studenthacks.org

It’s amazing how much time we spend commuting to school.

As an undergrad, I would walk for almost 30 minutes just to get to my classes.

And as a grad student, I had a 30 minute commute by car - and then another 10 minutes to find parking.

I would literally spend about an hour a day commuting back and forth to campus.

And that’s why I tried various ways to stay productive.

Here are 7 productivity tips for your daily commute:

1. Listen to audiobooks or podcasts to expand your mind.
One easy way to stay productive while driving is to simply listen to audiobooks or podcasts that interest you. Expose yourself to new ideas and new subjects. You can also polish your foreign language skills by choosing podcasts or audiobooks in that language.

• LibriVox - Free audiobooks from public domain
• Project Gutenberg - Free audiobooks in 50 different languages
• iTunes University - Free podcasts from colleges around the world

2. Review flash cards.
When I was an undergrad, my walk from my dorm room to my classes was nearly 2 miles. I spent this time reviewing flash cards for my classical Latin and Greek language courses. Here are some great websites to download flashcards:

• Flashcard Exchange - the largest database of printable flash cards
• ProProfs - Free Flash Card Maker
• Flashcard Machine - create, study and share online flashcards

3. Set your goals for the day.
Take a few minutes to think about your goals for the week. If you’re driving, you can record your goals on a digital voice recorder, or use your phone’s voice mail system.

• Jott.com - transcribes your voice into an email or text message.

4. Critique and proof your papers.
If you take public transportation, pull out a paper you’re working on and start proofing. Don’t just look for grammatical mistakes, but also analyze the argumentation and structure.

• How to Proofread Your Paper - 8 Proofreading Tips
• Proofreading Your Writing - Purdue University

5. Review class notes.
It’s difficult to get any serious reading done while commuting, so that’s why skimming class notes is a great way to stay productive. This is only recommended if you walk to class or take public transportation.

6. Return phone calls and/or text messages.
If you owe anyone a phone call, then you could use this time to make phone calls. You could also take this time to call up classmates and set a time to study.

7. Practice breathing exercises.
An easy way to help you reduce anxiety and stress is to practice deep breathing. There are a number of other benefits — like helping you feel more awake, and helping you think more clearly. It’s a perfect way to spend your commute.

• 3 Breathing Exercises to Help You Reduce Stress
• The Art and Science of Breathing - Dr. Weil

How do you stay productive during your commute?

The Successful Student Series is an assortment of interviews with students who have worked hard and earned degrees from top universities. The purpose of this series is to learn about their study habits, college survival skills, and making the transition from college to career.

Featured Student:

Mona Ying Reeves

Undergraduate Degree/School:
UC Berkeley
BA in Architecture

Graduate Degrees/Schools:
Harvard University, Graduate School of Design
Masters of Architecture

[High School Questions]

How would you describe your study habits in high school?
I was diligent about studying, although a procrastinator too. On school nights, if I had 6 hours of free time to study, I would use all 6 hours while multitasking with other things such as talking on the phone or watching TV. But if I only had 1 hour, I would still somehow get it done. I was fortunate enough to go to a school where studying was a valued part of the culture, so not studying was not an option.

What types of extracurricular activities did you choose - and why?
I was part of a lot of clubs and tended to be involved with ones that had some sort of volunteer or service component. It was fun making new friends while also feeling like what you did helped make the world a little bit better.

Tell me about any goal planning or organizational strategies you used to get everything accomplished.
I tried to see the big picture in what needed to get done, whether it be writing a research paper or meeting deadlines for college admissions. Once you break down a goal into smaller, achieveable tasks within a timeline, then projects are a lot more manageable.

If you could go back in time - and redo high school all over again - would you do anything differently? And why?
I don’t really regret anything about high school, however if I was to do it again knowing what I know now, I would leverage my youth to learn about the world more. A lot of adults are happy to share information about career and life, and all a student needs to do is just ask.

What practical tips do you have for high school students who want to attend a top college?
Be yourself and learn to communicate that with others. I’ve met a lot of students who struggle because they are looking for someone else to tell them what to do. Top colleges look for independent thinkers who have something to offer to the greater society.

[College Questions]

What was the transition from high school to college like for you?
Fun and scary, all rolled into one.

