However, staying with your folks for a few weeks is less than ideal if you’re in the middle of your midterms or are preparing for finals. You’re away from the support services your campus can offer and may find it difficult to study when everyone else is relaxing and having fun.

Make the most of your time at home by setting up an independent study space and scheduling your time. This will help you focus on your studies when it matters most and ensure that you still have time to relax with the rest of your family.

Creating a Study Space

Your old bedroom may have served as a study space when you were in high school. However, the American College of Healthcare Sciences reports that doing homework on your bed is bad for focus. Studying in the same space you sleep can decrease your productivity and make it harder to fall asleep once you’ve finished working.

Instead, work with your folks to find a place you can convert into a study space. Your parents don’t have to give up their living room for your studies, either. You can create a functional home office in the garage if you’re willing to put in the work. Get the ball rolling by:

• Cleaning the garage thoroughly and decluttering
• Take care of necessities like power supply, heating/cooling, and insulation
• Find lighting that supports your focus
• Pick up some furniture essentials like a desk and a comfy chair

This study space can be used by the rest of your family year-round when they need to work on important projects from home, too. Be sure to bring life to space by bringing in some house plants and hanging some pictures of the whole family on the walls. This will make the space feel more welcoming when it’s time to study and will keep you on track when you visit your parent’s house.

Productivity Boosting Tips

A dedicated study space will enhance your productivity and minimize distractions while you study from home. However, you’ll still need to make the most of your time at home if you want to pass your classes and get the grades you’re aiming for.

You can improve your productivity while studying from home by making simple lifestyle changes when living with your folks. Start simple with changes like:

• Sleep: Adults need 7 – 9 hours of sleep a night to feel rested. Getting enough sleep is particularly important when you’re in college, as poor sleep will leave you feeling lethargic and fatigued while sapping your mental focus.
• Balanced Breakfast: A good breakfast gives your body energy and helps fight off mood-sapping hunger. This is important if your siblings stress you out or you’re planning to study all day long.
• Meditation: Home life can get messy. Destress and refocus by scheduling some time to meditate. Meditation boosts mental clarity and enhances your overall well-being.
• Clean: Studying in a messy space is difficult. Declutter and decompress after each study session. This will ensure your space is clean and well-organized when you return the next day.

These lifestyle changes will boost your mood and improve your wellbeing, too. This is key if you find that family life causes you extra stress. Take your productivity seriously and do your best to create a calming, focus-boosting routine while staying with your folks.

Time Management

Effective time management is essential for academic success. Without a clear routine, you’re sure to skip study sessions and overlook important assignments. However, time management can be tricky when you’re studying at home and everyone else is relaxing after work or school.

You can improve your time management skills by creating a weekly schedule that you pin in your room or study space. Like a work rota, this reminds you of when you should be studying and helps you take breaks throughout the day. A clear schedule ensures that you don’t stay up too late while trying to cram before a test, too.

Do your best to limit procrastination, but go easy on yourself if you lose a half hour of study time while chatting with your folks. Enjoying your time at home can keep your spirits high and help you stay focused for longer when you do return to your studies.

Consider putting your phone in another room while studying. This may sound like something a school teacher would do, but can seriously enhance your productivity. Keeping distractions like mobile phones out of reach ensures you don’t end up on Instagram when you should be learning about inferential statistics and intertextuality.

Conclusion

Spending part of the semester at home can help you save money and reconnect with your family. However, you may find that home life distracts you from your studies. Make the most of your time with your family by creating a dedicated study space. This will help you schedule time for studies and improve your time management. Just remember to schedule some time for fun and relaxation, too.

SEE ALSO: Getting Off Your Parent’s Phone Plan? What is Important and What Can Be Overlooked

The post Productive Ways College Students Can Leverage Their Time at Their Parents House appeared first on College News.

Get ahead of the winter weather by equipping your car with winter tires and altering your driving style to handle slippery roads and wet weather. This will keep you safe while on the road and ensure you make it to all your classes and social activities on time.

Preparing Your Vehicle

When searching for your first car, you probably weighed up variables like mileage, style points, and fuel efficiency. However, when the cooler months roll around, you’ll need to reassess your car to ensure that it can stand up to the winter weather.

Start by taking your car into the garage for a service between October and early December. This gives mechanics a chance to find faults, check your tires, and refill your oil. This also minimizes the risk of a breakdown while on the road and can save you money by ensuring that your car is running correctly.

If you live in an area that experiences snowfall, cold conditions, and icy roads, you should invest in a set of winter tires. Winter tires are essential in cold climates, as snow and ice can reduce grip on the road by up to 50%. By upgrading your wheels for the winter, you can improve your stopping time and enjoy heightened traction when others are sliding around the road. You can swap out your winter tires in spring, too, which will improve the longevity of both sets over time.

You will also need an emergency kit for your car in the winter. This should feature a candle-powered heater, a flashlight, a cell phone charger, and a small tool kit. If you expect to be driving in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, you may also want to pack a shovel and some kitty litter to help remove snow and help you gain traction when driving on ice. A basic first-aid kit can also be handy in an emergency, as can a set of warm gloves, hats, and a scarf.

