5 Study Strategies For College Students That Will Make Your Life Easier

5 Study Strategies For College Students That Will Make Your Life Easier

Are you a college student with a tough semester filled with sleepless nights ahead of you? Check out these 5 study strategies for college students that will make your life easier.

Students feel tremendous pressure to get good grades because so much of their future depends on how successful they are in college. Your college years can be exciting but are also extremely stressful as you struggle to keep up with your peers and to excel in increasingly difficult classes.

Learning how to develop good study strategies can make a huge difference in both your grades and overall college experience. Let’s take a closer look at some things you can do to improve your study skills.

5 Study Strategies For College Students That Will Make Your Life Easy

Are you a college student with a tough semester filled with sleepless nights ahead of you?

Check out these 5 study strategies for college students that will make your life easier.

1. Make a Study Plan

Time is a limited resource. No one gets more than 24 hours in a day, and there is a lot to get done, especially while in college, so you’d better learn good time-management skills. If you don’t make a plan, you’re going to end up wasting a lot of precious time.

Many people wait until the last minute, and then cram the night before an exam. A much more healthy approach is to get organized and create effective study habits that will put your mind at ease. You will feel less chaotic and more in control. Like the old saying goes, plan your work and work your plan.

2. Take Regular Study Breaks

The truth is that studying is hard work and taxes both your mental and physical resources. You can only give so much of yourself because exhaustion begins taking a toll, causing you to lose focus. This is why it’s important to give yourself a certain amount of recovery time to let your brain rest.

Get up and walk around, go outside, go to the gym, call a friend, or fix yourself a snack. Even a few minutes of downtime can have a huge impact on your mental stamina.

3. Try to Find a Healthy Balance

As important as good studies skills might be, we also recommend you take time to evaluate yourself every so often. How is your energy? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating right and getting enough exercise? It’s wise to change things up periodically in order to break free of the staleness of routine.

4. Become Part of a Study Group

Joining a good study group is a great way to sharpen your study skills. It’s helpful to share notes, to hold each other accountable, as well as being fun and giving you a chance to be social and make new friends.

5. Be Open to New Technologies

Today’s students have a certain advantage over past generations because of their access to technology that makes learning and studying easier. Mobile devices like laptops and iPads now seem ubiquitous on college campuses. They provide instant access to the kinds of incredible resources needed to excel in academic life, especially with advanced degrees like this masters program .

Making the Most of Your Time

College is stressful, but good study strategies in place, you will be able to ease your workload.

Learning to be organized and manage your time are habits that will not only make your college experience less stressful and more enjoyable but will also be of huge value in the real world when you land your dream job.

Click here for more tips on improving your grades.

10 Tips to Help You Study Smart and Get Better Grades

10 Tips to Help You Study Smart and Get Better Grades

The saying “work smarter, not harder” is especially true when it comes to school. Check out these 10 tips to help you study smart and get better grades.

Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a good grade on an exam you studied for. But sometimes those grades don’t come so easily. Many believe you need to have your face in a book nonstop to get good grades, but that’s not necessarily true. What you need to do is study smart.

But what does it mean to study smart? And how can that work better than studying hard?

Studying smart basically means applying techniques that help you retain information better and in a way that isn’t so overwhelming. Here are 10 tips to help you study smart to get better grades.

Proximity Is Key

While it may be tempting to head home after class and forget what the teacher just said for a while, it may not benefit you in the long-run.

Scientific studies have found that you can retain up to 80% of the information you just learned if you study it within an hour of hearing the lecture. The information will still be fresh in your mind.

And you will be more likely to understand what you are studying versus if you have to refresh your memory constantly over time.

Set up a Study Routine

Setting up regular study sessions in your schedule will help build a routine that will make studying become easier and less of a chore.

And you can set this up however fits your schedule and study style best. Decide which subjects you will study in each block of time. Are you not one who likes to study for long periods of time? Schedule two or three study periods throughout the day to break it up. Rather study at one time to get it over with? Schedule one longer block of time and pound it out then.

