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I missed three classes this week–not necessarily because I wanted to–but because I quite literally slept through them. (I may or may not have pulled an all-nighter…) Last week, I skipped two other classes, just because I wanted to go home early for the weekend. Point being, I’ve missed a lot of class lately, and I have really begun to think about the consequences. With a little research, I was able to prove my suspicions on the negative impacts of missing class. If you are like me, along with many other college students, you’ve missed a class or two, but it is important to keep in mind what negative effects this can have.

Before I list any of the negative effects, you might be interested in finding out just how much skipping one class is costing you. For in-state PSU students in 2019, skipping just one class cost anywhere from $95-$135 (depending on the day). This number more than doubles for out-of-state students, and that was five years ago. Besides wasting your money, there are a lot of downfalls to missing a lecture. Trying to make up the work can be difficult and frustrating. I had to ask four different people for notes on one of the lectures I missed this week, before I found someone who had actually been there for all of the content. This can result in some serious anxiety. It is also incredibly easy for skipping class to become a habit.

Once you skip one, you realize just how easy it is to rationalize skipping another. If you continue to miss class, especially in smaller classes, this can negatively affect your reputation with your professor. Forget about asking for an extension or a letter of recommendation later on. Most importantly, skipping class is directly correlated with having a lower grade. Even if the class does not have a participation grade, missing a lecture means missing important content that you may be tested on later.

Now that we’ve covered the negatives, what exactly are the benefits of attending a lecture. Being present in the discussion helps you to further your understanding of important topics and clarify any points of confusion right of way. Keeping up with the content can motivate you to continue to stay on track and actually devote time to studying, rather than just making up what you missed. Attending class also allows you to connect with peers. You can find an unexpected friend, or at least someone to bounce ideas off of when you are confused on something. Getting to know your classmates is also beneficial for the few times that you do have to miss. This way you’ll have someone readily available to pass on the notes and explain the content that you missed. So, the next time you consider skipping class (just this once), remember what it may be costing you.

The classic freshman dilemma is trying to find the balance between academic success, a vibrant social life, and a healthy amount of sleep. The general rule is that you cannot have all three, you must focus on only two. If the last 7 months has taught me anything, it is that this rule sadly has some truth (at least for me). For my first semester, I neglected the social aspect of the triangle, leaving me in a mental space that was not necessarily the best. For second semester, I have definitely chosen to sacrifice sleep. While my mental health has improved, my physical health has taken the toll instead. There is no right answer to how to approach this dilemma, (I know a few people who have taken the toll on the academic side) but recently I have realized I cannot go on with the habits I have now.

I have also discovered that this triangle model actually oversimplifies the issue. Choosing to neglect one area can have negative affects on the other two. Losing sleep means performing lower on assignments, and in turn, sacrificing time with friends in an attempt to study and regain my academic standing. There are also many more factors and commitments that we have to consider when allocating our time and energy. Family, food, and extra curricular activities are just a few that don’t necessarily fit neatly into one of the categories. This model pretty much says it all.

Alright, now that we’ve identified the problem, how am I planning on tackling it? To be honest, I’m not totally sure yet. There are a lot of different ways to approach this issue. It all comes down to finding what works for you. A few key aspects you can try are time management, communication, and prioritizing your health. Time management, for many, is a lot easier said than done. I discuss my own struggle with this in my last blog post. I promise, however, that it can be done. Communicating with others and setting boundaries is another important aspect to tackling this issue. This can mean letting your roommate know you need a couple hours of quiet to work on homework, communicating with friends that you need to head to bed, or setting personal boundaries of when it is time to stop working and rest. Finally, I believe one of the most important keys to success is prioritizing your health first. Having a healthy mind and body has positive effects on every area of your life. Mental and physical health can affect your academic performance too, so putting yourself first will not be detrimental to your grades.

No matter what you decide, I encourage you to take a look at your own habits and reevaluate if your daily routine is actually benefitting you. If not, you might want to consider changing a few things. You’ll be better off because of it.

We’ve all been there… it’s 3am the night before the assignment is due. All you want to do is curl up in bed and get at least a few hours of decent sleep, but alas, you have once again procrastinated a major assignment until the very last moment. I was in this stressful spot a couple weeks ago, and it was awful. When I finally finished, I stumbled my way down to the Atherton computer room to print out my paper and ran into a single other person. It felt just a little bit comforting to know I wasn’t the only one struggling to stay awake at this hour, but it made me realize that I needed to make a change.

