Posts
As a first year college student, I have used my blogs to discuss issues that affect students, and while I've covered study habits, stress, fitness and nutrition, job hunting, technological gadgets, etc., it occurs to me that there is one area in my own academic career that I would like to improve upon -- getting involved in extracurricular activities and/or volunteer work.
Since this was my first semester in college my focus has been primarily on my school work. I have managed to work part-time, but between school and work there just hasn't been time to do much else. I have been told that socializing in college is an important part of the whole college experience. By attending school sporting events, joining a school group such as student government, or attending student activities I will have a more of an opportunity to meet new people and experience new things. It is my hope that now that I have a semester of school under my belt, I will feel comfortable enough with the whole college routine to begin including some non-class related activities in my schedule.
BGCTC has several different student organizations open for students to join ranging from student government to Christian Fellowship to the school newspaper, and many more. BGCTC also sponsors several student activities throughout the year such as a Fall Festival, Tis' the Season; Valentine's Day, Spring Fling, Ice Cream Social, etc. In addition, as students at BGCTC, we have the unique opportunity to be able to participate in UK student activities. For a nominal athletics fee ($17.50 a semester) we have the opportunity to buy tickets to UK football and men's basketball games for $5 per game. In addition, we can pay a student center fee ($60.50 a semester) allows us access to activities at the UK Student Center including concerts, comedy shows, tournaments (pool, poker, ping-pong, etc.), movies, karaoke, and other activities, for free or a reduced prices. By taking advantage of some of these opportunities to socialize, students can meet new people and learn how to make friends and network. The main thing is to get involved and enjoy all that college has to offer you as a person.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Gadgets and Gizmos Galore
Of all the student related topics I've covered so far in my blogs, there's still another one that absolutely needs to be discussed -- the most hip gadgets that define the latest trends in technology. Even though there's hundreds of devices I could discuss, focusing on the college tech trends seems reasonable for this blog. In the college scene, gadgets are the hottest talk. Some of the newest technological gadgets are electronic notebooks, e-book readers, Apple I-Phone, and the I-Pod Touch. These portable gadgets can keep a student connected to friends and family, to the internet, to the latest music, movies, and games, inaddition to an unlimited number of different applications which can be downloaded.
The laptop computer is one of the most handy tools a student can have. While it can't magically compose a perfect research paper. it can get you a whole lot further than pencil and paper alone. Word document programs can tackle the most common types of writing assignments, and with on site internet access you can save yourself a trip to the library to do research. The portability of the laptop computer means that you can take it with you and work on school assignments, e-mail or chat with classmates and teachers, or surf the internet virtually any where, any time.
The Apple iPhone and iPod Touch are two new devices that are equally entertaining and educational. Both of these hand held devices offer a huge array of applications which for a nominal fee can be downloaded. The applications include helpful programs that range from study guides for algebra and statistics to foreign language tutors. Yep there's an app for everything. Not only are there educational applications, but also applications to help you keep track of your class schedule and assignments, get directions, buy books on line, check classroom blackboards onliine, etc. And, of course, there are applications, games, movies, music, and the internet for you to amuse yourself with when you are taking a break from your studies.
The e-book is the newest gadget to hit the market. It allows you to download books to a handheld reader, thereby giving you instant access to many books, anytime, any place. There is a fee for downloading the book and there are restrictions on sharing the book. Who knows, before long a student's backpack may be a thing of the past, and students may be able to just carry a portable e-book and have access to all of their textbooks.
I rely heavily on my laptop computer for doing my school work and find it to be an invaluable tool. Not only do I use the wordprocessing feature to compose papers, but I also am able to do on-line research, go on line to check my teacher's blackboard, download and print class notes and study materials, e-mail my classmates and students, post and read blogs, etc. Of course, the portability is the best feature. My laptop allows me to do these things anywhere there is a wi-fi connection. I just received an i-Pod Touch for my 19th birthday last week, but can already see how the array of applications available will be useful in my studies. In addition, because it can fit in my pocket, it is even more portable than my laptop, and still allows me to have internet access. By taking advantage of these technological advances and utilizing their unique features, they can save students alot of time and help them become more organized and proficient in the school work.
The laptop computer is one of the most handy tools a student can have. While it can't magically compose a perfect research paper. it can get you a whole lot further than pencil and paper alone. Word document programs can tackle the most common types of writing assignments, and with on site internet access you can save yourself a trip to the library to do research. The portability of the laptop computer means that you can take it with you and work on school assignments, e-mail or chat with classmates and teachers, or surf the internet virtually any where, any time.
