Studying for any major is tough work, but I congratulate all of you for making it this far!
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I have always been pretty studious, but I’ve also had a bad habit of keeping everything in order, especially when I take too much “me” time.
After years of studying, I realized how CRUCIAL it is to maintain a proper schedule and an updated calendar of events for class deadlines, exams, and personal matters. I am probably not the only one who has had issues with late-night studying or mismanaging time and it’s a hard habit to break.
Studying and cramming constantly may work for some, but the pressure and stress can take a toll on our physical and mental health.
Luckily one of our student services, the Macklin Center for Academic Success (MCAS), provides an excellent resource!
The MCAS, and I quote, “empowers undergraduate and graduate students to develop effective learning strategies…”
So why not grab a little bit of empowerment and take advantage of this service, found in the BSE Building 1st Floor, Suite 1322, and become successful students!
Let’s begin by using one of their handy worksheets for managing our time.
This sheet is the 24-hour scheduler. It’s a useful little sheet that can give you a broader sense of what to do every hour. Of course, meals and personal time SHOULD be scheduled!
Let’s take a look at the sheet, shall we?
This sheet is marked from 4 am – 3 am Monday through Sunday, of course, most of these times are for sleep (lets keep those 8 hours PLEASE) and much needed breaks. Though the schedule might not be followed to a T, it is still helpful to remember the start of a study session and when to stop to take a break.
I have been working from home since the beginning of the shutdown in March 2020. As of late, I have been feeling slightly burned out as an effect of continuously being in the same space. The days seem to just roll into one another, and the weekends go by much quicker than they come around. It can be challenging to cope with the effects of burnout while still being expected to put full effort into your professional work and schoolwork. Here are some ways to deal with burnout:
Take Regular Breaks
I recently discovered the Pomodoro Technique. This is a system where you work in intervals of your choice. I like to do 30-minute intervals of work followed by a 5-minute break. This method ensures that I get work done and still take small breaks to regroup. After four rounds of this you can take a longer break.
Work Out Regularly
I know we hear working out as the answer to a lot of life’s problems, but it really is helpful in improving your mood and boosting your energy. It also helps to improve sleep, which a lot of us don’t get enough of.
Practice Meditation and Mindful Breathing
Meditation allows you to clear your mind to focus on what’s important. If you are new to meditation, you can start out with guided meditation to help keep you focused. I love using the Calm app, or you can simply look for guided meditation videos on YouTube.
This last and simple way to battle burnout is to spend time with those who make you happy and energize you. Go to brunch, play games, have a picnic while the weather is still nice, or do anything else that you like to do. Being around others will help boost your spirits.
I hope these tips help to put some ease to your burnout. With the middle of the fall semester approaching, things will unfortunately get a little harder before they get easier. What are some things that you have practiced to deal with burnout?
The best time of the year is among us. The air has finally reached that perfect sweatshirt temperature, the leaves are beginning to paint the skies in golden and amber, and the pumpkin patches are filling up with the favorite of festive vegetables. It’s time to get out and enjoy the change of season, and I have collected a list of the very best day trips in Maryland to do just that!
The scene is set in 1955, where a storybook themed amusement park opened in Ellicott City. The Enchanted Forest was filled to the brim with references and nods to the fairy tales and nursery rhymes that everyone had grown up with; Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Goldilocks and more. For 30 years, The Enchanted Forest delighted thousands of children with its various rides and attractions, and yet, in 1995, the park shuttered its doors forever.
The good news is that this place of history and humor hasn’t been lost to the ages. In 2004, Clark Elioak Farm made a deal with the owners of the old Enchanted Forest to move many of the scenes and rides to its land for restoration. They are still there today. For a small entrance fee, anyone who wishes to walk into the old storybook world Ellicott City boasted for 30 years can still do so! And the best time of year to go is when the leaves change color and the scenes blend into the beauty of Fall.
Dates: open through October 31st
Price: $8 for entree, with additional activities (cow train,wagon ride, etc.) an additional $2.50 to $5 a person
Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
A staple of Maryland fall fun and fair, the Renaissance Festival is back in town. Explore the blacksmiths, artisans, and entertainers of the 14th century and on. Galavant through Ye Old Town, watch Shakespeare or a fight demo or even an old fashion joust. The Ren Fest offers days worth of fun throughout this October for all Marylanders to explore and enjoy!
