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Here is the reprint of her article for Hello Giggles:

There are so many words in the English language that it's not surprising that the definitions for some of them have gotten mixed up over the years. It's possible that you've gone your entire life without realizing your mistakes. I'm sure people have noticed. One day, you were probably walking down the street, casually chatting with an old friend, and one of these words slipped out of your mouth. Before you can move on to your story about how Mufasa would actually make a very attractive human, your friend stops to correct your error, and suddenly, your whole life starts to feel like one giant lie. How long have you been using that word incorrectly, you wonder? How many angry Facebook rants have you ruined with your improper grammar? While I can't give you an answer to those questions, I can at least provide you with a list of other tricky words so that you may never have to suffer from this embarrassment ever again:
1) Travesty
What you may think it means: a tragedy, an unfortunate event

What it actually means: a mockery; a parody

This one, I'll admit, is my own personal error. For the longest time, I equated travesty with tragedy, mostly because in passing, they sound like the same word. It's stupid, I know, but if you knew how many times I confused fetal position with beetle position, you wouldn't be laughing. It's a serious problem.
2) Ironic
What you may think it means: a funny coincidence

What it actually means: contrary to what you might expect

It's not ironic that you bumped into a talking turtle in a sweater vest right after you told your friend how cool it would be to bump into a talking turtle in a sweater vest. It's a coincidence, and believe it or not, those two words are not related.
3) Peruse
What you may think it means: to skim or glance over something

What it actually means: to review something carefully/in-depth

How this definition got completely turned on its head, I'll never know, but I'll be sure never to say "I'm going to go peruse my math textbook" ever again, just in case someone overhears and tries to hold me to it under the real meaning.
4) Bemused
What you may think it means: amused

What it actually means: confused

Again, with the whole "words sounding alike" issue. I'm starting to think I just need hearing aids. This is getting out of hand.
5) Compelled
What you may think it means: to willingly do something, to feel like you need to do something

What it actually means: to be forced to do something (willingly or unwillingly)

The word you're looking for is "impelled." I agree, it doesn't get enough attention.
6) Nauseous
What you may think it means: to feel sick

What it actually means: to cause nausea

When you eat too much ice cream and declare to your mom or the nearest adult, "I feel nauseous," what you're actually saying is that you are causing people around you to feel sick. Thanks, jerk. (For the record, "I'm nauseated" is the way to go.)
7) Conversate
What you may think it means: to hold a conversation

What it actually means: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

This word is a mix of conversation and converse, and doesn't actually exist, like unicorns or YOUR DREAMS. (I'm kidding. Unicorns are totally real.)
8) Redundant
What you may think it means: repetitive

What it actually means: superfluous, able to be cut out

"Including this sentence is redundant because you already mentioned your love of Santa Claus in the previous paragraph." This has always been my exposure to the word redundant, so it only makes sense that I would think repetitive was correct. I can't be the only one? Right? RIGHT?
9) Enormity
What you may think it means: enormousness

What it actually means: extreme evil

I don't know where the "extreme evil" thing came from (probably the Devil) but enormity makes more sense as enormousness in my mind.
10) Refute
What you may think it means: rebut

What it actually means: disprove with evidence

Here is an infographic we created to help visualize the top 10 misused words (Click on image for larger view):

Credit: http://hellogiggles.com/10-words-that-youve-probably-been-misusing

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10 Most Commonly Misused Words - Advanced Marketing Strategies

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Today's blog is a shout out to Tyler Vendetti for her terrific article on the misuse of words! Here is the reprint of her article for Hello Giggles: There are so many words in the English language that it's not...

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Learning how to self-edit your writing empowers you to polish your prose. Ernest Hemingway famously quipped that you should 'write drunk and edit sober'. This might not be good advice for teetotallers (or in general). But there is a grain of truth in Hemingway's words: you need a state of mental clarity that allows you to be methodical when editing. A professional editor who has polished many novels can turn your promising manuscript into a sleek novel. Yet if you can't afford professional editing services at present, or want to tidy up your work before showing it to an editor, you can learn how to self-edit well. See the infographic below for top tips on editing your story:

It often pays to read what published authors have to say on the nuts and bolts of writing. Here are three additional quotes to keep in mind when editing your own writing:

How to self-edit: Advice from great writers

1. Dr Seuss, author of much-loved children's books, was a master of concision (packing as much meaning into as few words as possible):

'So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.'

2. Popular novelist Jodi Picoult reminds us that it is useful to have different strategies for writing and editing. You don't have to be meticulous when drafting, but you must be when you edit your writing:

'You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page.'

3. Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim's songs are full of witty wordplay and pack complex emotions into brief musical numbers. He advocates not editing as you go but separating the writing and editing stages:

'The worst thing you can do is censor yourself as the pencil hits the paper. You must not edit until you get it all on paper. If you can put everything down, stream-of-consciousness, you'll do yourself a service.'

Do you edit your own work? What editing methods or strategies do you use?

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How to Self-Edit Infographic | Now Novel

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Learning how to self-edit your writing empowers you to polish your prose. Ernest Hemingway famously quipped that you should 'write drunk and edit sober'. This might not be good advice for teetotallers (or in general). But there is a grain of truth in Hemingway's words: you need a state of mental clarity that allows you to be methodical when editing.

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When creating a resume, it is important to include skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Here are some essential skills that you can consider including on your resume:

Soft Skills:

Soft skills are personal attributes that enable effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. They are highly valued by employers. Some examples of soft skills include:

Communication skills: The ability to convey information clearly and effectively.

Critical thinking: The ability to analyze and evaluate information to make informed decisions.

Problem-solving: The ability to identify and solve problems efficiently.

Time management: The ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.

Leadership: The ability to guide and motivate a team towards achieving goals.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new situations and handle change.

Teamwork: The ability to work collaboratively with others towards a common goal.

Creativity: The ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

Hard Skills:

Hard skills are specific technical or job-related skills that are required for a particular role. They are typically acquired through education, training, or work experience. Some examples of hard skills include:

Computer skills: Proficiency in using software applications, programming languages, or operating systems.

Data analysis: The ability to analyze and interpret data to make informed decisions.

Project management: The ability to plan, organize, and execute projects effectively.

Language proficiency: Fluency in multiple languages.

Graphic design: Proficiency in using design software and creating visually appealing graphics.

Customer service: The ability to provide excellent customer service and resolve customer issues.

Sales skills: The ability to persuade and influence others to make a purchase.

Technical skills: Skills specific to a particular industry or field, such as medical skills for healthcare professionals or engineering skills for engineers.

Transferable Skills for Resume

Transferable skills are skills that you acquire in one employment setting that can be seamlessly transferred and applied to your next job or career. These skills are not specific to a particular industry and can be valuable assets when transitioning between different roles or fields. Transferable skills can be categorized into two types: hard skills and soft skills.

1. Communication skills: The ability to convey information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

2. Leadership skills: The ability to guide and motivate a team towards achieving goals.

3. Problem-solving skills: The ability to analyze and solve problems efficiently.

4. Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new situations and handle change.

5. Teamwork skills: Possessing the skill to collaborate effectively with a team to achieve shared objectives.

6. Time management skills: The capacity to organize tasks and efficiently manage one's time.

7. Critical thinking skills: The skill to assess and appraise information in order to make well-informed decisions.

8. Creativity: The ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

9. Organizational skills: The ability to organize and manage tasks, resources, and information.

10. Interpersonal skills: The ability to build and maintain positive relationships with others.

11. Attention to detail: The capacity to be meticulous and ensure precision by paying careful attention to details.

12. Project management skills: The ability to plan, organize, and execute projects effectively.

13. Research skills: The ability to gather and analyze information from various sources.

Here are some examples of transferable skills that you can consider including on your resume:

Best Practices for Listing Skills on a Resume

Create a dedicated skills section: Include a separate section on your resume specifically for highlighting your skills. This section allows you to list the specific competencies you have developed that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Include a mix of technical and workplace skills: In your skills section, include a combination of technical skills (specific software or tools you are proficient in) and workplace skills (how you approach your work and the type of team member you are).

Tailor your skills to the job: Customize your skills section to align with the requirements and qualifications mentioned in the job description. Identify the key skills sought by the employer and highlight those that you possess.

Quantify your skills: Whenever possible, provide specific examples or achievements that demonstrate how you have used your skills in previous roles. This can help employers understand the impact you have made and the value you can bring to their organization.

Use action verbs: When describing your skills, use strong action verbs to convey your abilities and accomplishments. This can make your skills more impactful and engaging for the reader.

Consider additional sections: Depending on your specific skills and experiences, you may want to include additional sections on your resume to showcase certain skills in more detail. For example, you could have a separate section for technical skills or a section highlighting specific certifications or achievements.

To effectively showcase your skills on a resume, consider the following tips:

Remember, the goal is to effectively communicate your skills to potential employers and demonstrate how you can contribute to their organization. Tailor your resume to each job application, focusing on the skills that are most relevant and valuable for the specific role you are targeting.

How to Quantify Skills on Your Resume

1. Track your work: Keep a record of your achievements, projects, and responsibilities. This will help you gather the necessary data to quantify your skills.

2. Gather your data: Collect relevant information and data that demonstrate the impact of your work. This can include numbers, percentages, dollar amounts, or any other measurable metrics.

3. Make use of ranges: If you don't have exact numbers, you can use ranges to provide a general idea of your achievements. For example, instead of stating "Increased sales by 20%," you can say "Increased sales by approximately 15-25%."

4. Focus on key metrics: Highlight the most important metrics that showcase your skills and achievements. These can include revenue generated, cost savings, customer satisfaction ratings, project completion time, or any other relevant metrics.

5. Use bullet points: Format your accomplishments as bullet points under each relevant job or experience. Start each bullet point with an action verb and include the quantifiable result or impact of your work.

When quantifying skills on a resume, it is important to provide specific and measurable examples of your accomplishments. Here are some steps to help you quantify your skills effectively:
Example:
Here's an example of how to quantify skills on a resume:

Popular related posts:

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30 Essential Skills for a Professional Resume [+ Examples]

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What are the best skills for a resume? Which skills do employers expect from great applicants? There is a constant growth of skilled professionals in the job market. So, it is crucial to make your resume stand out.

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I am sure you have heard that you have six seconds to make an impact with their resume. So how do you adapt your resume to stay in the game? Here are some points to look out for in your resume:
Give a clean easy read
They need to easily find your names, titles, companies, start and end dates, education and contact details.
Grab attention on the front page
You need to get all of the key information onto the first page so that it can be found quickly and easily.
Be a match for location
If you are aiming to relocate, stating that fact might increase your chances.
Come from a related job industry and function
Recruiters will look for a match between your job title and the position in question.
Have a profile that's perfect match for the job
This is a 2-4 line summary that shows how well you fit the needs of the job.
Highlight skills fit to the job
Use a bulleted summary list to back up your profile with more reasons why you fit the job.
Does the content back it all up
A strong profile needs to be backed up by a strong summary. In turn a strong summary needs to be backed up by a strong career history.

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I am sure you have heard that you have six seconds to make an impact with their resume. So how do you adapt your resume to stay in the game? Here are some points to look out for in your resume:

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Coordinating Conjunctions - FANBOYS - English Grammar Here

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English Coordinating Conjunctions List FOR Because I have to find a new job, for I am unemployed. AND In addition to I have one dog and three love birds. NOR And not Neither Mark nor Mary were at the school yesterday. BUT Howeover I go to work on Sundays, but I don't go to work on Saturday.

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If you think it's recruiters and hiring managers are ignoring you and your resume, think again.

98% of Fortune 500 companies and a large number of mid-sized corporations are using some form of an applicant tracking system (ATS) to filter through the thousands of resumes they receive for their positions.

It's important to understand how the ATS works so that your resume gets seen, read, and doesn't end up in a black hole.

If your applying to jobs online and getting little to no response, one of the first things that you should do is make your resume Applicant Tracking System Friendly.

What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?

Whenever you apply for a position online it first gets processed by the ATS. In other words, before it ever gets into the hands of a recruiter or hiring manager at the organization, it gets processed through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This software helps recruiters by scanning for contextual keywords and key phrases, scoring them for relevance and showing only the most qualified ones to the recruiter.

There are many software systems that keep job seekers from their dream jobs and there's no guaranteed way of knowing how each recruiter will use the ATS, but there are best practices that you can implement on your resume to make sure it's ATS-friendly.

1. Keep Formatting Simple

In order for the ATS to easily pull the text off your resume, you want to make sure you keep it simple. Complex templates, overemphasizing features, tables, and graphics are all things you want to stay away from.

Use a simple resume template and stick to standard formatting in common fonts like Arial or Verdana.

Also, be sure to send your resume in a Word doc instead of a PDF, or it can end up looking like this:

Click here to download an Applicant Tracking System friendly resume template.

2. Nail the Correct Keywords

Every profession and industry has its own unique skills of lingo, jargon, software, responsibilities, and licenses - and the Applicant Tracking System is looking for them on your resume.

Which is why it's a good idea to try to match and mirror the keywords you find on a job description to your resume.

3. Scan Your Resume Each Time

A tool that will make it extremely easy for you to make sure you've got the proper keywords on your resume is a tool called Jobscan.co. Once you copy and paste your resume and the job description into Jobscan.co, it will give you a score based on the scoring algorithms based on the top Applicant Tracking Sytems.

This is a complete time saver since you should be tweaking your resume for each position to make sure it's getting through automated systems. It's a lot more effective and useful than trying to figure it out through tag clouds.

Scan your resume to make sure it's Applicant Tracking System Friendly:

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How to Get Your Resume Past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) - Career Manifestations

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If you think it's recruiters and hiring managers are ignoring you and your resume, think again. 98% of Fortune 500 companies and a large number of mid-sized corporations are using some form of an applicant tracking system (ATS) to filter through the thousands of resumes they receive for their positions.

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When creating a resume, it is important to include skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Here are some essential skills that you can consider including on your resume:

Soft Skills:

Soft skills are personal attributes that enable effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. They are highly valued by employers. Some examples of soft skills include:

Communication skills: The ability to convey information clearly and effectively.

Critical thinking: The ability to analyze and evaluate information to make informed decisions.

Problem-solving: The ability to identify and solve problems efficiently.

Time management: The ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.

Leadership: The ability to guide and motivate a team towards achieving goals.

Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new situations and handle change.

Teamwork: The ability to work collaboratively with others towards a common goal.

Creativity: The ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

Hard Skills:

Hard skills are specific technical or job-related skills that are required for a particular role. They are typically acquired through education, training, or work experience. Some examples of hard skills include:

Computer skills: Proficiency in using software applications, programming languages, or operating systems.

Data analysis: The ability to analyze and interpret data to make informed decisions.

Project management: The ability to plan, organize, and execute projects effectively.

Language proficiency: Fluency in multiple languages.

Graphic design: Proficiency in using design software and creating visually appealing graphics.

Customer service: The ability to provide excellent customer service and resolve customer issues.

Sales skills: The ability to persuade and influence others to make a purchase.

Technical skills: Skills specific to a particular industry or field, such as medical skills for healthcare professionals or engineering skills for engineers.

Transferable Skills for Resume

Transferable skills are skills that you acquire in one employment setting that can be seamlessly transferred and applied to your next job or career. These skills are not specific to a particular industry and can be valuable assets when transitioning between different roles or fields. Transferable skills can be categorized into two types: hard skills and soft skills.

1. Communication skills: The ability to convey information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

2. Leadership skills: The ability to guide and motivate a team towards achieving goals.

3. Problem-solving skills: The ability to analyze and solve problems efficiently.

4. Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new situations and handle change.

5. Teamwork skills: Possessing the skill to collaborate effectively with a team to achieve shared objectives.

6. Time management skills: The capacity to organize tasks and efficiently manage one's time.

7. Critical thinking skills: The skill to assess and appraise information in order to make well-informed decisions.

8. Creativity: The ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

9. Organizational skills: The ability to organize and manage tasks, resources, and information.

10. Interpersonal skills: The ability to build and maintain positive relationships with others.

11. Attention to detail: The capacity to be meticulous and ensure precision by paying careful attention to details.

12. Project management skills: The ability to plan, organize, and execute projects effectively.

13. Research skills: The ability to gather and analyze information from various sources.

Here are some examples of transferable skills that you can consider including on your resume:

Best Practices for Listing Skills on a Resume

Create a dedicated skills section: Include a separate section on your resume specifically for highlighting your skills. This section allows you to list the specific competencies you have developed that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Include a mix of technical and workplace skills: In your skills section, include a combination of technical skills (specific software or tools you are proficient in) and workplace skills (how you approach your work and the type of team member you are).

Tailor your skills to the job: Customize your skills section to align with the requirements and qualifications mentioned in the job description. Identify the key skills sought by the employer and highlight those that you possess.

Quantify your skills: Whenever possible, provide specific examples or achievements that demonstrate how you have used your skills in previous roles. This can help employers understand the impact you have made and the value you can bring to their organization.

Use action verbs: When describing your skills, use strong action verbs to convey your abilities and accomplishments. This can make your skills more impactful and engaging for the reader.

Consider additional sections: Depending on your specific skills and experiences, you may want to include additional sections on your resume to showcase certain skills in more detail. For example, you could have a separate section for technical skills or a section highlighting specific certifications or achievements.

To effectively showcase your skills on a resume, consider the following tips:

Remember, the goal is to effectively communicate your skills to potential employers and demonstrate how you can contribute to their organization. Tailor your resume to each job application, focusing on the skills that are most relevant and valuable for the specific role you are targeting.

How to Quantify Skills on Your Resume

1. Track your work: Keep a record of your achievements, projects, and responsibilities. This will help you gather the necessary data to quantify your skills.

2. Gather your data: Collect relevant information and data that demonstrate the impact of your work. This can include numbers, percentages, dollar amounts, or any other measurable metrics.

3. Make use of ranges: If you don't have exact numbers, you can use ranges to provide a general idea of your achievements. For example, instead of stating "Increased sales by 20%," you can say "Increased sales by approximately 15-25%."

4. Focus on key metrics: Highlight the most important metrics that showcase your skills and achievements. These can include revenue generated, cost savings, customer satisfaction ratings, project completion time, or any other relevant metrics.

5. Use bullet points: Format your accomplishments as bullet points under each relevant job or experience. Start each bullet point with an action verb and include the quantifiable result or impact of your work.

When quantifying skills on a resume, it is important to provide specific and measurable examples of your accomplishments. Here are some steps to help you quantify your skills effectively:
Example:
Here's an example of how to quantify skills on a resume:

Popular related posts:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
30 Essential Skills for a Professional Resume [+ Examples]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What are the best skills for a resume? Which skills do employers expect from great applicants? There is a constant growth of skilled professionals in the job market. So, it is crucial to make your resume stand out.

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When writing a resume, professional resume writers stress the importance of using action words to properly convey the achievements and accolades of any applicant. However, these nuances are not strictly for cosmetics; action words can showcase other key characteristics many recruiters look for: advanced verbal and oral communication skills.

While you can simply write: "built with advanced verbal, oral and written communication skills" on their resume, the use of action words actually fortifies this claim and provides evidence that the master of the resume does, in reality, possess this capability and talent.

However, here are some important considerations to keep in mind when working with resume power words:

Never overdo it.

Using way too many resume action words will often make this content coarse and difficult to read. Using one action word per sentence is ideal to supply the achievement while selling it in the most efficient and proven manner possible.

Try to start each bullet point with an action word.

The very best solution to integrate resume action words into any resume is to begin any bullet point with an action word. Basically, this strategy acts such as for instance a "reverse exclamation point" and calls focus on the achievement or accomplishment from the get-go, grabbing the reviewer's attention to read the entire sentence. The truest method to effectively convey this is of a bullet point would be to augment it with an anchoring word. This can be a proven way to help keep the reader in suspense.

Avoid utilizing the same action word twice.

Most resume writers will agree totally that the number one reason behind a resume falling short is redundancies. Exactly the same is valid with action words; never utilize the same action verb twice in just about any given resume. The complete point of using action words would be to uniquely display functions, duties, and accomplishments. You will find so many action words to select from; never hesitate to explore and try new words.

Resume action words are not really a trendy commodity; they're fundamental in showcasing any applicant's true advanced vernacular and talent to make use of superior written and oral communication skills. In the current market, these talents are crucial and always in demand. Integrating and using resume action words in the proper consideration, appropriate capacity, and optimal concentration can effectively showcase these capabilities and truly enhance composition and content of any resume.

Trying to find new action words to include in your resume? Check The Muse's listing of 185 powerful verbs that'll make your resume stand out from the pack.

How can I use action verbs in my resume?

