Stay Motivated!

ONLY A FEW MORE WEEKS UNTIL SPRING BREAK! 

Need some motivation to get you through your classes? Check out these 10 tips for increasing your motivation:

1. Set challenging but realistic goals: Set goals that are challenging and attainable or within your reach. Thinking of each task as a step toward achieving your long-term goals can help you stay motivated 
2. Set learning goals: Decide what facts, concepts and ideas you want to learn before beginning a new task.
3. See the value in a task: Seeing the importance of a task will motivate you to complete it. Finishing a project or class gets you one step closer to graduation!
4. Have a positive attitude: Think about similar tasks that you have completed in the past. Knowing that you’ve done this before can lead to greater motivation.
5. Use positive self-talk: Remind yourself that you can do this, that the task is important, and that you are almost done will help you keep going.
6. Break down tasks: Breaking down a task into parts can make it more manageable.
7. Monitor your progress: Make a to-do list and check off a task as it is completed. It’s a great feeling when everything on your list is crossed off!
8. Monitor your learning: Answering self-test questions, end-of-chapter tests, and reciting things from memory are ways of monitoring your learning. It also helps you figure out what you still need to work on when studying for a test or quiz.
9. Create interest in the task: Increase your motivation by making the task more interesting. If you find the material boring, take notes, make a study guide, or self-test questions to keep yourself focused.
10. Learn from your mistakes: Knowing what you can do differently can help you stay motivated to work hard.

 Don’t forget to visit your ASMs this week with any questions!

What are you doing for spring break? Comment below!

*Taken from College Study Skills: Becoming a Strategic Learner

AHHH FINALS!

We’re almost done with the 2012-2013 school year! You know what that means—final exams are approaching! If you’re starting to feel stressed, read our tips on how to relieve stress during finals week:

Sleep

Try to avoid pulling all-nighters at the library and get some sleep instead. When your body is sleep deprived, you are more prone to being stressed out. Make an effort to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. This will help your mind and body recharge and will help you be more productive during the day.

Eat Well

Don’t load up on junk food during the last few weeks. Bad eating habits not only affect your stress level, but they also contribute to your waistline! Eat simple and healthy means at your usual times.

Exercise

Take a relaxing walk, ride a bike, take a quick jog, or try going to the gym for 30 minutes. After sitting for two hours during your final exam period, giving your body some movement will help relieve stress and help you sleep better.

Make a List

Plan out your entire week by writing your exams and assignments down. Use index cards, a planner, or post-its. When you finish, cross it out! You will be able to see how much you need to get done, the progress you have made, and how soon summer will be here!

Relax

Find some peace and quiet and spend time alone. Get away from other stressed students and put yourself in a relaxing environment. Spend a few minutes doing absolutely nothing—turn off your phone and laptop to calm your mind while you refocus and recharge. Then do something fun! Take a short break to watch YouTube videos, play games, grab something to eat, or talk to friends.

Check out these videos on YouTube:

Scared Baby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oxmRT2YWw

Halloween Candy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YQpbzQ6gzs

How Animals Eat Their Food: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnydFmqHuVo

Want to share your favorite videos? Comment with the link below!

Have a great week and don’t forget to visit your ASMs with any questions—we are here to help!

Mobile Apps to Help You Succeed

Your smartphone or tablet can be used for so much more than tweeting and playing Ruzzle. If you are looking for a way to study on-the-go, try out some mobile apps available for education and studying purposes. Check out our list of some of the must-have apps for college students.

There are so many more apps than can be listed on a blog—do a search on your app store or the internet to find more.



IUP Mobile

Get access to information about IUP quickly with this new app. You have the ability to look up contact information and read about news and upcoming events. Log in with your Banner ID to check grades, see your class schedule, and contact your advisor.

Reading 

Apps like Kindle allow you to download your textbooks on the go. Instead of carrying your textbook around to the library, you can buy the eBook version to save money and weight in your book bag.

