Tip #1 – Make a commitment not to procrastinate.  Procrastination will leave you stressed out. Do not wait until the last minute to do homework or study for a test.  Make the commitment to begin early on things that you know you have to do.

Tip #2 – Set goals.  Set goals daily and strive to reach them so that you know you can get things done.

Tip #3 – Pay attention in class.  Showing up and paying attention in class will save you time studying. If you already know the information, you won’t have to study it.

Tip #4 – Organization is crucial.  Keep your busy life organized.  Know where your books and study materials are so that you don’t waste precious time searching for them.

Tip #5 – Keep a “to do” notebook.  A small notebook for writing things down will ensure that you don’t miss important assignments or test dates.

Tip #6 – Believe in yourself.  You won’t be able to effectively manage your time if you have given up on yourself already.  Believe that you can get things done and you will.

Tip #7 – Prioritize your schedule.  Work and school should always take priority over your social life.  Get the things that are important done first and save the others for later.

Tip #8 – Realize your peak performance time.  There will be certain times during the day when you study better.  For some students, early mornings work well. For others, the evening time is a good time for studying. Figure out what works for your and use this time everyday to get studying done.

Tip #9 – Don’t make too many commitments.  Avoid making commitments with friends if you know you have tons of work to do.  Keep your schedule open to get the important things done first.

Tip #10 – Find a job where you can get some studying done.  Some college students are forced to hold a job while in school. If you fall into this category, find a laid back job where you can get homework done while you work.

Tip #11 – Make sure your job is flexible.  The job that you have must be willing to work with your school schedule.  Each semester, your schedule will change.  Is your boss willing to work with you on this?

Tip #12 – Learn to say no.  If you are overly generous, this can greatly affect your time management.  Learn to say no if someone needs your help and you have too much going on.

Tip #13 – Have a positive attitude. You attitude about school will greatly affect your time management skills.  Are you committed to school or are you just there because someone else wants you to be. Have a willing attitude to get the work done.

Tip #14 – Make time for sleep. Realize that you can’t stay up all night and perform well on tests and other tasks.  Be sure that you are scheduling in time for sleep.

Tip #15 – Find ways to relieve stress. School can be very stressful.  Find ways to relieve stress such as taking a daily walk or committing to an exercise program. This will help you manage your time more effectively.

Tip #16 – Get a job on campus.  There may be on campus jobs available for you to work at. This will save traveling time and will allow you more time for other activities.

Tip #17 – Be on time.  Set your alarm clock so that you are not late for class. Being late for class will serve only to help you miss out on important information.  Make a commitment to be on time at all times.

Tip #18- Keep track of the syllabus your professors give you.  This is important information that you will need to help you get through the semester.  Consider completing projects early to save time at the end of the semester.

Tip #19 – Keep your dorm room free from unwanted guest.  Having people in and out of your home will greatly affect your ability to get things done. Let your friend know that you are studying at a specific time.

Tip #20 – Stay focused.  Keep the ultimate goal of graduating in mind and stay focused on getting school work done.

Use the tips above to help you manage your time while in college.  Avoid procrastinating and keep a positive attitude. Realize that this time in your life will pass and will soon become only a memory.

Carve Pumpkins: You can generally buy a good-sized pumpkin for roughly $5 at stores such as Walmart. Your friends can even hold a contest to see who can carve the best one. To add spice to the contest, you can see who carve out the best Disney villain (Scar, Jafar, and Hades would make good subjects). Last year I carved the anglerfish from Finding Nemo into the side of my pumpkin, epic.

Trick-or-Treat: Who says you’re too old to want to go get candy? Although you ought to be prepared for the occasional glance from adults, trick-or-treating is one of the best ways to get your post-midterm sugar levels back to normal.

Reverse Trick-or-Treat: If you feel a bit too old to go out trick-or-treating yourself, you can try the reverse. Go buy a bag of candy and distribute it to other people in your apartment complex or dorm. It’s an activity that will make your feel-goods feel good. Although I’m a personal fan of home-baked goodies, people might not trust a bunch of college kids who show up with a plate of goodies. It might be best to stick with store-bought goods.

Spooky Stories: Try staying up late with your friends telling spooky stories. Looking up a few scary stories online can help you be prepared for late night conversations. If you can’t find anything online, go to the library and look up Edgar Allan Poe. If you can understand his old English, you may wet your pants. If scary stories don’t cut it, you might try. . . .

Scary Movies: Appropriate Halloween movies can range from the terrifying Exorcist to the comical The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Horror films are great opportunities to snuggle with your sweetheart. Funny movies are also good for snuggling, but may require a little more work to get to that point. Old movies, meant to be horror movies, often make great comedies 50 years later!