By setting up this routine, you’ll be able to better retain the information and relieve any stress of cramming may cause.

Space It Out

Cram sessions are overwhelming. When you are faced with retaining a huge load of information at one time, the chances of you retaining it all are pretty weak. And even if it is enough to get you through the test the next day, it won’t carry over to your long-term memory to help out with any final exam.

Split up your study sessions into smaller, regular portions over time. This will prevent any burnout or mental exhaustion that cramming will cause.

Put Pen to Paper

Have you ever experienced reading a portion of a textbook then realizing you have no idea what you just read after you are done? Yeah. Many of us have experienced that horror. Not only is it frustrating, it’s a major time suck.

Make notes as you are reading. And do this in any form that you study best, whether it be bullet points, summaries, or in any other way that works for you.

By re-wording what you just read in your own way, you have a better chance of retaining important information rather than coming up blank at the end of your study session.

Location, Location, Location

Having a regular study location will not only help you study smart, it will put your brain and your mood into “study mode” every time you are there. And this doesn’t have to be just one location. If you find there are two or three locations that you study well in, you can establish those locations as study spots as well.

Just make sure they are locations away from where you spend your free time and have limited (to no) distractions.

Read Out Loud

Some people tend to learn best by sight. Others need to hear the information to better retain it. So why not try both?

Read the information to yourself first. Then read it out loud. By doing both, you’ll be helping your brain to receive the information in two different forms, which will help with recall later on.

But be sure you’re not anywhere that reading out loud will bother other people. That’s just bad form.

Ditch the Distractions

Between checking your social media feed, people watching, and returning those text messages, distractions can tack on way more time to your studying than you realize. Not to mention making it difficult to retain whatever it is that you are studying.

Designate your study sessions as a distraction-free zone. Turn off your phone. Do not sign into your social media accounts. If others nearby distract you easily, go study someplace where it’s just you. And let your friends and family know when your study sessions are so they can respect that block of time.

You’ll be amazed how much more information you retain and time you save. This is the time you can spend later on catching up on everything else in your life.

Sleepy Studying

As odd as it may sound, studies have found that studying just before you go to bed when you’re the most tired, your brain may be able to retain much of the information. It’s called sleep-learning.

During sleep, your brain tends to strengthen recent memories, which could explain why you are able to retain what you just studied.

Just make sure you’re not studying in bed. Separately work and rest will help you be able to relax when the time comes.

Pop Quiz

Quizzes are great ways to study smart! They can help you realize how much of the information you’ve retained and which parts you may need to study up on more.

Take the practice quizzes. Quiz yourself with flashcards. Have a friend read off questions to you. Whatever you have available, quiz away!

Treat Yo Self!

Let’s face it, studying isn’t the easiest thing in the world. So why not reward yourself when you reach set study goals you set for yourself? When you know that you have something good waiting for you just over the next study hurdle, it will give you the extra push to keep going until you make it.

Especially when you finally make the Honor Society. Your hard work has paid off, so treat yo self!

Study Smart, Not Hard

By following these study smart tips, you will find your study sessions pay off big time with the grades you are after.

Have a question about studying smart? Contact us today!

Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Thesis Paper

Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Thesis Paper

For most students, writing a good thesis is the most challenging part of writing they have to do. Most of them have no idea what is expected of them and some end up looking for a PhD dissertation writing service to help. Of course, there are those who have written essays and assignments in their undergraduate years while others may have published their writing in an academic journal but few have written a lengthy research project.

If you are moving to a postgraduate level, you’ll want to be proficient and proactive in improving your thesis writing skills. Furthermore, the quality of your thesis largely depends on your writing skills. That said, here are key tips to consider to be proficient in thesis paper writing.

Look for great thesis examples

Unlike the old times where students had to rely on piles of books to get information, we have the Internet that has made everything easier including thesis helpers to help write your paper. The internet is filled with plenty of examples of dissertation and thesis papers available for free. Although some may be regarded as not useful, there are also great examples that can be helpful. Try to find some and compare the style of writing to yours. It will help you find your weakness and fix it with time.