Procrastination affects more than just our quality of work. In fact, it can have long term affects on both our mental and physical health. In one study, those who had a tendency to procrastinate showed “higher symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress nine months later”. In regards to physical health, some students reported upper body pain and sleep issues. It even had affects on participants every day lives, like financial troubles and increased feelings of loneliness.

With all of that in mind, I tried a new method of tackling my workload this week. Instead of cramming all of my assignments into one long day, I instead spread them out. After all, an assignment due Friday at midnight does not absolutely need to be done on Sunday night. Research shows that spreading out your work is actually the most efficient and effective way to get through everything. Working for long periods of time wears out the brain and decreases quality of work. Taking a break and returning to a large assignment can also help to gain creative new perspectives and maybe find a different approach to something particularly difficult.

As you are first starting out, you may be wondering how to begin with scheduling assignments and making sure that everything gets done on time. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I keep track of my assignments through lists and calendars. For spreading out work, however, I have a slightly different method. I find a one week calendar or paper agenda to be helpful to keep everything organized, but online versions can work as well. For a versatile option, I recommend taking a look at Canva. You can easily create a weekly schedule that works best for you. You can print out a copy to use for the week, or edit your template each new week to include the new tasks.

So, what was the outcome of my week-long experiment? I would say it was a success. I felt significantly less stressed than usual; my daily workload was manageable and organized. All of my assignments were completed to the best of my ability, and I turned them in with plenty of time to spare.

The last 24 hours have been some of the best since I’ve been here. Believe it or not, I was saying exactly the opposite a week ago. In the span of only one week, I went from feeling like I was at rock bottom to being on top of the world. Alright maybe I’m being a bit dramatic, but my perspective genuinely changed completely. Are any of my problems from last week fixed? Nope. Do I feel a lot less stressed about them? Absolutely.

Last week, I was sleep deprived, stressed about grades, worried about housing for next year, in the peak of a bad cold, and homesick. All I wanted was to be in bed at home, but it was no surprise when my mom said no to driving all the way here. She did, however, doordash some comfort food my way and order me to take a break over the weekend.

After some much needed rest, a long relaxing walk on Tuesday evening, and a few hours of planning my future, I was feeling refreshed when I woke up on Wednesday. I picked out a cute outfit and did my makeup with plenty of time to catch the bus. The day that ensued was great at every turn. My classes went well, I created an absolutely perfect schedule for fall, I got a good grade on my exam, and I received multiple compliments (and that’s just a few of the great things that happened).

I was once again on the phone with my mom, explaining how I ran into one girl from my class twice, and she complimented me both times. (She was genuinely surprised when I told her that I was a first year, not a junior like her.) While my mom was not as excited as I was by this prospective of being thought of as an upperclass, she did say something then that really resonated with me. “When you feel confident, that confidence is usually visible to those around you.” She explained that because I had started the day with a good attitude, I tended to notice the good around me. This optimism caused a kind of domino-effect, where

good things kept happening to me.

With a little research, I realized that my mom was (of course) right. Confidence in ourselves increases our motivation, resilience, and courage, overall improving the events of our daily lives. Of course every day isn’t going to be as great as this one, but a simple switch in attitude can actually have a huge affect on how our day goes, or at least how we view it. Even just including a short morning routine can help to add consistency to your life and start the day off feeling good. So, the next time you aren’t having the best day, try to switch up your perspective, you never know what kind of difference it could have.

Something made me smile today. I got called by my first name. An act so simple as being greeted by name is something that most people would not even think twice about doing, but today it really made my day. I was going to dinner like usual, and as someone with a food allergy, I am used to communicating with staff about my needs (Penn State is surprisingly accommodating for special diets). The cashier was one of the usual guys in Redifer, but I hadn’t seen him since before winter break. As I walked up, before I could even say a word, he said “order for Rachel right?” “Yeah!” I replied with a surprised smile. “I knew there was something to remember about you, and I was hoping I got it right” he said with about as much enthusiasm as I had. After dinner, on my way out of the dining hall, he once again called me by name as I was walking past. “Bye Rachel”, he said with a cheerful wave, and I (of course) cheerfully waved back.

As I walked back to my dorm, I realized I had no idea what his name was, and I was genuinely upset with myself for not knowing. Here he was, making the effort to memorize the name of one of the probably hundreds of students he sees every day, and I hadn’t taken the time to even learn his. I decided then and there that I wanted to try to make a point of remembering the name of at least one new person every day. That tiny interaction was able to alter my mood for the rest of the evening, and I wanted to be able to have that same impact on someone else. This change in mood isn’t just exclusive for me, remembering someone’s name can actually have a variety of benefits. Using their name in conversation is a way to express that you care, and it can lead to a deeper social connection (which can improve overall health in multiple areas). It can also make interactions easier and more comfortable for everyone involved.

