Tag Archives: Millersville University

Academics, Student Life

Tips for Increasing Your Productivity

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Some days, productivity can be hard to come by. It’s easier to say “I’ll do that tomorrow” than to actually do what you need to do. When tomorrow comes around, the vicious cycle starts all over again. So, how do you motivate yourself to be productive? How do you turn “I’ll do that tomorrow” into “I’ll do that today”? First, it’s important to remember that it’s normal to want to procrastinate. Sometimes it’s okay to leave things for tomorrow as long as you stick to your word. There’s no magic trick or method that will turn you into a super productive person overnight (as much as we all may want that), but there are some tips that can help you improve your productivity:

Plan your days ahead of time

When you create a schedule for yourself, you’re more likely to complete your tasks because you’ll feel encouraged to do what you said you’d do. I recommend planning out your whole week at the start of the week. First, I write down everything that I need to get done during the week I’m planning. Then I write out each day of the week and put a list of what I need to get done under the dates. Doing this helps me stay on track with due dates and exam dates. I also plan for times to relax or do something I enjoy, not just schoolwork. This helps me feel less overwhelmed by the tasks I have to do.

Dedicate a certain amount of time to assignments

When I plan out my week, I like to allot times to each activity. For example, I might plan to work on an essay from 12pm to 1pm. Sometimes I don’t use specific times and just decide that at some point during the day, I’ll spend one hour working on the essay. Doing this helps me stick to a schedule and encourages me to spend the designated amount of time on the assignment. This has been extremely helpful for me throughout college, but especially the past two semesters where I had asynchronous classes. For classes that didn’t meet virtually or in-person, I decided to concentrate on assignments for those classes during what would have been the class meeting time. This also helps me maintain a daily routine which has helped me get through quarantine.

Reward yourself

Sometimes finding the motivation to work can be hard, even if you plan out your days. To help with this, I give myself incentives to get my work done. I typically tell myself “if I do this, then I’ll get this.” For example, I’ll say “if I study for half an hour, I’ll get to go on my phone for 15 minutes.” I also like to decide on a reward that I’ll give myself after I do well on an exam or big assignment. Typically, I buy myself a food I like that I don’t usually buy for myself. College can be difficult, you deserve to reward yourself for getting things done!

Remind yourself of your goals

In the moment, it usually feels pretty good to log out of D2L and turn on Netflix. In the long run, though, procrastinating never feels good. The assignment or studying that I’m putting off will eventually need to be done, so why not get it over with rather than drag it out? One way I motivate myself to get my work done is by thinking about myself a few months from now. I imagine when final grades are released and how good it will feel to see A’s on my degree audit. I picture myself getting the email or phone call that I was hired for my dream job. I think about how those things would feel and use those feelings to encourage myself to try my best. Putting in the work now means reaping the benefits in the future. Sorry, Grey’s Anatomy.

Do you have any other helpful tips you use to increase your productivity? Feel free to share them in the comments!

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Announcements

Apply Today to Work as a Summer Conference Assistant!

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Apply today to work as a Summer Conference Assistant!

Looking for a summer job and want a free room on-campus? Summer Conference Assistants (SCA’s) provide desk and operational support for University guests residing in the residence halls during the summer conferencing period. Learn more by viewing our application. The deadline to apply is May 1st, 2021. 

Visit https://www.millersville.edu/housing/student-info/student-employment.php to apply, or scan here:

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Twitter: @villehousing. Twitter QR Code:

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Advice, Health & Wellness, Resources

Managing Anxiety in Times of Change: An Interview With Sinclair Ceasar

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Sinclair Ceasar is a mental health speaker and educator whose mission is “to end mental stigma by helping people share their stories, explore their brokenness, and seek healing resources.” On Wednesday February 17, 2021, Sinclair spoke with the University Housing & Conference Services staff during a virtual staff development meeting about how to manage anxiety in times of change. During his presentation, he shared coping mechanisms for dealing with anxiety and advice on how to stay grounded.

About Sinclair: He has led content-rich workshops and programs at institutions and non-profit organizations around the country. He has years of professional experience as a higher education administrator, including within residential life, academic advising, and first year experience programming. He has been featured in the London Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, and Buzzfeed, and has partnered with global wellness brands like The Mighty and Shine Text.

The interview:

Q: Can you talk about “box breathing” and why it’s important?

