Study Tip Saturday: Blocking Out Study Time (and sticking to it!)

Okay, I realize the only Study Tip Saturday that was actually on a Saturday was the first one. For this week, though, I actually have a great excuse! My class gets finished tonight (yay, me!), so I need to have this post uploaded before it’s done. Think of it this way, you can for sure use this study tip anytime tomorrow (on Saturday).

So what are we discussing today?

How to block out a study time and actually stick to the schedule you’ve made. 

First of all, it’s important to realize why we’re talking about this. As working grad students our time is incredibly limited (as if I had to tell you that). We work, and then we student. Then we go to sleep. If the schedule gets off, somethings got to give. For me, that’s usually the student-ing.

Follow these steps to really set aside and stick with your study time. 

Step 1: Learn when you study best.

The world is full of early risers and night owls. Depending on which you are, and what your day-to-day schedule looks like, find a time of day that works best for you to get schoolwork done. 

For me—and I’m not even lying—it’s anywhere from about 4:30 a.m. until I have to go to work at 8:00 a.m. depending on what I have to get done. I like to study before I get my day going because it’s before my brain is fried. It also helps that the rest of the world is still asleep so there are no distractions from roommates, family, texts, emails or social media.

Step 2: Get it scheduled. 

I’m old fashioned and still have a paper and pen planner. I know a lot of you probably have calendars on your phone or computer. Whatever your schedule of choice (and you best have one), make sure you actually enter your study time. Treat that time just as importantly as any other appointment you have.

Step 3: Schedule an end time.

Honestly, the to-do list will never be done. Even if we worked all day, we would never reach the point of ‘nothing left to do.’ So be sure to schedule an end to your block of time. Don’t get sucked into the black hole of schoolwork, or you may never return.

Step 4: Set an alarm. 

Reminder yourself! We’re forgetful and scatter-brained. Nobody can expect anything else of us. Just be prepared and set some type of reminder.

Step 5: Actually study.

When the time comes, you just have to do it. Find your ideal study space, sit down and dive in. Just like ripping off a bandaid (but maybe more painful at times).

Fitting schoolwork into your already-crowded schedule can be tough. Don’t make it worse than it has to be. Block out some time, and follow these 5 steps to actually stick with your plan. 

Now go get some A+’s!

Giving to Your Alma Mater (or anything for that matter)

I wish I had a ball of hundred dollar bills...

It’s a common misconception that people our age have an ‘expendable income.’ I think that term largely leaves out those of us who balance work and school. So how do you handle it when you’re asked to donate money?

Maybe for some of you this isn’t an issue. Maybe you just have the guts to say no and walk away. 

As for me, I’m a giver. It’s a blessing and curse really. But I think everyone should have a cause they support simply because everyone needs to realize the world is much bigger than their world. 

I have a cause I hold near and dear to my heart (which is a story for another date), but I also get excited about others who have a cause. I want to help them just like I want them to help me. So that leaves the poor working grad student in a terrible position.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when your alma mater, or anyone for that matter, is asking you to give from the little time, talent, treasure you have.

1. Is the cause something you care deeply about?
2. Is the person someone you’re close to?
3. Will your donation actually be used to support the cause? Or just administrative costs?
4. Is it tax-deductible?
5. Will you lack of a donation kill the spirits of the person asking?
6. Is a person asking? Or is an institution asking?
7. Are you being asked because of your unique connection to the cause?
8. Do you have a unique connection to the cause?
9. Will you feel badly about not giving?
10. Will you feel happy that you did give?

When someone is seeking you out to donate to a cause, don’t feel bad taking your time to think it over. Run through some or all of these questions, and decide if it’s something you can do right now. If it’s not, just politely explain your situation and move on.

How do you handle the flood of emails asking for financial support?

Are You Really a Grown-Up?

In our society, we don’t really have a “coming of age.” There’s no one event or day when you begin as a child with no experience or knowledge, and come out as an adult with the skills you need to survive in this harsh world. 

In fact, we make it much more difficult because we also throw around this term, “young adult.” Can those two words really go together?!

Here are a few hints that will help you determine if you’ve reached a point in your life when you can comfortable call yourself a grown-up.

Hint 1: The microwave is not your appliance of choice when it comes to cooking meals.

Hint 2: You actually have a bed frame rather than a mattress on the floor. 

Hint 3: You own clothes that can’t be dried in the dryer. 

Hint 4: Your parents don’t pay your bills. 

Hint 5: “Home” is what you call the place where all your stuff is, not what you call the place where your parents live (but don't actually tell your parents that).

Hint 6: You don’t eat cheese by itself (i.e. you eat cheese with wine, grapes, crackers or similar partner).

Hint 7: You shop at stores because you like them, not because it’s all you can afford.

Hint 8: You don’t remember the last time you used the word “dude.”

Hint 9: You can pick up the phone and call someone if need be (without having to write out a scripted conversation to read from). 

Hint 10: You read books for fun.

Hint 11: You don’t use the word bored (instead you cherish your relaxation time). 

Hint 12: Your email account contains no combination of the words “princess,” “gurlll,” “hunk,” “hottie” or words of that nature. It also doesn’t contain unnecessary repetition of letters (i.e. “babbbbbygirl257”)

Hint 13: You actually have an email address that’s not associated with a school (unless you work at a school of course).

