How To Study Effectively??

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  Dream big.

•  Grab a paper and pen. Jot down all your goals: short-term and long-term. What you want to achieve this year or want you want to do in your life. Remember: Dream big - really big. Stick it up on the wall or on your cork board, in your workplace. That way, when you feel discouraged,your goals will motivate you to achieve them.
  
  

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10 essential items for the healthy college student

When you move away to school, staying fit and healthy can sometimes be a challenge. Below are some essential items every college student should equip themselves with to achieve ultimate health.

1. Lunchbox: Many dining halls offer meals only two times per day, and depending on class schedules, a college student could go hours on end without eating. It’s important to keep your metabolism revved by eating small meals throughout the day and Built NY’s neoprene lunch boxes are a perfect way to store snacks. Coming in a variety of trendy patterns and colors, it’s almost as if you’re carrying around a designer handbag.
2. Tupperware: Need a way to store food in your mini fridge? Pyrex brand glass tupperware containers are a durable and functional tool to stow away meals for an entire day.

3. Electric water kettle: As college students, we all experience late nights working on term papers or lab reports, and the only thing that gets us through them is a good cup o’ joe. Though it’s abused by many, coffee and tea have many health benefits, providing your body with antioxidants and a metabolic boost. Bodum’s modernly stylish electric tea kettle is a easy and efficient way to brew water for caffeinated drinks in the comfort of your own dorm room.

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Advice for the new college student

Hats off to you graduates! We’ve finally done it. While some of us are moving on to graduate school, a new job or an exciting adventure, we all have thoughts about what we wish we had known as a college student.
That’s not to say I regret any of my decisions as a college student — college was one of the best experiences of my life. However, over the past few weeks, I have been thinking about advice to give my now sophomore sister who attends the same university that I just left. While she is a much better student than me and probably knows all of this, they are still good tips to keep in mind.
While I realize that every student is different in how they approach their education, here are five final things that this graduate thinks may help you.

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5 ways to use the Internet to score your dream job

Taking advantage of online tools (with social media skills you already have from Facebook-stalking and live-tweeting award shows) can help you be five steps ahead of the pack.

Career services centers and word-of-mouth are great for learning about and pursuing job and internship openings, but taking advantage of online tools (with social media skills you already have from Facebook-stalking and live-tweeting award shows) can help you be five steps ahead of the pack.
As Amy Homkes-Hayes at the University of Michigan's Career Center put it recently: "The days of making everything online private are over, so I recommend students embrace the use of social media and the Internet in ways that positively showcase them."
Here are five tips for using the Internet to find internship and job openings — and make your resume rise to the top of the pile.
1. "Friend" your peers and co-workers on Facebook.

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6 ways you can spend less time studying and still get better grades

I’ve been studying really hard this semester, but my grades don’t reflect my hard work. What am I doing wrong?

Many people believe if you spend enough time studying, you’ll get good grades. Not true.
Time spent studying and getting good grades are not always as closely correlated as you might think.

1. Study a little bit every day.
It’s better to study a small amount every day than to study a huge amount the day before the exam. The brain actually needs time to process the material, so if you review your class notes 20 minutes a day for the week prior to the exam (7 days x 20 min/day = 140 minutes of study time), you’ll retain more information than if you study three hours the night before the exam (180 minutes).
That’s an example of a 40-minute savings on study time to produce better results in just one class.
2. Know which assignments carrying the most weight and work on those first.
Not all assignments are created equal. Knowing which ones are most important will help you prioritize your time.
If it’s not clearly outlined in a class syllabus, ask your professor how she determines your class grade and make smart choices based on this information.
In every class you usually have multiple assignments. A five-point project does not merit the same amount of time spent as a 50-point project, but if you’re not careful with your time, the five-point project ends up chewing up more time than it’s worth.
Be strategic and thoughtful about how you spend your time. Do the important projects first. Don’t get lulled into feeling productive when you’ve spent two hours on the five-point project if you have not spent two hours on the 50-point project first.





 It’s easy to spend a lot of time studying without producing good grades if you’re spending your time on the wrong things.
Be very mindful of how you spend your study time. Study each day, and be disciplined about focusing your time on the most important assignments as determined by how the assignment impacts your final grade.
The skills you learn in regard to prioritization and time management will help you be more successful in college and as well as your career. Learn them now, and you’ll thank yourself for years to come.

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3. Put in the time.
I recommend 10-12 hours per test as a starting point. Yes, I just wrote that.
If you earn too high a grade, cut back an hour or two for each test in a class until you settle out at the right amount of studying to achieve a low “A” grade. Remember, you’re in class for only 16 hours per week. In high school, you put in 40. You have hours you can commit.
If you want to land a great job out of college, there’s no better first step than committing the time to get a strong GPA.
4. Find a great study spot.
Where you study matters — a lot. Get out of the dorm. Get out of the student union. I generally don’t even like most floors of the main campus library. There’s just too much activity in those spots.
Find a quiet, out-of-the-way location where you can get focused. Almost any distraction will be more exciting to you than early European history or macro accounting (depending on your interests), so minimize the number of distractions you’ll experience.
5. Turn off your social media (and music).
There have been actual studies done showing that attempting to study while Tweeting, Facebooking and/or texting will diminish your results. Shocking, right?
My suggestion is to study for 50 minutes and then take a 10 minute study break and tweet until your heart is content. Then turn all of your media off again and go for another 50 minutes. Yes, I know it’s painful, but how badly do you want that A?
6. Learn the notes first.
Professors lecture on what they think it most important. They test to determine if you’ve grasped the most important material in the class.
As such, they will most likely test primarily from the lecture notes. Don’t follow this advice out the window. Buy the book. Read the book, and study it.
Just don’t focus on it at the expense of the notes (and shift your focus away from it after the first exam if you determine your professor is focused on the notes in his or her exams).

Achieving the grades you want is all about putting in the right quality and quantity of study time.
Increase your commitment (if you aren’t putting in 10+ hours per test in study time) and improve your technique and results will follow

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Get hired! 5 no-nonsense tips for landing your first job