Now, if you are anything like me, remember names might not be the easiest task, but I promise it is worth the effort. Many techniques exist for boosting memorization. Repetition, connecting the name with another person you know, or using mnemonic devices are all great options. What works best for you all depends on the way you learn, so try out a few options to find the one that is most comfortable.

The point is, take a little bit of extra time to learn the names of some of the people you see every day. You never know when someone could use a smile, and remembering something about them could be the tiny light that they need to get through a hard day.

With the new year, we all tend to be inspired to make some beneficial changes in our lives. Implementing these alterations, on the other hand, doesn’t always go quite as great as we had hoped. When I arrived back at school on Sunday, I thought I was totally ready to start the new semester off strong. I wanted to jump back into everything full force. My first day of classes changed that. All new buildings, professors, and class times proved to be a bit overwhelming (especially with my last class of the day being all the way past Westgate).

On the mile long trek back to my dorm, I took the time to think through why I was feeling so overwhelmed. What had I done last semester to manage my stress? Then, I realized I had missed a few key steps to making my first day run more smoothly: routine and organization– my secret ingredients. Since I had a very different schedule this semester, I wasn’t able to implement my old daily routine, but I hadn’t taken the time to create a new one either. Establishing routines throughout your day or week can be crucial for eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and managing stress levels. SAOTG also explains that starting a routine at the beginning of the semester can help you to stay on track later on when your schedule gets a bit more hectic.

One thing that I always incorporate into my morning routine is making a list of everything that I want to get done that day. It’s really more like revising the list (since I don’t always get everything done the day before). Usually, I just use the notes app on my phone, but I have heard some great things about the app Notion. You can customize the app to make various lists and journals, as well as make it super aesthetic. While the more advanced options cost money, the basic package is completely free. I am thinking of trying it out just because of how nice all of my friends lists look. On my list, I include class assignments, laundry, shopping, cleaning, etc. I also revise the list throughout the day to add or check off tasks as I get to them.

One other thing I definitely recommend doing at the start of the semester is setting aside some time to edit your calendar. I like to go through the syllabus of each class and add in all of the major exam and assignment due dates so I won’t get caught off guard my anything. I also include reminders about the assignment a couple of days before it is do. I once again just use the calendar and reminders on my phone, but here is a list free app options if you want to change it up. Just by making a list and organizing my calendar, I am already feeling less stressed. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed at the start of this semester as well, maybe take a little extra time out of your day to organize.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving break is only a week and a half away. Where has the time gone?  For the most part, the last three months have absolutely flown by. There is just one exception… French. When I signed up for that class at the beginning of the year, I was excited. Up until that point, French class had always come fairly easy to me, and I actually wanted to minor in it. I stepped through that door on the first day and left fifty minutes later with my dreams pretty much crushed. I was not prepared to walk into a French 3 class taught entirely in rapidly spoken French. I got a C on my first exam and I was ready to drop that class there and then. I was not used to getting grades anywhere near that low, much less in something I was planning on minoring in.

I really wanted to give up, but I quickly realized that I would just have to take the class again. Liberal arts majors require a third level proficiency in a second language, and it wouldn’t make any sense to start over at level one in a new language. I stuck it out, and boy am I glad I did. Over the course of the semester I worked harder than ever and watched my grade slowly increase with each quiz and exam. I went to office hours and studied with a friend on the side to work on improving my skills. (I even took some pretty stupid pictures with “french words” so I could get the couple of points extra credit on each exam.) Yesterday, I received my best exam grade yet. Although I won’t know my final score until the open ended essay portion is graded, the testing center provides the score on the multiple choice and fill in the blank sections immediately after finishing the exam. I got them all right. I didn’t think it was possible to feel that happy after walking out of the Pollock Testing Center. I think I just might stick with that French minor.

The point is, I learned something from that class, and not just how to speak the language. Taking this course helped me to realize how important it is not to give up on something when you aren’t immediately good at it. Until I got to college, I was used to being good at most things I tried, and when I wasn’t, I didn’t usually have a reason to stick with them. I didn’t realize how great it would feel to significantly improve at something.

