The DOs and DON'Ts of Finals Week

As we enter into the heart of finals week, I've taken some time to compile a list of things that you should do during finals week, and things that you definitely should avoid. If I have learned anything throughout my four years of college, the bulk of it is definitely what to avoid. With that, lets get started...

DO: Study the weekend before. 

Calendar

  

The best possible option would be to study for the whole week prior to finals week (like dead week was originally designed to be available for), but now that schools have decided to pack the week before with papers and presentations as well... studying the weekend before is the best option. 

DON'T: Study the night before. 

Even though this seems like the best option, staying up the whole night prior to an exam is not good for you. It turns out that sleep is almost, if not as important to your academics than studying. If you don't believe me, check out this study by UCLA. Moreover, cramming the night before can cause a lot of extra stress on your brain. If you do this on a regular basis, it can actually have negative affects on your health! 

Moral of the story, don't cram... and please, please don't pull all nighters. 

DO: Write down the things you are studying with pen and paper.

Two studies from researchers Pam Mueller at Princeton, and David Oppenheimer at UCLA, found that students who write down what they are learning with pen and paper learn more. Thats right! Writing things down helps you have a stronger understanding than when you just read or look on a laptop. 

Link

So, if you are trying to memorize something, or simply trying to understand something more, pick up a pen and start writing stuff down. It's going to help you in the long run. To add to this, during the whole school year, try to write notes on actual paper, this may even cut down on how much studying you have to do for finals week. Thats a real win, win. 

DON'T: Get hooked on a new tv show the weekend before finals week.

Westworld

Speaking from a more recent experience... and for self explanatory reasons... don't start watching a new series the weekend before finals week (especially if you think you could get hooked). 

My roomate and I just started watching Westworld... 

Whatever you do, wait until Christmas break to start watching this show. Way too addictive.  

DO: Study with friends. 

Studying with friends is a proven way to retain the information more. Verbalizing and engaging in conversation about the topics help improve your retention. To go along with this, having more people around you can help boost your motivation to study, and expand the knowledge available in the room. If you don't know the answer to something, odds are someone in the group study sesh is going to know the answer, and will be able to explain it. Studying with friends is a great way to learn more. 

Don't: Skip studying all-together. 

Link

While "sending it for the boys" may sound like a good idea at the time, don't do it. At the very least, read through your notes for a little bit before the test. Going into a test blind is just going to be a bummer for the rest of your day, so I recommend avoiding this.

DO: Calculate what you need to get on the test. 

Link

Even though teachers tell you not to do this, it still can be a huge relief. Hopefully the work you have done all semester has you sit'n pretty, and the percentage you need to get is low. This can help ease some of the stresses of finals week, and any time you can calm you brain, is a good thing. So go ahead, check the grade that you need... but still study your "stress-reduced" butt off. 

I've chosen to have more DOs than DON'Ts for this post for one reason; it's good to have a little positivity in midst of the worst week of the school year. On that note, go kill those tests, and then move on into Christmas break (the best time of the school year). Good luck everyone, and I hope this helps. 

Excellent

Social Media Update

A little while ago I wrote about my Disconnect to Connect attempt. My choice to stop using all social media accounts was a hard one, but one I am finding very effective. With that said, here is a little update for you guys. Here's how the absence of social media is affecting my life:

It seems as though social media was an addiction to me. This is something I am not ashamed to say, as I believe many people go through the same thing. The joy you feel when receiving a like, and the notifications are enough to make a person return to that site time, and time again. Throughout the couple months of not having a social media account, I have seen some differences in my life, and here they are:

1. More time for family and friends 

Time

With the absence of social media, I have found that I am more present. When I am hanging with family or friends, I am no longer taking 15 minute breaks of consciousness to mindlessly scroll through all of my accounts. I no longer am constantly checking my phone for the latest likes on a photo I recently posted. It has allowed me to be somewhere, and really be there.


