ethereal

1. Check that nothing is due on Monday. Check again. 

2. Write down due dates for the rest of the week.

3. Pack your bag. Phone, keys, everything. 

4. Take a bath, have a long shower.

Essentials for Class

Your laptop/spirals/tablet/your preferred note-taking medium. For professors that speak quickly and cover a lot of information in a short amount of time before moving on to the next slide, I always like to use my laptop. Some professors prohibit the use of laptops (even for note-taking). So, I like to use a cheap spiral for class in which I will write information/graphics with the knowledge that they don’t have to be perfect. This is just to ensure that I get the information down. When I get home I transfer all of the notes into a nicer spiral to look over later. This also works to help me retain the information! 

My all-time favorite spiral notebooks are the Exceed Five Subject Notebooks. I love these because in the front they have a world map, a punctuation chart, a metric unit conversion chart, spelling rules, a ruler, and a glossary of general reference and research sites.

Loose-leaf paper. This is especially helpful for me because many of my professors will give pop-quizzes/pop-writing assignments. Also great for when a classmate needs to borrow some paper. You can whip it out and make a friend for all semester. 

Personally, I like to use Five Star Reinforced Filler Paper by Mead.

Pencil Bag. Naturally, not having to frantically dig around your backpack for a pen/pencil/highlighter makes your day go so much smoother.

I prefer the Mead Five Star Organizer Pencil Pouch.

My pencil bag comes complete with an assortment of pens, pencils, highlighters, two flash drives, a pencil sharpener, and an entire 50 pack of Crayola Super Tips. Yes, my pencil bag fits that much. 

Laptop charger & phone charger. I recommend purchasing a powerblock as well to ensure that you don’t have to compete over the use of limited outlets. Thousands of college students across the nation fail to charge their electronics nightly, don’t get caught in the crossfires of that feeding frenzy.

Headphones. Something about not having my music while I’m on the bus or walking across campus really kills my mood for the day. 

My planner! Stop writing stuff on your hand or on random pieces of paper. Get yourself a cheap planner. Even if you are not a planner user right now, just forcing yourself to use one for 30 days will forge an unbreakable and life-changing habit! Take it from me. 

To Make Your Day Easier

A small umbrella for those days when the weather goes from 75′ and sunny to raining cats and dogs in 3 seconds. 

A wallet with your IDs and change. I always kick myself when I didn’t have enough change for the vending machines on campus. I kick myself even harder when I have to ask random strangers for 50 cents to buy a scantron/blue book. Also just a good idea to always have some form of ID on you. 

Water bottle. Invest in a super cool, trendy, refillable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Or just keep refilling the same plastic one. 

Deodorant. This is so silly but I am always forgetting to put on deodorant before I walk out the door and I’m 22. When I get to class I realize I’ve forgotten and panic as the Texas heat encompasses me. Travel-sized deodorants are so beneficial. 

An emergency tampon/pad. Or two!!! Goes without saying. Surprises are always fun until it’s your period. I keep emergency tampons in my truck, in my apron for work, in my backpack, in my horse trailer. I do not play around. 

Ibuprofen/Aspirin 

Light snacks. We’re talking a granola bar or seven to keep your stomach from gurgling when you’re taking that exam and of course everyone showed up to class. 

A flashdrive.

Chapstick, sunscreen, or lotion can also make you more comfortable sitting in class. 

Quick Tips About Backpacks

While, yes, those little fashionable ones are cute, they don’t hold the essentials and can be damaging to your back, causing soreness and discomfort. Buying a Jansport absolutely saved my back and stopped my chronic pain from progressing! 

Obviously there are hundreds of amazing brands of backpacks out there, but I strongly urge you to purchase a bag with:

a sleeve inside for your laptop

at least three pockets - so everything has a place

those little mesh side pockets

adjustable (preferably PADDED) shoulder straps! 

Another thing! I always place my heavier items (laptop & textbooks) CLOSEST to my back. That way the weight doesn’t drag you down backwards and cause back pain (my doctor literally told me this). This is where having multiple pockets is so helpful. 

Adjust your shoulder straps so that you can also maintain good posture while walking. The weight of your backpack + where it sits on your back should not cause you to lean forward or sway backwards in order to compensate. Also fun fact - when I was in middle school I thought it was cool to have a backpack that hung really low (?) and it created a pinched nerve in my neck! Awesome! Don’t be like me! 

Remember that backpacks -while they can absolutely be super cute and trendy- are meant to possess functionality. Your backpack should carry the essentials you need to have a successful and comfortable day at class.

Lastly, 10/10 would recommend cleaning out your backpack frequently! Make sure it stays organized and free of clutter. I also like to make sure I take all of my spirals and planner out of my backpack each day after class so that after I rest for a bit - I know I have things I need to get to. 

Organizing Your Backpack - By Pockets

-Largest pocket (closest to your back): 

Heavier items such as your laptop, binders, textbooks, loose leaf paper and planner. Laptop should go inside the sleeve (if applicable). 

-Second largest pocket

Items such as your pencil bag, chargers, and umbrella.

-Smallest pocket

Items that you won’t be pulling in and out too frequently, such as headphones, deodorant, chapstick, a flashdrive, snacks, wallet, keys, painkillers, and your emergency tampons (if applicable). 

-Side pockets

Here I obviously like to keep my water bottle or coffee thermos. If you have more than one pocket this is also a great place to keep your little umbrella.