You’re done. You’re done with finals, you’re done with dining hall food and you did your last walk of shame. It’s summer. Whether you already strutted your stuff to “Pomp and Circumstance” or if you’ll be back again next year, you’re ready to take on the world this summer. Only one small problem: you don’t have a job.
But don’t worry, according to research conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers indicate they plan to hire about 19 percent more graduates in 2011 than they did in 2010. And even better, Her Campus spoke to Jessica Kleiman, VP of Public Relations at Hearst Magazines and co-author of Be Your Own Best Publicist: How to Use PR Techniques to Get Noticed, Hired and Rewarded at Work, who offered to advice to recent graduates on scoring a job after graduation. Read on to find out the best tips for landing a job post-grad, whether that’s now or in a couple years.
Connections, connections, connections
“It’s important to connect with as many people as you can,” Kleiman says. “Which means everything from leveraging your alumni organization, to signing up for networking events in the industry.”
Networking and maintaining the relationships you make are vital in today’s job market. It’s important to keep in touch with anyone you meet, as you never know who may be able to help you in the future.
Her Campus contributing writer Rachel Kossman, a recent Northeastern grad, scored a job at Tech Target.
“Network, network, network,” she says. “Today’s day and age is all about who you know and who you can meet.”
She did an internship with her school’s co-op program at Tech Target and used that connection to land a job.
Of course, opportunities to network aren’t only limited to previous employment or designated “Network Nights” at your school. Be open to talking to anyone in your career path—whether it’s at your brother’s baseball game or your boyfriend’s graduation party—you never know who is able and willing to help you. Read >this article to find out how you can successfully network beyond the web.
Utilize informational interviews
One way to make these connections is by setting up and going on informational interviews. Kleiman explained informational interviews as a meeting with no real job attached to it, but rather as a way to get your foot in the door. That way you’re able to better understand the company and the job, and you make the connection for the future.
“You can ask them for advice for how to land a job at their company or at another company,” she says. “What it does is give people a chance to talk about what they do, but it also gives you an opportunity to get information.”
You can find people to contact for informational interviews by getting in touch with people you met in networking experience or asking people you already know—like friends or family—if they know anyone in your field of interest. An informational interview is a great way to make a first impression, establish your interest and keep in touch.
Keep your résumé to only one page
“You want to keep your résumé to only one page, particularly if you just graduated from college,” Kleiman says. “There’s never any reason for someone who doesn’t have any full-time work experience to have a résumé that goes over a page. You really want to edit it down to the most important information.”
However, don’t underestimate how important that one page could be! Danielle Monsiegneura, recent graduate of University of Connecticut and current summer intern at Her Campus, knows the importance of a good résumé.
“Take a good look at your résumé and really edit it to best market yourself,” she says. “Your résumé provides a strong representation not only of who you are as an employee but also as a person. A powerful résumé has the potential to create a great first impression.”
Try cutting your résumé down by editing your résumé based on the job you’re applying to and only including the necessary experience. Also keep your résumé as current as possible—you don’t need your clubs from high school when you graduated college!

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6 tips For Lending Your Dream Job After College

You’ve passed the tests, made the grade and even got a shiny new diploma to show for it. But what about that validating job?
Perhaps the biggest shock of post-grad life is the question of “what’s next?”
Upon leaving the quad and heading back to home, it wasn’t so much the fear of the unknown but the fear of explaining what the next four years would look like. Fully equipped with five internships — but no job — only fed the curiosity of the neighbors.
Here are a few tips to keep the inquisitive at bay and your fellow classmates envious of that amazing job you landed.
1. Don’t sell yourself short.
Settling for an administrative position with a law firm, PR agency or even your respective university or college is a perfectly suitable option out the gate. But the ambitious never say no to their dreams. You did four years of undergrad work for a reason, so why not reach for the stars?
When applying for jobs (or even internships), do not sell yourself short. As a living testament to reaching beyond your potential, always apply for the jobs you want, not the jobs whose requirements you fulfill.
2. Turn your age or lack of experience into a positive.
Being the youngest in your field means you are still able to learn and adapt. Sell yourself as an asset rather than a burden by highlighting your internships or college experiences. Many of your future co-workers probably never had the chance to hold an internship during their college years. Prove to your interviewer that your experiences make you unique — not inadequate.
3. Assume the role of a storyteller.
The best advice I received during my intern years was “no matter what, tell a good story.” From videos I produced to writing cover letters, I always tried to incorporate a story into my work. The same can go for your resume and how you present your past experiences.
Lay out your employment experiences as if drafting a story arch, providing a one-sentence theme as your mission statement. This allows your future employer to see right off the bat what motivates you. Whether it’s your cover letter or an in-person interview, make sure you are able to communicate what makes you unique and how this will be an asset to the office.
4. Apply, rinse and repeat.
Fresh out of college? Spending the summer applying for internships and jobs from dusk till dawn shows dedication. But it can also wreak havoc on your self-esteem and confidence.
Instead, set a goal to apply for 10 jobs a month — five of which you could call your dream job. Just like applying to college, apply to back-ups or “safety” positions. Try narrowing your search to opportunities that seem interesting and which, over time, could evolve into your dream job. Don’t let the application process become a chore. Dedicate an hour a day to conducting research, editing your resume or maintaining your social networks. Quality — not quantity — is key.
5. Network, network, network.
No matter who you are connected to, utilize these ties. Rather than being awkward or embarrassing, view it as an opportunity to build an even deeper relationship with someone who may turn to you at some point in the future for the same assistance. Cherish these opportunities to create good karma.
So, where to start?
Go to people who know you — and your talents – best. Connect with a past professor that struck a chord with you. As many professors were professionals at one point in their field, they are an incredible resource who can potentially help identify people (and potential employers!) you need to meet. As much as you hate to admit, your parents help in more ways than you think! Indeed, Mom and Dad (and their friends) are a viable options for great contacts. Be open with your parents and relatives while on the job hunt. They just might know the right person who can help open the door for you.
6. Never doubt the power of social media.
While it might appear to be an obvious resource to many current undergrads, a strong social media presence can pay off in the job hunt.
Today, more than ever before, companies are looking at an applicant’s online presence when making hiring decisions. According to a recent CareerBuilder study, two in five companies use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms to check out potential candidates. So make sure to take time transitioning your online profile toward a more professional-looking one.
Also, try tracking down those companies where you dream of working and follow them on Twitter and Facebook. Following HR departments of my dream companies on Twitter allowed me to see up-to-date positions as well as interact with the company. I was able to ask questions specific to my application in a way that was comfortable without being too pushy. You would be surprised at how willing HR managers are to help you out in 140 characters or less!
And if you don’t already have one, sign up for a LinkedIn account to directly connect with any alums in your career field or use it to find job postings.
When used the right way, social media can help land the job of your dreams.

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5 outdated job-hunting tips (and what you should be doing instead)

The goal of a college education is ultimately to get a job, so naturally your parents, grandparents, professors and anyone else who has had a part in your academic career are inclined to give you job-hunting tips. Though your elders clearly have great intentions in trying to help you out, you may want to be wary of the advice they give. Because of the age gap between our generation and theirs, the tips that worked for them years ago don’t necessarily apply anymore.
Here are some the outdated pieces of advice you may hear from those a bit older than you, and what you should do instead to get ahead on those job and internship applications and land the job of your dreams.
1. Go door-to-door looking for a position
When Northwestern University senior Zara Wright was looking for summer jobs, adults gave her this tip. “Although it seemed outdated to me, I originally did take this advice because I was a job-hunting novice at the time,” she says. “It turned out that this process was not at all productive. Most businesses weren’t hiring (surprise, surprise), but asked me to fill out an application for their records anyway. I spent countless hours each day filling out applications that were never going to be seen.”
Instead of hitting the town to look for jobs, take your search online and save the time you’d otherwise spend visiting businesses without any available positions. “In today’s world, where the Internet is such a useful resource, it makes far more sense to do the research from home to see what jobs are out there and apply to positions you know are open,” Zara says. Vicki Salemi, author of Big Career in the Big City: Land a Job and Get a Life in New York City and founder of the Boot Camp for College Grads, says you can look at sites such as CareerBuilder, Monster and Indeed to find jobs. She recommends Indeed in particular because it aggregates job postings from a bunch of different sites. In a process that’s already daunting and tedious, you don’t want to waste any precious time!
2. Put everything you’ve ever done on your resume to highlight every accomplishment

