Hello, again! Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving break!!! Christmas break is around the corner, but each college student must cross the finals bridge before enjoying the frivolities of the holidays. I doubt that Edvard Munch was thinking of final exams when he painted The Scream, but that is often the sentiment that the last week of the semester elicits. Fear not! This post offers tips for success.

1. Start studying early. Cramming before a test does not allow the mind to fully digest and synthesize information. Find out what time of day is personally most conducive to studying and put that time in your planner, in your phone, on your mini fridge…you get the idea.
2. Make studying fun! Plan a group study session complete with snacks if you retain knowledge when interacting with others. If you learn better solo but still want to have fun, try turning the information on your note cards (which you can obtain in the SSS computer lab) into a game! Here are a couple fun sites:

Make your own crossword puzzle: http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/CrissCrossSetupForm.asp

Create your own Jeopardy game: https://jeopardylabs.com/

3. Get some rest: With everything from late-night finals breakfasts to Nintendo Switch battles beckoning you to stay awake “just 5 more minutes,” remember to get sufficient shut-eye before morning exams.

4. Color-code your notes: One easy and fun way to prioritize the importance of your notes is by picking out colors to signify the significance of each fact and figure.

5. Breathe: Before the big test, take a moment to take a few big breaths and center your thoughts. Arrive a bit early if possible so you don’t feel flustered. You’ve got this.

Hello, again, TRiO-SSS Participants!

Sometimes writing about yourself is hard. Building a resume is even more overwhelming when prospective internships or your dream job await you. Don’t worry. Look below for five resume-boosting tips! 🙂 TRiO-SSS staff members are willing to take a look at your resume if you’d like an extra pair of eyes to proof your documents.

• Be on the lookout for keywords in job postings! For example, “leadership,” “problem solving,” and other words that describe your work style and skills are desirable resume vocabulary. Including active verbs (“achieved,” “led,” “completed,” etc.) and specific numbers and percentages that paint a picture of your experience enhance your resume.

• Find examples from your desired field. By the way, TRiO has resume reference guides in our lab in SLC 108!
• Place most important and relevant information near the top of your resume. Since most employers quickly scan applicant resumes, make sure relevant coursework and work experience are in plain view!
• Use a clear, legible font to look professional. Make sure that your headings are aligned for a clean look.
• If you have several relevant skills you’d like to highlight, a “skills” section will keep things organized. Again, remember to format your resume and information specifically for the internship or job for which you’re applying.

Until next time, happy writing!

~TRiO-SSS Staff

Midterms are here! Take a breath (or two), grab a snack and check out the test-anxiety-busting tips below!

Before the test….

• Eat a protein-filled breakfast and stay hydrated.
• Set aside 10 minutes before the exam to express your positive and negative feelings about the test on paper. This practice will free up your mind to focus on the task at hand.
• Arrive early on test day to avoid feeling flustered and hurried.

During the test….

• Read instructions and questions carefully.
• Focus on questions you feel confident about first, then work on conquering the rest.
• Remember to breathe and be aware of tension in your neck and shoulders. Try to relax as much as possible.
• Don’t worry if other students finish the test before you do. Pace yourself according to the allotted time for the exam.

Remember, if you need to prep for exams, the TRiO-SSS computer lab (SLC 108) is the place to be!

Note: Some material adapted from the following sources:

Master Student, 11th Edition by Dave Ellis

The A Game: Nine Steps to Better Grades by Kenneth J. Sufka, Ph.D

Hello, TRiO-SSS Partcipants!

Need a paper proofed? Come to TRiO-SSS!

With the semester in full swing, you may feel as though every class has a major project or paper due at the same time. Don’t suffer in silence; please see a member of the TRiO staff if you have questions about formatting or when you simply need someone to scan your final draft for typos. For more tips, read on!

Purdue Owl is your friend!

You have probably heard a professor or friend mention Purdue OWL. The acronym stands for “Online Writing Lab.” Their site features up-to-date information about MLA, APA, and Chicago Style as well as general information regarding grammar and essay writing. Find them here: https://owl.purdue.edu/index.html

Read!

Reading is a requirement in college, of course, but in this case, making a habit of reading is fostering a love of life-long learning. Observing the written word, whether it’s War and Peace or the ingredients on the back of a ketchup bottle, builds vocabulary and strengthens syntactical confidence and prowess.

Utilize your resources!

Don’t be afraid to request a meeting with your professor during their office hours. And don’t forget to stop by TRiO-SSS in the lower level of the Student Life Center! We can assist you in organizing an outline, citing sources, proofreading, and more!

You’re in college. Money is tight. We get it!

Juggling classes and extracurricular activities is enough to make your head spin. Throwing budgeting and money saving methods into the mix doesn’t have to be intimidating. Along with tried-and-true money-saving strategies, today’s tech makes it easier to save money, make money, and create a budget!

Use campus resources

The campus library is your friend! Remember them for your academic and entertainment needs. They have movies and books to check out. Just remember to return them on time! 😉

If you are a TRiO/Student Support Services participant (yay!), please know that we offer planners, notebooks, pens, folders and other basic supplies so you don’t have to make that Dollar Store dash in the pouring rain.

Keep informed about campus events! Each week Student Life sends out a “This Week at OCU” email highlighting free campus events including intramural activities.

Maximize Apps

If you only have room on your phone for one money-saving app, make it Ibotta ( https://home.ibotta.com/ ). Even if you’re on a meal plan and don’t grocery shop often, the app rewards a percentage back on certain online purchases (e.g., Amazon.com) if you begin shopping through the app.

Crowdtap.com is a website (and recently an app) where you can earn gift cards to popular retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Sephora by completing short surveys and polls.

Budgeting Tools

Whether you use the envelope method (read about it here: https://www.moneyunder30.com/envelope-method ) or a popular budgeting app like Mint ( https://www.mint.com/ ), budgeting is a skill that benefits you for a lifetime.

Here is a helpful article about budgeting in college: bit.ly/2qAriUe 

Hope these tips are helpful for you! Be sure to come see us in SLC 108! ~TRiO Staff

Hello! 😊

TRiO/Student Support Services believes everyone is a S.T.A.R. We provide the Support (the “s” in S.T.A.R.) to see you Thrive, Achieve, and Rise to the challenge of realizing your dreams!

Welcome to a new semester at Oakland City University, and thank you for checking out Student Support Services’ first blog post! The Student Support Services staff is looking forward to seeing your smiling faces and learning more about you. We are located in SLC 108 (not far from the Underground and Holy Grounds).

For those who are not familiar with our program, here is a brief overview:

WHAT STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES IS ABOUT

TRiO represents the Oakland City University Student Support Services program, which provides eligible participants with opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students toward successful degree completion. The goal of this program is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and to assist in the transition from one level of higher education to the next.

So basically we’re here to assist you every step of the way throughout your college career!

For example, we have supplies for homework and academic projects, education supplies, and free academic printing in our computer lab!

SSS also offers academic tutoring, proofreading, study aids for educator licensure exams, financial literacy education, and cultural events.

Come see us soon!

~Trio/Student Support Services Staff