Life After College - What, How, Where???

Are you ready to graduate and begin a new journey?  Life is about to change!  Spring and Winter Breaks are in the past, along with cramming for tests and sleeping late.  How do you prepare for your new quest?  Are you ready?

Collegegrad.com offers this advice: 

• Remember that job search is a life skill which will serve you throughout your career. The concepts you have learned can be applied productively again in the coming years.
  
• There are many, many people who have helped you along the way in your journey--parents, teachers, friends, relatives and others--take time to personally thank them for all they have done to help you get to this point in your life.
  
• You have been given much. Now it is time to do your best to give back to others who have not had the opportunities you have been given. Always reach out to help and serve others in your new walk in life and your own life will be richly blessed.

• Work wardrobe, what will you need to buy? 
• Living situation-what town, rent an apartment, live with parents?
• Transportation-how will you get to and from work?
• Living expenses-utilities, wardrobe, taxes, food, furnishings, car expenses, insurance, etc.?
• Student loans-how much will payments be and when do they begin?
• Financial goals, savings, investments?
• Have you considered a budget?

Preparing for Finals - The 5 Step Program

Step One - Prioritize
Know the date for each final exam.  This will help you decide which classes need your attention first.

Know the type of each final and what information will be covered.  This will help you decide which classes need more study time (i.e. essay and comprehensive exams). 

Know your grade in each class going into the final.  Devote more study time to the finals which will have a bigger impact on your G.P.A.

Step Two - Time Management 
Begin studying for finals at least one week before the test.  Avoid cramming because chances are you won't remember most of what you "learned", and the items you do remember most likely won't be on the test.

Be aware of the time of day you are most alert and effective.  Study your most challenging subjects during these times. 

Be in control of your time.  Use a calendar to actually "schedule" your study time.  Consider this time as an important appointment you must attend.  Schedule other things that beg for your attention around your study times.

Step Three - Study Strategies
Gather all the materials you will need to study (books, notes, old tests, etc.) and group them according to each subject.

Use study strategies that will test your knowledge:  practice tests, flashcards, sample problems, etc.

Attend all review sessions and use all study guides offered by your professors.

Make your study environment as similar to the test-taking environment as possible.  If you won't have a bed to lay on in class, then avoid studying on your bed at home.

Focus the majority of your energy studying what you don't know.  When reviewing old tests, study the questions you missed.  If you don't know the answers, FIND OUT.

Step Four - Self-Care
"Schedule" relaxation time.  Your brain needs a break to be at its best.  Be sure and take breaks both during and in between studying in order to re-energize.  Remember, the goal of final exams is to test your critical thinking skills, and you can't think if you are burned out.

Sleep and eat well.  Don't drastically change your diet or sleep patterns now.  Start that new diet and pull "all-nighters" AFTER finals week.

Step Five - Test Day
Arrive early

Scan the entire test and devise your plan of attack

• Complete the easy questions first
• Complete the problems that are worth more points before you use all your time and energy on the 1pt questions
• Skip any questions you don't know and come back to them if you have time
• Don't rush. Take one question at a time

Finally, no matter how much you want to flee after you are finished, review all your answers before handing in your test.

GOOD LUCK!