Thursday, January 24, 2019

Starting Your Semester Right

So, you've had a month off and you're not sure how to get back into the swing of things. Or maybe first semester didn't go as well as you had wanted. Perhaps you need new study tips. Here are some ways to start your classes off on the right foot - from one student to another.

Image result for syllabus memesRead your syllabus. Obviously you should try to avoid missing class, but the worst time to realize you're allotted 2 absences is after your third. I personally write down my allowed absences for each class in the beginning of my planner, and I can then also mark down if I miss one of my classes. If you're sick or there's a family emergency, reach out to your professor and let them know. They're not going to have any sympathy if you just don't show up. You should also write down deadlines for assignments and quizzes, so you're not stuck writing a seven page essay you didn't know existed the night before it's due.

Similarly, be familiar with your resources. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. A professor is going to be a lot more sympathetic to a student who asks for help than one who doesn't. Office hours exist for a reason, don't be afraid to go in. There are other options as well - there's tutoring in the residence halls, as well as a variety of options in the library. Everyone here wants you to succeed. If you need extra help, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Accessibility Resource Center. For a list of other academic resources, click here. For Mental Health Resources at UWM, click here.

Participate. It'll help your grade, and it'll most likely make you care more.

Sit in the front. I know you don't want to. But in all honesty, this is one of the best ways to make sure you're paying attention and learning - you're paying to go here after all. Also, the professor will know who you are - trust me, that helps.

Find an organization method that works for you. This goes back to the syllabus and writing things down. I personally use a planner and a huge calendar on my wall. But there are endless options - your Outlook calendar, a journal, a notepad, even post-its! Make it fun - buy colored pens and highlighters. I even knew someone who used stickers, just because it helped them stay organized! Pinterest can be your friend with this tip. If you'd prefer to use your phone, experiment with different apps until you find one you like, and the reminders could help you as well!

Image result for lakefront colectivoFind the best place for you to study. Whether it be the library, your room, outdoors, Colectivo, or one of the hidden corners of campus, find the place that makes you happiest and helps you to concentrate. Not everyone thrives in the same study environment, and that's okay. Personally, I need a quiet space that isn't where I live to be able to work well. Find what works for you and do it.

Start a study group. It may be tempting to hide in the back corner of your class and ignore everyone, but don't. If you find a friend in each of your classes, you're bound to be happier about attending. If you're someone who does well when studying with others, start a study group and help each other out!

Find a way to stay motivated. Reward yourself for getting work done. Maybe you let yourself watch a Netflix episode after working for an hour. Maybe you start a daily accomplishment journal - you write down the little things you do to realize how much you are actually accomplishing. Maybe after working for 45 minutes, you get to go outside for a 5 minute walk. Or, you put a gummy bear on each new paragraph. Again, find something that works best for you. It'll help!

Try a new club. If it doesn't work out, you don't have to commit, but try to find something new and interesting to do - it can even be a job! There's a ton of clubs here at UWM! Handshake is a great resource if you're looking for a job.

Declutter - and maybe redecorate! If you're feeling bored of your room, try reorganizing or redecorating to get a fresh new start! I completely reorganized my room at the beginning of second semester, and it was a small but nice change and definitely a breath of fresh air.

Take breaks. If you're getting angry or frustrated, you're not making any progress and there's no point being stuck on something for an hour. Take a ten minute break, grab a snack. Once your head is clear, go back to your task and try again. If you're still stuck, try approaching the problem in a new way, attempting a different assignment, or asking for help.
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Move. Now, I know exercise isn't everyone's thing, but it really does help with stress! Find an unorthodox way to get active - go for a walk, throw a frisbee, go rock-climbing, dance, bike, laser tag - even playing an instrument counts!

Nutrition and sleep. It's not always the easiest thing, but everyone preaches it for a reason. Even if you can't get your full eight hours every night, make sure you do before big tests and presentations. It helps with stress more than you realize. Make sure to take care of yourself - it's so important. No one will judge you for bringing an apple or granola bar to class if you forgot breakfast or need an extra snack. Water helps more than you think - and there are a ton of places you can get a free water bottle on campus, such as the LGBT Resource Center located in the Union.

Not everything works for everyone, so if you have any of your own tips, please let us know! Good luck with second semester!

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

2019 Bucket List

Living in a city, there are always new things to try! We've compiled a list of activities for a UWM student that will help you to experience Milwaukee - a 2019 Bucket List - one that you can actually complete.

Image result for shipwrecks milwaukee1. Go out on the water - we're lucky to live right next to such a great lake, as well as the Milwaukee River! Take advantage of it and go kayaking, on a boat tour, or even scuba dive to see shipwrecks. There are far more things to do than just going to Bradford - but that's fine too!

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2. Walk or bike the Oak Leaf Trail or the Milwaukee Riverwalk - if you don't have your own bike, you can rent a Bublr bike, otherwise take a walk along the Oak Leaf Trail - you can take it to Shorewood, the Lakefront Colectivo, Downtown - it's the perfect segue into other activities in your day! And the Milwaukee Riverwalk is an amazing way to explore downtown!

Related image3. The Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse - while you're downtown, head here for some fantastic photo opportunities!


4. Go rock climbing at Adventure Rock - rock climbing is a ton of fun, and it's good for you, so grab some friends or go alone and maybe you'll find your new favorite hobby! Adventure Rock is great for newcomers, as well as those who have been rock climbing for a long time. It's right across from Riverview Residence Hall, so you can even take the shuttle there.

5. Visit the Milwaukee Public Market - there's a variety of different vendors here, and it has a super cool atmosphere! This is also located in the Historic Third Ward, so it's perfect if you're exploring and need a break.
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6. Try Kopp's Frozen Custard - rumored to be the best, and with crazy flavors, it's definitely worth a visit!

7. Go to a museum - this is perfect for a rainy or snowy day. Whether it be the Public Museum, the Art Museum, Discovery World, the Harley Davidson Museum, the Domes, or some other museum entirely, there are a ton of options for when you want to go out - but also stay in.

Image result for milwaukee film festival8. Check out the Milwaukee Film Festival - this is one of my favorite times of the year. Pro tip: for each shift you volunteer, you get a free pass into the Film Festival. There's always plenty of diverse and amazing works playing, you're sure to find one you like! Bonus points for this one because you also get to experience the beautiful Oriental Theatre.

9. If you need a break from Milwaukee...Escape MKE - if you've ever wanted to be a spy, this is perfect for you. Take a group of friends (or family), choose from a variety of missions, and see if you can escape the room. 

Image result for milwaukee waterfront deli10. Try new restaurants - this one seems pretty simple, but Milwaukee has a lot of unique and diverse cuisine and restaurants that you should definitely try out - Mader's, AJ Bombers, and the Waterfront Deli are all great choices! Mader's has had a lot of celebrity guests, from Katy Perry to John F Kennedy, and if you sit on the second floor of the Waterfront Deli, they send your food up in a basket on a dumbwaiter! 
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11. Go Hang Gliding - everyone seems to talk about skydiving, but I've always wanted to try hang gliding! There are a few different places around Milwaukee that offer you the opportunity to fly (or at least feel like you are), so research which one is best for you and go!

Let us know when you complete any of the activities and what you think! If you have any other ideas, be sure to tell us! Enjoy your next year in Milwaukee!

*Some activities may be dangerous. This list is provided from a UWM student perspective and not specifically endorsed by the university. If you participate, do so at your own risk.