How to actually be productive in the library. For college students, the library is the hub for printing and copying papers, looking for scholarly sources, and, of course, doing homework. Being productive in the library, however, can be challenging: distraction, procrastination, and exhaustion are usually associated with the library. Even the most dedicated lib-goers (library-goers) sometimes struggle with finishing all of the work that they had set out to do when they arrived at the library in the first place. Being a frequent lib-goer over the course of my undergraduate career, I have compiled a shortlist of what to do -- and what not to do -- in order to make the most of your time in the library. Do... Be organized. Before starting your journey to the library, decide what you want to work on and what you want to accomplish. What homework is due the soonest? When is that test I have to study for or the due date for that paper I have to write? Asking yourself these sort of questions will help you prioritize your work. Prioritizing, along with figuring out how much time you have to spend in the library, will help you determine what to work on as well as what books and notes you’ll need to bring. Take care of yourself. The library is normally associated with stressful cramming and long nights of studying or writing. There are many ways to ease your stress and boost your morale. Listening to music, taking periodic breaks, and eating snacks are quick fixes to stay focused and get as much work done as you can. Utilize the café. If your library has a café, be sure to take advantage of it. The lib-caf at my school is my favorite place on campus because of the social yet productive atmosphere. The café is a great place to work on group projects because, unlike the rest of the library, talking at normal volume is encouraged. If you work best with background noise, no other on-campus space beats the lib-caf! Work with friends. Going to the library with friends is a great way to keep yourself motivated. Your friends make sure you’re staying on task and won’t be afraid to call you out if you keep procrastinating or talking too much. It’s also comforting to have friends with you while you work to remind yourself that you’re not alone. Doing homework is stressful, but knowing that your friends are in the same boat as you may ease your stress and provide an outlet for talking about the workload. Don't... Overwhelm yourself. Thinking about all the homework you have to do is stressful. Instead of thinking big picture, try breaking down your homework by class, time commitment, or due date. Which class do I have the most homework for? How long do I think it will it take? When is it due? These questions are essential for prioritizing your work and avoiding getting overwhelmed. While it is good to try to get as much done in one sitting as possible, you also have to think realistically about how much can actually be done. Over-caffeinate or under-sleep. While it might sound tempting, drinking too much coffee or losing sleep in order to finish all of your work won’t pay off in the long run. Neither practice is healthy for you, and oftentimes, you end up producing poorer quality work when you overdose on coffee or underdose on sleep. Aim for 1-3 cups of coffee and 8 hours of sleep per day in order to maximize productivity. Talk too loud. Despite serving a wide variety of purposes, the library is still a library. Whether you choose to sit in the café or elsewhere, you must respect others around you. Being surrounded by other stressed-out college students makes it difficult at times to remember the library’s rules, but always keep this one in mind to avoid being asked to quiet down by a librarian or fellow student. Get too distracted. Between music, breaks, snacks, and friends, staying on task at the library is difficult. If you find yourself procrastinating too much, try recalling what needs to be done in order to refocus your attention on your homework. Setting specific time limits on your breaks -- as well as how often you get to take them -- can help you focus as well. As for music, jazz and classical are common genres that students listen to when they need to remain motivated in order to meet the homework goals they set for themselves. The library is a popular study area for much of a college’s student body. By staying on task, keeping organized, and using your support system of friends, success at the library is entirely possible! WRITTEN BY Kelly Vena The College of New Jersey Kelly Vena is a senior at The College of New Jersey, where she is finishing up her English major and Communication Studies and French minors. She has worked as a marketing intern at Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers, the high school textbook branch of Macmillan Learning, since the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Kelly has been a writer since her senior year of high school, and her poetry has appeared in two publications as well as multiple editions of TCNJ's literary magazine. ... View more