Dates: Every weekend till October 24th
Price: from $13 to $28 a person, depending on age and date (MUST BUY ONLINE)
If you’re looking to fulfill everything on your Autumn bucket list in one day, Winterbook is your place to go. Corn maze, farm animals, mountain slides, apple canons, peddle carts, pumpkin patch; you name it, Winterbrook has it in surplus. With ten acres of farm fresh fun, as well as every fall comfort food you can think of, Winterbrook is your one-stop shop for getting the most out of the outdoorsy fun of Fall.
Anyone who is into the animal adoption scene has heard about BARCS and the amazing work they do to help home and care for the animals of Maryland. Knowing that the sole purpose of saving animals is at the heart of the non-profit, it’s hard for anyone to turn down the events BARCS hosts every year. Good news is that this October, BARCS nine separate events allow everyone the opportunity to help the homeless animals of Maryland, and have a good amount of fun too!
BARCStoberfest is a massive event running this year, spanning over 8 different days in October. For the first October event on the 9th, BARCS at the Beach is celebrating man’s best friend with pet costume contests, a beach photo booth, special cocktails, live music and more. MEOWtoberfest on the 23rd honors feline familiars with adoptable kitties, face painting, kids activity stations and a beer giveback from Manor Hill. After that, on the 30th is BARCStoberfest Annual Beer Garden with limited tickets and exciting animal themed times. If all that fun isn’t enough for your animal-obsessed soul, consider joining one of the four mini fun runs throughout October and receive a complimentary beer tasting at the end. There are virtual events as well, and all proceeds go towards helping BARCS support the dozens of animals it helps house, feed, care for, and home.
Dates: October 6th, 9th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, and 30th
Nothing says Autumn like drinking an ice cold beer out in the crisp air, surrounded by friends, live music and fun. This year’s Good Beer Festival offers just that, with 38 different breweries in attendance to give you the best beer you can have on this side of the states. If beer isn’t really your thing, consider going for the chainsaw carvings, axe throwing, puppy petting, drunk spelling bee, relay contests, carnival games, or various vendors selling at the festival. Throughout the event, live music will help keep you tasting and trying, and various food booths will offer a snack if you get hungry.
Dates: October 8th through 9th
Price: $10 to $35 depending on if you would like to do tastings or not
It is once again time to pull on your tights and find your cape, as the Baltimore Comic Con makes its way back to Maryland for its 21st year. Grab your local superhero nerd, your favorite artist friend, and that guy you know who just likes a good story, and find your way down to Baltimore for one of the biggest conventions of artists that the city sees every year. With 98 different comic book writers in attendance, everyone will find something they can enjoy, superhero fan or not.
Dates: October 22nd to 24th
Price: $25 to $165 depending on date and VIP access
Address: Baltimore Convention Center, 1 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland
I cannot tell you all how long I have spent staring at this computer screen trying to come up with the perfect intro. This is my first post on my fist blog, and like many first times, I feel that overwhelming pressure to get everything just right. But you know what screw perfection, its overrated.
I do not know about you all but coming back to school has been harder than I thought. I mean its one thing rolling out of bed and opening a laptop or tablet, but its something completely different walking through campus and finding your classroom. And for all my commuters out there, that drive is no joke either. It feels like I have to relearn how to be a regular student again, while still having to learn all the material in my classes. Heck, these first couple weeks felt like being back in high school.
I think for all of us, this is a season of transition. We are all going from this virtual reality to being immersed in the real world again. I am petitioning that we should all get one A just for that! But like the great American classic High School Musical taught us, “This Could be the Start of Something New” and “We’re All in This Together.”
