Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Survival Guide to the End of the Semester



  • The end of the semester can be quite a stressful time, one that students often faced by taking a cramming and sprinting approach.  Given how much work lies ahead and how hard you’ve already worked, such a strategy may actually add stress.  Here are some tips to help you get through the end of the semester with less stress and more effectiveness.
  • Take stock of the work you have to do and make a flexible game plan for how you will approach it. 
- Sit down with a calendar and write out what has to be done & by what date
- Set priorities--sort tasks into "crucial," "important" and "can be let go if need be"
- Write out daily To-Do lists specifying the tasks you hope to complete (prioritized)
- If a task takes longer than expected (and some will) or if unexpected things happen (as they often do), don't spend time fretting--just adjust the game plan.
  • 
Once you have made a plan, focus your mind on the tasks to accomplish each day rather than on all the work ahead of you, what your grades will be, or other future concerns. Catch yourself when you begin to focus too far ahead and remind yourself to refocus on what is immediately in front of you.
  • 
Practice present mindfulness. Try to channel your full awareness into present experiences. If you are reading a history chapter, focus on what you are reading; if you are talking with a friend, focus on really listening and responding; if you're eating pizza, put your mind on the sensations of taste, smell and touch.
  • 
Take several relaxation breaks each day. Stop what you're doing, stretch and belly breathe for several breaths. Or listen to a favorite CD or playlist, take a quick walk, etc.
  • 
Keep some balance in your social life. While time is short, you need some social contact to sustain your energy over a two-week period.
  • 
Keep some balance in your work-to-fun ratio. You probably will not have time to relax and socialize as much as you might during other times in the year, but try to find a happy medium between walling yourself off from others 24-7 and blowing off your studies.
  • 
Monitor the expectations you are setting for yourself. Make sure you are setting them according to your own values, needs and goals and not getting swept up in what others are doing.
  • 
Try to observe healthy life style behaviors even if you have to make some compromises during this period.
- If you can't exercise as much as you usually do, do something physical every 2 or 3 days--e. g., a half hour walk rather than your usual hour and a half workout.
- If you can't get 8 hours of sleep, try to get a steady diet of 6. Sleep deprivation impedes your ability to learn and remember.
- Even though you may be scurrying all day, make time for meals and eat nutritious, sustaining foods.

For more information: http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/caps/self-help/caps-survival-guide-end-semester

Monday, March 3, 2014

Beat Procrastination- Use The 2 Minute Rule

Entrepreneur James Clear had created a strategy that he uses to stop procrastinating called the 2 minute rule.
There are two parts:

1. "If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now."
Things like sending out a letter, responding to an email, tossing laundry in the dryer, etc. Just do it real quick!

2. "When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do."
Although this sounds silly, James explains how if you take two minutes and focus on a task, you'll end up continuing that task until it's done. For example, James says if you want to start reading, just open up a book and read one sentence. Next thing you know, you'll be three chapters deep!

Check out the article here:
http://jamesclear.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating

If you find yourself procrastinating to the point where it's seriously affecting your life, come talk to us! We are here to help! 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

TEST ANXIETY: How to beat it

The biggest hurdle to conquering test anxiety is changing your thoughts. Because your THOUGHTS [worry] lead to your PHYSICAL REACTION [anxiety]

Tips:
Focus on the PRESENT, not the past or future
Try not to focus on what occurred previously ("I did poorly on the last quiz")
Try not to focus on what you predict will happen ("I'm going to fail this quiz")
Instead--Focus on what you can do NOW.

So what can you do now? The test is happening, and you don't feel prepared, causing your breathing to become more shallow and rapid, your heart beating faster, muscles tensing, and adrenaline flowing throughout your body, your skin becoming sweaty...

BUT STOP.
This is the same reaction your body has in an actual physically threatening situation, but this is the OPPOSITE response you want to have when about to take a test, causing loss of focus and concentration.