Haunted Mansions: Go hit up a haunted mansion/forest/grocery store/school, etc. These can range from extremely entertaining to lame. A friend of mine got bored in a haunted house one time so she faked a seizure. It must have been quite amusing to have a man with an ax sticking out of his head hovering over her and wondering if he should perform CPR.

Haunted Mansions, the Sequel: If you aren’t big on being scared, but a huge fan of scaring, you and your roommates might try rigging up a haunted house yourself. If your apartment is big enough, you can set up a pretty nifty haunted house right in your kitchen. Music from the Phantom of the Opera or Cybergenesis by the Cincinnatti Pops.

Costume Contest: Halloween would not be Halloween without costumes. The classic witch, ghost and vampire are always good. Classic cop-out costumes include wearing a giant enlarged quarter on your back (to be a quarterback) or just dressing in your normal clothes with a sign that says, “Nudist on Strike.” Dressing up as a political figure such as George Bush or Barack Obama could definitely draw laughs—especially if you can pull off an impersonation.

Most college kids these days have a smart phone, an iPad or a computer. The first weapon against the giant chaos beast is actually in your pocket! Miraculously something related to college just got easy and fun and even cheap all at the same time.

Step One to Killing College Chaos is: Use a Task Manager or List Tool.

Task management applications are easy to use and you can cheaply download one onto your smart phone, iPad or computer. Many of the applications available are also built using PHP and they sync across devices. Some of them will even let you collaborate in real time on projects with other students. For students with iPhone and iPad and Mac there are several apps made just for you, including:

TaskPRO, Student Time Tracker, and iStudiezpro.

College kids sporting Android phones, you haven’t been left in the cold! Here are three task management tools that will blow your socks off. Homework, Taskos and MyHomework are all for your Android phone and they are all free too.

For the split personalities out there and for people who want to collaborate in a mixed up generation here are some of the best task managers out there that do both. Free apps Remember the Milk and Wunderlist work on almost any device and the both go far beyond a simple list tool.

Step Two to Killing College Chaos is: Clean Up and Get Organized

Once you know what to do when thanks to new task management software it is time to tackle your dorm room. In the morning make your bed. This simple task will make you less likely to want to climb back into bed later for a nap and it will get you psychologically organized to start the day. If you haven’t yet gotten a dorm room bedding set, buy one that you like and start making the bed. After even a few days of making the bed you should see a change in your attitude towards getting things done when you are in your dorm room.

While it might have been fine to be messy at home because your mother or a maid came in once in a while to clean things up, this isn’t the case with college. Get some organizational tools for your clothes like shoe organizers and drawer dividers and get in the habit of putting things away when you are done using them. Organizational systems don’t have to be expensive to be effective. The main thing is having a place to put everything away as neatly as possible. Getting in the habit of using an organizational system and putting your things away will help you clear your mind. It also gives you a level of control over your immediate living space that is physiologically important. Most of the things in college are pretty tough. Classes are difficult and the competition for everything from friends to the best pizza in the cafeteria can be fierce. Taking control over your living space is one of the only things you can do at college that you have control over. Clean it up and you will see results. What could be more satisfying?

Step Three: Clear the Emotional Chaos.

College is also a time when everyone’s hormones are running amuck. Moreover, for many students this is the first time they have ever been away from the support of their family and friends. Throw in the stress of difficult classes; a few parties, a relationship or two that doesn’t go well and emotional chaos is almost certain to set in. Nothing is more destructive. Every year some of our country’s best and brightest don’t make it through college due to emotional chaos. Don’t discount the power of loneliness, anger or hopelessness… If you notice any of these feelings on a regular basis get help from your family, a college counselor or a close friend. Becoming active in a club, spending time with old friends, physical activity and being kind to yourself are all effective ways to manage stress and conquer emotional chaos.

College is preparation for an adult life. Before you know it, the chaos of college will give way to the even greater chaos of a new job, small children and no sleep. Start managing the chaos now and you will be able to nimbly handle whatever chaos happens to be lurking around the next corner.

Get Some Culture

I am willing to bet that most of you have never been out of the country. If you have, it has either been with your parents or for no longer than a few days to a week. And, let me guess, you were most likely working the stereotypical tourist look, right? Well, if this is true you need some culture. These minor vacations do not compare with what you will learn and experience when you are with other students in another country for months! Immersing yourself into a completely new, and different, culture can be a shocking experience, but eventually you adapt to life in a new country.  And once you do, you realize firsthand that every person, and culture, in the world is unique and you truly learn to appreciate differences.