Instead of listing every one of your life accomplishments on your resume, Salemi says to keep it down to one page. But with all of your academic awards, extracurricular activities and community service projects, how can you manage this?
Cut out anything that you weren’t involved with for a significant amount of time, as short stints in organizations display a lack of commitment. Highlight organizations where you held a leadership position. Also, nix anything you’ve taken part in that didn’t involve skills relevant to the job you’re seeking.
Cutting down your resume is important in helping you get to the next round of the application process. With an increasingly competitive job market and so many applications to read, recruiters are not going to sift through a 10-page document. In fact, Alice Harra, the interim director of University Career Services at Northwestern University and a former corporate recruiter, says recruiters don’t even spend much time looking at resumes, and eliminate those that are too long right away.
“As a former corporate recruiter, I looked at a resume for 10 to 20 seconds, rarely more,” Harra says. “I have checked this with every corporate recruiter and have never met one who reads a resume for more than 30 seconds. In fact, we don’t read resumes; we scan them. A long one is immediately discarded. It means you don’t know what you want to say, so you said everything. “
Harra says that ultimately, your resume isn’t supposed to be your life story. “Think of your resume as an invitation to call you, not your biography, she says. “Say just enough about the who, what, when, where and why in your experience so that the recruiter can make a match with the position they are recruiting for and be curious enough to ask you for a phone screen or interview.”
The phone call or in-person interview is when a recruiter will really get to know you, so you’ll have an opportunity to share more about your experiences during that part of the application process. If you take these considerations to heart and be selective with what you include on your resume, you’ll be sure to keep it short, sweet and easy to read (or scan!).
3. Include your address and home phone number on your resume and cover letter

This may have been appropriate for the days when snail mail was the main mode of communication and cell phones didn’t exist. In this day and age, however, calling your home phone and mailing a letter to your home address are probably not the quickest or easiest ways to reach you, especially when you’re not likely to be home much anymore!
“Include your contact information that’s easily accessible,” Salemi says. “The address certainly isn’t necessary nor relevant; if you’re looking for an out-of-state job, you don’t want to be immediately dismissed by the recruiter in case they think, ‘Oh, they’ll never move.’ They should be thinking about whether or not you’re qualified for the job, but sometimes other factors come into play that could potentially dismiss you as a candidate, so you’re better off leaving it off.”
In today’s job search process, you should typically include your cell phone number and email address on your resume and cover letter to ensure you’re as reachable as possible. Do make sure your email address sounds professional, though; “beachygirl@hotmail.com” just won’t cut it, Harra says. Also, if you have a personal website, provide a link to that on your resume as well so employers can easily see firsthand what you’ve accomplished. Harra also says to provide links to your LinkedIn and Twitter pages if your posts are relevant to your professional life.
You’re growing up and entering the real world, so you shouldn’t have Mom and Dad be fielding your calls and mail!
4. Don’t experiment with design on your resume and cover letter

Many of your elders may be apt to tell you to always keep your resume black and white. Aubrey Nagle, a Drexel University junior and the Campus Correspondent for Drexel’s chapter of Her Campus, heard that advice during a career class she took in preparation for her co-op. “Such a variety of students and majors, both traditional and creative, go to Drexel that I was shocked we were told to keep our resumes plain when looking for co-ops,” Nagle says.
Instead of immediately opting for black and white, you should tailor your resume and cover letter to the jobs for which you’re applying. If you’re looking to land a position that doesn’t entail any sort of web or graphic design, then feel free to keep a black-and-white look with standard fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial. Salemi says there’s nothing wrong with giving your resume a basic appearance.
But if you’re looking to snag a creative gig, Salemi says you can definitely add in some pizzazz. This will help showcase your skills in the application itself. And even if you’re looking for a different type of position, it still doesn’t hurt to spice up your application to make it pop! Nagle did just that, and she says it helped her obtain a number of positions. “In a sea of same-old, same-old, nothing stands out like a punch of color!” she says.
If you do decide to spruce up your app.ication, make sure you choose colors, fonts and spacing settings that won’t reduce readability. And if you’re submitting your documents to an online application system, save them as PDF files in order to preserve their presentation. To mock up fabulous resumes and cover letters, Adobe’s InDesign program is a fantastic resource if you have it on hand or can access it at your school.
But regardless of whether you choose to keep a traditional resume format or go for something bolder, Harra says to remember that the content you include is still more important than presentation. “What is special about you? What can you deliver to your future employer and the world? That is what should pop on your resume, not your font, color choice or layout,” she says.
5. Don’t put your personal information online

Many members of older generations consider the Internet a vast abyss of information that could potentially get you in trouble. While this certainly could happen, you shouldn’t avoid it entirely—but you should still make every effort to keep up a professional social media presence.
Maintain an updated profile on LinkedIn to make your accomplishments more visible to potential employers. Harra also suggests perusing LinkedIn groups in your field to look for job opportunities that appeal to you. “Go to where the people who are doing the job that you want to be doing are and interact with them,” she says. Social media makes this incredibly easy to do!
You can also constructively increase your online presence by creating a personal website. Your website should include a brief summary about yourself, samples of any work you’ve done in your chosen field, a downloadable resume and your contact information. You can create a site for free with WordPress or Wix. If you need help laying out your personal site, take a web design class, ask for help from a web-savvy friend, chat with your school’s career center or check out Her Campus’s tips for making one!
But even with these professional kinds of online visibility, you obviously still have a personal life that’s likely to be at least partly documented on the Internet. Your elders are right in telling you that the wrong information could get you in trouble (regardless of how private you think it is), so be wary of what you post, the photos you’re tagged in, the pages you like and the people you interact with. Polish your online profiles by nixing photos containing alcohol or where you show too much skin, and refrain from writing obscenities in your posts. You can also use a website like Socioclean to find and delete unprofessional content on your social media profiles. If you don’t want your parents to see it, then it probably shouldn’t be online.
An increasingly competitive job market has made for a different job application process that older generations may just not understand. But if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to steer clear of outdated advice and make your job search as easy, efficient and successful as possible.

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27 ways to sleep better in college life

