Be Aware of Deadlines

For a two-day stretch, I got lazy. Yeah, you know how that goes. I spent the early part of the week preparing for a test and burnt out a little bit.  I should’ve waited a few more days to burn out. I forgot about a project and paper that were due in the upcoming days. As expected, I spent the next two days stressing over the assignments.

Students, be aware of deadlines. Don’t allow yourself to be in the same position I was. It is stressful trying to get assignments done at the last minute, especially the ones with major impacts on your grade.

The most important thing is to pace yourself. After learning about an assignment, don’t brush it off because it’s not due until weeks later. Gradually, work on it. The earlier you start, the better you’ll feel about the assignment. And don’t make the mistake of working on the assignment too early so you can get it out the way. In reality, you’re rushing through it.

Regularly checking your syllabus also helps. When students receive a syllabus, they tend to ignore it after the first day of class. I always check my syllabus for due dates and other important information (i.e., how much an assignment is worth). It keeps me on track and reminds me to take an assignment seriously.

In keeping up with deadlines, you should ask yourself: “Is there anything due today?” or “What should I be doing today to help with the assignment due next week?” This requires stopping for a moment to think. Always reflect on what your professors say in class.

Being aware of deadlines extends past the academic realm. It also includes the internship process, joining clubs, and many other aspects. Everything involves a deadline. Waiting until the last minute to complete a job application decreases your chances of acquiring the job. The employer will say: this person likes to procrastinate; and will likely procrastinate on the job. The sooner you get the application done, the better.

Anyways, let’s shift back to the academic segment. Completing an assignment the night before it’s due is not a good feeling. For one, you feel ashamed for putting yourself in that position. You’ll also stress over how good or bad the assignment came out. This goes back to the point I made about feeling good regarding an assignment. If you complete a little bit every day, it takes the pressure off and makes you feel accomplished. You’ll say: wow, I put everything I had into this assignment without having to rush through it.

Experience Off-Campus a little bit

Those two days off-campus did wonders for me. I felt refreshed and didn’t feel as homesick. Students, because you’re away at school doesn’t mean you have to stay on campus. Take a few hours and leave campus. Sometimes we need a change of scenery. Seeing the same buildings and people everyday can get annoying.

All students get homesick at some point. Students from afar have it the worst. They’re miles away from home with no way to get back unless they scrape some money. Then there are students who have family issues. And don’t forget the students who can’t go home because they can’t concentrate. All of these factors combine to make college feel like jail.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Depending on where you go to school, there’s plenty to do off-campus. There’s the mall, local bar, and a variety of restaurants.

There’s no rule stating you have to remain in your room. You don’t have to eat at the food court every meal. You don’t have to study at the library. With these non-rules in mind, enjoy life. See what your college city has to offer. You’d be surprised at the stuff you find. I’m constantly discovering new things about the surrounding area.

Yes, money can be an issue. Things are expensive today. But everything doesn’t cost. You don’t have to pay to walk around the mall. You don’t have to pay to walk around the city. Everything doesn’t revolve around money. Stop thinking you need money to do everything.

It’s not always about having fun. Sometimes you need to know what’s around you. There are places around campus that are off-limits and you should be aware of them. Don’t believe me? Read points 13 and 14.

And don’t think you have to travel alone. Gather some friends and go the local carnival or mall. It’s good to travel in packs because don’t forget: You’re not at home.

If you’re not doing much this weekend, take a trip off-campus. Who’s stopping you?

Take a Nap

This semester, I start classes at 7:55 two days a week. Bummer. That means I have to be up by 7. Bummer. Even though I finish classes at noon, I’m exhausted by then.

How do I cure my tiredness? You guessed right. By taking a nap. A person is never too old to take a nap. I nap whenever I get a chance. All college students should take naps when given the opportunity.

Studies show that naps increase memory, improve moods, and reduce stress levels among others. The afternoon is tough on many students; especially those who go to bed late. I don’t understand why students stay up half the night knowing they have to wake early. Hopefully, they make up for the loss hours of sleep. If they don’t, it’s time to start.

I’ve had some rough afternoons in college. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll make it without passing out. And, I’m not being sarcastic. Naps allow me to finish my day strong. It improves my concentration and motivation to complete assignments.

Naps don’t have to be long. Five-minute naps are constant for me. I don’t need a two-hour nap to help finish the day. Speaking of long naps, they’re not a necessity. Studies show: the longer the nap, the longer you’ll be up at night. And the later the nap, the later you’ll stay up. I learned these lessons yesterday. I decided to nap late in the afternoon. As a result, I only got five hours of sleep. As expected, I’m paying for it. But you better believe I’m going to sleep soon.

