I’ve been a student for most of my life (I still am), and the one thing I’ve learned in my collective experience with academia is that the more time you think you have to prepare for an exam, the less time you spend studying. I know it sounds like convoluted logic, but it’s happened to me time and again that I’m tempted to take a leaf out of Newton’s book (or apple from a tree, perhaps) and give it a name of my own. On second thought, rather than waste time on such trivialities, I’d prefer to share my expertise (what I’ve learned from my mistakes of the past and present) with fellow students on the issue of time management:

1. Start studying long before the examinations, preferably each day if your schedule permits, so that you don’t have to cram it all in one go on the eve of the examination.
2. Active participation in class and keeping pace with day-to-day assignments and homework makes studying for finals a less arduous process.
3. I know it’s easy to make schedules and just as hard to stick to them, but if you do map out your study program, get a friend to follow it with you. The power of two makes it harder to goof off when you could get some valuable studying done. There have been times when I’ve started to hyperventilate just because I wasn’t able to keep up to the schedule I set for myself, and this anxiousness caused a domino effect that ended up making my studying less effective as time went on; I learned less and less with each passing minute. The lesson I learned from these episodes was to give myself a little leeway and not be too harsh a taskmaster on myself. The key is to stay focused on the task at hand, which is to get as much studying done in the time you have available.
4. Stay organized with your notes and stationery items. This helps you avoid last-minute scrambles for pens and pencils as you head down to the exam hall.
5. I’ve found that jotting down notes while studying is an effective technique to retain what I’ve learned. This saves me the time of having to revise that particular lesson again.
6. Last minute cramming works only when you’re already familiar with the lessons you’re stuffing in your brain, so make sure you finish studying with a day or two to spare for revision before the exam.
7. If you’re really pressed for time, use the hours spent in commuting or get up an hour earlier (or sleep an hour later, whichever works for you) to study.
8. Make sure you’re not disturbed during your study hours – tell friends and family to avoid calling or dropping over at the time.
9. While background music may work for some as a catalyst that hastens the process of studying, loud and discordant noises emanating from the television are a sure distraction. Avoid TV when studying.
10. Don’t fill yourself with caffeine just so you can stay up an hour later than usual. Coffee or any other stimulant imbibed close to bedtime can delay sleep by more than a few hours, and time spent tossing and turning translates into you waking up later or less refreshed than usual.
11. If your brain circuits feel overloaded and dull with your long tryst with books, take a short walk in the open to breathe some fresh air into your mind.

This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who is an industry critic on the subject of online Law School Reviews. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.

© Sanja Gjenero

How many times have we spent longer planning something than it would take to just do it? I know I have. Revision is my favorite task to apply this method to, because you feel like your getting something done whilst still putting it off. I’m sure you can all remember times you’ve done this, where there are glorified plans put on the wall, but nothing that actually achieves results has been done.

For some projects, it’s best to just get started. Set a limit on the time you’ll take to plan something so it doesn’t eat away at the time you have on hand to do it.
For real Zen Planning, look at what you have to do, pick something, and start doing it!

Note: I am on holiday when this post is published, therefore I will be unable to respond to comments until Thursday 31st of July.

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This is Carl Hickson’s regular “Tuesday Tips” column, writing on all aspects of student productivity to help you become a more effective and stress free student.

You spent the whole year working hard at your Academics, and now it’s summer and you need to make some extra cash. Don’t reach for the job section of the newspaper just yet. You may not have realized it, but other people will pay a pretty penny for advice and guidance from someone who just took the courses you did. I’m talking about tutoring.

There seems to be an unfilled gap between cheap just-passed-the-course-last-year student tutors, and expensive, highly-qualified adult tutors who seem to be out of touch with your course. That’s where Revoluminary.com comes, a new website that lets students tutor or receive tutoring through an web-cam based virtual classroom.  The site lets students create classes in any topics and encourages creativity.  In addition to traditional tutoring topics like math and sciences, the site already offers courses such as “African Travel”, “How to Raise Money for Non-Profits”, “Screenplay Analysis” and “Mountaineering.”

