Category Archives: Academics

Academics, Health & Wellness

Fighting Procrastination

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Procrastination is a word that professors dread hearing. It causes people stress and anxiety which can ruin a person’s day. This may sound dramatic, but if you read up on the effects of procrastination it shows that it can effect your health, finances, your performance in school or work, and cause feelings of anxiety. Interested in learning more? Then check out:

Procrastination

Procrastination is the tendency to avoid unpleasant or stressful tasks that are often very important and replace them with less important, less stressful tasks. A person who avoids calling a debt collector or who posts on social networking sites instead of writing a paper is engaging in procrastination.

It is important to find ways to get yourself to manage your work and homework so that you don’t procrastinate.

One way is to set simple, achievable goals.

By setting simple and achievable goals you don’t get overwhelmed just thinking about your projects. Focus on one project at a time and then your list won’t seem as long and tiresome.

Create a detailed timeline with specific deadlines.

Organize your projects from needs to get done now to can wait till later. Then set a specific time frame for each project. For example:

This is loosely based of my schedule. Find a planner or calendar that you dedicate to planning your homework and projects out.

Try using incentives.

It is okay to bribe yourself into doing your work. Promise yourself that if you finish that paper due next week on Friday, then you can go to the movies on Saturday. Give yourself something to work towards and it will make the project easier to do.

Get the hard stuff done first.

It is typical for people to start with the easy projects and put off the harder ones, but try reversing them. Start with the harder projects because then they won’t cause you stress later. Putting off the harder projects is worse for your anxiety then if you were to put off reading a chapter.

Change your environment.

Sometimes studying or working on a project is easier when you get a change of scenery. Personally, I work in my room, but when I feel like I am stuck I will go to the library. If it is a nice day try to find a quiet place outside.

Stop over-complicating things.

Students tend to be their own worst nightmare because they over think their projects. When you over think a project it can be more intimidating then it really is. When I write a paper or work on a big project, I try to just get it done and worry about if it is right after I finish. Then I revise and edit. It doesn’t seem so hard when you do a project this way.

Ask yourself, what’s the worst thing that could happen if I did this today?

The fact is that by working on that project that isn’t due till next week today, can save yourself from anxiety and second-rate work. Nothing bad will happen if you get an early start.

Finally, imagine how you’ll feel once you do whatever it is you’ve been postponing.

It always feels amazing when the project is done and you don’t have to worry about it. Try to remember that feeling when you prepare to start something.

It is hard to get started on the big projects, but once you do you will feel a whole lot better. Not only will your anxiety lessen, but also your work will be better. Procrastination isn’t worth the stress and bad grades that are sure to follow it.

Academics, Resources

How to Prepare for an Interview

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It can be nerve wracking getting ready for an interview, especially if you are not ready. If you are not prepared for the interview it most likely won’t go well. There are a few tips that can help you get ready for what you need to do before the interview as well as what is needed during an interview.

Examine the Job Description

The very first thing you need to do before your interview is to very carefully look over the job description. It is important to understand what the position is and what your responsibilities will be before you meet with the employer. This will give the impression that you are serious about this job as well as that you are professional.

Know Your Audience

The position you are interviewing for is not the only research you will need to conduct. You will also want to research the company / business. It is important to know about the company / business because it will help you get a better understanding of the position you are interviewing for as well as if it will be a good fit for you.

Consider Your Answers to Common Interview Questions

You will not be able to predict all the questions that will be asked, but there are common questions that most employers will want answers too. Some of these questions may be “why do you want to work for this company?” or “what are your greatest strengths?” These may not sound like hard questions to answer, but if you are unprepared they could mess up the rest of your interview.

Prepare Several Thoughtful Questions for the Interviewer(s)

As with most professional meetings, there are do’s and don’ts when it comes to questions you should ask during the  interview. You want to sound professional and intelligent but you do not want to sound pushy or not interested. Check out the following two posts to learn the questions you should ask vs. the questions that should never be asked during an interview.

These Are the Questions You Should Never Ask During a Job Interview

Towards the end of an interview, almost every employer will ask, ” Do you have any questions for me?” Job applicants should put just as much thought into asking questions as they do answering questions. Whether you intend it or not, each question you ask has the potential to reflect your knowledge of the company, your interest in the position, and your work ethic.

 

10 Impressive Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

Get Ask a Boss delivered every week As someone who has interviewed probably thousands of job applicants throughout my career, I’m always surprised by how some candidates handle the part of the interview where it’s their turn to ask questions.

