Hannah Whitley

If you’re a chronic procrastinator like myself, you may relate to the stress and agony which accompanies putting things off. The act of physically avoiding something on your to-do list is a very challenging task; before we commit to active procrastination, we convince ourselves (with worthy reasoning) that we can delay the task at hand until the very last minute. Collegeview.com claims that the reasons we procrastinate are easy to identify, “We might feel overwhelmed by the task, we may be perfectionists, we may get distracted easily, or perhaps we are just plain lazy.” No matter your justification, there are simple remedies for your “procrastinatory” condition.

Here are a few tips to assist in your eradication of a procrastination lifestyle:

1. Rid your environment of disturbances

a. That’s right – turn off (or silence) your cell phone, exit out of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, turn off the television, and get stuff done.

2. Find a quiet space
a. Physically move yourself to an area without loud conversations and distracting behavior. At OSU, favorite study spots include the MU lounge, Valley Library, cultural centers, and coffee       shops!

3. Set time limits
a. For some procrastinators, it is helpful to divide study time into sections to provide for optimal focus. To start off, tell yourself that you will spend one hour on a subject. Once your hour is    up, take a fifteen-minute bathroom and snack break. Once your break is over, repeat!

4. Find an accountability partner
a. Many students find it helpful to pair up and be responsible for keeping each other on track. Once your study session is over, you can all take part in tip #5!

5. Reward yourself
a. Once you have finished all of your tasks for your study session, reward yourself with a treat; grab some frozen yogurt, take a nap, go for a bike ride – just make sure you celebrate a job well done!

by Breanna Balleby

Hello all! Midterms are upon us, Homecoming is in full swing, and Halloween is tomorrow. It seems like there is plenty to do in the next few days…but what is this list missing? Academic advising! Every year, Halloween is the midpoint of the term that is used as a good reminder about when to make an appointment with your academic advisor to check in and to plan Winter Term classes.

So, how do you get this process started? First off, make sure you know who your advisor is. Start by checking the “First-Year Advising Syllabus” that was given to you at START and lists the name and contact info for your advisor. If that doesn’t help, search through your college’s “Current Students” page for information on who your advisor is and how your college or school prefers to make appointments. The College of Liberal Arts even has a “Find Your Advisor” page that can help you get in contact with the right person. Be sure to make your appointment prior to your registration date. If you don’t know when that is, check out the “View Priority Registration Status” on the MyOSU Portal for an exact date and time.

After the appointment is booked (be sure to do so in a timely manner since they fill up fast!), these are some of the main things to think about when meeting with your advisor during Fall term:
• getting your registration PIN (you’ll need one of these to register for every term)
• talking about how your classes are going this term—this is a time for you to reflect on your experiences thus far and let your advisor know how the term is going
• planning which courses to take for Winter 2015, which is something you can start thinking about yourself prior to your appointment (MyDegrees, located in the MyOSU Portal under the “Student” tab, is a fantastic way to see what you still need to complete and then you can look through the OSU Course Catalog to get an idea of what courses might fill those requirements)

Finally, keep an eye out for Valentine’s Day and Cinco de Mayo later this year as reminders to make an advising appointment for following terms (Spring 2015 and Fall 2015)!

  by Holly Briggs

You may be beginning your midterms this week or next week. For some, the first ones have already happened. This first midterm is a big deal! If you completely bomb it, that’s okay but you need to study hard for the next one. If you want to ace it here are some strategies and tips that I have learned to live by while filling my brain with unbelievable amounts of information.

Tip #1: Identify what confuses you, and fix it. Something that is really helpful when there is so much daunting information is to sit down and find out what you don’t know. Once the things that are confusing have been identified you can use resources around campus to help you solve them. Some resources are all the different holes around campus. Mole hole for chemistry, vole hole for biology, there is also a physics and math help center. Obviously a great resource is your professor! Attend their office hours and ask them what they meant when they were teaching something. Meeting with a professor gives you an opportunity to get the help you need but also to make the connections that could be useful later for things like letters of recommendation.

Tip #2: Don’t cram. No matter how hard you don’t want to study right now, start studying. Its been proven over and over again, the more times you practice and see information the better you are at remembering it. That means that if you study little bits at a time over a long period of time, like a week, you will have a better chance of remembering information for the exam!