How did you decide on a college major?
I had picked my major (architecture) back in high school because I was good in math and wanted to do something creative. While in college, I actually took as many courses outside of my major as possible, just to be sure.

How did you balance your academic life with social activities?
My program was centered around the design studio so I made sure all my free time in the evenings was spent there because I work best at night. Most students in my program did the same, so it was actually a very social situation to be in.

Did you take any internships in college - if so - what types?
Yes. I did one for the local merchant association and another during the summer before my final semester. That actually transitioned into a fulltime job upon graduation.

At what point were you thinking about graduate school - and did you know what program you wanted to attend?
I had a pretty good idea that I would be going to graduate school when I chose the college I would attend. By choosing a four-year program in architecture (vs. five), I knew that I would supplement with a 2 year master’s program in order to meet the standard of my profession.

Any tips for college students planning on attending graduate school?
Yes, take all your exams for graduate school while you are still in college. While it may seem like an extra workload, your test-taking skills are probably at its best as opposed to when you’ve been out in the workforce for a year or more.

Did you take time off between college and grad school?
Yes, I took a year and a half off to work in my profession before pursuing additional studies in it.

[Graduate School Questions]

What was the application process like applying to your grad program?
My grad school application process was very much like applying for college, except with more emphasis placed on a portfolio. Unlike college, you have a body of work to show already for grad school, so the challenge is to communicate it succinctly and in line with what you want to study.

Why do you think you were a good applicant to the grad program you applied to?
I applied to 3 grad schools and to my surprise, got into all 3. I think I was a good applicant because I had visited each school beforehand and was able to tailor my application to each.

Do you have any recommendations for students planning on going to grad school?
Research, research, research. Visit the school and talk to students in the same program. Also, ask for informational interviews from employers you may want to work for one day. Find out whether a particular grad school or program is even desirable from their perspective.

Aside from the academics, what was the biggest benefit of grad school for you?
Grad school was all about giving myself the time to learn how I work best by having a safe, encouraging environment to test ideas out in.

[Career Path Questions]

What was your transition like form grad school to your career?
Grad school is a microcosm of the professional world. It’s all connected.

Any recommendations for college grads making the transition to their first “real” job?
Use the job as an opportunity to learn about what you enjoy and want to do.

Any other advice for college grads getting their first job?
Keep your mind open and remember that interviews go both ways.

If you’re planning on participating in Rush Week, here are some tips to help you stay sane:

Don’t take Rush Week too seriously.
Please don’t worry about what other people say about you. Your sense of self can’t be determined by anybody but you.

Don’t commit to anything your first year.
If you’re a freshman, try to stay away from joining. You’ll make plenty of friends in the dorms — and you’ll need any extra time to focus on the books. If you feel like Greek life can benefit you, then consider joining next year. Besides, you can spend this year making friends with people at other houses to see which group you get along with best.

Don’t pledge blind.
Don’t join a fraternity or sorority until you really know something about the group. This means doing your homework. Ask friends and other people on campus about opinions of that particular house. Find out everything you can.

Don’t pledge a certain fraternity or sorority because your mom or dad once belonged.
Greek houses undergo massive personality changes from one year to the next. There’s no way your dad’s old lodge you heard so much about can be the same one it is today.

Beware of rushing alumni.
Sometimes if a chapter is having a difficult time, they might invite alumni or active members at other campuses to help out during Rush. If you’re being rushed by a house of thirty people, and there are only twelve people on the framed “yearbook” composite picture, get suspicious.

Here is a list of terms you should be aware of:

Active - a member of a sorority or fraternity who has been fully initiated into the group (as opposed to a pledge, who is not a full-fledged member).

Bid - an invitation to join a sorority or fraternity.

Chapter - the individual franchise of a national Greek-letter organization on a campus.

Depledge - to bow out of a sorority or fraternity before initiation

Fraternity - a group of men united in brotherhood, ideally for life

Hazing - a moronic practice of subjecting potential members of a group to various tests of endurance or humiliation. Thankfully, this is becoming obsolete on many campuses.

Invitational parties - these are longer and somewhat more elaborate than the open-house parties. The objective here is to provide smaller groups of rushees with a more intimate impression of the personalities of the individual house.

Legacies - close relatives of current and former sorority or fraternity members, whom that member’s chapter is basically obliged to accept.

