Winter Break - 10 Fun Things to do for Nontraditional Students

Hi again, Nontraditional Students!

I hope your Finals went well. Some of you are smack dab in the middle of them, and will be finished with them soon. Good luck! And I hope you all get GREAT grades.

And now? Some of you are having a breather between now and Spring semester. Are you going to spend it with family and friends? I hope you have a WONDERFUL holiday.

There are also some other things I would wish for nontraditional students to do during this break time. If they can... some will be delving back into work full-time, or may be going to Winter Term classes. For you example nontrads who "work and never shirk"... maybe you can take a couple of days off anyhow. I hope you can, because taking a break is good for you.

Here are some other ideas for this Winter Break time.

1. Double check your classes for next semester. Do you have your books and materials? Have you tested your online connection for your online class?

2. Take some time for relaxation. It's the perfect time to catch that movie, or even go shopping for some class-worthy clothing.

3. Pamper yourself (much like #2.) Sleep in if you are not used to it - and take a bath with some bubble bath or bath salts. Ahhhhhh!!!

4. Read a favorite book - - lounge around in jammies and slippers.

5. Take a vacation - - via plane or however you want. Some lucky nontrads will go to a warmer climate for a week or more.

6. Increase your "staycation" fun with museum visits, after-Christmas Deal Shopping, and eating out at least once. One good reason for shopping, the days after Christmas mean great deals for wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, tape, etc. etc. Often the discounts are 50% or more. Stock up for next year the smart way - - -NOW.

7. Do some organizing and/or clearing out of the proverbial "stuff" many people have around the house. Start with 15 minutes per day and work up to more. If you are a neatnik, and everything is already in its place, pat yourself on the back.

8. Connect with a friend or two. Have tea. Have lunch. Talk on the phone. The heavy lifting part of the holidays is over, and it may be a welcome time for your friend to take a break with you.

9. Count your blessings. For every experience, there is a lesson to learn. For those missing a relative for the holidays, be grateful for the time you did have together.  Write out what you are grateful for in your life, and refer to it whenever you feel low.

10. Take time out to help someone. Whether it is someone in your family, a neighbor, or someone you don't know, helping another person often takes your thoughts away from your problems or stresses.
It's a way of helping yourself feel better too.


I think that this is a very short list. I have not included going to the library, doing crafts with the kids, watching your favorite TV show, cooking for fun, making a movie, taking some photographs, painting, making jewelry, going out dancing or meeting friends, and a whole lot more.

What is YOUR favorite suggestion for nontraditional students after the holidays? Leave your comment below.

Betsyanne
Former WKU Nontraditional Student

Some Nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog Join Nontrads on Facebook Nontrads on Yahoo Nontrads on Twitter

Good luck on finals, nontraditional students!

Finals - here is wishing good luck to everyone taking finals right now!

I want to wish everyone good luck on finals. WKU, where I was a nontraditional student, has finals this week. Some other schools do, too.

Break a pencil! In other words, the best of luck to you.

Share your Finals experiences here at the end of this blog, as a comment.

I would love to hear how it is going, or how Finals went, AND how school went this semester.

I look forward to your comments.

Betsyanne
Former Nontraditional Student

And here are some of my other Nontrad links:
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo, and Nontrads on Twitter 

And just what is a nontraditional student? A nontraditional student is a student going back to school after a break. Remember: you CAN do it! :-)

10 Tips and Links to help you do GREAT on your Finals and Tests

Ten Study Skills Tips to Help You on Your Finals

This photo is clipped from an original photo by Kaplan International Colleges. Some rights reservcd.

Yup... it's soon to be finals time. At Western Kentucky University (where I was a nontraditional student), finals were very close to the end of the semester. This year they are December 12-16. Sometimes finals counted - a lot. Sometimes they were worth the same as a test.

What helped me? These tips and links did. I learned some of these in college during my teaching training.  I have also listed some other postings that may help you on your Finals too.

Tip #1. Study for each final well before the actual final. Split your time up between all of your classes.

Tip #2. Review all your class notes. Highlight terms your teacher or professor says are important. Use highlighter markers. These really make important thing stand out.

Tip #3. Retype handwritten notes to help you remember them even better. If you have recorded lectures, replay them.

Tip #4. Make test flash cards with important facts, dates, names, etc. on them. Use them to ingrain facts. Use them many times until you know these facts well.

Tip #5. Form study groups with fellow class members. Meet 1-2 times per week, or as many times as you can, before the final. Use study groups to help quiz each other and double-check facts and what you need to know for the exam. (I found that this tip helped me up my test scores by at least one whole point...)

Tip #6. Use mnemotics to help you remember important facts, terms, or theories. Associate each fact with a picture, part of the alphabet, etc. What is a mnemotic? Think of one thing representing another to help you remember things on your Final or test.

Tip #7. Take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep before each test or exam.

Tip #8. Use relaxation techniques to prevent test anxiety before the test. Do things like deep breathing, and telling yourself helpful things like "I can do this" and "I am prepared for this test" and "This test is going to go well."