Altering Your Driving Style

Driving in the winter presents a series of challenges to you as a driver. You’ll experience reduced grip thanks to ice and rain and may have to drive in the dark more often when the days grow short. Altering your driving habits to accommodate these challenges is key.

Start by leaving earlier for classes and social activities. You don’t want to rush while on the way to campus when driving in winter weather, as driving at speed is sure to increase your risk of a crash when the road conditions are poor.

Try to research your route before you leave and study from home in the event of extreme weather. However, if you do find yourself driving in extreme weather, make appropriate adjustments like:

• Snowstorms: Heavy snowfall can render roads impassable and drifts can trap you in your car. If you can drive, slow down and leave a longer gap between you and the driver in front.
• Flooding: Driving through flood water can damage your car’s engine and put your safety at risk. Standing water also increases your risk of hydroplaning. Stay safe by driving slower than normal and turning around if you encounter flooded roads.
• Fog: Fog dramatically reduces visibility and increases the risk of a collision. Minimize your risk of an accident by navigating built-up areas like campuses with care. Make sure your fog lights are working properly before you set off, too, as this will help you be seen by other road users.

Driving in the winter is all about minimizing risk and slowing down. Leave earlier when possible and try to stick to roads that you know are well-maintained. If possible, try to do the bulk of your driving a few hours after the sun has risen, as this will reduce your risk of hitting a patch of black ice in the cold winter mornings.

If you do hit a patch of ice, try not to panic. Keep your speed consistent and do not overcorrect your steering. Overreacting will increase your risk of going off the road when you clear the ice. Instead, pick a higher gear and aim to keep your RPM low. Pull over if hitting the ice has rattled your confidence and start again slowly when you’re ready to drive safely.

Conclusion

Navigating the winter weather safely requires forward planning and a risk-averse mindset. Get started by servicing your car before the cold weather rolls in and install winter tires. This will minimize the risk of a breakdown, reduce the chances of an accident, and keep your car insurance costs down. If possible, avoid driving in extreme weather and study from home after heavy snowfall. If you do drive in extreme conditions, slow down and leave plenty of room for other road users.

SEE ALSO: Navigating the Uncharted Waters: What Students Aren’t Prepared for in College Life

The post Navigating Winter Weather: College Student’s Guide to Safe Driving appeared first on College News.

But, as exciting as college can be, there are certain aspects of college life that students might not be fully prepared for. That can lead to extra stress and anxiety, and might even make it difficult to find your place in your new environment.

The better you understand some of these lesser-known challenges and surprises now, the easier it will be to tackle them as you start your college journey.

Living With Roommates

If your plan is to live on campus, there’s a good chance you’ll be staying in a dorm with at least one roommate. Nowadays, it’s easy to meet and even get to know your roommates before you actually live together, since most schools will let you know who they are before the semester starts. You can find them on social media, connect, and start chatting before the big move. That can help to break the ice before you officially move in, but you can never really know someone until you’re with them every day.

The last thing you want is to have a negative living experience while you’re in college. You don’t want to dread going back to your dorm after class because things are awkward or tense with your roommates.

To make living with roommates easy, consider having a conversation or two with each other after moving in. Discuss things like boundaries, personal space, and any rules you might want to suggest for your time together. When you can agree on these things early on and respect each other’s privacy, you’re more likely to have a positive experience living together, and there won’t be any awkward interactions between you later.

Managing Your Finances

When you’re in college, you’re essentially on your own for purchasing things you might need. Your room and board are probably already paid for within your tuition, so if you plan on staying on campus, you’re not going to go hungry. But, things come up. You might run out of laundry detergent, or you might want to go off-campus to see a movie with some new friends.

But, when you’re a full-time student, you might not have a lot of time to pick up extra income. First, make sure you’re managing your time effectively. Could you get a part-time job? Do you have time for a side hustle? Do you tend to procrastinate when you could be doing something to make money?

Even if you aren’t able to get a job in school, there are things you can do to save whatever money you do have. Start by creating a monthly budget for yourself. Not only will it make it easier to manage your finances, but it’s good practice for the future. Other tips that can help you save include:

• Minimizing credit card use
• Looking for student discounts
• Setting financial limits
• Minimizing your student debt

College is a great time to learn about money management, so while you might be stressing over your finances right now, consider it an opportunity for growth. You’re learning important skills that can be used in the real world.

Reducing Stress

College is a different animal than high school, and there are plenty of little things that will pop up along your journey that you’ve never had to deal with before. Maybe you didn’t have to try very hard to get good grades in high school, but your academic schedule feels overwhelming now, and you’re struggling to keep up. Maybe you’re worried about fitting in and you’re tempted to give in to peer pressure, even if it goes against your values, just so you don’t have to deal with loneliness.

On top of everything else, you’re away from home and essentially on your own for the first time. There’s a reason why so many college students get homesick, and if you don’t find ways to manage your stress and make the most of your experience, your mental health could start to suffer.

