College Colors Day – This Friday!

This Friday is College Colors day.  Show your school spirit by wearing your college colors to work and school on Friday.  And send us your pics of you and your friends in your college gear.  We’ll post them on our Facebook page next week.  2JTMN5GDHFXS
Pictures can be sent to askcollegesmart@gmail.com

How much should I study?

I often have students who are unsure of how much time they should really invest to complete the work they are given in their college classes.  This isn’t surprising – if this is your first time in college, you have no way to judge the amount of work you will be asked to do or how much time it may take.  And even if it isn’t, new professors and more difficult classes can throw you a curveball.
Here’s the basic rule of thumb: plan to spend at least one hour studying out of class for each hour you are in class. 
You can break this down in two ways: for your classes that are worth 3 units (units equate to hours spent in class) , you should expect 3 hours of homework a week.  Or, let’s say you are taking 16 credits this semester.  You should then expect 16 hours worth of homework each week.
Of course, determining how much time to study for classes isn’t an exact science.  Some classes are easier than others and require less work.  Some classes or professors will make you want to work harder than others.  And some students simply have schedules that only allow them a limited amount of time to study, no matter what they “should” do. 
But knowing what to expect can help you to better manage your time and plan your schedule.  If you are taking a heavy load and you have to work, you can easily see that your 18 hours/week in class + 18 hours/week of homework + 15 hours/week of on the job time = 51 hours/week of work.  That amount of work will certainly wear you out quickly, and you might find yourself reconsidering your work or school schedule. 
If you’re lucky enough not to need to work while in school, you can use this formula to plan a study schedule that allows you some flexibility.  Say you spend 15 hours/week in class and have 15 hours/week of homework.  You now have a 30 hour/week schedule.  Treat it like a job, and you just might find that your evenings and weekends are, for the most part, open. 
Use this formula to empower yourself to make smart decisions.  If you have too much on your plate, don’t be afraid to admit it to yourself.  You can push back a class or two without delaying graduation.  If you have a relatively flexible schedule, use this formula to stay on top of your work.  You may even find that you have time to get ahead!

Friday’s Fact

Check in each Friday for your weekly Get College Smart Fact.

Photo from Tickle Me Elmo TMX

Did you own a Tickle Me Elmo as a child?  If so, you might be a member of the class of 2015, according to Beloit College’s MindList, an annual publication that gives insight into the world the current freshman class has known.  By the way, your parents probably stood in long lines at the toy store around the holidays, surrounded by other cranky parents, to make sure you had that Tickle Me Elmo (gotta love mom & dad – give them a call and say thanks).

At the risk of giving away my age, I can tell you that the Tickle Me Elmo of my generation was the Cabbage Patch Doll.  (Any guesses as to which class I graduated in???).  My mother bought me one but waited until the craze died down.  I’m pretty sure my Karen Sue doll is still sitting somewhere in my parents’ house, worn out and well loved.

I’m here . . . classes have started . . . now what?

If you’ve participated in your school’s new student orientation, you may feel a bit like you’re back in summer camp.  It can be a  challenge to shift from this mindset and get into “college” mode.  To make sure that you don’t let things slip during the first week of class and get off to a bad start, there’s one thing you should do during the first week of class: Get organized!
For some of you, this is easier said then done.  But let me tell you that being organized isn’t rocket science; you just need to know how to do it.
Step 1: Invest in a planner, or make use of your smart phone’s calendar.  This will be your time management guide during the semester and will help you to plan ahead and not fall behind on your work.
Step 2: Log your major assignments in your planner. This should include all your exam dates and essay and project deadlines.  Not sure where all this info is listed?  Check your course syllabi.
Step 3: Log your work/workout/activity schedule.  While you can’t expect to plan out your whole semester – nor should you want to – you should put other important activities into your planner.  Include things you have to do (like show up to your job) and things that keep you balanced (working out, volunteering, etc.)
Step 4: Review your calendar.  Feeling overwhelmed yet?  Relax, and remember that this organizing activity will help you to manage those extra busy weeks.
Step 5: Find a safe place to keep your course materials.  There are lots of different ways to do this.  You can keep a binder for each class, or use a separate notebook for each.  Choose the method that works best for you, and take care of all your paperwork . . . you might just need those notes you took on the first day to get through that comprehensive final exam.
Step 6: Keep it up!  Organization isn’t a one time thing; you have to keep adding items to your planner and keep putting your course materials in that safe place you’ve created for them.  If you fall behind on this, you might find yourself falling behind in your classes

Dorm Room Overkill?

This week, many of you are headed off to college for the first time.  For most, this is the first time you will be living outside of your parents’ home and sharing a space with a stranger.  In order to feel “at home,” it is important to have a comfortable space that reflects who you are.  But what stuff is necessary to make a dorm room into a home?
USA Today recently reported that the typical college student – and parent – overdoes it when it comes to purchasing dorm essentials.  Match-y accessories, supplies, furniture, new clothes, and technology don’t come cheap.  And not all of these “essentials” will fit into an average dorm room (at least not if you want to leave any space for your roommate).  In order to avoid ditching some of your new purchases in the dumpster or sending them home with mom and dad, you should keep a few things in mind:

1. Refer to your school’s dorm room rules & regulations before you go shopping.  Some dorms will not allow certain items in rooms – lamps, hot plates, microwaves, coffee makers, etc. – because they are a fire hazard.  Knowing your school’s rules can help you avoid making an unnecessary purchase.
2. Know the size of your dorm room.  Your college should have provided you with this information; if not, contact the Resident Director for your dorm.  Having a good sense of the dimensions of your room will prevent you from buying too much.
3. Pack light.  Take it from someone who has moved several times – less is more.  The less stuff you have to move, the sooner you can get settled.  Also, don’t forget that you will have to move all that stuff at the end of the semester, either home or to a storage space, and mom and dad may not be around to help you.
4. Chain stores are nearly everywhere.  It’s unlikely that your college is in the middle of nowhere.  You should find a Wal-Mart, and probably a Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and maybe even a mall, near your school.  You can always purchase the things you find that you need after you arrive on campus.

Good luck with the moving in process!  And check back next week for some advice on how to get through the first week of classes. 
Finally, be sure to send in your questions – askcollegesmart@gmail.com

Welcome to College Smart!

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