#college advice

Webcam Model(secxymomy) is live
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miscatsquad:

Maybe being upside down will make you stop overworking yourself! Got a friend who overworks? Just send them this video to make them stop!

thewolfofthestars:

stopstopstopstopstopp-deactivat:

the-real-numbers:

coleide:

:

And this is tiktok we need

75% of the time if something is paywalled, fucking around in developer mode looking for a link to the real thing or finding and deleting the content blocker works like a charm

also if ur lazy like me or just straight up cant figure out how to do this without deleting 90% of the page 

theres this extention called Poper Blocker

which not only.. blocks popups. but also has this thing called “Remove Overlay” when u right click which works a good 99% of the time in my experience in getting rid of paywalls.

Quick note: this method should work on a lot of websites, but it does not work on Chegg. I know this because I’ve looked into it myself–turns out Chegg doesn’t actually have the answer on the webpage at all if you visit a page with an answer on it while not logged in. Instead, they load a stock “answer text blurred” image in its place. It’s not even an image of the actual answer, it’s the same blurred text image on every page. So yeah, Chegg is bullshit and I hate it. On another note, here’s a link to a subreddit where you can get unlocks for Chegg answers as well as other predatory “class/homework help” websites that leech money out of poor and desperate college students like CourseHero. https://www.reddit.com/r/CheggAnswers/

starryeize:

image

okay, so here in california precautionary measures against COVID-19 have become increasingly intense. most schools have closed and are preparing to make the transition to “distance learning” aka online classes. this is a big change for many of us – but don’t panic!

welcome to surviving online classes 101!

self discipline

this is more of a warning than a tip. working from home means you will have to exercise a lot more self discipline. it can be a little bit boring or lonely at times. you cannot count on motivation from others (professors, classmates, friends, etc.), so you will have to learn some self discipline. 

create your own classroom

a good way to make the transition is to try and mimic the classroom setting as closely as possible. something that might be helpful is to set up a space designated for work. try to avoid the temptation to work in your bed or on the couch. that trains your brain to be alert in those places and makes it harder to relax/fall asleep. at least during online lectures, try and eliminate distractions that wouldn’t be present in a regular classroom (like tv or netflix playing in the background, or having your phone out)

dress for success!

dress in the way that makes you feel most productive. if you’re one of those people who usually rolls into class wearing sweats and still kills it, good for you! if you’re one of those people who needs to put on a full face of makeup to feel alive and ready for the day, do that! even at home!! i personally never wear makeup but if i try to be productive in pjs… disaster. i’ve also found that cute workout gear makes me feel badass while still being comfy.

create a schedule

now more than ever you need to figure out how to manage your time. you can use a planner, bujo, google calendar, the forest app, whatever. just make sure you keep track of things like

  • due dates and TIMES
  • exam dates
  • lecture times
  • hours spent studying
  • meals (pls eat 3 if possible)
  • water intake
  • sleep schedule

pack your bag like you usually would

i know this probably sounds so dumb, but when you’re done working clean up after yourself. pack everything up like you would at school, to sort of signal to your brain that academic time is over for now. and then unpack and set up when you’re ready to get to work again. this is just another way to trick your brain into that school mindset while you’re stuck at home.

don’t overwork yourself

break up your studying into chunks. being cooped up all day can make us feel like we’re wasting time, but be sure to schedule breaks and reward yourself after a solid study session. i’m a big fan of the pomodoro method, and it can be customized really easily to allow for more or less study/rest time. 

maintain a healthy sleep schedule

now is the time to develop that healthy sleep schedule we all dream about. staring at a computer all day is exhausting and hard on the eyes and brain, so make sure to give them enough rest and time to recover each night. also, consider investing in glasses that block blue light, even if you don’t usually use glasses. this will keep our eyes young lol. 

communicate with your teachers and classmates

most of us are making this transition to online learning together. any time you have questions, email your professor. reach out to your classmates at the beginning and exchange emails/phone numbers/social media so you can build a support system. if something goes wrong, screenshot it immediately and reach out to your professor. technology isn’t perfect, and mistakes can happen, just communicate them.

turn things in early

this is my biggest tip. when you are relying on online submissions for assignments and digital lectures, you always want to allow extra time to fix any errors you might encounter. your professor will also be much more willing to help you fix a problem two days before a deadline rather than two minutes before a deadline. eliminate that uncertainty by playing it safe with online submissions. 

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!! YOU GOT THIS!! WE GOT THIS!!

fuckstudy:

For seniors or soon-to-be seniors, if you guys get into your dream schools, congratulations!  

But, be careful.

It’s called a “dream school” because it’s not within your ability . It’s a school above your ability – that’s why it’s called a dream school.

So if you go there, expect other people to be smarter, brighter and better than you are. Know that the stress might be there, and it will be an uphill battle if you go there

If you don’t end up in your dream school, it’s ok.

Because what matters more is not the school title; what matters more is who you are

I know it sounds jaded, but it’s true. You don’t have to put on a fake side of your[self].  If your level is there, then go to that school and do well in that school.

If your goal is to go to a grad school or find a good job, then having a good GPA in that school, in the school that fits you might be better than trying to get into a dream school and struggling there.

And lastly, if you overachieve, you will feel stress at some point.

But know that it’s ok.

Know that other people may not speak up, but know that other people are equally stressed as you are and it’s ok for you to speak up and say that you are struggling.

If you’re not doing well at school, it’s also ok…you could go to the best school and be successful or you can go to a decent school and have the right mentality and become very successful in the future.

– Alex Chang, “The Unspoken Reality Behind the Harvard Gates” 

An important video.

For students: prospective, current and past.

For teachers, educators and parents. 

My initial reaction here. Expect something more thought out when it’s not the middle of the week after a long day at work. 

#reblogged    #college    #encouragement    #college advice    

Doing a Ph.D. is a really scary thought. Especially in humanities and social sciences. Especially in today’s job market.

Here I’m going to speak a little about my approach to Ph.D. applications, why I chose to do what I did, and how I put it all together including examples.

1. The Doubt

After coming out of my Master’s degree, I already had a year of research set up, so I didn’t have to think about jobs like all of my friends I had made during that degree. I watched many of them struggle to find a job offer. Some were successful in attaining a job in Cultural Resource Management, a couple got smaller jobs in local museums, but for the most part it induced a lot of stress to have come out of a Master’s degree with no prospects.

How I imagined my future at that time: I knew I didn’t want to work in a museum, I knew I didn’t like Cultural Resource Management, I knew that after all this hard work I didn’t want to end up underpaid somewhere doing data entry.