The Apple iPhone and iPod Touch are two new devices that are equally entertaining and educational. Both of these hand held devices offer a huge array of applications which for a nominal fee can be downloaded. The applications include helpful programs that range from study guides for algebra and statistics to foreign language tutors. Yep there's an app for everything. Not only are there educational applications, but also applications to help you keep track of your class schedule and assignments, get directions, buy books on line, check classroom blackboards onliine, etc. And, of course, there are applications, games, movies, music, and the internet for you to amuse yourself with when you are taking a break from your studies.
The e-book is the newest gadget to hit the market. It allows you to download books to a handheld reader, thereby giving you instant access to many books, anytime, any place. There is a fee for downloading the book and there are restrictions on sharing the book. Who knows, before long a student's backpack may be a thing of the past, and students may be able to just carry a portable e-book and have access to all of their textbooks.
I rely heavily on my laptop computer for doing my school work and find it to be an invaluable tool. Not only do I use the wordprocessing feature to compose papers, but I also am able to do on-line research, go on line to check my teacher's blackboard, download and print class notes and study materials, e-mail my classmates and students, post and read blogs, etc. Of course, the portability is the best feature. My laptop allows me to do these things anywhere there is a wi-fi connection. I just received an i-Pod Touch for my 19th birthday last week, but can already see how the array of applications available will be useful in my studies. In addition, because it can fit in my pocket, it is even more portable than my laptop, and still allows me to have internet access. By taking advantage of these technological advances and utilizing their unique features, they can save students alot of time and help them become more organized and proficient in the school work.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Job Hunting
Often, college students who live away from home in a dorm or in an apartment, are compelled to find a full or part-time job in order to help support themselves. In a college town such as Lexington, there are certainly plenty of opportunities for students to find a job, however, choosing one that fits into your academic schedule is important. You should not lose sight of the fact that your main goal is to get an education.
The reason I'm discussing this particular subject is due to frequent posts on "Facebook" from my friends stressing out about their job shifts. These energetic, high achieving students are working under a demanding schedule most people wouldn't handle. Many go straight from classes to their job without have any down time or time to study and do homework. While it is nice to earn an income that can provide you with more than just the bare necessities, spreading yourself too thin can cause your health and your studies to suffer. Your health can suffer from lack of sleep and exercise, and too much stress. Your studies can suffer by not allotting yourself enough time to study and work on class assignments. Sometimes you have to look at the big picture and decide if the added pressure of a job is worth the benefits. If not, then you just need to find ways to tighten the belt a little while you are going to school (e.g., eating in more often; making do with the clothes you have; finding less expensive means of entertainment, etc.).
If you have to work, the trick then is to find a job that offers you, the student, some flexibility. One of the first places to look for work is with the school. Most schools offer work-study opportunities whereby you earn wages from working on the campus a few hours a day a few days a week, such as in the library or offices. Often your school supervisors will work with you to change your hours to accommodate your school schedule or you can switch shifts with other students. This provides the most flexibility to students.
Another source of work is to check with friends or relatives to see if they might have some part-time work. I have worked part-time as a file clerk/runner for the law firm where my mother works for the past couple of years. Because my employer knows that I am a student, they allow me to work the hours that are convenient to me. This allows me to have enough time for my school work, while still working a few hours each week to earn some extra spending money. During school breaks, I increase my hours and thereby increase my salary. During mid-terms and finals, I lessen my hours.
Working for a temporary services agency might provide a student with the flexibility they need. Once you complete the application and testing process, you can let the agency know what days or times you are able to work and they will provide you with assignments as they come available. The only draw back is that there may not always be work available that fits your schedule when you need it. You can also take a weekend job such as at Amazon.com where you work 12 hours shifts, which means that by working a weekend you can earn as much as working part-time every night of the week. This frees your week nights up for studying and doing school work.
Another possibility for work is to become an entrepreneur. Come up with a service that you can offer to others for a price. As an example, dog walking, animal sitting, baby sitting, doing laundry/ironing, transporting students without cars, house sit for professors or other students, etc.).
These are just a few suggestions. The possibilities for flexible employment are endless if you just put your mind to it. Regardless what job you take, remember to keep your eye on the ball (i.e. completing your education).