Sinclair (S): Box breathing is a centering activity that can be used to manage stress and anxiety. Essentially, you inhale for three seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale for five seconds – or do any variation of these numbers (1-2-3; 5-6-7; etc.). I’ve found it to be beneficial because focusing on my breath so intently takes my mind off my worries and pulls me from the panic spiral I might currently be experiencing. It’s a useful technique especially during times where the ground seems to constantly be shifting beneath us. Another helpful practice is to notice five objects in your current space whenever you’re feeling anxious. Similarly, this can help bring you to present time and feel much more relaxed.

Q: What is a “when/then habit” and how can people maintain one?

S: So this is adapted from the teachings of James Clear, who recently wrote the bestselling book, Atomic Habits. Essentially, you identify the habit you’d like to build, and you integrate it with unconscious habits you do each day. Say you pick up your phone when you wake up in the morning (unconscious habit), and you want to increase your water intake each day (habit goal). Then you’d practice drinking 10 oz. (measurable goal) of water when (time) you awake (action) in morning, then (reaction) you’re able to go on your phone (reward). To keep track of this, I recommend printing out a calendar, and crossing off each day you accomplish this goal. Try not to miss two days in a row.

Q: Why should people celebrate their small wins?

S: Because, we’re naturally inclined to focus on scarcity, deficits, failure, and danger. Taking a few minutes each week to identify how we’ve won (e.g. I woke up today; I tried my best on this test; I supported a friend even though I was exhausted) can boost our energy, pull us out of a rut, and remind us of hope.

Q: Do you have advice for people who are struggling to stay positive during difficult times?

S: Listen, it’s okay to not be okay. Sometimes, just getting to the next right thing, the next breath, is the best you can do. And, you know what, that’s more than enough. You will get through this.

Learn more about Sinclair and his message:

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Advice, New / Prospective Students, Resources

Supporting Your Residential Student During COVID

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Parents, supporting your college student is always important, but it’s especially important now that college looks so different because of the pandemic.  Keep reading to find out how you can motivate your student to learn and support them in their journey towards a college degree during COVID.

1. Check in with them regularly: It’s important to check in with your student about their academic progress and general well being throughout the semester. Consider having your student send you their class schedule so you can check in with them before or after a class, especially on days where they have a presentation or a test. Follow different Millersville University accounts on social media to find out about events happening for both students on and off campus, and encourage your student to attend and participate.

2. Offer your student help: If your student is having trouble keeping up with their classes, ask them what is making their classes so challenging and if there is anything you can do to help. Encourage them to contact their advisor and visit the Millersville University website for helpful resources. Knowing that they have your support and that they can come to you when they are struggling is extremely important, even if there isn’t much you can do to help with their specific situation. If they’re discouraged about the fact that most classes and events are virtual, simply listen to how they’re feeling and sympathize with them. Sometimes the best help you can offer is being a good listener.

3. Make sure they have a suitable learning environment: The main way you can positively impact your students learning environment while they’re living in the residence halls is by making sure they have the proper technology to take classes and get their schoolwork done. Having the appropriate technology is important so that students can stay connected in class and can attend every class session without issues. Laptops and computers can be a bit pricey, so if your student needs a new one, we encourage you to let them know about student discounts like this one or this one. 

4. Encourage your student to overcome challenges: Having some or all of your classes online can be difficult, but it is doable. Remind your student that it is there responsibility as a student to make the most of their classes by attending each one, paying attention, participating, and completing assignments on time. If they are a first-time student, remind them that college is an adjustment and it may not be easy now, but will get better with time and hard work. Remind them that they’re not alone – every college student is experiencing challenges. Showing that you’re not giving up on them will help your student not give up on themselves.

5. Remind them they can still be involved in campus life: College students who are living both on campus may feel like they’re not connecting with other students because most classes are virtual. Fortunately, Millersville is offering lots of virtual events and activities for all students to participate in and make connections at. Students can also still join clubs and meet new people through virtual club meetings. They should also reach out to students in their classes, especially classes they may be struggling with, to get help with assignments, hold virtual study sessions, and just have someone to talk to who can relate to what they’re going through. Tell your student these things if you think they’re feeling disconnected from campus life.

6. Show enthusiasm about their success: Students willingness to do their best work  is heavily influenced by the support or lack thereof from the people in their life. As a parent, it is important that you encourage your student to have a positive attitude about college. Boost their confidence by telling them you believe in them and that you’ll be proud of them as long as they try their best. Remember that every student’s “best” looks different, so it’s important to know what your student is capable of and not push them past their limits.

Here are links to some helpful resources:

Whether you went to college or not, or whether your student is a graduate student or a freshman, there are plenty of ways you can support them during their time in college. Be there for them and tell them about the resources Millersville offers students to help them do their best and enjoy their college experience. Remember that you’re on this journey along with your student, and your support has a major impact on their success.

