Important Upcoming Date

Hey Pratters! As you all know, this semester seems to be flying by. Although it feels like we have just began, we are almost halfway through the semester. Which means as we head into October, we are also heading into everyone's favorite time- Halloween! Just kidding, I'm talking about MID-TERMS!

 Ah, yes. Although midterms seem so far off, they are actually creeping up pretty quickly. Tuesday, October 22nd is the date in which mid-term grades will be posted. Which means actual mid-term testing begins next week! It is important to be prepared for any mid-term papers, tests, and projects. Even though October has just began, time flies when you're having fun- and lets be honest, you can't NOT have fun here at IUP! So make sure to take the time to plan accordingly to prevent these things from sneaking up on you. Here are some time-management and success tips to help you rock your mid-terms:

1. Pace yourself
If you try to cram, you're only setting yourself up for failure and a ton of unnecessary stress. 

Split your test material into sections and study each one a different day. Then take some time to review everything at once (flashcards can be helpful here). If you have a paper, give yourself the time span of a week or two and write a different section each day. Same applies to if you have some sort of project or presentation. It is important to know what you are going to say and present and to do it with confidence. Time management is key here.

2. Pick a productive place
Studying with your best friends while watching Catfish or in your dorm room (that suddenly looks very messy and needs cleaned this minute) is probably not going to end with you learning all the material. Be sure to pick a spot to study with little distractions that fits your study habits. The library has multiple places ranging from loud, to a quiet hum, to complete silence. There are also study rooms right in the residence halls that you may gain access to and can shut yourself in and spread your work out. Being someplace where your one and only focus is on your assignments will result in major productivity.

3. Give yourself a break
Studies have shown that students who take small breaks while studying (about 15 minutes) can aid in remembering the material. It is also important to take a bit to relax and have some deep breaths. After all, you're only human! Just be sure to stay on track and keep your break time limited. Using this time to eat a healthy, brain-boosting snack (like dark chocolate) can be beneficial! 

4. Have a study buddy
Studying with a friend or with a group of smart, motivated people can lessen the work load and ease the stress. You can also use each others creative minds to make acronyms or little rhymes to remember terms or bits of information. Writing notes in class, reading them to yourself, and reviewing them with your group will make the information more likely to stay in your brain.

5. Hide your phone
I know personally that my phone is my biggest distraction; so power down, turn on airplane mode, or leave it in your room if you need to. It is easy to pick up your phone to check and email and end up playing Candy Crush for an hour. If you're waiting on an important phone call, the iPhone even has a 'do not disturb' setting where you can select that only phone calls from certain people may come through.

6. Use some tunes to tune yourself out
Listening to music that you do not know the lyrics to and won't memorize can help you focus. Pandora Radio has an awesome classical music station meant just for studying. Easy listening is also a great choice in genre as well. Music can help you drown out that girl who thought the library was meant for (loudly) taking phone calls, or just keep you from hearing any noises that might distract you.

and, most importantly:

7. Take care of yourself
Midterm preparation can easily turn even the most studious person into a zombie...

So take a hot shower. Jog for 15 minutes in the fresh air. Trade that Five Hour Energy and espresso shot in for some blueberries and hot tea. Pull that yoga mat out from under your bed. Laugh at funny cat videos on YouTube. Have dinner with your friends. Midterms can make you focus more on your brain and less on, well, the rest of yourself. Being happy, calm and healthy are key to being able to study well and take all that information you worked so hard to remember and put it to good use. 

And remember, your ASMs are here to help you if you feel you might be having trouble studying, managing time, or anything of the like. Stop in at office G6 in Suites on Pratt or shoot us an email. We are here to help YOU!

Where to Find the Time?!

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS YOU'LL EVER READ. EVER.

There’s an easy way you can enjoy better time management in your life: make it a habit.

Habits are WAY easier to create than they are to break, that's the reality.

Getting things done on time, being stress free....sounds impossible. BUT It can happen for you, it can happen for your friends, (it probably won't happen for your cat but, hey you can try)....

Anyways, here are the TIPS:

• Set your “Plan Time:” Choose a specific time each day for your planning activities. For example, you can devote 5 minutes over breakfast each morning and hold a 15-minute weekly review every Sunday afternoon. Setting a schedule keeps you accountable and makes planning a normal everyday life activity. 

• Commit for 1 month: Make a goal for yourself that says you will unfailingly stick to your planning system for one month. You’ll start feeling a sense of progress and accomplishment with each passing day. Be sure to write your goal date into your planner so you can celebrate your success. Then, commit to another month of planning. 

• Be realistic: Start at a planning level that feels manageable. For example, you might want to start simple and keep just a weekly schedule and to-do list. Don’t attempt a process that may overwhelm you. Once you get the ball rolling, you can add activities such as monthly goal setting and time tracking. 

• Carry it: Keep your planner with you at all times, and spend a few minutes reviewing your plans during downtime at work or at home. It’s especially important to keep your schedule and to-do list in front of you so it becomes a reliable presence in your day. 

