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Ten Tips for Incoming College Students by Criga Middleton is an article that anyone starting college should read. It will only take a few minutes but can be well worth the time. Be sure to share with anyone you know heading off to college.

Introduction

• Preparing for college can seem overwhelming, especially if you are heading to a campus far away from your hometown. You may be doing lots of things for the first time, such as making your own bed and cleaning your own clothes.
  You will thus have to learn how to fold a fitted sheet and how to work laundry machines. Yet the college experience does not have to be entirely stressful.

Here are some tips for incoming freshmen that should make college less scary

Academics: 1. Go to All of Your Classes

• At college, you will no longer have your parents to wake you up each morning. Many college professors also do not take attendance. It will thus be tempting to sleep in and skip an early morning class or two. However, missing just one lecture can set you behind your classmates. Besides, you or your parents are probably paying at least part of the cost.

2. Set a Schedule You Can Handle

• You may want to take six or seven courses each semester so you graduate on time or even early. If you cannot handle this much stress, however, you could easily have a nervous breakdown. You are better off taking fewer classes per term, even if that means graduating six months or a year later than expected. You can also make up a class or two during the summer.

3. Stay Organized

• On your first days of class, you will find out the due dates for big papers along with the dates of your midterms and finals. Use a calendar app or other type of organizer to keep all of these deadlines straight. Also, study and work on papers every day so you don’t have to cram at the deadline.

4. Find a Great Study Spot

• Discover what type of study environment works bests for you. Perhaps you learn best in your dorm room. Maybe you prefer a library because there are fewer distractions. Either way, you should locate your regular study spot(s) early on in your freshman year. It will be incredibly valuable when finals season arrives.

5. Meet With Your Professors

• Your professors are not just there to teach you the information in the textbooks. They should also help you develop life skills. They want you to succeed, and you should not be intimidated by them. Instead, take advantage of the office hours your professors offer. Use them to get extra help on an assignment, or just to get advice about your career path. Most students don’t do this, but they should.

Health: 6. Eat a Balanced Diet

• Some students get really sick their freshman year and fall hopelessly behind. While some illnesses are out of your control, you can do your part to stay healthy by making good food choices in the cafeteria. Be sure get plenty of sleep, as well. Alcohol or other drugs can also get in the way of your education.

7. Use Available Mental Health Resources

• Your mental health is as important as your physical health is. If you feel anxious or depressed, do not be afraid to contact your school’s counseling center. Professionals there should be able to give you the help you need.

8. Figure Out a Way To Handle Homesickness

• If you have never been away from home for an extended period of time, you may miss your family and high school friends. Find a healthy way to deal with this homesickness, whether that is sending mail to your parents or using FaceTime regularly. Even if you go to college near your family’s house, avoid going home too often. You should instead spend your free time meeting new people on campus and attending social events.

Socialization: 9. Talk to Your Roommate and Hallmates

• You will be living with your roommate and floormates for your entire first year of college. You will be going through the same experiences together and will need to lean on each other during tough times. You should thus try to get to know them as much as possible.

10. Connect With Classmates

• Similarly, you should try to befriend at least one person in each of your classes. This will help you expand your social circle and give you an instant study buddy. College should be memorable for all the right reasons. The above tips should help you get the most out of your advanced education.

Craig Middleton

• Craig is a New York City-based retired business consultant, who is an expert in education and cultural trends. He has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Education from St. Johns and loves sharing his knowledge on the side through his writing. If you have any questions or comments you can direct them to Craig at craigmiddleton18@gmail.com.

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How Teachers Can Work a Side Gig Throughout the Year by Emily Graham offers advice for teachers looking to expand their income and hone their skills. This can be done at the same time you relieve some stress without short changing your family obligations. As a teacher/administrator my wife and I made money on the side writing for computer magazines. This not only brought in extra income, it also kept us on the leading edge.

Introduction

• Are you a teacher looking to supplement your income with a side gig during your breaks? Side gigs are a great way to make extra money, but there are some steps to take to make sure your gig doesn’t end up just stressing you out. Read through these tips to ensure your moonlighting position doesn’t become a nightmare.

Find Your Perfect Side Gig

• There are tons of gigs, so make sure you find one that works for you. Here are some ways you can bring in extra cash.

Try Tutoring

• If you love teaching, then tutoring is an easy, fulfilling way to make some extra cash. You can offer your services to your own students or look for other kids who need a little extra help with their academic pursuits. If you prefer to work remotely, you can tutor online as well. The Penny Hoarder notes online tutoring opportunities pay fairly well and allow you to teach from home or anywhere with Wi-Fi.

Transcription Services

• Teachers who can type quickly can easily find side gigs offering transcription services. From podcasts to Zoom meetings and more, there are opportunities where you can put your skills to good use. Consider using a job board to post your profile. Ideally, you’ll want to have examples of your work to help drum up a client base.

Get Paid to Watch Pets

• Does your busy teaching schedule keep you from having pets? Then use your time off to make money hanging out with other people’s pets. You can visit homes during the day and take dogs for walks, or watch pets overnight when their owners are out of town. Pet sitting is a fairly flexible gig and spending time with pets has some definite perks. You can even select what size/kind/breeds of animals you prefer to watch. Get paid to snuggle with some furry friends and get some stress relief in the process.