The reason I'm discussing this particular subject is due to frequent posts on "Facebook" from my friends stressing out about their job shifts. These energetic, high achieving students are working under a demanding schedule most people wouldn't handle. Many go straight from classes to their job without have any down time or time to study and do homework. While it is nice to earn an income that can provide you with more than just the bare necessities, spreading yourself too thin can cause your health and your studies to suffer. Your health can suffer from lack of sleep and exercise, and too much stress. Your studies can suffer by not allotting yourself enough time to study and work on class assignments. Sometimes you have to look at the big picture and decide if the added pressure of a job is worth the benefits. If not, then you just need to find ways to tighten the belt a little while you are going to school (e.g., eating in more often; making do with the clothes you have; finding less expensive means of entertainment, etc.).
If you have to work, the trick then is to find a job that offers you, the student, some flexibility. One of the first places to look for work is with the school. Most schools offer work-study opportunities whereby you earn wages from working on the campus a few hours a day a few days a week, such as in the library or offices. Often your school supervisors will work with you to change your hours to accommodate your school schedule or you can switch shifts with other students. This provides the most flexibility to students.
Another source of work is to check with friends or relatives to see if they might have some part-time work. I have worked part-time as a file clerk/runner for the law firm where my mother works for the past couple of years. Because my employer knows that I am a student, they allow me to work the hours that are convenient to me. This allows me to have enough time for my school work, while still working a few hours each week to earn some extra spending money. During school breaks, I increase my hours and thereby increase my salary. During mid-terms and finals, I lessen my hours.
Working for a temporary services agency might provide a student with the flexibility they need. Once you complete the application and testing process, you can let the agency know what days or times you are able to work and they will provide you with assignments as they come available. The only draw back is that there may not always be work available that fits your schedule when you need it. You can also take a weekend job such as at Amazon.com where you work 12 hours shifts, which means that by working a weekend you can earn as much as working part-time every night of the week. This frees your week nights up for studying and doing school work.
Another possibility for work is to become an entrepreneur. Come up with a service that you can offer to others for a price. As an example, dog walking, animal sitting, baby sitting, doing laundry/ironing, transporting students without cars, house sit for professors or other students, etc.).
These are just a few suggestions. The possibilities for flexible employment are endless if you just put your mind to it. Regardless what job you take, remember to keep your eye on the ball (i.e. completing your education).
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Under The Lights
A couple of weekend ago, I traveled to Louisville to attended the Kentucky State regional marching band competition also known as KMEA . For those not familiar with marching band competition, this is an annual competition for many highly talented and prestigious high school marching bands from all corners of the Bluegrass. The bands that score high enough in the marching season, earn a spot in KMEA's semi finals and have hopes of making it to the finals for a chance to win the Governor's Cup. There are five different classes depending upon the size of a school's student body with the smallest being Class 1A and the largest being Class 5A. Earlier in the day, the bands from each class competed against eachother in semi-finals competition in order to narrow the field to four schools in each class. These schools later in the evening compete against eachother in their respective class in the Finals competition with a first, second, and third place winner being decided for each class.
I lettered in band in high school, so I was quite familiar with the annual KMEA competition and was lucky enough to be in bands that made it to the KMEA finals three years in a row. When I was a sophmore, I was in Nicholas Co. High School's 1A band which placed fourth in the KMEA finals. As a junior and senior, I was in Lafayette High School's 5A band which placed second in the KMEA finals during my junior year, then placed first when I was a senior.
This year was the first time that I had been to a marching band competition where I was a spectator instead of a performer. The weather for early November could not have been more perfect for the outdoors competition which was held at Papa John's Stadium. It was in the low to mid 70s during the day and only got into the 50s late in the evening. The sky was blue and the competition field green. I found the competition to be very enjoyable from a spectator's point of view. It was interesting to actually watch bands perform whom I had previously competed against. Having never really had the opportunity to watch these bands perform, except on video tape, I was really blown away by some of their performances.
This single day of great music and performances made me realize that the most important moment of the season is also the most intense. During my previous trips to KMEA with the Nicholas County and Lafayette Band, I was so focused on and stressed about the quality of my performance and of the overall performance of our band, that I forgot to just simply enjoy the day. As a performer, our day began early in the morning and was filled with practice sessions, preparation for and performance in the semi-finals; then we had to turn around and do it again for finals later that evening. As a performer, every minute of our day was planned for us and I basically just went with the flow. During our performance it was nerve racking to be on the field looking up into the stadium filled with people. The experience was quite different this years as a spectator looking down from the stadium as Lafayette took the field this year. I was filled with a sense of awe and pride. Lafayette was the largest marching band in the competition with 200 members on the field. It was impressive to watch their marching precision and to hear the percussion and drumline. I did find that as a spectator, I was filled with as much anticipation as when I was a performer, in waiting for the judges to announce the winner. I was exciting to hear Lafayette's name announced this year, and to be able to go down onto the field to celebrate and contratulate my former bandmates. It filled me with a sense of nostalia and pride.