A Ph.D. has always been something that I wanted. Ever since entering the Anthropology discipline, I imagined myself working towards becoming a Professor.

Here’s what I was told when I started to consider a Ph.D. Program:

  • “Don’t do it” (said by someone who already had her Ph.D.)
  • “I wish I had gone into something with more money, even after my Ph.D. its been difficult to find stable work”
  • “If you’re doing a Ph.D. in social sciences, ONLY go if you are fully funded, otherwise it is not worth the financial debt”
  • “Most people don’t get in their first try, that’s why people apply to 10+ schools”

Coming up with a plan: After hearing this, I came up with a couple different options. Plan A: Apply to Ph.D. programs, if I get into one my first try and it’s fully funded then I’ll do it. Plan B: Find a job in Environmental consulting, I could put my GIS experience to use, make some money, and then try again for a Ph.D. later down the road if I wanted. Plan C: Move to Japan and live out my weeb dreams (I’m part Japanese and have a lot of family there so this wasn’t as crazy as it sounds).

I was genuinely okay with any of these options. They all involve things that I enjoy, none of them are bad options, none of them would feel like “failure” if I ended up not getting into a program. I think this step is very important because it forces you to figure out what you care about, and allows you to be open to change if plan A doesn’t work out.

2. Choosing a Program to Apply to

I knew that I didn’t just want to apply anywhere. Getting a job outside of a PhD is already hard enough, and I wanted the school that I chose to reflect the work that I would put into it. As much as we want to think that name brands don’t matter when it comes to education, it sure as heck does help when it comes to opportunity and being selected amongst 100′s to 1000′s of applicants. Therefore, why not shoot for the stars? What’s the harm in trying. For this reason, I decided to only apply to schools that:

  1. Had a prestigious name
  2. Had a program that supported what I wanted to study and allowed for cross-disciplinary research (Digital Archaeology focused on SE Asia)
  3. Had an advisor that had done research paralleled to mine (whether that included SE Asia or just Digital Archaeology in general).

I started research into programs with the Ivies and went down from there, also cross-comparing programs that had been ranked as best schools for studying Anthropology.

At the time of researching, the programs that stood out the most to me were:

  • Stanford (ideal because it was close-ish to home, fully funds their Phd students for 5 years, has opportunity for additional funding, had professor working with digital archaeology in Asia)
  • Harvard (had professor working in Digital Archaeology though it wasn’t in my preferred region, also has good funding, and its Harvard)
  • U Chicago (traditionally one of the top schools for Anthropology, however I had heard that a lot of this is because of “legacy” professors, and not much has come out of the department in recent years. Did not have someone specifically in my region of focus)
  • ASU (Also considered one of the top Anthropology schools, but funding is often fought for between students)
  • UC Berkeley (Had professors studying Asia, but it is a public school and also has limited guaranteed funding)

I sent e-mails to advisors that I thought I could support my research (this was probably around May, when applications are due Sep-Dec).

  • Hello Professor______,
  • My name is _______ and I am interested in applying to ________’s Doctoral program in Archaeology beginning in the fall of 2020. I would like to inquire whether you are accepting graduate students for this period, as my research interests align well with your research. I received my B.A. in __________ from _________ in 2017 and am currently _______. [Enter what you’re doing now, and any relevant experience that shows what you’re interested in researching]. [Enter something about their research, and why you’re interested in working with them/why you think you would work well with them]. I am eager to continue along this path and I feel as though your experience with _______could provide an interesting opportunity for future research. I would also be interested in working with [enter any other faculty that have similar interests, this shows that you’ve done some research into the program and the school in general] For your convenience, I have attached my CV here. If you have the time, I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you further about the program and future research.
  • Best,
  • Full name

I also researched the financial aid provided to incoming Ph.D. students. After doing this, the only schools that sounded good to me were Stanford and Harvard.

Yeah, I know, only applying to Stanford and Harvard was a “big risk,” but this is how I thought about it:

  • I don’t want to commit to a Phd program for 5+ years if it’s not fully funded, doesn’t have a big name, and isn’t going to guarantee opportunity after graduating.
  • I wanted an environment where I knew I could be happy under immense amounts of pressure  (California by family, Boston by friends).
  • If I didn’t get in, I had back up options that honestly sounded really fun to me, so I was okay with pursuing those instead.
  • I didn’t want a Ph.D. just to have a Ph.D., I wanted a degree that would set me apart from others so that I could give myself the best chance for success afterward. I wanted one that, if pursued, could lead me to become a professor.

So I applied to 2 Schools.

I got scolded for this by many people… but whatever…I got in, so ha. Why spend money and time on an application for a school that you don’t really want to go to? :P

3. Applying to a Program

What an application looks like:

1. At least 3 recommendation letters:

Mine were:

  • Undergraduate Anthropology Advisor who has been helping me throughout the years with grant applications, etc. She knows me well, can speak well to my accomplishments. She is also a very well decorated anthropologist.
  • Undergraduate Professor of Geography who can speak to my GIS coursework. I’ve been updating him with my whereabouts and successes since graduating, so we have kept in touch regularly since taking his course.
  • My Master’s dissertation advisor (he stressed me out submitting his letter 3 hours before the deadline >:| )

It’s good to have your recommendation letters come from people within the academic world. These people can write on your ability to achieve your research goals, your drive, etc. It’s okay to have maybe one letter from a workplace environment, however, it’s best to get as much street cred as you can from these letters, and this comes from Professors that know what they’re doing.

2. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.): This is important because it shows everything you’ve accomplished up to this point. This is how mine was set up:

  • Full Name, Current Position, Email, Phone Number
  • Education: University Name, City, Degree in ____
  • Publications: In Edited Volumes, Journal Articles, Manuscripts in Preparation
  • Conference and Workshop Participation: Papers, Presentations
  • Grants, Awards, and Fellowships:
  • Research Experience: Project Roles, Fieldwork
  • Teaching Experience
  • Additional Employment History
  • Leadership and Extracurriculars
  • Skills/Languages

A C.V. is a list of EVERYTHING you’ve done in your career, unlike a resume which is tailored to the specific job that you’re applying to. If you’d like a specific example, send me a DM. 

3. Personal Statement: This is where you tell them why you want to be there and what makes you qualified. Why should they consider you?

Personal Statement Example

      1st paragraph, introduce the program and your research interests: I am applying to _____ for admission to the Ph.D. program in Anthropology with a focus in Archaeology. My research interests are to explore [the consequences of ….. on the environment and human responses to environmental change] in [region of the world], and how these actions of the past can be visualized through the use of remote sensing and GIS applications to archaeology.

