Brace For Finals

We are now approaching the home stretch of the Spring 2014 semester and that means we all have very few weeks until Finals come at us. For many this point in time right now is not explicitly when you might want to think about Finals, but hear me out as to why this is the most important time.

The Path

   College can be stressful? I am not sure that such a phrase is exactly the kind of wisdom you will find carved on a stone near the oldest human settlements on account of how obvious it is, but there is a lesson that comes from it. College is the beginning of something bigger and better. I know, I know - you probably heard that about High School, too. The thing is, High School prepares you for social interactions with others on a large scale where-as college prepares you for ... well, being you.
So,

Work Ahead ... or Else!

New semester!

New classes!

New deadlines!

While the third thing I mentioned might not seem like the biggest concern when held against things like "Where is my Financial Aid?" and "Why did my roommates think watching You Got Served was a good idea?"

Preparation tips for Finals!

               That dreaded time of the semester is just around the corner! Finals week is the time of the year where everyone tends to stress over, and where coffee becomes your best friend. Even though this week can be full packed of preparation and anxiety, there are resources on campus that can help you get mentally prepared for finals.

How to Survive Midterms (Peacefully) at UT Tyler

So this is around the time of the year when all of my professors decide that they are the only class I have to study for and therefore make all of their tests and projects due on the same day. Not like in high school where they would have all of their tests and projects in the same week. This is just serves as a preview to remind me of what is about to ensue. 

I wonder what Boromir would major in...

 In a few short weeks, it will be fall semester midterms, second only to finals in level of stress. For some people it may even be more stressful than finals! Reason being, if you do well enough on your midterms, you will have less pressure to make the perfect score on your final exam to bail yourself out.

This is how to survive your midterm :)

1.   Drink lots of water. Your brain is made out of mostly water and fat. That sounds gross, but it is actually perfect for all of the processes necessary to keep us alive. To deprive it of water and sleep is setting it up for a not so good grade in my experience.
2. Study, but do not cram. This goes without saying. Make sure the day before the test, you just lightly go over your notes.
3. Work with your natural environment, not against it. If you’re a social learner, get in a study group. Don’t know anyone? Bashfully admit you have no clue what you’re doing and be surprised when you meet the best friend of your life. If you prefer to work alone? Do it. Come as you are and flourish.
4. Set realistic goals for yourself.  Don’t expect perfection; you’ll make mistakes. That’s part of the beauty of being human.
5.      Respect yourself and your work. This is not the time to throw away all your hard work by cheating. Everyone has heard of “that person” who got her hands on the answer key to memorize the answers. While they may get the better grade, they don’t respect themselves and they lack integrity. The grade becomes irrelevant.

Never fear, readers! After the midterm frenzy is Thanksgiving Break and then a mad dash for finals week. Keep calm and patriot on!

They think you rock (:

Study hot spots during the school year for UT Tyler students

                The comfort of your own room to spend your late night study grinds is the usual thing, but sometimes the bed calls you and you succumb to slumber. Where else can you go to study besides your bed? How about some coffee shops!

                If you’re interested in going off campus to study, there are different coffee shops around town that provide delicious treats, free Wi-Fi and the all mighty coffee boost. There are different kinds of shops that provide coffee around Tyler such as Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels, Caffe Tazza, Panera Bread, Barnes & Nobles and Newk’s. 

                Here’s a chart to show the amenities that these different locations provide: 
          

                

                If you like having some noise around you when you study like I do, then these places are right for you. These places provide a mellow atmosphere that is comforting to study around. There’s not too much noise and it’s definitely not too quiet to make you sleep.

                If you get hungry, these sell food so you don’t have to take too much of a food break since it is right there available to you. To look at the menu that each establishment provides, go to their menu by navigating through their individual website.

                You can also go on campus to study if you wish to stay close to home. The Muntz library provides a great zone to study in as the first and third floor are silent areas. They also have their own coffee shop that brews Starbucks coffee. To read more on what the library offers click here. 

              

Grade Alternatives at UTT

   So ever now and again I come across a student who needs to take a class that isn't offered the semester they need to Graduate, or they had a rough semester and are not sure how they'll make it through the last part of their class.

   Things happen, sometimes things beyond out control. These things sometimes trip us up hard and I just want you to know about some alternatives to possibly failing a class.

   These options are not ALWAYS available and each has their own caveat to consider.