Try to take naps as early as possible. Homework and the gym can wait. Don’t rush through everything so you can go to sleep. You’ll make things tougher. Taking a nap first will improve your performance academically and socially (i.e., working out). It’s a good feeling to take a nap, have a positive work out, and then complete your homework.

Taking naps create a positive cycle. They allow students to give their best doing school work and exercising. As a result, they feel accomplishment effects.

Taking late naps will develop a pattern of staying up late. It’s better to establish a good sleeping pattern. I’d rather sleep at night for seven hours than be up half the night because of a late nap.

Staying up late also causes lack of focus in class. How can you concentrate on your professor’s lesson after doing work all night? Good for the students who can because I know I couldn’t.

Anyways, don’t hesitate to take a nap. There’s nothing wrong with it. Don’t listen to all the bull about “naps being for babies.” It’s tough to fight tiredness; but you don’t have to.

Display your OWN school colors

One day on campus, I saw a girl wearing a Bucknell hoodie. Bucknell? Isn’t that our school’s rival?

The same day, I saw someone with a Florida Gators hoodie.

OK, what’s going on? We attend Lehigh, not any of these schools. Why are they wearing other schools’ apparel?

The point here folks: If you want a school’s name on your chest, let it be your own school. Don’t disrespect your campus community by wearing another school’s attire. It’s disrespectful to your peers, student-athletes, and alumni. 

Don’t be an oddball. If you can’t showcase your school’s attire, don’t showcase another’s. Your school’s admissions staff wasn’t obligated to accept you. They accepted you because they felt you belonged where you are. So, be grateful and take pride in that. You should be honored to be accepted into your college. Showcasing another school’s attire is not a way to show appreciation.

I appreciate it. I would never put on a rival’s attire; whether I’m on campus or not. That’s saying I would rather attend another school.

And I don’t want to hear the bull about fashion. I don’t care if a Florida Gators’ hoodie matches with your jeans. I don’t care if a Kansas Jayhawks’ shirt matches with your hat. Find something else to wear.

It urks me to see students disrespect their school. Let’s use my school as an example. Half of the campus will wear brown attire. All of a sudden, you see someone sporting a Duke t-shirt. It makes me want to slap the person. I would feel out-of-order; no matter how fly I look.

I know some schools’ colors may not be as flashy as others. I get teased all the time about my school’s colors. I refuse to let it bother me. I’ll wear my school’s colors any day; and be proud to wear it. Why? Because they took a chance on me. I didn’t get accepted into every school I applied to. Wearing the colors is the least I could do in showing appreciation.

Another thing that annoys me: Oddballs walk around like there’s nothing wrong. They think it’s ok to wear another school’s colors.

Colleges should be allowed to punish students who do this. That would be something, wouldn’t it?

Imagine students receiving a fine for being an oddball. That’s one way to diminish the problem.

Folks, don’t make this harder than what it is. When you’re close to putting on another school’s attire, think for a moment. Think about your school’s athletes who give everything they have to win games. Think about the alumni who provide scholarships to help you attend school.

If you take a moment and think, you’ll gain a new perspective on the situation.

Support Your Team

Earlier this year, I went to a basketball game on campus. Fortunately, the team won. The team’s victory had nothing to do with the crowd; that’s for sure. And it’s disappointing.

Students are the reason many college teams dominate at home. Not at my school though. It disappoints me to see the arena or stadium half-full.

OK, I’ll stop lying. The arena barely approaches half-capacity. I’m used to seeing it that way. It doesn’t upset me as much as before.

Anyways, get out and support your team. This is directed at students at all universities. If there’s a home game on campus, take advantage of it. Your team needs you.

Students complain so much about how bad their teams are. They fail to realize their lack of support plays a role in that. I could understand if students had to pay to attend a game. But, they don’t.

There’s no excuse for students not to attend a game. Yeah, I understand the academic load can be tough to handle. But it’s not like that all the time. Student-athletes find ways to balance. Why can’t you?

When teams come out of the tunnel and see a half-empty building, it damages their psyche. They can’t get the adrenaline going because there’s not much of a crowd. If there’s no adrenaline, there’s no motivation to win the game.

It’s a shame for athletes to prepare so much for a game and not be rewarded. They love to see the student section packed and rowdy.

I had a chance to watch a few college games on Saturday. I took a moment to observe the crowd. And I thought: man, why can’t all crowds be like that? College athletics would be a blast.

