Time to Start Studying!

Finals will be here before you know it! Final exams will be held May 6-9. Have you started studying yet? Check out these apps to get you started!

Cold Turkey is a computer software that can help you stay focused while studying.  Cold Turkey will temporarily block you from social media sites, addicting websites, games and even programs! Imagine how fast you could do your work without all those distractions! Other apps like these include SelfControl, and LeechBlock.

Flashcards+ will help you learn and study new information. When you download this app on iTunes, you gain access to tens of millions of pre-made Flashcard sets all for free! Other apps like these include Study Blue, Chegg Flashcards, and Evernote Peek.

CrashCourse, a YouTube Channel, has videos for six courses: US History, Chemistry, World History, Biology, Literature, and Ecology. These types of YouTube Channels can help you study difficult topics for your next test!

Dropbox allows you to access files from anywhere. This helps with backing up files, and keeping your flashdrive from getting lost—again! Try other cloud software like Google Drive and SkyDrive.

QuadBash 2014

QuadBash 2014

WHEN: April 25, 2014

TIME: 3-7 p.m.

WHERE: Maple/Ruddock Putt/Delaney Courtyard

Go to the Maple or Ruddock 1st floor office to trade in a meal swipe for the delicious picnic dinner!

Events that will be happening that night:

-Tie Dye

-BOUNCE HOUSE

-Live Entertainment

-Henna Tattoos

-Relay Races

-Cotton Candy

-Snow Cones

-Pie or Soak your CA/ASM

-Volleyball

AND MANY MORE FUN ACTIVITIES!!!!

Can You Concentrate?

Do you have trouble getting back into your work after you’ve been interrupted?

Do you find that even though you schedule study time, you don’t actually accomplish very much?

Do you text or use social media when you are doing your assignments?

Do you find that when you finish reading your textbook assignment, you don’t really remember what you read?

Do you daydream a lot when listening to lectures or doing homework?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you may have problems concentrating!

Concentration is important in anything you do, including your schoolwork! Being distracted can interfere with your ability to focus on tasks at hand. Difficulty with concentration is a very common problem for college students.

Strategies for improving concentration

• Develop a positive attitude toward your work. If you see the relevance, value and importance of a task, and believe that you can achieve it, your concentration will improve.
• Create interest in the task. Low interest in something causes you to have a more difficult time concentrating. Find ways to make the material more interesting, like playing a study game, taking notes, or writing down questions for yourself.
• Goal-setting strategies. Know what you want to accomplish when you begin an assignment—it will help you stay focused and keep track of your progress.
• Practice good time management. Use to-do lists and calendars to stay on task. If you know when your assignment is due and how long it will take to complete it, you won’t worry as much as the deadline approaches.
• Improve your study space. Since the semester is more than half over, it may be difficult to switch seats if you are distracted in class. Try to avoid studying in bed or in front of your noisy roommates. Both Ruddock and Maple East have study rooms that you can use while you study.
• Eliminate multitasking. Sometimes, working on two or more things at once can negatively affect your concentration. Try turning off your TV, computer, phone, and music to improve your concentration.

Improving your concentration has a lot of benefits. You will use your time better and get more done during your study time. When you are deep in concentration, you will understand more of what you are working on, which will help you prepare for tests and quizzes.

If you have any questions, remember that you can always stop by the ASM office! We are here to help you!!

24/5 at the IUP Libraries

 Take advantage of the IUP Libraries’ extended hours!

The IUP Libraries’ extended hours means that it will remain open from 11a.m. on Sunday to 7p.m. on Friday every week of the semester. On Saturdays, the IUP Libraries are open from 11a.m. to 7p.m.

Overnight, only the first floor of the library will be open. The doors to the second and third floors are locked, the elevator is shut off, and some service desks are closed.

From 12:45a.m. to 7:45a.m., anyone in the library must swipe their I-Card at the circulation desk. This will make sure that only IUP students, faculty, and staff are using the library during these times.

                                                                                                        

After midnight hours are great for late-night study sessions and group meetings.

Make sure you take advantage of this great opportunity! This 24/5 schedule is a trial run and is only available through May 2015. The library will evaluate this schedule to determine if they should continue offering students these overnight hours. If they are used enough, the library will keep these hours!

Reasons why you should visit the library:

• Reserve Materials. Don’t have the book you need for class? If you professor put your textbook on reserve, you can access it at the library.
• Study Spaces. Comfy chairs. Study rooms. Need I say more? IUP Libraries has tons of quiet rooms, tables, and chairs. Surge protectors were added to many of the tables so you can charge your laptop while you work!
• Internet. The computer labs at the IUP Libraries give you access to the P drive, color and black and white printing, and software that you might need for your classes.
• Credible Information. Can’t find a book or article that you need at the library? You have access to online databases through the IUP Libraries, and you can rent textbooks and articles through other college libraries.
• Books. Because sometimes, the answer is not online.
• Librarians. Have a question? The librarians are there to help! Ask a librarian a question online at answers.lib.iup.edu or text them your question at (724) 401-1984. 

Don't forget to stop by the ASM office with any questions! We're here to help :)

Welcome Back!

The first week of spring semester classes is almost over! Hopefully, you are all staying warm and getting ready for this semester at IUP!

The Maple Ruddock ASMs are here to help you with anything you might need this semester! Here are our office hours:

Fab's Office Hours
Monday: 5-9pm in Maple East
Wednesday: 5-7pm in Ruddock
Email: F.M.Thelon@iup.edu

Aubree's Office Hours
Monday: 2-4 in Maple East
Tuesday: 2-4 in Ruddock
Wednesday: 2-4 in Maple East
Email: A.E.Lockard@iup.edu

Anastasia's Office Hours
Monday: 2-3:30 in Ruddock
Tuesday: 2-3:30 in Maple East
Wednesday: 2-3:30 in Ruddock
Thursday: 2-3:30 in Maple East

For important dates for the spring semester, visit http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=157548

Don't Get Left in the Cold!

Take advantage of more than 150 online courses available during IUP’s winter session!

Reasons to Take a Course during Winter Session

 

Lighter Course Load

If you think you will be busy during the semester with schoolwork, work, and extracurricular activities, a winter course could help take some stress out of your spring semester.

Improve your GPA

Some courses are easier to take in the winter than during the spring and fall semesters. Winter session is shorter than a regular semester—it only lasts from December 19 to January 10. Since there is a maximum number of credits, you can focus all you effort on one class, instead of four or more.

Get a start on your Minor

You can begin to take classes that are required for a minor. A minor is agreat way for you to supplement your major.

Spend time on JUST ONE CLASS

Winter classes are shorter and focus on a single subject. With the frequent, faster paced, and tighter structure, you can spend your time working on one class.

Flexibility

Most winter classes are online, which allows for flexibility. You can stay at home or travel over the winter and still take a class. There are more than 150 online courses available during winter session.

Get into the classes you need

Take classes that are difficult to get into during the spring and fall, like liberal studies requirements. You can also explore a new course or interest that may not fit into your schedule during the spring semester.

Graduate on time (or sooner)

A winter course will help you graduate on time, if you are a little behind. It can also help speed up your academic progress, and you could graduate early!

Check out a list of available courses here.

Interested in a IUP’s winter session? Talk to your advisor before scheduling to get more information about classes that would benefit you. You can schedule for winter session through MyIUP, and you don’t need an alternate PIN to register!

For more information, visit www.iup.edu/winter