Conduct Mock Interviews

Ask a friend or family member to help you prepare by going through a mock interview. Have them be the interviewer and try to make it as realistic as possible. This will help you with answering questions as well as get some feedback on how you conducted yourself. It could also help boost your confidence when going in for your real interview.

*Remember to be open to their criticism and try to implement their recommendations.

Print Copies of Your Resume

Always bring a hard copy of your resume when going to an interview, even if you already submitted a digital copy. This gives the employer the impression that you are ready for anything and it refreshes their memory of who you are.

State of Mind

It is okay to be nervous before going into an interview, but it is important you find a way to keep your head in the right place. If you are scattered and unfocused it will show during your interview. Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before and try some calming techniques.

Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief

For many of us, relaxation means flopping on the couch and zoning out in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day. But this does little to reduce the damaging effects of stress.

Dress Accordingly

You should dress professionally when attending an interview. This gives the employer a good first impression and shows that you are serious about working for them. It will also boost your confidence.

Get Ready to Follow Up After the Interview

It is extremely important to follow up after an interview. By following up you show your interest in the position and will make you stand out with the employer. Now the question is how long do you wait before contacting them? A good rule of thumb is waiting 4 – 5 business days, unless you were already given the next steps in the process.

Experiential Learning and Career Management (ELCM) is a great place to visit at Millersville University. They help with resume critiques, cover letters, job and internship searches, etc. For more information on them check out their page.

Experiential Learning And Career Management (ELCM)

Experiential Learning And Career Management (ELCM)

Academics, Lists

Helpful Studying Tips

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Studying is not the most fun activity to engage in. It is, however, extremely important as a college student. Since it isn’t fun it can be hard to focus while studying making it pointless. Here are a few tips on how to form good study habits:

Take Good Notes

Taking good notes isn’t exactly easy for most. Try to take notes on the key points in class and the textbook/readings. You don’t want to take notes on information that you are not going to need. If you aren’t sure you understood what the main points were in a lecture, then go and see your professor during their office hours. You can always ask to record the lecture, but you will need the professor’s permission first.

Keep Organized

Keep some sort of a planner or calendar to make time management easier. By doing this you can keep track of your classes, extra activities, and work schedule. Then just add in your homework and you are all set.

Another tip you can follow is putting sticky notes into your textbooks. This will make it easier to go back later and see the key points you took from that page.

Turn OFF your electronics

I know this may be hard, especially since for most of your homework nowadays you need your laptop but trust me it is better without the distractions. When it comes to your laptop, make a rule that you won’t go on any distracting websites such as social media and/or streaming sites. I have distracted myself many times by listening to music or telling myself one more episode of a tv show.

As for your cell phone, turn it off. You won’t need it to do your homework.

Don’t Cram for Tests

It can be tempting to put off studying until the very last minute, but it doesn’t help you. Try studying a little bit each day. This will help you not to be overwhelmed as well as help you retain the information.

Find the Perfect Spot for you

Everyone has a different preference about where to study. Some want it quiet with as few people as possible. Some prefer the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop. Some like to have music playing while they study, some need it absolutely quiet. Try and find the best study spot for you by trying a few different spots.

And Finally Take a Break

You do not need to sit for hours studying. In fact, it is best to take a break here and there to clear your head and not get overwhelmed. Personally, I watch an episode or two of a TV show I have already seen. This makes it easier to keep myself from getting distracted. If I were to watch a new TV show that has me hooked I may not go back to my studying.

Academics, Health & Wellness

Time to Form a Plan

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When asked about time management a lot of people think it means to plan their day down to the last minute. This ends up stressing them out because you can’t plan out your day like that and then they end up not doing anything. This leads to even more stress and you end up rushing to finish everything. Does time management really mean this though?

Hear are a few definitions of time management:

  1. “Time management is the ability to plan and control how someone spends the hours in a day to effectively accomplish their goals.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/time-management
  2. “Time management is the process of organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities.” https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_00.htm
  3. “The ability to use one’s time effectively or productively, especially at work.” Dictionary

Not one of these definitions say that we need to have to have our lives completely planned out. That is impossible to do because events or ideas change how our days go. What is important about time management is not procrastinating until the last minute. Then if something does occur that changes your schedule you won’t be as stressed.

Another issue people face when it comes to time management is that, some days, there are a lot of things that need to get done around the same time. I faced this problem the first week of the semester. Not only did I have classes to attend and do homework for, but I also had two booths at Org. Outbreak to run as well as prepare for the first meetings of said organizations. It caused me to feel sick from the stress.