I lettered in band in high school, so I was quite familiar with the annual KMEA competition and was lucky enough to be in bands that made it to the KMEA finals three years in a row. When I was a sophmore, I was in Nicholas Co. High School's 1A band which placed fourth in the KMEA finals. As a junior and senior, I was in Lafayette High School's 5A band which placed second in the KMEA finals during my junior year, then placed first when I was a senior.
This year was the first time that I had been to a marching band competition where I was a spectator instead of a performer. The weather for early November could not have been more perfect for the outdoors competition which was held at Papa John's Stadium. It was in the low to mid 70s during the day and only got into the 50s late in the evening. The sky was blue and the competition field green. I found the competition to be very enjoyable from a spectator's point of view. It was interesting to actually watch bands perform whom I had previously competed against. Having never really had the opportunity to watch these bands perform, except on video tape, I was really blown away by some of their performances.
This single day of great music and performances made me realize that the most important moment of the season is also the most intense. During my previous trips to KMEA with the Nicholas County and Lafayette Band, I was so focused on and stressed about the quality of my performance and of the overall performance of our band, that I forgot to just simply enjoy the day. As a performer, our day began early in the morning and was filled with practice sessions, preparation for and performance in the semi-finals; then we had to turn around and do it again for finals later that evening. As a performer, every minute of our day was planned for us and I basically just went with the flow. During our performance it was nerve racking to be on the field looking up into the stadium filled with people. The experience was quite different this years as a spectator looking down from the stadium as Lafayette took the field this year. I was filled with a sense of awe and pride. Lafayette was the largest marching band in the competition with 200 members on the field. It was impressive to watch their marching precision and to hear the percussion and drumline. I did find that as a spectator, I was filled with as much anticipation as when I was a performer, in waiting for the judges to announce the winner. I was exciting to hear Lafayette's name announced this year, and to be able to go down onto the field to celebrate and contratulate my former bandmates. It filled me with a sense of nostalia and pride.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Steps to a Better Study Pt.2
Have you ever had trouble reading the next chapter for class because of the moronic guy that blasts his music in the most unusual places--this case being the library (and despite the fact that he was using ear buds!) . I've noticed that at times when I most need a quite place to read or study without distractions, such a place seems impossible to find. I usually go to the library at school before and after classes to study and this generally provides an adequate atmosphere; however, I still find myself distracted by the comings and goings of the other students. You may have had similar experiences.
Early on in the semester I tried studying at the library, outside at the Arboretum, at Starbucks Coffeehouse, and in my bedroom. Unfortunately, all of these places had too many distractions for me. After some trial and error, I found that because my Attention Deficit Disorder and Asperger's make focusing and noise more difficult for me, the best place for me to study is in a room all by myself. In addition, I have learned that I need to limit distractions such as music and television when I am studying; and that I study best later in the day between 4-8 p.m. While these are my study preferences, they may not be the best for everyone.
Because people are different, they have different needs and require different stimuli. Therefore, as a student it is important to identify the type of study environment and style that best meets your needs. For some it may be complete solitude and for others it may be a coffeehouse atmosphere with music and people. If you don't know what the optimal study environment is for you, then test drive a few different environments to see where you are best able to focus on your studies. Once you identify your study style and find your ideal study environment, you will be better able to focus on and complete your school assignments. It worked for me!
Early on in the semester I tried studying at the library, outside at the Arboretum, at Starbucks Coffeehouse, and in my bedroom. Unfortunately, all of these places had too many distractions for me. After some trial and error, I found that because my Attention Deficit Disorder and Asperger's make focusing and noise more difficult for me, the best place for me to study is in a room all by myself. In addition, I have learned that I need to limit distractions such as music and television when I am studying; and that I study best later in the day between 4-8 p.m. While these are my study preferences, they may not be the best for everyone.