Doing well is much easier said than done. The best tip I have is to just do the work. It’s going to suck, but there’s no secret other than doing the work. Though, there are ways to make doing the work easier!

I. Time Management

Have a planner to gain a general idea of your week.

Schedule your time for studying but also schedule time for breaks.

Every morning I check what needs to be done for the day.

I treat college as a 9-5 job with a lunch break. This may not work for everyone, but this thinking allows me to be done by 5, and I usually finish everything for the day by that time.

Take a break after you finish an assignment. Allow yourself to feel proud for finishing and give yourself a reward.

Break up projects into smaller parts, this is incredibly important. It’s easier to do an outline, then a few paragraphs rather than doing an entire essay at once.

It’s not time well used if you don’t focus on the task at hand. If you’re having trouble, get rid of distractions using apps that limit phone/internet usage.

Don’t waste time on techniques that don’t work for you. I don’t rewrite notes, it doesn’t help me study. Instead I do extra textbook problems or I watch a video on the topic. 

Sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself to do the work, to study. Then just do a single problem, a single page or paragraph. Usually starting is the hardest part.

II. Studying & Learning

Be present during class by asking questions and answering problems.

Use phone-locking apps like Forest if you need to to stay focused on the class.

Skim lecture notes ahead of time. You don’t need to take notes on them, the professor will tell you what’s important.

It’s ok if your notes aren’t pretty as long as they’re functional.

Practice problems until you can’t get them wrong.

Try to teach the material to someone else. This will show holes in your understanding. Pretend to teach if you don’t have a friend in the same class.

If you need, study in the library. Honestly, studying at my desk in my dorm has worked just fine for me though.

Do the homework, there’s no way around it. This is probably the biggest tip here. Do the work.

Actually do the homework, don’t just copy answers. Understand the answers. You can’t copy on a test.

Speaking of tests, do as many practice tests as you can find. Once the real test comes around, you won’t be as nervous and it should feel familiar.

Nice pens and notebooks aren’t required. However, spend a dollar and get a pen that writes well enough that you’re not wasting time during class getting it to work. (I’ve been through this)

Do the extra credit. There’s no reason not to, and your grade will thank you.

Go to tutoring, not everyone knows everything. You might even make a new friend since most tutors at my school are also students!

Realistically, you don’t need to do every reading assignment as long as you know what your professor tests on. If you don’t have the time, its fine to only skim the assignment.

Make study groups. If you don’t have a friend in the class, it’s as easy as asking “want to work on the homework together?” In my experience, most people are happy to work with you.

Go to your professors office hours if you need help. Your professors are a valuable resource.

Ask your friends for feedback, I do this all the time.

III. Treat Yourself

Sleep and eat well. Coffee is not a breakfast.

Please, don’t force yourself to cram a subject overnight. This is where time management comes into play.

An over-stressed student is a bad student, but a little bit of stress is healthy.

Find what motivates you. Personally, I wish to become a researcher so I work hard towards that goal to get into a good grad. school.

You don’t have to join a club. I’m not in one, and my social life is just fine since I spend time playing games with friends at night.

But join a club if you want, even for a single day. You might meet some friends.

Really do whatever you want with regards to your social life. Do what’s comfortable for you.

*from someone that survived her own first year of university

university is SO different from high school; a brilliant student in high school can be just a mediocre university student, and this is simply how it is when people from all over the country come together in a class. 

so it is okay to stress, but only if afterwards you’re just trying your best! it doesn’t matter how much you already know (though it helps), but how willing you are to learn! so, really, if you want to be there, you can make it!

make sure you eat properly; after a while, your body will start feeling gross and it’ll eventually show in your capacity to do your work. go out, buy that extra meat, extra salads, extra fruits, at least every once in a while. it’s not luxury, it’s a need

go the extra mile. no matter how optional a task may be or how tongue-tied you feel on a particular day, put yourself out there. write that essay, do that projects, speak about your ideas. your teachers really appreciate it when they ask for interractions from students and they provide, and it’s nice to have your teacher know you by face and by actions. it might prove useful when they’re grading you during the finals as well.

go to all (most) of your classes, no matter how optional the attendace is or how little you understand on the moment. in the long run, it will matter, and it’s super helpful to complete all your materials with the extra knowledge you got from the class. and no one and nothing will truly replace a teacher’s explanation.

try to make friends with those around you; most are probably just as lost and lonely as you are and it’s good to have people around you who can motivate you when you’re done or with whom to simply share the struggles of getting an education. sure, not everyone will like you, but those that will, make sure they can stick.

get involved in all the extra programmes that you’re interested in! you’re young and a student once! these opportunities are mostly a once in your lifetime thing! get out there and try everything: go to that book club, get your ass for the cinephile gathering, sign up for exchange programs, help out your teachers with their projects, do volunteer work! whatever floats your boat, but just do it!

also keep your eyes wide open to catch all the interesting lectures happening in your school. check those posters, check those subjects, check those dates and go. most of the times, you’ll leave knowing much more and having something to think on.

do your reading and assignments ahead of time! you don’t want it to be 2 dayss before your first exam, and you still have to finish essays and books.

the library really is your best friend! either as a study place or alternative to spending all your money on the source materials for your homework.