Sticking it out taught me some valuable lessons that I am sure I will continue to use throughout college. First of all, it encouraged my to try out and take advantage of some of the resources here in my first semester. I got over my fear of office hours, and I was reminded how valuable it can be to study with others. I realized that it is okay to ask for help when you are struggling on something, and in the end you are going to be grateful that you did. It is a lot less stressful to face something with others, then to face it alone. Most importantly, it humbled me. I know I am not the only one who went into college expecting that AP and honors classes would have prepared me for college, but they didn’t come anywhere close to simulating college work. If I am going to succeed in college, I need to realize that not everything is going to come easy to me anymore (and I need to be okay with that). So here is a little reminder to all of you who have felt they same way that I have this semester. If you are really passionate about something, don’t give up on it just because you don’t succeed right away. You will most likely learn a lot more in the end than just the material you wanted to.

Well, as they say, it’s midterm season. After the last couple of weeks, I am exhausted. I haven’t been this mentally tired since cramming college essays senior year, but eventually that nonstop work ethic can get to you. I know a lot of people are struggling with the lack of motivation (aka burnout) right now as well. As freshman, it is easy to get swept up into the excitement of our first semester. We are working hard and playing hard all day every day, but maybe we can go just a little bit too hard sometimes.

It’s difficult to avoid the stress of a new environment, amped up academics, and completely new social experiences. The pressure can sometimes get the best of us, and burnout is definitely something to watch out for. Thankfully there are some signs and symptoms to help warn us that it is time to slow down, before it is too late. These signs can range from emotional, to physical, to changes in every day behavior, so the signs for you may look completely different from your friends and family.

Overdoing it not only causes us to feel exhausted, it can also cause some serious health problems as well. Burnout most seriously affects out mental health, with consequences like depression, anxiety, and lack of motivation and clear decisive thinking. While it may seem like constantly working is exactly what we need to stay on task in college, this lack of rest will eventually harm us in the long run. Your work will decrease in quality and your grades will ultimately suffer, despite the fact that you were doing everything in your power in hopes of preventing this. When it comes down to it, it is much better to slow down a bit in the short term, rather than deal with long term consequences.

If you do began to notice some of the signs of impending doom, allow yourself to take a step back. It is okay to take a mental health day every once in a while. Trust me, you will not get completely behind by taking one day to focus on self care. In fact, you will likely come back refreshed and renewed, ready to see your work with a new eye. If you are worried about deadlines, talk with your professors if you know you are going to need some extra time. They understand how overwhelming college can be, and –chances are– they will try to help you out or even give you an extension on your work if need be.

There are many ways to deal with burnout symptoms, and make a full recovery. One important thing to remember is just because you are burnt out, doesn’t mean you have to stop working all together. You can still be productive during this time of recovery, as long as you aren’t working on the daily activities that are causing you stress. Try spending some time doing things you know you excel at in order to boost your confidence. Personally, I enjoy baking since it not only brings me joy, but also benefits the people around me (who get to enjoy the treats I bake).

Don’t worry too much. Many of us college freshmen are experiencing these same feelings of burnout, so you are not alone. Encourage your friends who may be feeling a little down, but remember to encourage yourself as well. Take the time to check yourself for any signs of burnout, and remember that healthy breaks are always okay. By adding these simple changes to your daily routine, you’ll be back to new in no time.

One of the things I’ve had a hard time with at college is following a consistent diet, and sometimes even remembering to eat to begin with.  I have to remind myself –sadly more often than not– that iced coffee does not count as a meal (even if it does cost the same on a meal plan). When I do find myself in the dining hall, trying to add variety and balance in my diet can be difficult with the limited options offered.

I know I am not the only one with this issue either. I ran into one of my friends this week (ironically at Dunkin) and he shocked me with the fact that he has never actually stepped foot inside of his dining hall. I have no idea how he has managed to live exclusively on chicken tenders and Panda Express, but please don’t follow his example. I made two promises to myself then and there. One: I will make it a point each time I eat a meal to include a rainbow of colorful foods. This will ensures that I am getting a variety of health benefits each day.  Two: I am dragging my friend to conquer his fear of the dining hall this week, so he can start eating a healthier diet as well.

One thing that helps me with adding variety and not overspending my meal plan each week is shopping for a few basic items at target. Thanks to a giftcard from my dad, I’ve been able to do a small weekly shopping trip for a couple items to supplement my meal plan and add some more options. I usually try to pick up the following: mac and cheese, fresh fruit or veggies, lunch meat, and either bread, tortillas, or a snack depending on what I’m in the mood for. I always make sure to keep my spending under $20, however. Of course, a weekly shopping trip isn’t feasible for everyone, but even picking up a fun item at the commons market with your meal plan can help to spice up the week. Seeing the same options over and over at the dining hall can get a little boring, so this simple addition to your diet can be a real motivator for sticking to your perfect balance. Dining halls aren’t totally limited, however, and this writer includes a great list of creative additions to your eating.