A few simple techniques:

  • Mental Imagery
    • Think of an event in your past that evokes a feeling of personal contentment, joy, or satisfaction, use all of your senses to reconstruct a realistic version of the event and imagine yourself in that situation: 
      • What are you doing? 
      • What do you hear? 
      • What are you saying? 
      • Can you smell or taste anything? 
      • What are you feeling?
  • Deep Muscle Relaxation
    • Monitor your breathing, taking slow, even, full breaths originating from deep in your abdomen
    • Focus on relaxing your muscles, one muscle group at a time
      • Picture your muscles becoming heavy, like a wet mop, calming your body by loosening them
  • Desensitize yourself (while in a state of deep muscle relaxation!!!)
    • This refers to gradual, steady exposure to the anxiety-producing event AKA: test taking
      • Break the event into small and specific anxiety-producing situations from LEAST to MOST anxiety producing:
        • SOME ANXIOUSNESS: hearing the instructor announce the date of the test
        • WORRY EVERY TIME: see the word test in your planner
        • ANXIETY REALLY INCREASES: few days prior to the test when studying more
        • TROUBLE SLEEPING: night before the test
        • PEAK ANXIETY: entering the classroom the day of the test

  • Imagine the professor announcing the date and rehearse thought patterns that counter anxiety, "I'll prepare for this test the best I can"
  • REPEAT for each increased-anxiety scenario

  • Some other tips:

    • STOP CRAMMING
    • When taking the test, first write down all of the scattered thoughts in your head that you are afraid to forget, scribbling them in the margins or on the back of the test packet, clearing your head and helping you to focus! 
    • Have confidence!!! You can do it!!


    Source: Lipsky, Sally A. College Study: The Essential Ingredients. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print.

    Tuesday, February 18, 2014

    How to avoid using the word 'very'- this is quite helpful!

    Monday, February 17, 2014

    Earn College Credits Through Working at Disney!



    A Disney College Program representative from IUP will be giving a FAQ-Information-Session tomorrow night at 6pm in the Suites on Pratt ground floor Multi-Purpose Room! 

    See  you there!


    Tuesday, February 4, 2014

    Remembering What You Read

    Have you ever found yourself feeling relieved after reading the 50 pages assigned for class the next day?

    But what about the horror that follows when you realize you can't recall a single thing you read?

    Dr. Bill Klemm shares with sharpbrains.com his tips on getting the most out of that reading so you don't have to panic (or read it all again):

    1. Know your purpose
    2. Skim, skim, skim
    3. Have the right reading mechanics
    4. Highlighters and side notes are your friend
    5. A picture in worth a thousand thoughts
    6. Rehearse
    7. Know your attention span and work within it
    8. Rehearse some more

    Check out the entire article here at the link below, it's really helpful!
    http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2009/05/14/8-tips-to-remember-what-you-read/

    Thursday, January 30, 2014

    Sign up for Academic Success Mentor meetings!

    "But....why?"

    Here's a list of SOME of the multitude of things that ASM's can help you with!


    • Getting motivated
    • Goal setting
    • Time management
    • Memory and studying
    • Note taking strategies
    • Improving concentration
    • Textbook reading/marking tips
    • Organization
    • Maximizing productivity
    • Exam prep
    • Test-taking strategies
    • Succeeding on finals!

    "But...how?"

    Stop by our office on the ground floor of Suites on Pratt in room G6 during our office hours: 
    Mondays: 3pm-4:45pm (Chelsie)
    Tuesdays: 12:15pm-4pm (Chelsie) 3:30-6pm (Sam)
    Wednesdays: 4:30-6pm (Sam)
    Thursdays: 3:30-5:30pm (Sam)
    Fridays: 2:30-4pm (Chelsie)

    OR-send us an email and we can set up a meeting!
    Chelsie: TGRS@iup.edu
    Sam: BSWR@iup.edu

    Tuesday, January 21, 2014

    Happy Spring Semester!

    Welcome back or welcome to the Pratters community!

    Here are some tips to make sure you start off on a good foot this semester:


    • Get a planner. Or even a notebook to just keep in your pocket and jot down things so you don't remember. Smart phones work too!
    • Speaking of smart phones, download some of the great apps for college students!
      • Google Drive
        • Keep PDFs and other documents handy on your smart phone, just download the desktop app and save them into your drive to open on your phone's app!
      • Pocket
        • Clip articles in the Chrome extension to then sync with your phone's Pocket app
      • Evernote
        • A note taking software for lists, journals, and more
      • EasyBib
        • Need help citing a book? Get the app and scan your books barcode and the app will generate your citation for you.
      • StudyBlue Flashcards
        • Flashcards are an effective way to memorize information, but making them is a headache. With StudyBlue, use text, pictures and audio to create the perfect stack of (digital) flashcards; or, search the massive database to borrow someone else's.
      • Dictionary.com
      • Dragon Dictation
        •  Dragon Dictation uses accurate voice recognition software to let you speak and instantly see your words in text.Try this if you're in a time crunch and really need to churn out an essay; or, if you're just someone who prefers speaking over writing.
      • Mint
        • Mint.com is a web and mobile app that helps you keep track of your spending.
      • TED
        • Instant TED Talks videos
    • Google Calendar
      • You can sync your google calendar on your desktop to your smart phone calendar for easy access! Need help? Come visit ASM Sam in Suites on Pratt G-6