One way to avoid this is knowing when you need to say “no”. I should have told one of the organizations I am a part of that I couldn’t run the booth instead of taking both on. I also should have asked for help when I knew it was going to be to much for me to handle. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help from others.

Just remember to take care of yourself and by utilizing time management it makes it easier to do so. It is also a good idea to make a weekly plan instead of waiting till the day of to form a schedule. This will allow you to move things around if needed and will prevent you from taking too much on.

Academics, Lists, New / Prospective Students

How to Send a Proper Email to Your Professor

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Back when it was my first semester of college, I learned a valuable lesson. A lesson I have come to realize not many college students have learned is how to send a proper email to your professor. This also goes with any authority figure like your boss or a potential employer. Many don’t include important information or they make the email informal. This is not the way to go when you are trying to sound professional.

Here are a few things to remember when sending an email:

Keep your email professional!

Don’t treat the email the way you would talk to your friend. When emailing an authority figure you want to give the best impression! Be polite and respectful, this will help give whoever is receiving your email the best impression of you.

You want to begin your email by addressing your professor by title and name. An example would be “Dear Dr. Smith.” If they go by “Professor” then call them that.

End the email with your name / signature. It is important that you don’t forget to tell them who is emailing. I have heard professors say that students have emailed them and forgotten to mention their name. They can’t respond if they don’t know who they are emailing.

Keep your email clear and concise!

Make your email easy to understand. If they can’t figure out what you are trying to say or ask you might not get the answers or response you need.

Don’t forget to mention what class you are from! Most professors have many classes they teach, so they are going to have a harder time remembering which students are from which class. Include the title of the course and time or the course number.

Check your spelling and grammar before you send!

I am guilty of this as well. You never want to just send the email without looking it over for misspellings or grammar mistakes. This will not go over well with your professors.

Never leave the subject box empty!

You always want to include what the email is about in a few words.  If you were sending an email about trying to find a time to meet the professor you could say “Appointment Possibilities.”

Do not waste their time!

Your professors have other classes to teach as well as other responsibilities. You do not want to send ask questions that you can answer for yourself. Make sure you honestly can’t find the answer yourself before contacting your professor. If you can’t find the answer then you ask. Don’t forget they have office hours for a reason.

Do not make demands!

If you need something then request it, do not make demands. Make sure you give them enough time to respond to you. It is important to always be respectful and polite. Make sure that you are not emailing them about something that you could use their office hours for. If you are looking for more tips on how to send a proper email check out:

How to Email a Professor

Emailing a professor should be straightforward. You send emails all the time! But emailing a professor is different from email a friend or family member. Professional email etiquette is not something that is often taught which makes sending that first email all the more stressful.

My name is Stephanie Wenger and I am the Marketing Intern for the Department of Housing and Residential Programs. I am an English BA major with a minor in History.

Academics, Events / Programs, Save the Date

Important Dates!

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With the start of the semester right around the corner, it is important to start planing out your semester. You don’t want to fall behind and forget anything important. So, here are some of the important dates to keep in mind when it comes to the Spring Semester:

January 2020

  • 19th – Residence Halls Open
  • 20th – Martin Luther King Jr. Day! (No Classes)
  • 21st – Classes Begin
  • 23rd – Org Outbreak

February 2020

  • 5th – Room Selection Event
  • 14th – Valentines Day

March 2020

  • 3rd – 5th – Same Room Selection
  • 6th – 9th – Matching Roommate
  • 9th – Shenks Room Selection
  • 10th – 31st – Open Room Selection
  • 16th – 22nd – Spring Break

April 2020

  • 9th – 17th – Early Undergraduate Registration for Undergraduate Registration for Fall 2020

May 2020

  • 4th – Last day of classes!

Now this list isn’t all the important dates when it comes to the semester, but for those of you who are planning on staying in the residence halls for the 2020-2021 school year this is the perfect list of dates. To find more dates of important times you can use this link:

Spring 2020 Academic Calendar

JAN 21 Classes begin Late registration online Drop/add period begins online JAN 29 W grade period begins. If course starts or ends outside of the regular Spring 2020 term (1/21-5/9), the withdrawal deadline will differ. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.

Don’t forget to put these and any other important dates into your planers! It will really help you plan ahead.

Academics, Lifestyle / Hall Life

Helpful Tips To Help You Prep For Finals Week

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It is that time of the year again, the dreadful finals week. All of the 15 weeks of non-stop hard work leads up to this defining moment. Finals week can be intimidating, but very manageable if you plan ahead. Taking the time to fully process finals week and everything that comes with it is very important and can make a huge difference to how things play out. Here are some tips to help you prep for finals week.