Beware and be prepared! Whether you’re just starting college as a freshman, or are a rising senior like me, the summer is when we start thinking about what we will need on a daily basis once we return to campus. It’s like packing for a trip—you’re bound to forget something really important that you never realized you needed until you didn’t have it. Not to mention, forgetting things or bringing the wrong kind of item can lead to a lot of re-purchasing, which is hard on a college student budget. At least, that’s always how I feel. In order to prevent this, I created this survival kit of five things that I truly cannot live without in college. Gift cards Whenever I go back to school, I realize how expensive it can be to commute on and off-campus. Plus, not everyone is able to have a car at school, so in my experience, the college student Uber bill can become costly. This is why one thing that I cannot live without is Uber gift cards. You’ll never realize how much they come in handy until it’s 2 a.m. and you’re stuck on campus with your friend offering you a blanket to sleep on because you don’t want to spend the money to get back home. So, if you need any birthday, graduation, and celebration gift ideas, think about asking for Uber gift cards next time. You can use them in desperate moments without having to stress about transportation finances. Pro-tip: Always ride smart and safe with Uber, though! Starbucks. Gift. Cards. (Or, Dunkin’ Donuts, or really any coffee shop on campus or near your school). Pretty much every college student I know drinks coffee at some point during their college career. And, there isn’t always a cheap option on campus. At Wake Forest, I can visit Starbucks shops on campus and even in the campus library. As a result, a free mid-study pick-me-up is a necessary treat every now and then. Travel mug A medium-size travel mug can be your best friend in college. It’s such a simple idea and if you bring it around campus with you every day in a bag or backpack, you can fill it with coffee, water, tea, etc. This way, in a pinch, you can fill up and hydrate or caffeinate. Best of all, this is really great for the environment and your budget. By using, washing, and re-using, you can eliminate a lot of plastic waste and save money purchasing a one-time use cup or water bottle. The ultimate shoe Now, this may seem oddly specific, but it is something that every college student needs and rarely ever has. Rain boots and sneakers are great, but in my opinion, the ultimate shoe is a shoe that is: Comfortable: No exceptions! You should have a pair of shoes that look great but can also take you on a 25-mile journey in one day without hurting you. I know it sounds impossible, but you can find one that meets this requirement. It may take some digging in shoe stores, but you will thank yourself later.   Fashionable: This same comfortable shoe should also be cute in your opinion, so you’re more likely to wear them for both comfort and style. This pair of shoes should also go with a variety of colors, styles, and outfits. For example, for men’s clothing, they should match with shorts, pants, khakis, jeans, and sport shorts. For women’s clothing, they should work with a dress, pants, shorts, patterns, and plain fabrics. You will thank yourself during those early morning class wake up calls because you’ll have one pair of shoes to slip on without a second thought.   Relatively new: This is a really important aspect of shoes that people, especially college students, forget. Shoes are meant to support your feet! If the shoes are too old, they will no longer have the traction and support on the bottom of the shoe that keeps you pain-free. Even if your feet do not hurt, old shoes do not support overall foot health. As a result, you should replace shoes that you wear a lot, especially walk far in, after a couple of hundred miles or so because this will keep you moving strong.   Somewhat waterproof: While this “ultimate” pair of shoes doesn’t have to be waterproof, it is helpful to buy a pair that lends itself to bad weather. For example, if you find a cute, comfortable, new walking shoe that is made of suede then you probably can’t rely on them during a day with rainy weather and, therefore, you’ll either ruin them or wear them less frequently. All of these tips that create the “ultimate shoe” will keep you looking fresh, feeling comfortable, and moving fast on the day-to-day busy college schedule. These ideas will also help you save money because you have tons of variety in one shoe. Therefore, you won’t have to buy as many pairs to create outfits and won’t have to replace them as often. Best of all, though, the ultimate shoe makes you unstoppable and confident. An outdoor/indoor blanket I love this idea because it combines two uses into one, saving you space in the car or on the plane or train while en route to school. An outdoor blanket comes in handy if your friends want to hang out in the park, go to a concert, or do homework outside. It can also double as a yoga mat, sleeping bag, and regular blanket. Whether inside, outside, or both, you will always have a place to sit, which isn’t always a given in college. A top-notch umbrella & raincoat These two items are a little more practical for college, but they don’t come cheap. It’s worth it, though, seriously. I highly recommend buying a good quality umbrella and raincoat for college because there will always be those moments when you have to walk 10 minutes in the pouring rain to get to your next class on time. When that happens, you’ll realize