    Friday, December 6, 2013

    It's Finals Week!!


    Here are some tips to help!


    1. Before taking a test, write down all the relevant information you can think of on an index card, as though it were a piece of paper you were allowed to bring with you.



    2. Use a program to block distracting sites on your computer for a set period of time..

    3. Take better notes by pretending you’re taking them for someone else.


    4. Leave yourself a gummy bear trail when reading.




    5. While studying, do a short review session at each 20 minute interval of the newly learnt material


    6. Google “site:edu [subject] exam” to find many different college exams featuring problems pertaining to that subject.


    7. Try an online interactive flash card site like Quizlet


    8. Take notes using different colored pens.


    9. Take breaks every 25 minutes for 5 minutes(http://pomodorotechnique.com/)


    10. Chew gum to help boost mental performance!


    11. Don’t over caffeinate!


    12. Vary your study locations!


    13. Practice on old exams


    14. Explain your answers to others


    15. Organize study groups


    16. Naturally energize yourself the morning of the exam through taking a walk, reading a book,
    something alive and positive to build your energy levels!


    17. If you can, write things out by hand


    18. Keep your study space clean and organized





    19. Eat healthy and exercise to keep your mind sharp


    20. Drink water during the exam!


    21. Meditate to lower stress and eliminate off-topic thoughts


    22. Get enough sleep


    23. Avoid technology at all costs!!!!


    24. The library will be backed so arrive early to find the perfect study spot!


    25. RELAX!!!






    What helps you study? What are your tips and tricks to help you get that A? Email bswr@iup.edu and we will post them on our blog!

    @PrattersASM

    Remember: Ryan Gosling wants you to succeed!

    Wednesday, December 4, 2013

    Fall 2013 Final Exam Schedule

    Here's a quick link to the Final Exam schedule! 
    Come by our office with any questions!! :D
    http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=138304

    Remember, the library becomes pretty packed during finals week/leading up to it so you'll want to arrive earlier than usual to get a good seat (especially if you need access to an outlet!)!!






    Monday, December 2, 2013

    FINALS

    Can you guys believe it?! FINALS are NEXT WEEK!

    If you have any questions, need a quiet place to study, need help figuring out your new billing statement- anything at all, please come see us in office G6!

    Good luck!

    Thursday, November 14, 2013

    Boost Your Creativity With Free Background Noise! rainycafe.com

    Check out this website:
    http://rainycafe.com/

    It has two different looped sound tracks: rain and a bustling cafe that you can turn on and adjust the volume to, and play in the background during times when you need a boost of creativity!:

    “A moderate level of noise enhances creativity compared to both low and high levels of noise. Moderate background noise induces distraction which encourages individuals to think at a higher, abstract level, and consequently exhibit higher creativity.”

    Wednesday, November 13, 2013

    Smartphone Addiction


    Smart phone addiction is a serious problem, much more serious than most people realize. A lot of people treat addiction to smart phones as a joke but it is something that has to be taken seriously. Using your phone too much can interfere with many aspects of your life and it can cost you a great deal of money.  
    Check out these other reasons you should take a break from your smartphone addiction:

    It Could Help You Sleep Better Tonight
    We all know that cell phone use during the wee hours can be disruptive to our sleep patterns, but it's also true that texting during the day could harm our ability to get a good night's sleep, according to a recent study in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture.

    In the study, researchers followed the stress levels, texting habits and sleep of first year college students. They found that regardless of stress levels, the more people texted during the day the poorer their sleep was.





    Your Posture is Suffering!

    Texting can actually harm your whole body. “People get so focused on these devices that they end up holding their neck and upper back in abnormal positions for a long period of time; enough that other people coined the phrase ‘text neck,’ which is essentially referring to postural pain,” Chris Cornett, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon and spine specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, said in a statement.

