Exam time. It has finally arrived. During exam week, it is easy to become so consumed with studying that you forget to take care of yourself, but you are the one taking the exam, and without the proper care and nutrition, you may find that your final grade does not reflect the hours of studying you put in.

Here are 5 tips to keep your body and mind at its best during exam week.

Tip #1

EAT! Coffee does not qualify as a meal. The caffeine may help you stay up, stay focused, and stay alert, but it can also trick your body into thinking its not hungry. It is. If you take adderall or other similar supplements, you must remember to eat. Although you may find that your body is very much awake, without food, the mind becomes groggy and unable to absorb the material as well. Don’t rely solely on supplements or vitamins. Paired with food, these are great, but the body needs the substance of actual food. A vitamin C chew is not as good for your body as an orange.

Tip #2

Eat lightly at regular intervals several times a day. Three big meals may slow you down mentally and physically. Eating a hearty meal may make you feel like you are in serious need of a nap afterwards. Instead, try eating lightly five or six times a day.

Tip #3

Who has time to prepare meals five or six times a day? Eating lightly does not mean eating junk foods with empty calories. DO NOT find yourself living off of food from a vending machine. Before you head off to study, pack some healthy meals and snacks. It’s easy, cheap, and will be ready for you when you need it. Instead of wasting energy later trying to find out where and how to get some food, you can remain focused on your studies because your snacks will be in your bag right next to your books.

Ideas for exam foods on the go:

• Sandwiches: Bring a sandwich filled with vegetables and a source of protein. If you don’t want to make it yourself get one at a sandwich shop like Subway before hand. Save it for when you need it, and avoid having to leave the library to find food.
• Fruit: Apples, oranges, and bananas are great snacks and easy to pack. Rich in nutrients like vitamin C,  fiber, potassium, and vitamin B, fruits are some of the best foods for your brain. Adding peanut butter to the apples and bananas kicks it up a notch too.
• Try packing some carrots and hummus. This snack will fill you up and is a great source of vitamins and protein.
• Grab some granola bars to snack on; they’re easy, healthy, and tasty.
• Nuts. Bring along some almonds and cashews to munch on while studying.

Tip #4

Stay hydrated. Drink caffeine in moderation, and make sure to pair each caffeinated beverage with water or juice.  Drinking too much caffeine will make you jittery. Another good beverage choice is anti-oxidant-rich green tea. Caffeinated tea can be a good alternative to coffee as well.

Tip #5

The night before the exam, eat a balanced dinner and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Sleep is imperative to the studying process. When you wake up, BREAKFAST. Review the test material as you enjoy a balanced breakfast. Have a bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit, or have some eggs and an English muffin with a large glass of orange juice. Whatever you like, make sure to get some protein, carbohydrates, calcium, and fiber.

Most colleges and universities across the country offer their students the option to study abroad. In many cases, schools encourage students to study abroad by making it easy to transfer credits or enabling special tuition rates for students studying abroad.

There is no better time to travel than when you are in college. You have no career tying you down, and so many programs at your finger tips to make your experience abroad easier.

Step 1: Make it happen

Too many students pass up the opportunity to study abroad. Some students may be afraid to miss out on a football season or monumental parties coming up. Some students stay home for their boyfriend or girlfriend. Some students may be concerned about completing the required courses. None of these things should stop you from going abroad. Most likely, you will find everything is just the way you left it when you return. As for classes, start the process early. Talk to your academic advisor early on and schedule studying abroad into your 4-year schedule.

Check out all of your options. Look at the programs your school offers, but also look at national programs or other school’s programs.

Step 2: Decide what you want

There are so many different countries and programs available to students looking to study abroad. If you are studying abroad to learn a language, your search will narrow significantly. Whether you are trying to learn a language or not, choose a study abroad program that allows you to experience another culture. Avoid programs that enable an American college experience in another country.

