How to Pick a Graduate School

Hello readers. I am officially done with my undergrad degree. Today I would like to share how I picked my graduate school. It can be overwhelming with all the different schools. I hope to help you by making this process a little easier. I started with 15 graduate schools then narrow it down to my top 5. Then I picked my graduate school based on these following considerations.

- First you need to decide what program for graduate school. Also decide on a program/ school that you also like. If you search for graduate schools in Texas, you will get many schools in the results. Searching for a specific program will help narrow down your results. I searched for general psychology, human development psychology, and child  development psychology programs. when I looked up general psychology, there were so many schools that popped up, I decided to be even more specific with the type of psychology. Human development and family studies was a program that kept coming in my results. This is how I ended up with my current program. I would recommend looking up three different programs that you interested in. It is also a program that I liked.

- Location of the school is very important to consider. Do you want to go out of state or stay in your home state? This will help you when you research programs. In the beginning, I had considered schools out of state but then I  decided I wanted to be in my home state. If you want to go out of state, I recommend looking a programs in the states you are ok moving too. If you don't care which state, I recommend looking for the program in anywhere in the USA . If you want to stay in your home state, I recommend searching for the specific program/s + your home state.

- Funding opportunity is another great aspect to consider. Graduate school is really expensive. It is very important to look at funding and fellowship opportunities ( some graduate school offer scholarships too ). If a school isn't known for great funding or states that there isn't much funding, you may not want to apply especially if finances are a factor. Also many Masters programs don't receive great funding so it .ight be good to find a masters programs that offers funding and scholarships. This was a very important factor for me. I ranked the schools by this factor. The school that would most likely offer me funding, I applied first. This was also the determining factor for me in deciding which graduate school to attend.

If you are in graduate school, what is the process you used when deciding to pick your graduate school/program.

~Liu Miao~

Graduate School Series: Personal Statement

Hello readers! One of the most important documents for Grad school is the Personal Statement. Why is it important? It allows for potentiat schools to see what kind of person you are. Many graduate schools will require this document. Some programs will list specific directions to follow when writing this document. It is important that you follow their instructions. For the personal statement, I recommend writing several drafts and making multiple edits. Checking for grammar and incorrect spelling is very important. It is very helpful to get feedback from professors or anyone who has been through this experience/ who is talented in writing. I formatted my personal statement per APA guidelines because my area of study uses APA style. Some programs may prefer MLA style.



This is how I structured my personal statement:

• First paragraph: I explained a little about myself and what program that I’m applying to. I talked about why I am applying to the program and I wrote about my research interests ( how my research interests relates to the program).
• Second paragraph: I explained why I am interested in my research topic.
• Third paragraph: I wrote about my research experience
• Fourth paragraph: I wrote about how my unpaid work experience has helped me be prepared for graduate school ( leadership positions, assisting a professor, working with a variety of people).
• Fifth paragraph: I wrote about future goals after graduate school. I wrote how the graduate school could help me reach those goals.
• Sixth paragraph : I wrote about three faculty that I hoped to work with.

My personal statement ended up being one page ( double spaced 12 times new Roman font). Some personal statements can be longer. The length of the personal statement will be determined by the requirements of the program. Some programs may want a specific word count or page count. Mine was short because I haven’t had tons of experience that would relate to graduate school. I also watched a lot of YouTube videos and I asked advice from professors. My professors were nice and gave me their personal statements as examples ( this helped me how to organize my personal statement).

~Liu Miao~

Graduate School Series: Application process

 Note : This is based on my application for an United States graduate school and everyone has their own experience / thoughts about the application process. This post is meant for the general graduate school application process and it is not to be specific towards a specific program/ degree. This is why I give general advice that could apply to those who are applying to a variety of graduate programs.




First, I used an excel spreadsheet to keep track of all the schools I wanted to apply. You could use Google spreedsheets if you didn't have Microsoft Excel. My professor recommended doing this because it can be hard to keep track of which deadline go with each school and sometimes schools require different documents. Horizontally I wrote: location, deadline, number of recommendations letters, documents needed ( transcript, CV, writing sample), Personal Statement, GRE scores, Name of the degree, school website.

