Tips to Study Effectively

By: Vandana Patel

With midterm season right around the corner, many of us are already worrying over how to plan and study for so many exams. It can be difficult to study efficiently, especially with remote learning and busy online schedules. The way we study plays a huge part in how we do on our exams. So why not implement effective studying techniques to understand the material better and ace our midterms. In this blog, I have included four effective study techniques that will change the way you look at studying!

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique can help you implement breaks in between your study sessions. To utilize this technique, study in increments of 25-30 minutes and then take 5–10-minute breaks in between. When studying, many people cram for long periods of time, but this is ineffective because our brains stop retaining information after about 25-30 minutes. Long study sessions can also lead to burn out. Some of the benefits of using this technique include breaking down complex tasks, making studying easier to get started on, and minimizing distractions. There are many Pomodoro apps and google chrome extensions that maximize productivity by enabling you to take the right number of breaks for the right amount of time. The Pomodoro technique allows you to be more motivated and dedicated while studying!

Quizzing Yourself

Quizzing yourself is useful because it allows you to get in the same mindset as you would on test day. First, it’s important to review your notes a couple of times. For the next part, there are a few different approaches. The first way is to take tests from previous years. This will allow you to understand the types of questions that will be on your assessment. Another way is by making your own quizzes where you can create the practice questions and take the quizzes. The third approach is to grasp the basics of the material, you should create flashcards. You can use a site like Quizlet where flashcards can be made and then turned into tests to evaluate how much information you understand. Lastly, it’s imperative to back and review the questions you got incorrect or didn’t understand while taking the quiz. The significance of this technique is that it increases your awareness on what concepts you need to focus on.

Listening to Music

This one really depends on the type of person you are. Obviously, it wouldn’t be wise to study while listening to pop songs. But genres like classical music, ambient music, jazz music, and nature sounds are some of the many kinds of music that can increase motivation and concentration whilst studying. Personally, I enjoy having classical music or nature sounds in the background when I am studying because it prevents me from being distracted and increases productivity. Other benefits to listening to music include improvement in sleep patterns, reduction in stress, advancement of memory skills, and more. It’s best to try listening to different genres and see which one works for you!

Distributed Practice

Distributed practice is when you have small study sessions over a long period of time. This can allow for long lasting retention of information you study. Although cramming might seem convenient and some of us end up doing it because of procrastination, it causes a lot of stress right before an exam. The hardest part about this technique is initiating the studying early, ideally a couple of weeks before the exam. If you are someone like me, you are going to need to be motivated and determined to beat the urge to procrastinate. A few times after I used this method in my study life, I realized that I understood the concepts better and I felt less stressed in the days before the exams. I would definitely give this one a try as it pays off in the long run.

Along with enforcing effective study techniques, the most essential thing to do during midterm season is taking care of yourself. The few weeks that midterms last can be rough. Most of us are cramming information, not getting enough sleep, not eating right, and stressing.  While you may think cramming is alright, it has several negative consequences on your mental health. So, make sure to exercise, get enough sleep, eat enough healthy foods, take breaks in between studying, drink enough water, and stay calm. Focusing on your mental health is so crucial during midterm week as it will allow you to stay positive and energized. 

Good luck on your midterms! 

Sources:

https://www.colorado.edu/health/2021/02/01/5-ways-practice-self-care-while-studying-midterms

https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~rallrich/learn/dist.html 

https://www.applyboard.com/blog/the-best-music-for-studying-6-genres-to-help-you-concentrate

https://www.foundationeducation.edu.au/articles/2018/07/does-music-help-study 

https://schoolhabits.com/study-hack-how-to-make-your-own-quizzes/ 

https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/pomodoro-technique 

Benefit Fashion Show Goes Virtual: Supporting Victims of Domestic Abuse During a Global Pandemic

By: Fiona Hanlon

The UMass Amherst division of Sisters on the Runway will be hosting the 11th Annual Benefit Fashion Show. Due to COVID-19 health concerns, the 2021 show will be held as a Virtual Fashion Week. Fashion Directors and Event Coordinators have been working hard communicating with brands to secure donations of inventory to be sold via instagram for a virtual show. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Safe Passage, a non-profit organization in Northampton that provides resources for victims and survivors of domestic abuse. 

Items will be sold exclusively through the SOTR instagram (@umass_sotr). Clothing from top brands such as FashionNova, Mistress Rox, DollsSkill, and more will be sold for a fraction of the retail price. Customers can expect brand new, eye catching pieces in all styles and sizes. In addition to clothing, customers will have the option to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win Red Sox tickets, Patriots merchandise, gift certificates to small businesses in the Amherst area and more. 

