Hello My Dears,
Please post your tips and lessons for life here for your classmates to access whenever they need.
I look forward to reading them!
Please make sure your posting are digestible and easy to read. Format accordingly!
See you Wednesday at 8am.
How to do laundry in college?
ReplyDeleteIn order to save money while doing your laundry you should wash every two weeks. The reason why because the machines are sometimes big that if you wash every week it would not fill up the machine. Therefore, you would be wasting money. Instead, you should wait until you have a big stack to fill up the machine.
Sometime students tend to turn on the machine with their clothes in it and leave and do not come back until two hour later. Never do that because people are waiting to wash their clothing as well. It would not be fair for them to wait until you come back. Most people would just move your cloth and put them somewhere else.
It is very important to have a large black laundry bag for your clothing. Stay away from cheap laundry bags since they tend to rip fast. Instead, buy an expensive one since you are going to be doing your laundry for a year. Stay away from light color bags because they tend to get dirty easily instead buy dark color bag.
Separate the white clothing from the color clothing always.
Buy the five-gallon Tide so that you can refill your tide bottle.
Buy hangers for your clothing since most dorms have a place to hang your clothes.
Tip on clothing
Buy lots of underwear, bras, and sock, since those are the most common utilities you need.
It will allow you to take many showers in school for two weeks without doing laundry each week. I suggest buying 20 pair of socks, 15 pair of underwear, and 14 bras. This will allow you to shower each day for two week without worrying about doing laundry.
Do not buy jeans because you are more likely to gain weight in college. Instead, buy legging since they are more stretchable and comfortable.
Dealing with empty-nest syndrome
ReplyDeleteFor starters your parents love you a whole deal. That is never going to change. You can be 18, 25, or 30. That will not matter, you are always going to be seen as the wonderful being they held in their arms. That is okay. This will be a little challenging to deal with, but still manageable. In the last couple of weeks, show your parents just how much you appreciate them. Show them you love them, show them you care. In the last 2 days before you depart to wherever you are going, gradually distance yourself. This could be done in any fashion you choose. This is so they can get used to the idea of your absence.
Once away, chances are that they are going to call you every day, for some multiple times a day. That is okay for the first days. Then you have to set a schedule for them. You cannot simply ignore them and hope they will forget. That will only make things worse. Setting a specific time slot for when to call the family will not only show them that you acknowledge them, but it will help you when you are busy. This way you won’t have to take all the calls at random moments throughout the day.
Finally, be consistent with your time setting. College will be hard, and time consuming. But that time is special to your family. Just so they can make sure everything is going okay, and more importantly make sure you are okay. If there is a day in which you have a workload shoot them a text saying that you can’t talk that day. That you will explain later. Or do a five-minute call. However, you should not overuse this since it will make your family think that you do not want to talk to them.
transportation
ReplyDeleteIf you are flying to the other side of the country you are looking at more or less 500 dollars.
If you will be staying in California and just going up north you will probably would come back in a car or bus. if it's in a bus California shuttle charges no less than $30. if it is in a car gas money varies buy car pooling or not.
Parking permits:
El Camino College $35
East Bay $ 130 quarterly
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ReplyDeleteDeciding what to buy at college versus what to take to college depends on where the college is located. The reason why is because when you travel somewhere far or out of state, then the best thing to do is to purchase items at the college that take up a lot of space. The amount of items that can be taken through air travel is limited therefore, items like linens and bed sheets for dorms is best when purchased on campus to reduce the amount of items you carry with you. If the college is near your home then it would probably be a lot cheaper to purchase linens and bed sheets outside of campus (if staying in dorms).
ReplyDeleteSomething that is extremely essential to a college student is a laptop. Therefore, its highly suggested, if you don’t already have one, to invest in a new laptop. Textbooks are also needed but it is best to purchase used ones and at an early time. There is no uniform policy in college so you should plan on taking a great amount of outfits and clothes enough to have laundry done every 1-2 weeks. However, packing too much to go is not good because it’ll take up room for other essentials you may need. Clothes are cheaper around back to school season when retailers compete with large discounts. Hygienic items are a must take such as toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, etc.