that the extra expense was worth it because a cheap, “water-resistant” raincoat will not help you—at all. The same idea goes for a nice umbrella because the cheap ones that you can buy off of a street corner will break almost every time. As a result, one expensive umbrella purchase that lasts throughout your college career will actually save you money over the many cheap umbrellas you buy and then have to replace over time. If you bring these five must-have items to college in addition to your bedspread, books, and clothes, you will be moving quickly and easily while also saving money and keeping your body comfortable. These simple ideas are meant to keep you calm in moments when you could otherwise feel unprepared or exhausted because let’s face it, both are very common in college! WRITTEN BY Allison Curley Wake Forest University Allison is the Summer 2019 Editorial Intern for Worth Publishers (Psychology) at Macmillan Learning and a rising senior at Wake Forest University. When she’s not reading for fun or for her Bachelor’s degree in English, she’s probably spinning to the song “Move Your Feet,” a timeless classic. She also loves writing, especially about food and fitness, which you can find here or on Spoon University and Familyproof.com. ... View more

A message from those who made it. Dear Stressed Out Student, I am writing to you today to help you get through that point in every semester when it seems that all your professors plot together to give you an exam, project, and assignments due in the same week in every single class. Luckily, there are some ways to prevent getting overly stressed out during this inevitable week of pure horror. Organize Using an app like myHomework Student Planner will help you organize all scheduled assignments and exams. Organizing tasks most likely will help you feel like your workload is under-control and less stressful to think about. Prioritize My advice is to prioritize all the big-ticket items first (term papers, group projects, final exam prep) and leave the small-valued assignments to the end. Prioritizing helps remove the need to rush to finish something that has a heavy weight on your final grade by devoting your time and energy to the more important tasks. Plan Ahead Busy the weekend before a big exam? Plan ahead some time to study before your weekend plans so you aren't cramming the night before. Space out your study time over the course of a week to allow a proper understanding of the material. Allow yourself breaks Taking breaks from any task is valuable in retaining focus, as found in a 2008 study on retention rates. Giving yourself 15 to 30 minutes breaks will help you stay focused for longer periods of time. Use this time to eat, nap, or exercise to free your mind. Don't overstudy You may feel the need to overstudy but it could have negative effects on your studying ability. Overstudying can cause you to easily lose focus, increase in anxiety, and the inability to sleep due to an overactive brain from stress. Once you feel like you have a deep understanding of the topic, stop studying, and take a break. Don't procrastinate Not procrastinating is easier said than done, but it's the easiest way to prevent stress. Give yourself personal deadlines of when you want something due and then reward yourself with candy, take-out, or an extended nap. It took me 3 full academic years and a few sleepless nights to figure out that not leaving all papers and tests to the day before is an effective way to do well in college. Don't be like me; start being productive early to get into the right kind of habits. Sincerely, The Ones Who Barely Made It Out Alive WRITTEN BY Rebecca Connolly Hofstra University Rebecca is a senior marketing major at Hofstra University. Originally from Colchester, Connecticut, she loves exploring New York City and finding all the best food. You can usually find her anywhere that serves pizza, buffalo wings, or chocolate milkshakes while panicking over her post-graduation future. ... View more

You're a celebrity! You're a star! You're a...fish? "Life in a fishbowl" is a common phrase known among the Residence Life departments all across the nation. The phrase encapsulates the kind of life a Resident Advisor/Assistant (RA) experiences in their college career. "Life in a fishbowl" means that as a leader and representative of the school, your words, actions, and decisions are noticed by everyone on and off-campus. To a degree, it's like being a celebrity; you're well known, looked up to, and highly recognized among your peers. As mentioned in a previous article in this series, RAs wear many hats, the most valuable of which is being a role model and following through on the policies they enforce. Personal Life and (Para) Professionalism When living in a fishbowl everything you do in public will be noticed, but you also need to remember that you're in college too! So long as school and legal policies are followed, living in a fishbowl does not mean your personal life is non-existent. However, because you are "on" almost 24/7, you need to find a yin and yang balance between your personal life and *paraprofessional one. If there is a party in a freshman dorm with alcohol, 9 out of 10 times it's a dry hall (dry meaning no alcohol is allowed in the building) and therefore you should not