For those who are not familiar with the organization, Sisters on the Runway is a division of a National non-profit on the UMass Campus that seeks to spread awareness about domestic violence and support victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The funds that the annual show raises are donated to Safe Passage, where they are used to provide victims with the resources they need to escape an unsafe relationship. This includes providing access to legal services, counseling, support groups, and emergency shelter. With the help of Sisters On The Runway, Safe Passage is able to help survivors in a personalized way. 

Many students at UMass have experienced or know someone who has experienced a violent relationship. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience physical violence by their intimate partner at some point during their lifetimes. The money, awareness, and inspiration raised by this event provides a real means to change these odds. 

 For more information on the upcoming show, contact the Sisters on The Runway Executive Board sistersontherunwayfd@gmail.com or via instagram @ sotr_umass. 

“Preventing Intimate Partner Violence |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Oct. 2020, www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html.

Black History Month

Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

As a result of both systemic racism and generational wealth gaps, racial economic inequality is a huge issue in America. While 13% of Americans identify as Black, only 7% of businesses are Black-Owned. Not only during Black History Month, but always, we have a duty to support these businesses in order to help celebrate Black culture, support Black communities, and close the racial wealth gap.

Golde: “Brooklyn-based Golde was co-founded by CEO Trinity Mouzon Wofford in 2017. The brand features both food and beauty products, all with superfood ingredients.”

Alchemy Body Shop: This shop “was birthed from a need for honest & clean products that are affordable + sustainable.” This company not only focuses on its product, but also works on uplifting WOC who share the passion & pull of wellness.

Camille Rose: Camile Rose was founded on entrepreneurial spirit and to solve the need for more natural hair care products for the black community. Since then, the business has expanded past providing just hair care products and sits at the forefront of the radical shift in the beauty industry. Their products “promise to source ingredients with integrity, mix with a pinch of love, and to always consider your total health and wellness.”

Copper and Brass Paper Goods: “Copper and Brass Paper Goods specializes in creating Afrocentric wrapping paper and gift-giving accessories. Copper and Brass Paper Goods provides products that feature black people in the most beautiful way possible.”

Pur Home: Pur home is “dedicated to creating natural and safe household cleaning products that can be used by anyone, giving special consideration to selecting ingredients that are plant-based, biodegradable, sulfate-free, and non-toxic.” This sustainable business goes beyond just its products, but hopes to make a global impact through bringing awareness to access to clean water, fair trade, and ethical treatment of workers both in the US and abroad.

List of Black-Owned Products Sold at Target

Black-Owned Etsy Shops

Petitions to Sign

As described in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, we have the right to petition and correct any wrongs that exist within our society. It is important now more than ever to make our voices heard to gain equality for the Black community. The following petitions were chosen for their unique potential to uplift the Black community and take action against inequality.

Pass the Black History Education Bill in New York State

Ask Congress to Protect Black-Owned Businesses

Urge Retailers to Dedicate a Minimum of 15% of their Shelf Space to Black-Owned Businesses

Places to Donate

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an extremely difficult obstacle for small business owners, and many businesses across the country have been forced to shut their doors permanently. For Black History Month, we are eager to help support small Black-owned businesses in the hopes that they can remain open for years to come. We have chosen two funds that can greatly impact the lives of small business owners to get through this challenging time.

WE Cause Black Owned Business Fund

Black Owned Small Business Impact Fund

Navigating the Internship Process

By: Julia Leroux

If you are like me and have parents haggling you about an internship for this summer, hopefully this blog post will guide you in the right direction when it comes to navigating the process. UMass and Isenberg School of Management offer a variety of opportunities for its students to seek internship positions at various companies and businesses. 

To start the internship process, it is suggested you begin with a job and internship platform to search for any available positions within your area. 

Handshake is a platform open to all UMass Amherst students; and you have the ability to apply any filters necessary when finding internships. You may filter internships within your field of study, your location, and many other aspects relating to the position. 

IsenbergWorks is another internship platform that is limited to Isenberg students only. It offers the same filtering process as Handshake in order to narrow down your internship search. This platform also offers events for students to attend, where you can learn and interact with employees from a company you are interested in.

LinkedIn, another common business platform, allows its users to network and connect with other LinkedIn profiles; and they offer internship opportunities, as well. Similar to Handshake and IsenbergWorks, LinkedIn has a filtering process that allows users to narrow down internship searches to fit specific interests and needs. 