You will also need school supplies such as pencils, pens, notebooks. Paper, etc. this also depends on whether you will be traveling far or not. If you are traveling far it may be best to buy on campus but if not then bringing them from home or purchasing outside of school is best. Here is a link of an idea of what supplies you may need http://www.collegesupplylist.com.
If you are going far and wont be able to see your family for a while it is good to take something that can make you feel comfortable such as pictures. Don't overpack though because you have to consider the other people you will be forming with. You don't want to invade the whole room.
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ReplyDeleteHow to study for exams in college?
ReplyDeleteIn college, just as in High School, exam preparation begins on the first day of class. Every class you attend, assignment you complete, and contribution you make in a lecture adds to your knowledge and helps you prepare for any question that may appear on the next exam.
However, to study for exams in college, the first thing you should do is avoid cramming information the night before the exam. To improve your study habits, you need to learn time management. That means setting realistic goals for study time to avoid last minute cramming. It is advised to begin studying for an exam days or even weeks prior to the exam. You should be studying about 20-50 minutes a day with a 5-10 minute break in between each study session.
While studying, it is important to study the way you know how. You have to learn your learning style so that retaining information won’t be so difficult. Some study techniques include: reading notes, rewriting notes, making flashcards, reviewing highlighted/margin information, and making up examples.
To study for exams, you should also minimize distractions. Try to study in a quiet location, like the library, where you won’t be easily distracted. Minimizing distractions also means turning off music, stop texting friends, and stop watching television. Yet, some of you actually find it helpful listening to music while studying, which is fine as long as it does not interfere with your study time.
Additionally, forming study groups also helps you study for exams. Study groups will help most of you remember material. It also helps you figure out what you understand and do not understand and thus, what you need clarification with. Study groups is an advantageous form of studying because the people you study with can clarify concepts that you might be struggling to understand.
An alternative or possible addition to study groups is going to your professor’s office hours. Meeting and discussing with your professor days/weeks before the exam will help you figure out what to focus on while studying.
Lastly, the most effective form of studying for an exam is to get enough sleep. Getting the right amount of sleep allows the information you have been studying to sink in. You should get at least 6-8 hours of sleep at night. It is also recommended to squeeze in some form of exercise into your study schedule/plan. Exercising, whether that be through dancing, walking, or jogging, can improve memory and help reduce stress (and we all know how an upcoming test can be stressful).
Managing money in college:
ReplyDelete1 Set a budget
Figure out how much money you have and any money you may have coming in (from a part-time job). Then, estimate your expenses. Don't forget to factor in even little expenses, such as snacks. Divide whatever money you have left by the number of days in the month, and only allow yourself to spend that amount of money per day. For example, if you earn $1000 a month and $400 go to tuition, $100 to books, and $30 to laundry, divide the $470 by the days of the month and you can spend a set amount per day.
2.Beware of free hats
Lurking outside freshman haunts are likely to be plenty of very friendly people offering free hats and Frisbees. They are hoping you will
sign up for the credit card they're offering. You don't need to sign up.
But if you do pick a credit card, understand its terms, which may include a high interest rate. Think twice before you use the card and pay off your bill in full each month. Doing so can help you build your credit score, which could matter when you apply for your first job, first apartment or first new car, says Peter Katenkamp, a financial adviser in Albany, N.Y.
3 Take advantage of student discounts
Most schools offer discounted tickets to games, shows and other cultural events. You might also get a cheaper rate on public transportation thanks to your student status. You can save with the $20 Student Advantage card, which offers discounts at retailers such as Target.com and Foot Locker.
4 Think twice about buying new books
You don't need to buy every textbook new. It may take a little more work and some luck, but buying used copies in the bookstore, online or from an upperclassman can save you hundreds of dollars. And if you won't need them as reference books later on, sell them back at the end of the semester.