Flashcards

Apps like StudyBlue allow you to memorize key terms for a test by making flashcards online. Share you flashcards with others in the class or find sets from people in class before you. Set a reminder through the app to maintain your study schedule.

 

Dictionary 

Dictionary apps like the Merriam-Webster Dictionary app allow you to look up definitions and find synonyms. This can be helpful when writing papers and taking spelling or vocabulary tests.

 

Storage

Apps like Dropbox allow you to store documents in the cloud or online. You can access your files on your laptop, IUP computer, or smartphone. Never have to worry about losing your flash drive and files or having your computer crash.

Citing Sources 

EasyBib and other citation generators allow you to build and manage your cited works for APA, MLA, and Chicago style. You can scan the barcode of a book to create a citation and then email a list of your works cited to yourself.

Note Taking

Evernote allows you to record voice memos, create to-do lists, and take notes. Access your information and class notes on the go.

What other apps do you use for studying? Comment below!

Alcohol and Your Major

No matter what your major is, your future at IUP will be very different if you receive an alcohol citation. It is important to exhibit responsible behavior at all times—all choices have consequences, good or bad, and some of these choices may limit your future.

If you are an EDUCATION MAJOR:

If you are charged with a misdemeanor, state-licensing agencies would reserve the right to deny the insurance of a certificate, license, registration, or permit. It is also legal for a school district to deny employment based upon past citations of any kind. While underage drinking citations do not appear on criminal background checks, they will appear on vehicular background checks.

If you are a NURSING and ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS MAJOR:

A clinical agency reserves the right to refuse placement of nursing students based on the findings of background checks and other clinical requirements. Failure to obtain a clinical placement means that you will not be able to meet program requirements, meaning, you will be unable to complete your degree and will be dismissed from the major.

If you live ON CAMPUS*:

Alcohol Policy Violations

First Violation

• Stayed Removal from Housing—one calendar year
• Disciplinary Probation—one calendar year
• Parent/Guardian Letter (if under the age of 21 and financially dependent)
• Alcohol Education Workshop
• Individual Assessment for blood alcohol content over 0.16

Second Violation

• Removal from Housing—one calendar year
• Loss of Visitation in Housing—one calendar year
• Stayed Suspension—one calendar year
• Parent/Guardian Letter (if under the age of 21 and financially dependent)
• Individual Assessment (if not already completed)

Third Violation

• Suspension—one calendar year
• Proof of Alcohol Treatment to Return to IUP
• Parent/Guardian Letter (if under the age of 21 and financially dependent)

Fourth Violation

• Expulsion
• Parent/Guardian Letter (if under the age of 21 and financially dependent)

*for more information, visit: http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=68803

For more information, talk to your advisor, CA, or ASM. There are informational brochures with more information in the ASM Office.

Registration

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

I hope everyone had a great homecoming weekend!

Registration for the spring 2013 semester starts this month! Here is some information on how to register for classes.

First, meet with your advisor! Many advisors will have a schedule posted outside their office for students to sign up. If your advisor doesn’t, send them an e-mail asking to set up a meeting. DON’T MISS THIS APPOINTMENT!

If you don’t know who your advisor is log into URSA, click on students services, academic records, and view your advisor.

When you meet with your advisor they will tell you what classes to take, when you register, and your alternate pin number.

On the day you register for classes log into URSA and follow the steps listed below

1.       Select “Student Services"

2. Select “Registration.”
3. Select “Look-up Classes to Add” and select the term for which you want to register; then select the gray box “Submit.”

4.       Select a subject and select the INDIANA campus.

5.       The remaining items can be used to narrow your search.

6.       Scroll down the page and select “Class Search.”

7.       To register for a class, check the box in front of the CRN and select “Register” at the bottom of the classes that are listed.

8.       Enter your pin number (given to you by your adviser)

9.       Repeat the process for each class.

If you have any questions feel free to stop by the ASM office!

Have a great week!