Study Tips!

Whether you just finished midterms or you still have a few tests to go,  these tips can help you study!  Check out these great study tips for your big tests from cengagebrain.  We know you will ace your big tests, and you will have a great break ahead of you!

1. Skim: On midterm eve, you may be tempted to open up your chemistry book and read every word of chapters 1-55 (each chapter being approximately 35 pages). Don’t! This is a waste of time. Instead, focus on chapter headings, footnotes, the course syllabus (the subjects listed on here are probably the ones the professor deems most important), study questions, and chapter reviews.
2. Don’t cram: On this same note, don’t wait until the night before your exam to begin studying for it. Instead, begin preparing now! A September 6, 2012 article titled “Prepare Not For College Midterm Exams,” posted on SayCampusLife by Matthew C. Keegan offers some great tips on time management so you can get a head start on your upcoming midterms. Setting aside study time, reviewing notes from class, and planning early will help you feel prepared, says Keegan.
3. Attend review sessions, study groups: You may be tempted to skip out on that review session or study group being held by your TA, but this could be a huge mistake. Most of the time, these study sessions cover the main exam topics, and TAs usually let more than a few exam questions slip during these meetings.
4. Enjoy the silence: If you aren’t attending a study session, find a quiet place where you can stay focused and uninterrupted — the library, an empty classroom, the park. Your dorm room may seem like the most obvious place, but have a plan B ready for when the distractions hit (and they will).
5. Disconnect: Facebook, Pintrest, Twitter, and email are all unnecessary distractions, so while studying, disconnect for an hour or so. You may be surprised at how much you can accomplish when technology doesn’t get in the way.
6. Figure out what will be on the exam: No, this doesn’t require any mind reading abilities, but it does require you to listen and pay close attention to your professor. A 2010 post by Jeremy S. Hyman and Lynn F. Jacobs for the U.S. News & World Report titled “8 Clues to Figuring Out That College Midterm” offers up ideas such as using old exams to study and giving that review sheet another glance.
7. Meet with your professor: Stop by office hours to discuss difficult concepts, ask questions about lecture material, or just to find out what types of topics the midterm will cover. You may be surprised at how much your professor is willing to share.
8. Stay healthy: During midterms, it’s easy to overindulge on junk food, up your caffeine intake, and basically suspend all personal hygiene (you won’t be interacting with anyone anyway) — never mind the fact that you have no time to make it to the gym. Don’t fall into this rut. Instead, schedule time for healthy meals and regular exercise, and don’t forget about that shower! You may just find that these breaks help you stay focused.
9. Take breaks: Consequently, a 12-hour marathon study session won’t do anything but make you crazy. Instead, take short breaks every hour or so, even if only for 10 minutes. Leave your study area when you do — that bit of fresh air may be just what you needed to clear your head.
10. Relaxation, preparation, and time management: It’s finally here! Midterm day! Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste. Instead, check out CollegeAtlas’ post titled “Test Taking Strategies for College Midterms and Finals” (i.e. using the restroom before the exam begins and not spending too much time on a difficult question) to help ensure that you go into your midterm stress free and ready to ace that exam!

Overcome the Winter Depression

Are you ready for summer?  Everyone across the United States is feeling the effects of this winter.  Here are some great tips on how to overcome that winter depression!  You can learn more at apartment therapy.

1. Smile. Smiling at our friends when we feel like frowning, really does make a difference for you and them.
2. Look outside at the sky. Even when it's miserable outside, spend time meditating by the window. Look at the bigness of the sky and think outside of the space and present issues of your house. (Both points 1 and 2 are coming from this blog post, a religious blog, but I don't think you necessarily need to be religious to agree that smiling and looking at the sky are great places to start.)
3. Remember, you can still go outside. Even though it is cold. Even though it might be snowing. Take a short walk with a friend or loved one.
4. If nothing is helping, go and see someone. Talk to a friend. See a doctor. It might be as simple as taking Vitamin D. But if you are feeling hopeless, anxious, depressed, have little energy, don't want to see people, are oversleeping, and are gaining weight you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder. It can be easily treated with light therapy and a management plan.

Sheet Washing Trick

Are you sick of making your bed and washing the sheets?  Here is a great trick that will let you wash your sheets less.  You can learn more at apartment therapy.


Ok. I'm going to admit a secret here....I use the flat sheet, but not the way I think it was intended. I make the bed with both the fitted and flat sheet, and then I sleep on top of the flat sheet until it is time to change the sheets (generally for about a week) and then remove the flat sheet and sleep on the fitted sheet for about the same amount of time.
 
Then I wash both sheets and start over again. It makes for less sheet washing, because instead of washing the sheets every week I only need to wash them ever other week!