The application process for most internships is relatively simple, but it requires your resume to be up-to-date. Your resume is very important when applying to internships as it is the first impression you make on hiring directors for a company or business. A cover letter, though not necessary, is a great way to showcase your knowledge of the company you are applying to; and it proves your interest within the business.

The Chase Career Center offers a program called Career Peers, which allows students the opportunity to meet with an Isenberg undergraduate and discuss anything related to career planning. They can assist with perfecting your resume and cover letters in order to impress hiring managers.

The interview is an intimidating aspect of the process for most students when it comes to landing an internship, but it is also a crucial role for hiring managers to get a glimpse of the person they are looking to hire. 

Big Interview is another opportunity offered by Isenberg School of Management for students to take advantage of. With this platform, you have the ability to practice your interview skills. Big Interview proposes sample questions to students that could potentially be asked in a real interview, and it offers tips for when you land an interview for a potential internship.

The Chase Career Center also offers mock virtual interviews to help prepare students for a real interview with companies and firms in an online environment. The virtual interviews can be accessed through Handshake and IsenbergWorks.

With these steps I hope it alleviates some of the stress the internship process can cause for many students. Just remember to not be discouraged if you do not land an internship for this summer. Personally, I have had two interviews with well-known companies and did not land either internship; but I am still searching for other opportunities with other companies. Keep your head up and have a great second semester!

(Each platform and program offered by UMass and Isenberg has been linked. If you would like to get started with the internship process, simply click on any resource; and it will bring you directly to that page)

Podcasts To Get Through the Semester

Remote learning and isolation can get very quiet without the typical presence of others. The absence of a roommate or having your friends around can definitely impact motivation. During last semester, I found that podcasts were my best friend. Podcasts are almost like radio talk-shows, but there is a variety of different types to accommodate every personality.

Personally, I love listening to podcasts while I am driving or even doing basic chores. It either feels like a quick Ted Talk or a Facetime call with a friend. The best part is the anticipation of new episodes that give something to look forward to each week, especially knowing the conversation will never end.

Here are my recommendations and personal favorites on getting through this semester!

“Anything Goes” by Emma Chamberlain

Although it might seem silly to be getting my advice from someone younger than me, Emma is super personable during her podcast and super transparent. She deals with topics of school, burnout, personality dilemmas, and other personal topics that you would think only you deal with. Emma is a Youtuber from California who started her journey young in high school and has matured incredibly since then. She uses her experiences to relate to others, as she does not see herself as a crazy big influencer, but rather a peer to others. If you want to feel like you are on a casual call with a friend, this is the one for you! I recommend starting from the first episode of “Anything Goes” and making your way up (it’ll definitely keep you occupied for some time)!

“The Michelle Obama Podcast” by Michelle Obama

Regardless of your political background or views, Michelle Obama is the mother to all of us! Some of the episodes focus on more mature topics like children, marriage, etc., but it is still helpful to hear as she talks about how she herself was raised and how relatable she actually is to us all. Like the Emma Chamberlain podcast, it is very candid and casual and a great pick if you want advice from someone who has gone through life through its entirety! As a black woman, Michelle Obama gives great insight to all on how to get through life feeling fulfilled at every moment. Her first season is only 11 episodes long and a great way to feel more accomplished as you get through the semester!

“Dissect” by Spotify Studios

If you are interested in music and learning more about your favorite songs, this is the one for you! “Dissect” really dives into different albums and gives almost a deeper “Genius” review into the song structure. The cool thing about this podcast is that the details they go into connect to an overall story behind it all or a theme that encompasses the artist’s ideas. Each season covers an album, so you can pick wherever you would like to start! Some artists covered are Childish Gambino, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and more! This is a great alternative to just listening to music and furthering your knowledge on the music you are interested in.

“TED Talks Daily” by TED

This was the first podcast I ever listened to and I have been listening to it since high school! These episodes are very short and range from about 5-20 minutes depending on the topic. TED talks are popular amongst many platforms, but can honestly be lengthy to watch. As a student, time is precious and this is a great opportunity to incorporate some motivation into your day to really be your best self. I love shuffling this podcast and listening to random episodes each time. Some are news-related, others are personal, and some even are testimonials from different people around the world. If you want to start listening to podcasts, this is a great place to start!

Podcasts can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, and other music streaming platforms. They are great ways to fill time, stay motivated, and feel supported especially through times like these. A new semester is a fresh start, and a fresh start is the gateway to new healthy habits! Give it a try and browse around, or even start your own! If you like talking more than listening, start your journey and upload clips of you just talking and see where it takes you! Happy Spring Semester!