attend. If you are out dancing, have a great time! Just make sure you're not sloppy by the end of the night. If you had a bad day, don't start giving your residents' attitude or ignoring them when they really need help. You're their leader and resource, and helping your residents is the genesis of your whole job. There will be situations that are tougher calls but if you feel unsettled by the idea, more than likely you may want to go with your gut or ask your Resident Director (RD) for advice! Your Social Media Footprint Being conscientious of your social media profiles is exponentially important. In an age where social media can sometimes make or break a person's career, it is highly important your profiles are held to a certain standard as you represent yourself and your thoughts online. This is true for everyone, RA or not; if you are not wary of what you post on social media it can be used against you. In my experience, 90% of the RAs fired during my time in Residence Life were fired because of something they posted or someone else posted of them on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter. There are always people watching and the reality is that there can be one person who will take an incriminating post you made and send it to your boss whether in Residence Life or later in your professional career. Here are a few tips to staying social media savvy: If it's a personal account, put your settings on private. Do not bad mouth your institution online (and quite frankly, not allowed either). Whether you agree with a policy or not, as an RA you represent your institution. You are entitled to your own opinion, but voice it in a respectful, eloquent manner. Do not put yourself in an incriminating position. In the age of camera phones, anything can be caught on cam. Think before you post. If you're a selfie queen, by all means, do you. But be aware of your background and anything that could arouse suspicion. Admittedly, being an RA is not your "average" college experience but it better prepares you for your post-graduate career and can even put you ahead. While it does sound overwhelming (and sometimes it is), remember that your staff is going through the same thing; you are not alone. Being an RA at a college institution is a safe environment to learn and make a few mistakes. You will be just fine if you follow your own common sense. Even if you're not an RA, the advice in this article will still apply to you too. When applying to jobs, an unflattering social media footprint can be damaging or hurt your chances. Though it is important to be aware of your actions and posts, mistakes come and go. The metaphor of "life in a fishbowl" is just a warning label to proceed with caution. At the same time, no one can expect perfection and a mistake isn't a period nor an ending; it's a part of growing and learning which is what college is all about. *RAs are considered paraprofessional trained student leaders. WRITTEN BY Alyssa Del-Valle Macmillan Learning With a BA in Communications and Music and a "Mouseters" in all things Disney, when not writing fabulous articles this native New Yorker is either making up songs in her head about her daily interactions, practicing voice overs for the next hair care commercial, or munching on Doritos she couldn't resist grabbing at her local bodega. The purple bag is hard to resist. ... View more

Looking for an internship? Follow these tips to help land the job!! Do you want to get an internship but have no idea where to start? Do you automatically assume that your lack of experience puts you at a disadvantage? It's easier than you think! Follow these tips to help prepare you to find and land the opportunity you've been waiting for: Create/Update your LinkedIn Account LinkedIn is an essential website for your professional career. Not only does it list available jobs in specific categories but it will also recommend jobs that are relevant to you. Your profile allows you to highlight your career goals, your interests, and some of your proudest accomplishments. Employers can see your past experience and that you are ready to advance in your career. It's also helpful to get in the habit of checking your account every day because a prospective employer might message you! I applied to my internship through LinkedIn and I heard back from the HR department the next day! Take Advantage of the Career Services Department at your College or University Most colleges and universities have an entire department dedicated to career services and alumni relations. Through this department, you can create a resume and cover letter, discuss networking opportunities, understand the interview process, and even begin to search for internships. I made an appointment and was given information about a career fair that was coming up which allowed me to meet with different job recruiters. Did I mention this is a completely free service?! I recommend making an appointment today! Keep a very open mind and apply to anything and everything! I think of the biggest mistakes a person can make is not applying to a job opportunity they want because they think they will not get it. Search for jobs in the area you are interested in and apply, apply, and oh yeah, apply. Although you may not hear back, that means is that there is a better