      2nd paragraph, why you’re interested in what you’re doing: I learned the value of digital applications in archaeology through my undergraduate and master’s degree. [Digital archaeology] is appealing to me because [………]. I first became interested in [example of why you’re interested in the topic/what inspires you].  After witnessing this, I began to seek out opportunities to partake in similar research.

    3rd and 4th paragraph, what makes you qualified to pursue this degree?: I have many research experiences that qualify my pursuit of a Ph.D. dedicated to using digital methods in Anthropological research. [Talk about your undergrad experience, do some name-dropping of professors you’ve worked with], [why did these experiences inspire you to take the next step?], [how are you where you are now because of them?]

   5th paragraph, what are you doing now?

   6th paragraph, why this school in particular?: This is where you name drop the professor you are interested in working with, talk about how their research aligns well with yours by mentioning specific things that they’ve done such as theoretical approaches. What are you interested in doing that would fit well within this program? Are there any facilities on campus that you are particularly eager to work with? Show that you’ve done your research.

   7th paragraph, what do you plan to do after you get your Ph.D. from this institution?: With goals of continuing archaeological research in ________ and expanding off the networks that I have established in _______, ________’s doctoral program in Anthropology is the ideal match to further my career as a Digital/Landscape Archaeologist. The Ph.D. in Anthropology at _______ allows for _________[reasons why you like the program]. Ultimately, my postgraduate goals are to remain in academia by continuing research and gaining a university faculty position. My foundation in archaeology gained in my undergraduate, graduate, and ______experiences have equipped me with a unique set of abilities to offer to ______’s Anthropology graduate program, and I look forward to the opportunity to exchange ideas with faculty and students alike.

Have your resume and statement looked over by as many eyes as you possibly can. It took me a good 6-10 revisions before settling on something that I liked.

4.Let the professors that you’ve been in contact with know

This puts you at the front of their minds when application review comes around. They’ll be like “oh yeah, this person messaged me about this.”

I hadn’t spoken to the professors that I reached out to since those first few exchanges back in May, so sending this message was very valuable to remind them of my existence.

This email can be as simple as: Hi Professor ____, I hope you have been well since we last spoke. I am writing to inform you that I have submitted my application to _______. Since our last chat I’ve been [whatever you’re up to now that’s relevant]. I look forward to hearing from _____ soon. Best, Me.

5. Productive Waiting

Yay, you’ve submitted! That was hard, but you made it through. Time to start diving into those other plans you’ve been thinking about. What will you do if you get into your top school? What will you do if you don’t get into your top, but you do get into your 2nd or 3rd choice? What if you don’t get into any of them?

Remember that none of these options are bad, and in this world, you have to be open to change and welcome it. A Ph.D. is a really long commitment, and it doesn’t have to happen right away.

If you get in, accept only if:

  • It has the research you’re looking for
  • It has an advisor that’s supportive of what you’re doing
  • It’s transparent about what it offers its students
  • The current students are happy with the culture of the program and quality of life
  • The location is something you’re comfortable with (for me having family nearby was a very important factor)
  • The money you are offered is enough to live the lifestyle you need to maintain good mental health
  • There is an opportunity for networking and expansion of your research outside of the university

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions at @aal.archaeology on Instagram or DM here! I’m happy to share my documents with you.

Happy writing!

-Lyss

is the best breakfast I’ve ever had.

My roommate and I get breakfast every morning, and sometimes our friends will meet us there. I have an 8 am class every day, so we meet at 9 for breakfast. It is so amazing.

At my school, there are so many breakfast choices. I get a scramble made for me every morning - you just fill out a little order form and they make it right there in front of you! I also get some sort of carb-y food, either pancakes (chocolate chip, blueberry, and regular is what they offer, different days of the week!) or french toast. They have sausage, bacon, turkey sausage patties, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, waffles, fruit, yogurt, cereal, breakfast muffins/cookies/donuts, potatoes, hash browns, and some other stuff that I can’t think of!

Waking up every morning knowing I’ll be full until 2 pm is a great feeling.

Cheers!

Last night I had a dream that I received a text telling me I had been accepted into my dream school. I woke up really sad, and disappointed. I remembered how sad I was when I came home to this thin, tiny, sad envelope and cried for two whole days because my envelope wasn’t gold. I didn’t go to class the next day; I just laid in bed and felt sorry for myself.

That was something no one told me: it’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to cry and not go to school the next day. It’s okay to feel hurt and embarrassed. Those feelings are okay. After awhile, you don’t feel as sad anymore. You don’t want to cry as much, and there will be a day that you won’t cry at all.

It’s been 7 months since I received my rejection letter, and I still cry sometimes. Sometimes it’s really easy to be sad, like when you’re alone in your dorm room and Facebook is full of pictures of your friends who go to that school and it’s 1 am on a Friday night. I’m still sad, still disappointed, but there will be a time that I don’t feel this way anymore.

A lot of dorm rooms (or apartments, for that matter) have the same universal rules: quiet hours, no pets, and no holes in the walls. Unfortunately, that means no pinning up frames for pictures! Thankfully, washi tape has saved all of us college students (and apartment renters).

Using washi tape to frame photos is not only cute and fun, but easy! All you need are your photos (in this case, I used motivational quotes), scissors, and washi tape!

My washi tape is actually “paper tape” that I bought from Target on clearance for less than $2 each (each pack comes with 4 rolls).

All you need to do is cut the washi (or paper) tape to your liking, and tape up! It comes off easy and doesn’t tear off any paint. Perfect!

Fin.

To all the students out there preparing or filling out college applications: don’t freak out.

Take it from me - no matter where you go, you will not be unhappy. College is a pretty big deal, but where you go will not dictate your life and your experiences. Here are some words of advice:

1. Only apply to schools you feel confident about. Applying to schools that don’t have your major or interests is a waste of time, energy, and money. Apply to schools you would be proud to attend and can see yourself at. This was a struggle for me - I wasn’t accepted into my dream school, but my backup school was still one I would be comfortable with attending (I know I didn’t come off that way on this blog).

2. Don’t lie on applications. You want a university to want you for YOU, not for this made up person on paper (or, in most cases, online). Of course, bring out your best qualities and characteristics, but don’t go telling a school you are the president of a club or founded a group, if it isn’t true. Be you!

3. Don’t get stressed if you don’t get into your first choice. That was me. I was crushed and felt sad, which is normal and OK. That was something people often forget to mention: it’s okay to be sad about college. There are so many other universities out there (approx. 2,169!) and you will find one that you will fall in love with.