Comfort Foods From Around the Planet

Do you enjoy comfort food?  Here are some great recipes from around the world.  Each of these recipes is considered a "comfort food" in their country.  You can learn more at The Kitchn.

TOP ROW
• 1 How to Make Fried Rice - China
• 2 Cuban Black Bean Soup - Cuba
• 3 Korean-Style Steamed Eggs - Korea
• 4 African Beef & Peanut Stew - The Congo and Ghana
• 5 Gluten-Free Dessert Recipe: Marking's Bibingka - The Philippines

Authentic Spaghetti alla Carbonara

MIDDLE ROW
• 6 Vegetarian Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) - Vietnam
• 7 Shepherd's Pie - Ireland
• 8 Lamb Korma - India
• 9 Authentic Spaghetti alla Carbonara - Italy
• 10 Slow-Cooked Boeuf Bourguignon - France

How to Make Baklava

BOTTOM ROW
• 11 Enchiladas Verdes - Mexico
• 12 How To Make Baklava - Greece
• 13 Sauerkraut, Potato & Cheese Pierogi - Poland
• 14 Thai Green Coconut Curry with Chicken and Zucchini - Thailand
• 15 Recipe: Salmon and Black Sesame Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) - Japan

A New Idea for Your V-Day Date!

Valentine's Day is coming up, and we want to know what you have planned?  Here are 11 great creative Valentine's Day ideas for you and your loved one. You can learn more here.

I don’t consider myself a romantic, so celebrating Valentine’s Day really isn’t my thing. It’s certainly one of the more popular romantic date nights of the year, and it’s obvious love is in the air that night.
If you and your partner have been together for a while, like me and my husband, and if you’re able to get a rare night out — you don’t want to spend it doing the typical. Say goodbye to the generic “dinner and a movie” dates, and make this year’s Valentine’s Day date one you’ll remember for years by doing something a little more unique. The romance will still be in the air, but you’ll have a better story to go with it.
Here are 11 Valentine’s Day dates that go beyond dinner and a movie:
1.) Recreate the first date you ever had together
First dates are always a little awkward, but chances are since you and your partner are still together, you made it past the awkward stage. Relive it all for Valentine’s Day without the awkward by recreating that first date. If you went to a movie, rent it and make out at home like you did that night. If you went out for dinner, go back to the same restaurant or one-up it by making the same recipe at home.
2.) Take a boxing class together, and throw punches
It’s kind of the anti-love date, but I bet the two of you will be laughing the entire time. The endorphins from exercising are a bonus, too. You may end up finding a new passion or, at the very least, you’ll lie in bed the next day and nurse your bruises. If you’re on the hunt for a good boxing class, read how to find a good gym on ExpertBoxing.com
3.) Give back some love by volunteering at a local charity.
Doing good always helps us feel better, and what way to both give each other the love vibes plus help those in need? Find a local animal shelter in your area that needs some help. And if you’re an animal lover like me, find a local shelter in your area at The Humane Society of the United States.
4.) Try your hand at funny!
If you’ve always been the funny couple in your circle, try your hand at comedy for real! Sign yourselves up for an amateur night of stand-up comedy. If you’ve never done stand-up comedy, be sure to read up on your performance first by reading 6 Tips for Performing Comedy.
5.) Rent your or your partner’s “dream car.”
Take your partner and your dream car you’ve rented on a weekend adventure, and enjoy the fast pace while reconnecting! You may want to check out something like Gotham Dream Cars to find something that will have all eyes on you.
6.) Play “Truth or Dare.”
Stay home, and play a fun game of “truth or dare” and see where the night takes you. Forget how to play? Brush up on your rules, and check out these must-ask questions for your romantic game for two.
7.) Change up your bedroom.
Spend the day shopping at home decor shops for upgrades to your bedroom. Take care of quick-fixes during the day, and then enjoy the new room in the evening.
8.) Play paintball, but in the dark.
It’s fun, exciting, romantic, and again, the exercise will get those endorphins rushing! You don’t want to actually hurt each other so be sure to read up on how to play safely while still having fun.
9) Do something scary!
Think about the one thing you’ve always wanted to do, yet seem to be a little too afraid to do. Think skydiving or bungee jumping! Who better to take that plunge with than your partner on the most romantic day of the year?
10.) Live it up!
Go out to a fancy bar in your best getup, and sip on a fancy cocktail with your beau. Try something new off the list of exotic cocktails and find your new signature drink!
11.) At-home art class!
Go to the art supply store, and pick up big canvases and all the paint you need. Spend the next few hours doing finger-painting portraits of each other, and laugh or marvel at the artwork you’ve created. Don’t forget to hang it in the house afterward!