5 Use student loans wisely (if you have to take out loans)
At the end of the semester, you may receive a refund check if you borrowed more than you needed for that semester. Don't blow that money on spring break!
Put aside the money and use it to lower the amount in student loans you may need to take out later on.
6 Don't forget scholarships
Scholarships aren't set in stone. So take school seriously enough to maintain the GPA you need for your scholarships, says Clarissa
Hobson, a financial planner in Colorado Springs, Colo. Also keep track of key dates to reapply for those scholarships that require it. And schedule time with your college adviser every few months to check for other scholarship opportunities that may surface, says Caren Levine, a Philadelphia financial adviser
Money Moves Every College Freshman Should Make
By VERONICA DAGHER
College Budgeting
ReplyDeleteHey all,
now that we have been accepted into our respective colleges, we must not forget that we are mostly going to be on our own. Therefore, we have to keep track of how much we are going to spend yearly on books, housing, tuition, etc. When we receive money, whether it be from a job, financial aid, or our families, we have to keep in mind that we have dues. That sometimes means skipping out on a few outings with friends :( and spending unnecessarily.
http://www.kizoa.com/Video-Maker/d10794697k5354054o1/hamptons-dinner
ReplyDeletethis the video from the dinner I was not able to burn it into a cd
"How to beat boredom*
ReplyDeleteThankfully we were born in the technology era where almost everything is online. I will be teaching you how to beat boredom. In college, we might not have much extra money, so it will be beneficial to know some neat techniques on how to conquer the beast!
Mild boredome: you will need movies. If you do not have movies, there is netflix, hulu, and illegal sources online. Just type: free movies online, and I swear about millions of websites will pop up. Try to watch action movies because those tend to have suspenseful scenes and since you want to get a "hype" you need something that will have you out of your seat.
list of action movies that I like:
Argo, The Dark Knight Rises, Public Enemies, Fight Club, Kill Bill.
Normal Boredom:
For this you could different things. You could listen to music and organize your room. You could cook, read, or watch documentaries. When I'm somewhat bored I like to clean and bump music. Cleaning takes up a lot of time if you CLEAN. Like you organize your closet, drawers, shelves, and school bag. Also bump music while cleaning because music energizes you so it keeps you going when you're cleaning. If your room is clean, you could cook or read. Reading helps you like warm up your brain which allows you to take naps better. Or, you could watch documentaries. I think these are cool because it is like reading but in movies. Netflix has a bunch of cool documentaries!
Extremely boredom:
This one is very tough to beat. I guess for this, the only solution is to go with friends. I haven't been extremely bored in a very long time but I know when I used to get very bored I used to go out for a jog and then tell friends to hang out. And by hanging out, you dont have to waste money. There are some neat free museums, parks, music stores that let you listen to CD's. I prefer to just jog for about an hour and just energize my body and then take a shower to hang out with my best friend. We usually always watch movies and like we don't waste money.
So these are some of the things I do to beat boredom and I'm pretty sure since we will not have that much extra money while in college, we need to know cool things we could do for FREE!
*THIS IS CHRISTIAN'S TOPIC*
ReplyDeleteHow to deal with culture shock?
Some of us are planning to stay close to home, maybe even not move out of the house at all. But for those who are traveling to another city or even a different state completely, culture shock may definitely be a common problem. Culture shock can be broken down into 4 different stages.
The first stage is where you move to another place and enjoy the view. You are brand new to the culture and you feel like it is amazing. But eventually you might feel like you do not belong, that the culture is way too different for you and that you do not belong. The next stage is the more urgent one, where you are completely homesick and want to go back home. The next phase it where you begin to adjust. You find things about the place you are living in and focus on the positives and start to feel like home. The last phase is the reolution phase where you feel like this is your new home.
In order to deal with culture shock, you can lessen the blow by researching the place you are moving to. This will help you create more idealistic expectations and not be too blown away by how different your new home is. You can also maintain a network of people who are similar to you, have similar backgrounds or speak the same language. It is important to branch out of your comfort zone, however, if you are not feeling comfortable then stay with a group of friends who are similar to you and branch out when you are ready.