You also must decide the size of the city where you want to live. For example, in France, you could choose to live in Aix en Provence, a very small town, or in Paris, one of the busiest cities in the world. Each city has unique experience to offer. In a smaller city, perhaps you will find yourself very familiar with the entire city by the end of your stay. The people in your local bakery and café will know you by name, and you will see familiar faces at every bar. In a larger city you will be surrounded by everything exquisite; however, the crowds know this as well, and you may have to fight your way to it. In a city like Paris, you will be surrounded by beautiful architecture, the most famous monuments, hundreds of years of history, the finest food, the best music, and the most exquisite art in the multiple museums.

Step 3: Soak up the culture

Choose an abroad program that will allow you to interact with local students in the community. Whether you are enrolled in a local college or co-habiting with native students, it is imperative that you introduced and exposed to the students of another culture.

Don’t study abroad with too many of your close friends. Take this time to branch out and explore new things and find new friends. Make friends with people from the country. No matter how many travel guides you read, there are some things in a city that only a local will be able to show you.

If you are studying abroad to learn the language, don’t be shy: Have confidence when you speak, even if you mess up, you are improving by making the effort all of the time. If you are not trying to learn the language, still take the time to learn the basics. The fundamental level of communication will allow you to feel much more at home in the foreign country, and as an American, showing the effort to speak another language will put you in good graces with the native speakers.

Go to all of the tourist attractions, but get off the beaten path as well. If you have the time, walk wherever you are going. You may find cafés, museums, boutiques and other hidden treasures that you may have never stumbled upon otherwise. Walking around the city is also a great way to familiarize yourself with the layout of the city.

As for traveling outside of the the country where you are studying, do it, but not excessively. If possible, begin your travels two weeks early or stay two extra weeks to travel around. Pick a few key locations that you want to visit and make it a priority to do so, but don’t travel every weekend. Pick a few weekends to travel, but try to stay in your base country frequently. It will save you money and allow you to feel more grounded in the society and absorb the culture so much more.

Step 4: Become involved

Becoming involved is the step most Americans fail to do when abroad. Don’t choose the abroad program with the most rigorous academic courses. With the extra time you would spend in the library, stay in the city and learn what it means to live in another culture.

Look for activities outside the classroom. Many cities offer extracurricular activities to their inhabitants, not just students, but of all ages. Try going to local dance classes, signing up for a club football (soccer) team, or taking a photography or art class. By doing these things you will meet a whole new group of people and understand a new aspect of the culture.

Another great extracurricular activity is babysitting. Becoming involved with a local family is an invaluable experience. Share your culture with them, and they will be happy to share their culture with you as well. For those trying to learn a language, kids are the best way to do it. Kids are excited to help you learn and are happy to explain lingual concepts in simple terms.

Step 5: Have fun

The most important part of studying abroad is having fun. Skype with your friends from home so you never become homesick (make them wish they were studying abroad too).

Try anything and everything (within reason).

Keep an open mind.

Stay out of your apartment or dorm and wander the streets.

Figure out the night time scene. Go to the big clubs where most tourists will go, but also find a bar or cafe where you can hang out on a regular basis. It’s fun to feel like you are a regular, and as faces become familiar, you will become a familiar face too.

Enjoy every minute.

Studying abroad gives you a learning experience that can not be found in the classroom. Experience and a broader perspective of the world can be invaluable during the job search as well. The ability to achieve in foreign circumstances shows great character, and having a good time while you do it is the only way to go.

Having a good relationship with your professor is invaluable. Knowing your professor will not only help you succeed in the classroom, professors can be great resources outside of the classroom and can potentially write you a great recommendation. Let’s face it: a recommendation from an accredited professor is a great addition to any job application.

For many students, one large difference between high school and college is their relationship with their professors. In high school, there are no 300 person lecture halls, and every teacher knows you by name. In college it can seem difficult to establish these relationships with your professors, but really it can be accomplished by following 4 simple rules.

1. MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN

• On the first day of class take the time to introduce yourself to your professor. Distinguish yourself from the masses!

• Especially in large lecture halls, resist the temptation to gravitate towards the back of the classroom. Sit in the front and you will become a familiar face to your teacher.
• If you see your teacher outside of the classroom or around campus, make sure to wave and say hello.