Using action verbs in resume writing is as easy as any other form of writing, as long as you know what to include and what to look for. Here are two tests to determine if you are using passive voice in your resume writing:

1. Verb Test: Look for helping verbs, especially forms of the verb "to be."

2. "By You" Test: Can you insert the phrase "by you" after the verb? Does the sentence still make grammatical sense? If yes, this signifies passive voice.

Scan the resume for these warning signs and replace passive resume writing with more active verbs and sentences. Here are a few examples of passive resume sentences:

1. A 20 percent revenue growth was realized in our department over two years.

2. A promotion to supervisor was awarded to me after only one year of service.

3. Responsibility was recognized as one of my strengths.

Here are the same examples rewritten using active voice:

1. My team realized 20 percent revenue growth over two years.

2. After only one year, I earned a promotion to supervisor.

3. Recognized for responsibility and proactive decisions.

The only time passive voice is appropriate is when you want to draw more attention to results instead of yourself. This is very rare, and you should focus on your achievements rather than your company's results.

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How to "wow" with your Resume Verbs - Free Templates

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When writing a resume, professional resume writers stress the importance of using action words to properly convey the achievements and accolades of any applicant. However, these nuances are not strictly for cosmetics; action words can showcase other key characteristics many recruiters look for: advanced verbal and oral communication skills.

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The do's and don'ts of email etiquette is something that has been on my mind a lot lately...
...oh the things we think about when #adulting...
Everything from day-to-day emails as well as mistakes made with email lists. I decided I needed to do a quick PSA about email etiquette. It's one of those things that I really struggled to learn as an early twenty-something, and often found myself crying and screaming:

Don't even get me started on the number of times I thought up sleuth-y schemes to break into my bosses office and delete said emails...?. Whether it's because I sounded dumb, forgot something, or wrote something full of typos and emoji's, I've probably made every email mistake in the book!

1. Do proofread your email. Please for the love of whatever is holy on this earth! Make sure you're words are spelled correctly ( at least mostly: DAMN YOU AUTOCORRECT!), grammar is on point, and that you included whatever you said you would include (always double-check those attachments!).

2. Do be clear, concise, and thorough. Nothing drives me crazier when I get a really generic email that is super vague and results in us having to go back and forth multiple times to get to the damn point! Whether you are emailing a boss, friends, or trying to pitch someone, please think to yourself "Is this the quickest and clearest way I can get my point across and convey all the relevant and necessary information?" If you can't quickly give me a "HELL YES!" then don't hit send!

3. Do make sure you have a signature. I can't even begin to tell you how much it annoys me when I can't easily stalk you on your social media platforms or find your phone number for a quick question. - Side note: on the flip side of including your number in your signature, please don't be one of those people who asks for a phone number if someone has it in their signature! #SMH - Include your full name, website, relevant social media platforms, phone number, etc. I don't want to waste my precious time stalking this information out, I will do it... but I will be cursing you the time.

4. Do use BCC if you're emailing a bunch of people. Who here loves getting an email with 50 people CC'ed and getting each one of them replying with "cool!", "got it!", "thanks!"? Not sure who? I'll tell you: IT'S NO ONE. No one likes their emails clogged with useless or irrelevant emails. So if you are sending a blast out to everyone and they only need to respond to you then please us BCC and leave me and my inbox out of everybody's replies.

5. Do reply with a courteous "received" or "got it". Just to double back to #4 where I talk about people responding "cool", "got it", or "thanks".... I actually LOVE receiving these emails if I am the one sending the email. In point #4, I hate it when I get those and I'm CC'ed. But people have a lot of issues with email being marked as spam, so please let me know you received my email! Even if you aren't responding in full at the time, just say "Great, thanks!" and I won't keep pestering you.

*Side note: to deal with all those pesky people not confirming receipt, I've started using Mailtrack

6.Don't send stupid chain emails. This isn't AOL in the 90s or early 00's. Read the previous statement in #4: Don't clog people's emails with useless or irrelevant crap. I don't care that your first-born will be taken by the cursed angel demon Damian if you don't send this to five friends, because guess what, if you send me that, we aren't really friends so you already F*'ed yourself!

7. Do check your emotions. This is one of the toughest for me. I get really passionate when I write sometimes, and will actually have entire written arguments... who's with me? I need to pause, take a breath, and check my emotions before sending most emails. When I was in the corporate world especially. I would even send them to my fiancée (screen shotted or copy and pasted into a text, never via company email!) to read it before sending. I wanted to make sure I came off as diplomatic, professional, and polished as possible. The practice of proofreading one another's emails has actually been really insightful in understanding perception. It's taught us both about how people read tones and how to even clean up the email to be clearer and more concise (See #2). Maybe enlist an email buddy or two? Just remember...

[RELATED] Harmful Communication Tactics To Drop Today

8. Don't send stuff you don't want seen or read via company email! They own that ish! Seriously, your company is probably not reading every email you send, but for safety sake, get into the mindset that they have an elf in the basement reading every email waiting to tattle to master if you mess up ( Yeah, I really just used Harry Potter to make a point about email etiquette... #WINNING!)

9. Do use an accurate subject line. If you are pitching someone, make it intriguing so they want to open it. If you're working with someone make sure it's specific to the conversation. It should be memorable, as in "what keywords would I search if I was trying to find this email?"

Examples:

Good subject line: "NYU Graduate, published author seeking content writer position"

Bad subject line: "Content writer position" (Where's the intrigue? Why should I open this compared to all the others? How can I easily search this compared to all the others?)

Good subject line: "Summary notes from 6/15 Summit discussion"

Bad subject line: "Notes"

10. Do set up a vacation auto-responder. If you are going away for more than two days, please use a vacation notification. Let me know that you won't be responding to my emails, rather than me wondering if they are in spam or you're ignoring me.

Bonus: 11. Do set up an adult email. Alright, this should be obvious, but [email protected] is probably not a good representation. It's time to use your name as your email.
What are your email pet peeves or email tips? Let me know in the comments!
[RELATED] 8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Entering The Workforce After College

1. Do proofread your email.

2. Do be clear, concise, and thorough.

3. Do make sure you have a signature.

4. Do use BCC if you're emailing a bunch of people.

5. Do reply with a courteous "received" or "got it".

6.Don't send stupid chain emails.

7. Do check your emotions.

8. Don't send stuff you don't want seen or read via company email!

9. Do use an accurate subject line.

10. Do set up a vacation auto-responder.

11. Do set up an adult email.

Now that you've nailed email etiquette, grab the guide to crafting your perfect 30-second elevator pitch!

I'm Rachel, the founder of The Confused Millennial, a lifestyle blog sharing personal experience and advice to help other confused millennials navigate this whole "#adulting" thing on topics like careers, entrepreneurship, finance, the home, relationships and more. After earning my Master's Degree in Counseling, and landing my "dream job" I found myself feeling completely miserable with no work-life balance. I rectified the situation by getting in touch with my passions and started coaching millennials to create their own blog or business that they could turn into a fulfilling and sustainable career. My expertise has been seen on Forbes as a contributing writer, Fast Company, Brit + Co, Dailyworth, and more. Learn more about working together on turning your blog into a business here.

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Do's & Don'ts Of Email Etiquette - The Confused Millennial

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The do's and don'ts of email etiquette is something that has been on my mind a lot lately... ...oh the things we think about when #adulting... Everything from day-to-day emails as well as mistakes made with email lists. I decided I needed to do a quick PSA about email etiquette.

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A lot has changed about the job interview process over the past few years. Now you can be asked to participate in a phone or video interview and even for proof that you're qualified for the job. But there is one thing that hasn't changed, and that is the need to send a thank-you note to your interviewers, to express your appreciation for the opportunity.

Here is a sample of what you should include in your thank-you email and tips on do's and don'ts, so you always leave the best impression with your interviewers.

Remember, this is just a sample to give you a sense of how to format your email and what to include.
Subject of Email: Thank You -- [Position of Job] Interview
Email Message:
Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]:

It was a pleasure speaking with you today about the [Job Position] at the [Name of Company].

The job matches perfectly with my skills and interests.

In addition to my enthusiasm, I will bring to the position [List your Strengths].

I appreciate the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in working for you, and look forward to hearing from you regarding this position.

Email Address

Phone Number

[LinkedIn URL]

Send your email within 24 hours of the interview.

Include all the interviewers in the same email or send separate emails to each person. If you choose to send your interviewers separate emails, your messages should vary somewhat. (It's a good idea to gather business cards, or make note of the interviewers' names during the meeting, so that you have a way of contacting them.)

Include the job position in the subject line and the words "thank you." This will ensure that the interviewers pay attention to your email.

Remind the interviewers of your qualifications and offer links to your online portfolios and other professional sites.

Don'ts

Irritate your interviewers with multiple emails. You should only send one thank-you email and a follow-up email a few days later.

Send them any personal social media links.

Be casual or use acronyms.

Send grammatically incorrect emails or ones that haven't been proofread. If possible, you should get another set of eyes to look over your emails before you hit "send."

RELATED: Email Etiquettes: How to Email Your Professors Without Annoying Them

Ria is currently a student at Sarah Lawrence College pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing and Sociology. She enjoys spending time with friends and family in her free time. She also has a bad habit of starting new tv shows at the most inconvenient times.

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How to Write A 'Thank-You' Email After An Interview | The University Network

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A lot has changed about the job interview process over the past few years. Now you can be asked to participate in a phone or video interview and even for proof that you're qualified for the job.

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Direct quotations help your academic writing because they support and emphasize specific points in your essay or research paper. They can be eloquent, powerful, and memorable. They are an important tool in any academic writer's toolbox.

However, the different rules and guidelines for using quotes can be confusing. When do you quote? How much should you rely on quotes and when are you using too many? What is the difference between citing quotations in APA and MLA?

There are some simple tips on how to use direct quotations in your essays and papers. You just need to understand the mistakes some writers have made and see how to do use quotes effectively.

2 Big Direct Quotation Mistakes

There are 2 common mistakes students make when using quotations in their academic writing:

1. They use too many quotations in their essays.

2. They do not show how quotations relate to their essays (I call this leaving a quotation hanging).

These are both easy problems to solve. And by the end of this post, you'll be able to fix them on your own.

Mistake # 1 Using too many quotations in an essay.

Your professors want to know your ideas about the topic of your paper. If you use quotations to state facts that could be paraphrased or summarized, then your professors will think you are "filling up space" in your paper. They will feel you don't have your own ideas. Or even worse, they will assume you don't understand your topic and evidence.

You need to be selective with the quotations you use in your academic writing.

So how do you decide when to include a quotation in your paper? There are four questions that will help guide you. If you can answer yes to any of these questions then try including the quotation in your academic paper.

1. Does this author say something striking or well-written? Here you should consider if the quotation is unique, or if the author of the quotation says something in an original way.

2. Are the words themselves a piece of evidence? For example, if you analyze a piece of literature you want to include the original words in that literature.

3. Do you want to disagree with an author's statement or point of view? When you argue with an author you want to quote the words exactly so that you are fair to that person. You don't want to misuse their words to prove your own point.

4. Does this quotation enhance something in your paper?

Can you answer yes to any of the questions? If not, try paraphrasing or summarizing the original quotation. See if your paraphrase or summary gives the same valuable information that's in the original one.

Professors want to read your ideas about what you've studied. So, let them read your words, and use other people's words to emphasize your ideas.

Mistake # 2 Quotations do not relate to the ideas in a research paper.

Your quotations must prove or demonstrate something in your paper. Show your reader how the quotation relates to your ideas. You can do this by making The Quotation Veggie Burger (yes, I'm vegetarian).

The Quotation Veggie Burger is made up of three parts: 1) the lead-in, t2) the quotation, and 3) the interpretation.

1) The top roll is the lead-in: Introduce the context of the quotation. This could include the title of the source, the author's name, and/ or background information.

2) The veggie burger is the quotation: Include the direct quote with the in-text citation.

3) The bottom roll is the interpretation: Explain the importance of the quotation and how it connects to your point.

Using the Quotation Veggie Burger in In-text (Short) Direct Quotations

This in-text quotation from the book Charlotte's Web includes all the ingredients that make up a quotation veggie burger. The lead-in is in blue. It is the first part of the sentence where the quotation begins. Here, I included the book's name, Charlotte's Web, and the author's name, E.B. White, and I described the background situation of the quotation where Wilbur meets Charlotte for the first time.

The quotation is in black print. It begins at the end of the first sentence. The quote has double quotation marks. The in-text citation is in parenthesis and it includes the page number of the quote.

The interpretation is in green. This is where I explain what the quotation shows and how it relates to my paper.

The example above uses the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style citation.

If you write an in-text quotation in MLA Style follow these guidelines:

1. If a quotation is 4 lines or fewer then blend it into the sentences in the paragraph.

2. Use quotation marks at the beginning and end of the quotation.

3. Include the author's last name and the page where you can find the quotation. In the above example, I included the author's name in the lead-in, so I only cited the page number in the reference.

4. Put the period after the reference. For example: (41).

Using The Quotation Veggie Burger for Block (Long) Direct Quotations

Long quotations are also called block quotations. A quotation becomes a block quotation if it is more than 4 lines. The format between in-text and block quotations is different, but The Quotation Veggie Burger works for both types. This block quotation from Charlotte's Web uses The Quotation Veggie Burger.

The blue sentence is the lead-in, and this sets up the quotation. I describe the situation in which Wilbur is looking at the web.

The quotation is in black print. It is indented and there are no quotation marks. There is a reference at the end of the quotation.

The interpretation is in green print. Here, I explained how Wilbur hopes Charlotte's web will impress the people at the fair so that Mr. Zuckerman decides to let him live.

If you are writing a block quotation in MLA style follow these format guidelines:

1. Indent your block quotation ½ of an inch. This is the same length as a paragraph indent.

2. Don't use quotation marks.

3. Put a period at the end of the quotation.

4. Include the author last's name and the page number in the citation. In this example, I included the author's name with the page number in the reference. But if you quote from the same source earlier you could put down the page number. Ex: (147)

5. Put the reference in parenthesis at the end of the quotation.

Differences Between Writing Quotations in MLA and APA Styles

You can use The Quotation Veggie Burger with MLA style, APA style, etc. The key components of what to include when using quotations in academic writing are the same. The differences are in the citations. I've included a chart to show the differences between MLA and APA styles.

What you need to remember about using quotations in academic writing is don't overdo it with too many and make sure you connect your quotations to the ideas in your paper.

Do these two things and the quotations in your academic essays will impress teachers and professors.

Want to know more about writing a great research paper? Check out my blog post, " How to Write a Research Paper Professors Will Love" at https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/how-to-write-a-research-paper/

Write a great research paper with the free guide, How to Write a Research Paper That Will Blow Your Professor's Mind.

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The Simple Secret to Writing Direct Quotations - Academic Writing Success

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Direct quotations help your academic writing because they support and emphasize specific points in your essay or research paper. They can be eloquent, powerful, and memorable. They are an important tool in any academic writer's toolbox. However, the different rules and guidelines for using quotes can be confusing. When do you quote?

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The 10-Step Guide to Proofreading Essays Quickly (Infographic)

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Really need that higher grade? Wonder how others write successful admission essays? Then, this infographic is for you. Tune in and find out how to write great essays. Easy.

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It's an important question because an introduction is the first impression readers have of your research paper. A strong introduction tells your readers not only what you will prove or show- it makes them want to read it.

You want to write an introduction that engages your reader, conveys the importance of your topic, and how and what you plan to demonstrate. These elements are what moves your audience, so they feel a desire to finish your research paper.

A powerful introduction says to the reader, "You must read me!"

3 Key Components of Strong Introductions

So what are the key parts a good introduction should have? 1) a compelling hook, 2) important background information and 3) a provable and specific thesis statement. If you put those 3 pieces together you'll have an effective introduction.

#1 Compelling Hook

A hook is the first 1 or 2 sentences of your paper. It is meant to grab your readers' attention, so they want to see what comes next. If you want to learn about hooks check out my blog post, "7 Sensational Types of Essay Hooks." https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/7-sensational-types-of-essay-hooks/ There you'll find more details about hooks and how to use them in your essays.

Here are 5 that work well in academic writing.

Powerful Statement /Declaration

In this hook, you begin with a sentence that makes a firm claim. For example, "Every day Facebook invades its users' privacy." This sentence forces readers to reflect on whether or not they agree with this statement. To do that they need to read your research paper.

In this case, most people have already formed an opinion about Facebook, and here you'll either challenge or deepen their perspectives.

Fact/ Statistic

This hook is popular because people love to learn facts and statistics. Studies can be very persuasive. We regard studies as evidence or proof and place great value on statistics. When readers see statistics, they want to know more about how it will relate to what you write. However, make sure the facts you use come from a credible source.

Intriguing Question

When you start your paper or essay with a question, people will want to learn the answer to it. They are naturally curious, so an intriguing question makes them want to continue reading. Make sure this question connects to what you will write about. An off-topic question is confusing.

Striking Quotation

Quotations are very popular. They can be inspiring and thought-provoking. You can use quotations from famous people, experts, characters, or even people mentioned in your paper. For example, if you are writing a case study you could select a quotation from one of the participants in the study. Quotations work well when they connect with the rest of your academic essay or paper. Make sure the relationship between the quotation and your writing is clear.

Simile/Metaphor

In this hook, you take 2 different things and state how they are similar or the same. For example, "Facebook is a digital version of prison people want to be in." This sentence takes 2 different things "Facebook" and "prison" and claims they are alike. The comparison of Facebook being like a digital version of prison is a strong visual. Your readers will want to see how you show a connection between these 2 things.

Both similes and metaphors accomplish the same thing in your hook. The difference is that a simile uses the words "like" and "as" to make the comparison, "Writing a novel is like running a marathon." A metaphor states one thing is another, "Writing a novel is running a marathon."

#2 Important Background Information

The next group of sentences in your introduction express the circumstance and/or relevant information about your topic. A lot of times you will see writers describe a problem, an issue or provide historical context.

Include the information people need to know to understand your topic and why it matters. If you are writing about Facebook and privacy, people would want to see what the situation is and why privacy matters. A good question to ask here is, "What is the context?"

Also, start with general information first and in the following sentences be more specific. Those specific sentences lead to the most important piece of your introduction: your thesis statement.

#3 Provable and Specific Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence that describes what you will prove or show in your research paper. Think of it as the point of view (POV) or opinion you have about your topic. It also guides how you will organize your essay or paper.

A strong thesis statement is clear and specific and one you can prove. For example, Children should not use digital devices until they are at least 3 years old because it lowers their attention span, limits social interaction and causes sleep problems.

This thesis statement sets up the organization of your paper. Each of the 3 effects of children using digital devices is part of the body. These sections of the body would go toward proving your thesis statement.

Body Part A: Digital devices lower a child's attention span.

Body Part B: Digital devices limit a child's social interaction with others.

Body Part C: Digital devices cause sleep problems.

So how do you create a thesis statement?

1. Examine your topic, and briefly research it. I suggest reading any class notes you have and reading some background sources on your topic. What do people say about your topic?

2. Ask yourself, "What do I think about this topic?"

3. Brainstorm ideas and review them. What are the ideas that you can find research on?

4. Write a sentence that connects your topic to what you will show, reveal, or prove about it. (Do not use the first person "I think" or "I feel" in your thesis statement).

5. Evaluate your thesis statement. Is it specific? Can you prove it with evidence?

Write A Strong Introduction

There are different ways you can approach writing an introduction. You could write the body of your paper first and then write the introduction. You could write the thesis statement first and then write the hook and background information.

I like to write a thesis statement first, write the body of my paper and then the conclusion. Afterward, I go back and write the rest of my introduction.

Some people like to begin with a hook and write a strong introduction before anything else. Write the way that suits you best. As long as you include a compelling hook, important background information, and a provable and specific thesis statement, you'll have an impressive introduction.
Want help writing an argumentative thesis statement?
Sign-up below and get the Free Guide, How to Write an Argumentative Thesis Statement.

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How to Write a Strong Introduction to a Research Paper - Academic Writing Success

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It's an important question because an introduction is the first impression readers have of your research paper. A strong introduction tells your readers not only what you will prove or show- it makes them want to read it. You want to write an introduction that engages your reader, conveys the importance of your topic, and how and what you plan to demonstrate.

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If you want to rock that degree and don the mortarboard, you need to learn how to paraphrase effectively.

Why You Need to Know How to Paraphrase

Don't fall for any of that claptrap that paraphrasing is nothing more than cleverly disguised plagiarism.
ALL the best students know how to paraphrase.
In fact, quite often, the only thing that separates those who get the A grade from the bottom-of-the-class stragglers is that some people know how to paraphrase better than others... something that academic editors know only too well.

If you want to write a good essay, knowing how to paraphrase effectively is pretty much essential. The only other two options you have are:

1. Copy a great essay or passage word for word and hope your prof. doesn't notice, or

2. Write an essay that is one steady stream of direct quotation after direct quotation.

Neither of these will win you any brownie points... but paraphrasing will.

