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!
I don't know how many people out there follow this blog or read it with any regularity or even at all but...I thought that this might be a good time to open up a bit and share a little of me with you. In the least creepy way possible!
This time of the year can be really stressful for students and it's super important to do little things to help relieve your stress. So with that in mind I thought I'd share a couple things that I really like to do to get rid of stress.
I drink A LOT of tea and coffee (I know that isn't a stress reliever but I promise it has a point). That being said I have this strange obsession with my coffee cup sleeves.
I'm not sure why, but I have this OCD like need to rip up coffee cup sleeves into little pieces and put them in my empty coffee cup. Don't know why, but find it strangely relaxing and kinda fun!
Check out my technique...
I start by ripping the sleeve in half, then I rip the half in half and so on until I have little pieces. Once I have the little pieces I put them into my coffee cup and then throw the whole thing away.
Yup I know it's strange and I'm not going to pretend that I think it's totally normal or anything but it's just something that I really like to do.
I also really like puzzles! I like figuring out how things work together and it's always nice to build something beautiful! I'm not saying that I do puzzles with thousands of pieces or anything in fact sometimes I do puzzles online!! It's the whole thought process behind the puzzle that I find so relaxing!
When I'm online, I really like to doing puzzles via MSN jisgaw since we are in the technological age, I find it super fun to play online games and the fact that puzzles are online makes them that much more fun and easier to do (Since I don't have to worry about losing pieces or finding a flat surface to set up the puzzle)!!
Here's a puzzle I made yesterday IN REAL LIFE! Yep it's The Hulk! Enough SAID! The thing I like the most is that you feel such a sense of accomplishment when you finish a puzzle!
There's so much that you can do to relieve stress and these are just two of the things that I really like to do. Feel free to share what you like to do to relieve stress in the comments section below!
I wish you all the VERY BEST OF LUCK as we prepare for your Fall Exams!
As always, remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!
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!
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!!
Now that we have passed through the dark days of Midterms and things are calming down a bit you might find yourself full of nervous energy. You might be looking for a way to expel that energy in a healthy and positive way. OR perhaps you might be finding that you want to get a little more activity in your life, since its getting colder outside.
With this in mind I have a suggestion for you!! Have you ever heard of Running Relief?
Running Relief is a FREE running program run by Health Education and Promotion.
How does it work?
-Run at your OWN pace
-Run with peer coaches who help with technique and keep you motivated
-Attend a running related 30min workshop once every other week
-Run for stress relief, to quit smoking, to become more healthful, for your own personal interest or just for fun!
Where does it happen?
-RR takes place at the Toronto Track and Field Center (TTFC) which, conveniently enough is located RIGHT ON CAMPUS!! Check out this walking tour on how to get there!!
-It is important to note that use of the TTFC is FREE for all FULL TIME York students, all you have to do is ACTIVATE your YUCard. To activate your card you will need to bring PROOF that you are in fact a current full time York student. Once you activate your card you will be able to use the TTFC for free for the rest of the school year.
Yeah this all sound GREAT but...When is it??
WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?!?
-Running Relief happens 3 times a week
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30-7:00pm.
Friendly Tip
--There are lockers that you can use at the TTFC all you have to do is bring your own lock and a quarter. You can store your extra clothing and personal items so they are secure while you run.
How HAPPY do they look!?!
They are READY TO RUN are you?
Piqued your interest?
If you have any questions about Running Relief or you want to talk some more about how it all works feel free to check out Running Relief on YU Connect, or e-mail healthed@yorku.ca or healthedprojects@gmail.com , you can always tweet @healthedyork or like them on facebook as well!
Now GET OUT THERE and Run for Relief!!
Until next time...remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the zone!
It's that time of year folks...MIDTERMS! Assignments are piling up, proposals are due, midterm exams are happening. BUTTTTTTT You still have readings to do for some courses and you have work, maybe you joined a club in September and so you have meetings and events to attend. Also your aunts birthday is coming up and you have buy her a gift and help plan the party and your parents need you to help them with house work. You might feel like you're being pulled in a hundred different directions.
So how do you cope?
I know, I know you guys are SOO organized...you've been making S.M.A.R.T Goals, To-do Lists and planning ahead...but let's pretend for a minute that you haven't...how then do you survive Midterms? Well this is where I come in...here are some of my top tips for surviving this CRAZY busy part of the semester.
-Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night
Often when people become busy and stressed the first thing they cut is sleep. This is a major mistake! Sleep is VERY important because it allows your muscles and tissues to grow and be repaired and helps your body to fight infection. Ever wonder why there are so many people that are sick around Midterm time? CUZ THEY'RE UP ALL NIGHT! Also sleep helps with memory storage and retention as well as new learning. If you don't get enough sleep you might find yourself making silly mistakes on exams or at work; mistakes you might not have made had you gotten enough sleep. All-nighters are NEVER the answer!
-Don't consume too much caffeine
Some people swear that having an Extra Large Tim Horton's Coffee every hour on the hour is the only way to get through Midterms! Buttt too much caffeine can lead to some pretty serious issues...according to the "Mayo Clinic"you can develop Insomnia, Nervousness, Restlessness, Irritability, Stomach upset, Fast heartbeat and Muscle tremors. Some people are so sensitive to caffeine that even a little bit makes them jittery and can seriously impact their concentration. Check out this link for more info!
- TAKE BREAKS!!
Know that it's ok to give yourself a break! Sometimes people are really hard on themselves and try to study for 8 hours at a time without a break. However at the same time you can't take too many breaks because then you won't actually get too much work done. My fellow RSA Tori wrote a GREAT blog last week all about HOW TO TAKE A STUDY BREAK! so if you need some tips check out her blog.
**If you're having a hard time coping with the stress that you're feeling at this time of the semester, know that you do have support available to you. REMEMBER that you can always go to The Counselling and Disability Services Office in The Bennett Centre. Check out this link for more info about CDS **
Well that's my advice, but let me know what works for you and GOOD LUCK with your Midterms!!
Take it one day at a time and catch me in the zone!!
Nicole
The RED Zone is a POPULAR place this summer. Since we opened over 3 months ago we've talked to more that 4400 students. We've made tons of new friends and I'd like to think that we've been helping students feel a little more confident about starting at York in the fall!
A common concern among all of the students I've met with this summer has been dealing with the stress of starting at university. Students are all concerned about adjusting to the workload and being able to handle the transition from high school to university.
With that in mind here is my top 5 list of things that you can do to avoid or reduce your stress while at university.
Top 5 list of ways to stay stress free: 5. Choose your attitude
-You can deal with any situation that comes your way! You can either choose to address it head on or address it by stressing out about it and becoming depressed or angry. By deciding to stay positive instead of being negative can make all the difference when you have a lot on your plate.
4. Make a "to-do" list
-Making a list of all the things that you have to do can help you to see just how much you really have going on. Without a list how will you know how to divide up your time? Making a list can help you see everything you have to do, knowing exactly what you have to do can help you manage your time and therefore your stress. PLUS crossing things off your list feels SO REWARDING!
3. Set priorities
-After you've made your list, set priorities. Rank them in order of importance. Sometimes it might be difficult to decide which order to put things in, I recommend ranking things in order of when they are due, or how long they will take you to complete. If I have an assignment that is due in two weeks and will take a me a few days to fully complete I'll put that higher up on my list. Check out this video it helps explain the importance of making lists and setting priorities (it's only like a minute so it's not that much of a time commitment)! Thank you Brain Tracy!
2. Make time for fun!
-Rewarding yourself for with some "you" time helps keep your stress level down. Running, biking, dancing, sleeping. Whatever you like make some time for it, it'll keep you motivated and help to reduce your stress.
1. Set S.M.A.R.T goals
- If we use the S.M.A.R.T goal system we can take any task from the abstract idea stage all the way to completion! What does S.M.A.R.T stand for???
S = specific, making a goal specific means ensuring that it is something small enough that you'll be able to complete it.
M = measurable, your goal must be something that you can track your progress. You won't want to start a goal and not be able to check how close you are to achieving this goal.
A = achievable, this goes back to making a specific goal. Make sure that you can actually complete this goal
R = rewardable, this refers to motivation. Knowing that you have something waiting for you when your finish your goal will keep you focused.
T = time limited, you don't have forever to finish these goals, especially when it comes to a goal related to school work. Setting a time limit for your goal will also keep you motivated to complete it.
Let me know if these tips help you deal next time your feeling stressed!
This is a unique REDZone blog. These words are my own, I write about my life, my experiences and my interactions in real life at York University. Hope you like it!
-Nicole
--Well you'll need PENS...at least 2, 3 if you have time to stop at staples before your exams.
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!
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