Follow the writing rules given by your professor or Education Institution

It may seem strange, but most students don’t follow the instructions given by their professor or institution. Most students make mistakes in the list of references. It is important to confirm whether you need to stick to MLA formatting style or a different writing style. Make sure you have all the sources cited including primary and secondary sources.

Also, it is important to consider key guidelines such as font and line-spacing. Don’t jump on the trend wagon before first verifying what you need to do.

Don’t lose focus on your thesis objective

As a student, you don’t want to submit an inferior thesis paper. At times this sparks the urge to have a dissertation service to get your thesis done perfectly. Of course, this is not the right way to go. You need to write a perfect thesis paper that can be used as a point of reference by other students to help them get some insights.

Use applications and services to save time

Why not look for numerous online applications to assist you with develop your thesis and manage your writing process? There are many online services that help notify you about great ideas, due dates, and pending work. You can even have one to create a checklist so that you can list the important tasks you need to do first. This can work well if you divide your assignment into small manageable parts to be completed till the deadline. It helps you concentrate on a certain problem keenly and have a fresh eye on the entire writing process.

In addition, you can also use these applications to help you in editing, proofreading, and time management. Besides if you’re too busy to write your assignment from scratch, you can get thesis helpers online to assist you with thesis writing.

Check your work again

Overworking can be dangerous to your writing process and health. If you’ve been working for long hours without a break, it is important to take one. Don’t be too hard on yourself to a point of exhaustion. You need to maintain a specific quality of work, so if have concentrated on your thesis for long, be sure to check your quotations, bibliography, etc. to ensure everything fits the required standards and it’s within your schedule. You cannot afford delays in your thesis writing process.

Finally, don’t forget to get feedback after you have finished your thesis. You can ask your colleague or family member to go through your work and give their honest review. This will help you improve your writing before submitting your work.

Conclusion

When you understand the concept of thesis writing, you will be ahead of the game. Improving it requires much time and effort, so a student needs to concentrate on their paper and include all the steps given above. Use this piece of advice to improve your thesis skills and you won’t face any trouble throughout your postgraduate studies.

How to Get the Best Out of Your College Years

How to Get the Best Out of Your College Years

To every student, getting the best out of their college years means something different. For some, it is going out with friends and partying every night, while for others it means locking themselves in their dorms or spending all night at the library and study. While everyone is different, though, there are ways for every person to get the best out of their college years, without them having to compensate on one thing for another. If you’re already a student or if you’re about to start the next school year, here’s how you can prepare for college and ensure you have the best time possible.

Living Arrangements

For many students, their accommodation can be less than ideal. If you’re living on site, then halls of residence are so-so. They give you the basics and it’s an ideal ground for you to make friends and transition into college life. However, living in a dorm isn’t for everyone, and moving into a stereotypical college house share after your first year can also give rise to new challenges. Before you settle into college life, make sure you explore all your options. If you’re going to Southampton University in the UK, for instance, then there’s luxury Southampton student accommodation at collegiate-ac.com. By ensuring you have the correct living facilities, your college years will become much more enjoyable.

Study

You’re heading to college for one reason: to study and to get a degree by the end of it. While this doesn’t mean you can’t have a social life, it also doesn’t mean you can pull an all-nighter the night before in the hopes of just getting by. Rather than cram at the last minute, you should study consistently throughout your college years. After all, you’ve made it this far and you’ve (hopefully) selected a subject you enjoy.

The temptation to go out rather than study one night, or to sleep in instead of finding a space at the library can be mighty, though. While you shouldn’t compromise on your social life or burn yourself out by studying too much, you should try to find a happy balance and have a routine in place. To help improve your studying habits you should:

  1. Find your study space.
  2. Take advantage of tutoring opportunities.
  3. Attend extra credit seminars, lectures or groups.
  4. Attend all classes.
  5. Actively take notes.