However, don't be tempted to use a rewriting tool or spinner because the don't work. You'll just be wasting your time and money.

Paraphrasing Versus Quoting

Quoting

When you quote a passage, you copy the exact words directly into your paper and attribute the quotation to the source. You let your professor know that you have copied the text by surrounding it with quotation marks; for example:

"The new clown will register his or her formal clown name with the official clown registry no less than ten days before and no sooner than forty-five days before the first official performance" (Clown Association of Timbuktu, 2017).

Paraphrasing

When you paraphrase material, you include all the key points but use your own words.

To paraphrase effectively without setting the plagiarism alarm bells ringing, you need to use as few words as possible from the original passage without changing its meaning.

Even though you have paraphrased the material, you will still need to cite it. Otherwise, you are still taking credit for someone else's work.

According to the Clown Association of Timbutu (2017), new clowns are required to formally register their clown names at some point between 45 and 10 days in advance of their first public performance.

If you need help paraphrasing, check out our paraphrasing services.

How to Paraphrase

Learning how to paraphrase can be a breeze. Follow the steps below, and you'll be amazed how easy it is.

1. Read through the whole passage and make sure you understand its meaning.

2. Put the passage to one side and summarize, in your own words, the key points of the text. Leave any shared language; i.e., technical terms or conventional names, the same.

3. Go back to the original passage and make sure you have captured all the main points in an entirely new form without plagiarizing or repeating the text verbatim (word for word).

4. If any section or term in the paraphrased text is exactly the same as that included in the original passage, either reword it or use quotation marks to identify the information that has been exactly borrowed from the source.

5. If some of the words in your paraphrased text are the same as the original, use a thesaurus to find an alternative.

6. Record the source in brackets after the paraphrased content (you still need to give credit where it is due!).

Paraphrasing Checklist

1. Is the text written in your own words?

2. Have you placed any phrases that are from the original source in quotation marks and cited accordingly?

3. Have you cited the source of the paraphrased content?

Do your paraphrasing skills still suck? Get professional help! Check out our rewriting services. English rewriters can transform quotes into valid paraphrased content that contain zero plagiarism while reflecting the original meaning of the text. Take a look at our online rewriting services now.

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How to Paraphrase: A Super Simple Printable Guide

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If you want to rock that degree and don the mortarboard, you need to learn how to paraphrase effectively. Don't fall for any of that claptrap that paraphrasing is nothing more than cleverly disguised plagiarism. ALL the best students know how to paraphrase.

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The Research Process is a step-by-step information skills framework that improves student metacognition by making the learning process explicit. Why a process? Information literacy skills should...

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Learn how and when to use a colon (:) with examples and useful colon punctuation rules. The mark (:) in the middle of a sentence indicates that the second half of the sentence explains or provides examples of what is described in the first half.

Colon (:)

What is a colon?

The punctuation mark (:) consists of two dots, one above the other. It signals that the second half of the sentence is going to explain or give examples of something mentioned in the first half.

Examples:

I'm taking four classes this semester: biology, philosophy, physics, and ancient Greek.

I'll give him credit for one thing: he's certainly persistent.

When to use a colon
Use the mark to introduce something in the second half of the sentence that explains, completes, or gives examples of what is mentioned in the first half.

It may introduce a list.

The following novels will be on the exam: Moby Dick, Great Expectations, and The Brothers Karamazov.

Here are some of my favorite foods: fried chicken, lobster, and corn on the cob.

The mark (:) may introduce an explanation or example.

She's ready to move on to a new school: this one has taught her everything that's available there.

Amsterdam is filled with great museums: just walk around and you'll find one.

Unlike the semicolon, the colon may introduce a clause or just a series of nouns that do not form a complete sentence.

Examples:

Complete sentence: Manchester United face a difficult task: they must win the next six matches.

Clause: Bring me a 50-lb. box of cat litter: the kind that contains deodorant.

List: We're ready for the following patients: López, Santamaria, Trinidad, Rincónes.

The mark (:) may also be used to build up to something that is revealed after the colon.

I can bring a great strength to your company: my writing skills.

She said she wanted to be sure to go to one place before she died: New Zealand.

How to use the colon with quotation marks

The mark (:) always goes outside the closing quotation mark, whether you are writing British or American English.

"Always look before you leap": that is useful advice.

Special usage

If both halves of the sentence are complete sentences in themselves, either a colon or a semicolon may often be used. The mark (:) places greater emphasis on what comes after the colon.

We can enter at the next gate; there are fewer people there.

We have a problem: hundreds of people are outside, but we have nothing to sell to them.

When to use a colon with useful punctuation rules | infographic

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Colon (:) When to Use a Colon with Colon Punctuation Rules - Punctuation Marks

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Learn how and when to use a colon (:) with examples and useful colon punctuation rules. The mark (:) in the middle of a sentence indicates that the second half of the sentence explains or provides examples of what is described in the first half.

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This chart from Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma. Some of the items represent style choices instead of rules, such as how to use a comma in a list, but when you're making a simple list, you have to make choices! We hope you find it useful.

Right-click or hit control-click to print just the image.
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Commas with Participial Phrases

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How to Use Commas: A Summary - Quick and Dirty Tips ™

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This chart from Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma.

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Most Important Academic Words List - English Grammar Here

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English Most Important Academic Words List Analyze Assess Approach Pursue Estimate Involve Respond Categorize Link Remove Commit Implement Focus Perceive Select Consent Survive Derive Allocate Identify Imply Publish Specify Contrast Isolate Submit Detect Restore Establish Process Affect Maintain Access Refine Emerge Require Justify Rely Attribute Grant Publish Clarify Guide Attain Generate Inhibit Aid Confirm Assume Contract Modify Monitor Evaluate Participate Seek Compensate Prioritize Define Function Legislate Demonstrate Illustrate Locate Validate Occur Conduct Invest Survey Integrate Deviate Allocate Precede Diminish State Enforce Faciliate Regulate Transfer Contribute Emphasize Assist Consume Obtain Restrict Occupy Indicate Adapt Comprehend Claim Decline Expand Promote Intervene Reverse

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Commonly Confused Words in English - English Grammar Here

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Most Commonly Confused Words in English Word Meaning Word Meaning Accept Receive Except Leave out Affect Influence Effect Result Allowed Permitted Aloud Clearly heard Allude Make indirect reference Elude Escape from something Ate Past tense of eat Eight The number Break Smash, split Brake Stopping device By Preposition Buy Purchase Capital City, wealth Capitol Building Coarse Rough Course Way or path Ensure Guarantee Insure Financial liability Farther Physical distance Further Abstract idea For Preposition Four The number Forth Forward Fourth Comes after third Hear Perceive Here In this place Loose Free Lose Misplace Peace Absence of war Piece Part, portion

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#English PUNCTUATION cheatsheet

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#English PUNCTUATION cheatsheet

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— FingerTipsResources (@Ftips_Resources) July 23, 2016

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#English PUNCTUATION cheatsheet

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Punctuation Marks List and Example Sentences

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APA Citation Quick Guide | Piktochart Visual Editor

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Business, Education, and Psychology consistently use the APA Style.

The t CofC's North Campus under call number Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition) contains the definitive answers to your APA citation questions. Copies are available on permanent reserve at the Addlestone Library Circulation Desk on the main campus and a BF76.7 .P83 2010 .

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LibGuides: Citation Styles: APA Citation Style

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Business, Education, and Psychology consistently use the APA Style. The t CofC's North Campus under call number Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition) contains the definitive answers to your APA citation questions. Copies are available on permanent reserve at the Addlestone Library Circulation Desk on the main campus and a BF76.7 .P83 2010 .

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Taking Care of Yourself like a Damn Adult

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Taking Care of Yourself like a Damn Adult

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Being a well-adjusted human has never been easier.

1. For maybe tricking yourself into being a morning person:

2. For scheduling small bursts of self-care:

3. For taking out the mental trash:

6. For making the most of your alone time:

8. For finding the perfect way to take care of yourself:

25. For making sure you're getting the help you need:

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25 Cheat Sheets For Taking Care Of Yourself Like A Damn Adult

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Being a well-adjusted human has never been easier. 1. For maybe tricking yourself into being a morning person: 2. For scheduling small bursts of self-care: 3. For taking out the mental trash: 6. For making the most of your alone time: 8. For finding the perfect way to take care of yourself: 25.

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24 Quick Daily Habits You Can Use to Be Smarter

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Would like to be better, faster, stronger Faster, Sleeker, Better: How To Switch From Chrome/Firefox To Safari Thinking about using Safari on your Mac, but worried you might lose features and bookmarks? Here's a quick guide to comfortably moving to Apple's web browser, without missing out.

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r/LearnUselessTalents: This is a place to learn how to do cool things that have no use other than killing time and impressing strangers.

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Types, list, and examples of logical fallacies. You may have heard of the logical fallacy and pondered over what it was and how it can be used. In this article, we are going to be looking at logical fallacies in a little more depth finding out what they are and how they function. We are also going to be looking at some examples of logical fallacies to gain a further understanding of how they work.

What Is A Logical Fallacy?

A logical fallacy is something which is used commonly in a variety of ways on purpose such as in politics or in sales. However, when we are writing we might sometimes create a logical fallacy without realising it and it is important to be able to avoid this.

But we must first understand what a logical fallacy is. Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning or an assumption which is false. The logical fallacy will undermine the logic within an argument, they might be seen to appear as an irrelevant point or an argument which is not legitimate. They can be easily picked out as they don't contain evidence which will support the claim being made.

Types Of Logical Fallacies

The logical fallacy does not simply come in one form, there are many different types of logical fallacy and in order to be able to spot them, it is important that we understand the difference between each one. We are now going to take a look at the different types of logical fallacies and some examples to demonstrate their use.

The Slippery Slope

The slippery slope is a common type of logical fallacy whereby the author or speaker will equate A to Z. For example, they will tell you that if you wish to prevent Z from happening then A must never occur, despite these two things being completely unrelated in most cases. The writer assumes that if situation A were to occur, then B and C and D and so on would naturally follow. Let's take a look at an example of this.
If we are to ban air travel because of its negative effect on the environment then eventually the authorities would ban every type of motorised travel. Therefore we should not ban air travel.
You can see that the argument is not at all logical and just because one extreme thing is occurring in the argument, it cannot be automatically presumed that this will create a snowball effect.

Hasty Generalization

In this type of logical fallacy - hasty generalization, the writer or speaker will jump to a conclusion before they understand all the facts which are relevant to it. In the following example, we see that the writer is making an evaluation of his new job based on the first morning spent there which is not a clear indication of the truth of the situation.
Despite it being only noon on the morning of my first day at my new job, I can sense that this is going to be too much hard work.
In this form of logical fallacy the speaker or writer will assume that A is a result of B owing to the fact that A took place after B. An example of this might look as follows:
I ate lunch at that new cafe and this evening I am ill, that cafe must not be clean.
The assumption that eating at the cafe was a cause of illness is not logical since there could be a huge variety of reasons that the writer is sick. Just because one event happened after another, it does not mean there is an automatic connection between the two.

Genetic Fallacy

Someone using genetic fallacy will assume that the background of an idea, person, place, etc determines its nature or worth. An example of this might be as follows:
All German people are bad because the leader of that country started the second world war.
One cannot link the entire population of Germany with being bad simply because of one persons behaviour in history.

Begging The Claim

Begging the question - This is a form of logical fallacy where the claim that is being made is backed up within itself. Let's take a look at an example of this.
Dirty and bacteria ridden water should not be ingested.
Circular Argument

The circular argument does not prove the argument but rather restates its. This is done by using two claims which mean the same thing but by not giving any specific evidence to back this up. Here is an example of what this might sound like.
Van Gogh was an excellent artist because he painted well.
Both of the claims in this sentence mean the same thing but neither give us any real evidence to back them up. Both of them require further data to be proven to be correct.

Either/Or

This type of logical fallacy brings the argument down to one of two choices making it overly simple. A good example of this might be as follows.
We either have the choice of stopping the use of motor vehicles or ruining the planet.
This sentence tells us that there are only two options however there is no mention to the wealth of other choices that could be considered such as reducing the use of motor vehicles or using cleaner versions of these.

A form of logical fallacy which is used to attack someone's character instead of their argument or opinion. Let's take a look at an example of this.
The strategies of Greenpeace are not effective since they are just a bunch of lazy, unclean tree huggers.
The writer here does not describe which strategies he is referring to nor does he try to look at the positive points, rather he simply makes a personal attack on the character of those within the group.

Bandwagon Appeal

This type of logical fallacy is also known as the 'ad populum' and will use an opinion of the masses as a way to convince one person to believe the same thing. Let's take a look at an example of this.
If you were a true Brit, you would back the views of the Queen.
The writer here makes the reader feel as though they want to be 'a true Brit' however being a true Brit does not necessarily mean that one should have the same views as the monarch, as the author of this sentence would suggest. There is no logical connection between the two ideas.

Red Herring

This type of logical fallacy, red herring, is used in order to evade the issue at heart, it is used as a way of steering clear of the opposing argument instead of addressing it. An example of this might be as follows.
The rising levels of mercury within sea food is not safe, but what are fishermen going to do to provide for their loved ones?
The writer of this sentence does not tackle the issue at the heart of the problem but rather turns his attention to another point.

Straw Man

The straw man is used as a way of making the opponent's view overly simple and then attacking the argument which now appears hollow. Let's look at an example of this.
Those who do not support the minimum wage rise which has been proposed clearly dislike the poor.
The writer is implying that the opposition has a view which is not necessarily true and creating an emotional response within the audience. Just because the opposition does not agree with the wage rise, this has no bearing on his feelings towards a certain group of people.

Reductio Ad Absurdum

Reductio ad absurdum shows an opposite of the claim that has being made and how it would draw nothing but an absurd conclusion, therefore, disproving the theory.
I am taking my driver's test tomorrow, so please do pray for me. If a lot of people pray about this then God will allow me to pass the test with ease.
False Equivalence

The false equivalence fallacy is one which shows up regularly in day to day conversation as well as in written pieces such as newspaper articles and other media.

Learn more about the definition and examples of the false equivalence fallacy here.

Moral Equivalence

The final type of logical fallacy that we will look at is one where the writer or speaker will compare a minor misdeed against something much more major. This gives the impression that both are as bad as one another. Let's take a look at an example of this.
The person who took my seat on the bus is as bad as Satan.
The author is making a comparison between a very mild thing and something completely evil, making such a comparison is neither fair nor accurate.

Logical Fallacies Infographic
Different Types of Logical Fallacies

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Logical Fallacies: Definition, Types, List And Examples Of Logical Fallacies - 7 E S L

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Types, list, and examples of logical fallacies. You may have heard of the logical fallacy and pondered over what it was and how it can be used. In this article, we are going to be looking at logical fallacies in a little more depth finding out what they are and how they function.

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A piece of writing is shaped and influenced by its surrounding circumstances and contexts. The rhetorical situation can be described in five parts: purpose, audience, topic, writer, and context. These parts work together to better describe the circumstances and contexts of a piece of writing, which if understood properly, can help you make smart writing choices in your work. See our handouts on context and audience for more information.

NOTE: The rhetorical situation is based loosely on the rhetorical triangle. The purpose and the topic create the text while the audience and writer make up the other two parts.

The Parts of the Rhetorical Situation

Purpose

Consider what the purpose of the writing is. Are you writing to inform, evaluate, analyze, or convince? Each of these purposes carries specific conventions and dictates how the writing will be formed.

Audience

When writing anything, consider who is being addressed. Audiences bring in their own perspectives, biases, experiences, and expectations, which can make writing for a particular audience difficult.

Topic

The topic is the content of your writing. The topic may be self-selected or assigned, but writers should try and find an angle that they are motivated to write about. The topic should also be broad enough to fit the assignment's parameters and specific enough to go into detail.

Writer

Writers, just like their audience, are influenced by a number of things, like their age, locations, perspective, bias, culture, experiences, and expectations. Writers may need to consider whether the traits they are bringing in will have a positive or negative outcome on their audience. For example, even if you are particularly passionate about a topic, you may have to show restraint in expressing those views to more effectively convince an audience. Your writing must connect with your target audience if you want to successfully motivate change.

Context

The context describes the circumstances surrounding the writing, which include the time (when the text was written), location (blog, academic journal, etc.), and the culture surrounding the text.

Example

Sometimes your rhetorical situation can be quite complex, especially when school assignments ask you to write in different contexts for an unfamiliar audience. In these situations, you might wonder who the audience is-the audience that is written on the page or your instructor? In these cases, you will have to balance your teacher's expectations and still conform to the expectations of the imagined audience. Below is an example of a prompt and how the rhetorical situation is broken down for it.

Prompt: You are in a composition 101 course, and your assignment asks you to write an evaluation of an argumentative article of your choice by rhetorically analyzing the decisions the author has made. Based on this evaluation, argue why the article is or isn't convincing for its intended audience. This evaluation should directly respond and engage with the author who wrote the article.

Purpose

This writing assignment's purpose is to evaluate a piece of writing rhetorically. Since this paper is meant to engage with the writer of the article, an underlying purpose would likely be to offer constructive feedback on what they have written in a respectful way.

Audience

In this case, the audience will be the author of the article you have chosen to read. This means you will have to frame your criticisms carefully so you do not upset your reader or give the wrong impression. Consider your instructor as a secondary audience because while they have asked that you write to this specific person, your instructor will ultimately be grading your work based on the requirements of the assignment.

Topic

The topic of this paper is just one argumentative article and how well that article articulates its argument to its intended audience. This topic is narrow, but it also provides many avenues to explore, in detail, the author's rhetorical choices.

Writer

With this college level assignment, you are asked to interact with someone who has published their work in a professional setting. As a college student, this could be intimidating considering that most college students may not have much experience engaging with rhetorical concepts and evaluating professional writers. However, this assignment is the perfect opportunity for you to present yourself in your writing as a professional student who is thoughtful and critically engaged.

Context

No piece of writing exists in a vacuum, but is always a piece of all that exists around, what has come before and what will follow. This paper exists within the culture of your university, of American culture, of scholarly writing, and of the contemporary milieu. These factors will influence the way your paper is evaluated.

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The Rhetorical Situation - Center for Academic Success - UIS

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A piece of writing is shaped and influenced by its surrounding circumstances and contexts. The rhetorical situation can be described in five parts: purpose, audience, topic, writer, and context. These parts work together to better describe the circumstances and contexts of a piece of writing, which...

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Rhetoric: The Art of Argument and Persuasion

"Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the

Unit Aims: Students will understand the role and use of language as a means of influence and persuasion.

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Rhetoric: The Art of Argument and Persuasion | Schoology

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Rhetoric: The Art of Argument and Persuasion "Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the Unit Aims: Students will understand the role and use of language as a means of influence and persuasion.

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Welcome back! Today we are going to talk time management tips for students! As a student myself, I've always been trying to find the best ways to be more productive and manage my time better. So here are my best time management tips for students!

Blocking your computer or phone for a set amount of time from social media is one of my favorite ways to be more productive and manage my time better.

Apps called FocusMe, AppBlock, SelfControl, or Flipd allow you to block certain websites or apps for a set amount of time, with no option to turn it off. You have to wait for the timer to expire before having access to the apps again.

Believe it or not, it is super effective and makes you really focus on your work and studies.

2. Use a planner

This one is pretty common, but there are students who still don't use planners. So if you are one of them; this section is for you!:)

If you are a creative person who can set aside a little time for planning, I recommend trying the bullet journal system.

If you haven't heard of it, it's basically a custom system where you have a blank planner and create your spreads yourself as you need.

Since you probably clicked on this post because you want to manage your time better because you have too many tasks and not enough time, getting a regular planner might be better for you.

Just make sure to write in every due date, homework, and your to-do lists, to make it effective.

3. Create daily schedules

As I already mentioned in my 10 Girl Boss Organization Hacks post, having a schedule is crucial to staying organized and improving your time management skills.

As soon as you know your class schedule, whether you go to college, high school, or are online/homeschooled, write down your schedule and use the time-blocking strategy to plan out your days and weeks.

the time-blocking strategy

This strategy is basically just a way of planning each day of your week. You make a section for the times of day you are awake and schedule out your classes and tasks in timeframes, including fun things, appointments, and me-time.

Here is an example:

That way you can visualize how your day looks like and how much time you spend on what task.

4. Batch tasks on your schedule

This way of organizing my week has helped me so much with time management.

Being a student with an own business (this blog), I need to plan out what day I am doing which task of myweekly to-do list.

Doing everything every day was not working for me and I ended up wasting a lot of time doing things that didn't matter.