tidy up at least once a week; as school materials will start pile up, it will be harder and harder to find anything and you’ll only just end up frustrated

no one knows you better than you do, so make sure to take only the amount of work you know you can do. it’s okay if you want to keep your first year as free as you can, so you have time to acommodate, and just as okay it is to try all the available classes if you can. 

keep your facebook name your real one so people can find you. make sure you’re in every possible group within the first week of university, so you know what’s going on. use said facebook groups to ask about teachers and classes, or find offers on used textbooks that are much cheaper than if you would have bought them yourself.

talk with the upperclassmen if you have questions, or simply for tips! really, it tickles our ego to have people actually interested in the experiences we have to share and most of us are more than happy to clear any misunderstandings or help you guys get a classroom right.

carry pills and proteine bars with you, especially if you spend a long time away from home! you never know when pain or hunger hits you, and it is better to be prepared than sorry. 

it became a running joke at this point, i know, but right during the exam period you’ll want to do everything you haven’t done ever. so make sure you nurture your hobbies as well as your studies, and hopefully your interests are not too time consuming or at least require frequent/long breaks.

literally no one cares about how you look; so wear that make-up and nice clothes if you feel up for it, but if you don’t, that’s fine as well.

If you couldn’t tell by the things I’ve been reposting lately, finals week has arrived. My first exam is at 8am tomorrow (wish me luck), and I wanted to share some tips and things I’ve learned over the years. Most of this applies to both college and high school, but everyone’s method is gonna be a little different. You do you boo. 

Self Care

This is super important. It may seem like you don’t have time to worry about these things but your body is just as important as your mind. Nurture it. 

Make your bed. Every morning. If you have to wake up early to give yourself more time, do it. Someone somewhere once said “the state of your bed is the state of your head.”

Brush your teeth. Floss if you can. I know it’s a pain in the ass but it’s literally 2 minutes of your time. 

Put on chap-stick. Bring it everywhere, to all your exams, leave some in your car, in your pocket. It’s never fun to have chapped lips. 

Wash your face. Morning and night, depending on skin type, etc. This is super important to wash away all of the dirt, makeup, and toxins your skin is exposed to. It also helps to wake you up and get you started. And if you’re anything like me, stress breakouts are always a possibility.

Moisturize. Your face, your arms, your legs, etc. A good facial moisturizer and body lotion can do wonders for your skin and your mood. Do a face mask too, if you really wanna pamper yourself. 

Keep your space clean. Where you sleep, where you get ready for bed, and especially where you study. This goes back to making your bed, your surroundings play an important role in your mood and state of mind. 

Eat Healthy. Don’t skip meals, your brain needs good nutrition to function. Take it easy on the sugar, you might be on a high for a little while but the crash is real. 

Drink. Water. Lots of it. I’m terrible when it comes to this, but I find that keeping a refillable water bottle on me, one that’s easy to take quick sips from, helps a lot. You need to be hydrated in order to function properly. Drink juice to help you stay awake if you’re not a fan of coffee or tea (Idk why but this really helps). 

Stay active. Keep moving, get that blood circulating. Whether it’s running, yoga, or a walk in the park, the movement is sure to clear your mind and get those endorphins kicking. 

SLEEP. 7-8 hours, ideally. No all-nighters. Don’t even think about it. I limit myself to one all-nighter a semester, and never on the night before an exam. Your brain works to learn and memorize at night, so get your rest and study in the process.Take catnaps between study sessions if you get tired during the day, but don’t sacrifice that sacred sleep for a few extra hours of studying that will haunt you the entire next day. 

Studying

Now that you’re all zenned out, you can fill your brain with all that dope knowledge. 

Go to review days. Your teacher should explain what’s on the exam and what she expects of you, and if you skip you could miss out on important details like room and time. It may seem like skipping gives you more time to study, but you’ll be at a disadvantage in the end.

Summarize. Outline/summarize/prep class content expected on the exam. Being able to summarize content and place it in an order that makes sense shows understanding, and it’ll help you figure out what you need to work on most.  

Find study stations. Coffee shops, the campus library, bookstores, diners, you name it. Study anywhere but home, at least not alone. I sometimes crash at my friend’s place and we’ll have silent study sessions, keeping each other in check. 

Use a time management tool. I use the app Forest, or the chrome extension. When you use the timer, you plant a tree or a bush and it grows until the timer is up. I like it because when I use it on my phone, I set the timer for 25 minutes and I can’t exit the app or the tree dies. On chrome, you can blacklist certain websites that distract you, and if you visit that website during your study session, the tree dies. Don’t kill trees people. 

Prioritize. What exam do you have first? How prepared are you for it? Which exam will be the hardest/are you least prepared for? Use your sessions wisely and focus on the material you don’t know as well. 

Method. What works for you? Are you an auditory learner? Record your notes and listen to them in the car or while you work out. Kinesthetic? Rewrite your notes, make models, etc. Visual? Find good pictoral representations of your content and try drawing diagrams. It’s super important to find a study method that works for you, and everyone’s is gonna be a little different.

Come prepared. Buy pencils, scantrons, and erasers beforehand and come to your exam with everything you need (i.e. calculator). Hand lotion, chap-stick, and deep breathing are great ways to calm yourself before an exam. If you’re religious - pray, spiritual - meditate/center yourself, non of the above - have faith in yourself and your abilities. 

Dress comfy. If sweats are the way you roll, then go with it. If you feel more productive dressing a little nicer, have at it. 

