Catching Up!

Here is a short video to help you catch up on my absence and also catch up over the summer :)

http://youtu.be/09E7Fid4BsU

13 ways to get organized in 2013!

This year I resolve to....
did any of your resolutions include get organized? Maybe do better in school.  How about have better time management?  It is never too early to start getting your organization system, well, organized.  Hopefully today's post will help you get back on tract and in order for 2013.

1.      Mark your Calendar

Calendars and planners can work wonders in college!  Life becomes so much easier when you can tangibly see what you have to do each day at exactly what time. This is also something you can either carry with you or keep in your dorm; and in this day and age even on your phone or laptop. 

2.      Have a "Take-Home Folder"

I know this sounds childish but sometimes the simple things make life that much easier.  Buy a folder or binder you can put all your assignments, reminders, flyers, and schedules for your next class in.  When you get home at the end of the day you only need to pull out this folder and know exactly what you need to accomplish for your next class.  This also keeps all your current assignments in one place so you are less likely to lose them in your pile of older assignments.

3.      Have a Memo Board

A memo board is an essential to any college student's life!  A memo board will remind you of assignments, meetings, parties, numbers, names, and that your roommates needs you to take out the trash.  You can buy these fairly cheap at big box stores.  You can also make your own such as the personalized picture frame one I have posted on in the past.  Finally if you are lacking room or the cash for a physical board you can always use a dry-erase marker on your window, bathroom mirror, or refrigerator (preferably use whatever you look at the most; mine would be the fridge). 

4.      Organize your binders

Separator tabs, pockets, and labels are the hidden wonders that will make your class life a million times less stressful.  Picture it: a world where you know exactly where last week’s notes are in your binder.  Beautiful isn't it?  You too can have this perfection by simply putting together your binders for each class ahead of time.  The hardest part of this organization tip is actually sticking with it.  If you can maintain the willpower I promise you will be much more organized. 

5.      Set Timers or Alarms

If you are bad about dosing off on the couch or getting too into your video game then make sure you set yourself plenty of alarms so that you can get to your meeting places on time. 

6.      Have a spot for all your books

Designate a set spot to store all your books and binders when they are not in your backpack.  This will make it easier for you to keep track of all your class materials as well as be able to bring the correct items to each class (no more pretending your music book is your ethics book, since you couldn’t find the ethics book in the first place...)

7.      Book Hunt before Classes start

Many colleges either have a book store data base or pre-designated books for each class.  Try your best to find a list of the books you will need for the upcoming semester BEFORE the semester starts.  Once you have this list begin to prowl for these books online to get an estimate or even find the best deal.  Bookmark these links so that once the semester begins you can go back to check-out. (P.S. - Do not buy your books ahead of time unless your professor states otherwise; many times teachers will want another addition than is given on the class description and sometimes you're lucky enough to get a teacher who doesn't use a text book at all--CHA CHING!)

8.      Purge your computer

I don't know about you but my computer is slam full of papers, PowerPoint presentations, and bookmarks to citations for a paper long finished and forgotten.  Be sure to purge your computer of any unnecessary items such as saved stock photos, bookmarks, or insignificant assignments you don't need in the future.  Do save some items though, as they can be good reference tools later on!  I suggest buying a USB drive to keep all your assignments from the past; this will preserve them but remove them from your computer's precious memory.

9.      Print your schedule & keep it

It is difficult in college to immediately adjust to a new schedule.  I find it easiest to simply print or write a small schedule to keep with me that has times, days, room numbers, and the teacher's name.  This helps me remind myself quickly and easily where I am going and when.

10.  Inform others of your schedule ahead of time

If you have a job, are in a club, part of a team, or have a busy family be sure to let these people know your new schedule before you start the semester.  By informing others of your schedule before the new semester starts you can be sure they know your availability. 

11.  Restock on Supplies

Once school gets back in there will be a Wal-Mart rush for pens, paper, binders, and all the essential school supplies.  Save yourself the trip and stress by stocking up now.  Another added bonus of this trick is that you may snag some on-sale Christmas themed pencils and pens! 

12.  Clean your workspace

If you are like most college students you spend many hours at your desk.  A great way to get ready for the new semester is to clean up your work area.  Dust, wipe, and spray away all the grime and bad memories of past assignments as you make room for the new semester.  Also be sure to organize and clean out your desk drawers so that there is more space and less clutter to stress you out.

13.  Create a schedule for yourself

Begin to plan how you will change or improve your personal schedule.  Write out a general plan such as

8-3 Class

4-5 Dinner

6-8 Homework

9-10 Work out/Bed

This skeleton frame schedule will help you stay on track with studies and life.  You will have a general time frame to go by allowing you to plan other activities and be sure you stay on top of your studies.

Like I said earlier; it is never too early to start organizing for a new semester. So start now and start strong on those resolutions; you won't regret accomplishing them!