• Say hello and smile when the teacher enters the room. Although this may seem trivial, notice how many students avoid personal interaction with their teachers at all costs.

2. BE PRESENT

• Attend class everyday! If you are going to miss class for a valid reason, send your professor a quick email ahead of time to let them know that you will be absent.
• Ask insightful questions in class and join in on discussion. Do not try to take over the conversation, but concisely and articulately contribute to class discussions. Share personal experiences, if unique and relevant, to explain a different point of view or understanding of the topic. Sharing personal information gives you an individual identity in the eyes of the professor.
• Make eye contact with the professor and look interested and engaged. Professors are people too, and they do not like to feel like they are preaching to themselves. By appearing interested and making eye contact, you can become a comforting focal point for the professor during lectures.

• Connect. Professors want to feel like they are connecting with their students and sparking interest and understanding past just getting the student to pass the test. When a light goes off and understanding is achieved, let the professor know.
• Go to office hours, but not without reason. Few students take advantage of professors’ office hours, and this can be a great time to have a real conversation with your professor and really separate yourself from the masses. However, you should not go without pre-meditated questions and conversation. Your professor’s time is valuable: DO NOT waste it.

3. DO THE WORK

• Take notes in class.
• NEVER work on outside material during class. Even if you think you are being sneaky, professors notice your lack of attention.
• If you are going to take notes on your computer, avoid getting on facebook or the Internet. If you are typing and clicking when you are not taking notes, the professor will assume that you are somewhere in cyberspace and not really present in the classroom.
• Show that your interest in the material extends past just acing the test.
• Turn in all assignments on time.
• Especially if your professor offers guidance on an assignment, take a draft of the assignment to their office hours ahead of time for feedback. This shows that you are not procrastinating and want to produce the best work that you are capable of.
• Read the assigned reading BEFORE the class period! Instead of waiting until right before the test to read the textbook, read as you go along. This will allow you to have a fuller understanding of the material as he teaches it. Ask questions that reference the reading, but do so only when relevant (you do not want to appear like you are showing off). This will show the professor that you are willing to put in the extra effort outside of the classroom, and that you respect their time. By gaining a foundational understanding of the information from the book before class, you allow the professor to use his time exploring the more complex aspects of the subject without having to waste the entire class period explaining the basics.
• Read over your class notes periodically throughout the semester. This will eliminate the all-night cramming session before the test, and the material will be fresh on your mind during class as well. Professors like to see that you have retained the information from previous class periods.
• Ask for help when you don’t understand something!

• Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities.
• Volunteer to participate in activities in class.

4. FOLLOW UP

• If your professor is speaking at an event outside of the classroom, GO! Afterwards, take a quick minute to show your face, say hello, and congratulate if appropriate. Do not dawdle: know that the professor probably has many other people to talk to.
• If you are doing relevant work outside of the classroom, let your professor know. For example, if you are writing for a local newspaper, bring a copy of it to your journalism professor. Professors’ ultimate goal is to give you the information you need to succeed outside of the classroom. Your accomplishments are their accomplishments.
• If you find news or information relevant to your class, share it with your professor. They may find it useful and interesting, and it shows that you are thinking about the subject outside of the classroom.
• Seek your professor’s council for future courses to take or activities to become involved in. This interest can potentially open doors; if the professor is involved in an exclusive activity, perhaps they can help you get your foot in the door.
• Ask if your professor is teaching any future classes that you can take.
• Finally, and perhaps most importantly, after the semester is complete and grades have been turned in (you don’t want to seem like you are just trying to get a better grade), send an email to your teacher thanking them for a great semester. Point out specific aspects of their course and teaching style that you appreciated, and explain what you learned and gained by taking their class. Professors like feedback and affirmation too. If they did a good job, let them know.

In college, unlike high school, students are young adult. The relationships with your professors can be more peer-like, but it is important to remember appropriate boundaries and remain professional, but friendly too.

Follow these steps in moderation and humility. Professors can detect a brown-noser from a mile away. Staying on top of your work and seeking the council of your professor will inevitably help your grade, and establishing this relationship and showing extra effort will motivate your professor want to help you if you are ever in need.

