Wanna get ACTIVE this New Year? I've got the scoop!!

This month an on going theme for my blog is self-improvement! So far I've talked about setting realistic goals and some free workshops you can use to improve yourself as a student.

Now that I've discussed how to get your mind in shape, I'm going to talk a little about how to get your body in shape in the new year!

Every New Year people seem to become really conscious about their health. Everyone seems to RUN out and buy a gym membership, use it for a few weeks but by the time March rolls around the gym trips have ended and all of a sudden health isn't on your mind.

I'm here to tell you that you CAN stick to your health goals without having to buy expensive gym memberships, and without losing motivation a few weeks later. A lot of times people lose momentum with their health related goals because they are trying to achieve these goals alone. When you have no one to be accountable to it is very easy to give up on goals.

How can we avoid this?? Well I would recommend getting involved with health related clubs and programs on campus. They provide you with a safe place to get active and community of people to keep you motivated and on track (pun TOTALLY intended!) with your goals.

So, WHAT can you do on-campus to get active?!?

1. Check out Tait McKensize Gym.
--I know what I just said about getting gym memberships, BUTTT in this case the Tait McKensize gym  is only $15 for a full calendar year! That's a GREAT deal for students!! Also at the gym you have access to all the field houses, the courts and pool. Plus there are tons of classes you can take (for an extra fee) if you have a particular interest. Check out their website for more info here.

2. Running Relief - Toronto Track and Field Centre
--I've talked about Running Relief in past blog posts like this one . So feel free to read that post for more information. The reason I bring it up here is that, this program provides runners with a community, a group of people that will support them as they attempt to achieve their health goals. Best part of this program?? IT'S COMPLETELY FREE!!! So you really have NOTHING to lose and EVERYTHING to gain!!

3. Intramurals
--A lot of times people forget that playing games can be a form of exercise, in some ways games are the best form of exercise because you don't even realize that you're working out! Each college runs intramurals for their students, check out some basic info about Intramurals here. Wanna get involved? Contact the athletics rep on your college council to sign up. They are a GREAT way to meet new people, make friends and get active!

4. The Active Living Challenge
--This is a great opportunity to get started with your health goals and stay motivated. Check out the latest episode of RED Zone TV to find out more about the Active Living Challenge.

I don't know about you but I LOVE prizes and so sticking to my health goals and getting rewarded for it seems like a win-win to me!

Hopefully you'll find a way to get active in this New Year. I wish you all the very best with your goals whatever they may be. Let me know if you decide to try anything I mentioned here, by commenting in the comments section below!

Until next time, remember, take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Change is hard BUT FREE workshops help!!

This month an on going theme for my blog is self-improvement! Last week I talked about setting realistic goals, this week I'm going to talk about a few tools that you can use to improve yourself as a student.

I know that change can be hard, you might think that you've come too far as a student and it'll be too difficult to learn new ways to study...but I'm here to tell you that as students we can never learn enough about how to be a good student!

You're NOT an old dog...you CAN learn new tricks and York is here to help with TONS of workshops designed to help you become a better student! Best part...they're all FREE!!

The Basics:

-There are 3 places on campus that students can go to year round to get help...and you've probably seen me mention them before on this blog!
1. Counselling and Disability Services
2. The Writing Centre
3. The Career Centre



What you need to know:

CDS: Offers 8 yes count 'em 8 FREE workshops that you can attend coving topics like:
--Academic Anxiety, Academic Writing, Critical Thinking, Exam Prep for University Tests and Exams and Reading and Note-taking at University. Check out these and other workshops here.

The Writing Centre: Offers a number of group style workshops that you can attend that cover topics such as:
-- How to read academic writing, How to develop a thesis statement, and Effective editing. In total The Writing Centre offers 9 different workshops to help you feel more comfortable and confident with writing for university. See what The Writing Centre offers here.

The Career Centre: While the CC doesn't offer workshops specifically designed to help with writing they do offer a numer of workshops that can help you with your future planning, whether that be your future career plans, further study or just finding your next summer job. Check out their workshops on topics like:
-- Cover Letter and Resume Writing, Interview skills workshop, Selecting a graduate degree and How to find a summer job. The Career Centre has an online calendar with the full list of all their workshops that you can check out here.

As a proud York Veteran I'm happy to say that I've attended several of the workshops that I listed here, and honestly I've found them to be very helpful and would recommend them to you all. If you have a chance to check out any of the workshops, let me know how you found them in the comments section below!

As always... remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Not sure what to bring to your exam? Here's my ultimate Exam Pack!

So it's your first UNIVERSITY exam and you're not sure what you should bring with you? Well it's a good thing you decided to read this (on your study break of course!).

So here's my ULTIMATE EXAM PACK!!! (Insert awesome sound effect or music here)

What should you bring...
1.  A Fully stocked Pencil Case...what does that look like?
--Well you'll need  PENS...at least 2, 3 if you have time to stop at staples before your exams.
--Pencils, if you're filling in bubbles on multiple choice exams you'll want to make sure you have at least a few pencils.
--A Sharpener and Eraser. Even the best of us make mistakes sometimes!

In case you forgot
what it looked like!

2. YOUR STUDENT ID and one other form of OFFICIAL ID. Why bring two pieces of ID? Well just like matching socks whenever you actually need your ID that's the ONE time that you can't find it...so if you have two then you'll at least be able to find ONE when you need it.
**Some exams are REALLY SPECIFIC and REQUIRE that you have your University Student ID. So try not to lose it on the day of the exam!**

You won't need
every book you own!