Transition has never been easy for me. Personally, the hardest part about coming back to school and readjusting to society’s new norms is just trying to find that spark again. I think back to 2019, and I just remember feeling like the world was my playground. I could do anything and be anyone. Like with most people, my reality wasn’t just shaken, it was decimated by the events of last year. However, the darkest moments are when light shines the brightest. Last year taught me arguably the most important lesson of my life. BE THANKFUL. For so long, I had been caught up on who I could be and what I wanted, that I ignored who I am and what I have! That is a lesson that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
So, as I am transitioning to driving back and forth for an hour and taking the hardest classes that I’ve ever had, I remain thankful. I am thankful that I get to go to school and continue my education in a field that I love, I am thankful for my wonderful support system of family and friends, and most importantly, I am thankful that I woke up today and get to live my life. To anyone out there that has felt overwhelmed, sad, or worn-out recently, I encourage to reflect on the things that you are thankful for and spend time focusing on that.
If anyone would like to share, I would love to hear what the toughest part of this transition has been for you, and how you have beat it.
I am thankful for each and every one of you and remember to tell yourself:
After a year of taking virtual classes and staying at home all the time, it felt so good to start my junior year in person. As an epileptic, I’m used to my family knowing everything that’s going to happen and being told what’s going to happen ahead of time, but this time I’m on my own. This is going to be a new life experience for me, and I was very excited about it. Still I felt the same way I’m sure that every student has during their first day. A feeling of excitement with a mix of frightened nervousness.
It felt like an adult version of the first day of elementary school. The campus is more like a maze, and I had to find my classes on my own?! On top of that, I’m taking all of my classes with the same people for the next two years, not just for one semester?! That was the most terrifying part for me, because I had wondered, “Will we all get along?”
I’m sure everyone else was thinking the same thing, because we were still in that awkward first week. We had already set up a group chat before the semester to get to know each other better, but when we met in person, we still had those awkward conversations. Nonetheless, communicating via an app brought us closer together and allowed us to learn more about each other. I know it was extremely beneficial to me! They progressed from school-related conversations to conversations about anything. Our question was answered…we’re doing great!
I wasn’t always a social person, but this cohort assisted me in breaking out of my shell and becoming more open. I had already decided to assist all of them in any way I could before even meeting them, but after meeting them in person and spending time with them, I knew that my classmates are people who truly deserve it! With six classes, we are given a truckload of assignments to complete, most of them being due the next time we have that class. Honestly, cooking a meal for the entire class would’ve been much easier! Despite this, we all manage to get everything done by helping each other out, whether it’s a simple question or a large project. Not only are we assisting in answering a question, but we are also reminding everyone of the tasks that must be completed.
It’s only been one month since I started my program, and I must say that I’ve witnessed some memorable events with my cohort that I’ve only heard about. I know I don’t have to worry about being alone on campus because my cohort is doing what we’re supposed to do: being there for each other. My cohort aren’t just my classmates; they’re my friends, and I can’t wait to get to know them better and work through this new life experience with them!
Anyone else feel like life before 2020 existed in a completely different universe? I look back on memories from my undergraduate career at UMBC and I think “No, that couldn’t have been me, that feels like someone else’s life. So much is different now.” Now that I’m in graduate school (still at UMBC – go Big Dawgs!!) I can reflect on all the lessons I learned during college. Here are some of the main things I wish I knew in undergrad:
Use ALL of your school’s free services.
You may not realize it, but your tuition money is paying for career counseling, mental health counseling, gym facilities, tutoring, and a lot more. Depending on your home institution, you may even be able to use their services, too. You’re paying for these services whether you use them or not, so why not put your tuition money to work?
Get involved both on AND off campus.
I review a lot of student resumes, and they constantly tell me “I haven’t done anything.” Most times we can find experiences to write down, but for some students it seems like all they do is go to class and go home. Don’t be that guy. Find a place to volunteer, join a club, and follow your passions – it makes college more fun, and your resume will write itself!
The day of my 2019 graduation
Take a lot of pictures.
This one is pretty simple, and a little cheesy. I don’t buy in to the fact that these are “the best years of your life”, ESPECIALLY while we’re still in the throws of this pandemic. But, most of us will only be in college once, and documenting the good times will be a gift to yourself that keeps on giving for the rest of your life whenever you feel nostalgic.
Take the wildest electives.