The average person spends more than one third of his/her life asleep. But don’t be fooled — just because the body is sleeping doesn’t mean it’s slacking off. During sleep, the body repairs itself so that when the alarm clock goes off, our bodies are renewed and refreshed. Tossing and turning all night can affect judgment, productivity, and the ability to retain information the next day. Over time, it can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and — of course — a chronic bad attitude. (Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?) So check out our list on how to sleep better tonight — and thank us in the morning.
Disclaimer: While factors like stress or big life changes can bring on a few sleepless nights, prolonged trouble sleeping could be a sign of another issue like depression or a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. If these are worries, schedule a doctor’s visit to get things checked out. A medical professional might suggest a hormone test or another kind of evaluation to make sure everything’s okay.
1. Establish a bedtime routine. This lets the body know it’s time to unwind from the day’s stress and chill. Figure out a schedule and stick to it every night of the week — even weekends!
2. Journal. Thinking about or doing stressful activities can cause the body to release stress hormones, leading to alertness. But writing out stressful thoughts in a journal can help us avoid restlessness once we hit the sheets. Studies suggest certain types of journaling allow us to focus on the positive instead of the negative aspects of our day.
3. Munch on magnesium. Research suggests magnesium plays a key role in our ability to sleep through the night. Try chowing on magnesium-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, spinach, and swiss chard. Or pop a ZMA supplement, another form of magnesium, about half an hour before bedtime.
4. Try a cup of chamomile tea. This herbal drink can reduce anxiety that might make it more difficult to fall asleep.
5. Exercise regularly. Studies suggest some aerobic exercise can reduce anxiety and improve quality of sleep in people who suffer from insomnia.
6. Work out earlier in the day. While exercise can help improve sleep quality, it’s important to schedule workouts that end at least two hours before hitting the hay so that post-workout adrenaline boost doesn’t keep you up.
7. Take a power nap during the day. Ten to 30 minutes in the mid-afternoon is best to ensure a good night’s sleep. Any longer and we risk falling into deeper stages of sleep, which can leave us feeling groggy when we wake up.
8. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep. While many of us don’t get nearly that much, sleep deprivation has been linked to high cortisol levels (aka more stress). Recent research also suggests not sleeping enough is linked to insulin resistance, a condition in which the body can’t process insulin efficiently and a risk factor for diabetes.
9. Bedroom activities only, please. Reserve the bed for bedtime-only activities so the mind associates the bedroom with relaxation. Sleep and sex, yes. Work and bills, not so much.
10. Create a comfortable environment. Whether that means picking the perfect mattress, splurging on 800-thread-count sheets, getting heavy-duty curtains to block out light, or keeping a fan in the room for background noise, make sure it’s comfy before climbing into bed. Share a bed? Work with your partner to make any changes necessary so everyone sleeps well.
11. Keep the bedroom slightly cool. Between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. A room with extreme temperatures leads to more frequent awakenings and lighter sleep.
12. Take a hot shower or bath before bed. This can help the mind relax, while the rise and fall of body temperature induces sleepiness.
13. Set a daily wakeup time. Just like it’s best to go to bed at the same time every day, it’s a good idea to keep a consistent wakeup time — even on the weekends. Irregular bedtime and wake-up hours can lead to poor sleep patterns.
14. Make up for lost sleep. Stayed up too late the past few nights? Tack on an extra hour tonight to repay sleep debt and get back on track.
15. Keep caffeine fixes to mornings and early afternoons. Drinking it too late in the evening can lead to an unwelcome bedtime boost. For some people, the effects of caffeine can last the whole work day — up to 10 hours after that last venti macchiato.
16. Don’t toss and turn. Can’t fall asleep? If you’ve been lying in bed awake for more than 20 minutes, get out of bed and try a relaxing activity like reading or listening to mellow music. Thinking about not sleeping will bring on even more anxiousness — it’s a vicious cycle.
17. Check the medicine cabinet. Certain medications might be interfering with sleep. Think a prescription is the culprit to a sleepless night? Talk to a doctor about potential side effects and how to deal with them.
18. Leave Fluffy on the floor. Sleeping with pets can interfere with sleep. Snuggle before bedtime and then let them get comfortable elsewhere.
19. Face the alarm clock away. Watching the time tick by can actually cause more stress and make it harder to fall asleep. Plus, artificial light from electronic gadgets can mess up our circadian rhythm, making our bodies think it’s time to stay up and party.
20. Get techy. Check out the variety of smartphone apps and other gadgets designed to help usher in a better night’s sleep. Tracking sleep over a long period of time can also help us pinpoint what’s helping — and hurting — our snooze time.
21. Listen to soothing music. It can improve both sleep quality and duration. Try classical, folk, or slow-paced contemporary styles for some soothing sounds.
22. Sniff some lavender. This scent can actually be an antidote to insomnia. Try burning lavender-scented candles or essential oils to ease into sleep.
23. Try progressive muscle relaxation. Starting with the feet, tense the muscles. Hold for a count of five and then relax. Do this for every muscle group in the body, working up from the feet to the top of the head. A nightly meditation practice that involves focusing on the breath can also help prepare the body for sleep.
24. Dim the lights. Bright lighting, in particular the “blue light” emitted by most electronic devices, might contribute to sleep disturbances. Tech-savvy insomniacs might want to check out the special glasses designed to block blue light and help us snooze through the night.
25. Get some fresh air. Exposure to daylight helps regulate the body’s internal clock and with it, sleep timing. Getting some sunlight also keeps daytime fatigue at bay, leading to more sleepiness at bedtime.
26. Establish an “electronic curfew.” The artificial lights from computers, TVs, and cell phones might make it more difficult for the body to understand when it’s time to wind down. And one study suggests limiting TV at bedtime can reduce sleep debt.
27. Drink something warm. While a glass of warm milk might not be medically proven to bring on sleep, the relaxation that comes with sipping on a mug of a “comfort drink” like warm milk, hot chocolate, or tea can make those eyelids a bit heavier.

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Five ways to beat the all-nighter blues

It starts off innocently enough. It’s midnight and you’re still working on that paper. Or catching up on Breaking Bad. But when you’re going to bed as your roommate is heading to the gym, you’ve hit the point of no return. You’ve officially pulled an all-nighter. Lack of sleep leaves you feeling irritable, sluggish and generally “blah.” It’s time to find the quickest ways to recover so you can be less zombie, more human.
If anyone knows about sleep (or lack thereof) it’s Dr. Kim Herman, MD. Currently with the Shore Health System/University of Maryland Medical System, Herman spent five years working at a sleep disorders center. She knows that all-nighters are physically noticeable just by looking at your face, dull your senses, and make you irritable.
And for students, research has shown that the majority of those who study all night tend to have lower GPAs than their well-rested peers, said Herman.
“Sleep deprivation can significantly decrease cognitive functioning,” said Herman. “It causes decreased reaction time in activities that require sustained attention. Mental status changes including depression, anxiety, poor mood, irritability, low energy (and) poor judgment. These signs often disappear when normal sleep is restored.”
Herman makes a convincing case for keeping a normal sleep schedule, claiming that performance lapses are highly predictable when staying awake for more than 16 hours at a time. And often times, these lapses go unnoticed by the individuals experiencing them, so while you may think you’re functioning at a normal level on even an hour of sleep, in reality you’re just slightly above unconscious.
And staying up all night may lead to more serious consequences than bags under your eyes and a bad mood. Herman explained that, “Individuals may experience ‘micro sleeps’ which involve brief sleep episodes for only a few seconds whenever there is a lack of physical activity, like when you’re driving. These brief periods of sleep can result in catastrophic consequences.”
A car driving 60 miles per hour can travel more than 250 feet during a three second micro sleep, said Herman, meaning that a curve in the road or a breaking car in front of the driver could cause a serious accident.

Research has shown that the majority of those who study all night tend to have lower GPAs than their well-rested peers…

There are also long-term consequences associated with sleep deprivation, said Herman. Sleep deprivation is linked with an increased likelihood of developing hypertension and other cardiovascular issues. It can also lead to decreased immune function and an increase in appetite which can be frustratingly counterproductive to the hours you log on the treadmill.
Staying up all night doesn’t do your body any favors, but trying to break the habit can be difficult. With classes, work, activities, and other obligations, it’s hard to fit everything into a day. Emily Flanders, a 2010 graduate of St. John Fisher College, suggests scheduling out each day (including breaks) ahead of time to avoid late-night work.
“When I was in school I also had a toolbar that would block websites temporarily – you set and control which ones – and I’d block Facebook, Twitter, and other major distractions,” said Flanders. If your writing style is of the “write a paragraph then immediately go on Facebook” variety, then this may be an option to consider.
But even for the most organized, all-nighters just sometimes can’t be avoided. If you’ve already stayed up all night, there’s no turning back. Here are a few ways you can help your body recover.
1. Sleep in: Herman emphasized that the best thing you can do for your body after you’ve been up all night is to extend total sleep time. If possible, go to bed early for the next day or two after your all-nighter and let yourself sleep in until you wake up naturally. No alarm clocks allowed.
“Achieving continuous sleep helps us rest in accordance with our internal biological circadian clock and experience all of the sleep stages necessary to reap the restorative, energizing, and revitalizing benefits of sleep,” said Herman.
2. Take a nap: If you can’t go to bed early and sleep in the next day, Herman recommends a “strategic nap.” Naps that last 15-20 minutes can boost your energy and alertness for several hours after you wake up. It’s not as ideal as sleeping until you wake up naturally, but it’s certainly helpful if you need to function after you’ve been up all night.
3. Caffeine, with care: When you’re tired, it’s tempting to use coffee or energy drinks to take the place of sleep you didn’t get the night before. But caffeine should be used properly to get the best results. In moderation – roughly 300 milligrams or less – caffeine can lead to increased alertness, energy, and the ability to concentrate, said Herman. It can also improve reasoning, memory, orientation, attention and perception.
“The best way to benefit from the stimulating effect of caffeine is to consume small amounts frequently throughout the day,” said Herman. “Larger doses can stimulate the mind for a short time, and then causes an alertness crash as the effect wears off.”
In short, that trenta size from Starbucks? Probably not the best plan.
4. Eat wisely: Choosing your meals wisely is a must when you need extra energy after a long night.
“Great energizing meals and snacks that will keep you going for a long time incorporate a combination of foods that contribute protein, fiber, and complex carbs,” said Herman.
Her example: a half sandwich and a glass of milk or granola and a piece of fruit and a yogurt. Other high-energy foods include: whole grains, fatty fish (salmon or tuna), dairy products, chicken, eggs, nuts, mushrooms and beef. Herman added that snacking is important and skipping meals is to be avoided.
5. Other energy boosters: Staying hydrated can help keep your energy level up as well, said Herman. Physical activity and being around bright light are other energy-boosting options available if you can’t take a nap or get your hands on some caffeine.
Staying up all night may seem like a good option for productivity, but for your health, your mood and your GPA’s sake, it’s best to divide up your work/TV watching habit into manageable chunks and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Emphasis on reasonable. You are in college, after all.

