What-To-Know Wednesday : Tips + Tricks for Quiz-Studying

You’ll find that even during the first one or two weeks of classes, professors may give out the occasional quiz here and there. But don’t worry, no need to lose it. Whether it’s a little review of a prerequisite’s material, a professor’s way of making sure you read the syllabus, or a quick overview of Chapter One’s key words, you don’t want to be the one that fails the foolproof, first-week quiz just because you didn’t think it’d be a big deal.

So I’m here to tell you the some of my favorite ways to study for one of these “no-big-deal quizzes”, because yes, it’s still going to “count”, so yes, you should still study!

1.) Listen For Cues, Hints, or Outright Obviousness

Even if a professor doesn’t say, “we will be having a quiz next class on the syllabus,” that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re off the hook. So make sure to listen for those subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) cues and hints: “you’re gonna want to know this,” or, “makes sure you give that a careful read-through for Wednesday.” Sometimes a professor doesn’t want to come right out and tell you, because they want to make sure you’re going through the material on your own terms, or because they don’t want to make an already easy quiz too easy. So listen up, and make note of a potential upcoming quiz in your planner!

2.) Do the Reading and Take Notes!

This one might sound obvious. But lots of people are most inclined to skim through a reading to get the general gist, all the while, something much more specific is far more likely to show up on a quiz. So, while you read, make notes of bolded words, lists, definitions, you know- things that just look important. Mark it up, highlight, all that good stuff. Doing all these things while reading will help you better remember material later.

3.) Make Flashcards 

Once you’ve made a note of everything that seems quiz-worthy, make flashcards and go through them all several times to make sure you’ve really internalized the information. Personally, I love using flashcards, and I can’t study any other way. (If I get one right, I put it aside. If I get one wrong, I put it back at the bottom of the stack so I get it again later. I keep going through the stack until I’ve put all the cards aside…victory!!)

4.) Ace It!!! 

…annnnddd bask in the glory of how ready you were, even on class number two!

Study up folks, and be sure to stay tuned for the next Sum-It-Up Sunday on the 24th!



Let's Connect!
Instagram: @claire_cavanaugh
Twitter: @CavanaughClaire
E-mail: ccavanaugh2@mail.smcvt.edu

Sum-It-Up Sunday : First Week Back!

[The consistently beautiful ride back to campus last Sunday.]

 Hello all, and welcome to the very first Sum-It-Up Sunday of the semester!
We all just finished the first week of the spring semester here at St. Mike's, and I've definitely been hearing some mixed reviews from peers.
At least in my experience, I've noticed my classes have been getting more and more challenging (in a good way!) as the semesters go by, so this week was by no means a laid back, or as I've heard my roommate say, "fluffy" first week.

However, that doesn't mean we didn't all have a great time getting back into the swing of St. Mike's life.
 With the way our class schedule turned out this semester, Jared and I were able to sneak over to Smugg's on Tuesday for the first ski day of the semester...and let me tell ya, it couldn't have been a more perfect day to go.
It was pretty frigid (that's January skiing), but with my new jacket and all the fresh powder from the snow the day before, conditions were amazing, and we had some of the most amazing woods-runs yet.

 It was one of those days that I couldn't resist the risk of taking my phone out for some chairlift shots.

This was our first run of the day- I wish I remembered the name of the glade, but it ran all the way down the length of the mountain. Super fun, super pretty.

 Couldn't get enough shots in there.

 

...the sun starting to go down...(cold)

The rest of the week went relatively smoothly with classes, especially since we were able to get that nice break on Tuesday. Every hall had a meeting, just to make sure everything was going well and that things were going exactly how they're supposed to, and things are definitely off to a great start.

At the end of the week, we made it out to Our House again for some amazing mac and cheese. 

I got the incredible Breakfast Mac: bacon macaroni and cheddar cheese, topped with a strip of bacon and a sunny-side-up egg. After having the Shrimp Scampi Mac last time, which I thought would be hard to beat, I have to say that I've found a new favorite, and my very high recommendation goes out to all of you.

 Vermont, you never cease to amaze me. (An apres-dinner Walmart jaunt for some lunch for the next day's ski trip....and a little dessert. And I know what you're thinking, but the cold can't stop us.)