Saving Money on College Christmas Shopping

Here are a few easy tips to save a few dollars during the holiday season.  Hope these help keep some cash in your pocket and help keep you sane during this crazy time.  

Spend now...Save later

The rain got me thinking on some items that may empty your wallet now but save you time, money, and heart-ache later.  Hope it helps!!
(P.S.- Sorry for the terrible video quality, hopefully I will soon be investing in a good webcam!)

Suggestions?!

Hey Everyone!

So I have a few ideas rolling around in my noggin but nothing I want to publish yet so I would like to know what posts/questions you have.  Email me as pmcandrews.troy@gmail.com with any questions, comments, and ideas you want for a future post and I will try my best to fill everyone's request at one point or another.  Hope to hear from you guys soon!

~Paige~

Local Library = Movie Central

2 posts in 2 days?!  Looks like I have a lot of time on my hands; or maybe just a lot of ideas flowing.

So I recently visited the local library in Troy since they had moved to this fancy new building; I was quite curious to see what all the fuss was about.  I came to learn that the library not only housed a huge array of books but also media!  After seeing the DVD section I was convinced I had to get a library card.  I also found out that university students got a discount on the card.  So for $10.00 I have gotten more than my moneys worth in movies!  All too often did my roommates and I want to have a movie night and split the 3 dollar Redbox cost for 3 possibly decent movies.  Now I just run to the library and pick up nearly any popular title.  Now I know what you're thinking, "It's a library.  The only DVDs they have are history channel documentaries."  I believed this too be true as well until I saw with my own eyes that our library had a great selection to choose from.  They even have Blu-ray DVDs too if you like some higher definition movies!  

Thus far I have picked up titles like:

• Corpse Bride
• The King and I
• Indiana Jones (they have all of them)
• Mirror Mirror
• Coroline
• The Indian and the Cupboard
• The King's Speech

And this is just what I have picked up in 3 weeks!  They have the whole Harry Potter and Twilight series, many kids movies if you are looking for a heartwarming throwback, chick-flicks, horrors, comedies, and so much more.  I really recommend you check out your local library!  Even if you are not into reading you may find a cheap alternative to BlockBuster.  I assume that most university towns have larger libraries that will more than likely have a good media selection.  Also, as I said earlier, cards are fairly cheap ($20.00 at the most) and, at the rate I have estimated, defiantly worth the money.  A final reason why the library alternative is better is that the rental time is 3 days.  Redbox is a 1 day rental for $1.00 so if you are late getting it back you are charged.  With library movies you can be delayed 3 days before you are charged, much better on my busy schedule!

I hope my testimony has convinced my fellow students to check out their local library and maybe find more than just a bunch of books ;)

Holiday Giving in College

Here are a few other holiday charities to check out if you are wanting to possibly give this season :)

Kiva: an organization in which you buy a loan ($25.00 minimum) and choose an individuals from around the world that you will give your loan to.  This is the charity that never-ends as your loan will be paid back to you and you can then choose another individual.
http://www.kiva.org/

Heifer International: an organization that allows you to buy animals, crops, or food/water for those without.  Those who recieve your gift also get training on how raise and care for their animals and plants and must promise to give offspring of their gift to a neighbor so that the help can be passed on.
http://www.heifer.org/

Toys for Tots & Operation Christmas Child: both organizations dedicated to giving children gifts for christmas who would not otherwise recieve anything for the holidays.  Toys for Tots is maintained by the Marines of the United States and just requires an unwrapped gift.  Operation Christmas Child is a Christian based organization in which you fill a shoe box with toys and gifts for a child in a third world country.
http://www.toysfortots.org/
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

Santa for Seniors:  this organization can be known by many names and is usually run by the local hospice in the area.  It requires participants to buy any items listed by an elderly recipient.  these items are ones that the recipient needs for health and comfort in old age.  The lists are often simple and simple items such as socks, blankets, adult diapers, and slippers.
(this website is for the local Santa for Seniors in my area; be sure to look for the organization near you)
http://www.sarcoa.org/content/content.cfm?coid=234

Food Pantry: There are plenty of these in any city and most universities, franterities, sororities, and student organizations support these during the holidays.  Most ask for non-perishable items such as canned goods or dry goods.

Wounded Warriors & Christmas for the Troops:  many organizations ask for either monetary or specific gifts to give back to our troops who are wounded, abroad, and retired.
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
http://www.supportourtroops.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=2922


Other organizations that my not be nation or world wide but rather locally:
Donating food and items to your local humane society
Donating spare change to donation boxes or to organizations at a CoinStar
Donating clothing or items to charity stores such as Goodwill or Salvation Army

Hope all these options give you the opportunity to give back this holiday season so that you and many others will feel the joys the holidays bring :)