Stress is a huge problem among college students. Finding ways to reduce your stress, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed, will improve your mental health and make it easier to stay productive, motivated, and engaged. Utilize campus resources for mental health, including counselors who are there to listen. Additionally, make sure you’re investing in self-care every day. Self-care practices don’t have to take a lot of time or effort, and they can become important parts of your routine. Try things like:

• Prioritizing sleep
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Staying hydrated
• Staying physically active
• Journaling
• Practicing mindfulness or meditation

Even something as simple as skincare can be a crucial part of your self-care routine. Adopting a skincare regimen each day can reduce stress and leave you looking and feeling your best by providing a boost to your mental health. Consider it to be a mini spa session each day.

One of the most exciting things about college is that it opens you up to opportunities and experiences you’ve never had before. But, that can also be one of the scariest things. Keep these challenges in mind as you start your collegiate career, and you’ll be more likely to stay one step ahead of them so you can enjoy the journey.

SEE ALSO: Navigating Health Management in College: Tips for New Students

The post Navigating the Uncharted Waters: What Students Aren’t Prepared for in College Life appeared first on College News.

Find Time To Eat Right And Exercise

When you first get to college, it can be tempting to splurge at the school cafeteria and eat unhealthy snacks when it seems like you only have five minutes per meal. However, you owe it to yourself to eat better so you can feel more fulfilled over time. Fast foods and trans fats may sound appetizing, but they can make you feel sluggish when you need to be energetic. When you eat a healthy diet full of nuts, vegetables, whole grains, and plenty of water, you’ll stay fit, be more active, and have better concentration in class.

Eating healthy may seem tough on a tight schedule, but there are many ways that you can eat a solid diet while in college. Find a way to eat something healthy for breakfast every morning, be it a piece of fruit, single-serve oatmeal, or hard-boiled eggs. When you get a chance to sit down for a meal, make it worthwhile by adding extra vegetables, avoiding rich sauces, and skipping soda when possible.

It’s also vital that you get up and exercise whenever you can. When you’re on your own at college, spending all your time relaxing around the dorm is tempting, but you must be careful. There are risks to being a couch potato, including poor blood circulation, back problems, and stress in the neck. Finding a way to exercise in college can mean walking to your classes instead of driving your car or the bus. During lunch or between classes, try to get to the school gym, where you can lift light weights, run on the treadmill, and practice strength training exercises like lunges, squats, and pushups.

Maintaining Your Mental Health Is Essential

College can be stressful, especially when you’re new and still trying to get the lay of the land. The key is not to take on too much. You may want to volunteer and get a part-time job, but it’s wise to wait until you get used to the routine of your classes, or you may quickly become burned out. If you’re stressed because you don’t think you’ll meet people, go to on-campus events like pep rallies and study groups, and you’ll likely make connections.

Once you get used to the flow of college, you can incorporate strategies into your routine to ease your mind. If there’s a park nearby, consider going on nature hikes before or after your classes. Studies have shown that spending time in nature two hours per week can help you to feel more at ease and happy with life.

There’s a lot of hustle and bustle at college, so sometimes you may need to step aside and spend some time alone to ease your mind. Exercising early in the morning or practicing yoga can give you time to be alone with your thoughts so you can prepare your mind for a busy day. Meditation is another option because it can help you to relax and focus. Once you get in the habit, you may find that you can study more efficiently and find it easier to recall information during tests. If you don’t know how to meditate or need help, look for apps online, such as The Mindfulness App and Stop, Think, & Breathe.

Get Help When You Need It

Finally, although it may take time to build up a dependable group of friends at college, know that you are never truly alone.

If you need help with medical needs, reach out to a local physician. You can also go online and use a telehealth app. There are numerous health conditions that an online doctor can treat. They can help you diagnose common issues like cold and flu symptoms. If your throat is tight or you’re coughing a lot, the doctor could troubleshoot to see if you have conditions like asthma. Online doctors can even help with vision and hearing issues via the computer.

Online doctors can also provide mental health and counseling services, so never be afraid to reach out for help. If it’s not an online doctor, then call a campus support group or speak to your guidance counselor.

Be Responsible With Your Records

When you’re at college, having medical records and your health history on hand when you need it is important. Providing accurate data when visiting the doctor is vital so they can properly diagnose. However, you may not need to keep every piece of paper you receive, especially if it doesn’t provide value or it’s turning into clutter in your small dorm. When you’re done with a document, you can’t just throw it away, or criminals can use it to commit identity fraud, so consider shredding it instead.

Shredding services are becoming more common over time, and you can choose to drop off your paperwork at a shredding facility or have a mobile shredder come to you. Your shredding choice may come down to price, in which case the drop-off option would be about $1 per pound of paper, while the average for mobile shredding is $130-$150. Your choice will depend on how much shredding you need and if you can get to a facility.

Conclusion

Consuming a healthy diet and starting an exercise routine may not be the first things you think about when getting to school, but they’re important nonetheless. Get a good routine going right away, and you can thrive for the rest of your college career.

SEE ALSO: How to Choose the Right Student Housing in the U.S.