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How much is too much sleep For Students??

With our action-packed lives, nearly a third of Americans struggle with getting too little sleep. However, some studies suggest getting too much sleep may actually be just as problematic as not getting enough! So how much is too much sleep?

We Sleep All, Sleep All Day — Why It Matters

Medical experts typically recommend seven to nine hours of shuteye per night for adults, and even more for kids. (Yikes, no wonder first period in high school was always so tough.) But everyone needs a different amount of sleep, and research suggests our sleep habits are influenced by environmental factors (like exposure to light) and genetic traits. Not getting enough sleep on a regular basis can contribute to a condition known as “sleep drunkenness,” which leads to feeling groggy and disoriented. But we weren’t dreaming when we felt more tired after snoozing longer than usual — sleep drunkenness can happen when we get too little sleep and too much sleep. In both cases, sleeping more or less than usual can upset the body’s circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep cycles.
Getting too much sleep may be about more than just running to make the train in the morning. Like sleeping too little, oversleeping has also been linked to some serious health problems. Research suggests sleeping more than eight or less than seven hours per night is associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Those who sleep less than five or more than six hours per night also show an increased risk of mortality. And one study found people who slept for more than nine or less than seven hours a night were about twice as likely to develop dementia as those who typically slept for seven hours.
Pulling a Sleeping Beauty is often a sign of a medical condition called “hypersomnia,” or excessive sleepiness. Hypersomnia can result from a range of factors, from central nervous system injuries to common over-the-counter medications. In certain cases, alcohol abuse can alter sleep cycles because booze prevents chemical interactions that take place during deeper stages of sleep. Oversleeping can also be part of the cycle of depression; people sleep more than usual because they feel depressed and continue to feel blue because they spend so much time sleeping. Whether we have someone to snuggle with influences how much we sleep, too; single people may be more likely to sleep in (longer than 8.5 hours) than their pals in relationships. But getting the right amount of sleep may not be as simple as setting an alarm clock.

Let Me Sleep On It — The Answer/Debate

Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to figure out the ideal amount of sleep for everyone. To find the right amount of rest, it might be necessary to experiment. Lame as it may seem, start setting an earlier bedtime than usual until it’s possible to wake up without an alarm clock. (It’s probably best to start these tests on a “sleep vacation” or a weekend to avoid missing the morning office meeting.) Once you start sleeping about the same amount every night, you’ve figured out how much rest you need on a regular basis. It may also be worth keeping a sleep diary with sleeping hours, daily alertness, and other stats like coffee breaks and workouts (e.g. drinking three late-afternoon frappuccinos might be important to note).
Keep in mind that not sleeping enough can have some scary consequences, too: Going 24 hours without any sleep can impair functioning just as much as a blood alcohol level of 0.1 percent! Sleep debt can also mask an individual’s basic sleep needs — so if it’s been busy season with all-nighters, wait until it’s been a week or two of normal sleeping before trying to note any patterns. Until sleep debt is paid back, it’s fine to sleep longer than usual; one study found that just one 10-hour sleep session significantly improved cognitive function following five nights of sleep deprivation.
If it’s still tough to wake up in the morning despite consistently getting at least seven hours of sleep a night, it may be wise to see a doctor. Sleeping too much (or too little) can have serious consequences for health and well-being and can also be symptomatic of other medical issues. Figure out the cause of the change in sleep habits, and then start counting those sheep.

The Takeaway

Everyone needs a different amount of sleep that depends on genetic and environmental factors. “Sleep drunkenness” can happen when we sleep too little or too much, and too much sleep is linked to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health issues. Oversleeping can be a sign of hypersomnia, which can sometimes result from popping over-the-counter painkillers. At the same time, sleep deprivation can have serious consequences, too.

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‘All-nighters’ may face trouble later in life

After a long night of studying for electrical engineering and computer science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology first-year Jonathan Terry wakes up for a 5:45 AM crew team practice in the crisp November air.
With only six hours of sleep a night, Terry says he could really tell the difference between his academic performance during crew season and the offseason when he was on his regular eight-hour sleep cycle.
“Everything felt way more stressful,” Terry says. “I loved the exercise, but it was a lot to balance.”
As many know, sleep deprivation is a problem for college students, but if the pattern continues into adulthood, it may lead to serious health concerns.
In a new study presented by the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, 30% of working adults who sleep less than six hours a night are four times more likely to suffer a stroke, USA TODAY reported.
The study shows that even adults who stay in shape and have no other risk factors are still subject to strokes simply due to insufficient amounts of sleep, says Megan Ruiter, lead author of the report.
“People know how important diet and exercise are in preventing strokes,” says Ruiter, of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, to USA TODAY. “The public is less aware of the impact of insufficient amounts of sleep. Sleep is important — the body is stressed when it doesn’t get the right amount.”
According to a 2001 study published in the Journal of American College Health, only 11% of college students say they have a sufficient amount of sleep each night.
In response, Terry says it’s especially hard for students to get sleep because they are trying to balance a number of extracurricular activities.
“I know many kids who try to do everything and because of it, [they] get very little sleep,” he says.
Kathleen Murray, 19, of the University of Vermont tries to go to bed at a certain time each night to guarantee a good night’s rest.
“I know if you don’t get enough sleep, you don’t do as well,” Murray says.
If some students did continue the same unhealthy sleeping patterns after graduating, Murray says the reasons for their lack of sleep would be the same as when they were in college.
“It has a lot to do with time management,” she says. “Students don’t know how to plan out their day. You can get enough sleep if you manage your time.”
Another reason students, in particular, have a hard time getting enough sleep is because after a long day of classes, they still must go to a job, do homework or study, Murray says. Adults, on the other hand, finish their workday and then have time to relax.
“If you’re lucky enough, your work doesn’t follow you home like school does,” Murray says.

