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Searching for Scholarships

How do I find more scholarships? Are there really specific scholarships for left-handed people? Is my scholarship essay good enough?

If you’ve had any of these questions, we’ve got you covered. If you have concerns about applications, essay writing, researching scholarships, or anything else, there are a ton of resources for you! 

If you head over to the Grace website, there is a section on the Alumnae Resources page entitled “Tools.” That page has links to sample essays, tips on how to write a good scholarship essay, and more! This page tells you what how to apply for different opportunities and gives you tips on the entire process.

A good place to start looking for scholarships, especially for local scholarships, is The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving site. You can search keywords for the scholarship you’re looking for and find ones specifically for residents of Hartford. Another great site is Scholarships, named appropriately. That site can help you find scholarships here in Hartford, but also globally. 

We also have a scholarship database on the Alumnae Resources page as well, with scholarships categorized based on deadlines, specific scholarship fields (like the Arts or Science), and even scholarship amounts. Make sure you check it out!

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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College Organization and Tools

College can be overwhelming, no matter what year you are. It is hard to find a perfect balance when you are a full-time student, a member of a club, and part of a friend group. These organization and study tools are designed to help you a) keep good and consistent grades, b) feel confident in yourself and your studies, c) decrease your stress and anxiety levels, and d) gain more free time! Let’s get started.

SUCCESSFUL A STUDENTS: What do they do?

Work more efficiently and productively, not more

Are very organized (with thoughts, papers, time)

Are able to remain focused when doing work

Complete class work to “learn,” not just complete

Prioritize their sleep

M I S T A K E S   T O   A V O I D (AND BENEFIT FUTURE YOU)

Procrastination is your future self’s worst nightmare. If you are organized with your time and classwork, you can find adequate time to get it all done. Sleeping through or skipping class may seem tempting, but again -- Future You won’t be happy with that decision once finals roll around.

Future You probably won’t need whatever social media post you just scrolled past, but you will need to know the lecture points you’re missing as you scroll. Turn your phone on airplane mode or even off when you enter class: it’ll rid of the temptation to check it. 

Future You won’t have time to cram all the reading in before a class or a big exam. If you can’t do all the reading, at least get a general idea on what the readings are about. Academic support and tutoring often exist at every college -- Future You will definitely benefit from the times you booked before the final exam.

S L E E P

We all know we are supposed to get enough of it, but we often ignore that fact. Successful students understand the importance of a good night’s sleep, as it affects your entire day. Of course, there will be days (and nights) when your schedule is jam-packed and a good chunk of sleep might be lost. However, it is important to understand why getting enough sleep is important. Knowing your sleep schedule is essential.

Lack of sleep can affect your: mood, motivation, and judgement. It can also increase your levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Many students should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep, but this differs for everyone. Perhaps test out different wake and sleep hours during breaks and see what works best for you!

M A K I N G   Y O U R   B E D   E V E R Y   D A Y

Not only does it *look* good, but you truly do feel better for the rest of the day if you make your bed in the morning. It’s very difficult to stay organized, focused, and motivated when your room is a mess. This cluttered feeling can follow you for the rest of the day as well. Try this tactic for one week and see how it elevates your mood.

F R I D A Y   P L A N

All distractions away (cell phones, computers ((unless you need it)) when you have to do your homework on a Friday. Review what has to be done in every subject and highlight questions/concerns you have from your notes. Make a plan on how you are going to resolve these questions (meeting with a professor, tutoring, study groups, or extra practice problems) and go from there. 

W E E K E N D   P L A N

Plan out both Saturday & Sunday and aim to work in the morning. Best places to work are in a library, an empty classroom, or a quiet nook. Break it all down in 60 min blocks with realistic goals (only 10-15 min breaks like walking outside or getting a snack between the blocks). A weekend day should be about 2 - 4 hours of work each day (might increase during projects or midterms/finals). Always make sure to look ahead in your syllabus.

Consistency is key, because you will get into a habit and routine of performing each of these tasks. The minute you break the cycle, the easier it will be to push it off again and again. 