The post Navigating Health Management in College: Tips for New Students appeared first on College News.

Fortunately, with the proper preparation, knowledge, and skills, you can graduate and move into adulthood seamlessly. You’ll be equipped with what you need to thrive in this next stage of your life, making the shift to being an adult more enjoyable than it is daunting.

Take these steps to help set yourself up for a smooth transition into adulthood.

Set Goals for the Future

Hopefully, you’ve been thinking about what you want your life to look like after graduation. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to take your vision for the future out of your head and get it onto paper.

Setting detailed goals for the future helps you establish a solid foundation for adulthood. When you know where you’re going, you can create a practical plan to get there. Also, research shows that you’re more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down.

Document goals that support your vision for your adult life. For example, let’s say you’re going to school to become a licensed therapist. One of your goals could be to operate your own practice within 10 years after graduation.

You can take this goal a step further and put together a step-by-step plan to achieve it. There’s a lot involved in becoming an owner of a therapy practice, like deciding on a business structure, finding a building, determining your method of compensation, and crafting a marketing strategy.

However, when you break all of these elements down into digestible steps, achieving this big goal becomes more realistic.

Plan the Next Steps in Your Career

You may have been able to get by on financial aid or a work-study position while in college. But you’ll need a much more reliable source of income in adulthood to live independently and comfortably. So, solidifying the next steps in your career before you graduate is a must.

The ideal situation would be having a job waiting for you once you get your degree. It’ll take some finesse to make this happen. But it’s doable.

Start with networking. Join professional organizations in the industry you want to work in that are tailored to young up-and-coming professionals. Meet people at conferences and events on campus. Network with your professors and fellow students as well to see what opportunities they can introduce you to.

We also want to acknowledge that a lot of students won’t land a job before they graduate. And many already have jobs that don’t align with their degree to make ends meet while they work toward their dream careers.

In either case, it’s still important to take some time to hammer down the next best step in your career after you graduate.

Improve Your Financial Literacy

The National Financial Educators Council analyzed financial literacy statistics in a recent article, and one in particular stood out. “54% of millennials expressed worry that they would not be able to pay back student loans.”

Because of the increased use of student loans, it’s even more important for graduates to gain a sense of financial literacy to pay off these loans and still lead a successful career.

In addition, understanding the ins and outs of financial management now will set you up for financial security in the future. The pillars of financial literacy are:

• Budgeting and tracking your daily spending;
• Investing wisely;
• Establishing an emergency fund;
• Paying down debt efficiently;
• Saving for retirement;
• Tracking your credit history and score.

Developing discipline in each of these aspects of money management is the difference between living comfortably or living with financial insecurities.

Start by creating a budget you can stick to. Determine how much you’re bringing in each month and what you’re expenses are. Anything left over after paying your bills should go toward paying down your debt, your emergency fund, and/or retirement.

Mastering budgeting seems to unlock the rest of the financial benefits people long for. So, this is a great beginning point in your financial literacy journey.

Make Your Holistic Health a Priority

If you’ve become accustomed to an unhealthy diet or put off working out and taking care of your mental health while in college, you wouldn’t be the first student to do so. Grinding for your degree seems so much more important.

But the truth is, neglecting your holistic health does you more harm than good, especially if you’re faced with the challenge of the final years of your college career. When you don’t prioritize eating well, exercising regularly, and taking care of your mind, you can’t bring your best to school, let alone life.

On the contrary, if you do prioritize these things, here’s what follows:

• More energy;
• Better decision-making;
• Increased productivity;
• Higher self-esteem and confidence;
• Stronger joints, bones, and muscles;
• Better functioning immune system and internal organs;
• Reduced risk for chronic mental and physical health conditions.

You have a much better chance of flourishing in adulthood with the above outcomes than without them. So, make sure you’re positioned to make your holistic health a priority.

If you haven’t yet, sign up for health insurance. Take your time understanding the intricacies of health insurance plans, including definitions for common health insurance terms, types of plans available to you, and what services are covered. You’ll make a more informed decision this way.

Once you get your health insurance squared away, make an appointment with a primary care physician. They can tell you the state of your health and help you develop a plan for improving it that includes a personalized nutrition and exercise program.

Final Thoughts

Although adulthood is a new territory for you, it’s nothing to be afraid of. Use the advice in this article to confidently step into your adult life with the mindset and skills you need to flourish.

SEE ALSO: Six Routes to Widening Your Skill Set When in the Job Search Process

The post Navigating Adulthood: Essential Steps for College Students appeared first on College News.

It’s no wonder this lifestyle is appealing more to college students. They can travel the world while studying and working abroad. That said, being a college student and a digital nomad is a challenge. It’s not like a vacation where all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself.

You have to learn how to balance the fun of traveling with work and school commitments. The following tips will help you do just that.

Understand What the Digital Nomad Lifestyle Will Be Like

You have to understand what the digital nomad lifestyle will be like if you want it to work out. You can assess whether this life is for you, and better prepare for it if you decide that it is.