Get That Dream Job

Ever wanted to put something really impressive on your resume? Well this is something that will impress your potential boss! Saying that you have been abroad can tell a lot about you. Your future employer will consider you open-minded and adaptable. Having international experience will put you on another level than your competitors. Who knows? If your interviewer has been to the same country, maybe you will have something to talk about, and maybe it will be the deciding factor on whether or not you get the job.

The People

People always say that the friends you meet in college are the ones that last a lifetime. This is true; however, the friends you spend several months with in another country? Now, those are the friends that will last forever. You will meet people from your home country. Also, you can form friendships in the new country where you will be living. The people you go on a study abroad with will share some of your all-time favorite memories. Nothing compares to someone who knows you and knows just exactly what you’ve experienced.

Becoming I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T

Are you one of those students still living with your parents? If not, props to you for moving out. But, I bet your parents still have a little bit of say in your life, even if you are miles away from home. Studying abroad is your chance to prove to Mom and Dad, and to yourself, that you can take care of yourself. Being so far away will help you get ready for adult life. There will be no parent to hold your hand as you experience a new place. Most likely (and hopefully) you will love the independence and the opportunity to do things without any one telling you yes or no.

Have a Little Fun!

Sure, there are probably fun things to do where you live, but it is such an adventure to be abroad! You will be able to try different food and meet exciting people. You will be out of your comfort zone, but it will be the greatest experience of your life. The memories that you make will be some of the best that you have ever had your whole life! Plus, these memories will make your friends envy your escapades. In the long run, you will be well-traveled and you will always have something to tell the kids, especially on why they should study abroad.

1) You’ve Got No Respect

This is probably the number one reason that you aren’t a good roommate. If you don’t care about your roommates, you aren’t going to be considerate. If you want your roommates to treat you the way you want to be treated, consider treating them with respect. An example of respect would be if you know that someone has a test the next day, don’t be playing loud music the night before.

2) You Are Messy

Of course everyone has their messy days, but if you have a pile of clothes on your bed that has been there since you’ve moved in, it’s time that you evaluate how good you are at keeping things clean. If you can’t help it, at least make sure that your mess is contained. If your roommates are leaving you sticky notes about cleaning your dishes, it’s time that you take notice and clean your mess.

3) You Are a Clean Freak

On the other hand, you may be obsessive when it comes to cleaning. If you are that type, you might want to loosen up a bit. Most people enjoy a clean space, but some do not make it a huge priority. If you are a clean freak, make sure that you give other the benefit of the doubt?maybe they were going to clean but were late to class.

4) You Take Without Asking

This is really annoying for other roommates. Especially if they were looking forward to the last slice of their home-made pie.  Don’t be a mooch.  Give and you shall receive.  Be fair and share the goodies, or else you will be looked upon as the black hole of the dormitory that just sucks everything up.

5) You Threaten Your Roommate

This is a big no-no. No matter how you much you joke with a roommate, you should never threaten them. It may seem like a joke to you but your roommate may have a very different type of humor. You don’t want to seem like some crazy person that your roommates are afraid of.

If you think that you do any of these things take a step back and fix what you are doing. You don’t want people to be afraid of you or simply hate being around you.

It is important to remember that you only get one shot at the undergraduate college experience. Freshly plucked from the confines of your small town and parental control, this is a time to explore everything your school has to offer as far as clubs, organizations and sports go. The worst thing you could do is look back with no accomplishments aside from finishing.

A couple of tips to remember:

Figure out what you have time for

Different clubs and activities are going to demand more responsibility and dedication than others. Joining the paper or becoming part of a sorority/frat require major time commitment. I was president of my sorority and don’t know where any of my free time went. Keep in mind realistically what you have the time to bind yourself to. If you’re Pre-Med and barely have time to go out on the weekends as it is, hold off on becoming a part of anything until you figure out how to balance your schedule.

Think critically about what it is you want to be doing

A fraternity or sorority can seem like the obvious pick for a lot of undergraduates. But be aware! Most sororities have weekly meetings, monthly recruitment activities that go on for weeks at the time, and socials. You could be doing something Greek related half of the month (maybe more). Dedication and responsibility play a major role here so make sure you like who you are pledging for and with.

Try to join outside of your friend circle

If you have a pretty good niche group of friends you’ve met in class or in the dorms, stray away from joining clubs with them. Why? Well, how are you going to meet anyone new if you keep hanging out with the same people? Branch out a little and attend some info nights by yourself first to test out the waters. If you feel strongly another friend would enjoy it as well that is fine, just don’t bring your whole click to the party.