4. Make the best of the school you’re at. I thought I would hate my school, but after being here for two weeks, I’m realizing that I do like it. I like the city (town), the school, and the people. Give it some time. And if you’re going to your first choice, don’t go in with extremely high expectations. Be realistic, but still have fun!

Good luck to everyone sending out applications this fall and winter. You’ll all do great!

Fin.

What’s in my School Bag? Since this is a college based blog, I thought this would be the perfeWhat’s in my School Bag? Since this is a college based blog, I thought this would be the perfeWhat’s in my School Bag? Since this is a college based blog, I thought this would be the perfeWhat’s in my School Bag? Since this is a college based blog, I thought this would be the perfeWhat’s in my School Bag? Since this is a college based blog, I thought this would be the perfe

What’s in my School Bag?

Since this is a college based blog, I thought this would be the perfect place to post what I have in my school bag! I decided I would carry a bag this year instead of a backpack. A bag is very sophisticated and mature to me, but I still brought my backpack to school with me, if I ever decided to switch.

The bag I’m currently using a Lilly Pulitzer Shine Tote. I find it bright the flamingos to be adorable. Unfortunately, I bought it during the sale towards the end of summer, so they aren’t sold anymore, however there is a somewhat similar one here. The bag is big, waterproof, and has a zipper pocket on the inside! It’s the perfect bag to use for school, besides the fact it can’t zip up. I’m planning on purchasing a Longchamp Le Pliage and swapping those two between each other.

What I carry in my bag is pretty much the same each day. I carry, of course, the basics: my Liz Claiborne wallet (similar here), a pair of sunnies I was given from a friend, a stick of Dove deodorant, Calgon hand cream (best hand cream I’ve ever used), two sticks of chapstick, a Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer in cucumber melon, and my Ralph Lauren 1 body mist. I carry my body products in a polka dot cosmetic bag that I bought from Forever21, along with the striped one, in a pack of three (which is unfortunately not sold online).

I also have a pack of Mentos gum, my dorm keys on a cute pink lanyard, and a coupon book I was given on campus!

As far as school supplies go, I carry eight pens, four highlighters, and a pad of post it notes. I carry all of those in the striped cosmetic bag, which is the perfect size - there’s no struggle looking for the right pen!

My classes are all pretty spaced out. I have enough time that I can come back to my dorm room between classes, so I switch out which notebook I need so I’m not carrying two around at the same time. I have three, which I bought at Target.

I may or may not end up changing what I carry with me. I have everything I need without carrying too many items, so I’m happy. Let me know what you carry in yours!

Fin.


Post link

Today was a great day, actually. I tried waking up at 8 am to try preparing for my 8 am class every morning that starts on Wednesday, but I couldn’t. I finally got out of bed at 9.

My roommate and I met up with some close friends and went to the info fair together. It was pretty cool but I missed the one booth I was most interested in. Thankfully it’s going on tomorrow also so I’ll be able to get info on the group tomorrow! I signed up to join the Photo Club, about photography, since I brought my Nikon d40.

My roommate and I napped today and made a night trip into downtown, walking, with another friend of ours. All the dining halls close at 7 pm and don’t reopen until 10, so we needed to go downtown for dinner. Pita Pit made the walk worth it.

I’m excited for our dorm. We’ve been talking about ways to make it better, cuter, and much more practical. I can’t wait until it’s “finished,” whenever that may be.

Fin.

websites to download PDF textbooks / e-books (academic books) for FREE!

Hey guys! It’s been a while! I know I’ve mentioned in a few posts before that I’ve gone paperless with my lecture notes, textbooks + everything else that has to do with papers in university, I want to highlight again that in my opinion as a sophomore university student (a scholarship student with student loan),academic print books arereallyexpensive. For each semester, I usually take 4-6 courses (around 20 credits hour per semester), so I would have needed to buy 4-6 books each semester. Honestly, I couldn’t afford to buy them every semester. Therefore, I opted to borrow the books from library+print them in B&W (colour printing is expensive when there’s hundred of pages) + bind each of them. I usually do this for heavier / core courses (i.e. higher credit hours). Whenever possible, I also bought second hand books from seniors (usually books that are from lighter courses). I did all these repeatedly until the end of my second semester of foundation year. It hurts my wallet (+ heart) so much from a trip down this memory lane uhuhuhu.

After the second semester of my foundation year, I started going paperless with my textbooks first. To my knowledge, most of the free e-books websites usually require us to sign up / something + this annoys me very much. I tried searching for other websites that doesn’t need us to sign up, + I’ve finally found them. In my opinion, these free PDF textbooks are such lifesavers for my wallet. So, I thought of sharing with everyone (especially university / college students) where I download these PDF textbooks / e-books.

First of all, I usually use these websites to download academic books in PDF formats (I will update / add on this list if I have found new websites):

After that, I would import them into the Documents by Readdle appon my iPad. This app is one of my top 5 favourite apps of all time (plus it’s free), but it’s only available for iOS. I always use it to view/read PDF books, highlight + search texts, bookmark pages, etc. Besides file manager, it can also function as a media player. Talk about multifunction!

Well, that’s all! I’ll probably get busier with my internship starting soon, so I won’t have much time to post on my Tumblr :(

Grad School Life Update: 1.9 years in. | Love, School, Work, and Home

Okay I graduate next month so I’m calling this my 1.9 years in update, haha.

LOVE: Relationship is steady! At this point, I feel like I’m getting really comfortable with him and the relationship, and I often have my guard down. I am still a little worried about life after graduation when we will be in different locations but ultimately through therapy, I’ve come to a place where I can genuinely say I’m taking it day by day and not overthinking.

SCHOOL: One *MONTH* left! Is that crazy?! These past few weeks have been crazy hectic with assignment deadlines and capstone requirements. I recently took my graduation photos and it made graduation feel so real. Overall, I’m very excited to graduate and leave this chapter for a new one!

WORK: I have had my full-time job offer secured since the Fall and I’m very grateful that I haven’t had to stress about job hunting on top of finals, etc. I’m trying to enjoy my last couple of months of “freedom” before I have to work full-time until I’m 65. I’m also TAing this quarter (as I have most quarters while in grad school) and I am getting a little burnt out with everything. But the end is near!

HOME: Similar update to before. My roommate has not really changed: she’s still messier and not as courteous as I’d like (or that I am to her) but the lease is almost up at this point. Living with her and just overall looking back at my experiences living with others has reaffirmed that I want to live solo. I also think it’s important to live by yourself (if you’re able to) and see how that experience goes.

All in all, I’m enjoying my last month as a graduate student. Life is good!