Hint 14: There’s more than just beer in your fridge.

Hint 15: You refer to yourself as an adult, not a grown-up.

So next time it becomes a bit hazy, refer back to this fantastic list of hints to remind yourself that you are not, in fact, a grown-up.

How to Get Away with Schoolwork at Workwork

Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in a day. Other times, the dreaded group project is getting to crunch time. Still other times, we’re just plain past the point of no return when it comes to procrastination.

As working grad students, young professionals, and busy human beings, somethings gotta give. So all ethics aside, how can we sneak some of the schoolwork into our time designated to workwork.

Try to remember these four double letters. You’ll notice I left out the ‘A’ because that’s what comes at the end of the semester (bad joke—couldn’t help myself).

Bathroom Breaks

Use them wisely. People these days bring their smartphones everywhere. So carry yours along with you on your bathroom breaks. During this time, you can check your email, read through discussion posts, keep an eye on grades, and do general schoolwork monitoring.

Clever Combinations

If you’re lucky, your schoolwork and your workwork have some similarities. Combine and re-purpose your work wherever you can. If you can choose topics for school projects that correlate with your job, do it because that’s what we call killing two birds with one stone.

Discrete Discretion

I’ll admit it. Not the most clever title. It is important to be discreet, though. This advice is not guaranteed to earn you the best grades—fair warning. Make sure any school work you do is multi-tasked with workwork. For example, listen to online lectures through you headphones in a minimized window, and learn when major meetings are so you know who’ll be wandering around your office area.

Familiar Formats

Use applications and formats you use at work. If you’re in sales, type discussion posts and drafts of papers in the body of an email, so it doesn’t look suspicious. If you run your company’s blog, type your schoolwork in a blog draft. Basically, just try to be resourceful with the tools you use at work.

In the end, the most important thing is to not compromise your workwork with the schoolwork you squeeze in. Ultimately your education is to help you get (or get better at) a job. Don’t lose site of the end goal, and don’t lose your job doing schoolwork at workwork.

How else do you manage a heavy load of schoolwork and workwork?

Overcoming Your Fear Before It Overtakes You

So one time, I jumped out of an airplane. Yup. I got in an airplane with the sole intention of jumping out. 

For the sake of full disclosure, I do feel the need to tell you I was strapped to a man who was strapped to a parachute. So really, all went as planned on my skydiving adventure. 

What I did realize as people were telling me how crazy I was, though, is that the entire process can be transferred to any situation in which I ever feel fearful.

Step 1: Just Say Yes

As we make our mark in the real world, we’re going to be put in situations and given opportunities that scare us. I read once that if something scares you, it’s probably a good thing to try. Even if the opportunity doesn't turn out how you planned, that can be counted as one more time that you overcame your fear (go you!).

Step 2: Be Prepared

I jumped out of an airplane with every possible safety net (you know..besides not jumping out of the plane). I was strapped to a trained professional. He was strapped to a parachute. I like to tell myself there was a backup parachute, but I guess that can’t be confirmed. Part of overcoming the fear involves easing your mind with plenty of preparation. 

Step 3: Let Go of Control

Again, I was strapped to a trained professional. So if we’re being honest, I really didn’t jump out of anything. I had to let the professional completely handle the situation. It was out of my control. For most people (I’m definitely part of this ‘most’), this is the hardest part of a fearful situation. Whether it’s trusting other humans, trusting a system, or putting your trust solely in God, at times we just have to let go of control and trust.

Step 4: Cherish the Moments

Fear sucks. I won’t lie. But overcoming fear is far more beautiful than fear itself is ugly. Take the time to feel the fear, but—more importantly—take the time to feel the pride of overcoming that fear. Recognize your growth, and don’t be a afraid to toot your own horn!

Let’s be real for a minute. Raise your hand (or comment below) if you’ve ever been afraid. We’re twenty-something millennials who sometimes the world has no hope for. We pretty much have no clue what we’re doing, and we’re striving for experience any way we can get it. Pretty scary stuff if you ask me.

Fear can be debilitating. It can be an earth-shattering, nerve-wracking, frozen-in-your-tracks feeling. And that’s normal—healthy even! 

But we can’t live behind that fear. At least, we can’t live behind that fear if we want to go anywhere in life.

So when life gets scary, let’s just try to remember…one time, I jumped out of an airplane.

12 Thoughts Working Grad Students Have Daily (as Illustrated by my F∙R∙I∙E∙N∙D∙S)

We’ve all been there. We’ve all had the thoughts. We’ve all (hopefully) gotten to know Joey, Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, Ross and Rachel.

Well if you think about it, they’re the original six models of our lives as young adults. Who better to illustrate our common thoughts than the F∙R∙I∙E∙N∙D∙S we know and love?! Exactly. Nobody.

Do I have something due today?

I wonder if I'm doing this right.

I bet the professor won't grade this too tough.

If I get at least a <<insert lowest possible grade here>> on this assignment I can still pass.

Do I have something due today?

Oh crap, that project is due already?!

When can I go to bed?



Can't do this the night before? Challenge accepted.

Can I drink wine while I do this assignment?

Do I have something due today?

Wait, what did I get points off for?

It’s okay. I can handle this.

Share your other common thoughts, or even your favorite F∙R∙I∙E∙N∙D∙S memories below!