Midterms Are Coming

Before you know it, your first midterm exam will be here.  Make sure to check out these midterm preparation tips ahead of time so you will ace your tests.  As a student, the earlier you prepare, the easier it will be to remember everything the day of the test.  Check out these tips and comment with any of your own tips you may have for midterm studies.

1. Get a good night’s sleep before the exam.

2. An absolute must if you can: get prior years’ exams and, with a small group of classmates, prepare point form sample answers to share among yourselves.

3. Review your notes to see all the items the professor indicated were important. In some cases, s/he might even have hinted at exam topics.

4. Take a quick scan of the course outline – make a note of the topics the professor seemed to spend a lot of time on, or otherwise emphasized.

5. Take a look at the assignments if there were any – see if you can find topics, skills or techniques that were emphasized, especially those after the mid-term.

6. Did the professor comment on areas of weakness on the mid-term? These sometimes reappear on the final.

7. Make a set of study notes from your class notes and the text. Writing them down in condensed format aids in recall during the final exam, and in some cases, helps you identify items you need to clarify with a friend or teaching assistant. Work with the group you formed to address point 2. If you like – this can increase the scope of your studying.

8. If there is a key item you need to remember for the exam, study it right before you enter the exam room. Right after the exam starts, write down what you know. A favorite is to list formulas (or dates?) that you need to remember. If you wait until you are freaked out by a difficult exam question, you might not remember them.

9. Make sure you have a meal that includes carb’s AND proteins before the exam. This will give you staying power. Take a granola bar and fluids to your exam desk if permitted.

10. In case you have forgotten the first, and very important point, get a good night’s sleep before the exam.

For more information see RP.

DIY Projects Made Affordable

Are you trying a new project in your college apartment?  New DIY projects can be expensive, but with these tips you can make sure any new project affordable.  Make sure to recycle, shop at sales, and refurbish old pieces to create your new piece for your apartment.

Choose CheaplyThe best DIYs are those which take trash and turn it into treasure. And by "trash" I mean hand-me-downs, flea market finds and ubiquitous big-box store pieces. Choosing affordable objects to makeover to begin with not only saves money, but gives you the freedom to take chances, change your mind, and mess up. If it doesn't work out the way you planned, at least you didn't invest too much in the process.

We have some great posts in our archives on budget DIY projects, so get searching and get inspired!

Beg, Borrow and Steal
Ok, so we can't really advocate stealing, but everything else is fair game. DIY can mean investing in a lot of equipment, some of it expensive, and some of it the kind of "affordable" extras that can really add up. Rather than shelling out for reusables like drop cloths, paintbrushes and tools, why not see if a friend or neighbor has any to spare?

When it comes to power tools or other expensive equipment, consider renting if you can't borrow. Your local hardware chain store probably offers this service, and for something you'll only use once or twice (say, a floor sander or tile cutter) it makes sense to cut down on cost, not to mention storage space. Bonus: renting tools often comes with support on how to use them properly, unlike a purchase, which can leave you reading the manual and scratching your head in confusion.

Know your Limits
One of the best ways to keep your DIY budget in check is to know when DIY isn't such a great idea. Online tutorials and crafty books are great, but they can only lead you so far in this game. Tackling a project beyond your skill level can lead to costly mistakes and professional re-dos, and spending more money than you ever planned. So think hard about where your DIY line is: wallpapering your bedroom? Adding shelves to your kitchen? Re-upolstering a beloved piece of furniture?

Before you entirely give up on that ambitious project, however, consider a few educational options to help it run smoothly: take a class at your local hardware store, or ask a handier friend to help you out.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Fundraiser to Combat Hunger

Title:	Check out this great event to help combat hunger.  This event will be held Thursday from 11:30am-2:00pm in hte Mendenhall Student Center Great Rooms.  Guests can purchase $15.00 tickets for a meal of soup and break with a handmade bowl.  The bowls are all created by ECU students and the ECU Ceramics Guild.  Check out more details about this great fundraiser below. Second Annual Empty Bowls event
Date:	Thursday 2/7/2013
Time:	11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Where:	Mendenhall Student Center Great Rooms (map)
Summary:	Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to raise money to combat hunger while reminding participants of all the empty bowls in the world. Guests purchase $15 tickets for a meal of soup and bread, along with a handmade bowl.
Details:	At ECU, the bowls are created and donated through the ECU Ceramics Guild, which is sponsoring the project along with ECU Campus Living and Dining Services. Local businesses are providing food and beverages. All funds raised will be donated to the Greenville Food Bank. “Empty Bowls is a wonderfully unique fundraiser that gives our community a chance to come together and help those in need,” said Sara Kurtz, president of the ECU Ceramics Guild.  “Service is a big part of the mission of the Ceramics Guild and we are thrilled to be a part of this event.” Bowls will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be picked up during the event. Tickets are $15, available through the Mendenhall Student Center ticket office. Guests may park in the lot outside Mendenhall Student Center. Local sponsors include Peasant’s Pub, Starlight Café, The Skullery, Winslow’s, The Tipsy Teapot, Starbucks, UBE, La Bendicion bakery and ARAMARK.  For additional information, visit www.emptybowls.net or contact ECU Campus Living at (252) 328-2834. For more information see ECU.