How to talk and email Professors.

I enjoy talking with Professors at my university. They help me by answering questions about classes or the university. It can be scary talking with Professors. I was nervous when I first started talking to them. Professor can be intimidating at first. I realized that professors are nice people and want to help students succeed in college. Emailing professors is another thing I have done in college. There are a few things to consider when talking or emailing to a professor. Remember these are general tips and these tips may not apply to all professors.

·        Use their title. We need to show respect to our professors. Some professors will want to be called Doctor or Professor. If a professor does not tell you which title to use, ask them what title they prefer to be called by.

·        Open Office hours or appointments only.  It is important to find out when the professor is available. The syllabus will state if they are open office hours or appointments only. This is the time to talk to them when you have a question.  If you cannot talk with a professor on campus, emailing a professor is good option.

·        State your objective.  When you are talking to a professor, explain why you are talking to them. Is it a question about the university, the class, homework, or a specific major? This will help the professor to answer your questions instead of guessing why you are there. This would also apply to emailing a professor for the same reasons.

·        Use correct grammar. This would apply to speaking and emailing a professor. Using correct grammar shows that you are professional. Always proof your emails before you send your emails and think before you speak.

These are the tips I use when talking and emailing to professors. I would love to hear your tips about talking and emailing to professors.

HOW TO STUDY:101

I hope you guys have had a good week in school. I have just finished my first week back at college. What is the one thing college students hear a lot? STUDYING is what students hear a lot from professors.  College students are seeing a lot of this right now.

                                  (picture taken from Google images.)

That’s right TEXTBOOKS.

Here are four tips that I like to use for studying.

 DO NOT PROCRASTINATE

As I have already, it is bad to procrastinate. Many bad things can happen when you wait the last minute. Power goes out, wifi goes out, computer crashes, and emergencies are some problems that can delay submitting homework. Since you do not know when these events will happen, it is better to be ahead of schedule and submit the homework early. Less stress and more time to complete the work are benefits of not procrastinating.

TAKE NOTES/QUIZ YOURSELF

While in class, take notes about the lecture. It helps you retain the information and it keeps you from being bored in class. A person can take notes by hand or electronically. I prefer taking notes by hand. There are many apps that help with note taking. Find the method that works for you. You can also quiz yourself with the notes that you took.  Reading over the material will not help you memorize it or learn it. You need to quiz yourself so that you can see what you really know. Do practice problems/tests without your book. I like to make flashcards. Flashcards are very helpful.

EAT A SNACK/ CHEW GUM

There are many times when you are studying that you will get hungry. I like to keep snack near me when I study. Chips, candy, and cookies are some of the snacks that I like. Healthy snacks that I like would include: apples with peanut butter, fruit cups ( oranges and pineapples), and celery sticks with peanut butter When I do not feel like eating, I like to chew gum. It helps me feel more awake.

PUT AWAY DISTRACTIONS

This is a hard one to follow. There are so many distractions for a college student. My distractions are texting, watching tv/Netflix/youtube , looking/posting on social media, and doing chores when I am suppose to study. How do I conquer these distractions? I put away my phone and I get my chores done before I start studying. Studying on campus helps me focus on my work. When I am not in a room with a tv, I am less tempted to watch tv. I avoid typing youtube or Netflix on my search bar.

 These are tips that I have learned and used while in college. I would love to hear how you study. There is no right way to study because we are all different.  I hope these tips can help you in some way.

How to destress while in college.

It's that time of year again. Most people have started college or will be starting very soon. Stress is them emotion that many college students feel. Classes, homework, friends & family, and job are things most college students deal with. My first semester of college of college was stressfy and I wasn't working at the time. These are tips that I have learned on how to relax. We all should focus on our studies but we also need to have a break every now and then.

Coloring

Coloring books help me relax. It calms me. Doing other creative things also help me relax. Drawing, origami, and painting are good activities that can help you relax.

Hanging out with Friends or family.