Here are some critical points to consider about the digital nomad lifestyle:

• A work-life balance is a must
• Traveling often can be exhausting
• You must ensure access to healthcare
• You need a plan for financial stability
• You’ll have to adapt to new cultures and languages
• Knowing visa requirements and other legal requirements is essential
• You might experience homesickness, especially if you go international
• Balancing school with work and life in a new place is a big commitment

Dig into these factors and research all you’ll have to do and give up to be a digital nomad. Then, you can make an informed decision about moving forward.

Master Time Management

You’ll have to take your time management up a few notches if you want to be a digital nomad.

It’s one thing to balance life and school. It’s another to balance life, school, traveling, and potentially, work. You must learn how to divide your days so that you pay each of these things the attention they need. In addition, time management will ensure you don’t burn out.

Start with a routine to build some consistency into your days. Wake up at the same time regardless of your schedule and get ready for your days the same way.

You can establish priority tasks the night before, like your classes, if you’re working, and when you’ll study. Set aside time for breaks, meals, and leisure time as well. Building these activities into your schedule will ensure you actually do them.

Attach times to each task and activity. For example, you have classes from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Next, you’ll have lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. After that, you have work from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Then, you’ll study from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the rest of the night is yours.

Manage your time wisely and you can achieve everything you set out for each day.

Learn How to Stay Productive

One of the biggest challenges digital nomads run into is staying productive. All of the fun activities you can do when you travel to a new place can be distracting. It might be hard to stay motivated when you’re homesick. Technical and logistical issues can impact your productivity as well.

So, learning how to maintain peak productivity while studying and working on the road is essential.

Adhering to the routine we mentioned above will help keep you focused. Eliminate distractions while working by turning your phone on Do Not Disturb and muting social media apps. Create a designated workspace. You could also incentivize productivity by promising yourself a fun activity after you complete your work.

Secure your tech setup as well to maintain optimal productivity. Make sure you have the basics, like a good laptop set up with the proper work and school software and noise-canceling headphones.

Another crucial tool to have is a mobile hotspot. A hotspot ensures you can connect to the internet wirelessly on your mobile devices from virtually anywhere. This will come in handy when you travel internationally or to places with spotty internet connections. No matter where you are, you can still access your studies and any work you’re doing online.

Equip yourself with the right tools and techniques to stay productive as a digital nomad.

Choose Work That Aligns With Your Studies and Interests

Digital nomads are known to take many different directions with their work. You have options and can easily make a living while studying and traveling abroad. The key is ensuring the work you do doesn’t distract from your education and pull you away from who you are.

You’ll have a much better experience as a digital nomad if you choose work that aligns with your studies and interests. Rather than taking the barista job at the local cafe, work with your school to see if there are any work-study opportunities where you’re traveling.

You can also take the job search into your own hands. Search for job openings before you head to your destination through online job boards. Ask for referrals from fellow students.

Consider fully remote positions as well. There are many work-from-home jobs available that can accommodate a college student’s digital nomad lifestyle, such as being a tutor or a content writer for subjects related to your major.

Whatever work you decide to do, make sure it doesn’t take away from your studies and aligns with who you are and what you want to be.

Conclusion

Many college students are attracted to the digital nomad lifestyle because it allows them to travel freely while studying and working where they want to. As enticing as this life is, being a digital nomad isn’t void of challenges.

Make sure you understand what you’re getting into, master time management, learn to stay productive, and choose work that aligns with your studies and interests to give yourself a real chance at a successful digital nomad life.

SEE ALSO: How to Choose the Right Student Housing in the U.S.

The post A Guide for College Students Embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle appeared first on College News.

Think About What It Means To Move Somewhere Else

While you’ll likely have your nose stuck in a book during your college courses, you may leave class one day and realize that you’re in an entirely new and strange place. You can try to avoid that awkwardness and get your expectations in check before you leave.

Before the school year starts, it’s a wise idea to fly out to the new city for a weekend so you can get the lay of the land. This is a chance to tour the campus and see where you’ll live, find local gas stations and grocery stores, and learn the best routes. That way, you won’t be so lost when you get there.

Unless you’re moving to a town where you have family you can visit, you need to prepare yourself for the idea that you may not have a social circle to turn to right off the bat. You’ll need to make friends. You can do that by talking to students in your class and the dorms. When you speak to people, be yourself and try to find common ground. Invite them to study or just eat dinner together in the dining hall.

Many college campuses are in smaller towns, and if that’s the case for you, then be prepared. There are many pros and cons of living in a new or smaller town. A big benefit is that it will be easier to learn the area, and you’ll face less traffic if you live off-campus. Since there are fewer vehicles, there’s also less noise pollution. That’s essential when studying.

However, you should research your small town because some have fewer resources, like medical care, and you’ll need to know where to go. Also, there may be fewer demographic representations than you’re used to, so think about that if it’s a concern for you.

