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1/6/20

I’m back! After a long finals week, winter break, and blog hiatus, I’m starting up this blog again. The new year brings new classes (Educational Psychology in this case). I can’t wait to see where this semester goes!

11/19/19

Reviewing some psych terms before my exam tomorrow. Lots of things to do this week and it feels like not enough time to do them! I can’t wait to get home this weekend for the first time in months for a much needed break.

11/11/19

My walk home from the library is gorgeous no matter the weather. As thanksgiving break approaches, my professors seem to love giving as many exams as possible. These next two weeks are gonna be a grind, but my reward is a trip home to see my family.

11/5/19

Only a few more hours until my stats exam. I really need the grade, so fingers crossed. I’m in a good mood this week for no particular reason, but I’m trying to enjoy it as much as possible!

11/4/19

A seriously gorgeous (and productive) day in Nashville. Doing some philosophy reading in the library before my book club meeting tonight. Protip: always try and at least skim your reading, even if you go over it in class, it feels good to be prepared!

11/2/2019

10/28/19

10/25/19

10/21/19

After over six years of intense practice, here’s the procedure I follow to write, edit, and finish essays on time! 

Calculate how much time you need

Do this as soon as the essay is assigned. My general rule of thumb is one day per page required, plus 1. So if the page requirement is 6, I give myself 7 days to do the essay. This allows me to really focus on perfecting each page and spread the work out to <hour/day instead of eight hours of frantic writing the night before. Use the last day for final edits!

Go to office hours

I can’t emphasize this one enough! Use this time to present ideas for your paper, clarify the rubric, and generally make sure you’re on the right track. Nothing’s worse that being halfway through a paper and realizing you misunderstood the prompt. Nothing.

Outline!

Your outline should include a thesis, the topic sentence for each body paragraph, and any quotes/paraphrasing you plan on using. It’s miraculous how much easier it is to write a paper when you have something concrete to start with. 

Take advantage of your resources

If your school has a writing help center, use it--and make the appointment ahead of time. Find librarians who can help you research your topic, it’s their job and they’ll be happy to help! Where are you the most productive? Find that space and do your work there. 

Finish a day early

I always mark due dates for large projects a day ahead in my calendar. Use your extra day to make final edits, format the paper, and go over the rubric to make sure you’ve hit every point. Try reading your paper aloud to find errors you might not have noticed!

Every essay should have

A strong thesis that argues a point

Specific body paragraphs that support the thesis directly with evidence

A conclusion that sums up your essay while also touching on a new, related idea

10/17/19

10/15/19

10/14/19

10/13/19

10/12/19

We’ve all been there. It’s the class where you sit in the back corner and zone out for 50 minutes because you simply can’t latch on to what the professor is saying. Having dealt with many a mind-numbing class, I’ve decided to share what I do to help myself focus and pass the time!

1. Turn off your phone (and bury it in your backpack)

I know it seems self explanatory, but once you realize you can get away with being on your phone in class, it’s really hard to stop. So make a habit of having your phone away. 

2. Make a friend and study buddy!

If you’re suffering, likely the person next to you is too. Bond in your shared misery--but also encourage each other to take good notes and pay attention (plus it never hurts to have a study buddy). 

3. Take a break

Most professors allow students to leave to go the bathroom during class, so take advantage. If you’re falling asleep, go stretch your legs, get some water, and come back with a more focused mindset. 

4. Bring a drink (and a snack)

Eating and drinking help keep you awake and give your body something to do! Every time you feel sleepy, try taking a sip from your water bottle. If you can, bring something (quiet) to eat and keep your energy up. 

5. Set a goal

Before arriving, set a goal for your time in class. Maybe that’s taking the neatest notes you possibly can, maybe that’s not zoning out for the entire period, maybe it’s finally understanding a concept that’s giving you trouble. Whatever your goal, focus on it and feel accomplished when the period finally lets out. 

10/10/19