Social Life

Getting the most out of your social life isn’t difficult. Usually, most freshmen will be in dorms, and because they’re all in the same boat as you, everyone will want to open a dialogue with you. You should be as talkative as possible and introduce yourself to those who are staying in the same dorms as you. You should also introduce yourself to classmates. For introverts or those who are shy or who suffer from anxiety, starting a conversation can be extremely difficult, however, remember that everyone there is in the same position as you. You shouldn’t let any anxiety or shyness hinder your chances of making potential lifelong friends.

Throughout your college years you’ll be exposed to many new experiences. Whether they’re good or bad, embrace them. They’ll make for great stories later on in life, and college will usually form your ideals, opinions and even career aspects. Keep an open mind, live well, be healthy, study and make friends you’re not likely to forget.

Study for a GIST Degree and Enter a Growing Labor Market

The geospatial information science and technology market is growing at a rate of over 35% each year, and the US Department for Labor is currently calling for more online GIST program graduates to help cope with the demand.  The online GIST degree can be studied for from the comfort of a student’s home, and many top universities, like the University of California, are now offering this degree option.

Upon graduation, there are jobs available in the non profit sector, in transportation, in health and human sources, in government, in law enforcement, and in engineering.  There is a whole host of opportunities just waiting to be claimed, and with salaries of up to $90,000 on offer, this is a fantastic career option for many.

The infographic below explains this in more detail.

This infographic was created by the University of Southern California.

 

GIST Career Paths Infographic

University of Southern California Geographic Information Science & Technology Graduate Programs Online

What Skills Do You Need to be an Oncologist

What Skills Do You Need to be an Oncologist

If you have dreams of one day taking a career in medicine, you will naturally have to choose amongst a wide range of different disciplines which focus on different types of care, and different areas of the body. One are which is becoming highly popular and very much in demand amongst medical students are specialists in oncology like James A Cannon.

Oncology is the study of tumours and of cancers and such is the widespread impact of cancer throughout the country, this is a position that is highly required in hospitals all over the world. Oncologists earn well and they do amazing things to help improve people’s lives, if this is something you would like to be a part of, here are the skills which you will need.

Medical Ability

It goes without saying that you will need tone skilled in medicine and when it comes to oncology you will also need to have a general collection of skills and understanding as you could be treating many various cancers, in various parts of the body. Oncologists of course need to have a deep-rooted understanding of cancer cells, tumours and treatment of these but they will also need to be something of a Jack of all trades when it comes to the body on the whole.

Interpersonal Skills

Cancer is a disease which affects 1 in 3 people, either directly or someone they know and it is a disease which strikes fear into the heart of people around the world. In order to be a great oncologist, you need to be able to understand this and be able to speak and deal with both patients and patients’ families in a calm, understanding and helpful manner. This is very much one area of medicine which will see you spending a great deal of time with the patients and their loved ones so you will need to ensure that you have a tranquil and relaxed bedside manner.

Ability to Work in a Team

When treating someone with cancer, you will be required to work with many other branches of medicine within your hospital. The consequences of cancer and indeed the causes have a great impact on other areas of the body and you will need to work closely with other specialists in the treatment if these patients. Because of this, you will need to be a great collaborative worker and ensure that you have great relationships with other medical professionals working in your hospital. In order to get the best for your patient, you will need to be strong and forthright when you need something from other medical professionals and make sure that above all, you always put the patient first.

The role of an oncologist is vitally important in today’s world and thanks to the vast improvement of treatments for a wide range of cancers, it can also be a job which is highly rewarding, professionally and personally.

5 Reasons to Study a Master’s Degree

5 Reasons to Study a Master’s Degree

Many people consider a master’s degree in their chosen field but often put it off as they are worried about further expense straight out of college and want to start working straight away. Or, because they are unsure if having a master’s degree, such as an online masters in social work, will really make any difference to their job prospects or future careers. However, studying for a master’s can have many benefits. Here are five of the best.