Here is the

Top 7 Topics You Never Thought to Tutor, from Revoluminary.com

Languages.  I know, I know… a French or Spanish tutor that helps students out with their foreign language class is NOT unique.  So here’s our twist: teach English to someone in a foreign country.  It’s a common job abroad, so why not do it from home?  There are plenty of students, business people, scientists and even politicians out there that are looking to learn English from a native speaker.  With online tutoring, you can find these opportunities while making some money on the side.
The Last Class You Took.  But I just finished it!  Well guess what?  You probably remember the details of the class better than an expert in the field.  Not only that, but you’ll know the ins and outs of your professor’s testing style.  Tutor the class you took last semester to a younger student and you will not only earn some money, but also retain the material better in the long-term.
Mock Interviews.  If you’ve ever interviewed for a job, help others prepare by mock interviewing them. But what if your school’s career center already does that?  Good for your school!  Not everyone has this available to them.  Think about the people that didn’t go to college, or don’t have a very good career center at their school, or are switching into a completely unrelated field.  If you have some inside knowledge about a specific company or type of job, someone out will pay up for it.
School Admissions.  If you’re in college or grad school, you must’ve done something right.  Help a younger student figure out how to do what you just went through.  Remember all the soul-searching essays you wrote?  Give them some of your Midas-touch advice on admissions applications, tests and essays.  Can’t find students that’ll pay your for it?  Look for their parents instead!
Your Favorite Hobby.  Do you do Tae Kwan Do?  Collect baseball memorabilia?  Full-contact ping pong?  Whatever it is, you can teach others about it.  While this one won’t cover your college tuition, you might earn a few bucks, meet people with similar interests and get a chance to boast your know-how in something you are passionate about.
Travel Advice.  Traveled to Europe with your family?  Studied abroad in Australia?  Stayed in a hostel in South America?  Tell someone all about it!  Think about all the research you did before your trip and how much easier it would have been to have someone just tell you where to go, what to see and what to watch out for.  One-on-one travel advice goes beyond anything you can get online; it is the most personal, unbiased and fun way to get ready for a big trip!
Your Hometown.  Whether it’s the cheapest gas stations, the local school rivalries or the crazy cat lady living down the street, you know your hometown like the back of your hand.  Now consider all the people out there that will move to or visit your home town in the near future.  Why not give them the inside scoop?  It’s a pretty cool way to help out, and it doesn’t require any special preparation from you.

If you finished well in your course, like teaching, and want to earn some extra cash, Revoluminary is a great side business that takes very little effort or money to get started.

© scol22 (Stock Xchng User)

Just a quick list for you all today. Although it might seem a bit of a simple post to a lot of you, it’s amazing the small things you forget. Things worth having include:

The Basics

• Pens
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Ruler

Plus

• Calculator - If you’re doing any sciences, this is probably a must
• Folders - A4 Thick Ring-binders are usually best, depending on what level you are studying at. If you’re doing A-Level, those thinner folders will be filled with one subjects work within a term
• Notepads - Lined A4 are usually best
• Highlighters - Helps you remember important points on handouts
• Diary - Used for keeping track of deadlines and assignments.

Others

• Bag - Make sure that you get a decent bag to carry all of your stuff around with you. It can be a nightmare walking around all day with a bag too small to fit half your stuff into.
• Pencil Case - Keep all of your smaller stuff together in here, it can be a nightmare looking for a tiny rubber in the bottom of a bag filled with rubbish.
• Inbox - I love the idea of having one of those plastic/metal trays on your desk to act as an inbox. It keeps everything that is coming to you (notes, letters etc.) all in the same place so you can process it later. It’s a good idea to get one if you haven’t got one already.
• Umbrella - The weather can’t always be predictable, and you feel a lot more together when at least when you arrive at a lesson, you’re relatively dry.
• Printer cartridges - We often forget how little ink was left in our printers at the end of summer, do yourself a favor and buy a couple of spare ink cartridges for when that multi-page essay needs printing at late notice.

As summer begins, now can be the ideal time to shop for the back to school essentials.

Whats on your back to school shopping list? Let me know in the comments section below.

Note: I am on holiday when this post is published, therefore I will be unable to respond to comments until Thursday 31st of July.

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This is Carl Hickson’s regular “Tuesday Tips” column, writing on all aspects of student productivity to help you become a more effective and stress free student.

© Sanja Gjenero

Summer gives us the chance to do those things that we never get round to during term time because there’s just too much on our plates. Here’s some ideas for things to do if you’re out of ideas.

Get a job
The more you work during the summer, the more cash you put in your pocket and you lower the hours you will have to work during term time, leaving you with more time to study.

Travel
With such an extended time-period off, this leaves a range of options for places to visit, from locally to internationally, travel is a great way to broaden your horizons, see new sites, de-stress and have a great time.

Read
There are numerous novels we see in bookstores and in advertisements throughout the year that we think “Yes, I should read that” but never get round to it because we’re just too busy. Take the time in summer to catch up on some of those “must reads” whilst you have the chance.

