Friday’s Fact

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

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Yesterday was National Coffee Day, so it seems only fitting to bring you a Friday Fact that honors one of the drinks that college students love best. 

Coffee accounts for 75% of all caffeine consumed in the U. S., according to a study by Hope L. Graven of Loyola University.  And while all college students know the benefits of getting their caffeine fix by drinking coffee (can you say late night cram sessions?), few understand the effects that this late night habit can have. 

Caffeine is considered to be a drug by some, and more people are addicted to it than any other drug, alcohol and tobacco included.  Overuse of this product can lead to behavior problems such as nervousness and insomnia.  Also, laboratory tests show that caffeine can trigger panic attacks.  So even though you may have been able to study all night thanks to your coffee buzz, chances are you may be too anxious during your exam to think clearly and too hyped up on caffeine afterwards to get the rest you need.

In a perfect world, you would not have to stay up all night to study, and you wouldn’t need a coffee buzz to get you through.  But let’s be realistic – cramming happens, and coffee can be a necessary part of it.  While the occasional late night coffee habit will not likely have a long term negative effect on you, you may want to consider whether or not that cup of caffeine is necessary at all times during the day. 

Why not try ordering up a decaf or half-caf coffee today?  Your nerves may thank you.

Work/Life Balance for College Students

Time management is a recurring theme on this blog.  Why?  Because in my years of teaching, this is the number one issue I see college students struggle with, and this is something I continue to struggle with in my professional career. 

What makes time management so challenging?  I think this is a personal question, and the answers to it are many and varied.  But one thing is true for everyone – determining how much time to devote to academic pursuits and personal interests is a constant struggle.  Demands on a student’s time vary from week to week, and even day to day.

How should a college student deal with this balancing act?  One key to the puzzle is planning ahead.   Remember that calendar that you use to keep track of all your quizzes, exams, papers, and projects?  Keep up with it!  Add new assignments as they are given and review the calendar on a regular basis so you know when a tough week is coming your way.  When those difficult weeks do come up, you can be mentally prepared to deal with them.

You should also try to work ahead of schedule when possible.  Have you been given a project that is due next month?  Why not start collecting research now?  What about that mid-term exam that is headed your way?  If you begin studying now, you will be able to study smaller sections, which are easier to digest, and have more time to familiarize yourself with exam material (more on this next week).

Have you been able to designate time for homework each day?  If so, have you stuck to your schedule?  Your life as a student is comparable to the life you will lead as a full time employee, so why not start the 9 to 5 routine  (or 8 to 6 or whatever works best for you) now?  The more committed you are to your schedule, the more time you will be able to free up for personal interests.

Which brings me to my next point.  No college student can devote all hours of the day to study.  Having a personal life is a necessary part of student success.  Hence the need for balance.  Time management helps you to achieve that all important balance.  Once you have put in your study hours for the day, you should (on most days) be able to set aside your work so you can have dinner with friends, work out, veg in front of the T.V., and forget your school worries and stress for a few hours.  

The work/life balancing act is even more complicated for those students who are responsible to their family or have busy work schedules outside of their school schedules.  For those of you in this situation, your downtime will be significantly less than the student who only has to worry about school.  You may have less time available to study and may even have to put off certain school activities in favor of spending time with a spouse or children or holding down the job that helps to pay your school tuition. 

But the general principle is still the same – you need a life outside of school to be successful in school.  Be sure to reserve some time in your day for the personal activities that make you happy and whole.  You’ll be a better, happier, and more fulfilled student as a result

Friday’s Fact

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




ABC News recently reported that college students have the power to create half a million new U.S. jobs just by decorating their college dorm rooms!

According to their research, American college students, on average, spend $800 on back to college gear.  That comes to a grand total of $46 billion for this back to school season alone.  If college students spent all that money on American made products, the could create half a million new American jobs.

Chances are pretty good, though, that most of the gear you bought was foreign made.  See for yourself – start checking the tags on your bedding, towels, curtains, and dorm decorations.  Was any of it made in the U.S.?

How about all that gear you bought in your campus bookstore.  Where were that t-shirt, hoodie, flip-flops, and football jersey made?  China?  Vietnam?  How many American jobs would be created if your school’s bookstore started selling more American made products?

You can make a difference.  Start a petition – let your campus bookstore know that you want to see more American made products available for sale there.  The struggling American workforce will thank you.

Month One Reality Check

At the institution where I teach, we’ve just passed the one month mark.  Classes have been in session for a full 4 weeks, and reality is setting in for most students.

By now, the first tests, projects, or essays have been submitted, and students are slowly learning whether or not their study tactics will hack it in college.  Those students who are still unsure of where they stand will soon find out – once their grades are posted.