2. Independence

Along with being more present, I am able to leave my phone when I go and do something. I no longer feel detached when I am not with my phone. The only instances in which I spend a lot of time on my phone is when I am talking to someone, whether that be by text or phone call. These instances are with real people. I am staying connected with people I otherwise wouldn't be, and avoiding the stuff that doesn't matter so much.

Independence

I cannot stress enough the freedom it gives you to be able to leave your phone for long periods of time and not feel anxious. When I do return to my phone, I don't spend hours looking through the news I missed on social media. I am able to be independent of my phone, and thats something to be excited about.


3. More resourceful 

Because social media was my main source of news, I was forced to become more resourceful when it comes to learning about what is going on with the world. New apps are informing me of the news now, and I know things I wouldn't have learned just through social media. Instead of relying on Instagram or Facebook to inform me of world, I have a more broad understanding of news from sites that are meant for news.

In hindsight, I realize how naive I was to only use social media for my only news source. The amount of bias in these posts is astronomical, and the depth of the news was not up to the standard you need it to be. Not having these resources has made me a more educated person, and more resourceful when I needed to learn about something, I have more tools in my toolbox, and for that I am thankful.













4. Less Self-absorbed 

Sadly, I found that social media was making me a more self-absorbed person. How many likes I got on a photo was my only concern. If I didn't get enough I would take the photo down... Now how narcissistic do you need to be for this to be true. I realize this isn't a result of being on social media, and this has more to do with inner problems, but being away from the "Insta game" has done wonders in making me a less narcissistic person. I am no longer driven by likes, and I could care less what other people think about the things I do, and that brings us to the next number.


5. Less worried 
While I was on social media, I was constantly wondering if people would approve of the things I was doing. "If I posted a picture about this, would people like it?" Since dropping all of them, I am less worried about this. I do things because I enjoy them, I take pictures because I think something is cool. I am no longer driven by likes, and instead do things because I want to, or because the people around me want to.

This fact alone has made deleting my accounts worth it. It has allowed me, again, to be more present.


6. More productive 

This is the most self-explanatory, but I urge you to take a day and tally the hours you spend scrolling through your social media accounts. I did this very thing, and what I found was not good.

Not spending so much time on my social media accounts allowed me more time to do things that are actually productive. I was given more time to do homework, and as a result, I could be done with work earlier. From this I could hang with my friends more, go work out, or do literally anything else. The freedom from social media is the freedom of your time. I don't spend so much time on my phone, and this gives me more time to spend in the real world, and thats priceless.

Link

Again, like I did in the other blog, I urge you to stop letting social media, or your phone take over your life. Find a way to put it down. I hope you come to the same realization that I did, and I hope you feel the same effects that I did, and more. Let me know how your social media sabbatical is going.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Bye-bye

Thanksgiving UNPLUGGED

UNPLUG

As most of you know, our nation just celebrated one of the best holidays, Thanksgiving. Now that most of us are getting over our "food comas," let me tell you a little story about Thanksgiving UNPLUGGED. It was a glorious time, and it began with an idea from a family member - "no phones this Thanksgiving." One-by-one the stack of phones on the counter grew, and what resulted was a truly glorious sight. 10+ phones lying untouched in the middle of the living room and 10+ people engaging in meaningful conversations. Now, lets dive a little deeper into the difference this "policy" made in our holiday experience.

This was the first time in a long time that my Thanksgiving was celebrated with my whole family. My family plus two aunts, two uncles, grandparents, and a whole slew of cousins were all in attendance. This usually means copious amounts of laughter, and a whole lot of phone time. With the majority of cousins being in high school and younger, they are attached to their screens unless advised otherwise. While this does make for a quieter room, it also impedes on quality family time (something we weren't about to let happen this year). Thus, Thanksgiving unplugged was born in an attempt to thwart the evil phones from taking over.

