Author: cawest1

  1. Home
  2. Author: cawest1

10 Tips to Help You Ace Your Finals

So you made it through your first round of final exams in the fall, but now it’s time to do it all over again! Although you survived last time, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the amount of studying you have to do, papers to submit, or group projects to finish. It is totally normal to feel this way as finals week approaches, just know there are steps you can take now to help reduce (some of) your stress. Below are my top 10 tips on how to help you ace your finals that I wish someone had told me my first year.

Read more

March (Midterm) Madness

Dear First Year Students,

The air is turning warmer, midterms are right around the corner, and your car is probably covered in a nice layer of pollen right now. Although the fear of tests is lurking around every corner, March can be one of the best months in Alabama. It brings perfect weather to head outdoors or just sprawl out on the Quad. Plus you are over halfway through the spring semester! Even though the weather outside may feel nice, the stress storm is on its way and it brings midterms and job applications. If you are going home for the summer, your parents may be sending hints that your favorite local places are hiring and if you’re staying in town the “now hiring” signs seem to pop up everywhere. It’s hard to relish in the beautiful outdoors with these things nagging in the back of your mind but trust me there is a way to get it all done.

Read more

New Month, New Stressors, New Strategies

Dear First Year Students,

It’s February and, although it’s technically the shortest month of the year, it somehow feels like the longest. Football season is over and the cold may tempt you to stay indoors which makes this month feel like a stagnant period. You’ve finally settled into your new classes, but just as you’re getting the hang of things, a multitude of new stressors have wriggled their way into your life. Suddenly, it’s time to start applying for internships and scholarships. Your friends have begun discussing roommate situations for next fall and many people have already signed leases to off-campus apartments. Juggling all of this in addition to the foreboding holiday of Valentine’s Day looming in the air can lead February to be an anxiety-filled month.  Having experienced all of these things, however, has led me to realize it’s not as bad as you think. Each of these problems and situations that arise in February is experienced by a lot of people and most importantly have solutions.

Read more

December: A Month of Mixed Emotions

Dear First Year Students,

Happy Holidays! December can bring with it a lot of mixed emotions. There is the excitement of the winter holidays approaching, but there is also the anxiety of finals that comes along with it. There are the positive feelings of being able to see family and hometown friends soon, but there is also the concern that things may or may not be the same when you arrive home for winter break. During your time at home you may have to deal with adjusting to old rules and routines that you haven’t had while living independently. Making those adjustments may potentially cause conflict with your parents or family. Navigating all of these feelings can be stressful, but rest assured that it is very normal to feel this way as the end of the semester approaches.

Read more

Thanksgiving Break – Family, Pie, and The Iron Bowl

Dear First Year Students,

It’s November, which means you are almost done with your first semester of college — wow, time flies! November also means that Thanksgiving is coming up. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. What’s not to love? You get to eat lots of turkey . . . and mashed potatoes . . . and pie.  Thanksgiving might also be the first time you’re going home since moving to Tuscaloosa. For a lot of you, I’m sure that is quite exciting. I was certainly excited to be back home. But there are also some challenges that may come up.

Read more