Category: Sophie J

FINALS SZN COMING UP… UH-OH ?

It’s that time of the year when you are so used to college life, living in your dorm, reminiscing the time when you first moved in, and have an idea of how things work on campus. Except this also means that it’s the end of the semester, meaning that finals are just around the corner. 

FINALS?!

First of all, woah, one year went by SO FAST.

Second, what do I do?! 

Take a deep breath and settle down. Don’t panic. 

For some of you, you probably already know what finals are like from experience and know-how to prepare for the exam(s), but for those that are unfamiliar with it still, no worries.

Follow these tips and I’m sure they will help you get through the season. 

• Plan out a schedule.

I’m not sure if you’ve done the MBTI test, but I’m a very “J” person. I love to plan things accordingly, and I NEED to plan out everything for the day or even the week. Whether you’re like me or not I cannot emphasize enough that it is VERY helpful to plan out your study schedule and break your studying each day. It’s important to get prepared and know in-depth all the materials before your exam, so I highly recommend writing down the topics you need to cover for the day. Though all-nighters can work for some people, you’re still exhausted. It’s important to take a break and study little by little. I promise, all the information will just be in your brain if you follow this.

• SLEEP

This is another key tip I want to point out. SLEEP. Literally, just sleep. It’s SO important to have a good night’s rest and sleep, especially the day before your exam. Not only will information be remembered longer, but you WON’T be EXHAUSTED. When you get a good sleeping schedule, you’ll be able to focus more during the exam and won’t have to worry about your eyes slowly closing, eventually leading you to drowse off. You’ll be in a better mood, remember information better, and you’ll ace your exam.

• Bye-bye phone.

I know this is very difficult. Even for me, it’s difficult to get off my phone and say “OK. Let’s start now.” I always procrastinate and it’s mostly because of electronic devices. Once you get on that device, you’ll be thinking “OK. Five more minutes.” It’s better to shut it off or place it somewhere else where you won’t be able to find it. Without it, you’ll be able to focus more on your work and actually get the studying that needs to be done. You’ll be concentrating in no time. 

• Love the Vibe!

Are you into cafes? Libraries? The Dining Hall? Whatever place you’re comfortable in, it’s a good strategy to study in an area where you’re able to concentrate and get your studying in. You’re environment also affects your working habits, so it is good to have a favorite studying location. Let’s say you like studying at cafes. You can get coffee, “study” with other people that are working like you, and you won’t be tempted to go to your bed since you’re not at home. Trust me, where you’re studying is important!

• Lastly, don’t stress!

Don’t stress about your finals! Trust me, it’s not worth it. You’ll do amazing. If you just complete the studying that you have to do little by little, you’ll be finished in no time. Studying under stress can stress you out even more, and it’s better to study without it! You’ll be focused and will retain the information longer.

I hope these tips will help you! 

Again, don’t worry. You’ll do great for your final exams and soon, the week will be flying in no time.

Have a wonderful summer and happy studying!

 

How to stay on track before finals

It’s finally past the midpoint of the first semester! Midterms happened the last couple of weeks, but there are still so many assignments and probably ANOTHER midterm coming up next month!

With so many upcoming assignments and exams, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind!

1. Make a planner! It’s great to keep a planner with you everywhere you go! With a planner, you are able to write down the assignment and tasks you have to complete by a certain time. There is also usually a calendar in the planners, and it is great to write down your future plans to think and prepare ahead of time. In case you forget anything, your planner is a good resource to look at for a refresher or reminder. Planners also help you stay organized with what you need to do for the day or complete beforehand. You never know what might come up!
2. Find your Study Space! Sometimes where you are studying might be a distraction. When you're in your dorm, your bed seems tempting and since you are with your electronic device, it is alluring to use it and forget about the time. Personally, I like to work outside such as the library at BU. The Mugar Library has multiple floors and is a great location to study in your own personalized desk. There are plenty of library spaces to work at and those are great places to complete your assignment and study for exams in a concentrated area.
3. Go to office hours! If you need aid or elaboration on a problem you are having, attend office hours! Professors are available during their office hours and are happy to answer any questions you have. These times are great to ask away your questions and get them answered before your hand in your assignment or take your exam!
4. Don’t Procrastinate! This might sound cliche since most people know about this, but really don’t procrastinate. If you cram everything into one night, you might regret it and the outcome might not turn out the way you hoped it would. It’s better to plan out everything beforehand and split the assignment up so that you can have more time to carefully do each section every day. Trust me, procrastination is sometimes not worth it! Sleeping is the best!

Tips and bits of Advice to survive the first semester at BU 

The first semester of college can be overwhelming and thrilling at the same time. Similarly, from my experience, I was anxious and excited as I imagined how my college life would be, yet, I was looking forward to meeting new people. These are a couple of advice and tips to know to make your college experience fantastic:

Don’t hesitate to reach out and talk to people!

At first, it can be overwhelming to meet new people, especially in a new environment you just moved in. On my first week at Boston University, I met friends just by talking to them at the lobby of Warren Towers and got to know my floor friends by knocking on all of their doors. Similarly, there were some students on my floor that knocked on my door and we were able to get to know each other through this way. Amid the current pandemic, it can be harder to meet new friends or people in general; however, there are still ways to get to know people through social media, online events, or people in your classes such as GroupMe.

Join clubs!

Join clubs that really interest you! There so many clubs at BU, ranging from photograph clubs to Student Government. There are a variety of clubs you can join, whether or not it relates to what you are majoring in. Clubs are a great way to meet new people and explore your interests. In addition, they are an amazing opportunity to have hands-on experiences. For me, as a Broadcast Journalism major, I had the opportunity to be a part of WTBU and BUTV10. In these clubs, I met many people that have similar appeals as me and I got to experience “life as a broadcaster.” I highly recommend joining clubs during your time at BU!

Manage your Time well

It is very important to make sure you are scheduling your time very well. With classes during the day, clubs, or other activities, you should write down what you need to complete and when they are due. Personally, I keep a notebook or planner with me that has all my assignment due dates and what I need to accomplish for the day. It can be a little confusing at first, but you will get the hang of managing your time once you get used to it. Try not to finalize your assignments on the day of or late at night, as it can be arduous. You will need that sleep!

Late Night

It is likely that you will spend an all-nighter or at least have a day where you will be studying until very late at night. For me, there were times in the middle of the night where I would get hungry or was craving a snack. When I first found out about Late Night dining, I was very delighted that I was able to get a variety of delicious foods no matter how late it was while studying. You can use your dining points through GrubHub to get anything at Late Night. Trust me, getting late-night dining really helps 🙂

These are just a few tips to remember when going through your first semester at BU. As a current freshman, I think that college is the best time to reach out and explore your interest. Most importantly,  have fun! Do what you really are passionate about and broaden your horizons. After all, isn’t that what college is all about? 🙂