   1. Taking an I on the Grade in exchange for doing more/different work --- If you KNOW you are missing work and can't complete it on time, consider talking to your Professor about taking an I for the grade. What would happen is that you and your Professor talk and ( IF THE PROF. AGREES ) then decide on alternate options. Maybe you'd write that paper you missed or failed over the summer? You and the Prof. make a contract together to 'correct' missing/incomplete/poor work in exchange for your grade being turned into an I. You then have as long as you and the Prof agree ( usually not exceeding an academic year ) to do the work and then your grade will be changed. Sometimes a Prof will let you re-do work but your grade will be a C, even if you turn in an A. That is the trade-off, and sometimes the Prof. will not consider this course of action.

   2. Independent Study --- This one is a weird tool in your study "tool-kit" because, like the I, it hinges on you and a Professor working out an agreement. Let's say you need French IV next semester to graduate, however the class is not offered then? You'd talk to the Prof and ask to arrange an Independent Study. You'd have to make sure your Prof. is OKAY with this because you are asking them to take on extra work. Also, your ability to use these kinds of courses are limited ( 2 in your Undergrad career ). Sometimes you can also use this option to build up experience in a topic not offered here in a class, but that you know a Prof has experience in. In the end, talk to your Professors.

   3. Grade Replacement --- This one is simple enough. Let us say you fail a course? You are not doomed, you can file for Grade Replacement! As long as you failed the class you can apply for GR and then your 'old' (failed) grade will become replaced by the new one.

    While these options are not always seeming like the best thing for us, they are options. Never write them off, but primarily speak with your Professor about these options.

Spring Break = STUDY?!

   So, as we approach this joyful time of Spring Break, remember that while the freedom might be invigorating, it is also limited. Take this well deserved time off to ( wait for it ) … actually study.

   I am serious, don’t laugh or scoff! Think how rare it is that you actually get THIS much time off school ( and work, in some cases! ). You have  great opportunity to be able to carve out some serious “you time,” but you can also get a LOT accomplished to make coming back after mid-terms a breeze.

-          Re-read older material and look through upcoming material in your classes.

-             Take breaks and have fun, don’t just “study, study, study” all the time. Maybe every other day?

-          Think on things you normally get to do … and do them! ( but then, study! )

   I don’t advise you study because I am a sad-sack with no friends! I love them and seeing them means a great deal, but so does not wasting a week when I could finish a draft of three papers AND study up for a test that will be two weeks after I get off break.

Manage your time.

Have fun.

Study hard, where allowable.

Succeed!

You Shall Not Pass (Math)!!

Today I took my very first college math test EVER! I really didn’t know what to expect from it, mostly because in high school, I found the majority of my tests to be very easy to pass. I was friends with a lot of seniors when I was a junior, and when they went to college, they told me about how the tests in college are very different than in high school! So in remembering that, I was very nervous when I realized that a test worth a lot of my final grade was coming up. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one in my class that felt that way. In fact, most of the class was dreading the test.

                Another thing that I was worried about was how to study, because I’ve never really had to study for anything before. Since I don’t exactly have perfect study habits, it’s very beneficial that I go to the math lab.
                What’s a “math lab” you may ask? Well, the math lab is a magical place where you go on campus that has a bunch of resources and tutors to help you with any math homework, or to help you study before a test! If you don’t know how to do a problem, they sit there and help you figure out and learn what to do!

A Student's Letter To Parents

 First, let me say that I am approaching this article from a very unique standpoint and it deserves some commentary beforehand so as to have my thoughts make the most possible sense. First, I have spent way more time in college than I should have on account of having switched majors, as well as for the fact that my degree searching took me across two states. This journey caused a severe delay in my expected graduation date of 2013 ... and I started in 2005-2006. I hope you might listen to my perspective as I look forward to being a dad someday, I really do. I understand that I am going to have to watch my kid go from being wholly dependent on me; to likely know that they think that ( while trusting that he/she/they love and respecting me ) that I don't “get" his/her trials, tribulations, and difficulties. Or, who knows, we could be thick as thieves? The point is that I'll have to watch him or her go off to college.

Summer Break

I love college. Don't get me wrong. I love learning, I love class, and I even love writing papers. I'm a freak; I know. Yet, every university student needs a brain break every once in awhile. If we don't take time to reload, we have nothing to give in our academic environment. So, if you are free from class for summer one, like me (or all summer you lucky duck), take that time to do some things that you don't get a chance to while you are in school!

• Sleep until you wake up! Forget setting that alarm! It feels good and gives your brain a chance to sort out all of those things you learn during the day.
• Clean your car. If you're like me, it is covered in dust and full of books and junk. Cut that stuff out. It makes your life take longer. Same goes for your closet.
• Learn things you don't get a chance to in school. Google some stuff. Check out some books from the library.Yup, the UT Tyler library is open during the summer!