Speaking of cold, just when I thought skiing couldn't get chillier than Tuesday, Saturday proved me wrong. It was so bitter that my phone could only stay around enough to get a quick shot of the new skis before the temperature warning popped up.

 We're talking eight-below at the base, people.

All in all, it was a great first week back...it's crazy to think that the next time I'll have a first week back, it'll be when I'm a junior. Craziness. 

But until then, I gotta focus on being a sophomore, and I've got some homework to get to!

Until next time, folks...stay tuned for the next What-To-Know Wednesday on the 21st!

 

Let's Connect!
Instagram: @claire_cavanaugh
Twitter: @CavanaughClaire
E-mail: ccavanaugh2@mail.smcvt.edu

What-To-Know Wednesday : Prepping for the First Class

 Picture this:

You're fresh off a nice long break...it's a brand new semester. Yes, it's great to be back with all your freedom and friends in your second home, but there's one little thing poking incessantly at the back of your mind....

...you have four new classes that you'll be attending for the first time this week.

You've heard that a certain class isn't necessarily difficult material, but it's a lot of work.
You've heard that a certain professor is super nice, but not so nice of a grader, or vice versa.
But regardless of which rumors you've heard, you're probably wondering the same thing across the board: how do I come prepared for a class when there's nothing due, and how can I stand out to the professor this early in the game?

Essentially, it comes down to what you bring, and what you do. (These will all ensure that you're as at-ease as possible on a quintessentially stressful day, and they'll also be an immediate hint to your professor that you're on it and ready to hit the ground running.)


1.) Check the Booklist Over Break

 You never know what your professor might assign straight from day one, so it's best to be moving back in with all the required books for your classes.

Some students choose to buy them at the St. Mike's bookstore upon return, and others order them over break and ship them to school. Both are acceptable options...but if you want to be hitting that first class as ready (and ready-looking) as possible, your best bet is to order those books as early as possible over break, pack them up, and have them at your immediate access when that first class rolls around Monday morning. (You'll have enough to do moving back in, so you'll be glad that you don't also have to go pick up your books.)

The easiest way to track down that often-elusive booklist? Mosey on over to the St. Mike's website, search "booklist", and that very first result should lead you to the most recent version. (Make sure the appropriate semester is at the top of the page!)

From there, you're just looking for your class section along the left side. Once you find your section and the books listed beneath it, your best bet (if you're online shopping) is to search for books by their ISBN (it'll be right there on the list), just to make sure that you're getting the exact edition/revision/cover-art/various other specifications that your professor will be going by.

** I've found that the best deals are typically with used books on Amazon. Plus, you can make a student account that guarantees you free 2-day shipping on your books, and they'll buy them back from you once the semester ends! (Just search "textbook buy-back" on Amazon once you're ready to return!)

2.) Bring Everything You Normally Would

You should be going to your first class with all the supplies you would bring to the 35th class: writing utensils, a planner, a notebook/folder/binder/all of the above, any required books, and any assignments that may have been given over break (rare, but it happens. Remember to check your St. Mike's e-mail over break for any messages from professors!).

This way, you'll be prepared for any notes to be taken, handouts to be given, or assignments to be assigned. And believe me, most professors assign at least a little bit of work after the first class. (But no worries, we're talking minimal.)

3.) Etiquette, People!

And, of course, don't treat the first class like a flimsy syllabus-overview/meet and greet. The main thing to take away from this post is that the first class isn't a freebie or an exception...so uphold the same class "etiquette" that you would for next week's classes, the week after, etc.: come on time and be engaged. Treat it like any other class, between what you bring and what you do. This will ensure that you're as well prepared as possible, kicking off your semester to a roaring start!

Be sure to stay tuned for Sum-It-Up Sunday on the 18th!


Let's Connect!
Instagram: @claire_cavanaugh
Twitter: @CavanaughClaire
E-mail: ccavanaugh2@mail.smcvt.edu

Xmas Break Video + Blog Update!

Hello all! I hope everyone had a great holiday, and an even greater kickoff to 2015!