S T U D Y   T I P S

Begin studying in small increments way in advance. 

Continue to do practice problems (ask your professor for some, join a study group, or even look online). You’ll be more prepared for every class and every pop quiz.

Grab a friend and pretend to (or truly do) teach the subject to them. It’ll help you to say and explain what you are learning aloud. 

Book appointments with the writing center at your school. These centers are there for the students, so you as as a student should utilize them. 

GO TO REVIEW SESSIONS !!! The professor is usually telling you what ideas or even specific questions will be on the exam. 

See your professor or a Teacher’s Aid (TA). Again, they have the answers to your questions regarding the class. Always go straight to the source.

Partial notes taken and paraphrased from Success Prep Partners.

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Navigating Friendships in High School and College

I N T E N T I O N

Be open to making new friends, especially with people you wouldn’t always think to befriend. Having the mindset of meeting new people will actually change the entire atmosphere around you and striking up conversations won’t be as daunting. Calm yourself with deep breaths or a short pep talk and say the first hello! Even if you don’t make an immediate friend, you’ll get rid of some of those nerves and be more confident to say hello another time!

Y O U R   R E S I D E N C E   H A L L

It’s easy for the people in your hall to become familiar faces you pass every morning and night. However, going to events held by your RA or in the Common Area of the hall is actually a wonderful way to meet friends. People you live with can become your closest friends on campus, especially those on your floor. 

More times than not, your schedules can even match up with some people on your floor and that’s when group meals start to become a regular thing. Make sure you get to know the people in your building throughout the year -- your best friend could be living around the corner.

C L A S S R O O M S

Class can be scary and it’s very likely that you’re not the only one who thinks so. If someone leans over to chat with you before and after class, be open to conversation! Sometimes you meet your best friend through a study group or a class discussion. Random people can turn into close classroom acquaintances, who can then turn into close friends. 

C O L L E G E   C L U B S / J O B S

Common interests is often the foundation of many friendships. It is no surprise that some of the deepest relationships form with people who share common goals or hobbies. Go to a General Members Meeting for a club or look around at who else is applying for the same school job as you.

Often times, you’ll be sitting next to someone who could become a good friend. Sometimes you can even start your own club at the school and that is a great way to find others with the same interests. Just remember to trust your instincts and follow your interests. 

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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Tour de College

How to Make the Most of Your College Tours

College tours can be exhausting, especially when you are deciding between more than one option. There are steps to make the college tour experience more enjoyable and meaningful. Here are a few:

1. Don’t get there on time, get there early. You’ll feel more prepared, you’ll have time to look around on your own, and you’ll make a good first impression. It also rids of any anxiety or stress for walking into a tour/session late. 

2. Wear the right clothes (walking shoes, airy shirts, a packed sweater, etc.). Make sure to check out your weather app or the weather channel before your tour, because being uncomfortable (too hot or too cold) can distract you from the happenings of the tour.

3. Have an open mind. Try to forget or ignore everything you’ve heard about the school before. Schools can surprise you and sometimes, the school you had crossed off on your list is actually pretty great! Go on tours with anticipation and curiosity -- you’ll have a much better time! 

4. Ask questions. No questions are too broad or too narrow. The question you want to ask is probably the question someone else wants to ask as well. You never want to leave a tour with regret, so make sure to find out all the information that might not be on the website. 

5. Look at the faces of the students. Students’ facial expressions will tell you a lot about the school. Do the students look incredibly stressed? Are there groups of people lying out on the grass? Can you see yourself interacting with any of them? Paying attention to the students (even your tour guide) is one of the best observations you can make on a campus tour.

6. Look into overnight stays. These are programs that colleges/universities offer that allow you to spend the night at the school. You’ll get to shadow a student and you’ll have a whole day/night full of events to get to know the campus. It gives you a true feel of the school that you can’t get on the tour.