Open-house parties - short receptions of about 30 minutes each, designed to bring every rushee into every sorority house on campus. From these brief encounters, the rushees are supposed to begin narrowing their choices a bit for the next round of parties, the invitationals.

Open Rush - a series of relaxed, informal parties after the main rush is over. The advantage here is that rushees have much more time, and much less pressure to make a decision.

Panhellenic Council - the group that regulates Rush (and all Greek) procedures.

Pledge - to join a sorority or fraternity. A pledge is new, but not yet permanent.

Preferential or Pref Parties - the final rounds of formal rush.

Rushee - someone going through Rush, who’s considering joining a sorority or fraternity.

Rush Week - a limited, high-pressure period when people in Greek letter fraternities and sororities recruit, or rush, new students in hopes of nabbing a good crop of pledges to keep their organizations alive and kicking for another four years.

Sorority - a group of women united in sisterhood, ideally for life.

Suicide - an all-or-nothing decision where some desperate person says, “If I can’t get into Fraternity A, then I’m not interested in anything else.”

Your college major is just one part of your college education.

You’ll probably devote only a third of your total course work on your major. And most of your time will be spent on general requirement courses and electives.

That said - your college major is important if you’re choosing a particular career field. And it’s also important if you want to get into a particular grad school program.

So here are some tips on what you should consider before choosing a college major:

Don’t choose a major until you’re absolutely sure.

The worst move is to choose a major without seriously thinking about it. It’s best to be “undecided” until you know for sure what major is for you. Sure, the academic bureaucrats want you to choose a major quickly, but don’t let them stress you out. Choose your major when you’re ready.

Talk with academic counselors.

If you know that you want to work in a particular career field — like law, health care, or journalism — take the time to visit with an academic counselor at your college. They are there to help you decide on classes and majors that will fit with your career interests.

Take a personality/career test.

Many career centers offer free testing to students who are trying to figure out a career field. Take these tests as soon as you can. You’d be surprised how revealing these tests are about what types of careers you should consider. Your unique personality type will work well within certain career fields, and these tests will highlight those careers for you.

Think of the long-range marketability of the major.

I strongly believe you should take college classes that interest you. And that you should choose a major you are passionate about. However, it’s also important to think about college majors that will help you with your future career. And if you’re planning on going into a grad program, you need to choose a major that will interest that grad school.

Consider minoring in the less marketable subject.

If you’re very passionate about Women’s Literature, then this might be a good subject to minor in. However, if you’re ultimate goal is to go to law school — consider majoring in political science, which will give you a strong background in public policy and help you later in grad school.

Think beyond your first job out of college.

No matter what career field you choose, think big when choosing your college major. For example, let’s say that you want to work in journalism after college. Well, there’s a possibility you’ll be in a management role within 10 or 15 years. And that’s why a well-rounded college education that included accounting, media law, and business administration would be important. So take courses outside your major because you never know what you might be doing 15 years from now. And if you want to be in a management or director role in the future, a background in business is always very helpful.

Recommended Reading

• How to Choose a Professor
• Application Timetable for Graduate School
• 8 Unconventional Student Research Projects
  

If you’ve ever had to take a test you weren’t prepared for - this article is for you.

Obviously, there are many types of surprise exams - and I’ll provide some advice for handling each type here:

Multiple Choice Questions
If you don’t know the answer straight away, here are some multiple choice question tips:

• If two answers are very similar, except for a few words, choose one of these answers
• If the answer calls for a sentence completion, eliminate the answers that would not form grammatically correct sentences.
• It two quantities listed are almost the same, choose one of them
• If answers cover a wide range of numbers (1.3, 100.89, 1000,89), choose one in the middle range.

True and False Questions
Even though you have a 50% chance of getting these questions right, they can be really tricky, so read every word carefully. Here are some tips:

• If any part of the statement is false, the entire statement is false.
• Look for words like all, most, sometimes, never, or rarely. Those are important qualifiers upon which the question depends.
• Absolute qualifiers like ALWAYS and NEVER generally indicate a false statement

Essay Questions
Write as if you expect your teacher to be tired, bored, and overworked. Make your essay well-organized and interesting - and you’ll win every time.  Just make sure you answer the question.