Vertically, I wrote name of school. So my excel sheet looked like this. I have included a picture of a table that I created in powerpoint. (I didn't knw how to include a picture of my spreedsheet but the table has the same format)

Things I learned from the application process:

• it’s never too late to start looking at graduate schools. I started looking at school during my junior/3rd year of college.
• Double Check Deadlines. This is very important because every program has a deadline and deadline can vary depending on the program. Also deadlines vary depending if you are pursuing a masters or doctoral degree.
• Check to see if your program accepts new students in the spring or is it only fall acceptance.
• Find out if your program requires the GRE. If it does require it, I would start studying it. I recommend scheduling the test early because seats went fast when I took the GRE during the fall semester. I had my test scheduled in March and took it in September. Then I rescheduled to take it a month later ( October). There is a 21-22 day wait period before you can re take the test. Some programs require official scores from ETS so you need to take the test in enough time before the deadline because it can take awhile for ETS to send the official scores to the school and the school needs to process those scores ( according to one graduate program I looked at).
• Start writing your personal statement early . I recommend writing multiple drafts. Many programs require this. I received great advice from my professors and a great friend about structuring a personal statement. If you get your personal statement done early, you can have professors and friends give you feedback.
• Recommendation Letter. I try to give my professors two months in advance of the deadline. Also give your professors specific instruction on how the letter should be sent ( email, regular mail, submit letter to an online link, etc).
• Also try to talk with someone who has gone through this experience. This can be friends or professors or bloggers. I was very fortunate to have professors and a friend who were willing to give me advice and answer questions . I was able to ask those in the blogging community who have been/ currently in graduate school. It is very helpful to have someone to ask questions/ advice about graduate school.

I would love to hear which graduate schools that you are applying to? If you are already in graduate school, what is one tip that you would share about the application process?

Have a great week!!



~Liu Miao~

College Life Lessons

Currently I am in my last year of undergrad. My experience are different from those who attend a big university and my university is very small. There are so many lessons that I have learned while in college. I do not claim to be an expert or have all the answers, but I wanted to share some life lessons from college.

• Take advantage of the student resources such as the gym, printing, computer labs, tutoring, writing center, and career center. This is where some of your money goes towards. These resources are very help for college classes, applying for jobs or graduate schools, and finding a job.
• Make connections with professors and or TAs. This is helpful for two reasons. First, talking and asking questions can help you understand the class better. Second, professors are more willing to write recommendation letters if they know who you are.
• Join an organization. This is great because it allows you to relax and have fun. Classes are so important but having some fun is also important. This also allows you to make new friends that have similar interests.
• It is ok if you change your major. People change as they grow older and this includes their interests. Sometimes a person discovers new interests and realizes what they want to do as a career. I do recommend changing your major before it is too late so you don’t have to take extra classes. I changed my major at the second semester of sophomore year. I wasn’t affected by changing majors since I was taking vote classes up to the beginning of my second semester of sophomore year.
• Writing papers are actually important. Many jobs require some form of writing and it is important to present your thoughts effectively whether it is for a book, marketing, a proposal.

I would love to hear your life lessons from college!

~Liu Miao~

Snacks to bring to college classes

Snacks for college classes.

Hello readers!

College classes are starting soon. Some students may have started already depending on the university. Who eats in their college classes? I eat in most of my classes because my classes are during times I would normally eat. It is important to be considerate of others when eating in class. Foods that are noisy for example chips or foods with a strong aroma can be very distracting.

• Fruit. I love eating grapes or melons. It is helpful to have the fruit cut up in smaller pieces.

• Chocolate is also another great snack to have. It is helpful to open your chocolate before class so you won’t make too much noise. Sometimes I put my chocolate in a small container with a lid so I don’t have to deal with wrappers from the chocolate.

• Smoothies is a great snack. It isn’t to noisily. This is also a healthy snack option. Please don’t slurp with your straw when you get to the end of your drink.
• Peanut butter sandwiches or other types of sandwiches are good options. Sandwiches are generally not noisy when eaten.

