More Study Tips

Happy Friday to all my lovely readers, it looks like my next 14 days are going to be all about finishing last minute assignments for classes and study sessions. Yes, I am entering the much dreaded "Dead Week" and finals week. Yikes, the end of the semester has crept up on me sooner than expected. Last week, I did a post about how to reduce stress for students. So this week, I am sort of continuing on with some more tips. I know that many college students are actually heading into finals week next week and are in the same boat as I am in. Regardless of when finals are taking place, here are some more of my favorite study tips that have saved me time and time again.

1.) Go to review sessions/make a study group: If your professor is kind enough to hold a review session, go to it. If they are not doing a review session, then I suggest getting some classmates together and helping one another study. I know from experience that it is very easy to forget about something when you make your study guides, so it is really important to see what your classmates are including in their study guides and you can help answer each other's questions.

2.) Healthy Snacks: Don't forget to have healthy snacks while studying. It can be tempting to pound away at your review session and become too focused on working. Healthy snacks give you the energy to keep working hard and it can help your brain function better. I love fruit, nuts, and granola bars. Also, remember to drink plenty of water. I cannot stress the importance of drinking water and not coffee, soda or energy drinks while studying. Refer back to previous posts regarding the benefits of hydration.

3.) Mind Mapping: I found this technique super helpful for when I make my study guides. Mind mapping is when you put the topic or idea in a circle or bubble in the middle and then draw other bubbles that branch out from the center. In those branches or outer bubbles, you write down the terms or principles that are associated with the term in the center. This allows you to be able to visually see how the principles connect with the main idea and you can see everything you need to remember for the exam. I am definitely planning on using this technique for all of my study guides this semester.

4.) Office Hours: Do NOT be afraid to visit your professor during his or her office hours. They have office hours for a reason. They are there to help you and answer your questions. They may also be able to give you some insight on what to expect from the exam and my professors have been able to give me ideas for how to study more effectively. Do not be scared to approach them.

5.) Flashcards: You can use either paper flash cards or a site called Quizlet to help review big ideas or concepts/terms. You can as a friend to help you go through them or you can do them by yourself. Either way, you can instantly see what terms trip you up and what you need to focus on before the big day.

I hope this helps with test anxieties. Remember to take deep breaths and take care of your bodies. You can do this and all of us college students are going to survive these next few days!

XOXO
Chloe

Managing Stress For College Students

Hello again, everyone! I only have 21 days left of school for this year. Wow! I am so excited about being home for the summer and getting time to relax and recuperate from a busy year. However, I am getting ready to enter the much dreaded homestretch. One more week of classes, then "dead week", then finals week. Ahh! A lot of my fellow classmates and friends and I are going crazy. We vent about unfinished homework assignments, exams to study for, project that are do, papers to write, and so on. I'm guessing my friends and I are NOT alone in this struggle. SO here's some tips I've accumulated over the past couple of years of being a college student.

1.) Exercise: Physical activity is so beneficial. Not only dies it help you get your body ready for swimsuit season but it also helps boost energy. If you find yourself super sleepy while studying or doing homework, get up and move. It doesn't have to be a full workout at the gym. If you are short on time, take a walk around campus, do some jumping jacks, or go up and down the stairs. When you get the blood flowing throughout your body, it will really help perk you up, and you'll also be in a better mood. I am in Intramural volleyball season, and I've been having a blast with it. It's a low-stress environment where a bunch of my friends and I get together to play volleyball and blow off steam. It is so much fun and I get a good workout in!

2.) Sleep: This is honestly a hard one for me. I do a lot of my best studying at night and it is sometimes hard to shut off my brain. But 7-8 hours of solid sleep helps your brain function to the best of its ability. Skimping on sleep the night before an exam is a bad idea. It will decrease your memory and the chances of remembering everything you need for that test become low. Sleep obviously helps you feel more awake and keeps you in a better mood.

3.) Water: I am also guilty of not drinking enough water. I reach for coffee throughout the day. And although coffee isn't entirely bad, it doesn't give you the benefits that water does. Coffee makes your dehydrated. Water also helps you stay awake, is good for your body, and it helps you perform better while studying or taking a test. I had a high school teacher compare water to premium gasoline for your car. Coffee is like regular gasoline. It works okay for some cars but it is not the best option. It can even ruin some cars. Your brain is like a car engine. You need to be super careful about what you fuel it with. Water is like premium gasoline. It will prevent your brain from crashing. There's a whole host of ailments that can accompany dehydration so it's best to embrace water instead of energy drinks and sugar.

Anyway, I hope these three tips will help you ace your projects and exams. Keep your head up and stay strong. You will dominate these last weeks of school and then be off to a well deserved break.

XOXO
Chloe

The Only Day That Matters Is Today

Hello everyone! Sorry I missed you yesterday. I had so much work to catch up on but I'm finally able to be here on the web today. This past Thursday, I only had one class and my class was instructed to spend time outdoor and take a photo with our phones of something in nature that we found aesthetically beautiful. The weather was amazing and it was so refreshing to get to spend time appreciating nature and seeing beauty in the smallest details. Tree bark, new leaves budding, flowers blooming, lush green grass, smooth pebbles by the river... I was then reminded of something so important: Today is the only day that matters.