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Sacrificing sleep for studying? You’re not alone

Students do it in class. They do it at meals. They do it all day long and well into the night.
Yawning is routine on college campuses, and many students accept exhaustion as a way of life. At the peak of midterm season, students without dark circles under their eyes are a rarity on campus.
Just 11% of U.S. college students report sleeping well, and four in 10 say they feel well-rested only two days of the average week, according to a Harvard Medical School sleep study.
Keith Edwards, a junior public relations major at the University of Alabama, said he gets about six hours of sleep each night — two hours less than the recommended eight hours of shut eye. He spends seven hours on campus for his classes before starting his assignments and studying for the next day.
“If all I ever did with my life was study and complete homework I’d probably get several more hours of sleep a night, but I’m involved with several organizations on campus that eat up my time,” said Edwards, 20.
Edwards is trying to find the balance between all the things he expected to do at this point in his life — academic pursuits, campus involvement and a social life. But other students are sacrificing some of what they thought would be a guaranteed part of college, just so they can get a reasonable amount of sleep.
For Eleni Kouvatsos, a junior at the University of Florida, social life doesn’t make the cut.
“If I wanted to have any sort of social life right now, I’d probably be getting 3 hours of sleep every night,” she said.
Kouvatsos, 20, said her class work is “seemingly endless,” and although she said she thinks her professors are aware that students aren’t getting much sleep, she believes most professors attribute students’ tiredness to things other than their studying habits.
“Many instructors think the main reason students don’t get much sleep is because they’re staying out all night with friends — which is true for a lot of students — but a lot of students are sleep deprived solely because of their coursework,” she said.
Edwards agreed that although sleep deprivation is an acknowledged problem on campus, his teachers are less than understanding.
“I do think professors are aware, but I don’t get the impression that they are sympathetic to it. People just assume that a lack of sleep is part of college life,” he said. “In their eyes students are in school to go to that class, and that means putting in the time and effort to do well.”
Skipping sleep to do work can actually have adverse effects on academic performance. Sleep deprivation has been shown to cause slowed thought process, impaired memory, difficulty learning and slowed reaction time, according to WebMD.
“I’ll move more slowly through the next day though, and I definitely have a harder time paying attention in class,” Edwards said.
A 2010 University of Minnesota study found that students’ GPAs decrease in relation to their lack of sleep.
Edwards and Kouvatsos both say that as they progress through college into harder courses, their sleep schedules worsen each semester. They also agree that the lack of sleep, combined with harder course material in general, often correlates with lower grades.
“If I decide not to sleep so I can study for an exam, I typically don’t do well on the test because I’m too exhausted to focus,” Kouvatsos said.
Many college newspapers such as The Oakland Post and The East Carolinian have published articles recently about the lack of sleep students face, but few identify solutions for students to get more pillow time.
“In order to get more sleep, I would either have to take fewer credits and easier classes or put forth less effort, thus sacrificing my GPA,” said Kouvatsos, who, like most students, isn’t willing to make that sacrifice just for a chance to hit the snooze button once more.

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How bad are all nighters, really?

There are seemingly endless reasons to pull an all-nighter: exams, finalizing an important pitch to clients, a birthday bar crawl, trying to earn more experience points in Farmville.
Both college and the “real world” have their fair share of sleepless nights. While crankiness and moodiness are tell-tale signs of no sleep, research suggests a surprising plus to staying up: short-term euphoria (the body’s natural high).

Not Enough Time In The Day — Why It Matters

Using MRI to study 27 young adults, researchers found participants who pulled an all-nighter experienced (short-lived) bouts of euphoria and heightened positive feelings. But it’s not all lollipops and double rainbows.
While any lack of sleep causes a boost in dopamine (the neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and happiness) levels, it can also potentially lead to risky behavior due to a surge of overly optimistic emotions.
It turns out lack of sleep switches the brain from rational-based decision making to the emotionally charged fight-or-flight mode.
This may not seem like a huge deal for college students (that’s just another Friday night frat party), but for doctors, pilots, accountants, or lawyers it may be a serious side effect to consider.
Yet sleep deprivation is no laughing matter. One study showed that lack of sleep impairs cognitive performance, knowledge retention, and awareness.

No Sleep ‘til Brooklyn — The Answer/Debate

Although some studies have found sleep deprivation to be beneficial in severely depressed patients, nearly any positive effects wear off after a nap.
As for studies that champion the pros of foregoing sleep? Well, there aren’t any.
So, will one night of sleeplessness cause a lifetime of drowsiness? No, a good night’s rest will restore the body, but just don’t go for that fifth Red Bull on a daily basis.
Long-term dangers of all-nighters include a reduced learning ability and increased likelihood of anxiety disorders . Other potential hazards include weight gain, an increased risk of diabetes, and potential brain damage.
Despite the dangers, pulling an all-nighter is a choice that many time-crunched people make. Even the most dedicated night owls should consider taking a break to sleep (even if it’s just for a couple hours) to re-charge the body’s batteries and reduce one’s overall sleep debt.
Don’t be surprised if productivity improves as well; a rested brain is good for business (or that final paper).
Do you still pull all-nighters? What are your secrets for staying productive late at night?

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For students, social media means more than following friends

College students don’t need statistics to tell them where their friends spend their free time — they’re already there, too.
“I joined Twitter because everyone else was doing it,” said Anthony Michael, 18, a freshman at the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA)

A recent survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, found that 83% of Internet users ages 18 to 29 use social media. In interviews, students told USA TODAY College they use social media for more than just following their friends, placing personal-brand building and keeping up with the news among their top reasons for logging on.
“There are different social media outlets for different purposes,” said Ayesha Zahid, 20, a senior at UTPA. “Tumblr doesn’t require a lot of personal information from you to get an account, so it’s famous for rants. And privacy settings in Facebook make networking hard. But my Twitter is open to the public because I want people to interact with me.”


he Pew survey also found that Twitter is more popular among younger, urban users. Maryann Slater, a 19-year-old sophomore at Rutgers University, said that’s because students get their news in tweets.
“I don’t really watch the news on TV,” she said. “When there was the gas shortage in New Jersey, that was how I first found out about it. The governor’s (Gov. Chris Christie’s) Twitter posted updates, like whether it was an even or odd license day.”
Slater said she and her friends take their personal lives to Facebook instead of Twitter because of its enhanced privacy settings.
“I’m never going to post a picture of me near alcohol (on Facebook), but I will post pictures of me going out with friends,” Slater said. “I’m not sure where the privacy line is drawn but there definitely is one.”
Twitter users can set their accounts to private. Dylan Kickham, 22, a senior at the University of Notre Dame, recently switched his from private to public.
“I used to use it mostly as a way to talk to my friends, which is why I decided to go private in the first place,” Kickham said. “I’m not tweeting about my personal life anymore and instead just funny commentary on current events.”
Kickham aspires to be a comedy writer and uses Twitter as a way to test out his material. Unlike Slater, Kickham only follows people he knows, people he thinks are funny and celebrities.
“There’s a lot of power you can have depending on how you use social media,” he said.
Other students, such as Matthew Madden, 20, are happy to keep their thoughts private on Twitter. Madden, a junior at the University of Michigan who locks his account, was not the only one to say his peers often share much more than they should.
“You see people more so on Facebook than Twitter pouring out all their emotions,” Madden said. “It’s less risky to be judged when you broadcast it out to a whole network of people, because it’s easier to share on a computer than face-to-face.”
Slater and Kickham said the danger in Twitter, however, is the instantaneous blurb that students think “not too many people will see.” Michael, a YouTube video blogger, said students will do just about anything to get that coveted like or retweet.
“It’s a celebrity thing,” Michael said. “Everyone wants to get recognized. If you do something stupid, that is unfortunately something you will get recognized for.”
Turning to social media seeking validation, though, isn’t the way to establish healthy human connections, Slater said.
“If I have a problem with someone, I should be talking to them in person,” Slater said. “Instead you see a lot of people using the Web as a diary to vent or escape.”