Tip #9. Ask any questions you need of your teacher or professor before you have your test. Sometimes this can help by providing helpful pointers (like what will be on the test).

Tip #10. Attend every class - try not to miss any, especially any Test Review classes. Some teachers may actually zero in on what they think is important and what will be on the test.

Another tip: bring a working pen and sharpened pencils with you to the exam. This may save time and make you less nervous too. And just do your best.

What is YOUR favorite test or final exam-taking tip? Please list yours on this comments section.

Good luck on your final exams, nontraditional students!


-Betsyanne
Former WKU nontraditional student

Here are some more articles here that can help you on your Finals:

Websites and Tips to help you study for that exam or test
Get Organized for Finals
Clobber your Test Anxiety

Some more of my nontrad links: The Nontrad site and blog, Join Nontrads on Facebook,  Nontrads on Yahoo, and Nontrads on Twitter.

Nontraditional students: protect your computer from hackers.

Protect your computer from hackers and viruses

 

Have you ever been hacked online? A hacker can be trying to sell you something, or just wanting to mess up your computer. Whatever the reason, it pays to be careful and protect your computer. 

There are some good ways to protect your computer or email from being hacked. Here are some of them:

#1. Have an anti-virus program and firewall installed on your computer. There are free versions of many of these, and some are even free.  One free program (for PC’s) is Avast. http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download.

Two helpful apps for Macs that are also free are Sophos for Mac. http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-edition.aspx

and Clam www.clamxav.com. Find out more at the Kim Commando Security Center. http://www.komando.com/securitycenter/.

#2. Be careful what personal information you share online. Set privacy settings on your computer on your favorite sites, and don't give out your passwords or PIN numbers to anyone online, even if it looks like an official email. It could be a phishing scam to get information.

#3. Also be careful when opening attachments. They can contain a virus or malware.

#4. Change your passwords frequently (at least twice a year, more is even better) and use a good password.

#5.  If you are a blogger or have websites, look at the code and make sure your downloads or scripts from online are not letting hackers into your site.

#6. If you find messages on Facebook or other online sites that send messages to friends with your name, immediately change your password and consult the “Help” section of that site.

Sources / Learn more / Websites

10 Tips For Protecting Your Computer From Hackers And Viruses from Western Carolina University:

http://www.wcu.edu/10572.asp

How to recognize Phishing scams from Microsoft.com:  http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-symptoms.aspx

Create Strong passwords from Microsoft.com http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/passwords-create.aspx.

Protect your PC / Malware Defense / Update Software From Microsoft.com:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/protect-pc.aspx

Goucher College: How can you Protect your Computer?

http://goucher.edu/x36117.xml

Protect your Computer – from the FBI

http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/computer_protect/computer_protect

I hope you find these link helpful. 

-Betsyanne

Former Nontraditional Student

Leave your advice as a comment below.

And here are some more of my Nontrad links:
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo
Nontrads on Twitter

Four Biggie Steps for Success for Nontraditional Students

Nontraditional students crave success.  

Success in school, grades, relationships, for their families and friends, and success in their careers.

It takes more than wanting success. It takes a decision, a state of mind, organization, and lots and lots of work. At least it did for me.

Steps for Success - more about it

#1. Decide what you want to do. You'd be surprised how many people can't get past this step. And it IS okay to change your mind. Some do it lots of times!

Just look up your school advisement office or online pages about your field. Then make an appointment to talk in person with an advisor. Make yourself a list of what classes to take first, when they are offered, and prerequisites too (what you must take first).

If you can't decide what you want to do most, you can always narrow it down to a few and take an introduction class in each to get a better idea. OR read books about each field.

And another tip: be sure to avail yourself of all the help you can get at school and in nontraditional groups online and offline.

#2. Be positive. Is your glass half full or half empty? It also helps to say positive things to yourself. Some things you can say to yourself are "I will succeed" and "I CAN do this." Try saying one good thing to yourself for every negative thought you have. Hang out with postitive people that believe in you.

#3. Be organized. Take your assignment notebook with you. Review it daily. Always write down your assignments. Put down names and phone numbers of fellow class members for each class there too, so you can call them if you need to. Put your assignment papers in your assignment folder. If needed, have a separate notebook for each class.

#4. Hard work - it's something nontraditional students are usually familiar with in their "other" life.

In fact, many nontrads may be working full or part-time while they are back in school. Carve out at least 1/2 hour per class or more per day if you want to keep up. Take notes, review them, meet with other students in study groups, work on assignments so you won't have to rush the day before on them, and generally work, work, work if grades are important to you.

Of course, you may be the genius that never has to work hardly at all. But chances are you are like me, somebody who has to work hard to get a good grade in school.

Good luck to everyone in school and thinking about it! I hope these hints help you.

Nontraditionally yours,
-Betsyanne
Former nontraditional student


Here are Some of my Nontrad links:
The Nontrad site and blog
Join Nontrads on Facebook
Nontrads on Yahoo
Nontrads on Twitter