Finals Week!

 This is the most wonderful time of the year for college students!  Many of us have yearned for winter break since the beginning of this semester.  Unfortunately, we must tackle finals exams before leaving!  I want to share some tips to help alleviate your anxiety so that you can conquer finals week.

1.      Finding a study environment is the most important aspect of effective studying.  I understand the material and accomplish more by studying in an academic atmosphere. Going to the library or in your College’s building might help you focus more. It helps me cancel out all distractions and maintain my train of thought. 

2.      Find out your best study time.  If you don’t like staying up late, I would recommend studying during the day because you will be more alert.  I enjoy writing papers at night when everyone is sleeping because it makes me feel like I am not missing anything.  However, I have to do math during the day when I am more attentive. Finding what works best for you and dedicating your more difficult tasks to these study times will help you maximize your time.

3.      Scheduling breaks in between studying helps release some of my tension and helps me focus when I return to my work. Many students go into information overload while studying for various subjects due to stress.  I usually study for 1 ½ hours and then take a 30 minute break. At the end of the day you can have 12 hours of studying completed by using this system! 

4.      After studying I always recite the information that I have learned to a friend. Reciting the information to another person lets me know what I still need to work on.  Narrating the information with a student in the same class helps even more.

5.      Getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating healthy will also give you more energy to prepare for finals.

6.      I make sure that I implement a “don’t sweat the small stuff” attitude.  It is easy to let pressure get the best of you during finals week.  Acing our finals should be our main focus and we cannot let the petty issues get the best of us.

After you have studied the best you can, get your confidence up because you will have completed your first semester of college!  I wish you the best of luck next week!

Visit the Career Center!

There are roughly three weeks left in the Fall Semester.  Pretty soon you will have the first semester of your freshman year completed!  Choosing a major can be a challenging task.  The UNT Career Center provides quality individual career advising to help you declare the best major.  The Career Center’s mission is to assist you with other aspects of job searching including career exploration, resume/cover letter writing, interviewing, and job search strategies; more information is available at http://careercenter.unt.edu/students/index.html.  There are Career Advisors assigned to specific colleges/schools that will be ready to meet with you individually.  Meeting with the Career Advisors will help you choose the most beneficial field in your major.  The Career Center also gives an aptitude questionnaire to students who have not chosen a major.   Based on the results, the questionnaire tells you what majors match your strengths and/or interests.  Once you decide your major, landing an internship should be your next goal!

          Internships give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real world environments.   Potential companies show attention to students who take the initiative in seeking internships.  Research shows that eighty-five percent of companies use internships and similar educational programs to recruit for their full-time workforces, according to an article on career development advice from www.monster.com.  If you prove that you can add to the success of the company, employers may offer you a job right after your internship.  A great advantage of taking an internship is the opportunity to begin a career and start a network with your preferred industry.   In addition, your work ethic will improve, and you will become more confident in your abilities.  Internships also teach time management, discipline, and effective communication skills.   Experiencing an internship might also make you realize that a certain career is not for you.  Working in the industry of your chosen field can help you see if you are on the right career path.

The Career Center has an online job posting system, Eagle Network, which provides students and alumni access to part-time and full-time employment opportunities, and as well as information on upcoming events.  The UNT Career Center is located in Chestnut Hall, Suite 103. Don’t wait any longer, be proactive and call 940-565-2105 to make an appointment to talk about your career path!

Study Abroad!

Here at the University of North Texas we are all are striving to make a career for ourselves.  Nowadays, it is vital that an individual stands out in such a competitive economy.  Studying abroad will give you an international perspective of the business world and you can impress potential employers.  In addition, study abroad will help you intensify your intercultural awareness, international perspectives, personal insights, and self-awareness.

Last summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica for three weeks.  We focused on sustainable tourism and the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of the Triple Bottom Line.  Sustainable Tourism involves making decisions today that will not hurt or compromise future generations tomorrow.  My study abroad experience has helped me understand and appreciate how much educational, economic, political, and social systems can differ across countries. I am able to see situations and issues from more than one perspective, as well as understanding how US-Americans and the United States are viewed overseas.  Costa Rica is known for its natural beauty.  My classmates and I zip-lined in the Monteverde forest, went white water rafting down the Ticos River, and hiked up beautiful volcanoes and natural waterfalls.  

You should definitely take advantage of the many Study Abroad opportunities here at UNT. The Global Learning and Experience Center states that they offer students a chance to “discover other cultures and earn academic credit for study in another country-at University of North Texas tuition costs.” Students do not have to be foreign language majors or speak a foreign language to study abroad and most of the programs are conducted in English. Furthermore, you are allowed to use financial aid pay for the expenses. The Global Learning and Experience Center is in the Information Sciences Building, Room 206.  Stop by and check out the numerous study abroad programs. Studying abroad allows you to discover the meaning behind thinking local but acting global.  Getting out your comfort zone will increase your confidence in taking on new projects, roles, and responsibilities as a leader on campus and in the real world!

For more information, visit http://international.unt.edu/.

Be an Orientation Leader!

The Orientation Leader position is one of the most prestigious and rewarding jobs on campus.   For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to introduce the University of North Texas to over 7,500 new students each year.  If you enjoy being a positive role model and wish to enhance your leadership and communication skills I encourage you to apply!

Deciding to be an Orientation Leader was one of the best decisions I made while at UNT.  After experiencing my own Freshman Orientation I knew that I could be a really good leader.  I admired the Orientation Leaders for assisting others and being so knowledgeable about the UNT campus.   My goal was to let students know how much we welcome diversity.  My job responsibilities were welcoming new students and parents to the university, conducting small group meetings, assisting academic advisors, assisting students through the registration process, and performing in a “Life on Campus” skit.

Being a part of the Orientation Team helped me understand what it means to be a North Texan.  Although there are over 36,000 students at UNT, a North Texan feels at home on campus.  The environment is welcoming.  North Texans are friendly; we open doors for one another.   We are not afraid to voice our opinions and join together for a good cause.  It is typical to see many North Texans promoting fundraisers or free speech outside.  North Texans are for unity, humanity, and sustainability.  We know how to use the available resources that can contribute immensely to our success.  North Texans learn how to balance studies and extracurricular activities.

In addition to increasing your leadership skills and abilities, Orientation Leaders develop skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, and team building.  This job will make you more aware of UNT policies, resources, and help build relationships with faculty and staff which will help with future advancements.  

 Making connections throughout the university is critical for your success as a student.  The memories I shared with the new students and staff are priceless.  This job will give you the opportunity to make a name for yourself on campus!   The UNT student population is exceedingly diverse; we need outgoing and hardworking leaders who will accurately represent our school. The Orientation Leader applications are available in Union Suite 319 until Friday, October 29, 2010.  Apply Today!