • Get moving—exercise releases endorphins that improve mood
  • Improve your time management skills
  • Avoid procrastinating
  • Make your own goals, so that you feel rewarded when you complete them
  • Talk to your professors and classmates

In my opinion, the two most important tips are to improve time management skills and to avoid procrastination. If I fall behind, I get overwhelmed trying to catch up, and the work piling up creates a mess I’d rather not be in. To prevent burnout, here’s what I do:

  • To improve time management skills, I’d prioritize what’s important. If an assignment is due at midnight, that’s the one I’d do first. That’s a no-brainer. If I have an essay to write, I’ll begin writing it days in advance depending on the length requirement and the subject matter. Got several chapters of a novel to read? I’ll break the assigned reading into smaller parts just so I don’t need to read it all in one sitting. I’ve found that if I read a large portion at once, I absorb less information than if I take my time and still finish it by the deadline. Therefore, it’d be wiser of me to break the reading into chunks.

 

  • All of us know the more we procrastinate, the more work piles up, the more stressed out we feel. Therefore, we need to avoid procrastination as much as we can. To avoid procrastinating, I’d set my phone down, listen to some studying music such as Lo-fi or even jazz, turn to each class’s syllabus or calendar, focus on the things I need to do, and mark off the things I’ve already completed for the day or week. Turning on music and setting it to a low volume is perfect for me; I generally can’t do homework in silence. This helps me concentrate and motivates me to do my work, so it could help you too.

If you want, you can take a look at this video:

Frank, Thomas. “How to Deal with Student Burnout – College Info Geek.” YouTube, uploaded by Thomas Frank, 11 June 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd_mRapoPtg.

Need resources to cope with academic burnout?

SCSU Counseling and Psychological Services

  • Located in Eastman Hall 305
  • Appointments are available in-person or via Zoom
  • Monday through Friday 8 AM-4:30 PM
  • Phone number: 320-308-3171

SCSU Self-Help Links

  • Includes links to various mental health organizations
  • Provides resources for mental health, academic, and personal concerns

Crisis Text Line

  • Text HOME to 741741 to connect to a crisis counselor
  • Available 24/7 to help with mental health
  • Free service to use

Now that you recognize the signs of academic burnout, you can take steps to help yourself if you experience it. If you take care of yourself, mentally and physically, you’ll get through college a lot easier and have a more positive outlook on it. It’s important not to push yourself too hard. I know that college is stressful, but it shouldn’t take a drastic toll on your well-being. If burnout occurs, please be kind to yourself.