Side note: pledging sororities or fraternities with a large group of people can be detrimental to you in the long run. You love your friends, but the organization may not. Make sure not to tie yourself too strongly to any one person.

On that note

No good club or organization will have you sign up for something or join without a good info night letting you know what you are getting yourself into. Go to these! If your schedule conflicts speak to a student in the organization that holds an executive position to see what you missed. You need to know the mission of the organization, the people who run it, how often they meet and most importantly if there is any financial cost to join.

Don’t become a club collector

Although it looks great to have a diversified college experience, there is no point in joining 10 clubs in hopes of being able to put them on your resume one day. The truth this is that clubs and organizations shouldn’t even live on a resume unless your resume unless you held executive positions within the group i.e. President, VP, Treasuer or Secretary. Simply being a member of a throng of clubs proves nothing; for all a future employer knows you may have joined and never attended a meeting.

Try to mix it up

Take a variety of different classes, especially if you are a freshman. If you are undecided in your major, take lots of different subjects of classes to broaden your horizons. If you do this, you are more likely to find that one subject you love which can help you decide your major. If you are already in your major, still try to take at least one or two classes of a different subject in order to learn as much that you can about other fields. Every major has something to offer, so it is beneficial to take those classes.

Rate my Professor

This is an incredible resource when picking out your classes. This website tells you what your professor has been rated by multiple students and what that professor’s strengths and weaknesses are. There may also be university evaluations that are filled out from previous courses that you can get your hands on. It is important to know about your professors prior to starting the class so you can decide if their teaching strategies will be effective on you. The best type of rating to get is from your friends. If your friends have taken the same class or teacher, get their opinion. They can tell you firsthand about the way he/she teaches or whether he/she is a hard grader and whatnot. Their opinion might be the most important one.

Don’t rush to complete GE’s

Your general education classes are important of course, but if you rush these, you may have no idea what to take after two years of generals. You may want to save some of those required classes for later, after you have decided on a major. That way, you can experience a lot of different kinds of classes during your first couple years at school.

Pick the right time

You know yourself better than anyone. Are you a morning person? A night person? Keep that in mind as you pick the times of your classes. For example, when I took Philosophy class at eight in the morning, I was not too happy. I didn’t do as well as I could and I now strongly dislike the topic of Philosophy. The only reason for these negative feelings comes from the fact that the class was too early and I had a hard time focusing. Pick times where you will be awake and enthusiastic. Also, plan plenty of breaks for you to get lunch or stretch your legs. No one likes to sit for too long.

Picking your classes can be stressful, but think of it as also being fun. Every semester is a new schedule with new teachers and new subjects. If you absolutely hate a class you’re taking, just remember that you will get a brand new schedule next semester.

Banana Slugs-UC Santa Cruz

First of all, let me clarify exactly what this animal is. It is a mollusk, a yellow one to be exact. The banana slug lives in the redwood forests near Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz’s mascot’s name is Sammy and he is definitely yellow with a big smile on his face. Apparently, in 1980, their mascot was changed to a sea lion but that was reversed back in 1986. Sammy seems to be the popular mascot choice for this school. I think other college’s don’t see this mascot as very intimidating. I mean, how hard is it to squash a slug?

Artie the Artichoke-Scottsdale Community College

I find it funny that you can eat this mascot. Probably not the ideal choice in scaring off opponents. The students did not like it when most of the school’s money was going toward trying to make this school focused on sports. They rebelled a bit and voted for an artichoke as their mascot. That will make some great dip for the football games.

Geoducks-Evergreen State College

Quack quack? Nope, a geoduck has absolutely nothing to do with the duck you’re thinking of. Imagine a banana slug with a shell that lives in the ocean. Also, it’s a lot bigger and uglier. Evergreen’s geoduck’s name is Speedy, and it is said to bring the team good luck. This is probably because it’s so ugly and it always frightens the other team.

Salukis-Southern Illinois University

Salukis are a certain breed of dog who were Egyptian royalty dogs in ancient time. These dogs actually have an intimidating factor-they are known for their stamina while running. However, these dogs have a bad perm and don’t seem like they would hurt a fly.

The Billiken-Saint Louis University

You may be asking yourself what a Billiken is. Don’t worry, it doesn’t actually exist. A teacher at St. Louis saw this creature in a dream, and she patented it in 1908. The Billiken looks like a cross between an elf, an alien and a vampire. It has a creepy smile and a white body. I don’t know what St. Louis is trying to do but it is said that a billiken brings good luck.