To Develop Your Skills

When studying for an undergraduate degree, there is a lot of background and basic information you need to learn before you can really get stuck in. As all students start with a different level of knowledge and experience, often the first year is devoted to getting everyone to the same level. This can mean not much time is spent developing your occupational, clinical, or management skills. If you want to work in clinical social care, for example, these skills are absolutely essential and the development of them is one of the key reasons to study a masters in social work online from Rutgers Online.

Placement Opportunities

While it is true that many undergraduate degrees give you the option of a work placement, you can never have enough experience. As a postgraduate student, you could gain valuable experience working in a supervised setting. This would help to improve your workplace knowledge and skills, increase your confidence and give you some great experience, which could be invaluable when it comes to applying for jobs. You never know, if your placement provider is impressed they may offer you a permanent contract once you graduate.

Career Prospects

With more people studying a degree than ever before, competition for a graduate job is at an all-time high. The knowledge and experiences you gain studying a masters will help to get your CV to the top of the pile. You may even find that for some jobs, you must earn a master’s degree to be considered.

Earning Potential

While a masters is a further expense, you may find it quickly pays for itself. Those graduates with these extra qualifications often go into a high paid job straight out of school. Whereas those with only an undergrad degree usually have to start in an entry level position and work their way up.

To Boost Your Career

Online study opportunities mean that it’s never too late to learn. Even if you graduated a long time ago and have been employed for many years, going back to school to gain your masters could help to keep your knowledge up to date, gain confidence, learn new skills, and boost your career. This is a great option if you are looking to gain a promotion or just find new enjoyment in your current role.

There are many other fantastic reasons to consider enrolling on a master’s degree course and with many different course options available, there really is no excuse not to. When applying, it is worth noting that financial aid is available to master’s students and that you don’t necessarily need to apply for the same subject you gained your degree in. In many cases, a related degree is acceptable.

How to Pay For Your Tuition Fees

How to Pay For Your Tuition Fees

Whilst there are many exceptions to the rule, generally speaking the most successful people in the world are those who followed their education through to the end and finished with a strong college degree. Regardless of what you plans for life are or how ready you think that you are for the world of work, a college degree can help you in so many ways. Th problem with going to college is that costs are rising steadily and it is now incredibly expensive to pay for the tuition fees which you need, to take you through a college education. If you are approaching college age and wondering how on earth you are going to pay for your tuition, here are the options available to you.

Scholarship

Scholarships are free education which are handed out to people who can display excellence in either sports, academic ability or artistic ability. In order to get a scholarship like my buddy Mack Prioleau did, you not only need to possess the ability which universities are looking for but you must also apply for consideration to get a scholarship and as you can imagine, there is stiff competition for places.

Grants

Grants are handed out to people who come from families that are suffering financial hardship and this can be a great way for many students to get themselves through college. Grants, like scholarships do not need to be paid back but the application process is not simple. You must be able to prove that you are coming from a background of financial difficulty and even if you can, there is often not enough money for everyone who needs a grant, to actually get one. Make sure that you apply early if you are looking to secure a grant and that you follow the application process through completely as well as providing all of the details that are required from you.

Student Loans

The most popular way that students pay themselves through college is through the use of a student loan. These loans are given out with terms of repayment that are very reasonable and you will not have to pay anything back until you are earning a salary above a certain threshold, and even then, you will only pay back a small percentage of your salary each month. The problem with taking out a student loans that from the moment you graduate, you will be saddled with a huge amount of debt, before you have even started earning any money. Unless you have a rich family or you are fortunate enough to be given a scholarship or a grant, the student loan is often the only way in which you can pay for your tuition fees for your college education.

You can of course minimize the loan that you take out if you can make some money on your own during your time in college but this often proves hard to balance between your studies.