    Want to counteract the effect of all this stooping and texting? Cornett recommends trying to bring your phone to eye level while you use it or actually training for your endurance texting with back, neck and core strengthening exercises. Oh, and give your phone a rest!


    It Disrupts Your Driving!
    Hopefully you know by now that you can't text and drive (since it's the law and all), but an astounding 80 percent of college-aged drivers admit to engaging in this behavior, despite knowing how dangerous it can be.

    You are 23 times more likely to crash if you're texting behind the wheel, according to a federal report. And cell phone use was associated with 18 percent of "distraction"-related deaths.


    It makes you a less responsible pedestrianEven if you aren't driving, your texting could be a liability to the people around you. A study in the British Medical Journal found that one in three people are distracted by mobile devices while walking and that texting was the most distracting of all the mobile activities -- including listening to music and talking on the phone.

    The researchers observed more than 1,000 pedestrians during rush hour in Seattle and recorded their phone habits and safety precautions as they crossed traffic junctions. They reported that texting pedestrians were almost four times more likely to ignore traffic lights, fail to look both ways at a cross and to cross outside of the demarcated crosswalk.




    Your school or work performance will suffer
    Your texting could be holding back your productivity at work or school. According to one study of college students, female first year students spend an average 12 hours texting and engaging in social media -- and extensive media use is associated with lower academic performance.

    "We found women who spend more time using some forms of media report fewer academic behaviors, such as completing homework and attending class, lower academic confidence and more problems affecting their school work, like lack of sleep and substance use," study researcher Jennifer L. Walsh, Ph.D., of The Miriam Hospital's Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, told ScienceDaily.

    But it isn't just college students who face texting distractions. A study conducted at the University of Michigan found that short interruptions at work -- even just the duration of reading or sending a text -- can increase the number of errors a worker makes during a single task, reported HealthDay. 





    So, how to break the vicious cycle and dependency on our smartphones?
    Well, you don't have to just stop using your phone all together, it was meant for convenience, scheduling, management, and organization. And there is no reason to stop using your phone for the fun things it provides, like snapchat, social media, blogging, and Candy Crush. 

    As with everything, balance is key. 

    Should you find yourself checking your phone every five minutes, in the middle of the night, or letting it distract you from schoolwork and class, then you should turn off your notifications, turn on airplane mode, or put it out of reach (such as zipping it into your book bag out of immediate reach). Or, better yet, design a cell phone-free zone, such as when you're at your desk, or when you enter the quiet floor at the library.




    It's good to stop and smell the roses. By distancing yourself from your phone you can take a break and thoroughly de-stress. No one can reach you, and you can just relax. Trust me, you won't miss much of anything of what's going on in the world.


    Wednesday, November 6, 2013

    Group Study!

    Need to get your midterm grades up while you still can?
    Join  a group study hosted by ASM Sam! 

    All you have to do is fill out one of the slips of paper outside of room G-6 and put your name and what days are best for you, and stick it in the box attached to the door!

    You will get an email asking about specific times, and then you just show up and study with some of your peers! 

    It can be any subject, but if there's a lot of response for a certain subject, we can set up specific study groups.


    Monday, November 4, 2013

    PIE YOUR RD, CAs & ASMs!!!!


    Come join us in the Suites on Pratt 1st floor lobby at 8pm to PIE your CAs, ASMs & RD!!

    ALL of the money we raise will go to Project Linus (making blankets for kids with cancer) and to a local nursing home in Indiana.

    50 cents to throw a pie at the CA/ASM
    $1 to smoosh the pie in the CA/ASM face
    $3 to smoosh the pie in the RD's face


    SEE YOU THERE!!!!

    Important Reminder

    The deadline for individual course withdraw is today, November 4, 2013. Please keep in mind that this should only be done if absolutely necessary; there are plenty of solutions to bringing up a low grade at this point in the semester. If you are unsure as to what you should do, please talk to your adviser, professor, CA, ASM or a tutor immediately. We are all here to ensure you succeed. 

    Wednesday, October 23, 2013

    Hocus Pocus Movie Night!!!

    PRATTERS RHC IS HOSTING
    HOCUS POCUS MOVIE NIGHT!!
    This Saturday October 26th @ 9:30pm in Pratt G-11
    Bring your friends!