Trust yourself. Stop second guessing yourself. Trust in your work. Honestly, we doubt ourselves way more than we should. Don’t underestimate yourself, love. You show that exam who’s boss. 

Completely Updated Complete College Checklist!!

I have complied a list of all of the items someone needs to pack and bring to college if they are living in a residence hall. This list is categorized and alphabetized for your convenience.

Reblog this to help others who are struggling with their college checklist! 

Bed:

Bed sheets (2 sets)

Bed Risers (optional)

Blankets

Body Pillow

Comforter

Mattress Pad

Pillowcases

Pillows (2-3)

Bathroom:

Cup for toothbrushes

Paper towels

Shower curtain

Shower curtain hooks

Shower curtain liner

Shower organizer/shower caddy

Trashcan

Toilet Paper

Towels

Towel rack (over the door)

Washcloths

Q-tips

Room:

Command Hooks

Curtains

Desk lamp

Keurig (optional)

Microwave (optional)

Mini-fridge (optional)

Rug

Surge protector

Toaster

Trash can

Medical:

Advil/Tylenol/Aleeve

Band aids

Cotton balls/rounds

Hydrogen Peroxide

Midol

Neosporin

Rubbing Alcohol

Laundry:

Delicate bag

Dryer Sheets

Hangers (thin felt or wooden hangers)

Laundry hamper

Tide Pods

Toiletries/Personal:

Brush/Comb

Conditioner

Deodorant

Eyeliner

Floss

Foundation

Hand Soap

Kleenex Tissue

Lotion

Makeup organizer

Mouthwash

Pads/tampons (for the ladies)

Razors

Retainer (for those who’ve had braces)

Retainer case (don’t forget)

Shampoo

Shaving Cream

Sunscreen

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Tweezers

Q-Tips

Clothing: (Female) 

Bras

Dresses (I’m taking 3 or 4)

Jackets

Jeans

Pajamas (are a MUST)

Panties (15-20 pairs)

Pants (dress pants)

Purse (I’m only taking one)

Robe (a MUST)

Shirts (20-25)

Shoes (1-5)

Shorts

Slippers

Socks (24 pairs)

Sweaters

Swim Suit

Workout clothes (in case)

Clothing (Male)

Belt

Boxers/other undergarments 

Jackets

Jeans

Robe

Shirts

Shoes 

Shorts

Socks

Sweaters

School Supplies:

Backpack

Binder

Colored Pencils (you’d be surprised)

Cup for pencils

Desk Organizer

Erasers

Folders

Folder/Letter Holder

Glue

Highlighters

Index cards

Index card holder

Markers

Mechanical pencils

Notebooks (8)

(college ruled) paper

Pens

Post-it Notes

Post-it Note Dispenser

Ruler

Scissors

Staples & Stapler

Tape & tape dispenser

Cleaning Supplies:

Air Freshener

Broom & dustpan

Clorox Wipes

Gloves

Swiffer Sweeper (optional)

Tiny Trash Bags

Toilet Bowl Brush

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Other:

Alarm Clock

Car charger

Computer mouse

Flash Drive/USB/External hard drive

Headphones

Laptop

Laptop Charger

Phone

Phone Charger

Food:

Bottled Water (or Brita filter)

Cereal

Chips 

Mac and Cheese Cups

Tupperware Containers

If this list helped you and you decide to do a dorm haul video, send the links to the blog and I will post them! 

here’s a compilation of college tips on tumblr! hope it’s helpful, and feel free to add your own.

a sister’s guide on how to college by @thatwasvesey (originally posted here)

actual good first-time college student advice by @lampurple​

advice for incoming college freshmen by @catsbooksandthoughts

advice for incoming college freshmen by @dearpanda​

college scheduling tips by @anxiousstudying​

college tips by @studysetgo

college tips from a real live college student by @socsciblr​

college/uni tips by @daenerystargaryn

how to survive your first week of college by @studypunks​

paying for college by @collegerefs​

things i learned during my first weekend at college by @hotmessacademics​

things i wish i knew before college by @thevolutionofnerdy

things is wish i knew my freshman year of uni by @studyswimsexsleep

things i wish someone had told me when i was entering university by @paddysnuffles​

thoughts from a senior in college by @thelittle-victories​

tips for college freshmen by @poshspicestyles​

tips for saving money on required books by @mertinawriting​

tips for surviving college (with a mental illness) by @annefreuds

tips for surviving university by @95noteu​

university survival tips by @lightninginthecolliednight​

5 tips for incoming freshmen by @passwithclassandaniceass​

10 angry college tips for incoming freshmen by @studycrack​

10 ways to make your dorm room (almost) instantly homier by @smithwithsophia​

Wear jeans/pants that “breathe” and bring a sweater, even if it’s scorching hot out, until you know which building blasts the AC to 60 degrees F and which feels like a sauna

Backpacks with thick straps are your friend!  Messenger bags are cool and all but if you’re commuting with a lot of stuff, symmetrically styled backpacks are better for your back

You are your own person and you can walk out whenever you need to or want to, so long as you’re not disrupting the class.  Meaning you can go to the bathroom without permission, take a breather if you’re anxious, answer an important phone call, etc.

If you don’t like the class on the first day, if you can- DROP THAT CLASS AND TAKE ANOTHER ONE!  It’ll only get worse from there!

If you can, take a class outside your major; it’s a good break from your expected studies.