You’re already spending so much of your time and energy learning about your degree, so why not learn about something completely different? Some of my favorite classes were subjects like Classical Mythology, Music of the World, and Creative Non-Fiction Writing – and they had nothing to do with my degree. You might have fun, and even discover a new passion!
Find a mentor, and keep in touch.
Last but most important, I wish I had found myself a mentor. This is someone you trust who is in your desired field and is willing to regularly chat with you and provide guidance. My graduate program matched me with a mentor, and within one semester I had greater clarity in my goals and networking calls with other professionals. Check if your academic department or any organizations in your field have mentor matching programs, and use it. Finally, be sure to keep in touch!
A famous scientist whose name is synonymous with pure genius, where details like his hair or a famous equation will bring a name to mind.
If you thought EINSTEIN, then you are correct!
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Albert Einstein, known for his crazy hair and the equation, E=mc². He was a physicist who developed the general theory of relativity and someone more relatable than we think, because even though he was a genius, he wasn’t the best student or successful for a long time.
Born in 1879 in Germany, Einstein didn’t like school, causing him to drop out. But as an adult, he applied to a physics college, where he finally got in after his first failed entrance exam a year later. During his studies, from youth to adulthood, his professors called him lazy and useless, he graduated bottom of his class at his college with no career. He got a job as a patent clerk afterward, and while working with patents and math, he discovered the general theory of relativity. But, this discovery went unnoticed for years and, his father, who didn’t live to see his success, died believing he was a complete failure, even though he was on the right track.
In 1905, pushing to find success, Einstein wrote his 5th paper where he explained his discovery of the equation, E=mc². He was disregarded by the scientific community but, it wasn’t until 1919,when astronomers studying a solar eclipse verified Einstein’s discoveries, making him an overnight celebrity. He received a Nobel prize in 1921 for physics, and his success continued until his passing on April 18, 1955, at Princeton, New Jersey.
So why is Einstein relatable?
Einstein had so much determination and perseverance to keep moving forward no matter what he went through. When school wasn’t working out for him and everyone around him disregarded his work, his determination led to his success. We are all worth so much more than what others might believe and as long as we persevere also, we won’t let our failures define us, just as Einstein did.
If you’re like me, there never seems to be enough hours in a day, and the weekend seems to fly by like a 30-minute lunch break. The fall semester is in full swing and time management is key. With homework, study groups, work, and making time for a social life, it can be easy to forget about other important things.
One thing that I always make time for during the week is cooking. I like to cook at home because I like how my food tastes, I can control what goes in it, and I am in the midst of purchasing a home and planning a wedding. In other words, I need to keep as much of my coins in my bank account as possible. Cooking at home allows me to budget my food spending so that I am not frivolously throwing away money at restaurants. Don’t get me wrong, I do eat out a few times a month, but I budget for those special times as well.
I know you’re probably thinking, “I don’t know how to cook,” or “I always end up making the same things and I get tired of my cooking.” I am going to share my favorite food bloggers. I have made recipes from each of them and they have come out deliciously.
Scherise focuses on quick and simple meals that everyone can make. She makes reels, IGTV videos, and even posts written recipes. She also has a home care line called YourHomeBeis, where she sells salt-free seasonings and other kitchenware.
2. Alex also makes simple recipes and is a self-taught cook. She has a food blog under the same moniker, where she posts recipes along with vibrant pictures of each dish to go along. Just scrolling through her site makes me hungry. I have made her Peruvian Chicken recipe and it was *chef’s kiss* delicious.
3. Lastly, but certainly not least, Maria is another home-chef that delivers mouth-watering, easy recipes. I will say, her recipes are a go-to when you want to indulge. As her Instagram handle suggests, you can expect lots of fried food from her and lots of butter. Her recipes are perfect for a Friday night at home. She also has a blog where she posts recipes with the same name, DeepFriedHoney.com.
I hope this lists inspires you to make at least one more meal-a-week at home than you were making before. Feel free to share any recipes that you’ve tried in the comments!
