Category Archives: Academics

10 College Productivity Tips

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  1. Invest in good noise canceling headphones – good for blocking out noisy areas when studying! 
  1. Get 8 hours of sleep each night – sleep is so essential for retaining energy and a clear headspace
  1. Utilize a planning system that works for you – whether it be paper or digital, finding a planning system that works for you helps you stay on track
  1. Take short breaks during your day – make sure to get some fresh air and movement throughout the day! Breaks are equally as important as work blocks
  1. Prepare your things the night before – having everything ready the night before relieves morning stress!
  1. Put your phone on do not disturb during the day – don’t let your phone become a distraction 
  1. Begin and end your day without screens – I love doing this to help me wake up and wind down. 
  1. Break down your assignments into smaller tasks – If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by your assignments try breaking them down into smaller tasks 
  1. Get your hardest work completed first – Eat the frog! Once you get the hardest things out of the way, it only gets easier
  1. Set up a routine / schedule that incorporates time for all aspects of your life (academics, personal time, exercise, etc.) – Possibly the most important thing to do in college! Finding time for everything can be daunting and overwhelming, but making sure you’re not focusing too much on one aspect of your life and taking the time to explore your interests to get the most out of your college experience! 

The Institute for Integrative Conservation 

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This past month I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about the Institute for Integrative Conservation through my Conservation Biology class! If you’re looking for more research opportunities, try checking out the Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC). The Institute for Integrative Conservation here at William & Mary connects students with research opportunities that solve real world conservation problems!  They have three main ways to get involved: a GIS semester project, semester project, and year long project. Projects are highly interdisciplinary making it a good fit for any major. 

You don’t need to be a conservation major to get involved. Many projects include aspects of chemistry, biology, and business. Doing research projects within the IIC can be a good way to learn more about human interaction with the environment and how to prevent and find solutions to both community and global scale conservation issues.


Students are paired with partners to create, develop, and carry out research projects in order to implement solutions. 

If conservation is something you are passionate about or interested in learning more about, check out the IIC for both research and other opportunities. 

Check here for more information:  https://www.wm.edu/offices/iic/

Developing Study Schedules 

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Creating a study schedule is so helpful for reducing procrastination leading up to exams. Having a set time to study, exercise, go to class, eat, and spend time with others / self time will make sure you’re balancing your time effectively. Here are some study schedules that might be useful for creating your own: 

3 hour study schedule 

8:00 – 9:00: get ready for the day, daily planning, breakfast 

9:00 – 10:00: study block 1 

10:00 – 11:00: break, exercise, extracurriculars  

11:00 – 12:00: lunch

12:30 – 2:00 – class 

2:00 – 3:00 – break

3:00 – 5:00 – study block 2 

5:30 – 6:30 – dinner 

6:30 – 9:00 – clubs, extracurriculars, work

9:30 – 11:00 – self time and get ready for bed 

5 hour study schedule 

7 – 8:30: quiet time, getting ready, reading, breakfast

8:30 – 9:00: plan your day
9:00 – 10:00: class

10:00 – 11:00: exercise 

11:00 – 11:30: lunch 

11:30 – 1:00: study block 1 – hardest tasks 

1:00 – 2:00: class 

2:00 – 3:00: break

3:00 – 5:00: study block 2 

5:00 – 6:30: class 

6:30 – 7:00: dinner 

7:00 – 8:30: study block 3 – review and any smaller tasks 

8:30 – 11:00: self time, get ready for bed

7 hour study schedule 

7:00 – 8:00: get ready for the day, daily planning 

8:00 – 9:00: study block 1 

9:00 – 10:00: class 

10:00 – 11:00: exercise 

11:00 – 11:30: lunch 

11:30 – 1:00: study block 2 

1:00 – 2:00: class

2:00 – 3:00: break

3:00 – 5:30: study block 3 

5:30 – 6:30 – break, dinner

6:30 – 9:30: study block 4 

9:30 – 11:00: self time, get ready for bed 

Process of Declaring a Major

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Congratulations! Have you reached the credit limit or decided what major you’d like to pursue? Here’s a brief guide to declaring your major:

1. Decide your area of study

Do you want to declare a major, double major, major + minor? In what area would you like to study? You probably already have an idea of what you want to major in, but if still unsure try using degree works to see the specific requirements for majors you’re interested in. Degreeworks will tell you what classes you will need to take for your intended major/minor. This will be especially helpful later on for making a rough schedule of when you’ll take each required course. Also note that some majors have other requirements (ex. Business majors must apply to the Mason School of Business)

More info on how to choose a major:

https://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/major/how-to-choose/

2. Complete the Declaration of Major Form
This form will be what you submit to the University Registrar for official approval and declaration. On the form there’s a section to list required courses for your intended major and list when you will complete them / when you completed them. (This is where degree works comes in handy!) You must meet with your major advisor before submitting this form, but it’s a good idea to fill it out before meeting with them to fully understand the requirements you’ll need to complete.