Tip #3: Find friends, study groups, or review sessions. I have always found it helpful to study with other people because if I have questions they might know the answer. It is also helpful because teaching the subject to another person is a fantastic way to study the material and make sure that you know it very well. Most professors for larger classes will hold review sessions a couple of nights before the exam; this is a great opportunity to get help and to receive more study materials.

Tip #4: Stay healthy. Do not throw all your eating habits out the window because you are spending all your time couped up in a room with a can of red bull and some potato chips. Make sure you are eating fruits and vegetables as well as exercising. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and to help improve brain function. Eating healthy and sleeping regularly will also help fend off any sort of cold or flu that may be coming your way. No one likes to take an exam with the sniffles!

Tip #5: Take a break. Studying continuously for 12-hours will do nothing but make you go insane. Take 10-15 minutes to yourself on go kick around a soccer ball or take a walk. Doing something active will keep you awake and stimulate your brain. Whatever you do though, stay away from Facebook, Yik-Yak or any of those other brain-mesmerizing social media sites.

Good luck on those tests, and SCOOO BEAVS.

by Mel Salmeri

As if being a full time college student weren’t time consuming and stressful enough, for some students working is a necessary evil. For some working is a way to earn some extra spending money, text book money, or rent money. Finding the time to do it all can be overwhelming and if I’m being honest I have fallen victim to the stress. However, to make a point, I am still alive and well, eventually you find time for everything. You learn a great deal of time management and prioritizing skills.

College students don’t have it easy, juggling classes, homework, sleep, and a social life can be a tricky thing on its own and working can add a great deal of pressure but it is possible to do it all. Getting to know the resources on campus can be a wonderful asset to help you through the hard times. I am only going to talk about the three resources I use most but there are so many more around campus.
My number one favorite is the library. Sometimes all you need is to get out of your room. If the café or the first two levels of the library are a little too loud for you there are designated quite areas around the library as well as the top floor being the quite floor. The library is also open 24 hours Sunday through Thursday and until ten Friday and Saturday nights. My second favorite is coffee or tea. Sadly it’s true but for most college students caffeine is a must, not that it’s required but personally I wake up with a cup of coffee every morning. Thirdly, sometimes you have to just stop and catch your breath. Everyone needs a break and you have to allow yourself that time. These things have helped me immensely but it may not help for everyone but I would say there great places to start. The best part of being a college student is that we are all learning so many things about ourselves and eventually you will find what helps you most.
What helps me through the more stressful times is I tell myself that it eventually all gets done. It may not always seem like you have enough time in the day or weeks but somehow it all works out. You will get to that math assignment, read those two chapters in your psych book and study for your first econ midterm. Just remember that everyone deserves and needs a break every now and then.

by Jon Bosworth

 

Temperatures are dropping, leaves are falling, and the dreaded rain is returning once again. While fall brings memories of pumpkin patches, choosing costumes, and Pumpkin Spiced Lattés, it also marks the start of midterm season. Unlike high school, many of the classes here at OSU place a great deal of emphasis on tests during the middle of the term (commonly known as midterms). These are an opportunity for professors to check your progress in the class as well as make sure that you are up to date on the material. Midterms can also be extremely stressful, with students feeling that their entire grade depends on the success of this one test. While this is often not the case, there are a few helpful tips that you should know to do before taking your midterm.

• Make a Plan: All too often students study for the wrong things or even aren’t able to review all the course materials. When you make a study plan and follow it, you are able to cover the full   course and gain a better understanding of what you will be tested on.
• Start Early: When students start the studying process early it can significantly reduce stress and allow your brain time to fully learn the subject matter. When you cram for an exam at the last minute you are less able to remember everything and study all the course material. Starting early can guarantee this won’t happen.
• Sleep: In an era of coffee, caffeine, and insomnia no one is getting enough sleep. Sleep is crucial to your academic success and health. An adequate amount of sleep also reduces stress and allows your brain to fully remember all you learned in that intense study session. Plan for 7 to 8 hours of sleep, make it a priority, and enjoy!