 

 

  1. Write down each of your final times in your planner

The finals week schedule comes out early each semester so you can plan ahead and know when your test time is for each class. If you write down the date and time, you can plan out how many days in advance you want to start studying and what time you should get up each day during finals. This is also helpful so you do not forget the time you are supposed to be at a certain exam.

2. Start studying ahead of time

Studying ahead of time can help you learn the topics better and alleviate some stress during finals week. Each student most likely has an exam in each class which can total out to about 5 exams, so making time to study for each one can be tricky. If we utilize the week before finals week to study, we can take extra time to make sure our studying is not rushed and that we have adequate time to study for each exam we have.

3. Plan out time to relax

Finals week is very stressful, so it is also a great idea to take time for yourself and give your brain a rest. If you need a break from studying try taking a walk outside, watching a movie or going to the gym to get your mind off of your exams or projects!

4. Pack up some of your items in your room a week before you move out

Finals week also signifies the end of the semester which means it is time to move out. Moving out can also be an added stress during this already stressful time. To avoid getting even more stressed, try to pack a majority of items in your room that you are not using ahead of time so you do not have to do it last minute. If you live in the residence hall you can find a schedule of the move out times and other information here.

5.  Study with friends

Studying in a group can sometimes be more effective than studying alone. This can be very beneficial because if someone knows some information better than you, they can help you piece together what you are not understanding. Also, you can use the other person for moral support to get to the library and put the appropriate time of studying in.

6. Attend office hours if you have questions or do not understand a topic

If  you are not understanding a topic or have a question, your professor is a great source. This is also a great way to show your professor you are serious about this class and you want to succeed and get a great grade on the final.

7. Stay well rested

Finals week can be very tiring, especially if you are staying up late to prepare for exams night after night. Each night you want to make sure you are getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep. This is the recommended amount of sleep a person should get each night and it also gives you the right amount of energy you need  to get through the day.

8. Enjoy your last few days on campus

Whether you are graduating or returning next year, enjoy your last few days on campus! Over the summer you will not see this beautiful campus or a majority of your friends, so make sure you have some fun and make memories before you leave.

 

We hope everyone has a great finals week and may the odds be ever in your favor! Tweet us @VilleHousing if you have any finals tips to pass along.

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Academics, Announcements

Have Any Summer Plans? Summer Session Courses Are An Option

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The spring semester is quickly drawing to a close, which means it is time to start thinking about summer and more specifically, summer plans. An option to think about is taking summer courses. Here at Millersville, the university offers summer courses during 3 different summer sessions. These summer sessions run from different times in case you are going on a family trip or have other plans, you can plan around it and be able to take a course that works with your schedule. Summer session 1 starts May 13th and ends on June 7th. Summer session 2 starts June 10th and ends July 12th. Lastly, Summer session 3 starts July 15th and ends August 16th.

Summer sessions are a great way to retake a course you may not have excelled in or give you a chance to get ahead on your studies. Either way, it is a great way to spend a small portion of your summer and can have many benefits.

 

 

If you plan on taking summer courses, you may want to stay on campus while you take your course or courses. Summer housing is available for all students at a discounted rate. All summer housing will be located in South Village A and check-in times will be from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm for each session on the designated check in dates. More information regarding check in dates and room rates can be found on our website.

The summer housing 2019 application is now open and can be submitted through your My Housing Account. To locate your My Housing account, log into your MAX account and select Student Services and then select the Housing and Dining tab, it is the fifth choice down. Then you will see the link to the My Housing portal where you can find the application. There is one application for the entire summer and you will be asked which session you are signing up for when you complete the application. It is also possible for you to request a suitemate, so if you’re taking summer courses you can encourage your friends to do so as well! Once your application is completed, you will receive an email confirmation.

Summer session courses are a great way to stay on track with your studies and maybe even help you get ahead.  For more information on summer sessions, you can go here to the website.

 

Photos courtesy of Canva.

Academics, Lifestyle / Hall Life

Motivational Quotes To Help You Get To Spring Break

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Face it, we have had many snow days and it is getting hard to keep track of classes and assignments when due dates keep getting pushed back. When this happens, personally I lose motivation and I need to refocus in order to stay on track. Along with this feeling, spring break is right around the corner which also can contribute to slacking in our classes. To fight these feelings I have gathered some inspirational quotes to get you through this and make it successfully to spring break without easing up on your work.

 

Photo courtesy of Canva. 