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6 bold statements that can damage your relationship with your professor

I’m sorry for your loss, but this is very inconvenient for me.”
In 14 years as communication faculty and a writer on student-professor dynamics, I thought I heard it all. Then a family member unexpectedly died. Attending the funeral required a class reschedule. My crisis became my student’s logistical annoyance.
In “Six things you should say to your professor”, I suggested ways for students to improve everyday comments that profs find frustrating (“Did I miss anything important?”).
In the past year, I’ve heard students say some bold things that can damage a working relationship. Here are six examples:
1. If your professor makes a change due to unexpected circumstances
Don’t say: “This is very inconvenient for me.”
Do say: “I’m sure this was a difficult decision. Thanks for making it work out.” Or if you disagree, say, “Is there another option? I’m concerned about ________.”
Here’s why: Issues ranging from personal emergency to pace of student learning could change your prof’s well-intended plan. Your schedule likely says “tentative” for that reason. The switch should never negatively impact you. Worried that it will? Open the conversation with care. Your prof probably struggled to retool, too.
2. If you are working while in school
Don’t say: “I’m full-time at my job and have been very busy.”
Do say: “I started my assignment early because my schedule is tight. Could you make sure I’m on the right track?”
Here’s why: Your prof may empathize, but cannot give you leniency because of work. Classes must rank, so schedule your assignment deadlines early. You’ll feel less stressed and likely get more help by eliminating the excuse.

3. If your professor suggests a different direction for your idea
Don’t say: “It’s not worth it to me. I’ll just do something else.”
Do say: “I appreciate the feedback. I see how this approach makes my original idea stronger.” Or “Let me give you some background on why I thought this would work. Is there any way I can move ahead?”
Here’s why: Your prof’s early critique stands to make your final product (and grade!) better. In the workplace, fresh ideas are applauded … and often altered. Will you abandon ship if you can’t get your way? Take a step back, take a breath, and take another look. Accepting feedback with grace is an art and skill, one that definitely should be honed in college.
4. If your professor gives you constructive criticism
Don’t say: “I think you have me confused with another student.”
Do say: “Thank you for pointing out areas where I can improve. Can you clarify what you mean by ___________? I want to make sure I understand what you’re looking for.”
Here’s why: Unless your prof’s comments are clearly about someone else’s work, she knows exactly who you are. And guess what? She cares and wants you to do better. Try not to take the feedback personally, but do follow up if you are confused.
5. If your prof recommends that you drop the class
Don’t say: “I’m on scholarship, so I won’t leave.”
Do say: “Can you explain why you are making this recommendation?” Or, “Is there anything you can suggest so this outcome doesn’t happen again?” (Note: Only ask if you really don’t know. Otherwise, thank your prof for looking out for you!).
Here’s why: Many profs only suggest withdrawal if the situation is unrecoverable. We know the ramifications academically, financially, and emotionally. However, if a student’s situation is truly terminal, refusal to leave won’t move us to rescue.
6. If you are confused
Don’t say: “I wasn’t planning on doing that assignment.”
Do say (as soon as possible!): “I am having trouble with ____________ (be specific!). Can you point me in the right direction?”
Here’s why: Aside from the funeral comment, this one surprises (and saddens!) me the most. Too many students skip an assignment, rather than ask for help. Any points are better than a zero. Your prof can’t help you if you don’t speak up. Get on track and at least complete the work.
While my examples are real, I believe the students did not realize how their words came across.
If you are frustrated or confused, plan your next words with your end goal in mind. Boldness and rudeness could actually escalate your problem, rather than solve it.
Appropriate and respectful communication will get your needs met way faster … and you’ll preserve an important relationship.

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6 things you should say to your professor

You’re in a bind or you’re totally confused. What should you say to your professor?
Everything you read about speaking to professors warns that you shouldn’t tick them off, ruin their impression of you or say something to sink you further.
But should you keep your mouth shut? No!
I’ve witnessed 14-plus years of student interactions and I teach interpersonal communication. Not talking to your instructors isn’t the answer and texting is out of the question. The right words give you a shot at solving your problem and possibly getting better grades.

I’ve got two pocket themes you can use with your professor that work for many class-related situations: “Here is what I’ve done…” and “Here is what I propose…” A little background behind my recommendations:
When students have issues — late work, absences, needing help — they often come across as, “Solve it for me. Now!” Professors’ reactions? Mildly irritated to snarky to downright grizzly. Would you throw your lateness, your missed work or your confusion in your boss’ lap and say, “Fix it!”? That could cost you a job, right? You want to appear ultra-professional with your professor, even if you’ve blown something up. So use these phrases to sound proactive, rather than reactive.
• Instead of saying, “I’m so lost!” say, “I am confused about our upcoming paper. Here is what I’ve done: I read over the assignment sheet. I reviewed your examples. I am stuck on the transitions and two of my sources. Can you help with that?”
Here’s why: Instead of conveying blanket lost-ness, be specific. Don’t make your professor tease out where you’re stuck, which wastes time. Show that you’ve attempted to help yourself and you’ll get more focused assistance.
• Instead of saying, “I really needed a 4.0 in this class!” say, “I am striving for a 4.0 and I’m prepared to work for it. I’ve reviewed the syllabus. I would like to make an appointment so I can ask questions and discuss my plan for achieving my goal.”
Here’s why: Professors learn about desperately needed grades at the end of a term. Too late! All grade goals require a collaborative conversation initiated by you on day one or week one.
• Instead of saying, “I worked so hard! I deserved an A!” say, “I am working toward an A on our assignment, so I finished my project early. Would you be willing to take a look and give me some feedback?”
Here’s why: Your professors grade on tangible work that meets set standards. Work early and some professors may offer feedback ahead of the due date. Some may not, but try saying this: “I have two very specific questions.” They’ll likely answer.
• Instead of saying, “Will this be on the test?” say, “I used my notes and textbook and downloaded your lectures and PowerPoints to create a study guide for our upcoming exam. Would you look and see if I’ve missed any major areas?”
Here’s why: No need to mine for test gold and lose credibility. Show your professor you think all content is worthwhile. You won’t have questions handed to you, but you may get an assist if you’ve skipped a critical study area.
• Instead of saying, “I’ve missed four classes, but can I still pass?” say, “I missed the last four classes, which was unavoidable. I do not plan to be absent again. I’ve reviewed the attendance and late-work policy on the syllabus. I calculated my lost points. Here is what I propose to catch myself up (submit your proposal), based on your policies. Have I missed anything in my calculations? I believe I can still pass if we agree on the dates I will submit this work, according to your policy and penalties.”
Here’s why: Your professor may have zero tolerance for absences. Still, a well-thought-out proposal has a chance. Asking your professor to save you likely doesn’t.
• Instead of saying, “Can I leave early? Will we be doing anything important?” say, “I need to leave class early today. I noticed on the schedule that you are going over chapter six. I read chapter six and started on the assignment. I will have it done on time and do not need to leave early again.”
Here’s why: First, don’t ask for exit permission — your professor can’t fairly give it. Just go, be responsible for the consequences and don’t make early departure a habit. Second, your professor has a plan for class days, regardless how the schedule appears. You may be going over a test, building community through class discussion or having an unexpected guest speaker. Every class day is a day committed by you and your professor, and is important to your professor. It should be important to you, as well. Conveying otherwise? Not professional.
You deserve to know the correct way to communicate with your professors. Too often, students sound clueless and don’t realize it. Trying these phrases may feel a little weird at first, but believe me, even if you fumble, you’ll sound more like the professional you’re trying to become than students who use the alternatives. And if your professor remains snarky or grizzly, don’t be thrown. You’ll know that you handled yourself properly.
Armed with correct communication, you’ll have an incredible opportunity in college to not only improve your classwork, but also build a relationship with someone who could become a long-lasting mentor. As a bonus, you’ll practice one of the top employability skills with someone who is as close to a boss as you can get. Again, you deserve to have the right words for that.
Use them.