    Monday, October 21, 2013

    Midterm Grades

    Hello Pratters!
    Do not forget that midterm grades are posted tomorrow, OCTOBER 22, 2013

    and remember..
    * If a grade is NOT visible, that means you are NOT failing or in need of academic assistance in that class
    * If you ARE failing, please go to your professor immediately to see how you can better your grade so you will pass the class. Even if you let your grade slip, there is still time to bring it up with some hard work and self discipline. 

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.”
    - Jimmy Johnson


    Thursday, October 3, 2013

    Happy Homecoming Weekend!

    REMEMBER:
    Midterms are a week away! 

    So, if you're celebrating homecoming (responsibly) remember that many of your fellow residents are still studying through the weekend! Just be respectful of your neighbors and your floor mates, quiet hours: 10pm-8am weekdays; 12am-8am weekends. Courtesy hours, however, are in effect 24/7: "Courtesy hours, in effect twenty-four hours a day, require students to be considerate of the needs of others at all times and to comply with requests for maintaining a reasonable level of quiet. Quiet hours cover specific evening hours and require that noise be reduced so that nothing can be heard from within rooms when doors are closed."


    MYTH: Majority of students skip Friday classes before homecoming
    FACT: The majority of students at IUP don't party and attend class as per usual


    So, it's homecoming! Let's celebrate the arrival of October and the mid-semester! Here's some stuff going on around campus:

    • Thursday, October 3
      • The Optimist 
        • 8:00 p.m. 
        • Theater-by-the-Grove, Waller Hall 
        • Tickets sold at door 45 minuntes before curtain 
    • Friday, October 4
      • Jimmy Stewart Museum 
        • Open 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
      • Smicksburg Fall Festival 
        • 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 
        • 138 East Kittanning Street, Smicksburg, PA 16256 
        • Free admission 
      • Exhibit: “We Two Founts, Larson and Mitchell”
        • noon–4:00 p.m. 
        • Kipp Gallery, Sprowls 
        • Free admission 
      • Open House at the Student Co-op New Building
        • 281 Rice Avenue
        • 1:00–6:00 p.m. — Light refreshments, prizes
        • 4:00 p.m. — Ribbon cutting with remarks from President Driscoll
      • Exhibit: “Layers: Places in Peril” 
        • 2:00–6:30 p.m. 
        • University Museum, Sutton Hall 
        • Free admission 
      • AACC Cultural Enrichment Night: Mexican Cuisine and Salsa Contest 
        • 6:00 p.m. 
        • Cozumel Mexicano Restaurante 
        • (located on Philadelphia Street, Indiana) 
      • IUP Voices of Joy 
        • 7:30–9:30 p.m., Victory Christian Assembly, 418 Church Street 
      • The Optimist 
        • 8:00 p.m. 
        • Theater-by-the-Grove, Waller Hall 
        • Tickets sold at door 45 minuntes before curtain 
    • Saturday, October 5
      • Computer Science and Mathematics Department Alumni Breakfast 
        • 8:30–10:00 a.m. 
        • Rooms 327/329, Stright Hall 
      • Jimmy Stewart Museum 
        • Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. 
      • Homecoming Parade 
        • Theme: “Countries Around the World" 
        • 10:00 a.m. 
        • Philadelphia Street 
      • Smicksburg Fall Festival 
        • 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 
        • 138 East Kittanning Street, Smicksburg, PA 16256 
        • Free admission 
      • Kidz Karnival 
        • 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 
        • Kovalchick Complex 
      • Crimson Huddle Alumni and Friends Pregame Party
        • 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 
        • Kovalchick Complex 
        • Tickets $12; Preregister online 
        • Parking: $5 in lots along Wayne Avenue 
        • Sponsored by the IUP Alumni Association and the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine/Indiana Total Therapy 
      • Trolley Shuttle
        • 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. 
        • Service sponsored by the Co-op. Runs from Field House parking to the Co-op Store and to downtown Indiana after the game. 
      • Exhibit: “Layers: Places in Peril” 
        • Noon–4:00 p.m. 
        • University Museum, Sutton Hall 
        • Free admission 
      • Women’s Soccer vs. East Stroudsburg 
        • 1:00 p.m. 
        • South Campus Field, IUP 
      • Homecoming Football Game
        • 2:00 p.m. 
        • IUP vs. Millersville Marauders, Miller Stadium, IUP
      • Field Hockey vs. Shippensburg 
        • 7:00 p.m., Miller Stadium, 
      • The Optimist 
        • 8:00 p.m. 
        • Theater-by-the-Grove, Waller Hall 
        • Tickets sold at door 45 minuntes before curtain 
      • Homecoming Monte Carlo Night 
        • Sponsored by Center for Student Life 
        • 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. 
        • Kovalchick Complex 
        • Celebrate Homecoming with casino games, prizes, dancing, food, movies, and fun! Tickets only $5, on sale at the Kolvalchick Complex Box office, Welcome Weekend, IUP Day, and the Center for Student Life in 303 Pratt Hall. 
      • Tailgating
        • During all home football games, the Stadium Lot South is the designated tailgating lot. Each slot is $5. In accordance with university policy, no alcoholic beverages are permitted. 
    • Sunday, October 6
      • Jimmy Stewart Museum 
        • Open noon–4:00 p.m. 
      • Smicksburg Fall Festival 
        • 12:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 
        • 138 East Kittanning Street, Smicksburg, PA 16256 
        • Free admission 
      • IUP Homecoming Concert 
        • 3:00 p.m. 
        • Fisher Auditorium, Performing Arts Center 
        • Tickets sold at the door starting 2:30 p.m.