Packing And Organizing

Once you decide that a cross-country move is right for you, it’s time to start preparing and packing. Before you move out of your house, you’ll need to get your finances in order. You may have financial aid and be living in the dorm, but will that cover everything you’ll need to buy every week? You’ll also need to determine how much money you have to move. Will you be able to ship your belongings and fly, or will you need to drive a rented truck to your destination? Sit down and hammer out these details.

If you’re moving into the dorms, you’ll likely need to downsize. Create a packing checklist for the essentials. Write down everything you must bring, like bedding, toiletries, and clothing for warmer and cooler weather, and pack it all first. In the worst-case scenario, if you can only initially ship a few boxes, you’ll know which packages are the priority. Of course, you should make a little room for sentimental items that remind you of home. You don’t want to feel alone as you get used to your surroundings.

Take whatever you no longer need to a local charity so it can be recycled and find a new home. It’s a sustainable decision that helps the planet and folks in need.

If you live off-campus in an apartment, you’ll want to get your affairs in order before you arrive, including:

• Obtain renters insurance to protect your belongings
• Set up your utilities
• Find a part-time job to pay for it all

You may be able to work in a place on campus like the kitchen or dining hall. You may also be able to find seasonal work in a local retail store.

Preparing For A Long Drive

Depending on how far you’ll be traveling, you’ll want to make an itinerary. It should include the hotels and rest stops along the way. You don’t want to drive for too long, or you could become exhausted and put yourself in danger. Book hotels in advance so you know how long you have to drive beforehand and that you have a guaranteed place to stay.

If you’re taking your own vehicle, the priority must be to ensure that it’s well-maintained so you have a smooth journey during your road trip. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your vehicle inspected, you should consider bringing it to a mechanic who can check the brakes, the battery, and all of your lights.

This is also a good chance to teach yourself some basic tips about maintaining a vehicle. Tasks like changing your fluids and checking the air pressure in your tires are easy to learn on YouTube. It’s good to know a few tricks in case you break down and help isn’t immediately available.

Remember that distracted driving can be a real hazard when you’re going someplace new. For one, you’re not used to your surroundings and may try texting someone for directions; for another, you could be concentrating on your GPS navigator instead of the road. Keep this on the forefront of your mind and your eyes on the road until you arrive at your destination.

It’s also suggested that you try and bring your parents along for the ride. They may even be able to drive and pay for your food and lodging. Your parents only want what’s best for you. They can be an incredible resource, and since you’re moving away, they’ll likely want to spend some quality time with you. They’ll feel good knowing they can drop you off and that you’re all set up and have everything you need.

Moving away from everything you know is not always easy, but if going to this school will help you accomplish your professional dreams, it’s worth the effort. Consider these tips, and you’ll make traveling stress-free so you can start college on a good note.

SEE ALSO: Thriving in College as an Introvert: Strategies for Success and Personal Growth

The post Navigating the Cross-Country College Move: Tips for a Smooth Transition appeared first on College News.

While many students are excited to do so, introverts may not be as enthusiastic. Introverts are deep thinkers who tend to stay to themselves and listen more than they talk. Their personalities may not be as boisterous as extroverts, but they’re still interesting people who crave genuine relationships, opportunities, and development.

Introverts have to navigate unique challenges to achieve academic success and personal growth in college. But thankfully, you’ve come to the right place for guidance. Here’s how to thrive in college as an introvert.

Understand the Impact of Isolation

Staying at home and to oneself can be more appealing for introverts. But these habits can lead to isolation and loneliness.

Unfortunately, isolation is connected to mental health conditions like anxiety. When you isolate, you avoid social interaction at all costs, cancel plans all of the time, and spend a lot of time alone. You may start to feel anxious about not interacting with the world, get down on yourself, and isolate even more.

Or, when your anxiety creeps up on you, you may not want to show this version of yourself to your fellow classmates and professors. So, you stay to yourself and avoid interacting with others. It’s a vicious cycle of anxiety and isolation that you don’t want to be in.

Hopefully, understanding what isolation can lead to inspires you to fight it. They don’t have to be huge gestures, either. Start small. For example, instead of studying in your dorm all the time, go to the library. Go to lunch with your roommate once a week to get to know them better. Have lunch in the cafeteria.

As natural as it may be for you, do your best not to distance yourself.

Set Personal and Academic Goals

What does success in college look like to you? Having a clear vision for what you want to achieve academically and personally while going to school gives you something to strive for and stay focused on. You’ll be less likely to give up when you have meaningful goals.

Your goals can be as big or as small as you want them to be. For example, a personal goal could be to make one new friend this year. An academic goal could be to achieve a certain grade point average. You can also establish long-term goals, like contributing to every classroom discussion and forming a study group.

Write all of your goals down and attach action plans for achieving them. What exact steps will you take to achieve your goals? Keep your goals close to you so that they stay at the forefront of your mind when things get tough.

Be Willing to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

You can write down all the goals you want, but if you aren’t willing to do what it takes to accomplish them, it won’t matter. Much of what’s necessary to be successful requires you to step outside your comfort zone.

Not doing the uncomfortable things to ignite growth will stall your academic and personal success. So, do the things that scare you the most, whether that be speaking up in class, saying hi to someone you don’t know, working in a group setting, or attending a dorm party.

