Be Successful in a Winter Class

With winter break right around the corner, you may find yourself signing up for an online class in order to get a little bit ahead. Online classes certainly have their perks to them, but there are a few steps you should take to solidify your chances of successfully completing the class.

Here are some quick tips to remain successful over winter break:

1. Understand the required materials

• Do you need to purchase a book?
• Do you have access to a computer/laptop?
• Do you have trustworthy internet access?

2. Communicate with the professor

• Send an email prior to the start of the class to introduce yourself.
• Don't be afraid to email the professor with any questions - that's what he/she is there for!

3. Create a schedule

• Some online courses may give you all the work from the start and allow you to work at your own pace.
• Know when the due dates are. You may not receive reminders about upcoming assignments.

4. Stay organized and focused

• Know the due dates.
• Complete the assignments.
• It is easy to forget about an online class when you are at home relaxing. Make yourself reminders to complete the work.

5. Have a consistent workspace

• Do your work at a local library or coffee shop.
• Designate a part of your bedroom or living room strictly as a workspace.
• Pick a place with limited distractions.

Best of luck!

-ASM Meghan

Change your habits...but not today.

What are some habits you would like to change about yourself? Would you like to exercise more? Eat better? What about going to all your classes? Being more organized. Don't procrastinate as much. 


With the winter breaks coming up, it is a perfect time to access yourself and decide on one habit you would like to change. Instead of focusing on too many habits and getting overwhelmed, focus on the ONE that is most important to you. You can add on later once you have successfully accomplished your first goal. Furthermore, Don't expect to change anything about yourself in just a day. The only way to make a true change is to take baby steps and gradually improve.


 Believe it or not,our habits are determined by our cerebral cortex, which involves muscle memory. Our habits are literally engrained into our brains through synapse connections. It is impossible for us to change those connections one day, instead we need to gradually carve out new pathways for our synapses to make a permanent change.


Lets take an example. Say you want to be more organized for the Spring semester.
Start out with small steps. Get yourself a planner. When your teachers give you your syllabus, go ahead and write down all your known homework for that semester in your planner. If you're on a roll, you can even color highlight different activities, events, or classes.
Next, create a weekly set schedule. I have a chart above my desk that tells me where I absolutely need to be and at what times for every day of the week. That way I can see where my free time and utilize it properly.
Finally, Its time to clean out those files from your high school English class on your computer that you're never going to need again. Do a clean sweep of everything you don't need on your computer and organize the things you do need into folders. My personal computer has folders in folders in folders. Keep up with your organization by always saving your work to the correct folder. This way, you will never lose anything!

Whatever you're goal is, don't forget: Pick 1 and take it slow! Don't be afraid to reward yourself either!

Improve Your Study Habits

As motivation decreases, the ambition you may have had to study also decreases. Prevent yourself from slacking off, and find out the best strategies to study! Here are 8 tips that can help you get through the last few weeks of the semester:

1. Review content within 24 hours.

2. Refrain from multitasking while studying.

3. Recite information from memory.

4. Take practice tests.

5. Listen to classical music.

6. Use flashcards.

7. Make connections between ideas.

8. Exercise prior to studying.

Good luck as you finish this semester strong!               

-ASM Meghan