3. Find and meet with your major advisor

Your major advisor must be in the academic discipline you intend to major in. Try making a list of professors you’ve taken a class with and/or have a good relationship with. For instance, my major advisor is also the professor I’m doing research with! After asking and settling on a major advisor, meet with them to discuss your future plans and complete the declaration of major form.

More info on major advisors: https://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/major/bor-major-advisors/ More information on declaring your major:

https://www.wm.edu/as/undergraduate/major/how-to-declare/

DIY self care kit for finals week 

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Finals officially begin next week! While studying takes up a majority of students’ time in these next two weeks, it’s important to remind ourselves to stay well during this time of stress. Having a toolbox of resources to assist with physical, emotional, and academic and wellness during finals can be helpful! Here are a few things, both material and conceptual, to add to your DIY self care kit for finals week! 

  1. Reusable water bottle – keeping a water bottle with you while studying helps maintain hydration which increases energy levels! 
  1. Journal – keeping a journal, notebook, or even a sticky note to write down anything that comes to mind helps minimize distractions and express your feelings 
  1. A good playlist – for study breaks or even studying itself! Something enjoyable like music can put you in a good mood for the day!
  1. Snacks – don’t forget to fuel for studying! Find some snacks from around campus that you can eat while studying!
  1. Comfortable clothes – being comfortable while studying will further minimize distractions 
  1. Blanket – If your room gets cold, try having a blanket on hand 
  1. Free campus events – keep an eye out for free campus events that can act as a fun study break! You might even be able to score some free food!
  1. Study timetable – knowing your schedule for the day/week will keep you on track by knowing what to do and when! 
  1. Essential oils – if you enjoy calming scents like lavender, try utilizing essential oils!
  1. Coffee and tea station – the coffee and tea stations in Caf and Swem are great for a quick and easy study beverage
  1. Set breaks – giving yourself time to do other things like hang out with friends, take a walk, sleep, read, etc. is one of the best ways to decompress 

Romanticizing studying and having a variety of resources you can use during finals helps minimize distractions which will keep you energized and focused! Best of luck everyone! 

Surviving Finals Week

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Happy Thanksgiving break William & Mary! As we approach the end of the semester, finals week is closer than ever. Now is the time to begin preparations to set yourself up for success. Here are a few tips to acing your final exams!

  1. Start Early 

Don’t leave your studying for the night before. Avoid procrastination and cramming by beginning your preparations early! 

  1. Create a schedule 

Making a schedule for what needs to be completed as well as what to study each day can help you keep track of your studying while avoiding burnout! 

  1. Prioritize Tasks

Try to identify the most important tasks and subjects to study based on due dates and your final exam schedule. Also focus on the areas where you need the most improvement or what holds the most weight on your exam.

  1. Take Breaks

Don’t forget to take breaks every once in a while to maintain productivity. Taking breaks gives your brain time to absorb your studying and also decreases burnout when studying for long periods of time. 

  1. Maintain wellness and take care of yourself 

Utilize campus resources like wellness center classes and make sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental health. Drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, practice mindfulness, and exercise daily to maintain a healthy mindset. 

  1. Ask for help

Exams can be academically and mentally stressful! There’s no shame in asking for help whether it be for academic or wellness purposes. 

Best of luck on finals! 

 A Reflection On Being A Sophomore 

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This semester has gone so fast, and being close to halfway through my sophomore year makes me appreciate the past year while also being overwhelmed by the impending future. To think that in under 6 months the class of 2026 will have completed half of college is inconceivable. Being a spring transfer student, last spring was my first semester here, so I still feel relatively new to William & Mary. This semester I’ve prioritized new experiences and opportunities by taking advantage of the plentiful resources William & Mary has to offer. I’ve had the opportunity to explore my interests while also stepping out of my comfort zone through joining clubs, a research lab, and new jobs. 

I sometimes compare myself to where I was a year ago, but with a year of new experiences, opportunities, jobs, and classes it’s important to recognize the growth and development in my interests and career readiness. Consciously pursuing things that will make me step out of my comfort zone has helped me discover the joy in first experiences. 