How I solved it:

I batched similar tasks to one day. So one day is blog post day, another day I focus on creating email sequences and work on everything email-list related.

Applying that to a student schedule, you can work on one class's assignments on one day instead of pushing it back and always just doing a little bit. Sure, you have to divide big projects into smaller pieces and get one piece done per day, but speaking of smaller tasks, it can be helpful to get similar things done at once.

5. Plan out your study time

Our next point in time management tips for students is to plan out your study time. It isn't enough to just say "study" in your schedule.

Write down your exact assignment, section it, and tackle each section separately. Depending on how big your assignment is, you can do one section a day.

Color coding your study plan is also a good way to keep different classes organized and separate so you don't confuse them.

Here is an example of a study plan:

By that, I just mean to set an imaginary due date 1-2 days before the actual deadline, so you have some extra time to review your work on big projects and assignments.

Doing that will help you relax a little on the day before the deadline. You should still mark the actual due date in your planner, but for the study plan, consider setting the end date 2 days earlier.

You can write " turn in.." on the due date, and " complete ... by .. " on your "fake" due date.

7. Set goals

One of my favorite time management tips for students is to set goals. I set yearly goals at the beginning of the year and break them down into smaller goals for each month.

And it's okay if they get outdated! Adjust goals as you go to make them reachable and work for you.

Having goals makes you hold onto things you want to achieve and makes it even better when you get them done.

8. Self-care

Taking care of yourself is super important, especially when school gets a lot. Make sure to set aside some me-time and write it in your schedule so you don't skip it.

I've done that many times whenever I didn't set time aside for doing something other than school or work, because I think there are so many things to spend my time on that are more productive. But STOP!

YOU are the most important part of your life, and you can't skip that, even if you think you are super busy and have tons of things to get done.

Sticking to your schedule doesn't only apply to the school or work part of it, but also the fun things you have scheduled.

Those were my 8 time management tips for students! I hope they give you some inspiration to manage your time better and you find the ones that work for you!

Don't forget to check out my 10 organization hacks!

Until soon,

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8 Time Management Tips for Students for Better Grades | myclickjournal

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Welcome back! Today we are going to talk time management tips for students! As a student myself, I've always been trying to find the best ways to be more productive and manage my time better. So here are my best time management tips for students!

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* This blog post does contain affiliate links. I only recommend things that truly believe are a great product or service. *

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: College is expensive. Tuition, housing, groceries, meal plan, clothing, textbooks, toiletries, gas money, insurance... it all adds up to a lot.

With all of those costs building up, often on top of student loans, it is no wonder that 73% of students work at least 1 part time job during the school year.

I'm in the same boat, juggling work and college.

I'm currently working 3 paying jobs: A typical desk job where I do web design/graphic design/social media and promotional management which I commute to, running this blog which gives me a small source of income, and doing some freelance graphic design projects currently for a local theatre.

On top of these, I also work 2 non-paying jobs: Running my school's Her Campus chapter, and working on stage crew or stage management crew for my local professional theatre.

If you can't tell from reading that.. I'm a busy person. My friends always say it, and it's true: A busy Dani is a happy Dani. I love being involved, leading, creating, writing, organizing, and making a difference. I make sure to display that and stay true to that through my jobs.

However, juggling all of that plus school work is a lot to handle. I have definitely reached my fair share of breaking points throughout the school year where I have become incredibly overwhelmed with the amount of work I have chosen to take on. It's weird though, I love it. I thrive off of it, off being successful like this. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

If you are just starting to figure out how you can be juggling work and college at the same time, it can be scary and confusing and overwhelming. Here are some tips that I have picked up along the way that might help you out with this new transition:

Video:

Want to watch or listen to this post, instead of reading it? Here's a quick, in-depth video I created so you can listen and watch along with this post.

Schedule Wisely

One of the most difficult things about deciding to take on a job on top of classes is trying to find the time to make it all work without overloading yourself. If you work a job in which you have the chance to choose your own hours, you are one of the lucky ones!

Schedule your classes around your work. Schedule your work around your classes. And schedule in time to have fun!

I am able to do this with my desk job, as my boss is pretty lenient with it. I specifically made sure that I had long gaps on at least two days during the week in which I could drive the 20 minutes commute to my office and back while still having enough time to make going into work worth it.

In case you're interested in my specific schedule, here's what I do for going into work:

Wednesday: Work from 10-3:30. Dinner. Class from 5:30 - 6:30.

Friday: Work from 9-12. Class from 1-2:50. Lunch.

There I schedule in chunks of time to make sure that I have a presence in the office, am able to make some decent money, and am still able to make it to my classes. Monday I would have time to go into work in the morning but I specifically blocked that off as a time to sleep in, relax, visit my boyfriend, and get any extra homework done.

If you are lucky enough to only need to work on the weekend then take advantage of that as much as you can! Work as many hours as possible, since you don't need to schedule it around classes, and make sure to do your studying during the week.

Related Post: What to Carry in a College Backpack.

Use a Planner

Ok, ok, I know that you're probably thinking "gosh Dani, we get it, you've preached to us enough about planners!" but hear me out: it works!

How do I juggle my crazy work load and still keep sane? My planner. I have 3 planners that I work with to be able to organize everything. Even if it is during the summer and I'm only working one or two jobs with no classes, I still need to use a planner to keep it all together.

Don't think that you're not busy enough to need a planner, there are planners for everybody out there. Not sure which one is for you and will help you with juggling work and college? Check out my complete guide to choosing a planner!

Planner Recommendations

Not sure where to start on the planner search? Here's some recommendations:

More Planners

Interested in trying out some other planners? Here's some recommendations!

Remember School Comes First

This kind of plays back with the first point of scheduling: make sure you schedule in some homework and study time! Let's say you only work during the school week when you have classes: take advantage of that and make sure to schedule time in for school work on the weekends!

Let's say you only work on the weekends: take advantage of that and schedule in time for school work during the week after your classes.

If you work a job with hours that are very up in the air and could be on both the weekend and during the week, take time whenever you get your work schedule to sit down with your planner and work everything in.. including school work.

Know When to Say "No"

If you take on way too many projects at one time and work yourself thin until you have a mental breakdown and you know it clap your hands! I am way too guilty of this. I literally have to schedule in relaxation time and Netflix watching time.

I also feel really bad when people ask me for help on a project and I am too busy, so I say yes to everything! I have been trying hard to be better about this lately, and it has paid off. I've learned that it is ok to say "no".. healthy even!

Also, if you feel bad about saying "no" then try finding people to delegate things to so it's not all on your shoulders and you still help out.

Get Actual Sleep + Have Actual Fun

Let's be honest, you're not going to be able to get through a full day of classes and work without enough sleep!

Let's be honest again, if you're in college 8 hours of sleep a night is nearly unheard of. From late night study sessions and party hopping to clubbing and Netflix watching.. you're going to have to fight to get a good night's sleep every single night. Especially if you have insomnia like I do.

The best you can do is try. Try to make sure that on the nights in which you have class the next morning, or work, that you choose a reasonable time to make sure you are going to put everything down and go to sleep.

Don't forget: Power naps are your best friend! I may or may not have specifically scheduled my classes this year to give me time in between my longest day to squeeze in a power nap... 😉

Also, remember to have fun! Find time to relax, do some yoga, go out with friends, celebrate all the hard work you are doing. Celebrate the money you are making! Life isn't all juggling work and college.

Make sure that you try to find little joys in your day at work as well, those can help you get through a tough day!
Related Post: Start Your Own Successful Blog
Become a Productive Procrastinator

College students are procrastinators by nature. Beat that. When you have so many things to do (school work, tasks for work, projects for clubs, etc) it can be hard to get anything done when all you want to do is not do that.

Instead of giving in and binge watching a TV show, try being a productive procrastinator.

For example, say you can't focus on your school work and you find yourself procrastinating from that, take the time to procrastinate from that task by completing another one! Confused? Intrigued? Check out my guide on how to become a productive procrastinator!
Do you have any tips for those trying to juggle busy schedules, such as juggling work and college, without losing their minds? What are you involved in?
Juggling Work and College

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Juggling Work and College: Tips for Success

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This blog post does contain affiliate links. I only recommend things that truly believe are a great product or service. * I've said it once, and I'll say it again: College is expensive. Tuition, housing, groceries, meal plan, clothing, textbooks, toiletries, gas money, insurance... it all adds up to a lot.

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Life More Extraordinary with Lucy Parsons

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You're reading this because you want the best grades. You want to get into the best universities and excel in all areas of your life.

Often, making big strides towards your goals actually just requires small changes in your day-to-day behaviours. Replace old habits that weren't helping you with new ones that move you closer to your goal every single day and over time you'll incrementally make massive leaps towards your dreams.

Today, I'm going to share with you 7 Powerful Mini Study Habits. But, first I have to explain what a mini-habit is.

What's a Mini Habit?

Just this week I've read the book 'Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results' by Stephen Guise. I heard about his one push-up challenge in which he vowed to himself that he'd do just one push-up per day to move himself closer to his fitness goals. This was after repeatedly failing to do 30 minute workouts.

Stephen discovered that if he gave himself a stupidly small goal it was much easier to get started. And, once he got started, he more often than not exceeded his goal.

Stephen turned his mini habit of one daily push-up into an exercise regime where he now goes to the gym several times a week. The point was, he started so small it was impossible to fail.

People come to me on a regular basis asking for advice about getting motivated to revise, how to revise, how to study and all sorts of other topics related to their academic success. Underlying most of their questions and concerns is a real worry that the task is simply too big: they will never be able to learn their course content in time for the exam or sit down for three hours every evening to do their homework.

If your study tasks are too large then I suggest you reduce them down to mini-habits and see how you get on.

7 Powerful Mini Study Habits to Supercharge Your Grades

1) Do five minutes of revision every day

Last week I introduced the 5 Minute Revision Challenge. The intention behind this challenge was to create a mini revision habit that would

Help you learn the course content months ahead of exam season

Get you experimenting with revision techniques so you find out what worked for you

Create a revision habit that will serve you well as you approach your exams

2) Read through a page of class notes at the end of each day

This is a form of revision. Reading through your class notes at the end of every day will:

Start fixing your class learning in your mind

Show you if there's anything you don't fully understand

Show you where you might have gaps in your work

You can then take steps to get a full understanding or fill in the gaps. This means you won't be scrabbling around in exam season trying to understand things for the first time. Instead, you'll be able to focus on learning it and practicing your exam technique.

3) Write down your homework at the end of each lesson

This is the most important first step you can take towards getting your target grades, staying organised and meeting your deadlines. It's fundamental to getting good grades. If you're not already doing this, don't skip it!

4) Self-monitor your learning

When you're revising, taking notes, reading, watching an educational video or doing any other study task you should always be asking yourself 'Is this learning experience working for me?'.

This is essential if you're going to learn successfully and efficiently. There is no point in carrying on revising in a certain way if it doesn't help you to remember. There is no point in carrying on reading a text if your brain is too tired and needs a ten minute break.

Aim to ask yourself 'Is this learning experience working for me?' once per day and adjust yourself according to the answer. If you ask yourself the question more often - well done you!

5) File notes in the right place every day

Wondering around with a folder full of crumpled and disordered notes? This isn't going to help you meet deadlines or keep track of what you've already learned.

When you come to creating revision materials and notes you will thank yourself for keeping everything organised.

At the minimum, make sure you file lesson notes in a divider for each subject and in date order in the file that you carry around with you everyday. Once a week take the time to file them into your subject file at home.

6) Read one online article to supplement your classroom learning everyday

Extra reading really helps to cement ideas that you've learned in class and place them in a wider context. It's also really important for university applications.

Create a mini-habit of reading one online article related to one of your subjects every single day.

7) Review your day

At the end of each day ask yourself these three questions:

1. What went well?

2. What didn't go well?

3. How could you improve?

This kind of self-reflection helps you move forward and constantly do better.

Choose a maximum of three mini-habits

You may be feeling a little bit smug because you already do several (or all) of the study mini habits I've suggested. That's great!

However, if you're not doing most of them you need to choose three.

Write down which three you think you are most likely to succeed with. Don't try and do too many at once - you're more likely to fail!

Complete your Mini Habits Every Day

One of the essential features of Mini Habits is that they happen every day. You don't get a day off at the weekend, or on your birthday, or on Christmas Day. The habit is so small that it can be done whatever else is going on that day.

By completing the habit everyday you are training yourself to make the habit stick. You are reducing the amount of willpower it will take to complete the habit.

Some days you can exceed your mini-habit. For example, you might read two articles about subjects you're studying at school. You might read ten. But, you're successful if you meet your minimum requirement (and that's all you should do on Christmas Day or your Birthday!).

Track your Study Mini Habits

Print off a calendar so you can track your mini habits. Everyday tick off when you've completed all the mini habits you've set yourself. Day-by-day you'll see the progress you're making towards your supercharged grades when you tick to show you've completed your mini habits. This should inspire you to keep going.

Which Study Mini Habits are you going to start?

Leave a comment below telling me which Study Mini Habits you're going to start. By writing it down here you'll make yourself publicly accountable and inspire others to take action too.

It's never too late (or too early) to start taking small steps towards supercharging your grades. Click To Tweet

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7 Powerful Mini Study Habits to Supercharge Your Grades

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You're reading this because you want the best grades. You want to get into the best universities and excel in all areas of your life. Often, making big strides towards your goals actually just requires small changes in your day-to-day behaviours.

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Let's be frank. Most likely you're reading this page because you believe you suck at time management. (But don't fret, there are time management tips that will help!).

Honestly, you may actually suck at time management. Most of you definitely do not give yourself enough credit toward your capabilities. However, you're probably sick of how it's negatively affecting your life.

Bad time management frequently creates problems with:

The list goes on and on. What's tough is that you know you want to change, you don't like the situation you're in, and maybe you feel a little miserable.

In your mind, the stigma behind successful planning and time management reigns. You believe successful planners possess these traits.

They are very structured.

They know what they want in life.

Very productive at work and home.

Tidy car, house, workspace, etc...

They are always on time.

They get good grades.

Always seem in control of their lives.

Then we have you. Maybe you've mastered one of the items on the list above. It's possible you are the complete opposite of the list above.

It's possible you view yourself as lazy, unmotivated, unstructured, disorganized, always late, fly by the seat of your pants, impulsive, and messy. Learning time management tips and tools feels impossible.

You can be good at time management with a messy desk!

You know what? You're not hopeless. I possess more traits on the second list than the first.

Naturally, you're curious then how in the world I'm a time management expert. You may not believe but you need to read my story because I was you not that long ago.
(This article contains affiliate links; if you click on items and purchase them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, read my disclosure.)
From Lazy to Master of Time Management

I'll tell you one thing. There is definitely value in learning time management tips at a young age.

My primary caregiver as a child could not take care of herself. Don't get me wrong, she did the best she could with me.

But I like to think of it like the oxygen mask demonstrations they provide before taking off on an airplane.
"Secure your own mask, and once it's in place, help others."
Because she couldn't care for her own needs, she certainly couldn't teach me how to do it myself.

Thankfully she loved me enough and recognized this, thus I transitioned to foster care at the age of seven. I was relatively lucky, though, in that my foster placements were minimal and a lovely family adopted me two and a half years later.

My new family had a very different outlook on time management and productivity.

Both parents were traditionally 'Type A', the house always clean, work always complete on deadline, and everybody on time. Or better yet, thirty minutes early.

By middle school, it was evident there was a significant power struggle between my natural tendencies and my parents' desires.

My parents KNEW I was smart, creative, innovative, and clever.

Yet I was failing classes, my room looked like a bomb went off, and I forgot things all the time. There were countless arguments at home. I poured my time into video games, cartoons, music, and writing because I just couldn't face reality.

15 years later, things weren't much different. I shuffled from therapist to therapist. I dropped out of college four times. And I lost jobs.

I hit rock bottom twice.

I didn't know what to do. The traditional time management tips and techniques failed me. There had to be a path to success.

Stubborn Creativity Won

Thankfully, I'm very persistent. That, and I didn't want a crappy life.

I tried countless time management tips and systems in the past with limited success. And even though I continued to fail, I still sought out methods and systems in hopes that the right one would pop out and slap me in the face.

So I kept pushing forward. I found supportive therapists. I learned new skills and continued on the path to self-education. And slowly, though unintentionally, I pieced together time management methods that work for the creative brain.

I've had people tell me they envy my time management skills, and it takes every part of me not to laugh because everything in life felt hopeless a few years ago.

The system that eventually worked is truly a conglomeration of techniques, some of which wouldn't be considered typical time management tips. And the longer I've lived in this system, the more I've noticed something when it comes to time management.

There was a key problem when it came to courses and books that help people to succeed in planning successfully.
The most common time management tips, strategies, and techniques leave Type B individuals in the dust.
Well, I have a Type B personality.... and it explains so much about why most strategies I tried failed me miserably.

If you have no idea what that means, or even if you're Type B, keep reading.

A isn't for Awesome, B isn't for Bad

Type B people are amazing and they are capable of so many interesting things.

I have no idea why in society we seem to equate that the 'B' stands for 'Bad'.

If you actually look into the history of Type A and Type B personality types and why it was created, you'll find that initially, the intention of the system was to help determine who was at greater risk of a heart attack.

This actually isn't the personality type guide I'd normally go into (I'm a bigger fan of the Myers Briggs Personality Indicator myself), but I find a lot more people are aware of this system and firmly believe they fall on the spectrum of one side or the other.

The Type A individuals historically possess many traits that are considered valuable in businesses and schools. Common descriptions include:

Type B people are also high achievers. But they have completely different needs and desires they need to meet before they will achieve.

And there are tons of awesome qualities Type B people possess!

Type B individuals are:

Ironically, in the past, many scientists believed 'Type A' individuals were at higher risk of heart attacks due to increased stress and pressure!

Good News Is, You're NOT Hopeless!

So, does that mean if you're Type B, you're doomed? Absolutely not. Focused and motivated Type B individuals bring a lot of value to the table and accomplish many amazing feats. And Type B individuals are fully capable of learning time management tips that benefit their needs.

If you don't believe me, many successful entrepreneurs are Type B! You might be thinking "Really? But they seem so driven and focused!!" And you are totally right, they are! But take a step back further and think about how their natural traits and tendencies conflict in a regular workplace. They hate being micromanaged. They hate feeling cornered in a box. And most of all, it's incredibly challenging for these individuals to find work elsewhere that wholly satisfies their needs.

Eventually, some get sick of the 9-5 to the extent that they explore their own paths... and generally, they want it so bad that they want to make it work. And quite a few become successful and learn to manage their time well.

However, you're here because you want to fix your time management skills and have no clue where to start. Don't worry, you don't have to hit that point of desperation to get there (though I won't lie, it can be super helpful!).

Type A personalities typically have a little more natural talent when it comes to planning. They thrive on pressure, deadlines, and do not like to fall behind. It's not hard to admit; it's amazing how a few concepts and general ideas can help them spring to life.

So why are so many time management tips, books, and courses tailored to them?!?! They aren't the ones who NEED it. Type B personalities need a little more guidance and hand holding.

They need realistic expectations and creative solutions. Type B individuals also do not enjoy feeling pressured, rushed, or boxed into one way of doing things. And they also need to know that there isn't one specific way of achieving success.

So what is it that makes people with Type B personalities fail so frequently when it comes to time management, productivity, and planning? Much of the typical time management tips and productivity courses tend to exhibit these qualities:

They are very linear

They do not explore multiple methods of reaching objectives

Programs generally do not provide empathy toward participants

The programs are impersonal

They don't teach you how to do things you don't like

They tend to assume people already have a general grasp of time management.

Unfortunately, the lack of many of those natural tendencies tends to turn off the concept of time management to the Type B crowd

I mentioned in my story that over time, I accumulated a lot of information in my quest to improve my time management. The various techniques that are super valuable to the Type B individual aren't necessarily tools commonly utilized for time management in general. That said, I wholeheartedly believe all seven time management tips provide purpose and direction in our lives.

1. Learn Realistic Planning Expectations

I believe lack of unrealistic expectations when it comes to Type B time management is a large barrier to success.

Realistic Expectations Include:

You don't need to fill in every box.

You aren't going to get all the things done.

Just because it's in your planner does not mean it's going to happen.

You will likely fall off the wagon frequently

Finding the specific techniques that work for you isn't a fast and easy process

Your brain can't be in high power mode all the time; relaxation and taking breaks is necessary

Multitasking makes it harder to concentrate

Yet, we don't teach these concepts in time management!!!! I don't know if it's because the concept could be perceived as lazy or excusable, but the problem is many recommendations aren't super realistic. Nobody finishes everything all of the time!!! Not even the most organized and productive people out there do this.

One thing I've noticed is that unhealthy Type A people do not like to admit any of the above, so they can cause a lot of unnecessary stress for Type B individuals.

