Welcome to 2023!

Posted on February 1, 2023

Where has the time gone? It’s the end of January already?!

Welcome back to campus Hawkeyes, and to all of our new students as well. It is a freezing start to the semester!

I don’t know about you, but January always feels like the admin month. A lot of emails, a lot of new stories to share, a lot of goodbyes, and a lot of hellos and you are thrown right into your coursework. It can be super overwhelming to come back to campus (sometimes winter break does not feel long enough), but trust me I get it.

This is why it’s super important to find ways to alleviate some of the stress and work on creating skills like time management and organization.

1. I highly recommend planning your exam dates and assignments for all of your calendars, on one master calendar, so that you always know when something is due and can plan for it.
2. Next acknowledge, that it is ok to feel tired or exhausted from college already because we are still in the transition from coming out of holiday mode (be kind to yourselves).
3. Find something relaxing to do, whether this is self-care (watching a movie or listening to music), or hanging out with friends, find a way to wind down (being kind to yourself).
4. Make a list of goals you want to achieve this semester, whether this is academically or something new you want to try out (like a new sport), the key is to inspire yourself and to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Some Tips I have:

If you have a morning class:

1. SET YOUR ALARMS: I am not a morning person but I have chosen to do 3 8a.m. classes this semester each week because I wanted to sleep earlier and get into better habits. It is so important to set your alarm the night before so that you do not miss your class, or find yourself running with 5 minutes to go before your class starts.
2. PHONE: If you are a person who got stuck with a morning class and it was not your first choice, this one is for you. Place your phone on the other side of your room, after setting the alarm. This will physically make you have to leave your warm and cozy bed and walk to your phone. And hey, if you are already up, you might as well go to the 8am lecture that you got placed in!
3. SLEEP AT A CONSISTENT TIME: Notice how I did not say “sleep earlier”, this is because everyone has a different schedule, but find one that works for you, and stick to it. This will allow you to get into a routine and it will make sure that you will always wake up on time.
4. HAVE BREAKFAST: Ok, this is a heated debate amongst my friends (I could make a whole post about this on its own), but I strongly believe, that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You may be like (no, absolutely not) but try it out for a week and then (reply to this post), but I find your brain and body is so much more active after eating food in the morning and you are more likely to be productive and engaged in class.

Hope some of this helps you,

And Spring 2023, will be fun,

Nidhi

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How to Study Hard for an Exam!

Posted on February 28, 2022February 28, 2022

Hawkeyes we are officially in midterm season! Here are some tips on how you can ace any exam.

Step 1) Objectives are your best friend!

The first thing I like to do for an upcoming exam is print out the list of objectives for the particular exam. The objectives are essentially a study guide that will help you in making sure you have covered each topic that could potentially be asked on the exam. In each course, either the professor will upload a study guide or will provide a list of objectives for each topic. I then print out this list of objectives so that I can use it as a checklist, and tick off each point as I accomplish them.

Step 2) Next, plan your calendar!

The most important thing is timing! You want to make sure you give yourself enough time to review all of the content of the exam. Planning ahead of time will make you feel less overwhelmed to tackling any task. I like to use a calendar and give myself two weeks for subjects I find harder and one week for subjects I find relatively easier. Then under each day, I create a time slot in which I block out time specifically to study for that one subject. In doing this, I’ve found that I will not forget about studying for the exam as it’s already in my schedule.

 

Step 3) How much do you actually know?

To do well in any exam, you have to know your strengths and weaknesses about that particular topic. In this step, you have to be honest with yourself. There is no point in re-learning content you know you are good at, because you will tend to not make time or practice where you are weak, and therefore you will have a greater chance of being underprepared for the upcoming exam. The solution is to use the printed objectives list and mark/circle topics you know you are confident in or where you need more practice. This will help you by directly starting with areas you are weaker in, allowing more time for practice in this field, giving up a greater advantage to excelling on your exam.

 

Step 4) Put away your distractions!

It is so important when you’re studying to put your phone away. I like to put my phone on the other side of the room or in my bag if I’m studying in a study lounge. Also by turning your notifications off, you will reduce the urge to constantly check the updates on your phone, giving you more time to study. Furthermore, know the best way you study. If you realize you are getting easily distracted while studying around friends, allocate time your study for the upcoming exam to sit by yourself. This will minimize the time you talk with friends and you will be so much more productive.

 

Step 5) Learn how to achieve the results you want!

Each subject will have its own unique study methods to achieve the best score. For example, a history class might need a student to remember a lot of content. So for this, I recommend using quizlet or flashcards to reiterate the information taught. However, for more theory-based classes like science or calculus, understanding the concept is very important. To study for these classes it is important to attend lectures, and if possible listen to lectures twice to fill in the gaps of knowledge. Also practicing is the best way to get better at any subject. By doing past paper questions or homework questions you will understand how to apply what you have learned and have a better chance of performing well.

 

Step 6) Use the resources!

On-campus, the University of Iowa provides a great range of services and assistance to help students gain the results they want! Facilities like supplementary instruction sessions, teaching assistants, tutoring services, the writing center, library services… the list goes on! Be sure for each subject to find out all the resources available so that you can get the most help possible.

By using these steps, you are sure to perform well on your exam! Good luck Hawkeyes, for all your midterms but don’t worry, because spring break is almost here in just less than two weeks! #gohawks

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Your Ultimate Study Organization

Posted on January 31, 2022

Hi Hawkeyes! Spring semester is here, are you ready to crush it?