• Share the love: Be proud. Tell those around you about your new planning system. Having public awareness will motivate you to continue your progress, and you’re bound to inspire others to join you in working toward better time management. REWARD YOURSELF, buy a venti Pumpkin Spice Latte, or go out to the movies with a pack of pals. 

• Don’t cheat: Planning is an act of personal integrity, so don’t allow yourself to skip a day. It will become far too easy to cheat again and again. Following through on your to-do list and daily calendar when things get hectic may be a challenge, but it will provide the greatest payoff toward making planning a habit. 

• Similarly, Don't Give Up: Say you do forget for a day, DON'T LET THAT BREAK YOU. Keep going! 

Start your time management habit  today. When planning becomes second nature you’ll adopt a more productive mindset, and you’ll live in a place of increased confidence and organization.

Also, celebrate your success with your ASMs!! We love to hear that our tips are working! :)

Here's a few things happening around campus! Check them out!

Want to be more involved with your residence hall? Make friends in your building? Be informed about various subjects?

Check out the flyers around the building to see what kind of programs are coming up! The CAs and ASMs would love to see your beautiful faces!

Don't be a Zombie!!

Many times us college students forget how important the balance is between health, academics, work, athletics, and having a social life. It's a delicate balance that can take time to work out, and one that is different for everyone! 

What's the stereotypical college student lifestyle? Work and attend class all day, eat ramen noodles or mac n' cheese every meal, and stay up through the night studying. But that sort of situation is NOT going to work long-term.  You will start by being unable to pay attention in class, and then your body will start to feel slow and sludge-like due to not getting proper exercise and nutrition. YOU WILL TURN INTO A ZOMBIE.

One of the key things to remember: BE REALISTIC.
Set goals for yourself, but don't expect a miracle. After a long day of classes and band practice, are you going to want to study for 4 hours straight? I didn't think so. 

But you CAN set up a realistic schedule that still leaves time for a social life and interaction with your fellow residents!

Here are some tips from last year's zombies:

And lastly, remember that your ASM's are here to help you! We can offer suggestions and help you come up with a schedule and a game plan to combat zombification!

Come and visit us in Suites on Pratt room G-6! :)

So, it begins!

Hey everybody! With the first semester coming into a full start, many of you are probably feeling just a bit overwhelmed. Between classes, quizzes, meetings, homework, activities, social events and everything in between, you might be feeling like you have a ton on your plate- and you probably do! However, the key to keeping calm and being successful is organization and balance. If you stay organized from the start, your schedule will be planned out, and this will make you more likely to succeed and be less stressed through the semester! I am going to share five tips that I, personally, have found to be helpful in keeping me on track.

1. Get a planner.
I remember in seventh grade when I was required by the school system to use a planner and I thought it was extremely lame. Now my planner is constantly within my reach. I start off each new week by penciling in my classes, work hours and meeting times. I'll also usually write in any personal plans I have with friends or the like. This way, I know where I'll be each day and at what time. Then, I write in my assignments due for each day, quiz/exam dates, and a to-do list. When I know how busy I'll be during the day, I know what times I can plan to sit down and study or do homework so I don't fall behind. Having my entire schedule in front of me each day makes my life so much easier! I don't forget about assignments or miss meetings and I keep high grades because I know how much time I have to study for tests.

2. Use a calender.
I have a dry-erase calender that I keep on the wall above my desk. The calender has all the same information that my planner does, but it keeps me in check because it's always in my view. I have to look at this every day, and it makes me remember everything so well.

3. Talk to your professors.
A wise teacher I had in high school once told me that simply stopping by your professors office hours, even once just to say hello, will benefit you greatly. Thus far, he has yet to be wrong. Doing this makes the professor remember you and it also shows that you care about your grade and the class (even if it's not your favorite). If you have just a simple question, drop by their office and ask. Seeing your face is so much more personal than seeing an email address pop up on the screen. Making a good impression from the start is key.

4. Ask for help.
If you are a student that happens to have a lot on your plate, you might become entirely too stressed out. If you feel like you need to talk, vent, need a study buddy, or just want someone who can help you feel more prepared (anything at all), there are people you can turn to. Your CAs are always just a few doors away and will be more than willing to do what they can to help you out. Your ASMs are always here to provide you with solutions. We have many resources and techniques to help you with any problems that you may be facing. And it's not just limited to the people in your residence community. IUP has a great counseling center for people who are feeling especially in need. Don't forget your friends and family too! A simple call to home or a talk with a friend may be just the thing you need.

5. Don't forget to have fun.
While college is about gaining the education you need to have a successful future, its also about having some fun, meeting new people, and creating new experiences. Don't forget that if you work hard, you deserve a little break. Credit yourself! Go have some fun with friends, go to the programs in your residence halls, go check out whats happening on campus. It's important to balance your personal life and school life so you can be educated and have some good times along the way!

I hope you will find these things helpful as you go through the first semester. Don't forget that your ASM office is located on the ground floor of Suites on Pratt (office G6) and we are always at your reach! Enjoy your semester, and don't forget ASM Sam and ASM Chelsie want to see all your lovely faces!