Grad School Life Update: 1.5 years in. | Love, School, Work, and Home

Alright, my fall quarter is officially done! I just have two quarters left to go before I graduate this upcoming June. Here are my thoughts of where I stand:

LOVE: Relationship is still going strong! No complaints at all. I’m amazed at how refreshing it is to be in a genuinely healthy relationship for once. We have open communication, clear boundaries, and he’s honestly becoming one of my best friends.

SCHOOL:One quarter done, two quarters left! These upcoming two quarters will be more intense, especially since I’ll be working on my capstone but I’m excited. I’m thrilled and grateful to be living in Los Angeles, to have a great friend group, and to be able to have time to balance both work, school, and friends.

WORK:I quit my internship that had a long commute (45 minutes to one hour ONE WAY). I felt like I gained enough from it and it wasn’t worth the commute. I stayed on technically for 8 months total (virtual office), although it was just 3 months of commuting. I’m grateful to have secured a full-time job after graduation so I don’t feel like I need to continually bolster my resume.

HOME:Not much to update here! My roommate is still the same ol’ roommate: messier, disorganized, and ditzy. But my mentality is more now “well, I’m halfway done with the lease at this point!”

Grad School Life Update: 1.25 years in. | Love, School, Work, and Home

Alright, so it’s halfway through my Fall quarter of my second/last year of this Master’s program. I am graduating next June. Thought I’d do a little update of how life has been going!

  • LOVE: I have a boyfriend! Remember all of my mopey, pessimistic posts from years ago? Haha! So far, this relationship is awesome! Very fresh but very much loving it. For those of you who are (jokingly) complaining about being perpetually single, my three quick tips for you are:

1. Get out more. Go to more social events, classes, etc. The more you go to more events, the more likely you’ll meet cool people. (Doesn’t even have to be a partner, but you can meet friends!)

2. When you’re at the events… socialize! Mingle! Grab their social media accounts! There’s no point in going to events if you’re not going to socialize and/or grab the cool people’s social media accounts.

3. Keep your personality attractive. This is a big one, but what I mean is: stay humble, keep up your good work ethic, don’t take things too seriously (don’t be petty and keep grudges), and be confident. Haven’t you ever come across a SUPER attractive person and realize their personality was absolute shit? Yeah, exactly. Work on yourself before you jump into a relationship. This is % true.

  • SCHOOL: Classes are going well! Just trying to hammer out all of my Master’s program requirements. I’m basically trying to do the bare minimum because I want all of my free time to be spent exploring the city and enjoying life before I have to work until I’m 65….
  • WORK: Got a full-time job offer! This is the same company I interned at but surprisingly, I actually had to go through two additional rounds of interviews because I wanted to work at a different office that I was interning at. I’m relieved I got this offer (which I accepted) because this means I don’t have to worry about this anymore.
  • HOME: Apartment living is overall going well! Truthfully, my housemate eats my groceries more than I’d like, she’s clingier than I’d want, and she’s messier than I’d prefer… but compared to my last roommate situation, this is a waaaay better living situation. I also know I have the tendency to overthink and OVERBLOW situations so I’m trying to keep my cool here. If I’m being 100% honest, I think the main reason I find her “annoying” (this is much too strong of a word) is because I’m trying to have very separate boundaries with her because of my last housemate experience. BUT my housemate seems to want to be 100% besties with me, which I’m not down for. So there’s a bit of weirdness where she always wants to hang out and talk about her day and asks me about mine, and I’m more like “Welp, I just want to relax at home. I have other friends I can talk to about this stuff.” She is definitely more extroverted than me.

OVERALL: Life is going awesome for me and I’m so grateful.

Apartment Living: My Experience | Tips to Make Dorm Life/Co-Habitating Successful

I recently moved to a new apartment and my housemate is my classmate/friend. As someone who had a very, very bad roommate experience in college (mainly because that roommate constantly brought her boyfriend over), I was very apprehensive this time around. So far though, it’s generally been going pretty well. Here are my tips to successfully cohabitate with others:

  • Communicate often and clearly. It’s important to set a mutually-agreed standard of how you and your housemate(s) want to live. As someone who doesn’t like confrontation, this has been the hardest for me. My housemate would always leave half-eaten dishes in the common spaces and wouldn’t wash her dishes until days later. After noticing this was a problem, I gently asked if we could propose some rules for common spaces: wash our dishes the same day we use them, and make sure there weren’t any unoccupied dishes in the common spaces. I structured it as a conversation, instead of me demanding it to happen, and brought up the larger picture: we didn’t want bugs in our house and this was an easy way to prevent that. I then asked if she thought these rules were fair and if she had anything to add. She apologized for her behavior, said it was fair, and everything generally has been smooth on this front now!
  • Bring up any concerns gently. I think tone is a big factor in how something might go over. If I go yelling at my roommate that she made a mess, she’s instantly on the defensive, right? Approaching it in a kind and open manner will elicit a (hopefully) similar response back. Back when we were apartment hunting, I shared with her my concern of having boyfriends over the apartment too much. I told her my previous roommate would bring her boyfriend over constantly– his 6am alarm would wake me up daily, he snored, he acted like he lived in the apartment, etc.– and that I was very apprehensive about the topics of boyfriends being in the apartment. I think that conversation let her know very early on that she needs to be mindful of how often her boyfriend is over. Except for this weekend (his birthday weekend), he’s been over very minimally (not only for my sake but because she is a law student who needs to study!).
  • Try not to make a big deal out of one thing. This is another thing I have to work on. My housemate’s boyfriend has been over since Thursday night, worked from our apartment Friday (even when my housemate was out of the house, at her law courses) and looks like he’s leaving Saturday morning. He was also here very briefly on Sunday evening to say hi, since he was in the area. Honestly, I got a little bit annoyed because I don’t think boyfriends should be over this much (2 visits a week is my hard max) and boyfriends shouldn’t be alone in the apartment (my housemate should always be present). BUT I want to be considerate and give more leeway just this time because it was his birthday weekend. If he comes over this often when it’s not a milestone event, then I will talk with my housemate.
  • Realize that rules will apply to you too. I’m currently single and am not seeing anyone right now. I’m trying to be cognizant of the fact that when I do get a boyfriend, how would I feel about these rules? I can’t demand new rules, get a boyfriend, and go back on my word. A lot of the times, housemates might not all be in the same exact shoes so take careful consideration when making universal rules.

That’s all I have for now! Happy moving into dorms!

What I Would Tell My Younger, College Self

Being a few years out of undergraduate, and currently in graduate school, has made me reflect back at what I used to think were the hardest years of my life. Now, because I’m older and hopefully wiser, I laugh but if I could go back in time, this is what I would tell my younger 18-22 year old self.