I hope that everyone has a great year. What are some of the snacks you bring to your college classes? 

Have a great weekend

~Liu Miao~

What's on my iphone?

 



Hello readers, I thought this would be a fun post to write. I love seeing what kind of apps people have on their phones. I have an iPhone because my friend gave me her old iPhone when she upgraded to a new phone. I have the IPhone 5s. Even though it’s an older phone , it works really well. I currently do not have it connected with data. I just use wifi and most places have wifi. I have phone that is connected to a phone plane so I can call and text without needing wifi. My real phone does not have the ability to have apps nor is it touch screen. (None smartphone aka dumb phone)So I use the iPhone to use apps. It is cheaper to pay for a none smartphone than it is to pay for a smartphone. Now on to the fun part.

I have all my apps on two “pages” on my phone. I like to keep my phone screen neat and organized.

 

Here are pictures of the apps in the folders. PicsArt is my favorite app to edit pictures because it doesn’t leave a watermark on your pictures after editing. I love spanishdict because I can get word of the day and learn new Spanish words. It also comes in handy when I need to look up a word in Spanish. Blackboard is used by my university. Yes I know that I have a lot of messaging app but I use all of them. WhatsApp, WeChat, Messenger,and Kakao Talk are great apps to message friends that are international or if you are traveling internationally.

I would love to know what apps you have on your phone. Have a great day!

~Liu Miao~

Be Early!

(Pinterest)

So on the first day of class, I showed up to class 30 minutes late. Why did I show up late? I was late because I forgot what time my class started. I had looked at my schedule incorrectly. It was really awkward showing up to class late because it is a small class(20 people). My parents taught me that being on time is being late and one should show up 10-15 minutes early.Why is it

important to be early?

• it shows that you have respect for others at the event or task that needs to be accomplished.
• It shows that you are organized and know how to be responsible with time.
• It allows you to network and potentially get that job/promotion
• There is less stress when you are early. You aren’t rushing in and trying to get the task done

This is why being early is so important. I normally show up to an event/classes 10-15 minutes early. Yes life happens and it prohibits you from being on time. That is ok if you are late every once in awhile but try to be early to an event/classes. I set alarms on my phone to remind me about events/classes. I also like to write a reminder about the event/classes in my planner. If I write the event and put reminders, I tend to remember the event more.

Have a lovely weekend!

~Liu Miao~

Half way there

For many of us in college(at least in the US), October signifies the midpoint of the semester. This means midterms are coming up. Midterms is the week that professors give exams at the midpoint of the semester. This can be a very stressful time if you have all your exams in one week. Not all professors give exams during midterms. I was very happy that I had my exams early this semester. I actually like midterm week because it means that the semester is half way there.  Today, I will share some tips that can help you prepare for this week

1. Study ahead of time. it will be less stressful if you study in chunks and not all at one.  One will learn more when taking time to learn the material.

2. Don't do all nighters. This is not good. You need sleep to function. Being to exhauseted can cause a person to do poorly on an exam.

3. Eat food. healthy foods help your brain to function. It is so tempting to eat a whole bunch of junk foods or just not eat at all. Fruits are a good snack or salad.

4. Take a little  time for fun. There needs to be a balance. It is not good to study for 8 hours straight. Your brain needs a break. Take 10-15 minute breaks then go back to study.

5. Stay hydrated. This is very important. Water helps your body to function properly.

6. Try to eliminate distraction as much as possible. If you get distracted by your phone, keep your phone on silent for a little bit in order to study. If you need a quiet space, go study somewhere quiet. If friends distract you, don't study with them. It is good to find out what distracts you from studying and try to eliminate it. 

Have a good week of midterms. The semester is almost halfway there.  I would love to hear about any tips that have helped you during midterms week. Celebrate afterwards for surviving a stressful week(s) of exams. Have a good weekend full of studying and FUN.