Grown Up Tater-Tots

Are you craving that familiar food from your childhood? You can have grown up tater-tots that do not look like they come from a school cafeteria?  Here is a great recipe from The Kitchn.

Grown Up Tater-Tots

Serves 2 to 3

1 pound small potatoes, like baby Yukon Golds or fingerlings
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Italian parsley, finely chopped
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly scrub the potatoes and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until they are tender enough to pierce with a fork, but not browned. Let the potatoes rest for 10 minutes or until they are cool enough to handle.
Turn the oven up to 450°F. Using the bottom of a plate, a sturdy rocks glass, or measuring cup, smash the potatoes with firm, downward pressure. Squish each potato to about 3/4-inch thick. They will crack and split, but they should, for the most part, stay in one piece.
Brush or drizzle generously with olive oil, sprinkle with minced garlic, and place back in the oven. Bake until crispy and golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and parsley, and try not to eat the whole pan by yourself.

Learn more about the ASAP Program at ECU

East Carolina University is sponsoring an after school program for students in Pitt County.  This after school program directs children in physical activities through the Department of Kinesiology.   The children can participate in an activity, receive a healthy snack, and then work on their homework through this program.  ECU Health Fitness Specialist majors are the leaders of the after school program.   You can read more in the blog below.


At an hour when many children her age are sitting down to complete their homework, seven-year-old Mckinsey Burt tosses her book bag aside and sprints down a basketball court at East Carolina University.

ECU student Sam Sheppard, right, instructs Mckinsey Burt in an activity using hula hoops. Sheppard is a physical activity leader (PAL) with the ECU After-School Program.

Mckinsey is one of 15 children enrolled in East Carolina University's After-school Activity Program, where Pitt County children ranging in age from five to 12 years old enjoy directed physical activities in a safe and positive environment. At the same time, ECU students who work with the children learn best practices for presenting physical activities and fitness experiences.

ASAP is housed in the Department of Kinesiology and co-directed by ECU professors Rhonda Kenny, Matt Mahar and Grace Anne Vick. Participants pay a fee based on the number of days they attend.

"We flipped the structure of the after-school activity program so that children participate in supervised free play as soon as they arrive," said Kenny. Children receive a healthy snack and the opportunity to complete homework following participation in physical activity.

That structure has worked just fine for Mckinsey, said her mother, Colleen Burt, who is principal of Elmhurst Elementary. "One afternoon she cried when I told her she would not be able to go. That's when we knew that she loved the program," Burt said.

Burt said it is important to get children moving after school since the majority of their seven hours in school is sedentary, and that was the initial reason she and her husband selected the program. She added, "We spent two years trying different programs and just found that she disliked the routines and structure. My daughter became bored, frustrated and would begin asking not to go to after-school."

Laupus Health Sciences Librarian Marlena Barber also has a daughter, Alice, attending ASAP. She said she has seen a positive change in her daughter's behavior since beginning the program.

"I think that is because of the high level of activity and the positivity at ASAP," Barber said.

ASAP participants Jack Shinpaugh, right,, and Sean Raedeke join in a game as part of the after-school program.

ECU health fitness specialist majors in the College of Health and Human Performance serve as physical activity leaders, or PALs. PALs design age appropriate lesson plans that focus on physical activity and submit their plans to the site supervisor, Emily Pineda. Pineda is an ECU graduate student majoring in exercise and sport science with a concentration in physical activity promotion.

"Often students have so many creative ideas," said Pineda."I help PALs learn how to communicate an activity or game to children and the importance of focusing on a couple of objectives so that children grasp the idea."

ECU seniors Ashley Murchison and Deanna Conoscenti enjoyed working with the children as PALs last fall, earning experience that should benefit them in their chosen careers. Murchison said she appreciated learning how to work with a wide range of personalities."You must be able to adapt to effectively teach and play with all of the children," she said.

"This is the most experience I have received working with children," said Conoscenti."I enjoy developing games such as various relay races for children to complete."

"This experience is a great resume builder for students," said Vick."They learn responsibility and the importance of being a good role model." Vick served as a site supervisor for the program when she was a student at ECU.

The program was developed in 2007 to help provide ECU students experience in working with children, Kenny said. She said experience with this population is essential because many venues that offer employment opportunities for graduates – such as commercial and corporate fitness centers, YMCAs and wellness centers – now provide children's programs.

"We looked around and did not see a program with this structure being offered.We didn't want to just offer a class; we wanted to fulfill a need," Kenny said.

"We maintain the quality of the program by training our students how to plan and lead a group of children in appropriate physical activity.We have stayed true to our goal," she said.

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