• Make a quick outline to argue your point (3 or 4 solid arguments)
• Get straight to your point - don’t write unnecessary sentences like “there are a variety of interesting points to consider when answering this type of question.”
• Start your essay arguing the best point first
• Answer common objections

*This post is inspired by a tweet sent to me from Arthus - who recommended an article like this be written. Thanks again for the recommendation.

If you have a suggestion for an article, please send me a tweet or email.

Here are some tips to help you on your next math exam:

1. Estimate first.
Before you start, try to estimate what you think the answer might be. Even a rough estimate will help you double-check yourself after you arrive at your answer.

2. Translate problems into something you understand.
When you study equations and formulas, put them into words. The words can help you see a variety of applications. For example: c^2=a^2+b^2 can be translated as the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the squares of the other two sides.

3. Perform opposite operations.
If a problem involves multiplication, check your work by division; add, then subtract; factor, then multiply; find the square root, then the square; differentiate, then integrate.

4. Make a picture.
When you are stuck on a complex math or science problem, try to draw an elaborate colored picture or diagram. Sometimes a visual representation will clear your mind and help you figure out a way to solve it.

5. Write down memorized formulas on your test.
Memorize any formulas you think you’ll need for the exam. Write them all out on your text the moment it gets handed to you. Then you won’t need to worry about forgetting them, which will help your anxiety level.

6. Check your work systematically.
Ask yourself if your answer makes sense. Are the units correct? Is your answer consistent with the parameters of the question? Check your formulas.

7. Write each number clearly.
Write your variables clearly so that you don’t confuse them with other ones - especially variables that look similar like 4 and 9; 1 and 7; x an y

8. Answer the easy questions first.
Begin answering questions that you know right away. This will build your confidence and help you focus your time and energy on the tough ones later. This is a good way to manage your time as well.

9. Show all your work.
Don’t skip any steps when solving math problems. This will help you proof your answers later, and help you avoid any logical mistakes.

10. Organize Your Calculations
Line up your numbers in each step. Use graph paper if it helps. .

11. Finish your test last.
Remain calm and relaxed during your test. Take extra time after you’ve finished your exam to check all your answers thoroughly. Plan on being the last person in class - and don’t worry about others finishing before you.

Any others you would like to recommend?

Please leave a comment . . .

As the new school year is beginning, it’s important to start setting goals for yourself.

The following guidelines will help you to set realistic goals:

State each goal as a positive statement.

How often have you been excited to accomplish a goal that didn’t even sound good when you brought it up? If you are not comfortable or happy with the goals that you have set, the likelihood of succeeding is pretty low. When you are beginning to set your goals, it helps to state your goal as a positive because it will have others seeing it as a positive as well.

Be precise.

Set a precise goal that includes starting dates, times and amounts so that you can properly measure your achievements. If you do this, you will know exactly when you have achieved the goal, and can take complete satisfaction from accomplishing it.

Set priorities.

When you have several goals, give each a specific priority. This helps you to avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many goals, and helps to direct your attention to the most important ones and follow each in succession.

By doing the most important first and moving to the least important in succession, you are enabling each task to be easier than the last. It causes the accomplishment of each task to get easier and easier, which will encourage you to complete your goals.

Write goals down.

In writing your goals down, you are better able to keep up with your scheduled tasks for each accomplishment. It also helps you to remember each task that needs to be done, and allows you to check them off as they are accomplished. Basically, you can better keep track of what you are doing.

Keep operational goals small.

Keeping goals small and incremental allows you more opportunities for reward. Derive today’s small goals from the larger ones you hope to achieve.

Set performance goals, not outcome goals.

You should take care to set goals over which you have as much control as possible. There is nothing more dispiriting than failing to achieve a personal goal for reasons that are beyond your control. These could be   bad weather, injury, or just plain bad luck. If you base your goals on personal your performance, then you can keep control over the achievement of your goals and get satisfaction from achieving them.

Set realistic goals.

It is important to set goals that you can actually achieve.  That’s why it’s better to work on smaller goals that lead to big goals.

Do not set goals too low.

Just as it is important not to set goals unrealistically high; do not set them too low. People tend to do this where they are afraid of failure or when they simply don’t want to do anything.