You are in charge of your schedule.  Your adviser and guidance counselor is there to ‘advise and guide’ but if you don’t like certain classes and you can substitute for others, that’s your choice.

Consequently, if you are changing anything drastic in your plan, talk with your adviser and instructors.

Pay attention to your credit hours and grades.  Never leave this to the last week of school, you will be sorry and stressed beyond belief!

Unless it’s a lab book or otherwise specified, go to the class for a week or so before buying an expensive textbook.  Some classes, while having it on their required list, do not actually use the textbook a whole lot and you might find some of it scanned online.  Rent if you can or buy used online (schools actually don’t give discounts).  Use your best judgement on what you think you need.

Tell the people who go up to you selling or advertising things you are not interested in that you are in a rush to class and don’t have time to listen to them.  It’s less rude and they’ll leave you alone.

The smaller the class, the better it is to have some sort of acquaintanceship with a couple classmates.  They might save your ass if you are absent one day or need to study.  And talking with them makes the time go by faster without it being so insufferable.

You don’t need to join a club or sport, but internships are cool and useful!

If you can afford it, take a day off once or twice each semester if you’re too exhausted.  Just be aware of what you missed and if it was worth missing!

Your health is the most important, this goes for mental health too!!  Note: College-age/upper teens is when mental disorders like depression and anxiety are most commonly diagnosed.  Most schools have therapy services, especially during exam time.  Look into it if you need to!

Communicate with your professor if you are having trouble with something.  Anything.

Eat and stay hydrated.  Bring a water bottle and snack to class.

All-nighters will happen but never go over 36 hours without sleep.

It’s going to be hard and there will be times you might think about giving up.  This WILL happen.  You just have to make sure what you’re doing isn’t making you absolutely miserable and/or there is something rewarding and positive to look forward to at the end!

Your parents will hover like crazy and try to help you unpack when you move in. They mean well, but if you’re overwhelmed don’t be afraid to kick them out for a bit. 

Don’t ask your RA what bars to hit up in town (like one girl from my floor actually did)

Check your e-mail five times a day, your professors might be sending out syllabi or other helpful/important stuff ahead of time. 

You will cry at least once while buying textbooks from the campus bookstore that you couldn’t find used on Chegg (sidenote: use Chegg) 

Your dining hall probably has pizza available for every meal. Don’t eat pizza for every meal. 

Even if you hated salads your entire life, you will learn to love them so that, you know, you don’t eat pizza for every meal. 

Check your dining hall hours online. Some of them close between meals. 

Leave your door open or do random Internet browsing in the floor lounge if you want to meet more people. 

At least one of your posters will constantly fall down no matter how many 3M command strips you use.

A lot of campus events are lame. A lot of them are not. Go to as many of them as you can anyways to meet more people.

If you need time to yourself, take it. You’ll make friends eventually without having to hang out with them constantly. 

Don’t expect to become BFFs with everyone you meet, and don’t expect to become best friends over your first weekend. 

If you’re standing if a long period of time, bend/relax your knees every so often. If you keep them locked, you might trigger a nerve in your body that causes you to pass out (this may or may not have happened to me on my second day, oops) 

Drink water.

Carry an umbrella if there is the slightest chance of rain. Carry one even if there isn’t, just in case. 

Carry a sweater or hoodie always. 

Pokemon Go is lit on college campuses; every single building is a gym or pokestop and there are lures everywhere. Plus, your eggs hatch in no time because you’re walking everywhere. 

It’s okay to eat alone in a dining hall; either no one will care or someone will sit at your table and strike up a conversation.

If you really, really don’t want to eat alone, literally just knock on someone’s door in your hall. If they don’t want to go with you, try someone else. Chances are, someone else might be hungry, too or at least willing to walk over with you. 

Come up with a roommate agreement. Decide when you’re cleaning, sharing policy, guest policy, light and noise preferences, etc. 

If there is a massive involvement fair on campus, research some clubs online so you know what to look for. Otherwise you’ll be overwhelmed in two seconds. 

Join a group chat with people on your floor or in the same area of study as you, it’s super helpful for general information.

Ask everyone you talk to to add you on Snapchat. 

Simple things like taking out the trash or doing laundry will suddenly feel very overwhelming. 

Academic Tips

“You are responsible for your own learning.”

1. Always do your work when you get it and don’t wait until the last minute. Waiting until the last minute to get work done will sometimes allow you to still get things done by their due date but it leaves little room for studying and reviewing between then and in the end will hurt you on exams. 

2. Work alone. The best way to learn new material is to do it on your own and struggle through and figure it out ON YOUR OWN. I wish someone had told me this because I really struggled to catch up in classes this past semester because I would do my homework with friends instead of learning how to do things on my own and it hurt me a lot on exams. 

3. Find friends you can study with.You want to be able to be productive if you choose to do a study session. Studying with friends might be okay if you work well together but chances are you’ll get distracted. Find people you work well with to study because you tend to learn more that way. For me, that was people I met in class and at office hours.

4. Please oh, please use office hours This is such a big one that freshman don’t use until the last minute. These are your best bet for getting questions answered if you didn’t understand something in lecture, on your homework, etc. Plus, getting to know your prof is very important because they tend to be more helpful if they see you are working hard in their class and they give good letters of recommendation if you make a good impression on them. If you can’t make their office hours, email them or set up an appointment. It’s very important to have good communication. 