 

  1. “ I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” – Florence Nightingale
  2. “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” – Pele
  3. “Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” – Christopher Parker
  4.  “You don’t drown by falling in the water ; you drown by staying there.” – Ed Cole
  5. “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou
  6. “Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.” – Ralph Maston
  7. “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford
  8.  “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
  9.  “Some people dream of accomplishing great things. Others stay awake and make it happen.”
  10. “Try to live everyday like Elle Woods after Warner told her she wasn’t smart enough for law school.”

Sometimes we just need to sit back and refocus in order to regain our motivation when it comes to  doing well in our classes. If these quotes help you, let us know. Also make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram, our username is @Villehousing ! Study hard!

Academics, Lists

Tips For Surviving Finals Week

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?“It’s the most stressful time of the year.”? Yes Marauders, it is Finals Week. Finals week is one of the most stressful weeks in the whole semester. Somehow during this time you have what feels like a hundred papers due and an exam in almost every class. Tensions can run high and you may pull all nighters just to prepare for your exams. To get through this tough time, I created a list of some tips I have accumulated to successfully get through the storm.

 

  1. Start Early.

If you start studying or creating a study plan early, you will feel less overwhelmed when finals week arrives.

2. Stay Well-Rested

Getting a good amount of sleep each night is essential to feeling well-rested. This will also give you higher energy levels to get the right amount of studying done each day.

3. Attend Office Hours

This is a huge tip! Attending office hours can be very beneficial because it gives you one-on-one time with your professor to ask any questions on material you may not understand. Also, this is a big way to show your professors you are serious about your work and you are trying your best with the material. This can be very beneficial when grading comes around.

4. Create a Plan and Stick To It

If you have a plan in place, you are less likely to stray from it. This will act as a motivator to get your studying  done daily and to cross things off your checklist. I have to say crossing things off your checklist is one of the best feelings.

5.  Don’t Stick Strictly to the Study Guide

If your professors give you a study guide, make sure you also look at information that was not on it. Professors mainly give study guides to give students an idea of what can be on the test, but they might also add other information to make sure you reading the material and know it very well.

6.  Take Study Breaks

Sometimes spending too much time studying  without a break can be bad for your brain. If you take small breaks in between certain content, it can be beneficial. For example, you can take a quick walk outside or watch a short video in between.

7. Do Not Study In Your Bed

One of my biology teachers taught me this tip in high school and it has always stuck with me. Your brain associates your bed with sleep and relaxation, so when you try to study in your bed, you are less productive and you can disrupt your sleep patterns. The next time you will go to sleep, your body will take more time to adjust to it and you may lose out on hours of sleep.

8. Create Acronyms or Rhymes To Memorize Lists or Difficult Information

This is a very helpful tip that I use when I study. When I have to know long lists of steps or types of information, I create an acronym to spell out the first letter of every word. This is kinda like how teachers would use PEMDAS in elementary school to remember math operations. For example, this acronym stands for parentheses, exponents, multiplication , division, addition and subtraction.

9. Review Your Notes Daily

Taking time each day to review your notes will pay off in the long run. When test time rolls around, you will know the information better and be able to recognize the words in the questions quickly.

10. Dress Nice To Your Finals

“Dress well, test well” simply implies that those who dress well on the day of their exam or presentation are likely to perform better, or at least feel, better. Dressing nicer makes you feel more confident with the information and may help you do better.

11. Put Your Phone On Do Not Disturb or Turn It Off

Your phone can take away time from your studying and distract you from learning the information. Turn your phone off during your time studying to avoid this distraction and to decrease your time spent on one subject.

12. Eat Healthy

If you eat foods that are unhealthy and that do not provide nutrients, they can make you feel groggy. This can make you feel lazy and make you not want to study even more. Instead of choosing fried food or a bag of chips , eat a salad or some apples. Your body will thank you later.

13. Have a Positive Mindset

You are not going to get anywhere or have any confidence in yourself if you do not have a positive mindset. Studies have also shown that if you write positive affirmations on your exams, you will do better because it will make you more confident in your responses.

14. Study With Other People in Your Class

Having other people to study the information with you, will help you learn the information as well as teach you new study techniques. This is also good because if someone knows some information better than you, they can help you piece together what you are not understanding.

15.  Treat Yourself

This is a tough week and you are putting a lot of time into your studies, you deserve to treat yourself with a candy or maybe a coffee you like. Don’t feel bad about treating yourself or taking the time to do something you love, you deserve it!

We would like to wish everyone good luck on their final projects and exams! Stay motivated and do your best!

 

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