You should set goals so that they are slightly out of your immediate grasp, but not so far that there is no hope of achieving them. No one will put serious effort into achieving a goal that they believe is unattainable.

Achieving your Goals

When you have achieved a goal, you have to take the time to enjoy the satisfaction of having done so. Absorb the implications of the goal achievement, and observe the progress you have made towards other goals. If the goal was a significant one, you should reward yourself appropriately. Think of it like this, why would you choose to ignore any accomplishments that you have made?  In doing that, you are downplaying your accomplishment which will convince you that it wasn’t that important in the first place.

With the experience of having achieved each goal, you should next review the rest of your goal plans and see them in the following manner:

• If you achieved the goal too easily, make your next goals harder
• If the goal took a disheartening length of time to achieve, make the next goals a little easier
• If you learned something that would lead you to change other goals, do so
• If while achieving the goal you noticed a certain lacking in your skills, decide which goals to set in order to fix this.

You should keep in mind that failure to meet goals does not matter as long as you learn from it. Feed lessons learned back into your goal-setting program.

You must also remember that your goals will change as you mature. Adjust them regularly to reflect this growth in your personality. If goals no longer hold any attraction for you let them go.

Goal setting is your servant, not your master. It should bring you real pleasure, satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

The Successful Student Series is an assortment of interviews with students who have worked hard and earned degrees from top universities. The purpose of this series is to learn about their study habits, college survival skills, and making the transition from college to career.

Featured Student:

Paul Fang

Undergraduate Degree/School:
UC Berkeley
BA in Molecular & Cell Biology (Genetics)

Graduate Degrees/Schools:
Harvard University
Masters of Education

Arizona State University
Masters of Natural Science (Physics)

[High School Questions]

How would you describe your study habits in high school?
My father instilled in me the idea of work first, then play. This has been beneficial throughout my academic career.

What types of extracurricular activities did you choose - and why?
I was on the swim team for 3 years. I also did choir, journalism, speech, and Academic Decathlon. I knew colleges wanted well rounded students.

Tell me about any goal planning or organizational strategies you used to get everything accomplished.
I try to make the best use of my time. In school, many teachers would give us time in class to start our homework. I would always take advantage of that time to get my work done.

If you could go back in time - and redo high school all over again - would you do anything different? And why?
I would try to do some internships or shadow someone in their job. This would have given me a better idea of what I wanted to do in the future.

What practical tips do you have for high school students who want to attend a top college?
Find out what the colleges are looking for. Visit the schools and drop by the admissions department. Sometimes they can give you some insight as to why some applicants were accepted and some were not.

[College]

What was the transition from high school to college like for you?
I think I was already a disciplined student in high school. So I didn’t have too much problem with slacking off which a lot of first year students have because their parents aren’t around to tell them what to do.

How did you decide on a college major?
The Gourman Report is a book that lists the top majors of universities. Even a great school has good and mediocre programs. So I looked through the list of good programs at my school and picked one that interested me the most.

How did you balance your academic life with social activities?
I lived in the dorms and spent a lot of time with my dormmates. I was also active in my church’s fellowship group.

Did you take any internships in college - if so - what types?
I did research in a genetics lab and also did research for an education professor. Both experiences were very worthwhile.

At what point were you thinking about graduate school - and did you know what program you wanted to attend?
I knew I wanted to become a teacher around my junior/senior year. So then I started looking at graduate programs in education. I also talked to other students who had already been accepted into these programs.

Any tips for college students planning on attending graduate school?
Visit the school, talk to professors, and drop by the admissions department for that program.

[Graduate School]

What was the application process like applying to your grad program?
I submitted my academic records and took the GRE. I also visited the schools that I was seriously considering. At a couple schools, I made appointments with professors to chat with them about their program. Sometimes these professors are the same ones on the admissions committee, so if they know you, you have an advantage.

Do you have any recommendations for students planning on going to grad school?
Talk to the students in that program and in that field. Ask them what they like and don’t like about it.

Aside from the academics, what was the biggest benefit of grad school for you?
Meeting people who come from all different kinds of background. It allowed me to discuss and debate various issues.

[Career Path]

Any recommendations for college grads making the transition to their first “real” job?
Talk to people in the profession and ask them what they like and don’t like about their job. Ask them what skills and abilities are needed to succeed in that profession. Learn social etiquette and professionalism. Employers want people who will show up on time, are competent, and dress appropriately.