Regardless of your understanding of the course material today, following these three pieces of advice is sure to significantly increase your grade and decrease stress. Through hard work and dedication midterm exams can be a success, setting you up for a positive and relaxed rest of the term.

by Hannah Whitley

Hey there, fellow Beavers!

Welcome to Week 2 of Fall Term. If you’re like me, your days have begun filling up with lectures, social events, club open houses, intramural sport practices, hall council meetings, work, and the dreaded reality of college homework. The task of keeping up with your reading assignments, midterms, labs, group projects, social events, and ‘me’ time may seem daunting, but I promise- it can and will be done! Here are few simple time management tips that can help you keep your schedule (and your sanity) in check this year.

1. Use a planner

Any type of planner! Paper calendars, pocket schedules, cell phones, and laptop calendars- anything will work. By physically inputting activities and assignments into your life, you will no        longer have to stress over keeping every event in your head! Make sure to make your planner a part of your daily routine by filling in your assignment due dates, midterm exams, and social activities as soon as you learn them. Don’t be afraid to establish a color-coding system you can use to prioritize your schedule. Your planner is your best friend, and may be your life saver!

2. Don’t be afraid to make a to-do list

Organizing your thoughts with a list can help you see a physical outline of what you have done and what you must complete. As you cross items off your list, you will feel a sense of accomplishment in having completed something! To-do lists help me stay productive and motivated; the faster I finish my list, the more ‘me’ time I can have.

3. Schedule time for exercise, social, and ‘me’ time

As your course load may seem to be piling higher and higher with requirements, be sure to keep your sanity by matching work and school time with personal time. Exercise helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed by life? Grab some friends and go for a quick walk around campus! Keep yourself surrounded with like-minded friends who push you to your fullest potential- it is helpful to lean on others to produce motivation. If you feel stressed, make sure to alter your plans to make some time for yourself. Schedule in some time to read one of your favorite books, cook a meal, go for a bike ride, catch a movie- whatever makes you happy! When it comes down to it, planning is key to a healthy, productive, and stress-free life.

4. Utilize campus resources

Oregon State’s Academic Success Center (located in Waldo Hall) provides many resources which support students in overcoming challenges and promoting student’s personal and academic success. Academic coaching appointments provide one-on-one sessions with discussion topics focusing on (personal) time management, test preparation and taking, procrastination, and stress reduction. Academic coaches are instrumental in developing personal time management strategies for students who are unsure on how to balance their lives. Academic coaching sessions are free to undergraduate students! To schedule an appointment, please call the Academic Success Center at (541) 737-2272, or visit them in Waldo 102

5. And finally… Keep calm!

Remember, your fellow 24,000+ Beavers are balancing the same things you are. Take a few slow, easy breaths; everything will work out in the end.

 

  By Jenna Saperia

We’ve survived the first week of Fall Term! What now? Now, you get to explore Oregon State!

Game days are a big deal! Football games are a great way to have a break and enjoy the company of fellow Oregon State fans. Camping out for your Homecoming Day ticket is a good way to get pumped for the upcoming game! The atmosphere is electrifying and the cheers are energizing, so get into it! This is a judge free zone!

Try to switch up where you eat! There are so many places on campus that serve delicious food, all on your meal plan. Grab a few neighbors and set off on a food adventure! Whether you are craving Greek food, Chinese food, or American food, campus has got you covered! Changing it up is a great way to make new friends while grabbing a bite in between all that reading!

Events are always going on, so take advantage of them! Oregon State is constantly putting on performances, showing movies, giving away free swag, and educating students. Activities are always changing. There are free bowling nights, Humans vs Zombies, or choir performances. The best part is…it’s all free! Its a great way to make connections and learn about all that you can get involved with. So take your roommate and learn something new!

The lobby of your Residence Halls are a great place to meet people! No matter the time, someone is probably down there. Whether it is during a late night laundry run or you just can’t sleep, someone is down there for you to meet. Watch a movie with friends down there instead of on your tiny laptop screen, and I promise friends will accumulate!

Now that you know the ins and outs of Oregon State, go out and enjoy the rest of your first term!