Legally speaking, I am an adult now; I have to pay taxes, and worry about getting nails in my tires, and other such adult things. Recently, I bought myself a new dresser, and honestly there is nothing in my mind more able to solidify the idea of being an adult than building IKEA furniture on your own. No matter how much the thought disgruntles me, I find myself having to admit just how much of an adult I have become. Yet, the other morning, when I stepped out of my car and felt the cool chill of autumn in the air, with it, the all too familiar memories of football games and leaf piles and costume hunting came rushing back. I had to hold myself from skipping into work as my mind dazed to what fall always brings with it; a sense, for me, of returning home.
People have been so upset recently about how early Target has put out their Halloween displays, and how quickly Starbucks released their pumpkin-themed beverages. Not a day goes by without word bombarding me; summer isn’t over yet! September just started! All around, I find people angry and sad with this fated passage of time, and I am a little shocked at how upset people are about autumn peeking its head through the record breaking heat waves that this summer had, just to remind everyone that cooler, merrier times are to come.
I would imagine that at this point, you might have assumed fall is my favorite season, and while you aren’t wrong, there is more to this, at least for me. Yes, nothing brings me, a girl from rural Maryland, more joy than knowing that flannel season is coming; that the farm markets and apple picking festivals are just around the corner. But that is not the purpose of my writing. I find myself confused at those longing to hold onto this summer as hard as I find those around me doing. I see people grasping at the final straws of the weather as if it were a lifeline; a raft in rough waters. For me, the approach of fall signifies an escape from the fevers of yet another Covid summer. For me, this turning of the time brings with it a change, a future, or maybe even a possible finish line to the awful of the pandemic-filled world we have found ourselves wishing for normal life in.
I am not just excited for the return of my favorite season, but rather, I am excited for the return of my favorite things, for the life I had before the world went sideways. I know this is still well away off, but the turn of temperature shows we are moving forward in time, away from that forlorn February day, rather than stuck in the blistering heat of reward-less stagnation. This summer has felt endless, filled with bad news and worse happenings, and fall brings with it the opportunity to step out of the humid heat of hard times. A gentle crisp of air, baptized with cinnamon and cider, to clear the mind of rattling old wrongs. While I know fall will not solve the problems we have found ourselves stuck inside of, it at a very minimum, like the turn of all seasons, it is a step forward, a fresh start, however small or childish it may seem.
I may be one of few so excited to see the first leaf of the season turn its amber, but at least, for those who anger at my excitement for fall, please know my premature celebrating is not a vengeful or silly one. Its a final celebration for me and my kin; one that will bring with it a joyous beginning, as every season before has done.
About this time last year I was preparing for my senior year of my undergrad when an Ad to become a blogger for USG popped up on my instagram. I remember scrolling past quickly thinking “no way”. Less than a minute later I scrolled to look for the Ad again thinking “well…?”. I have always felt my writing was not to the standards I desired and told myself blogging may be a fun incentive to work on it. It’s public, it would be interesting, and it’s something I’ve never done before. With doubt that I would be offered the position I applied and I am so thankful I was selected.
Becoming a blogger for Around the Grove has opened so many opportunities for me to grow. I have improved my writing, I learned interesting topics to write about, and I grew more confidence. I am very sad that this will be my last post on Around the Grove, but I don’t think it will be my last blog post ever. The best thing that came out of this experience was realizing that I may want to pursue blogging in the future about behavioral health. So for my last post here is everything I want to say and leave for my readers:
Listen to the “maybe I should do it” voice in your head. Take the chance! I rather fail trying than wonder what could have happened if I never tried at all.
You are the most valuable investment you will ever make so take the chance on you. Take the leap of faith for yourself because when it works in your favor it’s the most rewarding feeling.
Do not stop until you are proud. Being satisfied has never been enough for me. One thing that really keeps me pushing is thinking what my younger self would think of me. I know that my younger self would think I have overcame too much to stop. So even when it feels like the universe has to be working against you and it’s a sign you should give up, take a breath, shed the tears, and get back at it.
My next chapter consists of finishing my MSW specializing in Behavioral Health at UMB. After that, take my licensure exam and find my first social work job. It feels surreal that the future I have dreamed of for so long is than a year away. I am so thankful my readers have been able to be apart of some of the journey. Take care and thank you!
USG
The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) 