2. Write it Down

My husband and I are both Type B and not naturally proficient in time management. I struggle more with my physical surroundings, while he struggles with mental tasks and scheduling.

When we did pre-marital counseling, we filled out a 12-month plan as part of the therapy. While we didn't follow the plan with a microscope, at the end of the 12 month period we completed many of the objectives on that list.

Well, fast forward a couple of years. We now have a toddler, live in a tiny apartment, and life feels a bit meaningless. We're struggling.

So on our own, we made a new 12-month plan hoping it would help. This time we put the plan on the wall and wrote information down as we thought of it. That silly, disorganized timeline was a wall decoration for months. However, at the end of the year... again, we met the objectives on the list.
Very interesting.
We both have new jobs. We have a higher income. And now we are moving to a house. And this happens just because we write it down?

There is power in writing down your plans. Plans written down are more likely to come to fruition. Don't believe me? This study here actually measured goals and success rates for people who wrote them down versus people who did not.

My husband and I certainly didn't observe our plans carefully... but obviously, the desire to do what we wanted was stuck in our heads enough that we made it happen.

3. Develop Long-Term Goals

Now I recognize doing the above suggestion every few years in desperation to change can get a bit old.

This point expands a little further on the writing it down concept.

Right around the time I started this blog, I did a long-term goal exercise. The exercise had me sit down and write down pretty much anything I'd like to accomplish in my life. The exercise also encouraged me to not judge what I wrote down... and when I removed those judgments, it was astoundingly easier to do this exercise.

Want to know what this exercise did for me?

It gave me some direction. It was as when I thought ahead prior to the assignment, my life was fuzzy and unclear. And now, I feel like I have a clearer image of who I will be 5, 10, and even 20 years down the road.

If you'd like to know more about thinking big to develop these goals you'd like to accomplish in life, the book " The Magic of Thinking Big " by David Schwartz is for you. It's actually where I did the exercise I mentioned a few sentences ago! People get so scared to do the things they'd like to accomplish in life because they are afraid they will fail. Many valid fears stem from poor time management.

If you aren't willing to expand your mind to where life can take you, you won't accomplish anything. So if you want to be successful in life and figure out time management, determine the amazing things you'd like to do in your life.

Once you do figure out your long-term goals, you should work on breaking down those long-term goals into smaller, breakable chunks. I wrote some about how to do this process in a bullet journal, which you can here.

4. Connect to Your Purpose

Type B people do not do something for the sole reason somebody told them to do it.
Ironically, that probably makes these particular individuals less likely to do what is requested of them.

So, if constant nagging and reminders are a turn-off, how can the Type B group get anything done?
They learn to do unnecessary tasks consistently by connecting with to their purpose.
When a person has a purpose and long-term goals, it's much easier to work in the present. When you love something so much that you don't consider it work, you aren't going to feel as much boredom or resentment, which are frequent problems that lead toward poor time management skills.

So how do you connect with your purpose?

This excellent book called " Finding Your Element " from Ken Robinson helps you find what your purpose and passions are by converging your natural talents along with your personal interests.

5. Accept That You Won't Like Everything You Do

Extenuating from finding purpose, there are still going to be tasks that you'll have to complete that you don't enjoy.

Now, this isn't necessarily something people could consider to fall under the spectrum of time management tips, yet this is a huge barrier to success!

Part of connecting with purpose means that if you want to accomplish the things you want to do in life, you are willing to accept to do some of the unpleasant activities required to reach those goals.

Now I recognize this is easier said than done. Most likely, this is one of the most challenging parts of mastering time management tips if you are Type B because if you don't want to do something... it can be really hard to get that activity done.

On the other hand... accomplishing nothing notable in your life isn't exactly a pleasant thought, either.

This concept is actually something I struggled with for a long time. I believed that people actually enjoyed cleaning and organizing, thus explaining why they did it so frequently.

For both tips 4 and 5, one tool that proved extremely beneficial in my journey was Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT. ACT teaches individuals how to come to terms with their situations by accepting thoughts and emotions instead of trying to push them away. The therapy also helps you see the 'big picture' of your life, so you can understand and apply the techniques you'll learn toward the activities and skills you want to participate in.

While I never had acceptance and commitment therapy, one of the most powerful books I've ever read follows the principles in a way that's easy to understand and implement. The book is called " The Happiness Trap " and beyond teaching the principles, this book does an astounding job of helping you see the big picture of your choices.

6. Improve Focus

One of the most resounding responses I received when I asked one of my communities what's the most challenging time management task is "inability to focus".

Why does the Type B crowd struggle with focusing in particular? Well, deadlines aren't of absolute importance. We aren't taught effective time management tips, skills, and tools as children to help improve focus.

These strategies aren't all necessarily connected with time management in a traditional sense. However, all of them offer some assistance working toward some of the most challenging aspects of time management for the Type B personality.

Self-Analysis

Have you ever stopped to think *why* you have trouble with time management? Do you know the specific pitfalls that occur when you try to implement techniques?

It's a huge reason why I love the bullet journal system and how it's been so beneficial for my mental health. As I've been able to understand myself, I've been able to find better solutions to fix my problems.

Common problems that people have with time management include:
-Missed deadlines
-Unfilled duties at work, home, or school
-Consistently overwhelmed
-Frequently late for events and appointments
-Adding too much to your schedule
-Not getting much work done

For me, I'm usually pretty punctual. I really struggle feeling overwhelmed and I tend to do too much at once, thus I've been working on protecting my schedule and meditating.

Also, I've been devouring the book " Know Yourself Like Your Success Depends on It " and I love how it encourages you to delve deep into yourself and learn what struggles cause you to stumble in time management.

Start Small and Break Up Tasks

If you have a big task that takes a total of 24 hours and there are six different types of work involved, looking at this as a whole is a bit unnerving. I know a lot of people who mean well but procrastinate because they have no idea how to tackle the workload effectively.

In fact, for Type B individuals, starting is often the challenging part.

One of the techniques that I love for time management is the Pomodoro technique. This well-loved technique utilizes working in boosts of time with small breaks in between. You choose the task prior to starting, set a timer (traditionally 25 minutes), work on that one task, end when the timer goes off, and take a short break when finished.

What's cool is if even 25 minutes seems intimidating; start with 5-10 minutes on the timer.

If you want to read more, check out the website here!

Avoid Task Switching

Did you know that every time you switch to a task or allow yourself to momentarily focus on a distraction while doing something productive, it takes at least 13 minutes to get back to that activity?
This study actually indicates it can take more than two hours to completely regain focus on our productive activities after switching tasks.
How many times do you check Facebook in an hour? Or check your email?

Now, let's put that into your workday. You'd be surprised how challenging it is to do work effectively if your brain constantly has to recover from distractions and task switching.

This isn't a plug to get rid of social media. But that's why methods like the Pomodoro Technique mentioned above are so helpful! You force yourself to focus on one thing for the dedicated amount of time.

Make sure to schedule specific times for checking email or social media accounts. When you are doing any activity (whether fun or productive!), fully immerse yourself while doing it. Don't switch tasks or fall slave to distractions.

Meditate

Can meditation really help you focus?

Studies show it helps improve calm and focus.

Additionally, meditation improves social skills, self-control, reduces anxiety and depression, improves health, and boosts happiness.
(By the way, this article from Psychology Today showcases 20 different scientific studies that support this data!)
Personally, I struggle with quiet meditation. However, I recently started listening to Chel Hamilton's ' Meditation Minis ' podcast (which you can find on both iTunes and Spotify). It's very enjoyable because most meditations don't take long (less than 20 minutes), but also because it's guided meditation. Chel provides the music and the words. All you have to do is sit quietly, listen, and put the imagery to good use.

Follow the 80/20 rule

Did you know that we have a tendency to waste time on a lot of unnecessary activities that do not get us anywhere to achieving our goals?

Have you ever heard that 80% of our efforts account for only 20% of the results we try to achieve? We waste a lot of time on unnecessary tasks that pretty much give us no results.

On the flip side, that means that 20% of our effects account for 80% of the results we achieve.

The corresponding book, " The 80/20 Principle " helps you learn how to eliminate the "less productive" parts of your work life, school life, home life, and helps you determine what tasks matter most.

7. Realize You Have to Want It

There are a lot of Type B people who seriously desire to fix their time management woes. Thus, a lot of the techniques offered in this article tend to address the unique issues that tend to cause people to stumble.

But there is one other point that needs to be addressed when it comes to time management.

Ultimately, you must want to pursue this journey. Why?
If you don't want it, it's going to be much more challenging to succeed.
Only you can make the choice to improve your life.

Your parents can't make you. Your spouse can't make you. Even your boss? They can't make you.

If you are reading this article because somebody else puts pressure on you to fix your laziness and you want to improve because you're sick of being hassled, I understand your trouble! I dealt with this for years. I wanted to change, but it was mostly to get somebody off my back because they kept nagging me repeatedly. And because in my heart I didn't want it for myself, every single attempt failed.

If you're in this position, don't feel doomed. Eventually, I got to the point where I wanted to make the change myself because, let's face it, nobody wants to live a boring and ordinary life. I finally had to accept that if I wanted to live the life I wanted, that I had to make the adjustments necessary to do so. It was up to me to take responsibility.

If the way you live doesn't bother you, it doesn't affect your wellbeing, or affect how you live your life... you shouldn't feel pressured to be something you aren't. I understand that's easier said than done, but I really recommend finding supportive role models who accept you and help you learn to accept yourself.

And if you come back later deciding you do want time management help, I'll still be here with open arms!

Time Management Tips and Strategies Resource List

Here is a resource list of all the time management tips and strategies mentioned in the post. This list also includes some other resources that may prove valuable NOT discussed.

As I recognize everybody has different learning styles, I've tried to incorporate many different styles that fit your learning needs the best way possible!
(Resources will be added as I come across more tools; please continue to check back for new items on the list!)
Books:

Happiness Trap (or you can even try this book in their illustrated guide!) - This book follows the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help you get out of your head and into real life by doing the things you love and enjoy!

Eat that Frog - Many terrific tips and tools on how to manage your projects, especially the ones that you don't like to do!

The Magic of Thinking Big -Excellent resource for envisioning your life as a whole and writing down (non-judgmentally!) the activities and goals you want to accomplish in life.

S.M.A.R.T Goals Made Simple - How to set measurable goals that are attainable and achievable.

10% Happier - Learn how something as simple as meditation can make serious improvements in your life.

Finding Your Element - An excellent book which helps to discover your purpose in life!

Know Yourself like Your Success Depends on It - A valuable resource which explains this importance of self-analysis and how learning more about yourself can improve your own time management!

Courses:

From Busy to Balanced - My friend Jen has this amazing productivity course that is perfect for the people who are busy or overwhelmed. If time management isn't your thing, but you need more hands-on assistance, this is a perfect resource to help you make the productivity improvements you need.

Skillshare- Skillshare has lots of helpful videos on many topics, but there are so many awesome time management tips and productivity videos and workshops.
You can try Skillshare for 3 months for the amazingly small fee of $0.99!!!
Apps:
Trello
Trello is such a fantastic option for both work projects and home. You can create boards for tasks, reminders, and projects. You can assign attachments to them (no more emailing yourself back and forth), due dates, categories, and even checklists. If you'd like to see a more comprehensive overview of what that looks like, you can check out this post from The Balanced Mama here!

Even better, joining Trello is totally free!!! So there is really nothing to lose by giving it a try!
Google Play Workflowy
This awesome app is great for writing down long-term goals and breaking them down into smaller, attainable tasks. The website even calls it'self 'the notebook for lists'.

I love that it's creative, digital (you can do this as an app or use it on their website!), and there is no wrong way to use it! Oh, and again, I love that it's free! You get 200 free bullet points every month by signing up with this link right here!
Google Play Store Toggl
Remember how I mentioned the value in learning about yourself and your habits? Toggl is a terrific app that helps tell you what you do on your phone. I bet many of us are on our phones regularly (most of you are probably reading this on your phone right now!).

This goes back to the concept of self-analysis mentioned in an earlier tip. If we know what is causing us to waste our time, it makes it much easier to find a solution to combat it.

As well as tracking the time on your phone, you can also attach this to your desktop, so you get an awesome overview of what you are doing when you're using electronics!
Google Play Store
Podcasts:

Meditation Minis- My favorite tool for fast, guided meditations.

10% Happier- This podcast based on the book in the above list. Dan offers guided meditations and interviews on people who have improved their lives using his techniques!

Beyond the To Do List- Conversations with everyday people who talk about the methods that improve their productivity, thus improving their work and personal lives!

Productivityist - Offers time management tips, tools, and strategies to help improve your productivity to new heights!
Website (Listen Online)
Blogs:

Paper Gazer- My friend Rachel is also a bullet journal blogger, however, she also has tons of great productivity and time management tips that anybody can find valuable!

My Adaptable Career- My friend Emily offers lots of creative tools to help improve time management! Her blog is tailored more toward the entrepreneur; however, many of the tools she recommends I've been able to incorporate into my everyday life.

The Productivityist (in blog form!)- So the podcast is pretty amazing. But so is the blog! A lot of posts on this blog focuses on the personal development, self-reflection side of time management that is so powerful.

Time Management Tips to Get You Started

Beautiful and inspirational image by bumblebujo!

Now you have access to many of the tools that I love which will give you a few steps forward to success. Remember that this process is a journey and that it can take a while to find what suits your needs best.

Have you already started a journey toward improving time management? I would love to know the time management tips and resources that are helping you, so if you have any to recommend please do so in the comments below!

Until then
Rachel

PS- Want to know more about some of the beautiful notebooks you saw in the article? Check out the Bullet Journal Glossary to learn more about them!
If these time management tips helped you,
help others by sharing on Pinterest!!!

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Time Management Tips for the Type B Personality

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Did you know that lazy, disorganized, "Type B" people are perfectly capable of succeeding at time management? However, they have different needs to be productive. Time management tips, tools, techniques, and resources to help motivate and improve your time management skills.

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If you don't know what time blocking is, this post is about to change your life! I know that sounds super dramatic, but seriously! Implementing this in your way of life will guarantee that you will be more productive. At the end of the day you will be able to account for where your time actually went.

What is time blocking

Time blocking is literally planning out every hour of your day. You take the time and assign purpose to each hour of your day. Even if it is something simple like " 6-6:30 Take the dog on a walk." You have then assigned that 30 minutes to a specific task and you aren't scrambling to find time to take your dog out.

I like to combine batch working with time blocking. Batch working is combining similar tasks into blocks of time. When you actually write out what each hour of your day is used for you will be surprised at what you can do with your time. The key to being successful with time blocking is actually sticking to it and being committed to your schedule.

Successful people time block

Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this technique, but I learned it from many successful entrepreneurs and content creators. Time blocking isn't just for people working for themselves, but this strategy can definitely be applied to a 9-5 job. I certainly use it for that! When you time block your day, you're already committed to being productive instead of just "busy" and you actually have results to show at the end of the day. Some of my favorite entrepreneurs that use this strategy are Mattie James, Erin May Henry, Erin on Demand, and Amy Landino. I started watching Amy Landino's Youtube videos last year and she swears by this system and it clearly shows in how she has become such a successful Entrepreneur and Youtuber.

What are the Benefits of Time Blocking?

You have a clear and specific plan for the day

You know where your time goes

You're able to be laser focused

You reduce the amount of time required to transition tasks because you already know what is up next

You're able to stick to your priorities and say "no" to whatever doesn't fit into that block of time

Helps you become realistic about how long it takes to execute tasks

How to Implement Time Blocking in Your Routine

1. This might seem pretty obvious, but the first step is deciding what type of calendar you will use for this. I personally use Google Calendar because I like that I can have multiple calendars within it and color code different types of activities. It's also easier to just set reoccurring activities instead of hand writing everything. I also like that with an electronic calendar for time blocking you can have reminders set for when to start/end activities as needed. It also makes it easy to edit and adjust the calendar as needed.

Don't be mistaken - I still love a good physical planner! I've been using a Bloom Daily Planner

I talked about at the beginning of the year, and it's been great for my to-do lists! I have a full review on it in this post

here

.
2. Once you have decided where you are going to organize your time, your next time is deciding how you will spend your time. I first like to fill in the tasks that are part of my daily routine for each day of the week we will call those your "fixed" tasks. Examples of these items would be: waking up, quiet time/reading, workout classes, my 9-5 job etc.

3. Now that you have your fixed tasks filled in, you can see where all of your free space is! You can see all the time you claim you don't have to be working on your side hustle lol. Now, don't just fill in that free time with something generic like "work on side hustle". No, we are getting specific here and writing down exactly what we want to accomplish within that hour. So you can put down "Make Pinterest graphics for blog post about time blocking."

4. Add detail as needed for completing the tasks. After you create a new event, you can click the edit button add any extra details you might want to have. Once you do this, when you hover over the calendar event, the details of what you're working on will also appear.

5.The fifth step is stick to your schedule!!! Don't waste your time in planning your week if you aren't going to follow it. Of course, there are always things that come up in life, but do your best stay committed to yourself and what you have planned.

6. Reevaluate your time blocks. After you've successfully completed your first week of time blocking, reflect. See where you were a little more optimistic about how long certain tasks would take you. Or see where you can make time blocks shorter. Keep your time blocked calendar evolving so that it can continue to serve you well.

Final Thoughts

Do you think you'll give time blocking a chance? If you do, let me know how it worked for you! If you're trying to be more productive, you may also enjoy my posts on , and

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How to Crush the Day: Time Blocking for Beginners! - Boss Lady Brand

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If you don't know what time blocking is, this post is about to change your life! I know that sounds super dramatic, but seriously! Implementing this in your way of life will guarantee that you will be more productive. At the end of the day you will be able to account for where your time actually went.

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relieve stress in college by making decisions ahead of time

You want to relieve stress in college, and I have a simple strategy fundamental to stress relief. It goes by many names: constraint/limit/commitment/focus/minimalism. This is true freedom to stop stressing and focus on what matters most. Only recently did I identify this as the key reason I have been able to accomplish so much in my life, and after noticing it, have been able to intentionally apply it in so many more ways!

I mentioned a while back some pretty drastic changes I made to my diet. At first, I felt ALL. THE. FEELINGS. I was loosing most of my favorite foods and thinking about how hard it would be missing out on them. With a large dose of dread, I got started. There were very clear-cut rules of what I wasn't allowed to eat. I took the list and taped it to the fridge as a reminder.

After six months of this lifestyle, I can tell you the list made decisions about food so easy! If someone asks me whether I want a cookie I can easily and immediately decide yes or no. I don't waste my energy deciding how many calories there are, if I'm going to gain weight, or if I need it. ('cause sometimes we need a cookie, am I right?) I have rules about what I eat that make my decisions easy and without drama.

I guarantee you do this naturally in many areas of your life already. When you go to the store and buy toothpaste, do you examine the 75 different boxes and toothpaste and decide which ones the best and why it's the best for you? Of course not! You have some rules for picking your paste. Maybe you love one brand and buy what is on sale? Or maybe you only buy fluoride-free paste and don't care about a brand. Do you buy the exact same box of toothpaste every single time? These are all rules that constrain and narrow your choices from seventy-five to five or less.

You also have constraints regarding your work. You work certain hours every week and you don't work during other hours. This is a limit. You decide your working hours and then stick with the decision. You answer every email sent to you. This is a constraint. You deliver all of your assignments on time. Again, a commitment.

You don't have to question whether you'll work this Monday or whether to respond to your boss's request. There is no decision to make because you have decided ahead of time what your rules are about these things.

This is a good thing.

Making decisions uses up our brain power. There is a limit to how many decisions we can make each day and you don't want to burn up your decision-making ability on things that don't really matter. Many people resist the idea of constraint or limited decisions because it can feel like a lack of freedom. It isn't.

Too many choices are the cause of stress in college.

Make your choices once and then trust your earlier self to stick by them until there is a reason to re-evaluate. If you want to relieve stress in college for the long-term, you have to reevaluate all of the choices causing you stress.

Why Choices mean Stress

In her book, The Art of Choosing, Sheena Iyengar details a study about decision making and jam. A grocery store tested two sampling stations to see which resulted in more sales. In the first station there were 24 flavors of jam to sample; in the second only 6.

Care to guess which one had the most sales?

Thirty percent of customers purchased jam from the station with only six samples, while only three percent purchased from the sampling of twenty-four flavors. Only three percent.

24 choices = 3% sales
6 choices = 30% sales

Why? Because more choices mean more stress. There are far too many factors to consider and the easiest option is to opt-out. Remember, our brains like the easy route!