Drive Around Your Town

• Got a comfortable car and a love of driving? Know your way around town? Then think about becoming a driver for a rideshare company like Lyft or Uber. Rideshares are increasing in popularity, making it easier than ever for people to get around. And with added features for driver safety and satisfaction, it’s a great time to get started with your driving gig. Best of all, you can pretty much pick what hours you want to work and where you prefer to drive.

Set Your New Business Up for Success

• Once you’ve found your perfect gig(s), you’ll want to take these steps to make it a success.

Come Up With a Unique Name

• Of course, one of the first steps to starting a business is figuring out what the name should be. You can use your own name, develop an acronym, or even find inspiration from literature or a map. Once you’ve got your business name squared away, you can also come up with a DBA name. This is a separate name you could use to sell your products and services. A DBA is beneficial for various business structures like sole proprietorships and LLCs, because it can protect your identity and/or it could be used to sell products or services that are different from what you sell under your business’s original name.

Keep Yourself Focused and Organized

• Good organization is key to profiting from your new business. One of the simplest ways to keep yourself focused and stay organized is to set up a functional home office. You can create a space that allows you to concentrate and keeps chaos out of your new gig. Select an area in your home that has natural light and is free of distractions such as televisions and other people in your home. As you work, be sure to get up and walk around or use a standing desk because sitting can be bad for your health.

Network With Potential Clients

• Depending on your gig, you may need to work to meet new clients. Networking is a key part of any business venture, so take some time to polish up your self-marketing skills. Talk to friends and family about your business, but don’t be afraid to promote your work to the public as well. From social media to specialized sites to local business boards, there are tons of ways to market your services to potential new clients and build better connections with current ones.

Leave Time to Relieve Stress

• Making some extra cash when you’re on break is a definite plus, especially for underpaid teachers. But time off should also be your time to decompress and get rid of stress. Be sure to keep some flexibility in your side gig schedule for some much-needed relaxation and fun. Use that extra cash to take a vacation or book a massage. You definitely deserve it after all of your hard work.
• (Doug: A side job can put stress on your family, but it doesn’t have to. You should always consider involving other family members and friends like I did.)
• A side gig should be a fun way to earn extra income on a seasonal basis or year-round. Make sure yours doesn’t cause you extra stress by sticking to the tips above. Enjoy your time off and your new side gig!

Be sure to check out the Dr. Doug Green blog for a plethora of professional development resources for administrators, teachers, and parents!

Emily Graham

• Emily is the creator of MightyMoms.Net. She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms — from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family. You can email her at emilygraham@mightymoms.net. She lives in Arizona.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

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4Four Ways To Stay Motivated During Your College Final Exams by Craig Middleton offers sound advice for new and experienced college students. Even though final exams are far away from this date, this is a good time to formulate your game plan for your next set of finals.

Introduction

• College is a period of newfound freedom and independence for young students. For many, it marks their first time away from home and signifies their formal transition into adulthood. While the college years are likely full of fun, lively activities, and meaningful new friendships, school also comes with an abundance of responsibility, papers, and tests. Final exams denote the end of a college semester, and they require a plethora of preparation and tons of studying. If you are a college student worried about staying motivated through your final exams, fret not. Read on to learn some helpful tips on remaining dedicated through finals and wrap up a successful semester.

1. Go Outside 

• While the library is full of information on various topics, it is challenging to remain diligent in the dark, cold environment that a library typically offers. Instead, consider taking your books outside and setting up your study hall on the grass. Most college campuses offer several areas conducive to outdoor seating, be it a quad or a mall. In any event, sunshine and a dose of Vitamin D can improve your mood and make any subject seem more enjoyable to study.

2. Create a Schedule

• The thought of learning and absorbing the hordes of materials necessary to pass your finals can feel overwhelming and downright impossible. An easy way to remedy this staggering feeling is to create a study schedule. Outline a list of items you need to complete by finals, ensuring full preparation come exam time. Consider getting even more detailed, and create a list of things you would like to accomplish daily. Keep in mind they do not all have to be related to studying, school, or finals. Physically check off these items once they are complete. This process of breaking down and checking off tasks will leave you feeling accomplished and productive instead of overwhelmed.

3. Get Extra Help

• Because finals comprise a significant amount of your final grade, professors often make help readily available at the end of the semester during exams. Take advantage of this extra support by attending your professors’ office hours, or seek additional resources like tutors and online prep courses. Remember to reach out to classmates and organize informational sessions together. Preparing for final exams as a group allows you to divide and conquer the class study guide, and it provides an excellent forum for questions and answers. (Doug: Don’t wait until the last few days to start this process. Learning is more efficient if it is spaced out. Cramming is inefficient!)

4. Exercise

• Sometimes you need to know when to put away the books and allow your mind to relax. Exercise is an excellent, healthy way to reset your mind and body, preparing you for your next study session. Research shows that a mere 20 minutes of exercise is enough to release hormones in the brain that promote happiness and optimism. Be sure to schedule a quick workout into your daily schedule to regroup and re-energize. While college is full of freedom, fun, and excitement, final exams can cause an overabundance of stress and anxiety. Hopefully, this list provides you with some ideas that will prepare you to enter your exam week with confidence and motivation. A thrive patch is a good way to keep energy up and help you with your nutrition.

Craig Middleton

• Craig is a New York City-based retired business consultant, who is an expert in education and cultural trends. He has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Education from St. Johns and loves sharing his knowledge on the side through his writing. If you have any questions or comments you can direct them to Craig at craigmiddleton18@gmail.com.

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