7. Explore on your own. Tours are fantastic, but exploration on your own is also beneficial. Tour guides won’t be able to show you every place on campus. You can find some of the coziest places and interesting academic buildings walking around on your own.

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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College Expenses

College can get expensive ... there’s no doubt about it. This blog post is all about finding out which ~college expenses~ can actually be waived or handled before they demolish your bank account. Sometimes, these expenses are unannounced or hidden. Keep on reading to make sure you’re in the know!

Activity fees

Some schools often have an Orientation fee or a fee for participating in an event. These fees are often unknown to the student, so at the end of the semester or year, the student just sees a charge on their bill. Make sure to double check if you’ve been charged early on and ask if you can waive it -- most of the time, you can!

Health Care

Many schools bill you for health care. If you want the school’s health care, that is no problem -- simply accept the fee as it is displayed. However, if you don’t want that extra charge, log into your Student Account and search around for a Health Care fee (there’s almost always one). You can then waive the fee or show your own insurance (if you have it) and the charge will be taken off. For example, if you have HUSKY health care, you can often apply that at your school rather than use their health care. 

Food Plans

Some college students receive suite-like residence halls as early as their freshman years. Others have to wait until they are seniors. Either way, sometimes your housing can affect your food plan, so make sure you read up on the policies or sign into your account to see what you’re being charged. If you have a job and have money to buy your own groceries, maybe you won’t need the Dining Hall plan and you can get rid of that fee. 

Room Layout

Try to look for layouts or pictures of your potential room before you move in. That way, you won’t buy a lamp if the whole room already has a ton of lighting or you will skip out on buying a desk chair, because the chair in the picture doesn’t look half bad. Try to find out all the amenities the room has to offer before making a big purchase. That way, you’ll know you’re only spending your money when you have to.

Transportation

Shuttles and/or buses are often subsidized for students who live far away. Check out your school’s options to see where the drop off is. Sometimes they bring you just out of your city, sometimes just to New York. After you’ve checked out your school’s options, check out other options like the Metro North train options or even the other buses -- make sure you finally go with the best (and safest) option.

Whenever you find out you were charged for something that you were not explicitly aware of, make sure to call and ask if it can be waived. Chances are it is one of those hidden college expenses.

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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Summer Series #2

Saving Solutions: How to Pay Your Expenses in College

College is, without a doubt, a period of time where a lot of your money can *seemingly* go to waste. Whether it’s $300 textbooks or that nagging parking ticket, there always seems to be something to pay for. It can be overwhelming and stressful trying to balance everything, trying to be a full-time student while also worrying about aid or high costs. However, thanks to a recent NPR article, you’re in luck with some tips on how to save!

Entitled “How To Survive College When You're Paying Your Own Way,” the article dives into the life of a low-income college student surrounded by wealthier classmates (and extended families). She was frustrated with advice like “just sell your car” or “hire your maid,” as those sentences only applied to a small percentage of the student population. 

So, she fired up a Google Doc and started documenting ways in which she saved her money. After sharing it with some friends, she chose to give others editing access so they could add their tips and tricks too. Now, she has many answers for the question: How does one pay their own way through college?

Ask for help.

I know asking for help can feel scary, but it is the best way to get a handle on everything. If you have a sort of mentor figure or an older peer, ask them how they managed to pay their expenses through college. Getting advice is a good way to get direct and effective saving solutions, as well as introductions to possible opportunities like part-time jobs or budgeting tips. You can also always come to us with any questions or concerns!

Seek out resources, whether you know everything or know nothing at all.

I am sure there are more resources than you even know about at your college. Explore all over your school’s website or head over to the Main Office or Counseling Center. Schools often offer workshops on time management, budgeting, saving money, and even finding new jobs. Bring a friend if you are a bit nervous and head on over to those opportunities! Make sure to ask questions, because someone else is probably wondering the same thing. 

Make a list. Make budget plans. Then, treat yo’ self.