Imagine a really stressful day...maybe even today! At work, there were emails, phone calls, and meetings all day long. You were constantly running from one thing to another, trying to decide how to answer each question and each request. Then you come home and decide what to make for dinner and how to help your kids with their homework. By the time everyone is in bed, what do you want to do?

I want to veg out in front of the TV so I don't have to think or make any more decisions. I want to opt-out of my life for a little while so I can stop feeling stressed. Maybe I should be studying instead, but I don't feel like it.

Limiting the number of decisions we make frees us to focus on what matters.

Is Narrowing Focus for you?

You may be thinking "Yeah, this is great for you, Jessica, but I don't want to limit myself. I need choices and freedom! I'm a free spirit!". I want to relieve stress in college, but I want to experience everything else too!

I totally get this. It's why Americans coined the phrase FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out. We hate the idea of missing out on anything. Consequently, we're less intentional and how we spend our time and energy and not any happier for it. (actually, studies have shown it's detrimental to students)

You may benefit by narrowing your focus if you...

struggle to decide to study or not each day

are frustrated with your grades

feeling overwhelmed and out of control with school

Now, there are areas of your life where you do this really well already. I promise. Look for the area where you feel like you are killing it.

One example I see so clearly is in parenting. In our house, when we have a clear rule there are no questions and no pushback. One of our rules is we only use the iPad on Thursdays. I don't get any questions about if we can use the iPad today. We do it on Thursdays. Period. Before we had the rule, my daily frustration over being asked about the iPad and deciding was outrageous.

When the rules are not clear, the drama creeps in. Sometimes we have dessert after dinner and sometimes we don't. Guess what? I get questions all the bloody time about dessert! I am so tired of and frustrated by dessert questions! I'm exhausted at the end of the day and don't want to decide whether sugar is a fun treat or wrecking our health. The frustration I feel when the questions come up let me know I haven't yet made a decision to fall back on and if I want to relieve the stress I need to make one.

That feeling is my clue, and yours.

The areas you are most frustrated with and struggle to make progress are where you most need limits and constraints.

Make Decisions Ahead of Time

I'm going to assume since you're here with me that study may be your sore spot. You did just search "relieve stress for college students', right? 🙂 So how do we define constraints and narrow our focus when it comes to school?

Here are a few decisions you can make about your approach to school to relieve stress in college immensely. Make the decision today, and then stop allowing yourself to question it.

Stick with your decision for at least a week and you can reevaluate if you don't feel the decisions are exactly right for you. If not, make a new decision and stick with it for at least a week. The key is to decide once and live by it as a rule.

Study Schedule

What days do you study and what days do you not study?

How long do you study at a time?

What do you allow yourself to do while you are studying? Do you allow the TV on? Do you allow your phone to send notifications?

Where do you study?

Who do you study with?

What study tools do you use?

Study Skills

Do you take notes?

How do you review your notes?

How often do you review your notes?

How do you revise your notes?

How often do you revise your notes?

Do you complete assigned readings?

Do you complete the homework assignments?

Attending Class

Do you always go to class?

Do you sometimes go to class?

Are there some classes you never mess?

What do you do during class?

Do you take notes during class?

Do you use your computer during class?

Do you use your phone during class?

Planning to Relieve Stress in College

Do you make a plan for completing assignments?

If you have a plan, do you always follow through?

Do you use a calendar for school?

Do you use a to-do list for school?

Do you break plans with yourself?

Do you break plans with others?

Are you ready to feel in control of your studies and stop scrambling at the last minute to cram for exams? Understand how to fit in study time with a full-time job, why you are always cramming for exams at the last minute, and how to change the pattern. Take control of your study schedule and earn the grades you know you are capable of. Get the Successful Student Study Plan and learn to be productive with your study time.

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This Tactic Creates Focus to Relieve Stress in College - College Study Smarts

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relieve stress in college by making decisions ahead of time You want to relieve stress in college, and I have a simple strategy fundamental to stress relief. It goes by many names: constraint/limit/commitment/focus/minimalism. This is true freedom to stop stressing and focus on what matters most.

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Understand what to focus on for each course + know how to study better.

We go to college to learn from professors who are experts in their field, yet how many students speak with their professor? Or even email them directly? I don't have an exact percentage, but I can tell you from my experience the percentage is low. Talking to your professor can be intimidating! I understand that from my experience being a student.

For those that don't know me, I am a college professor. Hello! My tips below on how to email your professor are exactly what I love to see in my inbox so that we can both make the most of our time together. I want to help every one of my students and when the student is clear, they leave the appointment with what they need to keep going.

Why You May be Nervous about Speaking with your Professor

The biggest myth I hear from students is that their professor is too busy to work with them. You see a lot of other people in your course and assume your professor is too busy to spend time working with you. This is so wrong!

The best part of teaching is working with students. I love answering questions, talking about study strategies, and helping someone succeed. Please do not hesitate to tap into the knowledge of your professor. Also, keep in mind that a professor is just a regular person who went to go to school for a very long time.

How to Email Your Professor

How you contact your professor may vary. Different colleges have different rules. Even individual professors have different rules about their availability. The best place to start is with your syllabus. It should contain information about how to get in contact with your professor. Things like:

Are there open office hours?

Do you need to schedule an appt?

Is it ok to email?

Is it ok to call?

If contact information is provided on the syllabus, it should be OK for you to use it. If you are hesitant, email your professor and ask. You might send something like this:

Hi Professor! My name is _____(insert your name) and I am a student in your ______(insert course code/name) course. I have some questions about _______(include a very brief overview of what you wish to discuss) and would like to discuss them with you. What is the best way to schedule some time with you?

A few keys to writing an email like this:

1. Introduce yourself. They may not recall your name and course, so help them out by providing your name and the course that you are working on.

2. Use a professional tone. Be friendly, but ensure that you use appropriate language and check spelling.

3. Keep it short. Save the full details of your question for your meeting, but do let them know the general topic you would like to discuss.

4. Be direct in what you are asking for. This example asks for scheduled time to discuss questions. Make sure that your request is clearly stated so that they can provide a helpful response.

What to Ask your Professor

Now you have a basic outline to make contact, but you may not be sure exactly how to ask for help. The most important thing is to decide what you want to accomplish ahead of time. In other words, what outcome will make you feel like the time was worthwhile working with your professor?

If you email your professor and say "I'm having trouble with XYZ topic.", you may or may not get a response that feels helpful. The problem is that "having trouble" is not specific. I don't know how to best help.

You need to do the work to figure out what would help you. Get specific about what confuses you. Don't allow yourself to stay in "I don't know" town. It is a lie we tell ourselves to keep from doing real work or making real progress.

Instead, make a direct request:

I'm having trouble with XYZ topic. Could I schedule some time to discuss it with you?

I'm having trouble with XYZ topic. Do you have any additional resources that I can review?

I'm having trouble with XYZ topic, specifically this aspect of the topic. What tips do you have for understanding this better?

These questions all relate to content that may not make sense. When you are not understanding the course material, you definitely want to reach out to your professor so that you can get a better understanding and move on. You may also want to get a good start in a course by reaching out proactively. Here are some other things you may ask your professor as you get started on a course:

Which part of the course is most challenging for students? Getting a heads-up on where to pay extra attention is really useful.

How should I focus my studies? Knowing if there are a lot of dates to memorize or concepts that you'll need to apply on a test will shape what your studies look like.

What do successful students do in this course? You will get tips to help you maximize your study strategies and gear your efforts for the course in specific.

Here is an example of how you may email your professor at the start of a course:

Hi Professor! My name is _____(insert your name) and I am a student in your ______(insert course code/name) course. I'm excited to get started and wanted to ask a couple of questions (limit this to 2 or 3 questions):

How should I focus my studies to best understand the course material?
If I have questions about content later on, what is the best way to schedule time with you?

Thanks for your time!

Now it's your turn. Take the 10-minute challenge and connect with at least one professor. Then get busy planning your studies for the day.

Was this article helpful? Get a free weekly email full of study tips and motivation to help you stay focused and earn your best grades. Click here to get weekly emails

Try It Yourself: 10-minute Challenge

1. Identify one course that you are struggling with.

2. Think about what is giving you the most trouble. Narrow it down to a chapter, a topic, or an assignment.

3. Then decide what request you want to make in order to receive help in this area.

4. Email your professor using the template above and ask for help!

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How to Email Your Professor - College Study Smarts

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Understand what to focus on for each course + know how to study better. We go to college to learn from professors who are experts in their field, yet how many students speak with their professor? Or even email them directly? I don't have an exact percentage, but I can tell you from my experience the percentage is low.

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Time Management Habits worth Starting in College

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Time Management Habits worth Starting in College

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Hello, lovelies! As you are reading this, I'm probably exhausted after spending a weekend at Disney World with my friend and am being jumped on by my little cousins to get out of bed.

(I'm obviously writing this post in advance, but if you want to see pictures of the trip, head over to my Instagram)

Anywho, I haven't written a lot of college tip posts in a while. Fall isn't usually a popular time for my niche, which is why I've been writing a lot more personal posts. You all seem to love my college habits posts (because they went viral pretty quickly), so I decided to write another one.

Now that it's the end of the semester, everyone is scrambling around trying to get everything done and studying for finals. If you are a college student who struggles to manage their time, this post is for you because I've spent years making mistakes in order to master the skill. I hope you enjoy.

Related - How To Prevent College Burnout | Motivation, Productivity, Self-Care, Etc

1.//Have A Morning And Evening Routine

I've written about my college morning and evening routine before. It's a lifesaver. Having a routine helps me wake up and get ready efficiently or wind down and get ready to rest. Another great thing about having a routine is that I don't have to waste much time on deciding what to do next.
Related:
2.//Plan Out Your Week And Follow It

I've been creating weekly to-do lists in a cheap spiral notebook this semester, and it's been a game changer. Using my assignment list based on all the syllabi, I've been able to organize myself in an efficient way. Crossing things off a list is very satisfying to me, so having one page with every blog post, homework assignment, and due date for the week is quite motivating.

3.//Study In Different Places (Leave Your Dorm)

I don't know about you, but I can't get any work done in my room. I just can't. My laptop and my bed is just a recipe for procrastination. Even when I work at my desk, my bed is just too tempting.

I personally study most efficiently at the library or a study lounge, but even just moving to the dining table at home makes me work harder and faster.

4.//Sleep 6-8 Hours Every Night

If you aren't sleeping enough, you are breaking time-management rule #1, but if it's completely impossible for you to sleep a full eight hours, aim for at least six. I personally cannot function if I don't sleep, so it's a top priority for me. I'm not one of those people who can bounce back after 3 hours of sleep.

*Update 9/15/18: My dad watched a TED Talk recently about sleep. The speaker said something like this: "When we wake up in the morning and see that our phones are 50% charged, we feel agitated and that sets a tone for the rest of the day. We put so much priority in making sure our phones are fully charged, but we go about our days 50 or 60% charged all the time without thinking about it." You can't manage your time properly if you aren't rested for the day. You'll be much more productive and comfortable if you get enough sleep.

5.//Make Time To Go To The Gym

I remember in my first semester of Freshman year, a trainer at the gym said that most students stop coming to the gym during midterms. She said,

"I wish that more students understood that going to the gym makes their days more productive, not less."

That resonated with me. It's also the reason I always went to the gym, even when I had exams. It's really easy to make excuses in college, so you need to be very mindful of your health. Working out was 100% worth it when it came to me managing my time, because it motivated me to eat healthier, gave me more energy, and helped me fall asleep faster. It also gives me a productive break in between homework and studying.

6.//Know Your Daily Rhythms

I mentioned this before, but I'll talk about it again. You know your body and mind best. You know which times you are most energetic and which times you're most lethargic. I'm not hungry first thing in the morning, so I don't eat breakfast immediately. I get ready, make my bed, pack my bags, etc.

I'm also good at self-motivation in the mornings. I can get a lot of studying and work done without procrastinating too much. I lose that self-motivation after lunch, which is why I've scheduled all my classes in the afternoon. Having some structure at that time makes me more productive.

Schedule your time with your daily rhythms. It'll make you much more productive and will help you get through your day by saving you energy.

7.//Set A Timer

This works so well. It's kind of crazy. What would take me an hour without a timer takes 30 minutes with one. I think the hardest part of getting work done is starting. Once I sit down and make a decision to start working, I can work nonstop. Just set a timer for 15 minutes. Once those 15 minutes are up, you'll probably be in the groove of things and won't stop what you're doing.

8.//Block Out Times In Your Schedule For Certain Tasks

Block out a certain time for classes, a certain time for work, a certain time to eat, etc. Batch similar tasks together so that you won't waste time going from one project to the next. If your daily schedule is blocked off into different sections, you won't have to waste energy on deciding what to do next. You also won't waste ten minutes every time you're "getting ready" to study by organizing all your notes.

9.//Schedule Breaks

I don't mean procrastination breaks. I mean actual breaks. Procrastinating by watching YouTube videos isn't a break because you're mentally draining yourself through guilt. If you are going to take a break, don't guilt yourself about it and don't waste an hour.

If you are intentional about your break time, you'll waste less time and will have more energy because you won't be wasting any of it on guilt.

Related - How To Take Intentional Breaks In College

10.//Pay Attention In Class

This is literally the ultimate time saver. If you're going to class every day, the least you can do is pay attention. This will honestly save you when it comes to studying for the test because you'll know the important information and what to go over. You won't have to waste too much time on looking through the textbook. (Of course, this only works if you have good professors.)

11.//Don't Be A Perfectionist

"Perfectionism is the mother of procrastination."

This quote rings true to many people. I've learned not to be a perfectionist when it comes to a lot of things, but this blog isn't one of them. When you want something to turn out perfect, you'll waste a lot of time working around the project. This happens to me all the time. I'll spend time outlining and creating blog post images, but I won't actually flesh out the post until the day before. (Today is a bad example because I'm writing this five days in advance, but that's not a norm for me.)

This can also be about moods. If I'm not in the mood to write an essay, I won't write it. I need the perfect amount of motivation and the perfect amount of time (Example - " Oh, it's 2:03. I'll start my homework at 3:00." Don't lie. You've done this at least once.)

I've taught myself to stop this because it is SUCH A TIME WASTER. I need you to know that not everything has to be perfect to be good. Most great things aren't perfect. I mean, have you seen the impressionist paintings from a few centuries ago? They're great paintings, but there's no such thing as perfect when it comes to those.

Sorry for that digression. The point is to be less of a perfectionist. You'll be happier for it in the end.

This isn't every time management tip in the book. These are only the things that work for me. I hope this helps you and I'll see you next time. Expect a Disney Trip Recap sometime next week.
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Other College Posts You Might Like

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11 Time Management Habits Worth Starting In College

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Hello, lovelies! As you are reading this, I'm probably exhausted after spending a weekend at Disney World with my friend and am being jumped on by my little cousins to get out of bed. (I'm obviously writing this post in advance, but if you want to see pictures of the trip, head over to my...

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run your college life on auto-pilot + Let Your System do the hard work for you

The worst feeling in the world is forgetting an assignment. Just thinking about it makes my face feel hot and my chest feel tight. Ugh! I hate forgetting an important deadline or event and remembering when it is too late.

If you are serious about improving your time management and want to never forget an assignment or exam again, you must implement a calendar strategy now. I will teach you how to:

choose the best calendar system for you.

organize and optimize your calendar.

review your calendar quickly and efficiently

incorporate calendar reminders on your devices

make your calendar work for you like I do

A Calendar is Non-Negotiable

A calendar is the best way to keep track of time and date specific information, like course assignments or exams. Events which belong on your calendar:

course assignments and exams

school closings

meetings

birthdays & anniversaries

work deadlines

trips or travel

medical & dental appointments

To increase productivity you have to know what you are working with. What are your commitments and when do you need to meet them? This means utilizing a central location to detail everything you have going on in life.

The purpose of a calendar system is universal, but the specifics of your own solution should fit your specific situation. Ask yourself these questions:

1. What would I have with me at all times?

Do you always have a notebook handy? Will you always have your phone with you? Do you constantly carry your laptop with you for work?

2. What would be easiest for me to use?

Do you love embracing technology and find it easy to work with? Does technology make you want to smash things into tiny pieces? Is it faster to write something on paper or type it on your device?

There isn't a right or wrong answer. I know some people who LOVE a paper calendar and are very productive using it. I am really into technology and always have my smartphone with me when I am out, and a computer nearby when I am at home. My ideal solution is an app to sync with my computer and phone. I've tried a few calendars over the years and use Google Calendar. It is free, easy to use, syncs across devices, and has some powerful tools to get organized.

Organize & Share Your Calendar

Once you commit to a calendar system, spend 10-15 minutes and get organized. Think about the categories in your life which you need to manage and create individual calendars for each area. In Google Calendar you can color-code your calendars to easily see at-a-glance what category each event fits into. Here are some calendar categories to consider:

individual course calendars - Name by course name or course code and enter every assignment, exam, and due date.

work - Include your work schedule, travel dates, meetings, etc.

family - Jot down your family traditions, trips, and holiday events.

birthdays - Be an awesome friend and family member and never forget a birthday again.

kids - Keep track of your kids' activities and school events.

meal plan - Productivity hinges on optimum health.

Obviously, you can have more or fewer categories, but this gets you thinking about the various aspects you need to be on top of in your life.

A huge bonus for creating separate Google calendars like this is the ability to easily share an individual calendar with someone else. Share the family and kids calendars with your spouse and you can both keep track of what you have going on. There are options for permissions to decide if one or both of you will add to and edit the calendar. Automating how you manage activities as a family is a huge time-savings!

Never forget an assignment or event

The most important part of maximizing your productivity using a calendar is to use it regularly. It needs to be an integral part of your daily habits. Rely on the calendar system to keep track of dates for you.

If you don't put the date of your assignment down, you may forget the assignment.

The benefits of this are amazing. Your brain is wired to store a finite amount of information at one time. The purpose of time management strategies and tools is to free up your brain processing power from tasks like remembering dates in order for it to work on more important tasks like acing your upcoming exam.

Remember, a calendar is just a tool. It can't do all of the work for you.

You have to build regular habits and routines to use your calendar. This will be most effective if it becomes part of your normal routine. You need two habits to really make your calendar work for you:

1. Immediately add all events.

2. Regularly review your calendar.

The first habit is really a no-brainer. If you are at the doctor scheduling a follow-up, add it to your phone right then. When you find out about an upcoming work conference, immediately jot down the dates. If you aren't adding every date to the calendar, it will never be a useful tool.

For the second habit, try adding a 5-minute daily calendar review to your existing daily schedule. You might try:

In the morning while eating breakfast spend a few minutes looking at your calendar for today.

Use your lunch break to get a few quiet minutes and review your calendar for the upcoming day.

While you wind down for the evening, look at your calendar for the upcoming day.

How I use my calendar routinely

To make the most of your calendar system you want to be using it at the macro and micro level. For me this means spending

10 Minute Monthly Planning -During the last week of each month I do a monthly planning session for the upcoming month. I look for major events, travel, birthdays and holidays.

30 Minute Weekly Planning -At the start of each week I look ahead and do more detailed planning for the upcoming week. I plan meals for the week, which is why this takes a half hour. Otherwise, I could wrap this up in around 10 minutes.

10 Minute Daily Planning-Each evening I look at the next day and get specific about when I can accomplish my to-do list items. They each get assigned a specific time. Check out this free Study Planner to help you work through the process.

60 Second Daily Review -Each morning I look at my calendar first. It is a quick reminder of what I have going on for the day and helps me to be intentional.

Each day I spend 6-11 minutes planning. It is very minimal effort which results in amazing productivity. I still allow time for spontaneity, and I don't plan every individual minute of the day. This habit of reviewing my calendar does help me to be very intentional about what I want to accomplish each day and how to get it done. I never forget an assignment, exam, birthday, or appointment.

Other tips for using your calendar regularly

You can also incorporate calendar reminders on your devices. Here are a few bonus tips for keeping your digital calendar front and center:

Add your calendar to the notification screen of your phone.

Set up pop-up notifications for important appointments to get reminders during the day.

Have your calendar in a pinned tab on your computer browser so it is always open.

Once you have put your calendar to work for you, check out these other time management tips and strategies.

Are you ready to feel in control of your studies and stop scrambling at the last minute to cram for exams? Understand how to fit in study time with a full-time job, why you are always cramming for exams at the last minute, and how to change the pattern. Take control of your study schedule and earn the grades you know you are capable of. Get the Successful Student Study Plan and learn to be productive with your study time.

Try It Yourself: 30-minute Challenge

1. Determine the calendar system you will be using and commit to one system.

2. Spend 10-15 minutes and determine what categories you need to include. Set these up as individual calendars.

3. Spend 10 minutes and add all dates you can think of to your calendar.

4. Spend 5-10 minutes and make a plan for reviewing your calendar monthly, weekly, and daily.

Leave a comment below and let me know which system you use to make sure you never forget an assignment, and why it works best for you?