  1. Grades don’t matter… to an extent. Sure, if you have great grades, you have wider options: scholarships, employment, funding, grad school, etc. But truthfully, most scholarships and internship offers are based on a 3.0 GPA. Some of the stricter ones have a 3.5 GPA requirement. Unless you’re set on going to graduate school (in which case, definitely try to get a high GPA), you will likely be fine with a 3.0 GPA (this is the case especiallyif your major is STEM; if your major is non-STEM, maybe shoot for a 3.5 GPA). When I graduated undergrad and got my first “real” full-time job, they never even asked me what my GPA was or required a transcript. I say this to hopefully relieve some pressure off you. A few “Bs” (or “C"s tbh) won’t kill you.
  2. Make memories. Hang out with your friends. Go outside and go hiking. Go camping. Go on retreats. Get involved in extracurriculars. You don’t want to always be in your dorm, watching Netflix, when you’re not in class. Sure, sometimes you need to wind down but you don’t want your entire undergraduate experience to be summed up with "netflix.” I promise you: you will not remember the shows you binged your sophomore year of college, but you WILL remember that awesome overnight camping trip you took at Yosemite.
  3. Network.I used to cringe when people would network in undergrad because I thought they were being so “extra” and so “fake.” And now I’m understanding that the mantra “fake it til you make it” is really accurate… It doesn’t matter how you personally feel about networking, but the reality is that most people get their jobs through networking (and those who network tend to have a “leg up”). If you want to be successful, I’d argue that networking is a key strategy you should implement, to some extent. The more professional experiences you have earlier on, the easier it is to get better opportunities later on: your success builds upon itself. And you don’t have to be super fake about it either; the people who are the best networkers tend to be the most genuine.
  4. Have a small group of close, quality friends and work on strengthening those friendships. It’s better to have 3 quality best friends, instead of 10 friends that you’re not really all that close to. Quality over quantity, for sure. Although you should focus on quality, I still think it’s good to be socially connected with your classmates and acquaintances/friends through Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, etc: after all, this is just good networking + who knows who may become your next close friend when you move to a new state! In college, it’s easy to hang out with friends but after college, it’s much more difficult to keep these friendships up.
  5. Lastly, treat your body well. This means both mentally (most college campuses offer free, or reduced cost, therapy sessions! take advantage of this! once you’re in the “real world”, these sessions are $$$) and physically (eat the right type of food! exercise!).

Ultimately, college is what you make of it. It’s a period where you can explore your passions and find who you are. But also at the same time, it’s also meant to help advance your (future) career. You can definitely find the right balance between your professional and personal goals.

I previously published a post entitled “The Honest Guide on Preparing for College” in June 2015. It’s since racked up over 7,000+ notes - which is crazy to me! 

But now with the pandemic happening, I think a “refresh” is warranted for the guide. So here it is: The Honest Guide on Preparing for College - COVID-19 Edition. This list assumes you are remote-learning and events are not in person. 15 tips!

  1. Suffer from acne? Have a mental illness you’d like to get supported on? Visit a dermatologist. Visit a therapist. The reality is, the earlier you start, the earlier you can begin to see results. For me personally, it took a LOT of trial and error to get my skin clear - and what better time to do this than now? While in-person college would’ve had you going bare-faced often in the dorms, you still want to feel your best during these remote-learning sessions. Additionally, COVID-19 is wreaking HAVOC on everyone’s mental health so definitely feel encouraged to get that checked out!
  2. Figure out a rough guideline of your morning/night routine. This still holds true for remote-learning. I would urge you to try to stick to some sort of routine even if you’re not physically going to classes. Maybe dressing up everyday is too much for you, but at least wash your face and brush your hair and look presentable. Don’t turn off your camera and don’t be a passive participant.
  3. Understand that the way you organize high school classes is different from college classes. Typically, college classes are MWF, TTH, etc and don’t meet daily like in HS.
  4. Invest in learning how techniques that make you feel good and look good. That might be learning some basic make-up skills, learning what clothes fits your body shape, learning workout techniques,  where to place your laptop for Zoom school, anything!
  5. Make sure your Zoom background is appropriate and in a well-lit space. Make sure you wear appropriate clothes. This is basic but you’d be surprised at how many people I’ve seen in very dim spaces or untidy backgrounds. And I’ve realized sometimes I’m wearing a normal tank top but because of the camera position, it looks like I’m not wearing a shirt. Definitely wear something that looks good on camera, meaning doesn’t make you look topless!
  6. Realize that the first month-ish of school is the prime time to make new friends. I still think this is true. Be friendly during Zoom calls, maybe ask for a classmate or two’s phone #s to be study buddies and bond that way, start up a study group immediately, etc. People are much less likely to have organic conversations now, so you definitely have to put some active effort to build relationships! 
  7. Keep in touch with your old friends! I’d argue that they might be closer to you than your newly formed college friends because it’s going to be hard to make new college friends now.
  8. Be very organized about your schedule. Put in midterms/finals as soon as you know them. Put in study sessions. Put in professors’ office hours. Anything! 
  9. Don’t skip class… seriously. And try to participate if you can. Professors are trying here. College today is now very impersonal, so why skip out on it? What’s the alternative? Watching the recorded lecture by yourself at night? :/
  10. Be proactive about your classes and class planning. Pick classes you’ll enjoy (or think you’ll enjoy). Be diligent about visiting your advisor from time to time (just to make sure you’re on track! you definitely don’t want any surprises down the road, right?) If you’re not a morning person, don’t enroll in that 8AM (seriously, 8AM in college is WAY different from 8AM high school) if you won’t be able to remember material (even if you can zoom from your bed!)
  11. Understand your finances for college. Including scholarships, how much you’re paying out of pocket, if you’re working, etc. It is a confusing topic and can be scary but it’s important to be on top of all your money stuff! 
  12. Be gentle with yourself and others. Recognize that everyone is going through this pandemic and for most, this college experience ISN’T what they expected (or paid for). Be gracious, don’t be petty. Switching to remote learning is a new thing for many of us. Give yourself (and others) a grace period to understand the new methods and how to access the programs, etc.
  13. Learn how to socialize and do small talk. I know, I know. No one likes small talk but I think it’s a skill to be able to talk to everyone and have a pleasant conversation. (Who ever would’ve thought we would have to do recruiting at college fairs online?!) 
  14. Be ambitious and take advantage of all the resources. Wait, what? Yeah, go to that webinar about carbon emissions! Go to the panel about alumni experiences. There have been SO MANY virtual webinars and meetings lately - soak up all that knowledge! It’s never been easier to jump from meeting to meeting! And if you’re doing well with Zoom learning, well, stack on the courses! Personally, I can juggle 20 units in Zoom School but in person, this would’ve been a HUGE no-no.
  15. Realize how small the world is and how connected everything is. Don’t talk shit about people. Seriously. The person you’re complaining about may have a friend who is taking a class with the person you’re telling to. Or the person you’re telling it to may have a friend who has a friend who knows the person. If it’s one thing that keeps coming up in my time here, it’s that everyone seems to know everybody (or is a friend of a friend). So limit your shit-talking, secret-sharing, gossip talk to only your trusted confidants. Seriously, though. As you go through college, you’ll come to notice that many people will reappear in your classes because of being in the same major, and more. The world is small, y’all. Don’t be reckless.