You don’t have to rush into stepping outside your comfort zone. However, don’t use being uncomfortable as an excuse to stay where you are.

Be Intentional in the Relationships You Build

Although it’s nice to have a lot of friends, that may not be realistic for you as an introvert. It takes a lot for you to open up and be vulnerable with someone. And that’s okay. It’s better to be intentional in your relationship-building than not.

Focus on building healthy relationships one at a time. When you meet someone you seem to click with, open up the lines of communication and ask deeper questions as time goes on to get to know this person. Make time for them. Establish boundaries in the relationship that you both respect.

Cultivating genuine friendships is a long-term commitment. But the effort is worth it for the all-around support you get from healthy relationships.

Take Advantage of Office Hours

Not nearly enough students take advantage of their professors’ office hours. Building a real relationship with each of your professors can be incredibly beneficial as an introverted college student.

For one, they’re one-on-one interactions. So, you’ll be more comfortable opening up. Two, it can feel really lonely when you aren’t able to make connections with classmates and have them to lean on to help you through lessons.

But you can count on your professors to welcome you with open arms and guide you through what you’re having trouble with. In establishing a strong connection with a professor, you may be inspired to try and build relationships with your classmates.

Write down office hours for each of your professors. Then, determine when you want to attend your first meeting. The first one is always the most nerve-wracking. So, getting it out of the way quickly will help you see that it isn’t so scary and is a positive experience.

After you go to your first office hours, commit to going a couple of times a month and as needed when issues arise. Taking advantage of this resource could be the difference between thriving in college and not.

Ultimately, success and personal growth are attainable for introverted students. Come out of your shell a bit and be intentional in everything you do, and you’re college experience will be all that you want it to be and more.

SEE ALSO: Ten Unmissable Considerations to Take When Buying the Perfect First Car

The post Thriving in College as an Introvert: Strategies for Success and Personal Growth appeared first on College News.

Not only must students be aware of the unique challenges that come with teaching in the real world, but they must also develop their professionalism to be as confident and effective in their role as possible. Guidance on how exactly to do this could make a difference in inspiring a new wave of professional educators.

Before we offer tips on how you can improve your professionalism to prepare for the work world, let’s touch on some of the challenges education majors encounter when they’re transitioning into their professional educator roles.

Challenges Education Majors Face When Entering  the Professional World

Transitioning into the professional world and working with students is much more challenging than most people think. The nerves that come with entering the classroom as a teacher could make a student second guess their decision to become an educator.

It’s also hard to grasp just how difficult it is to work with a variety of students on a full-time basis when you’re in college. It’s a fast-paced, ever-changing environment that you must be ready for if you want to succeed.

Finally, if you start teaching right out of college, you’re still pretty young. You may not feel like you’re the established professional educator that you are because of this. You’re still growing into a mature adult. So, you may not think you have the leadership skills to work with children effectively, hindering your confidence and growth in the profession.

Thankfully, there’s a way to thrive despite these challenges in the transition phase.

Tips for Mastering Professionalism as an Educator

It’s much easier to navigate challenges in the professional world when you exhibit professionalism.

This is because professionalism involves being confident, setting high standards for how you work, and showing how much you care about your students. You’re willing to tackle obstacles to provide a positive educational experience.

To master professionalism as an educator, start with improving your self-image.

Improve Your Self-Image

Being a successful teacher requires confidence, so you can effectively communicate with your students and colleagues. You need it to take on challenges and find adequate solutions. You need confidence to be successful in all that you do as a teacher.

But to have confidence, you must first have a positive self-image. How you look at and feel about yourself can affect your confidence. If you look at yourself in a good way, you’re more likely to act with conviction. On the other hand, if you have a negative perception of yourself, self-doubt, low self-esteem, and stress resulting from these confidence issues will follow.

You can improve your self-image by practicing self-care. Doing things that nurture your mind, body, and soul will bring you closer to yourself. You’ll develop a positive relationship with yourself that results in a favorable self-image. Self-care activities can be simple, like getting enough sleep and eating right, or more detailed, like going on a weekend getaway every quarter.

If you need additional support for improving your self-image, try therapy. A therapist can help you further flesh out your self-image issues and develop a plan for addressing them and coping with triggers.

Prepare for Working With Kids

Working with kids is no easy task. Their minds, emotions, and behaviors are still developing, causing them to make decisions and do things that may surprise you.

If you aren’t ready for these types of ups and downs, it may cause you to have negative interactions with your students that hurt them and their educational journey. It could also harm your career progression because you’ll appear unprofessional and unable to handle the job.

Luckily,  there are ways to prepare yourself for working with kids. Ensure you’re physically ready for all the moving around you’ll be doing as a teacher. Build a wardrobe of clothes that are professional, comfortable, and allow you to be mobile. And finally, grow your empathy, patience, and enthusiasm.

Preparing to work with kids full-time ahead of time will help you feel more confident in your abilities and ultimately appear more professional.