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Student Life

Spring 2021 Parking Reminder

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Residential students, please remember to only park in your assigned blue lined parking space when you are at your residence hall to avoid receiving a fine. If you have not done so already, be sure to apply for a parking permit.
Click here to visit the parking division webpage to learn more about how to apply for a parking permit and other important parking information.

___________________________________________________________________________

Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Advice

How to Be Successful This Semester

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Happy first week of classes, Marauders!!!!

Does anyone else feel like winter break is flew by? It seems like just yesterday we were taking finals and excitedly waiting for 2020 to be over. Now that the spring semester is here, it’s time to shift gears and work hard to accomplish great things. Here are some tips to help you succeed this spring semester!

Reflect on Last Semester

Take some time to think about what you can learn from last semester. Think about any areas for improvement. For example, if you didn’t participate in your classes often during the fall, you might want to commit to asking questions or volunteering more in your spring semester classes. If you found yourself getting easily overwhelmed by your workload, take this time to learn about how to handle stress in a healthy way (like by reading our blog post about dealing with stress). If you feel like you did really well last semester, think about what you did to be successful and continue doing those things in the next semester.

Set Goals for Yourself

Jot down some things that you hope to achieve during this semester. As time goes on, remind yourself of those goals and keep track of the progress you’re making towards reaching them. Setting goals that you feel confident you can achieve will help you start the semester on the right foot. When you’re setting your goals, make sure to also list the reason(s) why you want to achieve them. That way, when you’re feeling particularly unmotivated to do schoolwork, you can look at those goals and the reasons you gave for setting them and feel inspired to keep up the hard work. Not sure where to start? Fortunately, we have a blog post all about how to set and achieve goals! Click here to check it out.

Check D2L and Your Millersville Email Everyday

It’s always a good idea to check D2L on a daily basis, especially now that most classes are held virtually. Remember that the syllabus is a guide you should refer to throughout the semester, not just during the first week of classes. I highly recommend either writing down important dates and deadlines in an agenda or putting them in the calendar on your phone.  It is your responsibility to keep track of what is due and when it is due, so prioritize staying organized and checking D2L everyday. I would also recommend checking your Millersville email daily to see if any of your professors have contacted you about their class. If you have questions about the information on D2L, contact your professor for clarification. Make sure to check the class syllabus before reaching out to make sure you are following any communication guidelines they may have set.

Grow Both Personally and Academically

Doing well in your classes is very important, but it isn’t the only thing that matters during your time in college. You’re only a college student for a limited amount of time, so make the most of it! Join organizations and participate in events that interest you. Make connections with professors in your field of interest and your fellow students. Explore your passions. If there’s a subject you really enjoy but aren’t interested in majoring in, consider minoring in it. Click here to read our blog post to find out if getting a minor is the right decision for you.

Take Care of Yourself

Your mental health has a major impact on your ability to succeed in your classes. Take care of yourself throughout the semester not just to stay physically healthy, but to stay motivated to do your best work as well.  Get plenty of sleep, keep a positive attitude, and take time to do the things you enjoy. No matter how busy you are, you  can always take some time to relax and enjoy yourself – you’ll be grateful you did.

We can’t wait to see what you accomplish this semester! What class or activity are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Academics, Advice

CAHSS & Lombardo College of Business Advisement Center

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If you’re a student in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences or the Lombardo College of Business, the McComsey Center for Academic Advisement and Student Success is here to help you get through the Spring 2021 semester!

If you need academic advising this semester, you’re encouraged to drop in during their office hours from Monday through Thursday from 12pm to 1pm. They are here to help you and support you on your journey to graduation.

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Announcements

COVID Testing and Housing Move-In Directions & Parking

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Scheduled COVID testing and corresponding residence hall check-in will occur on Monday, January 18th and Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 7:30 – 11a.m. and 1 – 5 p.m. There will be a strict adherence to this schedule in order to manage the flow of students arriving on campus, so late arrivals cannot be accommodated. If you have not already, please review the procedures for the Spring 2021 Move-In: Testing & Process. You must schedule a time for Monday or Tuesday.

Health Services Testing Location & Parking

  • Make your way to Millersville University coming on North George Street and turn left onto East Frederick street at the stop light.
  • Travel 260 feet, and then turn left onto Highschool Avenue.
  • Susan P. Luek Hall and its parking lot are located on the right.
  • Enter for testing from the rear entrance.
  • Handicapped accessible entrance is located on the opposite side of the building by the front parking lot.
  • Family should wait in the vehicle while the student enters for testing or to show verification of a previous result.