Budgeting is truly effective, as it forces you to put on paper what exactly your spending your money on. This makes each dollar more tangible and real and you’ll be extra-conscious of how you’re spending. You will wake up with a mindset on how you are going to save each week and that will eventually become second-nature. Before school begins again, take some time to write out a budget plan (and be sure to still budget in those Treat Yo’ Self days).

Plan ahead (when you can). 

Make new memories from spontaneity, of course, but also try your best to plan ahead. Knowing when and where you’ll be spending money helps you save, because you know you’ll need a certain amount to be able to go out at all! Try grabbing a planner or a notebook and writing down your events for the week. Which events cost money? How often will you be attending? What amount do you have to put away in order to go? Also, if you hear there’s an event with free food, perhaps plan on grabbing some as leftovers for the week -- you’ll be saving money in no time!

The next Fall Semester is far into the future, but you can always work on your Saving Skills.

Source: How To Survive College When You're Paying Your Own Way,

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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Make the Most of Summer 2019

We know that summer gets first class seats to fly on by, so how can we make the MOST out of these upcoming months? 

1. No matter what you decide to do, you should always be thoughtful on how you spend your time. Experiences and activities you do this summer can be part of the narratives on your college essays! Don’t count this summer out. Perhaps a small family trip this year will result in some life-changing moments. Maybe the job you just started will teach you lessons you never even knew you needed. 

Always think of how your present life can positively affect your future one. 

2. For those just going into high school/college and to those who have brand new classes for this upcoming year, it always helps to try and get acquainted with the school before your actual start date. You won’t be as anxious on your first day if you already looked around campus a few times and learned where you classes will be. Check to see if your school has an online tour or if you can find the time, grab a couple of friends/family and head over to the school yourself!

You also...won’t get lost like I did my first day (of both high school and college).

3. Take a course so that you don’t have to take it in college. In junior and senior year of high school, you can probably begin to take AP courses, which usually offers you credit you can then use in college. There are also outside-of-school summer courses you can take. There are free courses all around ranging from Mandarin Chinese to Film Studies -- whatever you’re interested in, there’s probably a course for it!

Google is your best friend when it comes to finding those opportunities (but also me).

4. Find a passion. Summer is a great time to explore new ideas and take on different opportunities. You can bring these newfound passions and experiences to high school and to college. As you grow, you’ll gain more clarity on what you want to do during those four years (though passions can change, of course). Get out and around your town too -- we can always be tourists in our own neighborhoods by walking with family down new streets or going into buildings we never have before!

Summer 2019, here we come!

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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Last Wednesday, our 8th graders walked through the halls as Grace Academy Graduates.

They now join many others as Grace Alumnae, a group so special and unique...they get their own blog. Many of you also just graduated high school and to you and our 8th graders, we shout a big CONGRATS. Graduating from any educational level is no easy feat, so take a moment to say to yourself, 

“I did it.”

Now, does it feel surreal? 

Is there a slight underlying feeling that this is all a big dream? That is completely normal. Graduation signifies the end of not only a specific period in your life, but a whole three or four years of it. Don’t be hard on yourself -- it’s WEIRD to all of a sudden switch up a routine.

However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t embrace it. When we are young, we are always told that our future can be bright. It’s easy to lose sight of that as you get older, but I want to remind you that your future can become even brighter! Whether your next step is high school, college, or something entirely different, it is a step toward the rest of your life. 

That can be scary to think about, but a way to think about it in a positive light is to imagine ~all the possibilities~ you have to look forward to! High school allows you to gain a whole new level of self-awareness, learn what really interests you (like STEM or Music or History) and develop deep friendships you’ve always dreamed of. The same can be said of college, which allows you to dive deeper into those new interests AND make even more diverse friends. 

It’s a win-win for the future!

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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A reminder for you all today -- Happy Friday!

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Summer Series #1

It’s finally time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the summer sun! 

I know some of you might already have your summer planned out, but for those moments where you really get overwhelmed with ALL the free time (it happens), I wanted to start a little Summer Series. I’ll just share books, articles, or videos I think you could watch with friends and family this summer to keep you inspired!