In Chicago, the weather is extremely unreliable. (especially when it's supposed to be springtime). It can be sunny, warm, and pleasant and then the very next day it is snowing, overcast, and windy. This is something I really dislike about Chicago. I consider anything below 60 degrees to be too cold and I find myself constantly complaining about how I'm not happy with the weather. I'm guilty to say I only  take time to be grateful when things go my way and this is dangerous. Thursday, I was sitting in the grass and just reveling in how glorious the weather was and I told myself. So instead of worrying about tomorrow's forecast, just stop and appreciate this exact moment in time. The sun is shining on me, birds are singing, flowers are in bloom. Tomorrow can be crazy but tomorrow is also very far away. There will never be this exact moment ever again so love it while it lasts. Let tomorrow take care of itself and leave yesterday alone. This exact second is what needs to be noticed.

Today is the day to be thankful. Today is the day to make someone else happy. Today is the day to remind yourself that you are strong, talented, and fierce. Today is the day to stop worrying about all your problems and inconveniences. Today is the day to relax and enjoy.

XOXO
Chloe

It's Been A While Since I've Posted Poetry

Happy Friday, everyone! It's been such a hectic week for me but I've made it. I hope your week hasn't been too chaotic. The weekend is here and it's now time to relax and unwind for a bit. As I've been scanning my previous posts, it has been a while since I have shared some of my own personal poetry with you. My writing schedule has been almost nonexistent to be honest. It's something I feel guilty about, but at the same time, no one has an easy, slow, chaos-free schedule. So here's one poem I wrote some time ago, and have recently finished revising:

Kids Are Accessories

The girl with the colorful heart

couldn’t resist feeling remorse.

She knew.

She was wrong to blame the child

for taking away her liberty

Marrying the boy just because

she feared being perpetually alone

and having children, lots of them

to prove she had a purpose

Now 28 years old and alone and exhausted because

Boys and girls don’t stay boys and girls for long.

Kids in society tend to be accessories

how many kids can you fit inside your house

that sits quietly on the cul-de-sac?

Kids make lovely decorations and trophies in America’s eyes.

I am not going to go into the details of why I wrote this or what I intend for it to mean. That is strictly up to my readers. I believe all of you are intelligent and creative enough to decipher your own unique meaning and/or opinions. All I can say, is that my poetry is super special to me. It's a part of me and it can never be separated from me. It's an unbreakable bond. We all process the world differently, and for me writing is how I make sense of the crazy and oftentimes confusing world around me. Paper does not judge me for asking so called "stupid questions". (which by the way, I firmly believe no question is ever stupid. We are all learning at our own pace, and a work in progress) So enjoy and/or agree/disagree. I leave my intention and the meaning of this work completely open for interpretation. 

XOXO

Chloe 

The Ultimate Win-Win Situation

Hello, to all my gorgeous readers! I'm so sorry I missed you last week. I got caught up in a lot of work for school but now I am back! I have fallen deeply in love with an amazing company called Pura Vida Bracelets. They are based out of La Jolla, California, USA and it was started by two guys who took a trip to Costa Rica, met a some talented artisans who made bracelets, took those bracelets back to America, and sold them to people, and decided to give back to artisans in Costa Rica. Pure Vida means "pure life" and the company is all about giving back to not only artisans in Costa Rica, but also doing their best to support non-profit charities and organizations. Just about nay cause you can think of, Pura Vida most likely has aa bracelet that will give back money to them.

If bracelets are not quite your thing, you can also purchase water bottles, jewelry holders, clutches/bags, hair ties, and clothing. They also sell anklets too if that's your type of thing. I love that each bracelet and anklet are handmade by artisans in Costa Rica. It's important to me that we do our best to support artists and individuals rather than only relying on factories and machines. There's just something extra special and genuine/authentic about hand made items.

If you're reading this and are interested, I have some great news! I am now an official Pura Vida Rep and I would love to hook you up with some awesome and fun goodies. Go to http://www.puravidabracelets.com to start shopping, once you added some goodies to your shopping cart, when it asks if you have a coupon code, type in CHLOEPARK20 to receive 20% off any item. You can also use this code in the future. This is NOT a one-time offer. If you live in the United State, there is also free standard shipping, s no more dealing with ridiculous, overpriced, overrated shipping and handling fees. And the items are all reasonably priced, so once you enter in my code for 20% off, it's super cheap and each bracelet purchased gives a full-time job to an artisan in Costa Rica. I understand this part is going to sound a bit selfish, so please forgive me: I also receive a 10% commission for being a rep. Your purchase will really help out this college student's wallet even if it's only one small purchase. I truly appreciate your consideration, time, and support. It means a lot to me, and I am forever grateful. You get pretty accessories, artisans get full time jobs, money, and support, and you also get discounts from yours truly! It's the ultimate win-win situation. Happy shopping and please join the Pura Vida Movement today! It's a decision you will not regret!

XOXO
Chloe