Tag: college

Friday Findings: My 10 School Essentials

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photo credit: Robert Coates

Happy happy Friday, friends, and what a glorious day it’s been! Today I had a chance to stop over at my old school and see some of my favorite former students as they prepare for their first day of school this coming Tuesday. So many bright faces and so much energy filled the halls as they set up their lockers. I kind of miss those days, or at least the idea of a locker space–a place to call your own and store your belongings so you’re not lugging your entire life around with you wherever you go. Cherish it, people! I imagine the closest thing to that would be having an office, but what about those college and graduate students who don’t have such a luxury? I suppose we have no choice but to bring our essentials, and today, I’m sharing my own! What are yours? Comment below!

 

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Kermit’s Cup of Tea: Friday Findings

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cup1What do you do when you have a ton of work to do but are totally and disgustingly sick? Power through–snot-nosed, congested, sore throat and all. I’m a mess right now and would definitely do a cartwheel to celebrate Friday’s arrival if I could! So instead of the cartwheel, let’s celebrate with a few of my favorite finds from the week:

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Motivational Monday: Make the Most of Your Break!

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Whether you’re in middle school, high school, college, or beyond, one of the best parts about school is going on a well-deserved and much-needed break. From early September to mid-December, you work day and night for hours and hours on end perfecting projects, writing and revising essays, and studying for exam after exam after exam. Of course you’re exhausted–who wouldn’t be? And just when you thought you couldn’t handle anymore, the gates open up, the angels shine down, and the gods grant you a token for your hard work and dedication to your academics, athletics, and arts: a two-week vacation. While Netflix binges and sleep marathons are ridiculously appealing, try getting off your cozy couch (at least for a few hours a day) and consider spending your break more intentionally:

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Kermit Says: Take A (Study) Break!

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Friends! It’s almost time to celebrate, toss your texts to the side, and kick up your feet. Hopefully, you’ve caught the Hamilton buzz and have been “writing day and night like it’s going out of style.” If you too find yourself just “non-stop,” remember to take a much-needed break between your studies. Breaks are scientifically proven to improve your focus and productivity, but you have to make sure you’re selecting effective study break options that will help you reenergize and refocus. While watching Netflix or playing video games are easy go-to’s, they won’t give your brain the rest it needs to recover. Remember to schedule in five-minute breaks after 30-60 minutes of studying. Here are 10 suggestions to help you optimize your study breaks:

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Tuesday Tunesday: Best Study Playlists

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Happy Tunesday, friends! Finals week is officially here, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to get to winter break, but before we get ahead of ourselves, there’s more studying and essay writing to do. So, to help you make it through those late night sessions, calm you down, and stay focused and productive, take a listen to these study-approved songs, all recommended by my students. Whether or not you include these tunes on your study playlist, remember to keep the volume low, avoid the hottest hits, and carefully select songs that won’t distract you from your studies. Plan it out: use a website that will generate a playlist for you, or use a pre-made study playlist of music or ambient sound from Spotfiy, Apple, Pandora, or YouTube. What songs do you listen to while working? Comment below! Without further ado and in no particular order, here are their suggestions:

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Motivational Monday: Keep Calm & Study Like Hermione Granger!

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Happy Monday, friends! For many of us, this is the last week before we enjoy a much-needed and well-deserved winter break, but there’s just one more hurdle to master, one more thing standing in the way of endless sleep and guilt-free Netflix marathons, one more thing keeping you from freedom: finals. They say it’s always darkest before the dawn, and here we are in finals week and it’s pitch black (metaphorically speaking, of course)! So, how will you survive? Check out my suggestions to help you power through and master your finals relatively unscathed.  Continue reading “Motivational Monday: Keep Calm & Study Like Hermione Granger!” →

Dear Kermit: Miserable in Manchester

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Stressed out student in hallway of school building.
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Dear Kermit,
After transferring to a new school less than a year ago, I find myself wanting to transfer again. I was recruited to play football–a sport I love more than just about anything–at a D1 school but was terribly unhappy, so my family and I made the decision for me to transfer and play at a D2 school. While I feel good academically, the other aspects of my college experience aren’t going so well. My teammates and coaches are extremely negative, and that negativity is starting to really affect me. Of course I could just quit the team, but I know I couldn’t just be a student at this school. It doesn’t feel like the best fit. I don’t want to keep transferring, but I also don’t want to settle. What should I do?

Thanks,
Miserable in Manchester
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Kermit Says: Pick YOUR Best College

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It’s that time of year again, friends. Acceptance letters have been mailed and received, and now you have the daunting task of making the biggest decision of your life. What’s more is that you likely feel as though this commitment means you’re signing your name in blood and have to give away your first born child. While it’s not that extreme, it is a pretty big deal. I’m sure you’ve made list after list, compared the latest college rankings on U.S. News and World Report, mulled over several options, and had a multitude of conversations with your parents, teachers, college counselors, and friends, right? Last year we gave you three tips to help ease the decision-making process. You’ve visited schools, weighed your options, and are (somewhat) trusting the process, now what? In case you’re still unsure of where you’d like to spend the next four years of your life, take a gander at three more tips and tricks to (hopefully) lead you closer to choosing the college that’s best for you!

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Dear Kermit: Coping in College

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Dear Kermit,

How should I deal with coming to a new environment away from all of my friends and family? How should I cope when I am feeling depressed and don’t feel like I have anyone to turn to?

-Coping in College

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