5. Sit in the front and ask questions Be the nerd of the lecture by sitting in the front and don’t be afraid to ask a question. However, if its a question that requires a lengthy answer, save it for office hours so you don’t the lecture behind schedule. 

6. BUY AND READ THE DARN TEXTBOOK So many people tell you not to buy the textbook if you don’t truly need it for assignments but that is so wrong. You will always need the textbook if it is in the syllabus. Period. Read the chapters BEFORE lecture and review it afterward if material still doesn’t make sense. You will learn so much more and remember so much more in a faster time period than if you don’t read it at all. The book is also extremely important for covering details that won’t be covered in lecture.

Social Life 

1. Meet new and DIFFERENT people instead of people like yourself. These people will show you so many cool new things that you’ll never experience otherwise. Meeting new and different people can be challenging and uncomfortable at first if you’re shy like me but it will make your college experience much more worth it. 

 2. Join clubs but not too many. Take part in activities and clubs that you enjoy but be careful not to overload yourself. Freshman year you should start off by just trying a few clubs here and there just to see what you like before committing to a lot of anything.

3. Don’t be afraid to say no to alcohol, drugs, and even hanging out. College students say “You do you” and they really mean it. You don’t have to feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do and no one will judge you for that. If you find “friends” who do judge you, make some new friends. Also, remember that school comes first so if you have a large project to do and your friends want to go out, its ok to say no. Your friends should understand that in college, you really need to get stuff done and that schedule can be different than theirs.

 4. Be okay with being alone but completely surrounded by people. You are almost guaranteed to different schedules than your friends so you’ll learn that you’ll often be eating or doing school work alone. This is perfectly normal! Learn to like it because it’s nice to do things on your own. You may feel lonely sometimes but you’re also always surrounded by people. It’s hard to find actual privacy in college especially when you live in the dorms and share a room with a roommate. It will be strange at first but you’ll find the right balance of being along and being with people over time. 

Roommates and Dorms 

1. “A clean room is a clean mind.” Keeping a clean room will help you to study because you’ll be able to easily find everything you need instead of digging through piles of clothes and other belongings. Dorm rooms are also very small so putting things in their rightful storage places is essential for keeping a tidy room.

2. Study outside of your room as much as you can. If you’re like me, you can distract yourself easily especially when you don’t want to do something (like study). By getting the majority of your work done in the library or somewhere else on campus other than your room, you have less options to distract yourself whereas in your room, you have all your stuff to pick up and lose hours of study time with. 

3. Be straightforward with your roommate. If your roommate is doing something that bothers you, tell them clearly right away (politely). Otherwise, they’ll never know and continue to do what is bothering you. In order to avoid arguments, tell them right away very nicely and they should stop. It might be their room too, but you need to make sure that you’re happy as well. 

lazy study tips

1. use quizlet. quizlet is amazing because you can access your flashcards on your phone!! this way you can easily flip through them while waiting in line, watching tv, etc.

2. use the pomodoro technique. if you’re lazy like i am, sitting down for 6+ hours a day to study can be daunting. giving yourself multiple breaks throughout a study session will help to keep you going!

3. watch youtube videos. watching videos or listening to podcasts on the topic you’re studying could be a huge time saver and is a lot more interesting than flipping through a textbook. and you can easily do this in bed!! (i would not advise to do this instead of using a textbook all together just in case information is left out of the video)

4. try to build a steady study routine. block out a chunk of time in the middle of the day every day for studying. this way, you know that when the time is up, you have the rest of the day to relax!

5. get sleep. i’ve found that i’m at my laziest when i haven’t been sleeping much. avoid being sluggish throughout the day and get some rest! this will cut back on nap/rest time and increase productivity during the day.

6. consider the consequences of not studying. which will benefit you more in the long run- getting your work done now, or watching another episode?

7. reward yourself. give yourself a little treat (a piece of candy, etc.) after completing a set amount of work. this will keep you motivated to keep studying!

8. just start. the hardest part of studying is starting- force yourself to sit down and open up your notes.

My method

Write down which major requirements you still need to cover and mark which ones you should take this upcoming semester. These are your LOCKED in classes, classes you need to take.

Go through each section available for these classes and mark first choice, second choice, third choice.

If your college or university does general education requirements, write down which ones you still need to cover.

Go through coursicle or your school website and write down classes you’d be willing to take that fulfill those general education requirements.

In a spreadsheet, make a first column with hours of the day/class blocks, a second column with your first choice schedule (lined up with the times in the first column), and subsequent columns with backup options in case you don’t get the classes you want.

My university splits classes M/W/F and T/TH, so I have two separate schedules for each set of days.

Highlight sections of the same class in the same color. Mark recitation/lab sections that only meet once a week.

Coursicle can be helpful in drafting your most desired schedule and seeing which classes conflict with each other.

Things to consider

QUALITY OF THE CLASS

Ask your peers about their favorite professors! I find that the professor makes the class, not the material. The material can be interesting to you, but a dry professor can ruin it. On the other hand, a good professor can make dry material interesting.

Ratemyprofessor. Be wary of bad reviews that are negative just because the person didn’t do well, but if a professor has a GOOD rating and a good number of reviews (I think 7 is safe number), it’s probably okay to assume the class will be good.

Does the professor have any teaching awards? Professors will often have professional websites or profiles that list any teaching awards they’ve gotten.