Do you want to get serious about your studies? Check out my eBook, Pulverize Procrastination. Learn why you are getting results you DON'T want and how to get the results you DO want. Create a rockin' study plan you can stick with. Tap into your motivation and stop procrastinating homework.

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Tips to Never Forget an Assignment or Exam Again - College Study Smarts

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run your college life on auto-pilot + Let Your System do the hard work for you The worst feeling in the world is forgetting an assignment. Just thinking about it makes my face feel hot and my chest feel tight. Ugh! I hate forgetting an important deadline or event and remembering when it is too late.

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Are you in a slump? Some task is waiting for you but you just can't motivate yourself to do it? Then this list is for you: 25 tips on how to get motivated and tackle your goals!

Related: Learn how to increase productivity to reach your goals
Related: How to finally stop procrastinating for good

Disclosure: Some of the links below are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

How do you get out of a slump?

When you feel low on motivation and like you just can't seem to get moving for anything there are two main topics you need to tackle:

If your head is not in the right place, all the physical energy in the world will not motivate you. And the same is true for the other way around. Even if you are mentally pumped and focused, you need at least some basic physical energy to back that mental game up! So let's look at the first part of the answer to the question you are asking here: How do you become motivated and energetic?

Get motivated through a motivation mindset

1. Realize that motivation is up to you

The first thing you need to realize is that motivation is in your head. Yes, someone paying you more to do something might help. But in the long-term, you need intrinsic motivation. Stop relying on other people, wages or prestige to provide inspiration. Decide, that you will take it into your own hands to get motivated!

2. Find your why

Once you stop waiting for other people to provide incentives to you, find out what makes you tick. Or, as Simon Sinek would put it, " find your why ".

This is the moment to be honest with yourself. Sometimes the things that drive us are not necessarily the things we want to drive us. Think about the moments in which you feel super accomplished. Is it when you feel needed? Or is it when you feel free? Empowered?

It doesn't matter if you want to get motivated to workout, to clean, to lose weight or to start a company. This works for small and big goals.

Remind yourself why you want to do it. "Because I have to" does not qualify as an answer. You have more reasons than that.

3. Visualize the heck out of your goal

Alright, now you know why you actually want to do "the thing". You have a reason and you have a goal. Now it's time to visualize.

Imagine in all detail and with all senses. What does it feel like to have accomplished your goal? Are you super fit and flexible? Is your apartment bright and sparkling and smells like citrus?

Especially with bigger, more longterm goals, you want to make this visualization exercise a regular part of your day. I usually visualize during my morning routine.

By regularly imagining all those details, not only do you get a huge motivational boost. You also teach your brain what you want. And your brain is an amazing resource when treated correctly. It will start working towards making that image happen!

4. Tell other people about your plan

If you struggle to get motivated, having an accountability buddy can be an awesome idea. Find someone you can tell your goal to. And who will hold you accountable.

This works especially well if your motivation-partner goes for similar goals. The feeling of not wanting to let them down doubles. And you can exchange tips and tricks on how to reach your target.

5. Reward yourself

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Dull, in this context, can also mean uninspired. Demotivated. So make sure that you reward yourself on a regular basis.

Ideally, your reward is something that you enjoy and that has nothing to do with your task. Both negatively and positively. So, for example, don't reward yourself with a cheat day OR healthy delivered food if you are on a diet.

Instead, reward yourself with a movie. Or some time off from work for your favorite hobby.
Related: 75 simple self-care ideas
6. Debate with your inner voice

For many of us, motivation fades as soon as we start thinking about what we have to do. Our inner voice wakes up and tells us why we can't do it anyways. Or why it's too hard. Maybe it even starts telling us about all these other things we could do...

So in order to get and stay motivated, it is important that you learn how to debate with that voice. Start by becoming aware of its patterns. Does it always say the same things? Then find counter-arguments. Learn how to win the debate!
Related: 15 actionable tips to conquer self-doubt
7. Break it down

No matter how big or small your goal is, chances are that you can break it down into smaller parts. If it is so small that you cannot possibly break it down, simply do it right away.

The reason why we want to break it down is that big tasks can feel overwhelming and like you are not making any progress. If instead, you see small, very manageable bites, you can't help but get motivated. It will look so much more doable all of a sudden!

"Working out and getting fit" sounds so unattainable. "Work out for 5 minutes every day this week" is a completely different story, isn't it?

8. Track your goals

Keep track of your goals either with a project management app, if it's a big one, or simply with a tracker in your journal. I use my bullet journal for this.

This way you'll be able to see your progress, which will motivate you to keep at it.

9. Display your goals

Find a good way to display your goals. Maybe have a vision board? Or simply pin your goal list to your mirror? The type of presentation is up to your preference. Just make sure that you have visual reminders of your goals around to keep you motivated and on track.

10. Trick your brain into enjoying the work

Remember what I said earlier about the power of the brain? Well, you can also teach your brain to enjoy the "work" you put towards your goal. This way it will want more of it. And what do we call your brain wanting something? That's right, motivation!

So whenever you do something towards your task or goal, play some nice music. Make sure your surroundings smell nice. (I use essential oils like this one* for that.) Do whatever you can to create a pleasurable experience.

11. Use positive affirmations

A very similar way to get motivated is the use of positive affirmations. Use them to tell yourself that you are a super motivated and energetic person. That you love the thing you will do now. That you can't wait to get started.

Find out which thoughts hold you back, and then affirm the opposite to yourself. Out loud!
Related: 10 of the best inspiring quotes about procrastination
12. Strike a power pose

Do you remember "fake it till you make it"? This works both on a physical and mental level. And we will use it now to get motivated!

No matter what you really feel like, get your inner actress on and strike a pose. Stand or sit the way you would when you would be really inspired and excited to get started. Hold this pose for up to a minute. And enjoy the result.
Related: How to fix your posture for an instant confidence booster
13. Compliment yourself

Would you agree that getting compliments is motivational? Then use the power of complimenting on yourself! Stand in front of the mirror and tell yourself what awesome human being you are! How motivated! And energetic!

Again, do this even if you don't feel like it. Fake it. Go for that Oscar!

14. Accept the work in progress

You might use some of these tips and feel how they work. But then, the next day, everything is back to normal. To the slump. And you ask yourself: How can I stay motivated?

The truth is that there will always be days when you feel a little less inclined to do anything. But motivation works like a muscle. You can train it. Keep working on it, keep adjusting your mindset and you'll find that it comes easier and easier to get started.
Related: How to overcome perfectionism: 7 tips
"Physical motivation" or "How to get more energy naturally"

Now we've thoroughly covered your motivation mindset. But what if you are plagued by constant fatigue? Your lack of motivation could absolutely be caused by a physical lack of energy! So the next few tips tell you the basics on how to get more energy in a natural way.

15. Make sure you get enough sleep

This sounds like such a no-brainer, but unfortunately, it is not. If you are not getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night and you feel constantly tired and demotivated, it's time to work on your sleeping habits.

For starters you want to leave the phone out of the bedroom, go to bed on time, and minimize any sound or light disturbances.

Related: 8 things that will help you sleep better
Related: 10 effective morning energy boosters without caffeine

16. Eat the right things for an energy boost

No, I am not talking about sugary treats! Those will give you a blood sugar spike and related energy boost, but also a nice crash afterward.

Instead, opt for foods whose sugars absorb much slower. Surprise, surprise, those are the typical "healthy foods". Eat fruit, especially berries, vegetables, nuts and whole grains instead of fast food.

Those foods will also fuel your brain power and therefore are good for motivation. For a handy checklist, I recommend Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen.

17. Exercise

If you are trying to get motivated to exercise: congratulations! Exercising will actually help you get more motivated. The reason behind this is that exercising releases certain hormones that cause you to feel energized.

18. Drink water

A lack of water can easily cause fatigue and therefore a lack of motivation. To keep your energy levels high naturally, keep drinking water throughout your day.

If you struggle with this habit, put a "water tracker" on paper. Put it on your desk and check off the glasses as you drink them. Doing this for a few days will help you get used to drinking more.

19. Reduce stress

A certain amount of stress hormones is actually good for you. But this gets out of balance easily, ending in feelings of exhaustion and mental fog.

To counteract all the stressors of your daily life, find relaxing activities. The easiest and probably most beneficial habit to pick up for this is meditation.

Related: How to meditate for beginners
Related: What is mindfulness and how to practice it?

20. Get outside

Last but not least, make sure to get outside regularly. I want to say every day but would feel like a hypocrite. I work from home and I'm an introvert. Let's say regularly. If you can do every day, you are a champ!

Nevertheless, going outside, getting fresh air and, even more important, enough is a basic requirement for a healthy energy level. If you live in the northern hemisphere like me, consider supplementing vitamin D. You can find a Vitamin D supplement here*.

How do you get motivated?

Do you have any tips for us that are missing in this list? Let me know in the comments and make sure to share this with someone!

*These links are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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How to get motivated: try these tips for more drive!

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Are you in a slump? Some task is waiting for you but you just can't motivate yourself to do it? Then this list is for you: 25 tips on how to get motivated and tackle your goals!

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READ NEXT

We all struggle with time management, given the extreme amount of tasks we are to complete each day our favorite thing to do has been multitasking.

In today's busy world multitasking has become the number one skill listed on our resumes. I'm here to tell you the ugly truth, multitasking is the worst thing you could do to your productivity.

What did she just say?

Yes, I just said that. Multitasking has been proven to be extremely ineffective in many scientific studies. Our brains are simply unable to effectively or efficiently switch between tasks, causing us to make many mistakes, which take time to fix. It is also shown that we retain much less information when we multitask than when we solely focus on one task at hand.

So next time you find yourself watching Netflix while catching up on work and texting your BFF, think again. Are you actually paying attention to what your friend is telling you? Do you find yourself rewinding the show because you just missed the good part? And do you actually remember anything you read on that page of the book or do you have to re-read it again, and if you're anything like me, again.

This is classic behavior of serial multitaskers. Yes, it's an actual thing. We are addicted to multitasking. We feel like we are getting more done when in reality, we are wasting time people.

Luckily, I have a solution for you.

Have you ever wondered, how do all successful people get to achieve so many great things in such a short amount of time?

They're not special. They just know the right tools to effective time management. And this technique I'm about to share with you is their go-to trick.

Ladies and gentlemen, behold The Pomodoro Technique.

Before you say anything, this is not a pasta sauce, nor is it another Italian Restaurant in town. It is a productivity technique developed by Francesco Cirillo that sounds awfully like something on your grocery list.

What is the Pomodoro Technique?

I'll break it down for you into 5 simple steps.

1. Decide on what task you'd like to work on and achieve.

2. Set a timer for 25 minutes.

3. Work on said task without stopping to do anything else or paying attention to other tasks.

4. After 25 minutes is over, take a 3-5 minute break.

5. Repeat the process until each task is complete.

After 4 sessions, it is advised that you take a longer 15-20 minute break.

Sounds simple enough. So why does this technique work and why are so many successful people addicted to this?

The Pomodoro Technique benefits:

Improved quality as well as quantity of work

Better focus

Better time management (go figure)

More satisfaction as you complete each task

Who should use this technique?

Anyone that is looking to improve the quantity, as well as the quality of their work, should look into utilizing this technique because it can truly change the quality of your work. Whether it is a student who needs to manage their assignments as well as studying, a mom looking to organize their day more, or anyone who would like to manage their work more efficiently.

A personal note on how I myself have used this technique and some inspiration on how it could help you in your daily life.

1. Cleaning and chores. Do you know just how much you can get done in 25 minutes? Dishes? Done. Laundry? Put away. Bed? Made. Desk? Tidied up. 25 minutes seems like forever when you are not stopping to scroll on Instagram or watch a funny YouTube video.

2. Studying. I have managed to complete each assignment one by one in a matter of an hour by simply eliminating distractions and closing out of my thousand tabs.

3. Writing this article. As I am writing this I have a timer set so that I don't go on to write a whole new article before I finish this one. When inspiration hits you should act on it, however, my inspiration hits every time before I get to finish what I intended to, and that way nothing gets done.

Hopefully, this technique will help some of you, or maybe even one of you achieve the extensive to-do list that you write up each morning.

If you'd like to implement this time management tool into your daily life, I am linking the preset Pomodoro Timer. All you have to do is press START!

Let me know if you have any productivity hacks that could help others out!

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Best Time Management Tool: The Pomodoro Technique - Prescription For Happy

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READ NEXT We all struggle with time management, given the extreme amount of tasks we are to complete each day our favorite thing to do has been multitasking. In today's busy world multitasking has become the number one skill listed on our resumes.

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My first day of college I had an anxiety attack.

My heart beat so fast I thought a firehose of blood was rushing through my body. I wasn't sure if I could get out of the parking lot. I did. And then I walked to the main hall 's glass doors and stood outside. Students passed by me unaware of the way my lungs squeezed. I knew it was college anxiety, but it didn't make walking through those doors easier.

I went in. I glanced at my schedule and focused on finding the right room and grabbing a seat in the second row. I read that the best students sat in the front row, but I didn't want a professor to stare at me.

The second row was good enough. I took a deep breath and sat down. I took out my blue elephant notebook and 2 purple pens. I opened the notebook and printed the name of my class and the date on the top of the page. I looked up at the professor and knew I made it through those first steps.

But could I really succeed? Would I really graduate?

I did, but not without going through a lot of college anxiety.

College Anxiety

College is a stressful time for every student. It's a time of transition and change whether you are freshman coming straight out of high school, or a returning adult who has been out of school for years.

You feel nervous about classes and assignments. You worry about your grades and how they compare to other students. You worry about meeting new people and being liked and respected.

Also, you could be worried about prior bad academic experiences and doubt yourself. Will your professors think you're smart?

Or maybe past traumatic experiences make you fearful. In my case, I was afraid of being sexually assaulted again. I was scared to make friends and connect with others-not knowing who I could trust. I didn't know if I was safe.

I was scared I wasn't strong enough to meet this challenge.

Many elements contribute to college students' anxiety. If you think you have college anxiety, face it and confront it. Anxiety doesn't disappear by itself.

10 Tips for Overcoming College Anxiety

Before I give you these 10 tips, keep in mind that help is available to you. If you're concerned about the amount of anxiety you feel, seek professional help. These tips helped me and many other students, but I'm not a mental health expert. Please don't rely on any blog post for solutions or easy fixes to anxiety.

#1 Break everything down into small steps.

Don't think about the whole picture of your academic life. Take small steps on your way to achieving your college goals. Go to all your classes for the first week, and then count that as a success. Build upon that first success.

Look at what things make you nervous and divide them up into a series of small steps. Focus on completing those small steps. As you complete each step, you build momentum. Each small thing you do is one step forward in your college career.

#2 Talk yourself up!

Admit it. You talk to yourself. Make sure the sentences you say are positive. Tell yourself you're confident, successful, smart etc. Tell yourself you can face anything. These could be affirmations you repeat. Or just commit to always talking positively to yourself. Even if you don't believe these messages yet, your subconscious will. Eventually, your conscious mind will accept those messages as the truth.

#3 Let go of past failures.

Everyone has failed at something. But keep in mind that you endured, you kept going despite that failure, disappointment or trauma. You can't change the past, but you can control how it affectis you now. Limit how much you reflect on these times. Accept that they happened. But move forward and don't let past events limit your future. Don't be afraid to get help as you go through this process.

#4 Practice meditation or deep breathing exercises.

Meditation or deep breathing exercises will help you calm your nervous system. Search online or on YouTube to learn all kinds of meditation and breathing exercises. My favorite technique is simple:

I take 5 slow deep breaths and count down from 5 to 1. It's an easy exercise to try before an exam or another stressful challenge. It clears my mind and calms the shakiness in my body.

#5 Take up a relaxing hobby.

Select a hobby that interests you without stressing you. I enjoy coloring. I appreciate the beauty of what I color without worrying about how perfect the picture looks. Read, collect something, write poems, play an instrument etc. Choose a hobby that helps you concentrate on the present without worrying about anything else around you.

#6 Exercise regularly.

Find an exercise you enjoy and do it! Any exercise you can think of (running, walking, yoga, cycling, swimming etc.) benefits you mentally and physically. Your exercise routine doesn't have to be intense or high impact. You don't have to do it every day but try to exercise 3 times per week.

Select an exercise that helps you focus on what you're doing. I can't stand walking on a treadmill because it makes me think of a million other things I should do. I practice yoga because I concentrate only on breath and movement.

#7 Create a support system of trustworthy people.

Talk to people who listen to you without judging you. Sometimes this is family and friends but consider other people too.

There are counseling services at colleges. If you don't feel comfortable with psychologists or psychiatrists at school, ask your physician for recommendations. Another idea is to find a support group. Sometimes it's easier to connect with others who are experiencing similar things. Focus on connecting with and speaking to people who have a genuine interest in helping you as you work through your anxiety.

#8 Talk to your professors

If your anxiety stems from work you have in class, then let that professor know how you are struggling. Professors will make every effort to assist you and get you the academic help you need to get good grades in class.

Likely, they will recommend a tutor or help you during office hours. Just don't let anxiety be an excuse for not trying hard in class. Millions of other students with anxiety do extremely well in class.

#9 Recognize what stresses you by keep tracking of how you feel.

Keep a journal or log to record your feelings. I suggest a daily journal where you write about your day. Also, if you have an anxiety attack write down:

Symptoms-what did you experience physically and mentally?

Thoughts and Emotions-what were you thinking and feeling?

Circumstances-where were you and what were you doing?

People-who was with you or around you at the time?

Keeping track of how you feel will help you recognize patterns or situations that create extreme stress. Then you can make informed decisions about how to limit or eliminate those stressors.

#10 Realize that you're not alone in experiencing college anxiety.

The American College Health Association (ACHA) 2015 National College Health Assessment survey, found that nearly one in six college students had been diagnosed with, or treated for, anxiety. http://www.bu.edu/today/2016/college-students-anxiety-and-depression/

This means that many of the students around you are living with anxiety. Don't be afraid to reach out and talk about your experiences. This is how you find people who can empathize.

Conclusion

I overcame my college anxiety and thrived in college. Not in that first week of classes, or the first semester. I can't give you an exact date of when I got through it. Day after day, I became more confident and happy at college. I was excited to learn and experience new things. I didn't fear them. And for someone who wasn't sure she could walk through that first set of doors it was an amazing change.

I'm grateful I didn't let my anxiety stop me from graduating.

What advice do you have for students dealing with college anxiety? Please comment below with your ideas.

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

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10 Powerful Tips to Combat College Anxiety - Academic Writing Success

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My heart beat so fast I thought a firehose of blood was rushing through my body. I wasn't sure if I could get out of the parking lot. I did. And then I walked to the main hall 's glass doors and stood outside. Students passed by me unaware of the way my lungs squeezed.

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How to Plan a Successful College Semester

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How to Plan a Successful College Semester

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In my opinion, planning out your semester is essential.

Heck, planning out your life is even more essential!

I meet very few people who maintain sky high good grades or are very productive in general without having a solid plan for how their semester (or life) is going to look.

There are a bunch of ways to go about this process and I am going to go through a few of them right now that I think are the most efficient!

I like to mix up my planning to keep it fun and fresh so I have tried all of these methods myself!

So I can tell you what works and what doesn't for me based on my personal experience!

I will be focusing on semester planning in this post for my examples, but all these techniques can easily be applied to normal life things (bills, deadlines, to-do lists, appointments, etc.) So have fun and make these methods fit you!

What You'll Need

Let me start this off by talking about what you'll need. This is pretty straight forward!

You are going to need something that you have with you almost all the time. This can be a planner, your class notebook, a journal, or a binder.

All of these methods can be adapted to any type of material, you just need something that you will have with you at all your classes!

You'll also need something to write with. If you're artsy and love to make things pretty, then grab some colored pens and get ready to draw!

If you're more like me then a black pen is going to work great! You might even want to get crazy and write with blue ink!

You'll also need your syllabi for all classes. If you also have a set work schedule, break that out too!

The last thing I recommend are these free Semester Planning Worksheets I lovingly made just for you! I will talk about which one goes with each method in the rest of the post.

You can totally make these yourself if you want to get creative but these are already made if you want to save some time!

Plan by Date

The first and most straight forward way of planning out your semester is to plan by date.

That means you take your syllabi and write down all the dates in it - tests, quizzes, assignments and anything else your professor has written out!

This method works great for people who like to see all the things that are happening at once. It's likely that you'll have all your midterms in one week and all your mid-semester assignments clustered together.

For this one, I recommend using the Monthly Worksheet! Get it (and the rest of them) for free by clicking the picture below!

You'll be able to easily spot those weeks and make sure you have plenty of time before them to study and do the assignments.

