Attending and Participating in Classes

I will be the first to say how intimidating it is when people talk about volunteering in class, whether that be answering questions or reading out loud. Bottom line, it is a scary thing to do but it helps you get out of your comfort zone.

Participating in class is encouraged by professors a lot because they want you to get the most out of your education and of course learn a lot as well. Sometimes, they even make participation a part of your final grade and participation points are calculated into that grade and are easy points to receive just by interacting with the class.

Sometimes participation points can help you bring your grade up. If you are right on the edge between letter grades, once those participation points are added in it will help your grade for the better. Participating helps you gain confidence in speaking in front of people, taking your own personal thoughts and applying them out loud into the content, and of course understanding what you are learning in the class.

I will always recommend participating in classes because it helps students grow as a young professional. Professors are not looking for the right answer all the time, they are looking for who is on the right page and who is almost there. They want to hear feedback to know students are understanding the content because at the end of the day, we are the ones using what we know, what we practice, and applying it into the professional world.

- Shila

Incorporating Podcasts

During quarantine, many of us were stuck in the house glued to our screens. We started downloading and watching Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and all of the other types of streaming services that arose from the pandemic. Because of that, I sometimes struggle picking up a book as a form of entertainment. Even though I love reading, it is just something about hearing the voices and sounds that hooks me a little deeper into the plot of whatever I am looking into. Of course, this is a huge flaw in college, because one minute you are pressing play on your favorite show, and the next minute you finish two whole seasons instead of doing your homework.

My suggestion: listen to podcasts. There are a plethora of genres, and they can be found on all types of entertainment apps. For instance, I prefer listening on Spotify, but there is also iHeartRadio, the Podcasts app, Pandora, and many more. The largest benefit of podcasts is that you can listen and do something at the same time. While the story or show is playing inside your head, you do not have to sit in front of a screen worrying if you are about to miss something. Of course, you can also use these as a form of relaxation, as there are even meditation shows out there. In conclusion, I strongly recommend that you put your headphones on and find a show that interests you. You will not be disappointed. 

- Jill

Encouragement and Mindfulness Practice for Those Who Need it: A Letter

Hi!

I just wanted to remind you to breathe today. You are strong, and worthy. All of the emotions you are feeling right now are completely valid. If you are stressed, I would like you to close your eyes, and take a deep breath in. Hold it for a couple seconds, and slowly release all of your worries through your exhale. Now, stretch your arms up towards the sky. Lean and reach to your right, and lean and reach to your left. Slowly, allow your arms to fall down into your lap. You did an awesome job. Repeat this process for as long as you need. I suggest that you use this as your daily dose of self-care.

Remember you are worthy, and you deserve to take a second to take a break, relax and gather your thoughts. Everything will be where you left it when you return. There is no rush. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

With Happy Thoughts,

Jillian

Surviving & Thriving at Dorm Life

Tips on how to make your dorm “A Home Away from Home”

Living in a college dorm is one of the best ways to meet people when you arrive on campus. Sure the first few weeks are kind of awkward and you may not feel comfortable going to people’s rooms and say hi. It makes it even worse to have to knock. Which leads me to my first tip:

GET A DOOR STOPPER
Having a door stopper is such a game changer. It makes you seem much more inviting and people will be more likely to come and say hi if your door is open, which is something I do often as an RA. This leads me into my next tip.


GET TO KNOW YOUR FLOORMATES
I know it can be nerve wracking to talk to people, especially those you've never met before. As an introvert, I can promise you that a conversation with another student on your floor is not going to be as difficult or as awkward as you think it’ll be. A simple hi or how are you can lead to a million things, including a great friendship. Speaking of friendship, remember to set boundaries.


WHAT ARE BOUNDARIES?
When you live in a dorm whether it be with your roommate or friends on campus, it is difficult to keep things separate. At first you may want to do everything together and while spending time together is never a bad thing the same can be true about spending time alone. College is your chance to figure out who YOU are, what YOU, want to do, and who YOU want to be. This can be hard to do if you are constantly wrapped into someone else’s experiences. Making sure that you consider what things you want to be done alone and which experiences can be shard with the people in your life. Sometime this can be hard on you and your roommate which leads me to my next point.


GO TALK TO YOUR RA
You may be wondering, “What is an RA”? An RA is someone who lives on your floor that you can turn to and someone you can trust. They oversee dorm life, plan social events, and keep and eye on freshmen and new students. An RA is a great resource when academic, social, or personal problems arise. You can always go to your RA when you need to talk to them about roommate issues, finding campus resources, or when you have any questions about campus life. If your RA doesn’t know the answers to your questions or concerns, he/she will find someone who does. You can also go see your RA when you don’t have a concern and want to share exciting news about an exam that went well or another happy occasion. RAs are key to making sure students are safe and happy.

I hope these tips help you in your college career. Good luck at adulting!

- Tes

Having an Organization System

This being my third year as an undergraduate student at Ashland, my biggest piece of advice for all new and returning students is to be as organized as possible. I am a very organized person, so all my classes are color coded, my notebooks are nice and tidy, and my room is always clean so I don’t feel overwhelmed when I go to my room to relax. Now, being the organized person that I am, I wanted to offer some tips for those who could use some help!

The first day of the semester is always a favorite because it is syllabus day, but the importance of the day is that the professor’s hand you their guide on how to succeed in the class. So, here are some tips to help you get organized right away:

• Have a planner to write down assignments and key due dates for the week and weeks to come.
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• Use Google Calendar to keep track of assignments/classes. It’s nice to have it available on your phone and it sends reminders!
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• Color code your classes and course work to keep all things organized and tidy.
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• Have separate notebooks for classes so notes stay apart from one another to avoid confusion.
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• Keep a clean and neat room so when you are overwhelmed, your room is a place for relaxation.
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• Do not do homework or school work in your dorm room, find another place on campus to do that work. Your room is meant to be stress free!

These are just a few tips to be organized and to stay on top of things. I also recommend reaching out to your professors and asking for help. They are all very helpful and love it when students reach out - so be sure to use those resources! I personally have found all of these tips and resources to be extremely helpful throughout my time at AU. I have been able to stay on top of all of my assignments thanks to being organized. It has helped me be as successful as I can be and shows me I can still have free time and enjoy my years at college too!

- Shila