opportunity for you to find! The more jobs you apply to, the better chance you have of hearing back. Interview Prep is Crucial! Always prepare for your interview by researching the company to understand the expectations of the job and prepare questions. Practicing interview questions with a friend can help you be well-spoken, confident, and prepared. Bring a copy of your resume and other materials, such as a writing sample, that could highlight your qualifications for the job. Always remember to send a thank you to everyone who was involved in your interview once it's over. But the most important advice I can give you is to be yourself. Interviews can be scary but remember that you deserve to be there. Create that LinkedIn account, research several jobs, finish those cover letters and resumes, and of course prep for that interview. If you take the time to do all these things, then your lack of experience will not be the main focus. All these tips require you to do the work but it will pay off in the end, good luck! WRITTEN BY Alicia Casamento Syracuse University Alicia is a student at Syracuse University who likes to take long walks to the nearest fast-food joint, never knows the lyrics to any song ever, and would absolutely stop ongoing traffic to pet a dog hanging outside a car window if the opportunity ever presented itself. ... View more

The hardest step to attaining your goals is getting started. Freshman year of my undergrad, my college goals were to find my interests by taking different types of classes, learn how to be successful, and start my young adult life right. Four years and a BA later, I accomplished all my goals. Well, to a degree (pun intended). In college, I found my voice (quite literally -- I minored in music) and discovered traits I never realized I had. It was the best of times, and, when writing a paper at 4 am, it was the worst of times; it was worth every single moment. However, as I took more classes, I came to a realization -- there are some things you simply cannot learn in a classroom without application. Admittedly, I was intimidated by the thought of applying for an internship. I was so involved on campus that I would hide behind the excuse "I don't have the time." After a talk with my academic advisor and a swift kick in the butt from my Resident Director, I discovered I was my own obstacle. When I got over myself, I was determined to score an amazing internship. While I was accepted to the internship of my dreams, it did not come without some hurdles. Below are some tips and takeaways from my intern experience, and I hope in some way my hot mess will lead you to a brighter, successful path. Resumes I took my time adding in all my credentials and achievements, and at the end of the day, I thought my resume was swell. So swell that I didn't ask anyone to see look it over. OH, HOW WRONG I WAS. Turns out why I wasn't hearing back from any companies was because my resume was as dry as toast. When I sought help at the career development center on campus, my resume game reached new heights. Big Takeaway: Add some color to your resume. While that can be taken literally (and it should if you're a graphic design major), you should also showcase your leadership skills with descriptive verbs and adjectives to explain your duties. This article from The Muse features some powerful action verbs that will give your resume a one-two punch in the application process. Cover Letters While a few applications had cover letters as optional, I had the right instinct to include a cover letter anyway (fight off those lazy twinges)! When I began to write my letter though, I hit a wall; writing about myself felt...strange. My original cover letter turned out to be two pages of robotic reiteration with a minor overdose of narcissism. I needed help, AGAIN. So back to career development I went. Big Takeaway: Your cover letter should not be a doppelganger of your resume. While it should certainly allude to your resume, your cover letter is a chance to give a concise explanation of your skills and qualifications rather than repeating directly what's on your resume. Go more in-depth or mention something new! Interviews Miraculously, this department was my strength but I definitely had much more to learn. While resumes and cover letters are crucial to standing out, the interview is where you will make a lasting impression. My career development center hosted mock interviews to help students practice for future interviews, which proved to be very useful. In addition to practicing before your interview, check out some of these tips I learned along the way: This interview is just as much as an interview for you as it is for them. There should be no reason whatsoever that you don't ask your interviewer a question. Leggings are NOT professional. This one is geared mostly toward my ladies (or any leggings lover), but don't think for a second your H&M leggings and a blazer are going to fly for this interview. It's business no matter what industry you're in so dress like you want to be taken seriously. Get comfortable, but not too comfortable. Don't start cursing during side conversation or small talk. You'd think this was common sense, but my potty-mouthed best friend made this mistake! It is unprofessional, and your interviewer is not your best