Ask your department adviser. Your general adviser will probably not know this, but department advisers may be willing to give out professor recommendations (mine did).

You can email the professor to inquire into whether you are a right fit for the class. Scary but sometimes helpful!

TIMING

Start times. I am a big supporter of the late start. Unless you’re really a morning person (my roommate doesn’t even need an alarm to wake up), you will appreciate not having to wake up at 6-7:30am every day. I was able to wake up around 9am or 10am every day, which improved my mental health.

Spacing. Is there enough time between your classes to get lunch and dinner (please eat). Is there enough time between your classes for you to get to the next one on time? Some people find breaks in the day helpful because they can get work done. I find that it’s easier for me to just go from one class to the next without any breaks because I end up just lazing about during breaks in the day if I have any. Know thyself.

Evening classes. Some people I know don’t like evening classes because they want the evening to be free for socializing. Taking a class in the evening limited what events I could go to and how many hours I could work. 

Balance between the days. Some people take all their classes on T/TH and subsequently have M/W/F off. I personally like to split my classes as evenly as I can across each day and schedule my classes so I can eat lunch/dinner at similar times to establish a routine.

GEN EDS AND MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

I plotted out a mock schedule for all four years given potential majors, double majors, etc. Might be something to think about!

DIFFICULTY

If this is your first semester at college, I’d recommend taking it easy and deliberately taking on less than you think you could do at your best. You’re going to have a lot of new experiences and I feel like getting out of your room or the library to meet other people or get involved in organizations will be a lot more eye-opening than another class.

I also might consider taking at least one buffer class, or one class you think you could do well in. This could knock out some gen eds.

INTEREST

hi everybody! during my freshman year of college, i experienced burnout countless times, and you likely will, too. thankfully, burnout is usually avoidable! here are my tips on avoiding it!! xx

1. go to bed at a decent time! i can’t express enough how important sleep is. if you are physically or mentally exhausted, you’re going to burn out way more quickly. having a steady sleep schedule is the most important thing to do to avoid burnout!!

2. make time for yourself! don’t study all the time- spend time practicing self-care and doing things you enjoy. it’ll pay off in the long run!

3. space everything out! don’t schedule all of your meetings and responsibilities in one or two days. tackle just a couple of things a day! this one may seem a little obvious, but i constantly see students over working themselves because they try to procrastinate doing everything until the last minute and have to do it all in one day.

4. divide and conquer! this sort of goes along with #3, but don’t cram everything you need to study into one night! divide up the topics covered on the exam/quiz and study one or two groups of topics a night!

5. give yourself a day off! this may be difficult to maintain, but do your best to work your schedule to give yourself one day off a week. for me, over the school year, my scheduled weekly day off was sunday. i did my best to do all my weekend homework on friday and saturday so that i could relax on sunday without a stack of responsibilities on my mind!

6. seek help if you need it! most (if not every) colleges have an on-campus psychologist. if you’re having a lot of trouble balancing all your responsibilities and managing your stress, seeing a psychologist may help! on-campus psychologists are experienced trained specifically to help students, so they will undoubtedly have tips to deal with everything. there is no shame in seeking help! if you’re in high school or middle school, you could see your guidance counselor!

7. love the work you do! find value in all of your assignments and notes. this will make them look less like assignments and more like learning experiences!

Fall 2019 Complete College Checklist

College starts in a little over a month, and I decided to edit this compiled list of everything you should consider bringing to college. Feel free to print this out and use it for your college shopping trip! 

Reblog this to help others who are struggling with their college packing/ moving checklist!

Bed:

Bed sheets [usually a Twin XL] (try to get 2 sets)

Bed [Back] Rest Pillow 

Blankets

Body Pillow

Comforter

Lap Desk/Tray

Mattress Foam Topper

Mattress Pad

Mattress Protector

Pillowcases

Pillows (2-3)

Shams

Bathroom:

Cup for toothbrush

Paper towels

Shower curtain

Shower curtain hooks

Shower curtain liner

Shower organizer (or shower caddy)

Trashcan

Toilet Paper

Towels (5-7 recommended)

Towel rack (over the door)

Washcloths

Wet wipes

Room:

Command Hooks

Curtains

Desk lamp

Extension Cord* (optional) 

Microwave* (optional)

Mini-fridge* (optional)

Rug

Storage Ottoman

Surge protector

Toaster* (optional)

Trash can

Medical:

Advil/Aleve/Tylenol/Aspirin 

Allergy medication

Band aids

Cough drops/syrup

Cotton balls/rounds

Hydrogen Peroxide

Neosporin or other ointment

Pepto bismol

Rubbing alcohol

Laundry:

Delicates bag

Dryer Sheets

Hangers (thin hangers)

Laundry hamper

Tide Pods/Laundry Detergent

Toiletries/Personal:

Brush/Comb

Conditioner

Deodorant

Feminine Hygiene products

Floss

Lotion

Makeup

Makeup organizer/storage 

Mouthwash

Razors

Shampoo

Shaving Cream

Sunscreen

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Tweezers

Q-Tips

Clothing:

Bras

Cardigans

Dresses (for a banquet, sorority rush, and going out)

Jackets

Jeans

Leggings or yoga pants

Pajamas (are a MUST)

Panties

Pants (dress pants)

Purse

Robe (a MUST)

Shirts (20-25)

Shoes (1-5)

Shorts

Slippers

Socks (24 pairs)