It is not necessary to become close to every professor you ever take a class from. Seek out the professors that you really respect and teach a subject that you are genuinely interested in. If you do not like the professor or the topic taught, these steps would be excruciatingly daunting.

Especially by initiating contact after the course has been completed, you are establishing and sealing a relationship with your professor outside of the classroom. This makes a big difference when you ask for a recommendation a year later. If you follow these steps, you are bound to receive an incredible recommendation because now your professor remembers you and likes you, and you really did put the effort into the class: Your professor won’t have to make anything up to give you a great recommendation.

We live in the Information Age, and technology and unlimited access to information changes our educational experience in every way imaginable. For our generation, it is impossible to imagine conquering daily tasks in college without tools such as the Internet. However, technology is still rapidly changing, exponentially actually, and the resources in the classroom will continue to change drastically as well.

The future of education lies in the changing technology and the available mobility in education. Today there are options in Distance Learning and online classes. As mentioned in a previous blog, The Top 7 iPhone Apps for Students, students are able to learn on-the-go via their phone! Surveys show that over 90 percent of college students have a laptop. Soon, over 90 percent will have digital books. With recent advancements such as Apple’s iPad and Amazon’s Kindle, the future of textbook publishing will change dramatically. Now, when searching for textbooks on Amazon.com, there is always the option to recommend that the book be added as an option for the Kindle. Many textbooks are already available on the Kindle, and within the next few years, predictions show that almost any textbook will be available.

Print journalism has changed drastically. Newspaper and magazines are gearing using new methods to draw in readers online. Videos and audio clips are paired with news stories. Until recently, the textbook industry remained untouched. Soon, textbooks will begin revamping their teaching methods as well. Imagine virtual textbooks that have videos, audio clips, and zooming capabilities that will allow science students to zoom in on individual cells. If you have a heavy backpack, your problems will be solved. The Amazon Kindle downloads any book under one minute, and holds up to 30,000 books. Thousands of pounds of books can be kept in a single the lightweight device.

Virtual books will change the traditional library as well. Fewer tangible books will be printed, and everything will be available on virtual books. We can’t imagine using card catalogs instead of the computer to find the book we are looking for in the library. Perhaps our children will not be able to believe that libraries formerly were shelves upon shelves of thousands of books. Perhaps libraries will be designed to be minimalistic with long glass study tables with virtual books, each containing an entire library, placed in front of each chair. Complete access to the entire library in the palm of your hand.

Technology is changing education in many ways outside of the virtual textbook. Chalkboards are out; today modern “smart classrooms” are often equipped with gadgets such as ceiling mounted projection units, large pull-down screens, sound systems, touchscreen control systems, AUX-video Input, document cameras, audience response clickers… the list is endless. Through power-points and many other technology infused teaching methods, students have many outlets for learning the necessary material. However, some traditional teaching methods, without technology, will never become outdated. Technology enables us to access and memorize any information needed; however, the classroom can provide so much more. Whether it is a place to listen to a lecture from a brilliant professor or a forum for heated discussion among peers, the challenge to think, debate, contradict, and inspire can be found in the most basic classrooms without any sign of technology.

Video conferencing is one form of technology that still enables discussion. With technology such as Skype or iChat, people are connected around the world like they have never been before. Even in elementary schools, instead of merely pen-paling with a student from across the world, these children are able to expand their understanding of the world through visually and virtually meeting other children from completely different backgrounds and from completely different parts of the world. This is a resource that can be tapped into by college students as well. They say that a language can only be learned if one is immersed in the country and culture, but skyping with a native speaker daily could improve your language skills, especially conversational and pronunciation skills, drastically.

Distance learning, mobile learning, and electronic learning will open doors for students inside and outside of the classroom. Twittering, blogging, facebook, and other social and informational forums are other ways to continue to track, stay in contact, and stay updated with any areas of interest. The portability of all of these technological forums will increase the mobility of education in ways that are incomprehensible now. I am looking forward to the upcoming advances that will be made and seeing how they will be implemented in the classroom.