The semester starts, the first week is often the syllabus overview week, you place the handouts somewhere on your desk, the second week rolls around, you realize your classes are not too hard and you can get away with skimming the readings for the first quiz, and before you know it, your first mid-term is in 2 days, you have forgotten to study for your quiz that is due at midnight tonight, and you have to do 30 pages worth of readings for tomorrow’s class.

That feeling of being overwhelmed and not knowing which subject to start studying or wondering at 3am how you got so behind can be avoided by the right kind of study organization (this does not mean buying highlighters, new pens, and notebooks and calling it a day).

The key to having a great academic semester is to have an overall picture of what the semester will look like as it gives you the best platform to achieve your goals.

Here are some steps I take to help achieve my academic and personal goals:

Step #1: Print out your class timetable and place it somewhere visible in your room. This will give you a reminder of where you need to be, and an overview of what your availabilities are in between classes.

 

Step #2: For each subject print out the course syllabus. Spend 15 – 20 minutes highlighting the objectives of the course, as well as when and where quizzes, exams will take place. (Also never forget to note down the office hours of your professor for the particular subject, because it will be very useful to know when you are extremely busy in the semester and need to ask questions.)

 

Step #3 (AKA the most important step of all): Create the ultimate excel spreadsheet!

To do this, write down all the homework, quizzes, midterms, and final exams you have for each subject (you can find this on your syllabus as they provide a course schedule.) Next, write assignments in chronological order by the day they are due on an excel or google spreadsheet. Then, color-coordinate each subject. Because it is categorized by the day they are due, you will never forget an assignment, and as you finish each task, check them off!!

 

Step #4: Write daily to-do lists! In a notebook/planner, write down either the night before or the morning of your day, everything you will need to do! It is proven when you physically write out what needs to get done, you will be more motivated to accomplish it. It will also give you clarity on how to make the most of your time. Most importantly, check off the task once it is complete because you will feel extremely productive!

 

With these tips, you are on your way to ensuring a successful academic semester!

I hope these steps help, #GoHawks!!!!!

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Moving Across the World! From Sydney, to the University of Iowa!

Posted on September 14, 2021

Where do I even begin?!

Reading that title, you may be thinking “YOU CAME FROM SYDNEY”, “WHY DID YOU COME ALL THE WAY FROM SYDNEY?!”

Let me introduce myself, hi my name is Nidhi Anugu, I am from Sydney Australia, and am studying in the pre-medicine track in the college of liberal arts at the University of Iowa.

Now let me tell you an interesting story; the story of how awaiting for a travel document made me realize I was ready to move to the University of Iowa!

Ever since I was in the sixth grade I knew I wanted to attend college in America. It was my dream. The next thing I know, I felt like I blinked and I was taking the SATs in 12th grade.

It was time for me to officially start packing… this is where ALL the nervousness hit me in one go. I remember thinking to myself, “What am I doing?” “Why am I choosing to move so far away from home?” I was so nervous that I would not make friends on campus.  Also, as I did not have family close by, I remember thinking ‘What if I don’t meet good people?’ Because I knew my friends would be the closest people I would have to family, being here.

I then received an email about On Iowa, with all the activities leading up to the start of college and I felt a sense of ‘You know what… all these activities look so fun, and I’m going to give everything a go’. Then came the toughest part, saying goodbye to my family, friends, and loved ones, but I knew, I would be back for Christmas in no time!

SO…

Here is where the story takes a turn; so I arrive at the airport in Sydney with suitcases packed, ready to go, BUT I then get turned around at the check-in because I still needed a travel document to be accepted.

That one week of waiting had changed me significantly. You may be thinking how? “How does a travel document change a person?”

Well, when I went back home from the airport, I remember my first thought was ‘I just want to go’. I realized my mind was ready to leave, it was just all my fears and not wanting to leave my comfort zone that was clouding my feelings. I immediately turned to social media and would watch the events through the @uiowa social media page, and I realized I wanted to be here on campus so much, meet all these people and give everything a go.

It was that moment of realization that made me see I was ready for this move, and made me so excited to come to University.

I finally got approved, got onto the flight, and found myself after 24 hours of travel at Cedar Rapids airport. I immediately loved the atmosphere of the city, it was calm, peaceful, and the scenery from the airport to the University was beautiful.

Suddenly, I was moments away from campus and all the fears of “what will the people be like” came rushing in. But the moment I walked in and I opened the door to my floor everyone came out of their rooms and said hi to me with the brightest of smiles. That is a memory I will forever remember. I immediately called my mom and family at home saying “I LOVE IT HERE!” Everyone I have met so far has been welcoming, helpful, and genuinely kind people. I no longer felt that far away from home.

This leads me to answer the very first question: “Why did I come all the way from Sydney?” It was exactly for this; I wanted to get out of everything I knew and really explore the world, because I knew it would be the right growth for me and there is no better university to gain that experience from, than the University of Iowa. Not only has everyone been friendly, but people genuinely care for your well-being, by making sure you’re okay and checking up on you. It’s even the small things like people holding the door for you, or smiling as you walk by, it’s these kind actions that make this university unique.

My generic answer of I chose the University of Iowa because of its incredible medical opportunities and the diversity of the campus changed to – I’m glad I chose the University of Iowa because of the people at the university, the professors, TA’s, and the students.

I then woke up the very next day and had my first day of classes… and let me tell you it was so different from high school. More to come on how to handle studying and balancing a social life.

Signing Out,

Nidhi Anugu

Leaving Sydney to arriving at Cedar Rapids Airport.

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