friend. Send a thank-you note/email. People lose job opportunities for forgetting this, seriously. The Actual Internship This is your chance to get work and network. Not every task is something you will love but through the menial tasks, you will also have a chance to speak with others, learn the ins and outs of the industry, and, most importantly, make mistakes! There is no better time than during your internship than to ask questions and make a few mistakes. The ones I made during my internship taught me invaluable work-life lessons and helped me understand the importance of consistency and communication. My advice for those who got the internship: KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS! Better to ask if you're unsure then ride along blind. Informationals are a must! Interviewing other people in different departments helped me understand what I would like to do in my career and what waters I rather not tread. Make friends with fellow interns (if you have any). Network my friends, Net. Work. #werk These internships are what you make of them. Utilize your time and not only learn something but take the experience in. I did that part right, and trust me, it was one of the best decisions I made in my college career. As a wise man once told me, "if the work is hard, do the work." WRITTEN BY Alyssa Del-Valle Macmillan Learning With a BA in Communications and Music and a "Mouseters" in all things  Disney, when not writing fabulous articles this native New Yorker is either making up songs in her head about her daily interactions, practicing voice overs for the next hair care commercial, or munching on Doritos she couldn't resist grabbing at her local bodega. The purple bag is hard to resist. ... View more

Show off that stunning photo! Your student ID is pretty much your lifeline in college-it gets you into your dorm, into buildings around campus, and into the dining hall. But, did you know it can also get you tons of great discounts in various shops, websites, and restaurants? Here are 15 places where you can show your ID card and score some awesome discounts! Student Essentials The New York Times. By signing up with your ID online, The New York Times is only $1.00 per week. With this incredibly cheap subscription, you get unlimited access to all articles, apps, and archives; this will come in handy with research assignments! Microsoft. Microsoft Office Suite is essential to have on your laptop when you're in college; you'll constantly be using Word for essays and PowerPoint for your presentations. It's a good thing Microsoft will give you Office 365 for free if you simply use a valid student email. JOANN Fabric and Craft Store. Calling all art and education majors! By presenting your ID card at check out in stores, you'll receive 10% off your total purchase. Spotify and Apple Music. Take your pick-or both!-each of these streaming services are just $5.00 a month with your student ID. Clothing Stores Forever21. When you shop online and use your student ID, you'll get 10% off your purchase! Plus, you'll save yourself about three hours since you don't have to search through all of those stuffed clothing racks. Express. For all of my shopaholics, here's another clothing store where you can buy great pieces at cheap prices! Simply sign up and receive 15% off in-store and online purchases. J.Crew. Yes, you read that correctly-J.Crew, known for its great quality but pretty pricey clothing, offers students 15% off in-store and online purchases now, too. Food Now, what we've all been waiting for: food discounts! Subway. College kids love nothing more than food, and Subway is here to offer you 10% off your total purchase just by flashing that student ID at check out. QDOBA. This restaurant chain offers two great student discounts: either a free drink with a purchase of a meal, or $5.00 burrito meals! Can't get any better than that. Chipotle. Another student favorite, Chipotle will give students a free drink with a purchase of a meal when that student ID is shown at the register. Chick-fil-A. Again, receive a free drink with a purchase of a meal when a valid student ID is shown at the register. Buffalo Wild Wings. Who doesn't love wings? Get 10% off your meal by asking for the student discount. Pizza Hut. Every college student's favorite late-night snack. Depending on the location, you can get 10% to 20% off your pizza pie! Happy snacking. Dunkin' Donuts. As if Dunkin' wasn't already cheap enough, you can get an additional 10% off with your ID! Just be careful-caffeine is addictive! Dairy Queen. There's nothing better than a sweet treat after a long day of studying. Get 10% off your purchase! Even though your student ID may not be your favorite photo, it can score you a lot of great deals. Don't be afraid to flash that ID in these shops and restaurants. WRITTEN BY Theresa Carcaldi Marist College Theresa is a senior at Marist College who has spent the last three years with her nose in a book, a computer on her lap, and a permanent hand cramps due to copious amounts of essays written. If you couldn't tell, she's an English major with a passion for stringing words together and seeing what magic comes from it. When she's not reading or writing, you can catch her trying to get her roommates to join her solo dance party (and failing). ... View more