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10 Questions You Shouldn’t Ask Your Professor before the Final

They say that dead men tell no tales. But dying men ask a lot of desperate questions. If you’re just now confronting the reality of final exams, there’s no quick fix advice to ensure a passing grade. The best you can do is study hard, sleep regularly, lay off the Four Loko, and avoid any of the following last minute inquiries:

1. “Complete sentences”? What for?

2. Instead of taking a test, can I summarize this class in a tweet?

3. Do you stamp your Blue Books, to prevent the possibility of pre-composed essays being smuggled into the test? Is it like a run-of-the-mill, A.C. Moore stamp, or something that you special order?

4. Are we doing teacher evaluations before or after this final?

5. May I be excused if there’s a natural disaster or a major political coup on the day of the test? What about globally?

6. Man, that is some beard — when did you start growing that thing!?

7. Why are finals always designed to measure how many random facts we can memorize? Don’t you care about our personal growth?

8. Ok, so ballpark figure… What would be the average of my current grade and zero?

9. Do you realize that my parents pay your salary?

10. Is this textbook still available at the bookstore?

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5 questions that will take the fear out of talking to your professor

To some students, entering a professor’s office means contracting a life-threatening virus.
To others, it feels like home.
The professor-to-student relationship usually — and unfortunately — lies at one of these two polar extremes. It’s not like colleges provide Professor Relationship 101, either.
Think of the next five hypothetical questions asked by students as a crash course. Hopefully it will debunk myths and stigmas around professors and how they interact with students.
1. “What do I call them? A professor? A doctor? Mister or missus?”
Since kindergarten, students called teachers mister or missus so-and-so. Most students probably didn’t even know a teacher’s first name until college. This can be overwhelming. A legitimate fear for some definitely exists regarding what to call professors. But students just need to trust their instincts.
If a professor said, “… But you can call me by my first name,” then it’s not unprofessional. But if you’re talking to the school president about a professor, you may want to mention him as Professor Smith rather than Joe.
The same goes for emails, interview requests, office-hour signups … and professor, doctor, mister, missus. Use common sense — but don’t believe he or she would never talk to you again if you choose the wrong title.
2. “I don’t want to seem dumb going to a professor’s office. What do I do?”
Some students believe that asking a professor a question — let alone visiting his or her office — means that they will be marked as “the dumb one.”
But the truth is professors would much rather deal with questions before (for example, a midterm) rather being asked afterward, “I bombed this test, can you please raise my grade?”
Professors want to educate students.
Even if you had a dumb question, they’ll respect you for having the guts to ask it. If going to the office still intimidates you, then send an email. A professor or a teaching assistant will either answer the question or set up a meeting at his or her office to discuss it.
3. “But what do I even talk about? Just academics? I’m sure they don’t care about my life.”
Most professors understand the academic and social pressures of being a student. After all, they went through that themselves and have seen all variations of it teaching at your college.
The myth that professors somehow don’t have the pulse of younger students is false. To some degree, they may know more about students than anyone.
For example, it’s often harder to talk to parents or friends about school troubles. But professors can be neutral about it and even share a story or two about a student who went through the same thing.
Not all professors will welcome non-academic talks, but some will. Either way, it doesn’t hurt to ask by saying something like, “I’ve been struggling with (something). Do you have any suggestions?”
4. “I still don’t see a benefit to talk to a professor.”
Just like college admission essays, a great letter of recommendation will stand out. And for someone to write an inspired and truthful recommendation, he or she would need to get to know you.
But don’t think of a professor as a vessel that writes a fancy document. Professors have priceless connections and advice, too.
For example, a professor may know someone looking for a roommate or a job opening with other alumni. Most assume professors only know old alumni. Like the Class of ’45 alumni. But professors still communicate with students who just graduated.
However, do not just send an email asking for a recommendation letter or job offer. You wouldn’t ask a girl to prom on Facebook Chat, right? Do it in person and thank them for their time.
5. “So what you’re saying is that there’s no reason why you shouldn’t talk to a professor?”
Truthfully? Yes.
It is the professor’s job to be available for questions regarding his or her courses. Every professor is different, but most can — and willingly — double as a counselor, friend or mentor.
However, be mindful that professors have lives outside of school, too. (I know, shocking.) Plus, they have to be there for other students as well. Like you would treat your parents or friends, be respectful of their time. Thank them when applicable, and don’t be frustrated if they don’t get back to you immediately.
But most importantly, understand most professors want to help — academically, personally and intellectually.
Who knows? You may even make a lifelong friend out of it.

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5 things you should never say to your professor

From a professor’s point of view, I want to tell students that effective professors care about their classes, put a lot of time into grading and lesson planning and genuinely want students to take away some knowledge from the course. Being a professor with the technology accessible to students today also means that we are expected to answer emails immediately.

Believe it or not, professors also want to see their students do well in their courses. However, we do form impressions about students and it’s undeniable that we consider assignment extensions based on a student’s attitude and effort. Therefore, in order to build a relationship with your professor, whether it be to earn a good grade for the semester or to secure a letter of recommendation in the future, here are some things to avoid saying at all costs. Seriously.
1. “Did I miss anything important/Did we do anything important in class?”
Let me answer this one for you in one word: Yes. The answer will always be “yes.” The reason is because professors never stand up in front of a room or create an activity that they consider useless. Professors value their course and think the content is important every day. I will also add a bonus pointer here that it should be the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed in class.
2. “I just took your class for an easy A.”
Professors translate this statement as the student didn’t care about the course material or want to put any effort into doing the work. Professors care about their course curriculum and they hope that it will be respected and taken seriously. When professors grade, quality counts, and taking quizzes, writing papers and completing group presentations are all part of earning a passing grade.
3. “I didn’t know we had anything due in this course.”
Saying this to a professor is equivalent to asking, “What days does this class meet?” and, “Do we have a book in this course?” At the college level, students have assignments due in every class, every semester. It is a student’s responsibility to look at the course syllabus. At the collegiate level, a student should not be relying on class announcements or personalized emails to be alerted to upcoming due dates either.
4. “I was busy studying for my other classes so I didn’t do my work for this class.”
Unfortunately, that is not an excuse. Students need to learn time-management skills and effective study habits. It is an insult for a professor to hear that their class wasn’t as important as another one.
5. “Did you answer my email yet?”
There are two reasons why students should never say this to their professors. First, if you expected that the professor should reply to your email, you should spend time checking your inbox for the response before asking. It’s extremely frustrating if a lot of time was put into an email response and the student doesn’t even read the reply. Second, it gives off the impression that you believe the professor’s life revolves around your email. Professors attend meetings, have research demands, serve on committees and sleep at night. Please allow your professor a normal response time, especially if the email was sent at 1 a.m.
Note: The more polite way to handle the situation would be to follow up with a second email if the professor does not answer the first one within a week.

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