College tips that DIDN’T work for me + What I did instead: Part 2

This is the second part of the college tips that didn’t work for me post! I outline a 3 common college tips that were not as effective in my experience, and what I did instead. These three tips are more related to the personal aspects of college life.   What didn’t work for me: Going…

College tips that DIDN’T work for me + What I did instead: Part 1

There are a lot of college tips out there, and they will not all work for everyone. Here are some common tips that did not work for me, and things that I did instead, with explanations for both. What didn’t work for me: Making flashcards for anything other than vocabulary. Why: Making flashcards was a…

Taking Strong and Reliable Notes in College

The first step to success in college is taking good notes. I believe that good notes are the foundation for strong study habits and for performance in college. Here are some tips for taking strong notes.   Handwrite notes if you can. If it is possible for you to handwrite notes, go for it. Handwriting…

How to Be Organized in College

Transitioning into college can be a difficult adjustment for many people. Being successful in high school does not automatically guarantee success in college. Staying organized in college can require effort, but it is simple with a few adjustments. Here are some ways to remain organized in college. Use a planner: digital or paper. My planner…

Increasing Productivity and Decreasing Stress by Disconnecting from Tech

Most of us don’t consider ourselves technology addicts… but have you ever noticed an itch to reach for your phone and open Twitter or Facebook when you are alone? Have you noticed a discomfort when you haven’t updated your status in a while or let your Snapchat friends know what you have been doing? I…

Handling Academic and Professional Rejection

I don’t know anyone who likes rejection. Accepting rejection can be difficult, and it’s hard not to take a rejection personally. When I get rejected, I think, “What could I have done to to get accepted?” or “What’s wrong with me? Why didn’t they accept me?” One of my biggest problems is comparing myself to…

Speaking Up in Class When Your Grade Depends on It

Speaking up in class can be extremely difficult, especially if it's a part of your participation grade. If you go to a small liberal arts college like mine, small classes where all eyes are on you when you make a contribution are commonplace, and the pressure can be immense. Coming up with unique contributions can…

Presenting at an Academic Conference Poster Session

When I was a first-year in college, I had barely taken upper division classes, let alone presented at a professional conference! So when I was chosen to be on one of my professors' research teams with the very little experience I had, I was excited but scared. My team and I had a poster session…

Ways to Get Ahead for Fall Semester Over Summer Break

Summer—college students spend the whole year looking forward to it, but once it comes around, the heat, humidity, and lack of structure might make summer feel like a drag. The lack of motivation can turn into a spiral of writers' block, laziness, and general malaise. Scrolling through social media and seeing your classmates' beach getaways…

Making the most out of office hours

Almost every article about college life advises students to go to professors' office hours, but there are very few that mention how to handle office hours. Many students feel like they shouldn't go because they don't want to seem needy. Others feel like if they are doing well enough in a class, there is no need…