Whether you are trying to remember the name of the girl that sits behind you in class, the dates of the paintings for your Art History test, or just what you had for dinner last night, memory can be a tricky thing.

The real secret to a better memory is a balanced life, and unfortunately, as college students, moderation is not always our strongest quality.

Binge drinking is a common phenomenon on college campuses. It obviously can affect your memory for the evening… waking up after a night of drinking and not remembering how you got home is never fun. Did you know that binge drinking can affect your long-term memory too? Young brains are more susceptible to long-term damage from binge drinking. After one night of serious binge drinking, it can take the brain 30 days to fully recover to its maximum functioning ability.

However, alcohol is not bad for the memory when used in moderation. In France, instead of saying “Cheers,” they say “Bonne santé” which means “Good health”. In reference to wine, the French are the experts. Some studies have found that people who drink in moderation tend to have a better memory than nondrinkers and heavy drinkers. There are also studies that show that people who drink wine in moderation are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition to alcohol, drugs seriously impair the memory as well. Drugs and alcohol weaken the nervous system and kill brain and memory cells. Drugs such as Ecstasy have severe impact on long-term memory ability.

Healthy eating habits are imperative to building a better memory. As college students, healthy eating habits take effort. Pizza, fast food, and ramen noodles do not provide the nutrients that our bodies need. Make sure you are eating nutrient rich foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and milk.

Omega-3 fatty acids are shown to enhance concentration. Some foods high in fatty acids include salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, flax seeds, and walnuts.

Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid are important nutrients for brain productivity. Find these nutrients in foods such as asparagus, strawberries, spinach, beans, and broccoli.

Antioxidants improve the flow of oxygen to the brain, allowing us to think more clearly. Blueberries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, green tea, and nuts are good sources of antioxidants.

Ginko Biloba is a natural supplement that is worth trying as well. Studies have shown that Ginko Biloba can help reverse memory loss.

Breakfast is a key factor to having a productive day and a functioning brain. Especially if you have a test, make sure to take the time to eat a balanced breakfast. You will feel better and remember more after a good breakfast.

Exercise is not only good for the body; it is great for your brain too. Obesity and clogged arteries makes it harder for the blood to get to the brain. When studying for an exam, take a break and go on a 10 minute walk. Get your blood pumping and your endorphins flowing, and your cognitive performance will improve too.

Stretching, yoga, and meditation are powerful forms of exercise to clear your head and improve your brain power. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and information retrieval. Stress hormones can impair the hippocampus and can make it difficult to concentrate. Exercise is often one of the best ways to relieve stress and achieve a healthier body and mind.

Even if you are eating, exercising, and living right, you won’t pass your exam if you don’t study the material (staring at a text book for a couple of hours does not count as studying). There are study tools, tricks, and methods that maximize study time and memory.

Mnemonic devices are great study tools. Create acronyms, using rhyming, alliteration, and metaphors to memorize study material.  Jokes and association are fun ways to retain information. Use funny names, images, or personal jokes to remember mundane information.

Involve as many senses as possible: reading aloud and then writing down key points is an excellent way to study. Using different colors, images, and drawings are other ways to effectively engrain information into your memory.

Organize your information. Using bullets, outlining information, and creating timelines allows you to visualize information in a more simplistic and chronological manner.

Discuss and Collaborate. Discussing and explaining information to a peer not only helps out your classmate, but it allows you to rehearse the information and understand the information on a more fundamental level.

Avoid cramming. Studies show that students who review material frequently in shorter sessions retain the information better than students who spend hours studying the night (and often morning) before the test.

Our brains need exercise in the same way our muscles do. Maintenance, repetition, and practice are the best ways to keep your brain in tip-top condition. This does not mean that you have to exercise your brain by studying boring history notes all the time. There are fun games and activities that give your brain the workout it needs.

Sudoku and Crossword puzzles: grab a newspaper and have fun solving these puzzles during your spare time. These puzzles really make your brain flex its muscles.  There are options for computer addicts as well. Check out websites such as www.lumosity.com or www.FitBrains.com for other fun brain games. And if you are on the go, there are great sudoku and crossword puzzle applications for your iPhone.