Top 8 Hacks For Any Student

Top 8 Hacks For Any Student

I miss my days in college an awful lot and would give anything to have the last 4 years back again, just so that I could relive it. In my dorm room, my buddy Jonathan Schrag and myself would constantly be on the look out for student hacks which could help to make our lazy lives that little bit easier ad I wanted to tell you about them today so that if you are in college or plan on going, you can make your life easier too.

Wallpaper Schedule

To avoid being late for class, simply take a photo of your schedule and set it as the wallpaper on your phone so that you can constantly see it and you will never miss a class again.

Listen, Don’t Read

You can save a hell of a lot of time from reading lectures by instead recording them on your tablet, laptop or phone, and listening to them at a later date. Doing this also means that if you happen to drop off in the lecture, you won’t have to miss out on anything.

Soda Bottle Speaker

If you want to boost the sound in your dorm room simply cut the bottom off a soda bottle, attach it to you phone and it will boost the sound up to a much better level.

Instant Chill

If you want a cold bottle of beer but you forgot to put them in the fridge, simply wet a paper towel and then wrap it around the beer, place the bottle in the fridge and in 15 minutes you will have a cold one waiting for you.

Friend Support

If you are giving a presentation in front of the class, plant a couple of friends to ask you questions that you already know the answer to so that you can wow the class and you lecturer.

Thanks Mom

It is likely that when your mom and dad first leave at college, they will stock your fridge up with plenty of goods and supplies that you hadn’t thought of. When this happens, take a photo of your fridge so that you will never have to make a shopping list again.

The Coffee Pot

The coffee pot is about more than making a cup of Joe in the morning and you should be using it for things like cooking hot dogs and pasta, minimal washing up, easy to use and it tastes great.

Reheat Pizza

When you reheat pizza from the night before, there is nothing worse than getting that chewy crust, a great way to avoid this is to place a glass of water in the microwave with your pizza and it will keep it nice and moist for that breakfast of champions.

What study hacks do you like to do to make your dorm life easier? Let us know in the comments below and share the tips and tricks that you love.

Three Reasons Why You Should Get Your Master of Public Health Degree

Three Reasons Why You Should Get Your Master of Public Health Degree

Do you have a love for helping others?  Maybe you already work in the public health field but you want to do more?  If so, then you should seriously consider getting your master of public health degree.  Today, we are going to learn three reasons why you should get your masters and how it can enrich your life in ways you may have never thought of.

You Will Be Giving Back

As you already know, working in the health care field is a rewarding career.  But if you get your MPH degree online, you will be able to do much more.  By advancing in your field, you will be able to work with more people and even lead the fight against infectious diseases and other menaces to public health.  Having your masters will allow you to move up on the career ladder and become a leader in your given field.  This means that you will have the chance to lead teams of people who are doing good for the world.  Having this ability to do more and give more is very emotionally rewarding.  To learn more about how a master’s degree can open up opportunities for you, please visit this website.

It Will Let You See the World

Have you always yearned to travel and help people at the same time?  If so, getting your masters in public health online will give you the chance to do so.  There are many different career options out there that will let you go to places around the world and help people while you enjoy your travels.  The best part is many companies are in need of overseas workers so getting a job right out of college won’t be difficult.  So, if you want to see the world, why not consider going back to school?  It just might change your life for the better! The CDC is constantly looking for qualified workers to apply their skills overseas.  For more information on how you can snag a job with one of the world’s largest health organizations, please visit this link.

You Will Get a Large Boost in Pay

If you would like to increase your earning potential, getting your master’s degree is a wise move.  There are many wonderful job opportunities out there that will pay someone with a master’s degree very generously.  But you might not even have to look for another job to see an increase in your pay.  If you have a job working in the public health field, the company you work for may give you a boost in pay just for having a higher degree.  Also, you may be able to move up in the company and work in a management position or lead teams of researchers and medical experts.  Either way, you will have the chance to increase your salary which will allow you to save more money and live a better life.

These are just a few of the reasons why you should think about getting your master’s degree.  As you can see, having it will open a lot of doors for you and give you the chance to earn more money. So what are you waiting for?  Get back to school today!