After three weeks of skiing, eating, working, and sleeping, I'm officially back for the spring semester- and I couldn't be more excited! We endured a lot of driving, unpacking, and resettling today- but I couldn’t let the first Sunday of the new semester go by without a quick update.

Around the beginning of break when I already had a ridiculous amount of photos built up, I decided I might want to take a different route for the returning blog post. Instead of attacking you all with an overwhelming outpouring of photos, I got the idea to make more of a highlight reel of key moments. (This way, I finally got to test out iMovie!)

So, I recorded videos all through break to be compiled later: rock-skipping on a frozen pond with Jared and my brother Colin, the two of them tasting a ghost-pepper-gummy, and our New Years skiing adventure to Wildcat Mountain, as we stayed in my aunt and uncle’s condo in North Conway, NH (featuring my cousin Dylan).

 I had a lot of fun making it, and I’m pretty happy with how it came out! I’m hoping to do more in the future…Jared brought up his GoPro for future Smugg’s trips, so it’s definitely likely that you’ll be seeing more of these!

Hope you enjoy! (Also, make sure to scroll down after the video for a blog update for the upcoming semester!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iOf_-BTUoY&feature=youtu.be

I had a pretty awesome break- I like to think I hit the trifecta: I had a lot of fun, I was productive, and I got a lot of rest! What more could you ask for?!

As for the upcoming semester, I’ll be changing the way I do my blogs, so each post has more of a succinct point to it. I’ll be blogging Wednesdays and Sundays, soon to be known as What-to-Know Wednesdays, and Sum-It-Up Sundays. ;)

If you didn’t guess from their oh-so-clever titles (that I spent a silly amount of time coming up with):
- Wednesday posts will cover a different set of student life tips and tricks each week (like my post about class registration, my post about keeping organized, etc.)
- …and Sunday posts will “sum up” my week, highlighting all the things to do in and around St. Mike’s.

This way, I won’t be trying to combine these two areas into one big post, and each post will be clearer, more direct, and hopefully that much more helpful!

Wish me luck on my first few days of classes- and be sure to stay tuned for the first What-To-Know Wednesday on the 14th!

 Let's Connect! 
Instagram: @claire_cavanaugh 
Twitter: @CavanaughClaire 
E-mail: ccavanaugh2@mail.smcvt.edu

Semester Farewell

Hello all!
As suggested by the title, this will be my last post of the semester. :(
But no worries, I will be back in 2015 (ohmygod) with plenty of photos and stories from the holidays!
Before that, however, it's time to update you all on the busy festivities of my week.
I've heard many say that it's not even finals week that's the scariest, but rather the week before finals that really comes for you. All your classes are rushing to finish up, any final projects or presentations are being handed in, and, perhaps the biggest burden of all, you're prepping for the huge schedule change in the week ahead (no classes, just studying and finals).
Fortunately, I'd like to think we made the best of our week before finals with my birthday festivities (woohoo!), as well as what was perhaps the best ski day I've ever had.
Heeerreee we go!

For those of you who may not know, it snowed here for THE ENTIRE WEEK. No joke. While we had to deal with the rowdy snowball fights that seemed to only happen after 11 pm, right outside our window, St. Mike's was gorgeous, and there was just that general first-snowstorm-excitement buzz about campus.

The pick of the birthday cards this year. (It's funny cuz it's true.)

Birthday dinner: our first time at the highly praised Our House (right down the street from St. Mike's), known for their crazy twists on mac and cheese. (They have an entire page of their menu dedicated to different spins on the classic dish.) I got the Shrimp Scampi Mac & Cheese (pictured above), and Jared got the Buffalo Bacon Mac & Cheese, complete with a buffalo wing perched atop the noodles. Just delish, and of course, very photogenic.

The best part? I had leftovers to bring for lunch to Smugg's the next day.

Church Street all dressed up for the holidays: an apres-birthday-dinner stroll. 

And now, the long awaited documentation of the best ski day ever.

No matter how long we waited in line or on the lift, I wasn't bothered by it on this particular day. With all the snow we got through the entire week, there was powder to spare: the mountain was beautiful, everyone was psyched, and the conditions were PRIME.

While it was a bit foggy getting towards the top, everything cleared up by lunchtime.