Our first ~Summer Series~ blog post goes to travel duo DamonandJo.

DamonandJo are the only YouTube channel I regularly watch. They have started their own business from the success of their channel and continue to inspire thousands of people, young and old, to travel the world. They also share great tips on budgeting as recent graduates, talk about connections between their heritages and the countries they visit, and speak MORE than 5 languages!

Playlists - They have playlists varying from “Le French Chill” to “90s & 2000s Hip Hop and R&B.” Head over to Spotify to check out their travel-inspired playlists HERE.

Videos - Genuine videos that will make you laugh while ALSO helping you learn are rare finds -- DamonandJo are that rare find. They are authentic, honest, and clearly brilliant, but they also know how to make their videos interesting and fun! Check out their videos HERE.

Website / Blog - Their site’s name, Shut Up and Go, is the motto they developed years ago when they wanted to travel, but felt like they didn’t have enough resources to do so. One day, they decided to stop making excuses, save up as much as they could, and...shut up and go. Read more about their business and their travels HERE. 

Happy June!

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you want more just like it!

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Found this lovely post from “cwote” and thought I’d share it with you all -- if you’re still finishing up school, just wanted to remind you: YOU GOT THIS!

You got this, okay?? 

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Is Your Social Media ~also~ Your Resume?

In many ways...YES!

One thing I learned back when I was applying to high school and college, as well as for applications and jobs, was that there are more eyes on social media than you think. Social media is for you, of course, but it is still so important to be cautious of what you post online.

According to a 2018 study from “CareerBuilder” (an online employment company), a whopping 70% of employers scan their potential employees’ social media pages and another 43% use it to scan their current employees’ profiles.

Perhaps you’re thinking: Well, you just said social media is for me, so why does it matter what I post? While that’s a valid question, hopefully this breakdown will help put it into perspective:

1. Who Are You: Yes, your social media is your personal account. But that’s just it--it’s your personal account. Employers, colleges, or even application boards might check out your Instagram or Twitter to get a glimpse of who you are as a person! Because your social media accounts are personal, you tend to share about yourself and therefore about your personality. Do you make a good fit for the company according to the last meme you shared on Facebook?

2. What You Have to Offer: So in some ways, your social media account showcases your strengths and your weaknesses. We all write in slang at some point during the day (we live in a fast-paced world, I know), but are your captions always written in text-like language? Are there a ton of spelling mistakes and an intense amount of emojis? There’s no true problem with any of that, but it might be a turn-off to certain companies. 

3. Where You Are: Needless to say, if they’re checking up on current employees, don’t post that you are at the beach when you claimed to be sick in bed. It’s also a good idea to refrain from posting too many pictures out with friends. I don’t want you to read this and think the take-away is that you have to completely erase your social media, but I just want to emphasize the notion of being cautious of what you post online.

Other things to think about: your screen-name, posting your political opinions, posting your personal opinions, bad-mouthing a friend or public figure, posting too often, what your profile picture is, etc.

THAT was a lot of info, I know. 

So, are there any solutions to this? Sure! If you feel that you do not want to censor yourself, then of course you are free to post as you please. Just make sure it’s a balance of levity and practicality -- everyone has a fun side, but you also want to show that you can be serious.

However, if you are feeling a bit uneasy about it all, perhaps consider getting two accounts. You can have one account that you post for your friends and then one professional account, showcasing your skills like a) your writing, b) your art, c) your analytical skills -- whatever it may be!

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you’d want more just like it!

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Songs to Motivate You for Finals

The beginning of May is always bittersweet. The weather is beautiful and the end of long school hours is near...BUT finals are not so beautiful and long studying hours are also near. 

Here is a playlist full of motivational songs to help you finish the year strong (I made a direct LINK to the playlist on YouTube, because I know it’s a busy time)!