Be a Positive Role Model

If you want to exude professionalism, work on becoming a positive role model. A positive role model inspires others to live productively and meaningfully. They have integrity. They hold themselves to high standards. They’re someone others can look up to. All of these things are a part of professionalism.

To become a positive role model, you should first identify what you do well and what you need to work on. As you work on your weaknesses, you become a stronger, more well-rounded person. And if you share your journey with your students, you’ll become someone they can relate to and look up to.

Positive role models are also transparent and honest. Communicate openly with the people around you to become a more effective communicator and listener. Finally, establish a set of core values that you’re committed to living by. You need them to ensure you always conduct yourself with integrity.

Feeling and conducting oneself like a professional doesn’t come naturally to every education major transitioning into the professional world. The unique challenges in the process don’t make it any easier. But by applying the tips above, you can master the art of professionalism and move into a professional education role seamlessly.

SEE ALSO: How to Get Ahead of the Game as a Business Student

The post From Student to Professional: Mastering the Art of Professionalism in Education appeared first on College News.

Moving, whether it’s across town or to a completely new city, can present various challenges. The process of packing up your belongings and deciding what to bring and what to leave behind can be stressful. Not to mention that the physical aspect of moving can take a toll on your energy levels. It’s also vital not to overlook the emotional impact of leaving familiar surroundings. However, by approaching the packing process with a strategic mindset and implementing some tried-and-true tips and tricks, you can navigate the process in a positive manner.

Plan Ahead

Preparing for your college move-in day starts with careful planning well in advance. There are a range of considerations you need to be mindful of when moving away. These include establishing the belongings you need to pack, the financial aspects of the journey, and even updating your address with your bank and other officials. By creating a well-thought-out strategy, you can streamline the process and ensure that you have everything you need to start your college journey on the right foot.

Start with creating a couple of different checklists. Your packing checklist should detail all the essentials you need to pack before moving day. This also helps you to understand how much space you have left over to take non-essential items. Not to mention that it provides you time to sell, donate, or store any excess elements you can’t take with you.

You should also create an activities list for everything that needs to be completed in the run-up to moving day. This may include purchasing items, confirming details with university housing, servicing your vehicle, and so forth. Make sure you detail the dates by which each element needs to be completed. You’ll find you’re less likely to overlook something important before you start your journey to college.

College Home Comforts

Moving into a college dorm can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you’re leaving the familiar comforts of the family home. This is why it is so important to establish ways to ease the transition and create a welcoming environment in your new living space. One effective approach to this is packing some key home comforts.

Start with objects that help you to personalize your dorm room. Pack a few cherished items that hold sentimental value, such as framed photos of family and friends, artwork, or mementos from past experiences. These familiar items can not only provide a sense of comfort but also serve as conversation starters with your new roommates.

Don’t just consider physical objects, though. Scents can have a powerful impact on your mood and well-being. Think about packing some room fresheners, scented candles, or essential oils to recreate familiar or comforting fragrances from home. Sounds are important, too. So be sure to load up your mobile devices with playlists of songs you find meaningful or soundscapes that help you to relax.

Prioritize Safety and Wellness

Moving day can be a physically demanding and hectic time. Unfortunately, this can create an environment in which accidents occur. It’s important to take steps designed to prioritize your safety and well-being, helping to make certain you arrive at your destination happy and healthy.

One key consideration should be how to manage the large or heavy objects you’ll be carrying to and from your vehicle during the move. Make certain you adopt techniques to reduce the potential for strains and injuries while you travel. Remember to bend your knees when lifting objects, rather than bending at the waist. Wherever possible, use rolling luggage and dollies rather than carrying heavy items. Utilizing ramps to load and unload your items from your vehicle can be effective, too.

Additionally, remember that your body and mind need to be nourished during your moving experience. Stay hydrated and energized throughout the day. Carry a water bottle with you and remember to drink regularly. Taking time for a relaxing cup of tea or other soothing beverage can also help ease the anxiety of the move.

Pack a range of nutritious snacks and meals that you can access easily and perhaps set alarms so you can take breaks to eat. Moving day is certainly not the time to skip meals or rely solely on caffeine or junk foods. The last thing you want is to have an energy crash when you’re in a physically and mentally taxing situation.

Conclusion

Moving away to college can be exciting yet challenging. Taking the time to plan your move well in advance will help reduce stress and ensure a smooth transition. Adding personal touches to your dorm room creates a sense of familiarity and comfort, alleviating some homesickness you may be feeling. Finally, prioritizing safety by using proper lifting techniques and taking care of your overall well-being during the moving process is crucial.

It’s also worth considering that packing for college is not only about the logistical aspects but also an opportunity for personal growth and self-reflection. As you sort through your belongings, you can take moments to evaluate your needs, priorities, and values. The process of letting go of certain items and making space for new experiences can be symbolic of the transformative journey that lies ahead. Remember, it’s not just the items you pack that matter, but also the mindset you want to take along with you on this new adventure.

SEE ALSO: Ten Ways to Look Hot While Staying Cool This Summer

The post Packing For College: Essential Move-In Tips & Tricks appeared first on College News.