We spent a good part of the day at the Madonna lift, which is by far the prettier side of the mountain, if you ask me.

Into the woods we go...the best part of powder days? Getting to explore the hidden nooks and crannies of the mountain that you would otherwise not even consider. The glades were super fun, and too gorgeous not to get at least a ridiculous amount of pictures (trust me, I've spared you with the two). 

Normally, stopping for a picture in wind-tunnel conditions wouldn't birth this smiley of a shot. But this day was different.

I absolutely can't wait to (finally) get on my brand new skis over break, and it'll be even more exciting to bring them back to school in January for some Smugg's action. 

Until then, I wish everyone a very happy holidays and a relaxing break! 

Stay tuned next year! <3

Storm @ St. Mike's: Photos From the Front Line

Just a few photos of phase 1 and 2 of what's turning out to be quite the blizzard here at St. Mike's...we've been waiting for this!! Here's hoping roads will be clear in time for a nice satisfying ski day on Saturday.

Last Night

 

The beginnings weren't promising...but once the night was through, the wet slush pouring down would get thicker and accumulate.

Today

 ...the walk to breakfast.

 

It's lasted all day, and is projected to last through the night.

Study views...excluding a bold pair of cross country skiers who just whizzed on by.

For more photos like these, follow me @claire_cavanaugh on Instagram and @CavanaughClaire on Twitter.

Until then, a pleasant storm to all, and to all a good pair of snow boots.

#SurviveTheStorm

Ski Season @ Smugg's: Day One

This Saturday was the day we've all been waiting for: my first ski day of the season!
While it poured all day at St. Mike's, precipitation got snowier and snowier the closer we got to the mountain. Once we got there, we were immersed in complete snow.
It was the best first day we could ask for: some fresh snow on the ground (nothing powdery whatsoever, but hey, it was the first day!), not too cold, not too crowded. We were even able to meet up with a few friends.
Before I get into the details of day one and how to get the best bargain out of your day trip, here are a couple of shots from my week.

I've started calling this "the moon buttons picture". 

Dinner out Friday night! I'll never say no to Chipotle. Always good.

Sunny Sunday morning today. (Yes, Jared is wearing shorts.)

We've been planning our first ski day for weeks: no matter what kind of day it would be, we decided that we'd be going the first Saturday after Thanksgiving break. And what a picture perfect day it turned out to be!

The greatest photo-bomb of all the photo-bombs, if you ask me. This was right after I'd found the perfect overlook for a picture: the trail was actually closed, so it looked extra pretty and untouched, and there weren't any uninvited models tainting the shot. 

Same overlook, same model: a little fun with the Reflection app, one of my new favorites.

I feel like this should be in some sort of outdoor gear catalog.

Now that I've shared some photos from the day, it's time to discuss the best way to save as much money as possible.

If you end up going every Saturday of the season like Jared and me, saving will be key. Thankfully, we've found little ways through the past year or so to cut all sorts of corners.

1.) Bring Lunch

Whether you're smuggling a grilled cheese out of Alliot after dinner on Friday night or buying a few Walmart brand cold cuts, it's always a big money-saver to bring your lunch instead of buying it at the mountain. While the chili bread bowl and deep fried goodies will always be tempting, we've always brought lunch, so we don't really know what we're missing. But, mountain food has always and will always be expensive, so it's best to bring. (Plus, you stand in enough lines all day long. Might as well ditch the food line!) 

2.) Carpool

Since Jared has had a car ever since we started going up to Smugg's, I've always liked taking a car and being able to bring others along if they felt inclined. If you're lucky enough to make it on the St. Mike's shuttle sign-up sheet, that'll save even more gas, but just know that it's only available after Christmas break, and you'll have more freedom to get to the mountain and leave the mountain as you please if you happen to have a car, or a friend with one! 

3.) Take Advantage of the Pass!!!

The St. Mike's Wilderness Program offers a $65 season pass to Smugg's for students every year!!! And yes, that will pay for itself in a single day of skiing, so even if you don't think you'll be making it to the mountain more than two or three times in the season, it's still very much worth it! Take advantage of it! 

That's all my tips and tricks for the day, make sure to stay tuned next time for more skiing photos, and more everything!