~Liu Miao~

Confetti Please

Hello Readers,

     Confused by this title right? Recently, I hand letter a quote that I got off pinterest. This quote got me thinking about a problem that many of us struggle with including myself: Comparing oneself to another person. Why is comparison bad? It can bring:

•Unhealthy competition
•low self esteem
•talking bad about other people
•ungratefulness

We need to encourage one another. It is ok if someone is better at something than  you. This will cause two reactions from you: Bring all the negative emotions mentioned previously or it will cause you to strive to be better at that something. You can also encourage others to look on the positive.Let's consider the flip side. If you are really talented in one area, try to help those who are struggling in that area. If everyone  encouraging someone by helping them in someway, then there isn't time for comparison. This reminds me of the #communityofcompetition. The blogging community is like #communityovercompetition.I have met some amazing bloggers online. There are bloggers that are better than me but this causes me to work harder on my blog. There are many times that I have received advice from many bloggers and many times that I have given advice to fellow bloggers. Please remember to spread kindness like confetti.

~Liu Miao~

5 important back to school supplies

Hello readers! School is approaching very quickly. I am a little sad that summer is ending but excited for the new opportunities in college. There is so much to prepare before the first day of classes. Recently, I finished buying my school supplies. I love buying school supplies because it makes me excited for classes. Today I will share 5 important school supplies and I will also include the electronic version for the techies out there.
Thoughts to consider : This post is not sponsored and I purchased these items myself. All opinions are my own and honest.

- Notebooks/Note taking apps

It is important to take notes in your classes. I prefer taking notes by hand. Sometimes I like to type out my notes. I love using the One Note App or Evernote app. These are great apps to take notes electronically and you can sync them to other devices. Evernote has paid upgrades but the free option works great.

 -Pens, Pencils and highlighters/ there are electronic versions of pens/ pencils and highlighters

I like sharpie pens and papermate pens. I prefer fine tip pens. I don't have a preference for pencils. Sharpie highlighters are my favorite. If I take notes on my compute, I use a stylus pen or type my notes. Microsoft Word and other note taking apps offer a drawing option and highlighter option.

 - Planner/ google calendar etc

I have used an academic planner, monthly planner and currently the happy planner. I prefer a physical copy. Hand writing something is important for me. I have heard that Google Calendar is good and you can sync your google calendar to your different devices. I know with Apple devices you can sync your calendar

 -Books/ ebooks.

If your professor says that a textbook will be use, then it is important to get one. I rent  or buy used textbooks.  Paperback books are cheaper than  hardcover books. It you have to buy an access code, buy it from the publisher.(it is $15-20 cheaper). I believe that you learn more when one reads the textbooks. Many textbooks offer an ebook. I would recommend this because it is usually cheaper. Sometimes you can't get an ebook because there is only a hard copy printed.

 -Sitcky Notes/ sticky notes app

I like to take notes while I read my textbooks but I don't want to mark up the book. What is the solution? Sticky notes are the answer. I love Post-It-Notes I can stick them easily in my book. They also an help me keep my place in a book. You can write quick reminders on sticky notes. There are sticky notes app if you prefer an electronic version

These are the school supplies that have helped me in college and keep me organized. What are your tope 5 back to school supplies? Have a great week. and good luck on going back to school soon.

~Liu Miao~

Start with a Hello

Hello Readers!

     School is starting soon for most of us. Who is excited for the new year? I am! Yes I know that I am a nerd and proud of it.  The new school year gives you  the opportunity to learn something new and meet new people. Meeting new people can be very stressful especially if you are shy.
     How can you overcome this problem? Start with a Hello. This opens the door for conversation. I love meeting new people. College is a great time to do this.  Don't be a  secluded person in college. Yes it is a good to have me time but it is important to socialize  with others. It really isn't  scary making friends in college. In college, there are many opportunities to make friends and here are some examples.

- College Classes.
At some sometime you will have to talk to classmates. There will be group projects or in class projects requiring you to talk with classmates. Starting on a good note will make it less awkward to work with classmates.