You’ve unpacked your belongings, scored the top bunk, and eaten in the dining halls.
What’s next you ask? Getting to know campus of course! At Oregon State there are several key buildings that every student should be aware of. I’m here to help you identify these buildings and tell you a little bit more about the resources and activities located in them.

The first to know is a central building on campus named the Memorial Union, most often referred to as the MU. The MU houses a coffee shop, a convenience store, and six restaurants; all are great options if you want to eat outside of the dining hall but stay on campus. Other notable places include the MU lounge which has great chairs and sofas for reading, studying, and even the occasional nap. If you’re looking for something fun to do on a Friday night, the MU also has a bowling alley and other various games located in its basement.

Another noteworthy place is the Valley Library, one of the more modern buildings on campus. The Library is a wonderful and quiet place to study, but its resources are what make it such a key part of campus life. In the Library you can print your papers, find computer support at the Computer Helpdesk, use study rooms, as well as check out computers, tablets, and books. You’ll also find the Collaborative Learning Center, which has peer and GTA tutors. If you’re in need of a little something extra for your papers or just simply want to spend the afternoon with rare and historic books, check out the Special Collections & Archives Research Center on fifth floor. If you need to take a break from all the studying to grab a snack, head to the first floor of the Library where there is a coffee shop with an assortment of food and drinks to satisfy your cravings. Tip: Try snagging a study table in the Rotunda, there’s plenty of natural light to brighten your mood!

As students we’re always balancing busy schedules, but Dixon Recreation Center makes it easy to squeeze in a workout. Dixon offers a variety of ways to get your heart rate up and keep you healthy whether you’re lifting weights, rock climbing, running on the indoor track, or swimming laps in the pool. If you prefer working out in a group fitness setting, taking cycling classes, or getting your Zumba on, you can do that too! Dixon offers more than ninety group workout classes a week at convenient times to fit into your schedule. If you’re looking to lower your stress levels, you can take a yoga class, make use of the hot tub, and even get a massage at a reasonable price. To end your workout, you can reward yourself with a freshly made smoothie from the cafe just inside the doors of Dixon.

As the term begins, I hope you’re able to get to know the ins and outs of campus by checking out these buildings and all that Oregon State has to offer!

by McKenzie Ross

     Breanna Balleby

To all of you living on campus this year, welcome! Yesterday (Wednesday, September 24) marks the final day of move-in and we are well on our way into CONNECT Week. Something to keep in mind as you transition to life on campus is your hall staff. They are here to support you and it’s important you know how they can help make this year a great experience!

First off, I encourage you to get to know your RD (Resident Director). Each hall has an RD who helps to manage the building and the hall’s community. This person has at least a master’s degree and is a full-time professional staff member. All RDs host weekly office hours where you can meet with them individually regarding most aspects of university life.

RD Tip: stop by your RD’s office hours sometime during Week 1 or Week 2 to introduce yourself!

Secondly, many of you might be familiar with the acronym RA which stands for Resident Assistant. These are peers who live in the hall with their residents and help address student concerns. Being students themselves, RAs are a great in-hall resource and they can support you in a variety of ways. Their goal is to create a safe, intellectual, and well-connected community and they do so by assisting students on a day-to-day basis as well as through event programming.

RA Tip: when you see your RA at the main desk of your building say “hello” and ask them about some of the things you can check out from behind the desk

Next up, the CRFs (Community Relations Facilitators) are also peers who live on campus. There are seven CRFs campus-wide this year so about every other hall has a CRF. This position is built into residence hall life in order to promote social justice and help residents create an equitable and inclusive community. The CRFs will host facilitations surrounding topics such as diversity, social justice, etc. just about every month. They also host office hours so students can chat one-on-one with a CRF if they wish.

CRF Tip: keep an eye out for an upcoming CRF facilitation and plan to attend at least one facilitation this term

Finally, each hall on campus has one ALA (Academic Learning Assistant). As current students, the ALAs know quite well what it’s like to balance the components of college life. ALAs will plan academically-focused events in the hall and they will also have office hours throughout the week. They can help you improve your study skills, find resources on campus, understand how to utilize online resources (such as online registration or the Valley Library website), and generally help you towards your definition of academic success.

ALA Tip: find out when your ALA’s office hours are by stopping by their room or asking them the next time you see them in the hall