The Fighting Okra-Delta State University

Yum, another green vegetable that other teams can eat during half time. Okra is actually a flowering plant but it is still edible. It is said that Delta State wanted a mascot that was mean and green so they picked an okra. I don’t know if it is very mean at all but it is definitely green and definitely funny.

There are loads more mascots that we can make fun of. Whatever your mascot is at your school, love it and support it. Don’t be ashamed of it because there are a lot of other school’s whose mascots are probably much worse!

Students today are always on the go. The weight and price of traditional print textbooks often leave students feeling chained to their dorm room desks, unwilling to overload their backpack and head to the library.  And with the national average price of books in 2010-2011 being $1,137 a year, according to collegeboard.com, it doesn’t leave much money for extracurricular activities – an important part of the college lifestyle.

However, CourseSmart®, the world’s largest provider of eTextbooks and digital course materials, is helping to change that.  They understand the student lifestyle and are dedicated to making the studying experience more effective and flexible through technology – a factor known to be important to most college students.   According to a recent study commissioned by the brand, the majority (52 percent) of college students use an Android™-based smartphone or iPhone®.  Additionally, a Wakefield Research study recently reported that 38% of the 501 students surveyed said they could not go more than 10 minutes without checking in with their tech device – about the same amount of time it takes to walk to class. These statistics suggest a strong market for digital course materials which can help streamline studying by using devices students already own.

With the rising popularity of tablets, smartphones and eReaders comes the popularity of digital textbooks, a more affordable option to the pricey and bulky traditional print textbooks of yesteryear.  And with CourseSmart’s recent release of their newest eReader that allows students to access their course materials online, offline or on their devices, the studying experience has gotten a whole lot easier and more mobile – a key benefit for today’s busy, on-the-go student lifestyle.  Studying is no longer confined to the library or dorm setting but can now take place anytime and anywhere (at least that’s what you can tell your parents).

Thanks to eTextbooks and advancements in technology from companies like CourseSmart, studying has become more accessible and flexible in order to meet the needs of students everywhere.  Hopefully this also makes studying [slightly] more appealing and more of a top priority too.  We know parents sure hope so.

As a high school Freshman, many are terrified of being thrown into a dumpster or jammed into their locker. It happens in all the movies right? Well, now many of you are entering your Freshman year of college. What should you expect? Well, for one thing, expect to make some mistakes. You are in a new and unfamiliar place and it is going to be scary. Here are some things to know about being a college Freshman.

At one point or another, expect to get lost

During your Freshman year, you will experience times where you don’t know where you are, or where you are going. You may feel lost and have no idea what to do. A word of advice: if you are lost, do not be afraid to ask someone where you are going. Older students are people, not monsters. No one is going to make fun of you or ignore you while you’re asking them a question. Also, think about getting a map and walking through campus a day or two before class starts so you can familiarize yourself with your surroundings. This will make it a lot easier for you to find your way around on your first day of classes.

You will stay friends with the people you meet Freshman year

My first week of college, I met the girl who lived across the hall from me. From that moment on, we have been inseparable. The people you meet Freshman year will be your friends for life. If you’re worried about making friends, make an effort to be extra outgoing. Most college Freshmen are in the same boat as you: they want to make friends, but might be scared. Be the one to initiate conversation with people. Most likely, they will have a conversation with you, and who knows? Maybe you will become best friends.

You may break up with your high school sweetheart

And if you don’t, you probably should. You have no idea how many new people you will be meeting every single day while you are in college. Most likely, you will not even care about your high school lover after the first month of being away. High school is a bubble and it is hard to see outside of that bubble, until you get to the real world. If you refuse to break up with your boyfriend or girlfriend before you leave, at least take a break so you can meet new coeds and experience something different.

You may and probably will gain weight

The dorm buffet can be a death trap

Many Freshman decide to live in the dorms. If you live in on-campus dorms, your situation often includes a meal plan of some sort where you eat in a cafeteria or buffet area. Having constant access to all the food you want suggests that you may gain some weight. Ever heard of the Freshman 15? Well, prepare to experience it. Try and eat healthy when you go to eat dinner and try and lay off the midnight snacks that will tempt you.

You will have to be more independent than ever

No parents! Woo-hoo! You will experience a breath of fresh air without having someone constantly controlling you. You can stay out as late as you want, you can hang out with who you want; you’re free. This breath of fresh air will only last a month or two tops. After this party period, you will realize that no one is doing your laundry for you and no one is telling you to do your homework. My suggestion to you then, is to go buy some laundry detergent and crack down on your studying because if not, you will have dirty clothes and bad grades. And if you do end up getting homesick for your parents, remember they are usually just phone call away. Don’t be ashamed to have a moment of dependence.