This semester I’ve had the privilege of joining a research lab group which has not only helped me expand my knowledge of animal behavior and biological conservation, but also the importance of networking and professional development. Our most recent lab meeting focused around a discussion of grad school. From hearing the stories of grad students, I found this discussion to have sparked curiosity and questioning of my own future. It also sparked the question, What does it mean to be a sophomore? Not exactly a new student, but close enough to be considering life beyond graduation. Questions of grad school, gap years, and future careers. How to prepare for life beyond graduation while balancing all realms of being a current college student. In my eyes, being a sophomore is recognizing that now is the time to not just think about the future, but to set yourself up for future success. 

My best advice for sophomores from being one myself is to make the most out of your time here at William & Mary. Continue pursuing the things you enjoy while also stepping out of your comfort zone to consider new perspectives. Now is the time to try something new, explore your interests, make connections, and learn more about yourself, others, and the world around you.

Course Registration 

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Course registration for the Spring 2024 semester is right around the corner! Starting November 10th, returning students will have a designated day and time to pick their courses for next semester. This process can be stressful, but there are many things you can do ahead of time that will make you more prepared. Here are three tips to a successful and stress-free registration!

  1. Know what classes you’re going for

This one is a given, but have your list of classes you want to take. Make sure to check your major requirements as well as the general college requirements. 

  1. Have backups in case your classes are full

Since a lot of classes at W&M are smaller, around 30 students, the possibility of a class becoming full is a potential obstacle. Having backups of classes that would fit with your schedule and maybe satisfy the same requirements as your preferred classes can be a good thing to have on hand. 

  1. Copy the CRNs to a document

The easiest and fastest way to add classes during registration is through the CRNs. CRNs or Course Registration Numbers, can be found on the open course list or Banner’s course list next to the class number and name. Adding all of your CRNs to a document allows for easy copy and pasting to batch register for all of your classes at one time. 

Good luck! 

Learn more about course registration here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/studentsandalumni/registration/whentoregister/spring/

Tips For Balancing Work And Academic Life 

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From someone who currently works two jobs while also a full time student, there are times where it can be overwhelming to balance everything all at once. Here are a few things that I do to keep myself from burning out that might be helpful to those with similar schedules. 

Planning 

  • Each Sunday I like to look over my week to be aware of important events, tasks, and anything else that needs to be done. This way I have an overview of what my week will look like and an awareness of some tasks that I need to complete by the end of the week. 

Prioritization 

  • Recognizing what needs to get done each day and the ranking of importance of each task is extremely helpful for staying on track with limited time 
  • I developed a Need, Want, Can system to rank the importance of completing each task on a given day
  • For example, if my chem homework is tomorrow, I would categorize that as a need task for that day
  • If I have an essay due two weeks I could work on it if I finish all of my need tasks for the day, therefore it would be categorized as a Can task

Time management 

  • I like to insert blocks into my schedule that are dedicated to a specific task or topic. For example, if I have a lot of schoolwork to do, I’ll block 2 hours into parts of my day to complete as many tasks as possible. This can be helpful to ensure you’re making time for everything that needs to be done. 
  • Also, being aware of how long certain tasks take can be helpful for considering time blocking and prioritization of tasks 

Dedicate time for yourself away from work

  • One of the most important aspects of balancing both work and academics is dedicating time for yourself. It can be easy to get wrapped up in all the things that need to be done, but it’s crucial to set boundaries for your physical and mental health

Unconventional Study Methods

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We’re mid-way through the semester already and students are studying more now than ever. Caffeine fueled all nighters and flashcards often leave students bored and unmotivated to study. With these unconventional study methods, you’ll find new and inspiring ways to tackle your tasks. The goal of these techniques is to make studying a more enjoyable and engaging experience.

  1. Study Games 

Gamifying your study experience can help maintain focus. Try converting your flashcards into a game with rewards. Including that element of fun makes the overall process of studying more enjoyable

  1. Mind Mapping 

Changing your note-taking style from linear to diagram can help you visualize the connections between topics in your material, almost like a guide to your thought process!

  1. Podcast it

Creating a podcast of you explaining your material forces you to think of the most important information and how to relay it as if others were listening. This method combines the idea of teaching someone else with audio recordings which you can listen to when studying for an exam!

  1. Smells 

It’s been scientifically hypothesized that using the same smells when studying and taking an exam can help your memory. 

  1. Study roulette 

Not sure what to study? Try writing all of your tasks on a wheel and spinning for an element of unpredictability in your study session.