What I Thought

This is the method I used all throughout high school and I loved it.

I would print out a little calendar and fill it all in. Then I'd stick it in the front sleeve of my binder and be all set.

Then I got to college... and let me tell you, that did not cut it for me!

I spent my freshman year using this method and I didn't go back.

The reason being, I was a procrastinator. In high school, I never had to study or put much effort into assignments. I was usually able to do them the night before and get A's.

That wasn't the case in college! This planning method didn't work for me because it didn't give me enough time set aside in advance to prepare.

I couldn't force myself to study in advance without a plan so I was always playing catch-up!

I think this method will work great for people who like to do things in advance and don't need personal accountability.

If you aren't a procrastinator, I think this will work great for you!

Plan by Assignment

The next method of planning your semester out is to plan things out by assignment.

This is the method I used after I realized I was a procrastinator.

For this method, what you do is make a list of assignments for all your classes and arrange them by what you need to do first.

Mine looked like a nice ordered list in the front of my notebook. The list had all my assignments from all my classes put together in one place.

I added the due dates to the side of the page but I only put them there to make sure I didn't miss a deadline!

The way I used the list was like a giant checklist. I started at the top and that was the first one I did! Then I just moved down the list.

This was a great way to get stuff done in advance. I knew that when I sat down there was never any confusion as to what I should be doing. I just looked at the list and did what was next.

The purpose of organizing this way is to streamline what you need to do. If you sit down to do work and you know you have an hour, you don't waste 15 minutes figuring out what you need to do!

You simply go straight to the list and do what's next.

I have a worksheet for this method too! On it are places to put your due dates, the type of assignment and the time you think you'll need to complete it!

As long as you can get yourself to commit to doing work, this method is a great way to get things done ahead of time.

What I Thought

I really liked this method when I did it.

I made sure I sat down at my desk for at least an hour a day and did assignments. And guess what!?

After a week or two, I realized I had finished half of my semester's assignments!

Go figure!

The thing I didn't like about this method is that I didn't set any time aside for studying. I didn't have it planned out so the tests had a way of sneaking up on me. That's never a good thing!

Also, another drawback of doing things so far in advance is that sometimes the material hasn't been taught yet and it's confusing. You might have to do the assignment and revisit by the time that course material is taught in class.

Finally, I didn't have any control over what assignments were next on the list. If a reading was next but I only had a half-hour to do work I would skip doing an assignment completely - simply because I didn't have time to do that specific one!

Maybe I just think weird but I tried the next method because of that.

Plan by Time Needed

(Otherwise known as Plan by Type of Assignment)

This method is a hybrid of the previous one.

Instead of organizing all assignments into one list, I stratified them a little.

So, I grouped them together into discussions, readings, big assignments, and basic homework.

I had a couple of different lists that collectively had all the due dates and time needed for my assignments.

This allowed me to be more productive with any small amounts of time I had!

I knew to reach for a discussion assignment if I only had a half-hour and to go for reading if I had a few hours to spare.

I had different lists for my different assignments and that also made it really easy to pick and choose what type of assignment I felt like completing at that moment.

For this method, I used the same worksheet as before and printed off a few of them. That way I had one for every different type of assignment!

What I Thought

I actually really liked this one.

It was really easy to complete my assignments on time and I was really ahead of schedule in no time.

Unfortunately, like the one before I didn't have any time set aside for studying and I still had a problem keeping track of my tests.

I also found with this method I had a lot of different papers floating around with no real home. They couldn't be kept with a specific class because they were a combo of all of them.

I was also terrified of losing one sheet and forgetting a bunch of assignments! I tried taping them to my dorm room wall, but then I didn't have them when I was at the library studying!

This method is a great one if you do a lot of at-home studying! If you use this method then make sure you have some other form of reminder for your tests and a plan for how to study for them!

The "Fit It In" Method

This is the next method I tried my Junior year! This year I was working more hours away from college so I had to be more on top of my time commitments.

This method uses a weekly planner style.

For this method, I would write out my weekly work schedule and block out my travel time I needed to get to work or school. Then I would write in my class schedule. After that, I would see what times I could use to study (I call these times dead zones).

They were times when I would have a class about an hour or two after another. It wasn't worth it to me to go all the way home so I would hang out on campus. Normally, I would use this time to scroll social media or read.

Instead, I used this time to do assignments and study! In my weekly planner, I would write out what I would do and when that week. That eliminated the time needed to figure out what I should be doing.

It also meant I was always at least a week ahead of my assignments! No more late nights trying to finish papers or discussions!

This method works best with the Weekly Worksheet! This worksheet has all the days of the week broken up into different hours of the day so you can maximize your planning!

What I Thought

I enjoyed this method too!

But, to me, it was really time intensive to sit down every week and plan it out. I'm just not used to this level of planning unless we're nearing finals week. Then I get a little intense with planning...

If you want to know more about how to survive finals I wrote an article on that! Find it here: 5 Study Tips to Help You Survive Finals

It was really helpful to find the dead zones in my schedule and utilize that time that I otherwise would have wasted. My schedule was pretty predictable though so I didn't have the need to find new dead zones every week, they were always the same!

I would recommend this method if you have a work schedule that changes often and is having trouble fitting everything in. You'll be able to find your weekly dead zones and use them to your advantage!

What I Use Now

This is the method I have used since the middle of my junior year until now!

This method works for me personally, however, I don't think it is any better than the others. It just works for my brain and lifestyle, so try any of the other methods that seem like they might work for you better!

The method I use is a combination of all the other ones in some way or another.

I use the monthly planner worksheet for all my big assignments and tests. I also have started writing in my social life activities since I am more time-restricted now. The worksheet is carried around with me everywhere I go.

I then use the Semester Planner by Course Worksheet to organize my courses individually. I keep these at home or in my course notebooks.

The worksheet I just mentioned boils the whole semester down onto one sheet of paper. Assignments, tests, quizzes and projects all on one sheet.

That lets me quickly decide on what I need to do but also allows me to keep track of other upcoming events!

This method takes the best of the organizing by assignment and type of assignment and smushes them together. I still have a list of all my assignments to pull from, I just have a little more control over what I do!

I incorporate the "fitting it in" method by figuring out my semester's dead zones the first week and memorizing them. Once I have determined my dead zones I take a peek at my assignments before I leave in the morning and just know what I'll be working on that day.

Bonus!

The extra thing I do on top of all my school planning is planning for this blog! For that, I have my set deadlines memorized, and anything else I put on the monthly planner.

I also carry a journal with me to capture any ideas I have when I'm out living my life!

(The idea for this post popped into my head while I was at Physical Therapy with my friend. I sat and scribbled in my little journal for a few minutes then was able to keep living without worrying about forgetting anything!)

If you're in a similar situation and tend to have ideas when you're out and about, I highly recommend doing this! It lets me be present in my life without slipping into planning mode while I'm out with my friends.

I hope you have gotten some ideas as to how you can plan out your semester for success! Ultimately, you need to figure out the method that works best for your lifestyle and brain.

You can always do that by downloading the free semester planning worksheets here or experiment with different styles!

If you have another method that works great for you, I would love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and be sure to subscribe for more awesome content!

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How to Plan Out a Successful College Semester - Secrets of a Forever Student

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In my opinion, planning out your semester is essential. Heck, planning out your life is even more essential! I meet very few people who maintain sky high good grades or are very productive in general without having a solid plan for how their semester (or life) is going to look.

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It's so weird to have August pass without starting school! This is the first time I celebrated my birthday without being in class. To celebrate the back to school season, I thought I would share some of my English major insider tips for overcoming writer's block while in college. This can apply to both school papers, assignments, and even creative writing. Be sure to check out my tips from the writing center before you submit your essay!

As an English major, I wrote A LOT of papers. I mean A LOT. In addition to writing a million papers, I also worked as a writing tutor and as the Editor in Chief of my schools lit mag. Today, I actually am the editor of my own lit mag. My lit mag, Capulet Mag, is currently open to submissions for the Fall Edition, so check out the guidelines if you have any writing or art you'd like to share!

Writer's Block

Writer's block frequently plagues college students. Whether this is your first semester or your last, you've probably encountered writer's block in some capacity. Writer's block can lead to all-nighters and last minute papers which nobody wants.

As Margaret Atwood says, "If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word." As someone who has faced writer's block a million times and survived to tell the tale, I'll share some tips for getting the words on the page.

Make an Outline

Outlines are especially important with college academic writing. Sometimes you're overflowing with confusion and uncertainty. You have a few ideas, but nothing concrete, and you have no idea where to even begin! I get it, trust me. Creating an outline can help form your roadmap for going forward.

I've included my personal academic outline that I used when drafting my papers! This outline is simple but effective and it helps you get your ideas flowing in a concrete way.

Avoid Editing

As a writing tutor, I often helped students get started with their own papers. I found that a lot of students struggle to get the words on the paper without constantly editing themselves. Let me just tell you right now that editing does not belong in first drafts. Your first draft should just be about getting the words on the page, not about perfection.

"Every first draft is perfect because all the first draft has to do is exist. It's perfect in its existence. The only way it could be imperfect would be to NOT exist."
― Jane Smiley

Don't know where to start? Start by just writing what you know. Discuss the prompt, discuss what you know about the topic, just start writing. Get all your messy, wonderful ideas on the page and let them sit for a while. It's okay. Nobody has to read it but you. Some of my best work has come from crappy first drafts. So has some of my worst. The idea is to just start writing to get the words flowing.

One of my favorite tools for writing without thinking is Write or Die, which I've discussed before on this blog. This online tool encourages you to write constantly to avoid loud noises and other terrifying disruptions. You can purchase the software for your computer or just use the free version which I recommend.

Another cool program to try is Ommwriter which is a pretty nifty program that helps block out all distractions while encouraging you to hone in on the experience of writing. It's pretty affordable (6 euros), so definitely consider it if you suffer from chronic writer's block.

Establish a Writing Routine

Most famous writers had a well-known writing routine to get their minds ready for the Muses. Famous Japanese author Haruki Murakami, for instance, wakes at four a.m. each day to start writing and claims this sense of repetition is essential. Short story writer Nathan Englander says all you need to do to write without distraction is turn off your phone. Come up with your own pre-writing rituals.

For me, it's a cup of coffee and ambient music. Here are some ideas for creating your own routine:

Set Goals

If you sit down to write with no definitive goals, you might feel overwhelmed and unable to even begin. Setting goals is a good way to pace yourself. For instance, if you have to write a 5,000 word essay by Friday, perhaps just focus on writing 1,000 words each day for five days. Knowing you can stop once you reach 1,000 words will help keep your stress levels down.

I've always found that after writing 1,000 words or so, I'm not ready to stop yet, which is great! Usually, those starting goals get stretched and stretched until the project is done. Reward yourself by taking a break when you reach your goals!

Overcoming Writer's Block in College

Don't let yourself become another victim on writer's block! It can trick you into waiting until the last minute to start your important papers, and that's no fun! Turn off your phone, settle into a routine, and write your first draft. It's okay if it sucks! Let me know your favorite tips for overcoming writer's block in college below in the comments!

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Overcoming Writer's Block in College | Samanthability

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It's so weird to have August pass without starting school! This is the first time I celebrated my birthday without being in class. To celebrate the back to school season, I thought I would share some of my English major insider tips for overcoming writer's block while in college.

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9 Stress-Relief Tips for College Students

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9 Stress-Relief Tips for College Students

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I don't know about you, but I can already start to feel this semester hit hard. With syllabi out, I've already had my first papers and tests due, and I can begin to feel the stress starting to hit. If this is you too, just know that you are not the only one starting to feel the pressure of a new semester after a break of doing nothing. Luckily, there are a lot of things we can all do to relieve stress. Here are my go-to stress relief tactics for college students!

I know that this one is always preached about: endorphins make you happy, and other neuroscience facts are thrown in as to why exercise is essential. But, it is entirely accurate. When the kind of stress that makes me want just to get up and leave starts to hit, I go to the gym. Some of the most successful people in the world swear by their workout routines not only because it keeps them fit, but also because exercise helps relieve stress.
So make some time and go to the gym as soon as possible. If you don't know where to start with your campus gym, check out my post on how to conquer a college gym as a newbie!

Sometimes, you just need someone to listen to you. I know it can be hard to find a good friend willing to listen to you get everything off of your chest, but I promise that just getting everything out there can be so helpful. I would also suggest finding out where counseling and therapy are on your campus. At my school, we get a certain number of therapy sessions included in tuition, and I think that's a fantastic opportunity to talk with a professional who knows exactly how to help you deal with whatever is causing your stress.

Find alone time

Often, my stress in college has been the result of constant contact with other people. I'm an extroverted person and get antsy when left alone for too long, but when I get stressed being with other people tends to aggravate me even more. With roommates and suitemates, it sometimes feels like there is no way to find even a few minutes to be alone.

I challenge you to find a place where you can be by yourself and utterly alone for a while. I try to find out when my roommate is out and use that time to be alone, or I go to the quiet floor of the library and make myself spend a few hours at a desk working without talking or texting anyone.

Practice self-care

Self-care became a buzzword in 2018, and although I don't think it is always the solution to everything, it sure can help with stress relief. So grab a facemask, take a long shower, or light a candle (if it's allowed in your dorm/apartment) because it is time to destress!

Listen to soothing beats

Everybody knows that music can have a significant effect on your body and brain. When you play fast, loud music, you also may start to feel amped up and ready to get moving. If you need to de-stress, I suggest playing slower tunes with a steady beat but is not overwhelming. Make sure you find songs that are calming and soothing but don't mix up slow with sad here as well.

Get outside

A breath of fresh air can often be helpful. If the weather is good wherever you are, and you have somewhere that has some nature, I suggest heading outside and finding the trees. Find a walking path or go to a park. Greenery and scenery are sure to ease the overwhelming feeling that may come with your stress.

Eat (a lil) comfort food

I caution you to be careful with this one. It is important to indulge yourself a bit when you are feeling down, but not too much. I know that I personally stress-eat a lot, in high school I could down an entire family size bag of potato chips without blinking. So, indulge yourself a bit with a little bit of whatever your favorite comfort food is, but don't let stress cause you to binge.

Clean your room

I don't know about you, but I cannot be productive at all whenever my room is a mess. To be honest, if my dorm looks like a hurricane hit, my stress levels definitely heighten. So take some time out of your day to clean up and make your space productive again.

Make a to-do list

One of the most stressful feelings is when you have an avalanche of responsibilities piling up. We tend to overexaggerate in our head how serious these problems are until we have a grasp on them. When you make a solid list of everything that needs to get done, your responsibilities seem less daunting and more accomplishable. You have a line-by-line listing of all the things you have to get done, and you can start right away rather than thinking about how overwhelming it might be.

I know that sometimes life in college can get insanely stressful. But if I can do it, then I definitely know you all can. Good luck with your endeavors and I hope you feel less stressed!

Xoxo,

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9 Stress Relief Tips for College Students - Simply A Fox

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I don't know about you, but I can already start to feel this semester hit hard. With syllabi out, I've already had my first papers and tests due, and I can begin to feel the stress starting to hit.

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(IMAGE CREDIT TO ME - PLEASE DO NOT REPOST)

This is a planning method that I've come up with by combining different study methods I've come across until now.

I plan for each test, exam or assignment in detail . (At least) a week before the test/exam, I spend a day to complete my study plan - then I (try to) follow the plan religiously until the test day.

Basically, there are 4 steps in my planning process:

1. Outline the big "chunks".
i.e. the main topics to be covered for the test. These are often headings of chapters or modules. I call these "tasks".

2. Break down& list the subtasks.
A topic/task must be broken down into smaller, manageable pieces that are very specific. More specific goals can lead to greater productivity. I refer to these smaller steps as "subtasks".
Ask WHAT and HOW. WHAT are you going to study and HOW are you going to study it? So for example, "Study chapter 1.1″ would answer what you are going to study but not HOW. Break it down into smaller steps. Goals like "Summarise ch 1.1″, "Go through problems 1.1.3 to 1.1.11″, etc. are better.

3. Weigh the tasks & subtasks. Highlight the tasks/subtasks that: a) the lecturer emphasised or mentioned as a potential exam question; b) you struggled with specifically. These must be distinguished because they will require more attention and time than the rest of the tasks.

4. Decide when each subtask needs to be completed. I follow The Seven Day Study Plan to plan when I will complete each subtask, and assign a day (between D2-D6) (remember, D1 is used for planning and checking that you have everything that you need) There are a few rules that I bear in mind at this stage:

a) Assign more time to study for the sections highlighted in step 3.
b) Try, if possible, to finish one module within 1-2 days.
c) Try, if possible, to study the material in a logical order i.e. such that the topics flow and are connected to each other in a logical manner. Lecture plans often flow quite logically so I like to study the subject in the order it was taught.
d) It is a personal rule of mine to leave the last day (D7) open. I always try to cover everything before D7 and use the last day to catch up with whatever task I was unable to complete, and to review everything before the test.

After I am done planning, I copy the subtasks into my bullet journal/weekly planner.

+(High-res version of this image can be found here, or here.)

This is the template I use to plan my study time for a test or exam, following the process I have described above. To demonstrate the planning process itself I'll use my study plan for my Intro to electrical engineering class test as an example.

So I fill in the title - the test/assignment I need to study for. Then I fill in the due date (i.e. the date I am writing this test) in the top right hand corner.

I now fill in the Basic Outline block - I list the modules I need to study for this test.

Next, I write each point in the basic outlines block into each task block. Then I write down the corresponding textbook chapter number and the slide set number/name.

I go through my textbook, slides, resources, etc. and decide how I need to study. Usually the structure would be: summarise - revise summary - go through examples from lectures/textbook - do tutorial questions - do textbook questions. (Here, I list the subtasks in no particular order because I write them down as they pop into my head. I write them down in order in my bullet journal later.)

I highlight the sections that are important/guaranteed to be in the test, and the sections that I struggled with.

I assign a day to each subtask. I would usually plan to study 2 easy chapters together and plan separately for a more challenging module.

The completed plan would look something like this.

I use this process to plan for my essays as well. In this case, I list steps like planning, research, drafting, final draft in the Basic Outlines box, then follow a similar process as above.

If you have any questions, inbox me :)

-Gia

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(IMAGE CREDIT TO ME - PLEASE DO NOT REPOST) This is a planning method that I've come up with by combining different study methods I've come across until now. I plan for each test, exam or assignment in detail .

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How to Excel as a Student with a Full-Time Job

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How to Excel as a Student with a Full-Time Job

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You're chasing your dream of getting a college education, but you're also working a full-time job. You know it won't be easy, but you're willing to put in the time and energy to make your career and education work.

Here are ten ways you can maximize your time while studying for your degree. We can't wait to see you succeed!

Choose the right degree program

Make sure you select a class schedule or method that fits with your work schedule. If your school offers classes one night a week or online, like Southern Nazarene University does, it will be easier to manage both obligations.

Keep your appointments/obligations in one place

Using the same planner for work and school can be helpful to make sure you don't overcommit yourself. You won't lose track of to-dos for work or school, and you'll be better able to plan for future weeks.

Wake up early

Getting your schoolwork done first thing can help prevent distractions that may pop up later in the day. Bonus, once it's out of the way, you'll have the rest of the day to spend on things that matter to you.

Embrace the in between times

Every second in your day needs to count. Don't wait for a huge chunk of time to get your homework done. Use little fifteen-minute breaks to answer questions or review content. The time you spend up will add up!

Use your commute

Some professors allow students to record lectures to review later. If you can, record the lecture and listen to it during your commute. If you can't, make a recording yourself. If you drive twenty minutes each way to work, that's forty minutes of study time per day!

Bathroom breaks

If you want to get really serious, keep a stack of flashcards in the bathroom. We won't judge.

Choose your priorities

Create a list of your main values. Things that may not make the list may have to be set aside for the time being. You may have to sacrifice your favorite TV show for study time or your nail appointment for more time with family.

Build in flexibility

Speak with your supervisor about ways your job can accommodate your studies. Maybe you need to come in early some days to leave early another day. Or, maybe once your duties are done, you can study and work on homework.

Take vacation days

Use a day of PTO here and there to study before a major exam or catch up on classes falling through the cracks. If you're like most Oklahomans, you probably have a few days stored up.

Practice self-care

Running yourself ragged won't help anyone. Studies prove you can be more productive when you take time to recharge.

Ultimately, you'll have to find a system that works for you. Practice and try new things. If something is working well for you, share it with your cohort so your fellow students can benefit from all your experience!

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How to Excel as a Student with a Full-Time Job

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You're chasing your dream of getting a college education, but you're also working a full-time job. You know it won't be easy, but you're willing to put in the time and energy to make your career and education work. Here are ten ways you can maximize your time while studying for your degree.