Tag Archives: college tips

What Works… and What Does Not: Finals

Hello Everyone,

Approaching my last semester of college has left me both reflecting and reminiscing. One of the most crucial times of the semester boils down to finals. After seven semesters of trial and error, I have found what personally works best for me during finals season… and what does not. Being in the art and design field means a lot more assigned projects. And lot more projects means a lot more cumulative time spent working on a finished product, rather than preparing for a test in many different classes. Throughout my years at FIT, I have discovered how to make the most efficient time of my semester, while still being able to enjoy it as much as I can. Here are a few dos and don’ts I can confidently recommend after my semesters at FIT:

DO: Plan, Plan, and Definitely Plan-
It is no mystery that FIT’s students are hardworking, devoted and passionate. With this devotion and passion comes a certain commitment to the assigned workload. Classes and due assignments become a lot more manageable and able to be completed to a level of satisfaction when the work is broken up. Creating a timeline for yourself so you can chip away piece by piece can help your stress levels and the finished product…which brings me to…

DON’T: Last Minute is Never a Fun Minute-
No matter how much we all want to convince ourselves, saving a project or assignment to the last minute is not fun. Even if you think you can finish the project in a day, why not give yourself the extra time? You never know if something may come up or go unexpectedly. Giving yourself the extra breathing time just incase is never a bad idea. Plus, allowing yourself the extra time gives a grace period for mistakes, or improving the project/assignment to your liking.

DO: Expect the Unexpected
No matter how much we prepare and how hard we try, not everything goes according to plan… and that is okay. There is only so much that is in your control. Give yourself that extra “just incase” time, but also do not worry if there are a few bumps in the road. Some of my biggest struggles helped me grow and become a stronger person; it is all apart of life’s journey. Embrace it!

DON’T: Let Stress Get the Best of You
With the occasional lack of control comes stress. I think every college student (and probably every human being) can relate to a time where stress and anxiety felt a bit overwhelming. I have learned throughout my college career that the best way to deal with stress is to manage it and not let it consume. Sometimes a bit of stress is healthy. Stress can help motivate us to work on a project or get something done. However, do not let it take over. We are all human so the feelings of stress and anxiety, to an extend, are natural. Always remind yourself that in the end, it is going to workout.

Lastly… DO Your Best!
If you can put your head on the pillow knowing you gave something your all, then that is the the most fulfilling kind of accomplishment. Take pride in knowing that you put the effort and hard work into making something great. Be proud of your successes and embrace your failures. College is the time to try and fail and succeed… it is all part of your journey!

I hope that these dos and don’ts provide some words of encouragement! What are your tips and tricks for making it through finals?

Until next time,
Annmarie x

Healthy Snacking for Fall Stashing

As Fall is in full force, the colder the weather gets, the more everyone eats. Fall is a perfect season for getting your diet on track, especially to get you through midterms. Here are some money-conscious healthy snacking tips, great for college students always on the go.

Snacking from Scraps

Sometimes you might have a lot of bits and bites floating around in your fridge. I usually have peppers and ends of cheese. I made a great snack by toasting a couple thin slices of laying around bread and topped them with the peppers and mozzarella. Hummus is another great snack if you have some sitting in your fridge, great with any veggie! Healthy snacking is a mindset, so get creative and feel strong!

Always Keep Snacks on Hand

Store carrots and celery sticks in water in the fridge as crunchy snacks. Keep some dips handy to liven up the vegetables. Nibble on low-calorie quick fixes to take the edge off of your hunger to prevent the temptation to overeat at dinner.

Eat a Fruit + Protein

Pairing a fruit with a protein is a hunger-fighting combination. Eating just fruit will have satisfied, but after you eat that banana, you’ll be hungry an hour later. Add a handful of peanuts to the banana, though, and you’ll go for hours on about $0.65.

Nuts for Nuts

Nuts get a bad rap because of the misconception that they are expensive and high in fat. Though they may be expensive per pound, an 1½-oz serving will fill you up, unlike three servings of chips. Remember, there are good fats and bad fats. Nuts are a source of good fat!

College Hacks!

While I was away from the blog this summer, a thoughtful blog reader sent a package to the Admissions Office addressed to me. I wasn’t able to pick up the package until a few weeks ago and I was very excited to see what was inside!

I was mostly surprised to hear that a package was addressed to…me! And that it was sent from a mysterious reader of the FIT Admissions Blog! The gift inside was a book called “College Hacks: Any procedures or actions that solve a problem, simplify a task, reduce frustration, and make college totally awesome” by Keith Bradford. What a perfect book! I’m in college, I love useful tips and tricks…it’s like this person knew me so well 😉

College Hacks by Keith Bradford

It was an extremely thoughtful gesture, and something I never expected to happen while being a blogger. I shared the book with my fellow bloggers and we hope to all pick up some new “hacks” from the wealth of information filled inside. If you are the person who sent this book, or happen to know who did, please comment below! I would love to give a personal thanks and put a name to this mysterious gifter 🙂 If you prefer to stay anonymous, please know that I love the book and will definitely be putting these tips to use!

Whether you’re in high school, entering college, or in college, many of these tricks could be applied to your life. I thought I would share a few of my favorite tips listed in the book. Remember, all “hacks” were thought up by author Keith Bradford. Enjoy!!

Can’t afford Microsoft word? Get OpenOffice. It’s the same thing except it’s free and has a lot more features.
Writing down your worries before taking an exam has been proven to actually boost your test scores.
Late for class and need to tell your professor a believable lie? Include an embarrassing detail about yourself. Nobody will doubt a story that makes you look dumb.
Study your notes within one day of taking them. Retention rates are 60% higher then.
Dorm room a little stinky? Put dry tea bags around your room. They will absorb the unpleasant odor.

I could go on and on – this book is great! I hope these help! 🙂