This is a subjective list of what I think is important or even essential to college life. You may have some different thoughts, and that’s okay! Maybe you’ll find one or two items from this list that you hadn’t thought of before. Just remember, everyone is different and what works for one person may not for another — that’s okay! A common theme for all college students, though, should be organization. I know there are various methods for achieving this, but here’s what works for me.
- Binder & Color-Coded Dividers: This is so important for keeping all your important papers (and trust me, you’ll get plenty) organized and easy to find! I like a binder with a clear sleeve on the front so I can put my schedule in it for quick reference, a campus map, and anything else I might need to have ease of access to. Inside the binder, I have tabbed dividers in five distinct colors for each class — all of my psychology-related work is in the red tab, my history documents are in the blue tab, etc. This way, I never have an issue finding information when I need to, and it’s really helpful when I’m studying for a quiz or test to have everything in the same place. Saving time is valuable for a college student!
- Folder for Homework: While my binder is great, I reserve it for the syllabuses, notes, in-class activities and discussions, and any hand-outs or readings. All of my homework, from essays to math problems, goes in a separate folder reserved only for it. Then when my professor asks for the work due, it’s readily accessible and there’s no chance of me accidentally giving the wrong paper.
- Laptop: If you take notes on a laptop, you obviously have one! I prefer to take handwritten notes because it helps me engage and think more critically, but I still use my laptop plenty. Many instructors have information or homework only available on Blackboard, and it’s a lot easier to read an article or take a quiz on a laptop than a small phone screen. You’ll also want a laptop for writing papers, and Fontbonne offers Microsoft Office for free to all of its students. Can you do all of this in the computer lab in the library? Of course! But there’s going to be times where you’ll want to be in a cozier setting, like your dorm room or bedroom, and then that laptop will come in handy. Go ahead and spend a little more money on a good one if you can; it will pay off.
- Highlighters/Pens/Pencils: Yeah, it’s probably pretty obvious…but it’s worth reminding! Always have at least two pens, two pencils, an eraser, and a highlighter with you. You’ll have your bases covered for note-taking and emphasizing important ideas. There’ll be no chance of panic setting in when you’re taking a test and your pencil runs out. Also, even if you take notes on your computer, you’ll eventually need to write something down in class. Be prepared!
- Snacks & Water: You have plenty of options for purchasing food on campus, I’m not denying that. But if you’re ever in a rush to get to your next class and you don’t have time to grab lunch, you’ll probably be hungry before class ends! Find something with nutritional value, like a Macrobar (my favorite), that fits in your backpack and can be eaten quickly. And always have a bottle of water with you to drink in and between classes. Staying hydrated and fueled will keep your energy up so you can pay attention in class!
Blessings,
~Anna
Tagged as:
classes,
Homework,
organization
The time after spring break until the end of school year is almost as bad as the week before spring break. Everyone is getting Spring Fever and the great weather makes everyone want to go get outside and out of the classroom for the summer. With one month of class left before exams, I wanted to share some of my tips for making it to the end of the semester without completely losing it.
- Make time to go outside and enjoy nature when it is nice out.
- Do your homework as early as possible and start studying a little bit each day for tests, so when a spontaneous game breaks out, your school work won’t be compromised.
- Stick to some vitamin C for your energy, not sugar drinks and coffee.
- But do indulge in some of your Easter candy.
- Start on projects and papers early because everyone knows how there is that one day that every assignment seems to be due on.
- Take advantage of April showers as work days, so you can spend the not so rainy days outside!
Just remember to make time for school and time for you because staying sane is just as important. Do your homework in the meadow or go sit outside when you get your lunch from DSAC. Go take a walk around Forest Park, or rent bikes and ride over to the zoo. Spring 2016 will be over before we know it. Until next time. . .
xoxo,
Claire
Tagged as:
classes,
college tips,
spring,
sunshine,
tips
Once I went to Fontbonne, all the advice I got in high school was not true. Everyone told me that teachers did not care if you went to class and that classes were extremely hard. At Fontbonne, the teachers do care about students coming to class and they care about students learning. In one of my classes a student was constantly absent and the instructor didn’t like it and even took it personally!
The best advice that I have received in college is information about internships! For a long time, I could not figure out what I wanted to do with my business degree. Then someone told me about the retail management internship at Nordstrom. It was very competitive and the person told me how to get past 500 applicants. I ended up getting the job for next summer! I’m really glad that I do not have to worry about what I will do after I graduate!
Tagged as:
Business,
career,
classes,
internship
Are you taking classes over this summer? A lot of students wonder if and how that would benefit them. I say if you have the option to take some of your required classes over the summer, do it! I took two courses last summer, both of which were online. I recommend it! There are a lot of advantages to taking some classes over the summer.
- It’s a great way to get ahead so you can lighten your course load during the fall and spring semesters.
- Taking classes over the summer can allow you to pick up a minor or possibly even double major and still graduate on time.
- Students typically only take one or two classes over the summer, so that gives them the ability to focus on those courses more intensely.
- A good variety of classes are offered online, so you don’t have to go to school once or twice a week. It’s all online.
As you can see, there are quite a few advantages by taking just one or two classes over the summer. Even if you don’t plan on taking classes this summer, you can always look into next summer. I suggest you do some research on summer classes and maybe you can find a fit for you!
Tagged as:
classes,
online,
Summer