    LASTLY, if you DO decide to go out, remember:

    1. Stay in a Trustworthy Group at Parties
    Going in groups is safe for a number of reasons. It can prevent a young woman being targeted for unwanted pursuit. Others will notice if one group member goes missing, or has too much to drink.

    Go to parties with positive people that have your best interests in mind. Choose companions who will make sure to keep an eye out, and not let anyone wander off with people no one knows, especially if there appears to be drinking or drugs involved.

    This creates a safety net. 
     
    2. Guard Beverages

    At social gatherings, keep track of drinks. Rohypnol, also known as a roofie, is a small odorless and tasteless white pill that dissolves quickly in drinks.

    Rohypnol is illegal. It is commonly known as the “date rape” drug. It is a sedative. Effects last 2 to 24 hours. It causes symptoms including sleepiness, relaxation, intoxication, dizziness, disorientation, and difficulty with motor functions and speech.

    Don’t risk it. Keep your drink in hand. Get a new one if you lose sight of yours.

    3. Have a Plan and a Backup Plan
    Prior to going out with friends discuss who will be the designated driver for the night, and make sure that person is someone who can resist any social pressure to drink.



    Every year, thousands of people die from drinking and driving, about 30 people each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

    Please, don’t do it, or allow anyone else to.

    Know where you’re going, and how to get back home. Deciding on a time when you want to either regroup and leave, or discuss staying longer, is also a good way to check in with everyone.

    Know where emergency resources are on campus, such as blue phones, as well as the campus security number. Have local cab companies programmed into your phone. If a designated driver has been drinking, even one drink, call a cab or a friend you know isn’t going to be at the party, to get a safe ride home.

    4. Drink Lightly or Not at All

    Binge drinking for women, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is four or more drinks at a single occasion. Heavy drinking is at least one drink per day.

    Long-term, or major episodes of drinking can have severe physical consequences, such as liver damage, neurological problems, and depression. It can cause social problems like unemployment, and isolation.

    If you see a friend consuming alcohol very often, or binge drinking, consult school counselors for resources to help. Effective support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon are easy to find.


    5. Don’t Do Anything You Don’t Want on the Web

    With the constant evolution of technology, any picture taken can be on several social media sites, and seen by thousands in a matter of minutes.

    There is no way to remove this photo from cyberspace, and many have gone on to regret pictures, or videos that were taken of them without their consent.

    Additionally, employers are beginning to consistently Web search potential employees. You’re in college to eventually get a job. Don’t let one night ruin what you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

    6. Stay Healthy

    Get plenty of sleep, and maintain a healthy and balanced diet. The CDC recommends a minimum of two and a half hours of physical activity per week.

    Peer pressure in college gets intense. Don’t stop following hobbies and other interests to help maintain a strong sense of self.

    According to the Nation Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism four out of five college students drink alcohol, with about 25 percent reporting academic consequences. Additionally, alcohol is a depressant, and can cause several health problems if consumed irresponsibly.



    Campus staff, professors, friends, and family are all there to help you. Whether it’s for you, or for others, don’t be afraid to speak up.