What about you?  Has the reality of college academic life hit you yet?  Do you feel like you might not make it through this semester unscathed or you need to change your tactics?

Now is a perfect time to make a change.  At the one month mark, you still have enough time to right your ship and salvage your course grade.

Now’s the time to ask yourself some hard questions: are you studying enough?  Do you understand the material being covered in your classes?  Have you communicated with your professors?  If you answered ‘no’ to any one of these questions, I challenge you to set some goals for yourself to get back on course.  Perhaps you should commit yourself to staying in on week nights so you have more time to study.  Maybe you need to seek out a tutor to help you get through that challenging biology course.  Or maybe you need to make appointments with your professors to discuss your progress in their courses.

Don’t forget to check out our study tips in “I’m here . . . classes have started . . . now what?”; “How much should I study?”; and “Study Smarter, not Harder.”  Try putting a few of these strategies in practice today – they just might help you to stay on track!

Friday’s Fact

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

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I’m taking this week’s fact from a CNN report I heard earlier this week, which stated that the number of college graduates declaring bankruptcy is on the rise.   While this certainly is not welcome news for those of you who are currently in college, I wholeheartedly agree with Benjamin Franklin’s statement that “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” 

So what knowledge do you need to avoid the debt crisis that a number of college grads are currently facing?  Here are a few take home lessons.

• This fact is a result of a weakened economy and it highlights the need for everyone to be smart about money – especially college students
• Remember that all the money you borrow for college will need to be paid back eventually.
• Student loans typically go into repayment 6 months after you graduate.  While there are options out there that allow you to defer payment, these options have limits as well. 
• Interest still collects on your loan during the repayment period, even if your loan is in deferment. 
• Your monthly loan payment can take up a large portion of your income, assuming that you have a job when you have to make those payments.

All in all, you should not borrow more than you need to pay for your school expenses, and you should seek other sources of income to help you pay for your education!

(Now that’s the kind of knowledge that really “pays the best interest”!)

New Feature!

In order to better serve the needs of our readers, Get College Smart has added a handy dandy new feature.  Please direct your attention to the right hand sidebar, where you will find a list of Get College Smart's different categories.  These categories represent the types of posts you will find on this blog and will help you get to the information you want to read.

• Traditional Students: these posts are geared towards the student who entered college immediately after graduating from high school and who falls within the 18-22 year old age range.
• Non-traditional Students: these posts are for those of you who are attending 2 year colleges, who go to school part time, who juggle work, school, and parenting responsibilities, or who are returning to college after a several year break.
• Graduate Students: all grad students know that graduate school has its own set of challenges.  These posts are designed to help you navigate the often rough seas of graduate life.  (COMING SOON!)
• Just for Fun: this is where we index features like Friday's Fact.  Be on the look out for our upcoming giveaways!

As always, if there's any content you would like to see here, let us know!  Drop us a line at askcollegesmart@gmail.com.

A Salute to Veterans

Yesterday, we commemorated the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.  And to honor those veterans who have made huge sacrifices as a direct result of this national tragedy, Get College Smart devotes this week's post to veterans who are returning home and taking advantage of their educational benefits.

Let me start by offering you this disclaimer: I am no expert on the educational benefits that are currently available to veterans.  But I have taught long enough to have had the privilege to instruct many veterans and discuss their experiences with them.  This post is based on those conversations.

First, take advantage of the benefits offered to you.  For some of you, this may mean working extra hard to get what is owed to you.  I've met many veterans who had to deal with mounds of red tape to get what they were promised by the government.  While all the finagling is not fun, it's worth the effort.  In my opinion, giving veterans access to free higher education is the least we can do to give back for the numerous sacrifices veterans make.

Second, check to see if your college/university has a VA Liaison.  The institution where I work does, and this person is responsible for helping veterans to find out about the many resources available to them.  If your school has such a person, set up an appointment with him/her to discuss what you have access to.

Third, use the counseling services your college/university offers.  I have two kinds of counseling services in mind here: career counseling, and psychological counseling.  Good career counseling from your school's career services office will help you determine how best to use your skills and expertise, thus enabling you to focus your education on a particular field and, in some cases, graduate sooner.

Psychological counseling is often free at colleges and universities.  While many students may not want to admit they need these services, they can be particularly useful - especially for veterans who have been on several tours of duty.  There is no shame in needing to talk through issues with someone, and free professional services are hard to come by, so you should make use of the services offered to you.  One word of advice: contact your school's counseling office as early in the semester as possible - they tend to get bogged down and have to turn away students as the semester progresses.

Finally, communicate with your professors.  Even though you may not feel it is necessary and don't want any special treatment, it can help your professors immensely if they know a thing or two about your background.  Knowing students on a more personal level helps professors to be more sensitive to their needs and avoid assuming the worst about them (which, unfortunately, some professors - including this one - are guilty of on occasion).