This quarter, I’m taking 22 units. Yes, 22. These 22 units include 18 academic units, and 4 units serving as official credit for being a TA. Oh yeah, I didn’t mention that I’m also a TA this quarter? I have to lead 3 discussion sections of 30 students each, grade 90 assignments a week, and keep up with student emails. 

Yeah.

Last quarter, I had a similar workload but it was more manageable because a couple of the courses were not as academic (i.e. a career prep course, or the required teaching pedagogy course). 

Sometimes i feel very overwhelmed, stressed out, and that I’m drowning in work and responsibilities. But then I remember what Nemo said: “Just keep swimming.”

What has helped me manage this workload is simply being on top of all of my deadlines and managing my time well. This means:

  1. Listening in lecture and being 100% attentive (ok fine, 75%) 
  2. Starting assignments early, and submitting them when I’m done
  3. If there are group assignments, I need to coordinate early.
  4. Tracking all due dates in my planner and calendar so there are no surprises along the way
  5. Taking “me” time - Netflix, face masks, eating ice cream. You name it!

Easier said than done right? Definitely. When I do get overwhelmed, I have to remind myself of why I’m in this program, too. This graduate program is only 2 years long, and I want to prepare myself for the workforce and my career goals. And maybe throw in another quote, “no pain no gain”!??!

We can do this! Just keep swimming.

I recently started graduate school and have been very fortunate to land a TA, or teaching assistant, position! I help teach three sections of an undergraduate introductory science course. 

It’s been about a month of being a TA, and whew… it’s a lot of work! Here’s what I want you all, as undergraduate students, to know:

  • I’m a college student too. Like you, I am here at this university to study. I may be at the graduate level, but I still have classes to attend, assignments to complete, research to participate in, etc just like you. I am not at your beck and call, and cannot be expected to respond to emails immediately, unfortunately. I try to reply to emails within 1 business day.
  • I don’t know everything about this class topic. Yes, I have a background in the subject and was chosen from the applicant pool to be a TA. But that does not mean I know the answers to every question you have about the material. I will do my best to answer or point you to good resources, though. But please don’t expect that I’m a walking encyclopedia! I’m finding that I get very specific questions or “what if” questions - and I love it! But just know many times this may not be within the scope of this course.
  • I have imposter syndrome. I’m not sure how I got admitted as a graduate student. I’m not sure how I was chosen to be a TA. I still feel very unqualified in many aspects of my life! 
  • We are not necessarily close with the professor. We likely have meetings with the professor weekly to discuss things, but it’s a very professional friendly relationship. TAs are not necessarily chosen because they work in the same field or research lab as the professor; certainly not me!
  • As a first-time TA, know I’m anxious before each section I teach! Try to be understanding and have patience. I’m doing my best! If a TA has taught before, they are likely more experienced and less likely to get flustered. 
  • Grading actually takes … a while. Don’t expect your papers to get graded ASAP. I have 3 lab sections to teach, and it’s about 80 students total for me. That’s 80 assignments I have to grade… every week. 
  • Understand that being a TA is much more than teaching a section and grading papers each week. I have to attend a required teaching pedagogy course (on top of my busy coursework!), weekly TA meetings with the professor, host weekly office hours, spend hours before section to prepare, respond to student emails which range from anxiety/mental health issues to wifi problems to confusion over a topic, etc. PLUS, throw in COVID-19 right now and it can get hectic! I’m at 20 units this quarter! I know not all TAs are this busy (some are in their last quarter, or just focusing on research) but just a FYI!
  • Why do we want to TA? Benefits include great experience, tuition remission, networking, etc. Receiving a TA position gives you amazing experience to interact with students to teach them a topic you’re (hopefully) passionate (or at least, proficient) at. It looks great on a resume, plus it doesn’t hurt that most TA positions offer fee remissions. AKA most of your fees for the quarter/semester are paid as a result of your employment AND you get a monthly salary on top of that. It’s not “cushy”, it’s appropriate given the amount of work. Lastly, the chance to network with professors and leaders of the field is amazing too!
  • Please participate in class! It’s really awkward for us when we do our best to teach, and … no one participates. Or students do the bare minimum. If it feels awkward for you, trust me, it’s awkward for me too.
  • Many times, the class is structured and formatted in a specific way and the TA is just a facilitator. I’m very fortunate that the course I help teach is very structured: specific powerpoints, assignments, worksheets, homework problems, etc. I do not really have a say in how the lesson planning of the overall class. I have more say in the individual sections I lead, but even then I have to abide by certain rules (no recording of lecture, no posting of powerpoints, etc), use specific powerpoints (I can add my own slides, or modify a little bit), etc so that there is consistency between all TAs. That makes sense, right? 

tldr; Being a TA is a lot of work. Since becoming one, I honestly have had a shift in how I formerly thought of TAs… I find there are ups and downs to being a TAs but overall my experience has been positive. But just know, we are people too! We have other responsibilities and we get stressed out too! :)

Y’all, I know I keep saying sorry for being MIA and that I’m back now, and then going MIA for like a year again. 

BUT I’M BACK NOW, haha. Don’t know if anybody cares but here’s a little update:

I’ve been working at NYU in the Leadership Initiative office (HMU if you’re interested in learning about the application processes for global fellowships and scholarships like the Fulbright and Rhodes!). It’s been a temp. job (but a great and fun one) for the summer. When the school year starts back up I’ll be teaching ELA full-time in the Upper West Side.

Some blog-related announcements:

  • free college essay editing will be back in November like always, but let me know if you want me to do a quick end-of-summer bonus session, like I sometimes do, in late August
  • I’m thinking about starting an NYU ‘22 ask series to accept questions from freshmen or new students coming into NYU who are curious about certain topics like I did last year, so let me know if you’re interested!

Okay, that’s it for now! x

P.S. I’m planning on heading to the Whitney Museum this Saturday, so look out for one of my photosets of my visit coming next week!