The Schuyler Sisters - Hamilton Soundtrack

ME! - Taylor Swift, Brendon Urie

Unbreakable Smile - Tori Kelly

Look Up Child - Lauren Daigle

Work This Body - Walk The Moon

Run the World (Girls) - Beyonce

Successful - Ariana Grande

Sit Still, Look Pretty - Daya

I Love You So Much - DJ Khaled, Chance the Rapper

Keep Your Eyes Open - NeedtoBreathe

Trust My Lonely - Alessia Cara

Sue Me - Sabrina Carpenter

You Will Be Found - Dear Evan Hansen Soundtrack

Get Well Soon - Ariana Grande

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you’d want more just like it!

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Ways to Still Make Money When You’re #SeriouslyBusy

Crazy booked with all your extracurriculars? Have to babysit your little cousins, but without the babysitting pay? I know it can be frustrating when you aren’t able to get a 9 to 5 job for whatever reason. However, you’re in luck! Though the rise of technology does indeed have its downfalls, it also has made it much easier to find ways to make a few extra dollars. Here are some ways to make money without really having to leave your home:

1. Survey Says? - if you have a library with computers/a phone/a laptop/or an iPad, then you can participate in some of these surveys. Websites like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Swagbucks, and Opinion Outpost pay you to take their surveys. Payments can vary from cash to Amazon gift cards to points that can be redeemed over time.

2. The Dog Days are *Not* Over - Grounded for the weekend? (Do kids still get grounded? It’s all foreign to me now). Consider pet sitting! If someone you know needs someone to watch their dog or cat, see if they can drop them off at your place for the time being. If your campus allows animals, you can do it in your bedroom! Lots of families or individuals go out of town for business trips or vacations, but can’t take their pet with them. That’s where you come in and rack in the big barks--I mean, bucks.

3. People, Places, and Things - Things will always be in demand. It’s just a matter of finding the specific people who want your specific things. If you have a ton of school books for curriculum that will probably be taught the following year, sell those books! Clothes that are still in style and will be for a while, show them off on Etsy or send them to a secondhand store. 

4. Bake Me a Cake as Fast as You Can - Did you think bake sales were only for elementary school? Think Again! Some of the highest grossing endeavors I saw when I was in college (and high school too, honestly) were bake sales. Whether it’s Midnight Pancakes or Brownies On a Sunday Night, someone will always be hungry and ready to grub.

All of these can be side-jobs as well if you already have a job as an RA, at a restaurant, or as a babysitter. Here are some more options, though you’ll have to leave the house for most of them: Dog-walking, joining focus groups, advertising on social media, mowing lawns (or shoveling snow -- when it’s Winter again), and more! Check out THIS awesome site with a ton of great ideas. 

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you’d want more just like it!

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How to Sort Through Your Email

Emails have gotten out of hand, no? Every day it feels like there’s another email, whether it is something you actually care to know about or something you’d rather not see at all. This only gets more intense once you get to college.

However, there are certain emails that are important and you don’t want to miss them just because you’re overwhelmed by a full inbox.

Here are some tips on how to properly manage your email:

Make An Email Day/Hour/Half Hour -- 

Whether it’s every morning at 10AM or every other day at 3PM, set a specific time to check out your inbox. This way, you won’t be triggered every time you refresh your page and see a new email pop up. You’ll view them all at once and feel more control over what to respond to, delete, or save for later.

Clear It Out

During that specific time, go through your inbox and see what emails can be deleted. If you’re subscribed to a website, but you never read their emails, don’t hang onto it! Read up on how to get off their mailing list. All it does is clutter your inbox and prevent you from seeing more important emails, like ones from me :)

Respond to the Most Pressing Emails

If you can, do your best to respond to emails that need immediate attention. Don’t draft an email that you won’t send for another two weeks before responding to an email that needed your response last month. Even if you write an email explaining why you haven’t/can’t respond fully is better than letting that email sit in your inbox. Soon, you’ll feel such guilt every time you see it in your mail that you won’t ever respond!

Delete The Old

Those emails that have already been responded to/addressed? Get rid of them! Unless you need to save the email as a sort of receipt or confirmation, I argue that you should delete old mail to keep your inbox fresh and clean. It is less of an eye sore, truly, and makes you more likely to tackle those new emails.