We're Under Construction!

Please excuse our dust - we're under construction and working to provide you with a wider variety of content to meet your needs.  Stay tuned for personalized information for traditional, non-traditional, and graduate students.

Our regular updates will continue as we improve our site.  And we'd love your feedback - what advice could you use to help you navigate through your college experience?  Let us know by sending your requests to askcollegesmart@gmail.com.

Friday’s Fact

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

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College enrollment has grown by leaps and bounds in the past several years.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in college increased 38% between 1999 and 2009, growing from 14.8 million students to 20.4 million students.

What does that mean for you?  You had a lot more competition when you applied to college, and you may not have gotten into your first choice school.  And now that you’re in college, you’ll have to work twice as hard to get into the popular courses or qualify for the best internships and scholarships. 
In order to stand out from the millions of other college students like you, you need to give yourself an edge.  Working hard in your classes, getting to know your professors, and networking – these are just a few of the things you can do to ensure your success.  And don’t forget to check in with Get College Smart for your regular dose of college advice.

Study Smarter, not Harder

Each semester, I have at least one student conference that goes something like this: Student A enters my office, upset about his first essay grade.  We discuss what went wrong, and I give Student A tips for avoiding these issues in the next essay.  Noticing that this student still seems upset, I ask, “Do you think you can make these changes in the next essay?”
Invariably, the student answers, “Yes.  I guess I just don’t understand how I got such a low grade when I put so much time into this essay.”
The idea that the amount of time one puts into studying and school work directly relates to the grades that person will earn is not uncommon among students.  Unfortunately, it’s also not true.
Investing lots of time into studying will not necessarily earn you high grades! 
Why not? 
You have to study and work on the right things – not everything – in order to earn the best grades in college.
So how can you ensure that you use the study time you have wisely and avoid overworking yourself?  Here’s a few suggestions:

1. Time management: as a student, you should have designated times for completing your homework and studying.  Use this time wisely – avoid distractions like Facebook and text messaging when doing your work.  Staying focused will keep you from having to pull all-nighters and losing hours of valuable sleep.
2. Selective reading: In some classes, you will find that you have more reading than you can manage.  How do you deal with these classes?  Read selectively – which means that you focus on the most important sections of the reading.  You should get a sense of what your professors view as important from in-class discussions and the syllabus.  Also, you can look for reputable study guides in your school’s library or on the web (just be careful to choose good websites authored by knowledgeable writers).  These will help you to understand the material in a fraction of the time.
3. Know what you’ll be graded on: students often make the mistake of trying to do everything perfectly.  Realistically, this is impossible – and unnecessary.  You only need to do really well on the items that make up the largest portion of your course grade.  Check your course syllabus to find out what the most important pieces of your grade are.  Then, schedule some time with your professor to discuss how to succeed on these assignments.
4. Talk to your professors: the value of keeping an open dialogue with your professors cannot be overstated.  True, some faculty prefer not to see their students outside of the classroom, but most are more than willing to sit down with students and discuss the classes they teach.  Take advantage of your professor’s office hours to track your progress in the course and determine what you need to do to succeed.
5. Refer to graded work: if your professor lets you keep your graded tests/quizzes/essays, be sure to refer to these when preparing for the next big assignment.  They should give you a sense of the areas that you struggled on and where you can make improvements.  If you are not allowed to keep graded work, make mental notes of what you were marked down on when given the opportunity to view these assignments in class or during your professor’s office hours. 
6. Study groups: working in groups can maximize the amount of material you can cover in a short amount of time.  But study groups are only successful when they actually study.  Too often, they become social hour and nothing gets accomplished.  If you can find a group of dedicated classmates that you work well with, try divvying up study material and get together to teach each other the course material in preparation for your big test.  Just save the socializing for after the studying!

In general, you shouldn’t have to kill yourself to make it through college – even if you have a tough work schedule or lots of personal responsibilities on top of your school work.  Try to study smarter – not harder – you might be surprised at the results.

Friday’s Fact

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

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If you’re a college football fan, you know that ESPN’s College GameDay kicks off it’s 25th season this Saturday.  So this Friday’s Fact honors a college football staple. 
According to ESPN, Lee Corso (my personal favorite) has sported headgear over 190 times and has chosen the winning team 67.9% of the time.  Who will Corso pick this week for the LSU/Oregon game?  Tune in to ESPN at 10 am ET on Saturday morning to find out!

Reminder!

College Colors Day is TOMORROW!  Show your school pride wherever you are, and send us your pics of you in your college attire.  We’ll post them on our Facebook page next week.
Pics can be sent to askcollegesmart@gmail.com.

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

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