 8 Tips For Incoming College Freshman Words by Andrea Guzman // Photography by Sydney Ferrara. I’m a

8 Tips For Incoming College Freshman

Words by Andrea Guzman // Photography by Sydney Ferrara.

I’m at a school that I love, I’m in a city that I love, and I’m studying what I love. Now, fortunately for me, I have all of those things, but I think that the last one is all you really need to be happy and successful in college. The first two are simply perspective. You have to go into college with the attitude that you’re going to make the absolute best of your academic and social life, even if it isn’t what you had imagined for all this time while you were obsessing over your dream school that you ended up getting rejected from or couldn’t afford.

It’s a harsh truth, but yeah most people don’t end up at a college that they thought they would go to because the U.S. sucks at making college affordable, but that’s okay. It’s on the colleges to decide they want you or how bad they want you by the amount of money you receive, but it is fully on you to decide that you want a college back and are open to all that it has to offer. My experience is at a small liberal arts school in Austin, Texas and if you told me that was going to be where I ended up my freshman year of high school, I would have laughed in your face. Now that I’ve actually lived a semester here though, I love it. I’m over the moon that I chose St. Ed’s. I no longer think, what if I had applied for this scholarship or literally begged that school for money so that I could go elsewhere. I’m content where I am because I love my classes and I decided I was going to be happy and live college to its maximum potential regardless of where I am. You’ll discover that it’s still really hard and stressful no matter where you are and that the opportunities after graduation are incredibly expansive no matter if you go to an Ivy League or a school with a 60% acceptance rate like mine. All that matters is that you are getting a degree in something you enjoy and are pleased with your life while you work for your life in the future. So, here’s a small list of things I learned my first semester of college.

1. Unless casual hookups are what you’re looking for, learn to spot a fuckboy because there’s loads of them just waiting to strike.

2. Get comfortable with writing because you’ll be doing an excessive amount of it for assignments and tests as well. You may even find that it’s easier than multiple choice because you are in control of laying out all that you know for your professor and won’t get mixed up by seeing other options.

3. Call your family/friends often. They miss you and you miss them.

4. It’s okay to not have friends right off the bat. I didn’t have any friends for just about the entire first month. It was honestly an incredibly lonely and terrible experience that fueled my homesickness even more, but you just have to stick it out for a while and eventually you’ll find a crew or, at least, someone.

5. Once you make friends, don’t go crazy with alcohol/drug usage. Or even just hanging out. Just know when you need to get away to study. Partying can be fun, but having your life in order is a priority because you’re paying to be there or you worked really hard so you wouldn’t have to pay so make it worthwhile and don’t destroy your grades because you only care about your social life.

6. Get acquainted with the janitorial staff and the dining hall crew. Yeah, they’re paid, but it gets old having to serve ungrateful people all day long so learn their names, ask them how their day is going, and find out about their life outside of this job. Many hold that job so that their child can come to the university for free or at a discounted cost or also because they can’t support themselves with their true passion like playing an instrument or being an artist. They’re complex human beings with feelings and aspirations just like you and if you’re going to see them regularly, so these things are important to know about them.

7. Be open to all kinds of experiences and people. There are students and professors from all over the globe, of all different kinds of ethnicities, cultures, and religions with lives completely different from yours. You grow from absorbing yourself in surrounds like these so embrace it.

8. I didn’t have any roommate issues so sorry I can’t help you there. Try being friends with them because that just makes college so much greater. I love mine. I’m experiencing separation anxiety without her, she’s my homegirl. If you’re not able to have that with your roommate that just really sucks.

Overall, keep in mind that I’m not really qualified to speak about college life, I’ve only lived a semester, but I know that it is a learning experience that will be unique and awesome if you let it be because no matter where you end up, a 4.0 is hard to attain and you’ll meet people that you’re smarter than and maybe not as smart as.

© 2015 Reef Magazine


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First year of college tips! part 1- academics

Hey y’all! So I know I’ve been terrible about posting this year (adjusting to college + miss rona = struggle), but I’ve honestly missed this blog and would like to start posting more often! Since I have officially finished my first year of college as a Sustainability Studies and Business Management double major, I wanted to share some tips on surviving your first year of college! This first part of the series will focus on academics!

-don’t go crazy with the course load: seriously, don’t be that kid who takes like 18 credits in their first semester. No matter what, adjusting to college life is weird, so give yourself enough time to explore, adjust, meet new people, and practice self-care!

-if you are not a morning person, do not sign up for morning classes (unless you have to!): Since I live off-campus, I have to wake up at 7:30 for my 9:30 classes and it is my personal hell (an 8:30 just might kill me). The early risers will try to convince you it’s not that bad, but schedule your classes at times when you will be the most present and engaged. 

-try out some interesting classes! This is the time when you will have some freedom to explore different areas of study, so don’t hesitate to try something new or take a weird class! Who knows, you might accidentally find something you love.

-it is absolutely ok to change your major! No matter how put together some people may seem, no one has their life completely figured out in their first year of college. You may find that the major you have excitedly been waiting to take classes for is absolute ass and that is ok! Talk to advisors and people in your classes to see what is right for you. I actually found my second major (sustainability studies) through a conversation with a random girl in one of my classes. 

-sit at the front of your class! if you are easily distracted, like me, it is the only way to stay focused. 

-show up to office hours prepared. no matter how confused you are, the second you walk into office hours you are going to forget every single question you had, so make sure to write them down and come with the materials you need so you don’t waste your time and your professor’s time.

-all-nighters are overhyped. I used to hear so many people boast about the all-nighters they pulled to study but I genuinely think it is a waste of time and energy. Unlike a high school schedule, your college schedule is going to leave you with so much free time. Try to finish all of your work in the time between classes so you don’t have to cram it all into one night. I did this, and honestly spent so much time sleeping during the fall semester (oops)

-join Facebook groups/group chats for your classes. this gives you a way to ask questions and get materials when you miss class.

-don’t study in the same place for hours. I’ve found that moving to a new location every now and gave me time to reset and helped me retain more information. The longer I stay in one place, the more distracted I get. 

-if you have the means invest in an iPad/tablet! I pooled all of my graduation money to buy an iPad and apple pencil and I am so happy with that decision. I got the good notes app and write notes and download readings (so I can highlight them) on there. Also, whenever I have to read novels for class I get them on the kindle app (which is often cheaper than buying a physical copy). This has helped me save a lot of paper and makes my backpack so much lighter.

lmk if I should do more of these / what you would like to see next! (thinking of doing a post on how to cope with remote learning and online classes next)

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