In many colleges, there are places like the cultural center where minorities can use as a safe haven to hang out with other minority groups. At Vassar College, there is a place called the Alana center where many students go to meet people of the same background and where people go to get a feel of their own culture.
It is also helpful if you get an "informant". Someone who knows the area and can explain the slang or the culture that is dominant in the area. This person can be a lifesaver in social situations and will likely be interested in showing "foreigners" to their culture.
HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED/TIME MANAGEMENT
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good way to keep track of classes and your free time by hour. It allows you to see fixed times (commitments) as well as any free time you may have. Adding a weekly "to-do list" to your planner also reminds you of the things you must accomplish for the week. Including daily "to-do lists" further improves your organization and time management.
Things you will need:
1. Weekly-hourly planner (http://www.studenthandouts.com/01-Web-Pages/Lot-01/Weekly-Hourly-Planner.png)
2. A set of different color marker/pens/highlighters
3. Pen
4. Class schedules and weekly goals
Start filling out your planner by boxing the hours you classes take place. Use a different color for each class.
Next, continue boxing in hours for commitments you have made such as soccer practice, study sessions with classmates, club meetings, etc. (also using different colors)
The next step is to plan your lunches (and dinners). Take a look at the boxed hours. Note the empty hours between classes and other commitments. Plan your lunch accordingly, which may change based on the day.
Finally, taking note of empty hours, set aside times for things you want/need to accomplish but are flexible. Examples of this is catching up with reading for a class, or starting research for your English paper, etc.
By the end of this, you should be able to see your whole week laid out in front of you. You can see your "commitments," "needs," and "wants." This can help reduce the stress of ambiguity from your schedule and relieves pressure from the many, many things that can haunt you.
EXTRA: Adding a "to-do list" further keeps you organized and reduces stress. At times it may seem, that you have many things to do and you may feel like there is no possible way to accomplish them. If you have a to-do list, these things seem become much smaller and allows you to tackle things one at a time. It is also important to note that crossing things out on a to-do list is therapeutic and has a positive psychological impact.
It just feels good seeing on paper the things you need yo do and have accomplished.
Here's an example of what the end product should look like (throwback link):
http://icalderon2014.blogspot.com/2014/05/hey-all-this-is-example-of-how-finished.html
How to relieve stress?
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, you will not escape stress in college. The simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management. Managing stress is all about taking charge of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, and the way you deal with problems.
To identify your true sources of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, or any changes that make you feel abnormal from what you usually feel like on a daily routine.
If your methods of coping with stress aren’t making you feel better, it’s time to find healthier ones. There are many healthy ways to manage and cope with stress, but most require change. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, just know your options. You can either avoid, alter, adapt, or accept the circumstances that cause stress.
No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. A few things that have helped me to relieve stress include learning how to say “no” and dropping tasks that aren’t necessary. I also tend to spend time doing activities that I enjoy throughout the day that keep my mind away from stress. This includes: hanging out with friends, express my feelings, going on rabbit holes while searching the web, and taking naps. Keep in mind that feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.
My advice is to so something you enjoy every day, have a relaxation time, and to have a healthy diet that will help your mind relax and take control.
How to deal with roommates
ReplyDeleteWhen you first get to your dorm and meet your roommate, create a friendly relationship, in which you are able to set certain standards. Make sure they know which boundaries not to cross. You guys should become comfortable enough with each other to talk about what irks one another. Be friendly but don't let anyone take advantage of you.
How to deal with stress
ReplyDeleteOne way to deal with stress is indulging yourself with your hobby. Doing something you enjoy tends to relax the mind and ease stress. Sometimes uou just have to let go of whats stressing you out so much and go have fun.
How to stay sane.
ReplyDeleteWhether we decide to head in to the new world as an adult or choose to stay where we belong, often, there are times when unexpected, even tragic events, any sort of obstacle that holds us back; and yes, this may lead to depression, stress, and anxiety, but maintaining our mentality (reason, composure, etc.) is really easy to ignore if we let our hostile emotions (anger, fear, etc.) dominate our lives.
