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

2. 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!

3. 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!

4. Smells 

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

5. 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.

Swem Library is packed with resources from physical books, study rooms, the writing center, makerspace, and so much more. Below is a list of some of the most helpful resources Swem has to offer! 

Printing – There are printers on all floors of Swem. Print using your TribeCard! You can aso find copiers and scanners throughout the first floor of Swem. 

Study rooms – One of the most utilized resources of Swem are the study rooms. Swem offers many individual and group study rooms on all floors. Perfect for students looking for a quiet spot to study or those working on group projects!

Online catalog – Swem is a huge library and sometimes it can be difficult to find what you are looking for. Swem’s online catalog can help you locate a book from either their physical or online collections!

Online databases – Swem also has a large list of online databases that are a great resource for research! The databases can be organized by subject, type, and popularity.  

Reeder Media Center  – Reeder Media Center offers reservable spaces for video and audio creation! Supplied with state of the art equipment that can either be used in these studios or taken beyond the library, the Reeder Media Center offers help to those working on either academic or personal photo/video/audio projects. 

Special Collections – The first floor of Swem is home to the Special Collections Research Center. These collections contain original documents, rare books, maps, and more!

Research guides – Swem librarians curated special guides that are subject and class-specific to help students with research. 

Makerspace – The Swem Makerspace contains 3D printers, 3D scanners, a vinyl cutter, stitching machines, a pin-back button machine, and more! After a short amount of training, students, faculty, and staff can utilize these machines. 

Being a transfer student can lead to misconceptions about the transfer process and transition experience. As a transfer student myself, I understand the uncertainty surrounding the transfer process. This blog post is dedicated to debunking transfer myths.  

Myth 1: It will be difficult to make friends 

It’s a common misconception that transferring to a new school makes it more difficult to find a friend group. Coming into William & Mary as a new student, regardless of a freshman or transfer status, you’re enrolled in orientation during your first few days at the university. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and make new friends! Some of my best friends are from my orientation group! Additionally, talking with other students in your classes and joining clubs are great ways to meet new people that share similar interests with you! 

Myth 2: You’ll be behind 

It can be easy to think that you’ll be behind if you’re coming in later than the norm. However, setting up meetings with your academic advisor, attending office hours, and engaging with clubs can all help you stay on track! 

Myth 3: Academic offerings will be limited

Academic offerings never stop at William & Mary! Emails, TribeLink, Professors, and more are great resources for finding new academic offerings! There are many options for introductory experiences if you look for it!

Myth 4 – Its unusual to transfer colleges

No matter the reason, students transfer colleges all the time. While it’s not the absolute norm, transferring is still a very common option for college students! 

Belonging, curiosity, excellence, flourishing, integrity, respect, and service. These 7 core values are those that William & Mary embodies before, during, and after your experience at the university.  

Belonging

William & Mary is a kind and welcoming community of all unique perspectives and interests.  Students, faculty, and staff are here to help you thrive and create a home away from home. 

Curiosity 

College is a place for trying new things, finding new interests, and diving deeper into your existing ones. At William & Mary, curiosity is fostered by the multitude of academic and extracurricular offerings that help students develop new advancements of knowledge.   

Excellence

Students, faculty, and staff at William & Mary uphold the university’s high standards of excellence. The university encourages ambitious and innovative goals of students, so they can accomplish personal and professional growth.

Flourishing 

Just as William & Mary upholds excellence, the university strives to help students flourish throughout their time and beyond university. Helping students thrive in their time at William & Mary leads to individuals who thrive outside of the classroom. 

Integrity

William & Mary demonstrates full commitment to holistic integrity, equity, and high moral standards. 

Respect 

Students, staff, and faculty practice mutual respect and acknowledge and preserve the inherent dignity and value of every individual.

Service 

Students are given the opportunity to give back to the surrounding community and support the well-being of humanity. 

The new Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall and arts quarter was recently unveiled to the public. This new section of campus houses all arts programs including dance, music, and theater. The two buildings  contain many studios, practice rooms, costume shop, offices, and more. Here are a few photos I captured of the new Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall! 

Dance warmup studio

Dance recital studio

Acting lab 

Dance classroom 

From A to Z, William & Mary is composed of a multitude of organizations, events, opportunities, buildings, and more. Enjoy this list of the ABC’s of William & Mary. 

Academics – first and foremost the most important letter of W&M. Academics are the core purpose of the university. William & Mary offers over 115 majors in undergraduate arts & sciences as well as graduate programs. 

Bookstore – The bookstore is your one stop shop for textbooks, recreational reading, spiritwear, and more! 

Charter day – Charter day celebrates the awarding of the Royal Charter from King William III and Queen Mary II of England!

DC Semester program – A full time internship and academic semester held in Washington DC!

Entrepreneurship Hub – Home of resources, events, and programs intended to boost your entrepreneurial skills 

Family Weekend – A weekend to invite your family to experience life at William & Mary! This year it will be held October 27-29th

Global Research Institute – Brings together staff and students to apply research to real world problems!

Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved – A memorial dedicated to the enslaved who helped build the university

Institute for Integrative Conservation – The institute devoted to solving critical conservation issues through research and education

Joint Degree Programme – The Joint Degree Program with the University of St Andrews that allows students to spend two years at both institutions!

Keck Lab – The Keck Lab holds various environmental courses and labs on the shore of Lake Matoaka 

Lemon Project – The Lemon Project builds bridges between William & Mary and African American communities through research, programming, and supporting students, faculty, and staff.

Mason School of Business – Home of the William & Mary business curriculum!

NATO Youth Summit – A worldwide transatlantic conversation that W&M students can attend

Orientation – Your first introduction to your W&M experience!

Pet therapy – Offered at the Wellness Center, therapy pets visit for students to unwind around a furry friend 

Queen Mary – How William & Mary got its name! Queen Mary II of England was a founder along with King William III

Recreational sports – Club and intramural sports for those looking to have some fun while staying fit!

Sunken Garden – the center of campus and a great place to relax with friends!

TWAMP – Typical William & Mary Student!

University Advancement – An arm of the university dedicated to continuing community and philanthropy among alumni, students, parents, and friends

Virginia Institute of Marine Science – Center for research and graduate studies relating to Marine Science!

Wren Building – The oldest university building still in use in the United States!

X-ray crystallography – A unique lab technique used by Professor Pike!

Yule Log Celebration – A winter celebration where students and staff share their traditions and beliefs
Zable Stadium – Home to Tribe football games!