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you’d want more just like it!

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How to Use Your Time EFFECTIVELY

(High School and College taught me Spongebob has a meme for EVERYTHING)

​It's hard to stay on top of things when you're juggling your academic life with your social life and your social life with your rest and relaxation and so on, so forth. Sometimes it feels like you don't even have time to nap and if you do nap, you feel guilty for doing so! Being a student these days is hard, so I've done some research and have some tips for you all. Find the tips that work for you, because everyone is different!

Utilize your free time: By all means, stop and get that coffee -- but then find a nearby table and do a few questions off your Math assignment. Carry your English book around with you so that you can read some pages while you wait for your next class to begin. If the weather is nice and you crave the outdoors, do your homework on a blanket on the grass. Just make sure you are using your time effectively. 

Start using a planner: Planners saved me in college. Before, I would forget I had a meeting or miss out on an event I really wanted to go to, because I wasn't scheduling my activities. It is scientifically proven that writing things down helps with memory. Simply walking around with your planner will make you feel more prepared for the day.

#Goals: Actually speaking your goals out loud as you write them down helps you follow through. If you have a project due by the end of the month, make small goals for each week. This will help you keep on top of things so that you won't feel immense pressure as the deadline for the assignment draws closer. I promise you this works.

Rid of distractions: Turn your phone off/throw it across the room/lock it in the bathroom -- whatever causes you to become distracted, get rid of it when you buckle down and start to do work. Whether it's work for an organization you're in or work for your classes, distractions will always stop you from completing your work. If you're working with friends, be honest with them and tell them the amount of time you need to get the work done. If they don't comply, tell them you'll see them tomorrow!

Work on the assignments that are due first: Longer term projects are not your first priority. Of course, you should use your planner to schedule time to work on those projects, but your focus should be on those assignments that have upcoming deadlines. Multitasking is a myth. We as humans cannot focus our full attention on multiple things at once. When we try to do just that, something always ends up suffering. 

​ *Let me know if this post was helpful and if you’d want more just like it!

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When to say “No”

Often times, especially for women, saying "no" is viewed as mean or impolite. We are taught that being busy and having a million things to do is better than taking a break or finding time to relax. However, is overworking yourself honestly better than giving yourself time to restart? Here's why saying no sometimes is actually the nicer thing to do:

It's not always wrong to put yourself first: 

If you are overworked/overtired/stressed/unhappy, agreeing to do something even though you don't have the energy is hurtful to both yourself and the person you are helping out. It is important to do your best to help others, of course, but you have to remember to help yourself first. One tip they always give when flying on a plane or on a boat in case of an emergency is to put your oxygen mask/life vest on first, because you can't help someone else if you yourself aren't protected.

You aren't giving 100%: 

You cannot put your best foot forward if you're too tired to move at all. It is very easy to get caught up doing so many things that you forget to check in with yourself. When you're saying yes to everything, you'll start to see that your body/your mind/your energy can't keep up. Other things will start to fall through the cracks, like the quality of your homework, your personality when you're out with friends, and more. Saying no to certain things means you can take the time you would be using had you said yes and instead give yourself time to relax and regroup. You're more fun to be around too when you truly feel good.

Better Communication Skills: 

Saying no can help you work on communicating and expressing yourself. This might sound vague or even silly, but having great communication skills is very important in all levels of education and specifically in the workforce. Even if it means practicing what you're going to say when having to say no to someone, find ways to make your intentions clear and respectful. It is a skill worth having and can show the person you care enough to communicate with them.

Honesty and Better Mental Health: 

All in all, learning to say no when you truly cannot take on another task will genuinely feel good. Being honest allows tension to leave from your body and you will feel less on edge. Agreeing to something out of obligation can cause unneeded stress and anxiety, which will affect all other aspects of your life. Being honest from the start will eliminate any of that tension and will result in a happier you, resulting in a happier time for everyone.

*Let me know if this post was helpful and if you’d want more just like it!