How to Deal Wit Culture Shock
ReplyDeleteThe first step to dealing with culture shock is to learn to accept a person for who they are. Generally, culture shock comes from the shock. Of course, you are probably thinking thank you Sherlock that is a no brainer however, the definition of shock is to be surprised by something sudden. We have to actually recognize and think we are going away to a place that may not understand our ethics and customs and as my Grandfather says, “Not everyone is like you fool” Different does not mean weird it just means exactly what it is. The reason we have culture shock is that we are not totally acceptable to the change.
How to communicate with roommate:
ReplyDelete1. Let them settle in first. Help them, even. Bond while moving in; you might be with this person for at least 2 years.
2. Take notice of the them. Try to get a feel of who they are by what they do and what they say... and where they put things. For example, if he/she leaves her planner out and puts his/her favorite book or sentimental object away, that could suggest that they are practical or privy to their life. This could give you clues as to how to communicate with them.
3. Even though colleges vary with rooming criteria, it is still important to talk to them about room rules and boundaries, including colleges who room people based on similarities.
4. If it's easy to chat with them, go on an activity that will allow talking. If it's a little awkward, have a tv marathon or go to the movies to ease tension.
5. If you have issues with your roommate, be honest. They will not pick up on your signals, and they will not know that what they are doing is an issue with you. Dont yell, don't have an attitude. Be calm about it. If you're calm, he/she will be calm.
6. If you end up yelling at each other or it starts to get nasty, take a break. Call a pause. Do something together or separately and then come back to it.
7. Make sure things are said. If there is a wall of things unsaid, try to keep that from happening.
How to Lose Weight/Stay Fit in college
ReplyDelete1. Make a meal plan for yourself. Try to eat healthy for 5-6 days and splurge once a week (if you must).
2. Try to sleep early. People tend to eat late at night when they're up late. If you sleep early you will not have the urge to eat late at night. It's really bad for you! It doesn't let your body rest because you're digesting!
3. Drink water before eating meals. This boosts your metabolism and makes you feel more full before eating meals, that way you will not over eat at each meal.
4. Start a food journal to keep track of what you put in your body.
5. Snack on fruits and nuts (or other healthy snacks) constantly so you don't feel the urge to put junk food in your body.
6. Schedule time for exercise at least 45 minutes a day 3 times a week. If you plan your days wisely you can probably make time to work out.
-Find a work-out you love doing, whether it's running, hiking, or swimming. Don't do something that doesn't appeal to you.
-Set goals for yourself when you exercise so you stay motivated.
7. DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP IF YOU GO ON A JUNK FOOD PALOOZA! It's okay, it happens. A couple of snacks won't make you gain 20 pounds in a day. Keep on working out and eating healthy for majority of the week.
8. Find healthy recipes and cook. See what you like and what you don't.
9. Check labels on food to see what you put in your body. Be aware of this, many people disregard this.
You need to control anger before anger controls you
ReplyDeleteThe first thing to do is to realize and notice what you are thinking and feeling. you need to control your anger in order to give you more choice on your next actions.
You then need to realize that you need to make a change, I am sure that when we get mad and begin to punch at the wall, kick, and scream we regret it. that is why you need to be ready to make change and acknowledge that what you are doing is not right.
Relaxation techniques
Simple relaxation tools, such as deep breathing and relaxing imagery, can help calm down angry feelings.
Some simple steps you can try:
Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm; breathing from your chest won't relax you. Picture your breath coming up from your "gut."
Slowly repeat a calm word or phrase such as "relax," "take it easy." Repeat it to yourself while breathing deeply.
Use imagery; visualize a relaxing experience, from either your memory or your imagination.
Nonstrenuous, slow yoga-like exercises can relax your muscles and make you feel much calmer.
Practice these techniques daily. Learn to use them automatically when you're in a tense situation.
Doctor told me to focus on small things like counting you the times you fingers touch and repeat until you feel a bit more relaxed.