Any other advice for college grads getting their first job?
Don’t expect to start at the top. You may have to start at an entry level job. But be persistent and work hard.

The Successful Student Series is an assortment of interviews with students who have worked hard and earned degrees from top universities. The purpose of this series is to learn about their study habits, college survival skills, and making the transition from college to career.

Featured Student:

Cal Newport

Undergraduate Degree/School:

Computer Science, Dartmouth College

Graduate Degree/School:

Working on PhD, MIT

The interview follows:

What was the transition from high school to college like for you?

I had pretty terrible study habits in high school. I tried to be organized when I first arrived at college, but had no idea what I was doing, so ended up exploring all sorts of craziness — from mind maps to speed reading.

How did you decide on a college major?

Somewhat randomly. Seemed interesting to me.

How did you balance your academic life with social activities?

I’m allergic to overload. I try to take balanced course loads and keep my extracurriculars both light and flexible.

Did you take any internships in college - if so - what types?

I spent a lot of my off terms working on undergraduate research projects.

At what point were you thinking about graduate school - and did you know what program you wanted to attend?

This all happened my senior year. I decided that might be a cool lifestyle. I applied to some grad schools, wrote a book, and applied to Microsoft. In the end I choose MIT because I thought it would be the most fun.

Any tips for college students planning on attending graduate school?

Only two things matter: your grades and your undergraduate research. If you want to go to a top school, drop your other activities, drop your double-major, and focus on becoming a departmental standout. The admissions committee could care less how many months you spent building houses in costa rica.

Did you take time off between college and grad school?

No. Some students get burned out. I find this stuff fun.

[Graduate School]

What was the application process like applying to your grad program?

You write some essays, get some recommendations, send in transcripts. I took the GRE at some point. It’s all pretty low key.

Why do you think you were a good applicant to the grad program you applied to?

I had good grades. Good recommendations. And a good research resume.

Do you have any recommendations for students planning on going to grad school?

Focus on research, research, research. And do well in your major classes.

What do you plan on doing after your PhD?

The professor life is the one for me.

Can you tell me about your two books — and how they can help students?

I was tired of seeing student guides that were written with the goal of “surviving” college. They seemed to have a lot of filler about things like packing lists and credit cards, and the tone sounded too much like a cheesy motivational speaker.

My goal was to write college guides that were more like business books: direct, unabashedly focused on doing really well, and based on real experience.

For my first book, HOW TO WIN AT COLLEGE, I interviewed award-winning students (Rhodes Scholars, Marshal Scholars, etc.) from across the country. I distilled their wisdom into 75 pithy rules.

For my second book, HOW TO BECOME A STRAIGHT-A STUDENT, I interviewed 50 straight-A students from a variety of schools. I honed in on how they studied and produced the first detailed look at the academic habits of *real* students how do *real* well. It busted a lot of myths. The most surprising observation is that these students studied less time than many of their peers.

Are you writing another book right now? Can you tell us about it?

I’m finishing up a proposal for my third book. Whether or not my publisher picks it up is another issue. (Selling books is tough, the conditions and the idea and the timing all have to be just right.)

The most I’ll say about it now is that it less tactical like my previous two books and more big picture. It deals with issues of stress and burnout, and how to build a successful student career that’s also fun to live.

Thanks so much, Cal!

Check out Study Hacks - to learn more about Cal and to read his student productivity blog.

Here are some popular student hacks to help you get ready for the Fall semester:

How to Choose a Professor
Learn tips on how to choose classes and professors this semester.

Where to Buy Cheap College Textbooks - 29 Nifty Websites
This is a complete list of popular discount book websites to help you find cheap textbooks.

How to Organize a Cramped Dorm Room
Learn how students are organizing their tiny dorm rooms.

Free College Scholarships You Should Know About
Find creative ways to pay for your education with some free college scholarships.

How to Hack Google Scholar and Get Journal Articles By Email
Find out how you can use Yahoo Pipes and Dapper to keep up with current research on the topic you’re interested in studying this semester. This is an essential tool for grad students.

The Nuts and Bolts of Time Management
Get ready for the hectic schedule of balancing school with your social life by following these time management tips.