- Orientation
This is a great way to meet new people. Everyone is new to the school and talking with people make orientation less boring. Plus you can try to  find out who will be in your classes.

-Social events on campus
I meet many people through social events at my university. It is nice to meet people when it is in a relaxed environment. I love that universities offer many fun activities for their students. It is great to be able to bond with classmates over something that isn't academic related.

Have a great semester. Be brave and say Hello. Friends help make college a wonderful experience. You never know who you will meet.

~Liu Miao~

What to do after graduating high school.

     Hello, Readers! Many high schools had there graduations already. It is such an exciting time of transitioning to the college life. The summer before your first semester can be awkward because you are not sure what to do. There is  so much stuff to do for school, but you want to hang out with friends. In this post, I will share what you need to do for school and share fun activities to do with friends before you go to college. There needs to be a balance between work and play; and I will share how to do that.

For School:

1. Take the TSI. This is very important to do before school because it helps determine what level of classes you can take. For example, you would be placed in remedial math class if you scored low on the math portion.
2. Get your meningitis shot. I know it is required in the state of Texas( It may be different in other states of the US or other countries). This is so important to do and don't wait last minute.
3. Go to orientation. Yes it  can be boring , but you learn important information. Campus info( location of buildings/classes, history, organizations/clubs) , how to register for classes, and  meeting new people are some of the things that happen at student orientation. Most orientations, you will also sign up for classes too.  
4. Buy dorm/ school supplies. You will need things for college whether you live on or off campus. I order my books to rent from amazon a month before school starts because that gives me a great price. Some college items go really fast so get them early on in the summer.

Activities to do with friends:

1. Have a movies night.
2. Go out for coffees/ice cream/ milkshakes
3. Have a sleepover
4. Go to the park or museum
5. Build something or do an art project.
6. Go on a road trip.

Enjoy your last summer as a 'kid'. Once you start college, you are an adult. Take one day at a time to accomplish a task for school or activity to do with friends. I would love to hear about your summer plans. Have a great weekend and Happy June.

~Liu Miao~

5 things to pack for college as a spoonie

Hello guys. Today I have a guest blogger.  Her name is Ally. I love what she has to say on this topic. As a spoonie myself, I agree with her. I met her through a college blogging group.

Hi! I’m Ally. I’m almost a senior at Texas State University, and my major is social work. I love puppies, coffee cake, friendship, and Jesus (in no particular order)! Although I live a fulfilled and busy life, I have also been battling chronic pain for the last 9 years.

When I first went to college, many people (including myself) wondered if this was a good idea, or if it was even possible. Three years and one dropout later, I know a thing or two about the balance between being a student and being a sick kid – it isn’t easy! But I’m here to tell you that it is definitely possible.

Here are 5 things that I recommend bringing with you to college if you have a chronic illness:

1. Mattress Pad

Listen: Your bed will be your safe haven. If it’s not comfortable, you’re not comfortable. Get a quality mattress pad and lots of pillows to keep you supported and comfortable. Not only will this benefit your pain, it’ll also improve what little sleep you may be getting. Important!!!

2. Books that aren’t school related

There will be slow days on campus, and you may not be feeling up to going out or even hanging out. Bring your favorite books along with you to school so that you have something to keep your mind busy. Not into reading? Try coloring books or adult activity books.

3. Netflix

A sick girl’s best friend. If you don’t already have a Netflix account – or access to someone else’s – get one! It’s fairly cheap and worth the price. We all need a movie break or a show to keep us occupied. I also tend to put on my favorite movie (Zootopia, of course) when I can’t sleep. Netflix is always there for you.

4. Heating Pads

Aching muscles? Heating pad. Sore joints? Heating pad. Cold? Heating pad. Heating pads can be a lifesaver in any situation. I also recommend getting microwavable ones (or just fill a sock with rice!) that can contour to your body and be brought on the go!

5. Medical Equipment

This may sound like common sense, but if you’re stubborn like me, you’re thinking about leaving your equipment at home for that first semester. I especially recommend bringing any physical therapy supplies you can, like therapy bands or tilt boards. Any extra movement or stretching you can get in will benefit you in the long run! (Trust me, I learned that the hard way)

There you have it! These are the 5 things I recommend that you have when going away to college. Let me know in the comments what you brought, or what you wish you had brought to school with you!  