(improves behavior and decrease negative feelings)
Listen to music ( can change your mood quickly)
Write down thoughts and emotions (help you feel better after you have thrown it away because its like your throwing away all the negative thoughts)
Draw ( its distracts you forgetting about all the bad thoughts)
Talk to others
meditate
distract yourself with positive things
When you're angry, your thinking can get very exaggerated and overly dramatic. Try replacing these thoughts with more rational ones. For instance, instead of telling yourself, "oh, it's awful, it's terrible, everything's ruined," tell yourself, "it's frustrating, and it's understandable that I'm upset about it, but it's not the end of the world and getting angry is not going to fix it anyhow."
Remind yourself that getting angry is not going to fix anything, that it won't make you feel better (and may actually make you feel worse). Also i know a lot of us like to curse when we get angry , but in reality it actually makes us angrier instead of helping us. Focus on how to handle the problem.
When you are angry you can make a situation even worse when you say things that you don’t mean, so the best thing to do is not get even more frustrated, but to think before you speak. Don't say the first thing that comes into your head, but slow down and think carefully about what you want to say. At the same time, listen carefully to what the other person is saying and take your time before answering.
When with a person
It's natural to get defensive when you're criticized, but don't fight back. Instead, listen to what's underlying the words: the message that this person might feel neglected and unloved. It may take a lot of patient questioning on your part, and it may require some breathing space, but don't let your anger—or a partner's—let a discussion spin out of control. Keeping your cool can keep the situation from becoming a disastrous one.
When you are angry you can make a situation even worse when you say things that you don’t mean, so the best thing to do is not get even more frustrated, but to think before you speak. Don't say the first thing that comes into your head, but slow down and think carefully about what you want to say. At the same time, listen carefully to what the other person is saying and take your time before answering.
Easy steps to go through when speaking :
DeleteThink of potential solutions before responding (self-control). This is where you stop for a minute to give yourself time to manage your anger. It's also where you start thinking of how you might react — but without reacting yet.
Consider the consequences of each solution (think it through). This is where you think about what is likely to result from each of the different reactions you came up with.
Make a decision (pick one of your options). This is where you take action by choosing one of the three things you could do. Look at the list and pick the one that is likely to be most effective.
Check your progress. After you've acted and the situation is over, spend some time thinking about how it went.
Ultimately Avoid things that make you angry and try new things that don’t get you mad when looking at.
Steps to doing laundry
ReplyDeleteBefore even beginning, a helpful suggestion would be to divide your clothes into three separate piles: Colors, Jeans and whites.
The colors pile would consist of literally colored clothes and clothes with designs or logos
The jeans pile would consist of everything denim
*black colored clothing should also go here in order to avoid fading
The whites pile would contain everything white
Any laundry detergent and softener you feel most comfortable with will do.
Step 1:
Each pile will be a separate load and will have different temperatured water. Depending on the machine you either put in clothes first or soap first so you must read instructions.
For the colored pile the water will be warm temperature.
For jeans it will be cold water so that they do not shrink or fade
For the whites it will be hot water so that it is cleaned at its best.
If you have a delicates pile you wash it with cold water.
Step 2:
For the colored and jeans pile you must seek when washing machine requests softener
For the whites pile you must seek when machine ask for bleach and softener
*softener helps get rid of the harsh bleach smell so it's best to include it.
After this step you wait until the machine stops so that you transfer it to the dryer.
Step 3:
Once clothes are done washing you now sort your clothes by thickness.
**If there are any items of clothes you do not want to shrink you let that air dry. Ex) delicates
The time of drying varies depending on how well the dryer works so it is best if you chose small amount of times with medium temperature when starting.
Jeans pile stays together but if you have a large amount of them you want to separate them so that they dry quicker.
Towels blankets and other heavy items stay together.
Any thin items like tank tops, underwear ect stay in one pile and have low temperatures and small amounts of time.
*you can also add dryer sheets before starting each load to soften your clothes and prevent wrinkles.
Once the clothes is done drying you begin to fold.