Because people are different, they have different needs and require different stimuli. Therefore, as a student it is important to identify the type of study environment and style that best meets your needs. For some it may be complete solitude and for others it may be a coffeehouse atmosphere with music and people. If you don't know what the optimal study environment is for you, then test drive a few different environments to see where you are best able to focus on your studies. Once you identify your study style and find your ideal study environment, you will be better able to focus on and complete your school assignments. It worked for me!
Sick of Setbacks
Now that Influenza season has arrived along with the colorful Autumn leafs, the last thing people want is a nasty virus. Nevertheless, with the cold and flu season upon us, don't be surprised to find yourself bed ridden for a few days this semester. I know because I was put out of commission for about 4-5 days a couple of weeks ago with flu like symptoms within days of getting my flu shot. Take it from me, getting sick is a horrible experience. First, you're spend days feeling miserable and unable to do anything but hope that you get better soon. Then to make matters worse, once you do get better you find yourself buried in a mountain of make-up school work. My first instinct was to panic; however, I then realized that by using both time and stress management skills I could make what seemed like an impossible task more manageable.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, the first trick is to NOT over react once you realize that you have a ton of work in your "To Do" box. Stressing about it will only stall your efforts to get the work done. My suggestion is to write down all of your homework assignments. Next, prioritize each by writing numbers one, two, three, etc. beside each according to order of important. This could be based on the date when due or the amount of work required to complete the task (i.e. a research paper is more important than completing chapter questions). Then try to map out a schedule for getting the work done. For example, set goals such as on Saturday and Sunday I will work on my research paper, then on Monday complete math and history questions, etc. The hard part will be sticking to the schedule and focusing on one task at a time. I know from my own experience that I was better able to complete my make-up assignments by focusing on one at a time. Because I initially felt overwhelmed, I found myself taking a shotgun approach to my make-up work. I'd start work on one assignment, then shift to another, and then another, without ever completing any of them. This approach did not work because I was having to shift my mental gears too often. I finally realized that focusing on one task at a time until it was completed was a better use of my time. Also, being able to mark off an assignment from my "To Do" list made be feel like I was making progress.
Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky few who don't get sick this semester, but if it happens to you and you get behind on your school work, just take a deep breath and remember that stressing out will only slow you down. Instead, prioritize your assignments and make a plan for getting the work done one assignment at a time. Don't let getting sick set you back.
If you ever find yourself in this situation, the first trick is to NOT over react once you realize that you have a ton of work in your "To Do" box. Stressing about it will only stall your efforts to get the work done. My suggestion is to write down all of your homework assignments. Next, prioritize each by writing numbers one, two, three, etc. beside each according to order of important. This could be based on the date when due or the amount of work required to complete the task (i.e. a research paper is more important than completing chapter questions). Then try to map out a schedule for getting the work done. For example, set goals such as on Saturday and Sunday I will work on my research paper, then on Monday complete math and history questions, etc. The hard part will be sticking to the schedule and focusing on one task at a time. I know from my own experience that I was better able to complete my make-up assignments by focusing on one at a time. Because I initially felt overwhelmed, I found myself taking a shotgun approach to my make-up work. I'd start work on one assignment, then shift to another, and then another, without ever completing any of them. This approach did not work because I was having to shift my mental gears too often. I finally realized that focusing on one task at a time until it was completed was a better use of my time. Also, being able to mark off an assignment from my "To Do" list made be feel like I was making progress.
Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky few who don't get sick this semester, but if it happens to you and you get behind on your school work, just take a deep breath and remember that stressing out will only slow you down. Instead, prioritize your assignments and make a plan for getting the work done one assignment at a time. Don't let getting sick set you back.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Stress No More
S-T-R-E-S-S can be a real nuisance. The past two weeks have been unbelievably stressful for me. I have been busy studying for mid-term exams and preparing research papers and essays for many of my classes. I can definitely say from experience that stress and studying do NOT go together. That feeling of being overwhelmed is not enjoyable. For me, stress has been like a roadblock. Because my concentration has been diverted to worrying how to get my papers done and find time to study, I've had trouble staying on track and focusing on each of my assignments. My shot gun approach to completing my papers and studying for exams was not a good use of my time. It also added to my stress levels. I think from now on I will try focusing on one project at a time. I also think that when I become overwhelmed again, I will try to take more time to relax my mind. Learning to meditate, or finding other ways to de-stress, such as listening to ambient music, exercising, doing some deep breathing might also help me relax so that I can better focus on by studies. Trust me, after the last couple of weeks, I'm ready to try anything! I hope that other college students reading this blog might find these tips useful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)