Result Wait Lot

  • After being tested, the student should return to the vehicle and travel to the Result Wait Lot, which is the Creek Drive parking lot.
  • From Luek Hall, take a right onto Pucillo Drive and continue through campus past the academic buildings and down a large hill to Creek Drive.
  • Turn right onto Creek Drive and another right at the next stop sign (Creek Drive).
  • The Creek Drive parking lot is on the right where you should park and wait until you receive your result on the NAVICA app.

Residence Hall Move-In

  • Those with a negative result can make their way to their prospective residence hall to check in. You will need to show your negative result in order to be able to receive your keys.
  • Family should remain with the vehicle until the student returns with their keys to move in.
  • Those who may have a positive result will be called by Health Services and be given further instructions at that time.

Late Arrivals

To reiterate, there will be a strict adherence to this schedule in order to manage the flow of students arriving on campus, so late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

Announcements

Free SHOWTIME ANYTIME for Residential Students!

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SHOWTIME ANYTIME gives you unlimited on-demand access to award-winning original series, hit movies, sports, docs, and more on your TV, tablet, phone, and computer. If you are an on-campus student – meaning you either currently live in or will be living in one of the residence halls (East Villages, South Villages, West Villages, Shenks Hall, or Reighard Hall) during the Spring 2021 semester – you can access SHOWTIME ANYTIME from anywhere on or off campus for FREE! Follow the steps below to start streaming:

In the app:
  1. Download the SHOWTIME ANYTIME app
  2. Click “MENU” and then click “LOG IN”
  3. The following message will pop up on your screen: “Allow ‘SHO Anytime’ to use your TV Provider subscription?” Select “Don’t Allow”
  4. Select “SEE ALL PROVIDERS” and click on “APOGEE”
  5. In the search bar, type “Millersville University”, then click “Continue”
  6. Log in to SHOWTIME ANYTIME with your Millersville username and password
On the website:
  1. Go to SHOWTIMEANYTIME.com
  2. Click “LOGIN”
  3. Select “SEE ALL PROVIDERS” and click on “APOGEE”
  4. In the search bar, type “Millersville University”, then click “Continue”
  5. Log in to SHOWTIME ANYTIME with your Millersville username and password

Residents, enjoy watching episodes of your favorite shows like Shameless and much more for free anytime, anywhere (just one of the many perks of living in the residence halls)!

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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Advice

Advice From a Senior: How to Survive Finals Week

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Finals week is a stressful time for any college student. Preparing to take your final exams can feel very overwhelming, especially during a pandemic. Fortunately, there are ways you can manage the stress of finals week and feel confident that you’ve done the best you can to prepare yourself for your exams. Here are some of my favorite pieces of advice for surviving finals week:

  1. Get your priorities straight: Sometimes, finals week consists of not only exams but final projects, papers, discussion posts, and so on. I recommend writing out every assignment/exam for each of your classes and indicate which ones will take the longest to do or the ones that you feel will be the most difficult. Prioritize those assignments or exams.
  2. Plan study times: I would highly recommend designating certain time slots throughout finals week for studying. Creating a schedule will motivate you to stick to it and will help you feel less overwhelmed. You can also schedule times for breaks to reward yourself once you’ve studied.
  3. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed: I know firsthand that it’s much easier to let yourself get overwhelmed by the pressure of finals week than to try and fight it. However, panicking will do more harm than good. When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a step back from your work, take a few deep breaths, and get back to it when you feel ready. You may feel like taking a break will leave you with less time to study, but giving yourself time to relax will actually help you be more productive when it’s time to study again.
  4. Don’t forget to take care of yourself: During finals week, it can be tempting to pull an all-nighter. Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, it will end up making you feel exhausted which is never a good way to feel before taking a test. Remember to get some sleep and use the free time you have during the day to study rather than staying up all night.
  5. Remind yourself that it’s almost break: Whenever I’m studying really hard for a final exam (when all I actually want to be doing is watching Netflix), I keep reminding myself that by next week, the stress of the semester will be a thing of the past. I constantly tell myself that if I work hard now, it’ll pay off once final grades come out. Remembering those things always motivates me to study.

Good luck on your finals!! Remember: Don’t panic,  do the best that you can, and remember that hard work DOES pay off!

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Lydia Shaloka is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing at Millersville University. Her interests include digital marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing.  When she graduates in May 2021, Lydia hopes to work for a digital marketing agency either in or near her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

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