For students to only attend games with significance ticks me off. It’s disrespectful to the team. Why attend when the team is doing well? Where not attend at the beginning of the season?

Students claim to have so much pride in their school, but they fail to show it. Attending an athletic event is a good way to show it.

Students must look forward to games as much as parties. Not only look forward to them, but get excited.

View athletic events as freedom from the academic hassles. That’s how I view them. When I attend games, it’s a chance to clear my mind. I have no choice but to focus on the game. I certainly can’t do school work in an arena.

Use this blog as motivation to attend a game. Give a shot. It won’t hurt you. Gather your friends and go together. The more people in attendance, the better.

Talk to your Professors

A few years ago, something told me to talk to my professor. It’s a good thing I did. Through the conversation, I discovered I wasn’t doing as well as I thought. That conversation helped me earn a solid grade.

If not for that discussion, who knows what could have happened?

College students, take a page out of my book. Talk to your professors. Stop viewing them as enemies and build a relationship with them. Their goal is to help you. Professors seem bad because you choose to have that point-of-view.

Whether you’re doing well or bad in a class, talk to your professor. It can even be a friendly conversation. When you talk to a professor, you see another side to him/her. During class lectures, you see their seriousness. During a personal conversation, you see a lighter side. They talk calmer, they smile, and even crack jokes. That’s what I’ve realized through my conversations with them.

I’ve made a habit to talk to all my professors. I don’t hesitate to go to them after class and find out what’s expected. My strategy has helped me remain calm during class. I view it as “breaking the ice.”

Many students fail classes because they don’t realize how bad they’re doing. They fall behind and don’t bother to ask for help. I’m too much of a worrier to sit back without knowing how I’m doing in a class. I’m constantly thinking of ways to do better. No matter how hard I think, I’ll never know unless I talk to my professor.

Also, take advantage of office hours. I don’t care if you stay for 10 minutes; just go. Show professors you care. Professors love students who make an effort.

Don’t think going to office hours means you’re “slow”. If you need extra help, it’s ok. That’s what office hours are for. Attempting to get through a problem on your own can backfire. Stop trying to teach yourself the material because it won’t work. That’s why you’re the student. You must humble yourself.

Attending office hours plays a crucial role in my success. I ask all the questions I need. You think I care if the professor gets annoyed?

I was talking before about how you view professors. Start viewing them as your best friends. They have the knowledge you need to succeed. And, stop being hard on them. It’s not easy talking in front of numerous students.

Viewing professors positively is key in talking to them. Once you make the conscious decision to do so, classes will go smoother. Guaranteed.

Dress Warm

About a week and a half ago, my friends and I went to a basketball game. One of my friends chose an interesting way to brave the low temperatures. He wore a hoodie. Hid mind told him he didn’t need a heavier coat.

As expected, he paid for that decision; and he’s still paying for it. He’s currently fighting flu-like symptoms.

The lesson here folks: Be smart when it comes to dressing for the cold. This weather is nothing to play around with.

Every day, I see tons of students walking around campus with hoodies and no hat. How could anyone be so brave in these temperatures?

I take no chances in the winter. I make sure to wear a heavy coat and hat every day. As much as I dress warm, I still catch about five colds per winter. I’m still trying to figure that out.

I wonder about students’ frames of mind during the winter. Do they think nothing will happen to them? Do they feel their skin is tough enough?

I would love to find the answers to these questions.

Anyways, check the weather in the morning. After checking, dress according to the weather. I can’t tell you exactly what to put on. Common sense should tell you that. If the temperature is 25 degrees, don’t go outside without a hat.  Don’t choose a cold day to show everyone your school spirit. Put on a decent sized coat.

Folks, I know it’s hard to let the summer go. But it’ll be back. Winter’s only here temporarily. What’s so hard about wearing a jacket for two months out the year?

People’s refusal to dress warm is the main reason the flu spreads during this time of year. So, start considering others when choosing how to dress.

The decision to dress warm not only benefits presently, but also in the future. I don’t mean to sound like a doctor right now, but I have to. The accumulated cold in your bones can lead to arthritis. No one wants to be arthritic. Arthritis makes lives miserable. I’ve seen it terrorize my grandmother. My grandmother’s pain is one of the reasons I dress properly.

So think about the future when you dress before going out. Envision yourself playing with your grandkids in the backyard or playing golf without health problems. I constantly think about these things.

Ok, let’s get back to the present.

Folks, life is not all about looking good and feeling comfortable. People fail to realize that. The desires to look good and feel comfortable during the winter are two reasons people dress improperly. I’ll take health over both of these any day. I wish more people had my mentality.