There are times that you need to have fun with people. I like to attend college group. It's where I can hang out with people my age and I don't have to worry about school. Try to set a time once a month to do something fun with someone.

Walking.

Sometimes I need to walk around when I am stressed. It makes me feel better. Any type of exercise can be relaxing. It can help you let off frustration.

Bubble baths

This is one of my favorite thing to do. It is so relaxing and it is nice to lay in  the tub. I like to play music while I lay in the tub.

Please Comment below. I would love to hear how you guys relax. 

Getting to know me.

Since I am a new blogger, I thought that I would write a post about me. As you read my blog, you may wonder who is the person behind the blog. Here are ten facts about me.

1- I love food and desserts. Rice,pasta,beef jerky, and chocolate are a few of my favorites. From the list of foods, you can tell that I'm not the healthiest eater. I do try to incorporate healthy foods in my diet since I know it's good for me.

2- How I got the name for the blog.

  It took me awhile to name my blog. Since I was adopted from China, I came with a Chinese name Liu Miao. If you don't know how Chinese names work, here is a quick explanation. Liu is the family name or surname. It would be the equivalent to what we call a last name in the United States. Miao is the given name. It us equivalent to what is called a first name. In the US, most people are called by their first name and then their last name. Chinese people invert the order 

last name and then first name.

3- I live in Texas. 

I live in north Texas. The weather in Texas is a bit strange at times. For example, there are times that I can wear shorts in December

4- I am a biology major.

I want to become a medical doctor someday. Since I have experienced the medical environment, I want a job in that setting. I love being in the hospital environment even though it can be painful at times.

5- Type A personality 

I am more type A on certain things than other. For example, my room is not the most cleaned/organized room but I WILL be annoyed by crooked picture frames or anything else that hangs on a wall. I will erase the whiteboard when someone does not completely erases the board.

6- why I started the blog.

I like to help people. I wanted to help college students through writing. Even though I am only a freshman in college, I wanted to share tips that i have learned. Most of the ideas on the blog are my own unless stated. I will give credit to ideas that are not my own.

7- I have a BIG family !!!

I have six older siblings plus my my parents.There are 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. This is just the family in Texas.

8- I have a collection of pink pigs.

Almost every pig iteam I own is pink except for one piggy bank. I own three piggy banks, a pig ornament, a pig salt & pepper shakers, a pig foot massage, pig stuff animals, a pink pig pen that oinks, and a pig flashlight.

9- I LOVE spicy foods.

I come from a province that eats a lot of spicy foods. I like hot sauce. i put it on most foods except for dessert. Spicy ramen is one of my favorites. I would to try spicy foods from other cuisines.

10- I am a Christian 

I believe in God and Jesus saved me from my sins. I read the Bible, pray, and involved in my church. I have certain beliefs BUT this DOES NOT mean that I will look down or bad mouth someone who does not share the same beliefs. I respect people who do not share the same beliefs. 

Acquiring Self Confidence.

Since some requested that I write about self confidence, I decided to write on the topic. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary online, self confidence is defined as "confidence in oneself and in one's powers and abilities"
. Many of us struggle with lacking self confidence. " I'm not pretty, I'm poor, I'm stupid, I'm different and etc" are thoughts that can destroy self confidence. I have struggled with not having self confidence. "I'm not good enough or I'm a loser" are thought that have crossed my mind.  There are two tips that I have learned about gaining self confidence.

STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE!!!!!!

(I got this quote from Pinterest.)

We are all different. I think many people would be happier if they stopped comparing themselves to other people. Self confidence is a good characteristic to acquire. People in general do not want to be around someone who thinks "I'm a loser". Instead of comparing yourself to others, just be yourself.

 BE POSITIVE 

For every fault that you find/ hear about yourself, there is a positive attribute about yourself to find/hear. For example, you may not be the smartest person in college but you are great at sports. In this example, do not dwell about not being smart, but focus that you can play basketball well. 

I hope this post encouraged you in some way. Remember to be yourself.