Cultural Event: Study Aboard fair

            This week while walking through the library I happened to stumble upon the Study Aboard fair which was being conducted to attract students to visit and study in foreign countries. Conviently, speaking to a student there who had study aboard counted for a “cultural event” for my freshman seminar class. Knowing I could learn valuable information on interesting programs for my future years in college and the fact I could write a brilliant paper on my findings, I pulled out my ISM notebook and began to soak up as much study aboard information possible. During my walk through of the fair I got the chance to speak with Abi Rhodes who has a Masters in musicology and Matt (didn’t get last name) a Spanish and pre-med major. Along with talking to two students I learned about Texas Tech’s main campus in Seville is geared toward business majors such as myself.

            Abi got the chance to study aboard twice, the first being in New Prog for six weeks in 2009 and Ireland during last summer. While in New Prog she attended the spring music and theater festival and took a class excursion to London, England. In the summer of 2010 Abi studied in Ennis, Ireland and had the honor of participating in the FleadhNua (slaughtered that name) music and dance festival. In which her fellow student and herself got to participate in a 1000+ participant dance. While interested in her trip I had the need to find a business major to speak with so I ventured over to the Rawls study aboard table.

            When I arrived to the Rawls Business table I met Matt (still not a business major) in which he shared his study aboard experience in Argentina. He took 4 classes there in the spring of 2009 in which he made his own friends amongst locals. One of the trips he highlighted to me was a class excursion to the Iguazu Falls. He also told me that by the time he had became comfortable and absorbed into the culture, his 5 months were up there and he had to return home.

            Around this time a representative from Rawls interjected in me and matt's conversation. In our brief talk she told me about Tech’s main campus in Seville, Spain. That at the moment they are full for business studies for this summer but next summer would be great to take their Production and Operations Management class. Gaining interest I gathered contact info so I could look deeper into the study aboard program.

            Coming into the Study Aboard fair uninterested and leaving with a deep interest in the Seville program can be an approval of how the fair was conducted. I look forward to learning more about studying aboard and possibly (if money permits it) studying overseas in Spain.

Textbook tips

Honestly, knowing how use a textbook is not one of my stronger skills. When I do pick up (and dust off) my textbook, I like to use a few simple tips to help me absorb the information to my best abilities. These tips are to take notes on the reading, survey the reading before your read, and to make your own questions for the reading, whether a text book or a novel I always take notes while reading. This helps me recall key facts that could be on the exam or assignment you are studying for. With textbooks I always write down key dates, vocabulary words, and the headings of each section. Surveying the headings of each section helps get your mindset and thinking critically about what you’re about to read. Finally to help recall and memorize what you just read is to make your own questions from the reading. Answering questions about what we read builds memorization on the topics being questioned.

p.s- Texas vs. Texas Tech weekend is not prosperous for studying and doing homework assignments.

College survial guide(on steriods) give feedback!!

Yes! You are a senior in high school one more year and you get to start the best years of your life, college! For many student college really is the best years of their lives but for some college can be a downward spiral to depression, failure, and the always possible drop out. Whether this is caused by too much partying, poor study habits, or just being overwhelmed, there are ways to overcome these personal faults and achieve great success in the college atmosphere. Three of the most important tips and tricks are also some of the most simple yet hard to follow like studying/concentration, creating a positive attitude, and finally time management.


Study, study, study, and when you think you know everything for your class study more. Sounds simple right? For many such as myself it is not that easy, whether it is facebook, texting girls, or looking at mylifeisbro.com; procrastinating is an epidemic amongst students. One of the best ways to combat this is to find your very own study spot, which you only use for studying nothing else. I actually have two spots, the a park off campus which the sound of cars driving past it helps me generate concentration and the laundry room inside my dorm which the sound of the dryer also helps me concentrate as well. Along with a spot, such as laundry machines, soft none lyrical music or even the wind can help multiply concentration needed for studies. If you are still having trouble getting your mind set try tricking your brain by telling yourself “this so fascinating” meaning read like you really enjoy it, which you really won’t the majority of the time. It is near impossible to study unless you have are in a positive mental state which we will discuss next.

Defeating depression is a huge key to success not only in college but all throughout our lives; doing so can be hard since negativity is natural to all humans. My personal favorite way to create a positive mood is to stay active such as working out, physical activity releases endorphins in out brain that naturally improves or mood. Also using relaxation techniques to clear and level out our minds are fantastic, try closing your eyes and take deep breaths the slowly relax each muscle in your body one by one. Last but not least set small goals for yourself that build to a larger one such as read ten pages out of your book, this slowly builds towards your final goal of the entire book and always reward yourself by taking pride in your accomplishment.

Time management is crucial for success in college, we all can’t hang-out with friends all day then at 1am expect ourselves to write a phenomenal paper or memorize definitions. That’s why I always occupy my day with school related errands and studies the reserve my nights for friends or of course the all important sleep. Also limit the nights you go out drinking, alcohol is a depressant and excessive hangovers are no fun. Try writing a personnel schedule custom for you, mine is simple yet effective for me.

Now that you have gathered some important knowledge about college and life, I hope you use the tools to the best of your ability. Don’t stress, remember college really is the best time of outlives. Enjoy your senior year hope to see you at in Lubbock next year!

Three things I would not have thought about.

The most important thing that ISM and College sucess simplified has brought to my attention is the idea of finding your very own study spot. Whether that be a bench next to a fountain or a sandwich shop off campus, its important to have your own comfotable place to sit down and study. Having a ADD has made studying a real pain for me so learning about tecniques on how to stay focused and maintain concentration have been extremely benificial to me and my study habits. Finally is to come to class well rested and prepared, chapter 9 highlights the ideas to eat before class and to get the proper rest which I normally don't do but am working towards fixing that issue.