Leisure reading: Whether you are reading magazines, the newspaper, or a science fiction book, reading is a great way to keep your mind active.

Playing a musical instrument is great exercise for the brain. Reading music, memorizing sound patterns, and exploring your creativity is another great way to keep your brain perfectly tuned.

Socializing also proves to enhance memory functionality. Remembering names and faces, and exchanging stories with friends evokes mental clarity.

It takes a lot of work to keep your memory functioning at its maximum potential. After eating, exercising, studying, drinking, socializing, and everything else, make sure that you get a good night’s sleep. For optimal memory performance, eight hours of sleep each night is recommended. Just like our bodies, our brains need rest, and without it you will find yourself spacey and delirious and all your hard work will have gone to waste!

There are thousands of applications on the iPhone. Many of these applications can actually be distractions to students. Have you found yourself playing bejeweled or solitaire on your iPhone during a boring class? It’s not exactly productive…

There are ways to make things easier. Here are the top seven iPhone apps that are a must for every student.

1. theguardian: This app is the best way for students to stay tuned-in to the news. At $4.99, this app is a little bit pricey, but the one-time payment is money well spent.  The design of theguardian is modern, easy-to-use, and very appealing. The app displays breaking news on the opening screen often accompanied by photo galleries, videos, and audio clips. The categorized tabs make browsing easy. Even better, theguardian customizes itself to your interests; with the “favorites” section, everything you want to read will be in one place. Whether you are a political science major or studying to become a doctor, you can find the news that is relevant to your life. Categories include everything from sports to technology to life and style to environment. Finally, it’s easy to stay updated from the palm of your hand.

2. facebook: While theguardian may keep you in-touch with the news, students need to be in-touch with their friends too. The facebook app allows us to access the most widely used social network directly from our phones. Most people are already familiar with Facebook, but it can’t be overlooked. Whether you are keeping in contact with friends at another school, or you are scheduling group meetings for a class assignment, Facebook is the ultimate way for college students to stay connected.

3. Pennies: For most college students, budgeting is always a lingering concern; however, keeping up with a checkbook can be a pain. Pennies makes it easy to set your monthly budget and track all of your expenses. The opening screen shows immediately how much of your monthly budget has already been spent, and the simple layout makes budgeting easy. If you always seem to run out of money by the end of the month and find yourself eating ramen noodles and collecting quarters from under couch cushions, Pennies can help you do a better job budgeting the following month. Every time you enter an expense, you choose a spending category; this way, you can see exactly where your money is going and where cut backs can be made next time.

4. Evernote: If you need help remembering assignments, appointments, and pretty much everything else in your life, Evernote is the app for you. Evernote is a free app that lets your create notes, snap photos, and record voice memos. The beauty of this application lies in the simplicity of its design and its ability to really help you improve your memory! Evernote easily syncs to your computer and the Internet, allowing you to access your information from anywhere. Track your assignments, keep class notes, and organize your thoughts with this free app.

5. Cram: Cram is the ultimate study buddy for students. This app cuts out the busy work of making flashcards, study guides, and quizzes, and allows you to spend your time studying the way you want and on-the-go. Cram has pre-made quizzes and flashcards for just about any subject you may study in school as well as material for standardized testing such as the SAT, GRE, LSAT and GMAT. Cram syncs to your computer, and enables you to digitize information from class. Information and practice tests can be shared between students—it is the perfect tool for study groups as well as a last minute review before a test is handed out.

6. Wikipanion: Wikipanion is the most convenient way to connect to Wikipedia servers. For a student, Wikipanion is the easiest way to access information especially on-the-go or during class. The simple layout makes the information easy to read and browse, and the bookmarking tool allows you to save pages to access at a later time.

7. Texts From Last Night: Texts From Last Night provides entertainment for all college students. If you are bogged down studying and looking for a break, or if you are out with friends and looking to have fun, TFLN guarantees a good laugh. These texts reveal the funny things college kids are doing after class gets out…just hope you don’t find yourself on there!