3. A SMALL backpack/ purse. You won't be allowed to take notes or books into the exam room so it's best to leave them at home. Also having a LOT of stuff with you will only slow you down when you want to find a seat or when you want to leave.
--Some people think that cramming before the exam will help them to remember things better but the truth is...cramming will only make you more anxious.


4. Bottled beverage...NO FOOD!! Having water or juice with you can help keep you hydrated, especially if your in a 3 hour exam. Please don't bring food into an exam, chances are you won't be allowed to eat during the exam, if you are brining food then eat either BEFORE or AFTER the exam.

5. POSITIVITY! I know it might seem a little silly but having a positive attitude can really improve your performance. So try not to be too hard on yourself, no one can know EVERYTHING just know that you've done your best to prepare, stay positive and take a few deep breaths before you walk in and everything will be fine!



Good LUCK everyone!!

As always remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Making the MOST of your Study Sessions!

With less than 10 days left of the Fall 2012 semester, the Scott Library is beginning to get busy again. People are beginning to feel the crunch of this time of year and so there are more and more people packing in to study, write papers and even sleep :P

So how will this impact your study sessions?



The Scott Library is operating on their 24/5 schedule from now until the end of the exam period (Dec 20th). Which means that the Library Study Space is open Sunday-Thursday 24 hours. This means that if you want to study late, or want to study early or you want to pull an all nighter on campus you have a place to do so.

Here's what you need to know to make the most of your time in the Scott Library!

1. Wear something comfy!
-- If you plan on studying all night or late into the night you might to wear some comfy clothing. Or bring extra clothing with you. If it's 3:30am and you're wearing skinny jeans and high heels you might not be comfortable enough to do effective studying. At the same time Pyjamas are not really appropriate either!

Yeah I'm NOT gonna
wear this to study!

2. Bring snacks and a water bottle
--If you're going to be studying you'll need fuel to keep your brain power up and keep you motivated to work. Also food services on campus close at around 12-2am so if you don't bring food or a water bottle you'll be relying on vending machines which lets face it, can be expensive. Some snacks you might want to bring with you include: almonds or nuts, granola, carrots/ veggies and dip, fruits or dry cereal.

YUMM!

3. After 11:00pm All bets are off when it comes to study rooms!
--If you plan on studying late into the night and you weren't able to book a study room since they were all full...then you'll be happy to hear that after 11:00pm study rooms are a free for all. They work on a first come first serve basis. So maybe start working in the 1st floor study space then move into a study room for the rest of the night.

You got to get there early!

4. Pack LIGHT
--If you're gonna be on campus late you might not want to bring EVERY book for every class you have. Realistically you'll only be able to cover material effectively for a couple of classes. So brining ALL of your books for every class will only weigh you down and might overwhelm you, especially if you're trying to get through a lot of material.

She clearly brought too much with her!

5. Try to stick to your study plan
--Last week I talked about the importance of having a study plan. Well when you're studying in the library it can be easy to take A LOT of breaks, or to waste time talking to friends or those around you. If you make a study plan like I suggested...then try your best to stick to it. Budget your time and try not to waste it!

Stay on Track!

These are just a few ways that you could make the most of your study sessions. This by no means an exhaustive list. It's just a few things that I do whenever I study in the library. Let me know what works for you in the comments section below.

It's CRUNCH time folks so I wish you the VERY BEST OF LUCK as you prepare for your final exams and papers!

Remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Fall Semester Winding Down...But You're Getting Wound Up?

I can't believe it the Fall semester is winding almost over. Literally there are only like 2 full weeks left in Fall 2012. What does that mean for you? That means getting yourself prepared for the RAPIDLY approaching exam period. You might be wondering how to start getting ready for your upcoming exams.


Well Well WEEELLL that's what I'm here for!! Here are my top 3 ways to get ready for exam period.



1. Make a LIST of all your exams, how much they're worth and WHEN THEY ARE!
--Now that our exam schedule is out be sure to check it to make sure that you know when your exams are scheduled. Since classes end on Dec 3rd you probably won't be having your exam during your regular class time. So be sure to check the website.

All nighter = Not the BEST!

*TIP* I always sign in and have the system tell me when my exams are happening by clicking "My Exam Schedule" in the grey column on the left hand side of the page. Be sure to keep checking this site as your exam draws closer, since they can change the location or time WITHOUT giving you notice. And it would SUCK if you missed your exam because you didn't check the site!!

2. Make a Study Plan

Sample Study Plan

--Now that you have your list of your exam, you'll be able to determine how much time you have to prepare for each exam. So the next step to take would be to make a DETAILED study plan and try your best to stick to it!! What does a study plan look like? Well take a look at my sample study plan!!

*TIP* Try your best to make a study plan that includes breaks and "down time" you don't want to burn out when studying. All nighters are not the best idea so try your best to avoid them by STARTING EARLY!!

3. DISCONNECT
--Today we are more connected than ever! Almost everyone has a cell phone, or a laptop. WIFI is an IMPORTANT part of our lives and it can be really difficult to turn off these devices to allow yourself the time you need to study. So TURN IT OFF! Let your friends and family know that you won't be around for a few weeks while you prepare for exams. I promise if they care about you and your education they will understand!

*TIP* Whenever I'm about to have a good ole fashion study session I use a Mac app called Self Control. This blocks your computer from accessing various social media sites for a specific amount of time. So I turn it on for the duration of my study block. This also helps you in timing your study times.

Those are my top 3 ways to prep for exam period. Check back with me next week...I'll be talking about how to make the most of your study sessions in The Scott Library.

Until then...REMEMBER to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!!

Nicole