Unpaid Internships
These can be a great opportunity to gain some industry contacts. Networking is something you should be doing already because it’ll help your career in the long run (possible future post if anyone wants one). As well as this, you could get involved in some interesting projects and work.

Start something
Some projects are just to big to start during term time, you need the extended time to do it. Things such as starting a business. Now is your chance to start something big.

Have fun
Head to the beach, Go to parties, BBQs, have friends over, enjoy spending the evenings sitting outside with your friends. Some of our finest memories won’t be planned events, but that deep conversation in the garden, sat out whilst the sun descends slowly painting a glorious sunset against the sky. Don’t make summer all about achieving something and being frantically productive, we get enough of that during school.

Don’t let summer escape…
Before long, we will all be asking where summer went. Do something worthwhile this summer, take the time to relax, and make it a summer you’ll never forget.

What are your plans for summer? Let me know in the comments section below.

Note: I am on holiday when this post is published, therefore I will be unable to respond to comments until Thursday 31st of July.

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This is Carl Hickson’s regular “Tuesday Tips” column, writing on all aspects of student productivity to help you become a more effective and stress free student.

© Jose Fernando Carli

How many of you are just approaching the end of the academic year? I’ve finished a couple of weeks ago, and many students are starting to break up for summer in the coming weeks. You’re all imagining it already, the great (or not so great) weather, the BBQs, the parties and proms. With all these temptations, it’s easy to put off those essential tasks that make summer more relaxing and getting back to work next year a lot easier to stomach. Although it might seem like a pain now, you’ll be thankful for it later. The list below should cover the basics.

Things to Do

Return all textbooks borrowed from School

The last thing you want to deal with over summer is letters and invoices for textbooks that you’ve borrowed and should have returned. Do yourself a favor and return them to the right people after you’ve finished using them.

Cancel any subscriptions you’ll no longer need

Perhaps you’re dropping a subject next year and you’ve got a subscription to a journal related to it. Make sure you cancel these and save yourself a bit of cash!

Tidy your workspace

This exam period can be a stressful period and unfortunately, for many of us, with stress comes mess. Make sure your work area is tidy, filing systems sorted (see below) and that you could work at it if you needed to. The last thing you want is a messy workspace cluttering your home when it isn’t even being used.

Sort out filing systems

Get all of your notes organized now, making sure everything is ready for next year. This includes throwing out notes you really don’t need (remember, if re-sits are likely etc. – keep the notes) and making sure they are all in the correct places.

Sort out computer files

Almost the same as the above on sorting filing systems out; make sure your computer system is not neglected. Archive files that you aren’t going to need to refer to regularly and make sure you have a clear file structure in place. Now might also be time to do some computer maintenance you should have been doing.

And finally…

Enjoy summer

I’ve got 11 weeks off this summer, and I’m sure going to take a break after the stressful exam period has finished. For some tips on how to make summer worthwhile, see Maria’s post on “Summer Goals” and check out my post published next Tuesday entitled “Things to do during summer”.

Liked this post? Subscribe and keep updated when we publish more posts like this.

This list isn’t exhaustive, if you’ve got any other tips for things you do to wind down for summer, please share them in the comments section below.

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This is Carl Hickson’s regular “Tuesday Tips” column, writing on all aspects of student productivity to help you become a more effective and stress free student.

© Jamie Brelsford

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to reduce stress. From past experience, I’ve found that regular exercise doesn’t just beat stress, but has helped me to reduce stress. Things such as going to the gym, running or playing your favorite sport can get you moving and help relieve the stress.

Cut Back
This means, do less of things such as extra-curricular activities, even just short term. This allows you to focus on your school work and not be overwhelmed by other activities. If you don’t want to cut back completely, try just cutting down to one extra-curricular activity.

Meditation
Although not a method I’ve tried, meditation is often praised for its ability to reduce stress.

Renegotiate Deadlines
Where possible, speak to your tutors/teachers/lecturers and attempt to have deadlines moved. This helps reduce the stresses of one of our major problems as students – all the deadlines for things falling within about one week!

Take a Break
Even during the day, we can get stressed, do not just work through your breaks because you’ve got loads to do, truth is, you will become less effective the longer you work, it’s important to take short and regular breaks to keep your mind working best.

Of course, these suggestions are helpful when you are stressed, but the best method, would be to prevent stress altogether and take a long term approach to stress prevention.

I’d love to hear about how you all cope with stress, please leave a comment below.

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This is Carl Hickson’s regular “Tuesday Tips” column, writing on all aspects of student productivity to help you become a more effective and stress free student.