Back To School Tips: Apps, Software and Resources for that Extra Edge.

Summer is pretty much over and it's back to the books for most of us. It's back to the hustle and bustle of the school year and for many of us that includes an increase in our stress and anxiety levels.

But not to fear, I'm here with a list of my favorite tips and trick that'll help you through the semester and give you an extra edge. I'm giving tips that I've tried over the years that have proven to be substantial, and at times, my saving grace. My wishes are with all of you as you continue your academic or industrial journey!

Apps:

1. Stay Focusd: This app deserves to be in the hall of fame! This app allows you to block certain websites after you've been on them for an allotted amount of time. Some of my blocked sites are Tumblr, YouTube, Lookbook, Hulu etc., and after my hour of "fun time" passes, these sites are blocked until the next day. My absolute favorite thing is the "Nuclear Options" that can block out all webpages until your work is done or the specified time is up. I'm just mad that it took me so long to find this app.


2. StudyBlue: SB is a good tool for making flashcards, quizzes and sharing class notes. The best quality about SB is  the ability to share notes, flashcards and quizzes with fellow classmates. Hurrah for teamwork, yeah?


3. Pomodoro Timer: 25 minute study periods accompanied by short breaks. I personally find that the little breaks allow me to recenter myself, nom on a little snack and allows me to study for much longer than I normally would without breaks.


4. Sleepyti.me: Sleepytime is probably the one app I couldn't live without because it has saved my butt time and time again. It tells you the best time to go to sleep or wake up depending upon what time you  have to get up. This is perfect for days when you're up till 4am and have a class at 8am. It works by waking you up in the middle of a sleep cycle and that way, you wake up alert and refreshed. Believe me, it works wonders.


5. Relax Melodies: Zen sounds, ambient noise for sleep, meditation, yoga and relaxation. Perfect for when I just want to wind down and breatheeeeeeeee.

Resources

1. Study Guides & Strategies: An amazing collective of various study guides and strategies that can be applied to every subject. Covers things from writing an english essay to a heavy research paper.


2. How To Study: Contains specified study guides and assistance for various specific subjects.


3. STEMWIKI Hyperlibrary: This online library is run by UC-Davis and it is the most comprehensive online library for STEM(science, math, engineering and mathematics) subjects. For all my fellow stem people, this is a life-saver. The material is concise and accurate and perfect for at-home studying.


4. DuoLingo: Learn over 15 languages for free. I'm currently using Duolingo to learn both Portuguese and become fluent in Spanish. This is a tried and true website with millions of users. Being bilingual gives a big edge in the increasingly competitive internship/job market.


5. Dartmouth University on Note-Taking: Dartmouth made an amazing webpage full of tips on how to take great notes. I'd highly recommend for anyone that's lacking in that area.


6. Bookos-Z1: This site is full of books; novels, textbooks etc.  I always check here for textbooks or whatever books I need for studying or assigned reading. It's free and you can downloaded whatever you find straight to your tablet or computer.

Software

1. Anki: This is the #1 study tool of all time! You can make flashcards or download cards from other users and the beauty of anki is that it actually controls which cards & how many cards you can study a day, and lets you study them in such a way that give you maximum retention. It's the most effective way of studying flashcards that I've found.


2. One Note: I use One Note for everything! Typing my notes after a class really helps seal the information for me and One Note is perfect for note-taking and organization. I have everything on One Note, from lecture notes to business models and future blog ideas among others. It syncs over the drive and you can have your notes with you on any device and you can share it with anyone. For note-taking and organization, this is the only app I'll ever recommend, and yes, I think it's better than Evernote.

Tips

1. Keep the class schedule. Read the class schedule and make sure you prepare for every new lecture with basic knowledge of the topic that will be discussed. I've made the mistake semester after semester of just tossing the class schedule within a pile of papers and every semester I regret it. Keep the class schedule and keep track of the material so you can be prepared.


2. Get a full nights sleep at least 3-4 times a week. If you're anything like me, you're used to  not sleeping too much but your body needs sleep. It's that simple, your brain needs it and I've found out that with about 5 hours, I'm just as sharp as when I get 8 hours. It's all up to the individual. Getting enough sleep will keep you recharged and refreshed, and your body will thank you.


3. Stay ahead of the game.  The worst thing you can do is leave your work to the last minute. Get your work done early and be ahead of the game. The amount of added stress with an impending deadline affects quality of work. Plus, wouldn't you be much happier knowing all of your work is done and you can relax when others are pulling their hair out trying to finish?


4. Say "NO" to study buddies. I've learned from experience that studying buddies are complete bs. They can be distracting and an excuse to socialize, making it very difficult to learn new material. Avoid all friends and classmates when studying, to be honest.


5. Say "YES" to review buddies. Review topics with classmates and friends using flashcards or Q&A questions can be extremely beneficial, as long as you choose the right people that'll take it seriously. Only study with friends when reviewing, never when learning new material.


6. Treat yo'self. Reward yourself for being good. Go to your favorite restaurant after acing a test, take a day off and chill after getting all of your work done. Positively reinforce yourself to stay focused, and accomplish your goals.


7. Last, but not least, relax. The stress of the school years tends to accumulate and in conjunction with friends, family and everyday things, it can weigh down even the strongest people. It's extremely important to spend a few hours relaxing, at least once a week. Take time out for yourself; meditate, do yoga, eat your favorite meal, binge on your favorite soap etc. Do anything that'll bring you to your center, take your mind off of things and make you feel good.

I hope that these resources and tips help everyone have a fulfilling and satisfying academic year. Your mental health is as important as your academic and industrial career so please, always remember to take care of yourself inside and out.

If you have any dependable tips and resources that we're not listed above, feel free to leave a comment!

 

Love & Light,

Rachel.