Tag: studying

All, Organization + Planning, The Ultimate University Guide, university

5 Ways to Backup Assignment Files

by Literary and LovelyLeave a Comment on 5 Ways to Backup Assignment Files

October 2016 5 Ways to Back Up Files imageAfter completing three years of university, and a decade of grade school before that, I have come to learn that one of the biggest universal fears among students is the terror that follows the loss, or potential loss, of an assignment. 

Because of this, I wanted to write a post about 5 ways I go about backing up my files so that I am spared the frantic search through recovered files for my assignment, or dread of having to re-write the assignment if it is lost in the void. 

1. Email to Yourself

I love doing this because it is so quick and easy. The only downside is that it can clog up your inbox if you have a lot of drafts for one assignment or multiple assignments on the go. However, once the assignment is completed and handed in, you can always go through your inbox and simply delete the drafts, keeping a final copy just in case. 

2. Backup on a USB Drive

This is a super handy way to not only back up an projects or assignments you may be working on, but also to transport them. USB drives are especially helpful when working on a group project because each member can write their own portion and bring them to a group meeting on a USB drive where they can be put on the same computer and combined. Of course, just make sure you keep the USB drive in a safe place like on your keychain or in your pencil case, because the only flaw in this system is if the USB goes missing. 

3. Transfer to a Hard Drive

This is a great long-term solution for keeping all your assignments saved and secure. For instance, I am still using the laptop I got back in 8th grade and it had a ton of files on it from my high school years that I didn’t need to be bringing to university with me everyday. So, I purchased a hard drive, transferred all my files onto it, and then deleted the vast majority of them off my laptop. Now I have much more free space on my laptop and a backup of all of my assignments. 

4. Print Out Drafts Throughout Writing Process

This is not the most environmentally-friendly way to back up files, and can be time-consuming depending on the length of the assignment due the time required to re-type out the draft if it did get lost, but it is a sure way to have hard copies of an assignment and ensure that no technology gets in the way. 

Drop in the Cloud

The cloud is probably the easiest and best way to back up your files. As much as I don’t like the idea of my documents floating around the digital atmosphere, I am forced to admit that dropping assignments in the cloud is a good way to save them, access them anywhere, and send them to others. 

How do you back up your files???

All, The Ultimate University Guide, university

Taking Summer Courses: Yay or Nay??? 

by Literary and LovelyLeave a Comment on Taking Summer Courses: Yay or Nay??? 

With my third year of university now at an end, I have potentially only one more year to go before graduation. Yikes!!! Of course, I could tack on another major and a minor and delay graduation by at least another year.

In the event that I want to graduate next spring though, I may need to take summer courses. I have managed to avoid them during my three years in university, but I have been giving them a lot of thought as of late, so I wanted to share with you the list of pros and cons I have come up with about taking summer courses.

Pros

  • Shorter course duration
  • Expedite completion of required courses or electives
  • Exposure to different professors and teaching styles
  • Smaller class sizes
  • Different course syllabi from fall/spring courses 

Cons

  • Limited course selection
  • Longer lecture duration
  • Information-dense lectures
  • Less time between tests/exams 
  • Are not usually covered by a scholarship unless a full course load is taken 

Have you taken summer courses before??? How did you find them??? Would you recommend them??? Picture 19

All, Organization + Planning, university

5 Things I Do in the Final Week of Classes 

by Literary and LovelyLeave a Comment on 5 Things I Do in the Final Week of Classes 

  Today is my final day of spring term classes!!! 

I have loved my courses, but I am looking forward to being able to study in my pajamas and bake cupcakes during my breaks. Until I can do that though, there are five things I like to do in the final week of classes so I thought I would share them here 🙂 🙂

1. Locate all my notes

No matter how organized I am, a few pesky pages of notes or handouts get misplaced. In the final week, I gather all my notes from the term together, separate them into classes, and figure out any gaps. Before friends go back home or get tucked into their study caves, I want to make sure that I have everything I will need to prepare for finals. 

2. Read through notes and mark with questions 

While classes are still in session and professors and TAs still have office hours, I like to read through all my notes and mark any questions I have so I can get them resolved as early as possible. There is nothing worse to me than studying for a final and then finding a giant hole in my notes about a topic I thought the prof would elaborate upon but never did. 

3. Clean Up My Computer Desktop

Maybe this is just me, but I have a terrible habit of dragging links and folders onto my desktop for easy access and then never putting them where they belong in my university folder, or just never trashing them. Before I sit down at my desk to study for finals, I like to make sure that everything is in its place to avoid the panic that accompanies a missing assignment. 

4. Stock Up on Post-It Notes and Erasable Pens

Post-it notes are my study strategy go-to because I can colour code things, flag important sections in textbooks, summarize chapters, and so much more. Between post-its, highlighters, and coloured pens for headers, definitions, etc. my notes are essentially a mini rainbow of information. Haha takes the learning rainbow to a whole other level. And erasable pens are my saving grace. I used to go through white out like it was going out of style because I like my notes to be scribble-free but now I get the dark lines of pen writing without the hassle or waste of white out. I know I could write in pencil instead, but as a leftie, my writing often smudges and I can’t stand the look of blended pencil on a page, or on the side of my hand. 

5. Map Out a Study Schedule for Final Exams 

Classes let out on a Monday April 4th this term, and exams start up on Thursday April 7th. Usually exams are scattered across several days in the exam period, and this can create the false illusion that I have more study time than I actually do. I make a calendar of each day in the exam period, block off the days I have for exams and the days immediately before for relaxation, and then schedule in study time for each of my exams. Not only that, but I detail what I am going to do each day like draft essay answers or create concept maps for a certain number of chapters. Keeping these goals on-task and realistic gives me a sense of accomplishment when I complete them and can check them off, and it keeps me focused to avoid the last-minute panic of night before studying. 

What do you do in the final week of classes???

Picture 19