Sweaters

Workout clothes

School Supplies:

Backpack

Binder

Crayons

Cup for pencils

Erasers

Folders

Folder/Letter Holder

Glue

Highlighters

Index cards

Index card holder

Markers

Mechanical pencils

Notebooks (8-10, depending on class load)

[College ruled] paper

Pens

Post-it Notes

Post-it Note Holder

Ruler

Scissors

Staples & Stapler

Tape & tape dispenser

Cleaning Supplies:

Air Freshener

Broom & dustpan

Clorox Wipes

Gloves

Mop & bucket

Swiffer Sweeper* (optional)

Tiny Trash Bags (or grocery store bags)

Toilet Bowl Brush

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Other:

Alarm Clock

Car phone charger

Computer mouse

Flash Drive/USB/External hard drive

Headphones

Laptop

Laptop Charger

Phone

Phone Charger

Portable phone charger

Tablet

Extra items:

Keurig

Plates

Bowls

Silver/plastic ware (Forks, Spoons, Knives)

Cups 

Items marked with (*) are optional and may have rules surrounding them, minifridge, toaster, and microwave policies should be cleared with university housing before deciding to purchase or bring your own. Some universities require them to be under a certain size. Other universities allow only a microwave and a minifridge that are connected (from a rental company) if you want both. Most universities do not allow extension cords due to them being a fire hazard. Again, please check with your university’s housing department. 

If you are going to have a roommate, divide some of the cleaning supplies and bathroom items amongst each other (to avoid having multiple shower curtains/towel racks/mops etc…) This would also be a good time to determine a color scheme or theme for your room if you’re interested in that. 

Fall 2019 Complete College Checklist

College starts in a little over a month, and I decided to edit this compiled list of everything you should consider bringing to college. Feel free to print this out and use it for your college shopping trip! 

Reblog this to help others who are struggling with their college packing/ moving checklist!

Bed:

Bed sheets [usually a Twin XL] (try to get 2 sets)

Bed [Back] Rest Pillow 

Blankets

Body Pillow

Comforter

Lap Desk/Tray

Mattress Foam Topper

Mattress Pad

Mattress Protector

Pillowcases

Pillows (2-3)

Shams

Bathroom:

Cup for toothbrush

Paper towels

Shower curtain

Shower curtain hooks

Shower curtain liner

Shower organizer (or shower caddy)

Trashcan

Toilet Paper

Towels (5-7 recommended)

Towel rack (over the door)

Washcloths

Wet wipes

Room:

Command Hooks

Curtains

Desk lamp

Extension Cord* (optional) 

Microwave* (optional)

Mini-fridge* (optional)

Rug

Storage Ottoman

Surge protector

Toaster* (optional)

Trash can

Medical:

Advil/Aleve/Tylenol/Aspirin 

Allergy medication

Band aids

Cough drops/syrup

Cotton balls/rounds

Hydrogen Peroxide

Neosporin or other ointment

Pepto bismol

Rubbing alcohol

Laundry:

Delicates bag

Dryer Sheets

Hangers (thin hangers)

Laundry hamper

Tide Pods/Laundry Detergent

Toiletries/Personal:

Brush/Comb

Conditioner

Deodorant

Feminine Hygiene products

Floss

Lotion

Makeup

Makeup organizer/storage 

Mouthwash

Razors

Shampoo

Shaving Cream

Sunscreen

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Tweezers

Q-Tips

Clothing:

Bras

Cardigans

Dresses (for a banquet, sorority rush, and going out)

Jackets

Jeans

Leggings or yoga pants

Pajamas (are a MUST)

Panties

Pants (dress pants)

Purse

Robe (a MUST)

Shirts (20-25)

Shoes (1-5)

Shorts

Slippers

Socks (24 pairs)

Sweaters

Workout clothes

School Supplies:

Backpack

Binder

Crayons

Cup for pencils

Erasers

Folders

Folder/Letter Holder

Glue

Highlighters

Index cards

Index card holder

Markers

Mechanical pencils

Notebooks (8-10, depending on class load)

[College ruled] paper

Pens

Post-it Notes

Post-it Note Holder

Ruler

Scissors

Staples & Stapler

Tape & tape dispenser

Cleaning Supplies:

Air Freshener

Broom & dustpan

Clorox Wipes

Gloves

Mop & bucket

Swiffer Sweeper* (optional)

Tiny Trash Bags (or grocery store bags)

Toilet Bowl Brush

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Other:

Alarm Clock

Car phone charger

Computer mouse

Flash Drive/USB/External hard drive

Headphones

Laptop

Laptop Charger

Phone

Phone Charger

Portable phone charger

Tablet

Extra items:

Keurig

Plates

Bowls

Silver/plastic ware (Forks, Spoons, Knives)

Cups 

Items marked with (*) are optional and may have rules surrounding them, minifridge, toaster, and microwave policies should be cleared with university housing before deciding to purchase or bring your own. Some universities require them to be under a certain size. Other universities allow only a microwave and a minifridge that are connected (from a rental company) if you want both. Most universities do not allow extension cords due to them being a fire hazard. Again, please check with your university’s housing department. 

If you are going to have a roommate, divide some of the cleaning supplies and bathroom items amongst each other (to avoid having multiple shower curtains/towel racks/mops etc…) This would also be a good time to determine a color scheme or theme for your room if you’re interested in that.