I’ve been back in Boone for about three weeks now, it’s great! I love being back and the weather is amazing. But now that I’m back it’s a new routine. So because of my time being back here’s a great way to allocate time and find ways to study between your breaks and scarce time off.

Between Classes

While you’re between classes if you have longer breaks around and hour long, take that time and hit the library, review, and type up your notes in a way that makes them easy to read and study. This helps you a lot. Being able to go back through your notes enables them to be committed to memory, and locks them in. The fact you’re saving them in a study guide style (however that may be for you) makes them better for reviewing for exams.

In Class

Do you use a laptop, or iPhone or iPod Touch? Consider Evernote. A note taking tool that syncs with your iPhone, Desktop, and Online. This is great because it lets you access your notes wherever. Though the free version has limited space if you use many photos, it is great for text documents and the like. Otherwise, make sure your notes are clear and you understand them. If you can’t follow your train of thought in your notes, how do you expect to be able to get back to them and recall what you learned?

Organize Yourself

Stand back and take a look at everything that’s on your plate. Sort it out and find a way to make it all fit together. I for example have one 5 subject notebook, it holds all I need. I also tote my laptop on Mon, Wed, Fri, that way if I need it I have it with me. Be sure your home is organized also. Make sure your papers are in order, your desk is neat all that fun jazz your mom always told you to do. Keep all your play and work separate, if you get these mixed up, you’ll end up foolin around instead of getting your work done.

Hoard Your Dough

Save Save Save. If you don’t need to spend it don’t! If you have a meal plan use it. I know the on campus food might be about the worst thing you’ve ever had, but hey, it’s on your meal plan. If your off campus, use the grocery store’s discount program. It Helps! Get the generics, and the staples, you only need these once. Use menus and opensourcefood for some ideas on recipes. This lets you get good food ideas while saving the money from going out.

When I say tipping I mean multiple types. Tip waiters, housekeepers, baristas; or are you giving people tips to give advice. Either way there are perks to giving monetary tips and constructive criticism. I do my best to try to tell people ways to increase their productivity, decrease slack time, and other ways to try  to help them. But at the same time, I tend to be a ridiculous tipper, close to 30% sometimes.

Photo from KM&G-Morris’

But what are the perks?

You’re helping out

Tips might be small in comparison to many things you do, but you are helping that person. Whether by giving them a few extra dollars, or a couple pointers to help them get through the day, you’re tipping. The key is to not try to come across as a) Loaded with dough, or b) a smart ass know-it-all. But doing your best to contribute to others helps society. Remember, tipped positions are most likely paid minimum wage, or less and the majority of their money comes in through tips.

You benefit too!

There are countless stories of people who have recieved better service, better upgrades, many many other opportunities, just by tipping. It doesn’t even have to be a big tip. Any tip that you give is one that will make customer service associates recognize you more. Want a better table, better service, give a little tip. Concierge services are the same way, prepay a $20 tip for your whole stay, and I guarantee the Concierge will work with you the best they can. If they pull through for you, give a little extra per task.

Constructive Criticsm

This is where everyone could use some help. If you think someone is doing somthing incorrectly, or it could be done better, let them know. Sometimes they might not know that they could be doing their work better. Especially if these people work for you, constructive criticsm is better than pure criticsm. Give the individual the opportunity to grow and be a bigger asset to you and your company. Give constructive criticsm, and be willing to accept it.