Here is a link to Ally's blog https://teaspoonofsprinkles.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/gpa-is-not-eternal/. / Check her blog it. She writes great content

Graduation gifts!

Hello readers!

It is almost the end of the semester and some of us are graduating this year! I am not graduating this semester but I know a few people graduating from high school and college. It is an exciting time for those graduating. When there are graduations, there are usually parties and gifts. It can be difficult when buying a gift for a high school/ college graduate. Here are some gift ideas:

- Money/ gift cards.  Target, Walmart, best buy,  and home goods gift cards are great because the graduate can buy dorm/ apartment stuff.

- Gift cards to restaurants or to activities make great gifts. Many college students do not have extra money to spend on fun activities since our money goes to school bills and other living expenses. Students would appreciate the ability to do something fun without the worry of spending money. One can personalize the gift card according to the person.

- Care package. Fill a basket with things that a college student needs. One can personalize it according to the person. School supplies, candy, food, and small dorm items are some things to consider for a care package. There are so many things that one can put in a care package. This is a great personal gift.

Remember we are almost to the end of the semester. Congrats to those who are graduating from college and high school. You are entering into a new season of life. Since school is almost done, I will be posting more often. This semester has been super stressful with TAing and health problems. Don't forget to check awordwithlm on Instagram so you can  get a sneak peak into my life.

~Liu Miao~

Finishing the semester strong

Hello Readers, there is about a month left of school for most college students. At this point of the semester, most of us are ready for the semester to be done and go have a great summer. It is so tempting to start slacking off in homework since the semester is almost done. We need to remember to finish the semester strong. Here are a few tips:

- Do extra credit. It can help boost your grade.  Even thought it might be 5 extra points, those points can determine if you get a B or an A. When I took government , I got Cs on all my exams but I ended up with an A in the class. Turning my homework on time and attending my class helped me get an A in government.

- Find out if your finals are cumulative or not. If it is cumulative, I would start reviewing the material from the beginning of the semester. It it's not cumulative, find out what chapters the exams are over and study those chapters very well. The less chapters an exam covers, the more detailed questions will be on the exam. Remember that final exams can be group presentations instead of a test.

- Find out when and what times your final exams are. This can help you  make a study guide for your finals.

Have a great week and finish the semester strong. What are your tips for finishing the semester strong?

~Liu Miao~

A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

I really love this verse. The rest of the chapter talks about a time for laughter, crying and etc. I am seeing the truth of this verse in my life. My life has been pretty easy. It really makes me think. Right now , I am in a season of struggling and learning to wait. It is hard to be in this season. Everything happens for a reason. I know God can use my struggles for something but I don't know what it is. One positive about struggles is that you can relate to others who are going through the same struggles. This can encourage your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ or just any person. What season are you in? Let's encourage one another in our different seasons in life.

~Liu Miao~

Relax

As a college student, I feel like the word relax is a foreign concept. There are many responsibilities that college student have. In this day, people have a mindset of always going and never stopping. This is not good for people to do. It is a hard struggle balancing responsibilities and relaxation. Everyone struggles with finding this balance in life. College students need to find this balance especially during the college years. Homework, work, family, and personal struggles are some things that college students have. One can burn themselves out during college. Trust me, I have done this in my short time in college. Here are ways I find the balance of work and play time.

- Have a hobby while in college. I like to do hand lettering, color, watch Netflix for an hour each day. This gives me the relaxation I need each day. You need to take time to do something fun each day. This will help you be less overwhelmed with your responsibilities.

- Time yourself. Finish some tasks and then do something fun. I like to work for one hour then "play" for one hour. There are a variety of apps that help you with this. Sometimes I like to read a couple of chapters then take a ten minute break. It depends on the assignment on how I will time my work and play time. 