Now, on to the hardest part (for me at least), remembering to eat at regular times. There was one day a couple weeks ago when I was finishing up some assignments in my dorm and suddenly I realized something. I hadn’t even taken a sip of water that day, much less eaten a meal. It was completely unintentionally, but I had –in all of my busy schedule– forgotten to eat anything. I immediately grabbed my water bottle and made up for the lack of hydration, but it was still surprising to me to realize that something as simple as energizing my body could go out the window when I’m focused on other things. To combat this forgetfulness, I started including checking the dining hall menu into my nightly routine. I would review the dining options for the next day, and then decide on at least one or two times in my schedule where I would dedicate time for a meal. By including this small change, similar to “scheduling my free time” (like I mentioned in my previous post), I am better able to stick to my commitment.

If you’re struggling with any of these issues too, remember that you are not alone. Finding someone, like a friend or roommate, to accompany you can help too. Eating with someone else can be a nice reminder of home, and also makes these goals seem just a little bit more attainable.

As I prepared to enter college over the summer, there was a long list of worries going through my head. Would I bring enough clothes? How am I going to wake myself up for class everyday? How bad IS the dining hall food? (p.s. It’s pretty bad). One of the few things that hadn’t crossed my mind was how exactly I was going to go about making connections with other people. I, like many of you, was used to being surrounded by a plethora of people I could turn to when I needed them. Friends, family, and teachers had surrounded me for the last eighteen years of my life, constantly checking in on me and making sure I was doing okay. When I got to college, all of that changed.

Suddenly, there wasn’t always someone knocking on my door asking to hang out or wondering how I was doing. If I wanted to talk to anyone, I had to have to seek them out. Now, there are three major points I want to cover today: making friends, establishing a rapport with your professors, and staying in touch with the people who matter most.

First off, and probably most important to most of you, making friends. Meeting new people and making the first move is easier for some than it is for others, but I promise you can do it, even if you’re a bit of an introvert. For a long time, I absolutely hated talking to people I didn’t know. I found it extremely hard to approach someone who I knew nothing about, but if there’s one thing I realized in college, everyone is in the same boat as you. Especially within your first semester, everyone else is scrambling to find some type of connection with people. Even just saying hi and introducing yourself to someone in one of your classes might be the first step to making a new friend. Not to say that you will find an immediate connection with every new person you talk to, but eventually you are going to find the people that you connect with. Joining some clubs or organizations you’re interested can help too. It is a lot easier to make a connection with someone when you know you already have something in common.

Now that we’ve discussed the most pressing question on your mind, let’s move on to professors. Go to office hours! I know you have probably all been encouraged to go to office hours by someone in your life, but it really is beneficial. Taking that little bit of extra time out of your day to speak to a professor one on one, can be the key to a better grade in the future. Especially in a lecture class, if you ever need an extension on an assignment last minute or an extra credit opportunity, you professor is going to be much more likely to be forgiving to the student who they have actually spoken to face to face. Now, I know going to office hours isn’t always feasible in a busy college schedule, but even taking a minute after class to ask a question can really help to calm your nerves. Speaking from experience, just this week I was freaking out because I had two exams scheduled for the same time. I was worried I was going to have to change one of them to 10pm, the only available spot left. I took a step back and decided I would talk to my professor before giving up my prime exam spot. Thankfully, it turns out that the exam for my other class was likely going to be moved to a flexible online module, something I would not have known if I hadn’t taken that two minutes at the end of class to ask.

My final tip in today’s article, don’t forget about the connections you already have in your life. Just because you have moved to a new place, doesn’t mean your old support systems have gone away. I promise your parent or sibling is going to appreciate a call to check in. They still love you just as much, and they want to know how you’re doing. Also, make time in your week to talk to your friends from home. A FaceTime call between you and your besties can be just what you need to boost your mood. You can find other fun ways to connect online as well. One of my favorite tools that one of my friends discovered during the pandemic was an online movie sharing feature that allows you to watch content on your favorite steaming services together. There’s even a chat feature so you can talk during the show. It’s something I recently remembered, and I am excited to try out with my boyfriend so we can still have movie nights together, even when we’re three hours apart.

Making connections in college is a bit like baking macarons; difficult, but worth it in the end. Don’t get frustrated with yourself because it seems like everyone else around you has already established all of these great relationships. There are tons of other students out there struggling just as much as you are, and sometimes the best thing you can do is give it time. Don’t rush yourself into something because you feel like you have to, you’ll find the space and the people you need in your life when the time is right.