- Eating helps me relax. Yes, I know this is weird way to relax but it helps me relax. I like to eat my favorite foods/snacks. Chocolate, guacamole &chips, Asian snacks, vegetables with ranch, and ramen are some of my favorite things to eat.

- Post it notes and my planner help me keep up with my responsibilities. Writing reminders down is really helpful. There are so many responsibilities to remember as a college student. It can be easy to forget a test date or homework assignment.

This is the first post of a new series. The series is called :Making 2017 great. How do you keep the balance of work and play time? Don't forget to check Instagram @awordwithlm and Facebook @A word with Liu Miao: ParrieLiu

My freshman year of college

I am a sophomore in college now! The time has gone quickly and this semester seems to go by so quickly. College has been an amazing experience. It has been hard but fun. I have made friends and enjoyed many classes. Here are some things that I learned in my freshmen year:

-      Time management is very important! It is very stressful when I put off studying or doing assignments.

-      Me time is very important. I learned that I need to give my brain a break every so often when I study. It is not good to study continuously for several hours. Running, baking, drawing, watching tv are good options for breaks from studying.

-      Talking with professors is important! During my first semester, I talked with almost all my professors. Since I showed that I cared about learning and worked hard in the class, I was able to get two references from two professors. I was able to receive help about the course because I actually talked to the professor.

-      Find a group of people to hang out with. Some of the people that I meet during freshmen year, I am still friends with them. Friendships come and go , but you never know when you will meet a forever friend. Joining a club is a good way to meet people who share common interests.

I enjoyed my first year of college. It was hard but I have met some awesome people. I can’t believe that I am almost halfway done with my second year. Time goes by quickly. Don’t forget to check @awordwithlm on Instagram and facebook for updates about the blog and to get a glimpse into my life.

Lunches on the Go

Who brings their lunch on campus? I do not like to buy my lunch at the cafeteria or bookstore. Being more healthy and cheaper are the reasons that I bring my own lunch to campus. Here are some ideas of what to pack for lunch.

-      Fruit

-      Sandwich( chicken salad, lunch meat, BLT, pb&J)

-      Vegetables

-      Salad

-      Trail mix

-      Left overs

-      Yogurt

-      Cheese

-      Soup

-      Chips (yes I know not the healthiest thing to eat but tasty right?)

-      Water (Don’t forget to hydrate)

-      Rice or noodles ( make big quantities of rice or noodles and use it for multiple meals)

There are so many foods that you can pack for lunch and the choices are endless. These are simple and mostly cheap ideas. If you already bring your lunch, what foods do you bring?  Don’t forget to check @awordwithlm on Instagram and facebook for updates about the blog and to get a glimpse into my life.

Online college classes

I took two online classes during the spring 2016 semester and I was a little nervous taking online classes . I took Spanish 2 and art appreciation online. Each class was set up differently. The art class was more relaxed and the Spanish class was more structured. Since art had two weeks for each section, I could work on art anytime during the two weeks. Spanish had deadlines every week on specific days for daily class work. Both classes took a lot of work. I made As in the classes. Here are my tips for online classes.

-      Schedule a time for your online class. It is easy to put off your class since you do not have to be physically in a class room. If your class is more relaxed, try to work on the class a little bit each day. Thus you will not have a ton to do before the deadline.

-      Put reminders about homework and quizzes/exams. I love to use sticky notes in pretty colors. You can buy big quantities of sticky notes and they will last you for a while. I also put reminders in my planner. Writing helps me remember things better. Putting reminders on your phone or tablet is another great option. It all depends on your preferences.

-      This tip applies for other classes. Do the small assignments.  It is great to do extra credit assignments. All the points will add from the small assignments and extra credit assignments. These points could determine if one gets a B or an A in a class. One does not need to spend hours on these small assignments/ extra credit assignments because one needs to spend plenty of time on the big assignments. This is where time management comes in.

Hope you guys are having a great weekend! What do you like to do for your online classes? I can’t believe school starts in less than a month. Don’t forget to check @awordwithlm on Instagram for updates about the blog and to get a glimpse into  my life.