This meant one mission - go around and steal everybody's phone. At the conclusion, we had 13 of the 17 possible phones in the stack. of the 4 we didn't swipe, 1 was broken, 2 were in the car, and the last was solidly in the pocket of my grandpa (and you don't want to mess with his stuff). As you can see to the left, the beginnings of the stack was captured, and what resulted was the best Thanksgiving ever.

Instead of people mindlessly scrolling on their phones, football was played in the yard. Instead of sending texts to people you weren't with, relationships were strengthened with the people in your presence. Laughs were shared, and conversations thrived. Food was eaten, more food was eaten, and then we had dinner (where more food was eaten). When I looked around the room I saw smiles; I saw people I love interacting with other people I love. Unplugged was one of the best ideas we have ever had, and I could go on for days about the benefits of this wall of phones. Instead of boring you with all of my experiences, I am going to instead suggest something to all of you out there - UNPLUG.

Next time you are celebrating a holiday, have relatives in town, or are simply going out to dinner with family/friends, build your own great wall of phones.

Great Wall of phones

Take a night away from your email, social media, and texting conversations and really connect with the people around you. Find it in yourself to talk to someone you may not know that well. Don't let your phone take over your life, and don't let your holiday look like a DMV waiting room with everyone playing on their phones quietly. I urge you to make your next get-together an unplugged edition and experience all of the benefits that I did.

Once you've done this, take a picture of your phone stack. Take notes of all the benefits you experience. Realize the greatness of being unplugged. Be present, and then continue to be present. Maybe, once you do this, you can take more steps, get rid of your social media accounts and cut down on your "screen time." Disconnect to Connect.

Post your great walls of phones in the comments below, I would love to see them! and feel free to comment about the great experiences you had with your unplugged times.

Till next time.

Bye-bye

A Journey

Seahawks

This past weekend, I was blessed enough to spend time in Seattle, Washington. Additionally, my dad and I went to the Seahawks vs. Eagles game at CenturyLink Field, A truly amazing experience for a kid from Montana. Some of these experiences I thought were interesting enough to share with you today.

To start, I'll try to provide you with a little background story.

The first thing you do is walk out of the hotel with the air misting your coat from a fog-like rain. You turn left on University Avenue, and walk to the sounds of traffic and people jabbering about their days. You continue down the street making your way toward the stadium, humidity soaking you more and more as you move. The cool fresh air guides you along, and as you continue down the street, you see people sleeping in the entrances of stores. You see groups of the homeless huddling outside of shelters waiting to be let in. You see another group pawing at a lady handing out free coats. Another two people are laying on the sidewalk, covered in blankets, sleeping the morning away. Then a corner brings you to a couple of men stumbling down the sidewalk while sharing pulls from a bottle of vodka. You pass one more group of people who are smoking a mixture of both cigarettes and weed while waiting outside another homeless shelter.



Just as quickly as this section of the city came, it's gone. As you cross the street, the homeless culture disappears into the fog. You are suddenly walking amongst hundreds of people, swagged out in their Seahawks gear, all contributing to the 176 million dollars of revenue for the Seahawks franchise. You are walking towards a stadium that generates a revenue of 275 million dollars.

It's amazing to think that such a money driven business, can have its waters wash up onto the shores of the homeless in Seattle. Maybe this close association between the two is a result of the ever-growing homeless population - now totaling around 10,000 people. Regardless, the contrast is a hard thing to comprehend. Maybe this is my "small-town" background, but it still seems hard to believe. So I am choosing to delve deeper into the "water" that envelopes the homeless in Seattle.

Dive

In an attempt to learn more, I came up with two questions. The first, how do they get there?  The second, how can we help?

1. How do they get there? 

The homeless population in Seattle has been steadily rising in recent years, and now that the total is up to 10,000, it begs the question, why are they all there? Sadly, it is very apparent that many of the homeless in the city suffer from mental illness. In fact, in 2009 alone, 1,001 suffered from a mental illness (476 of those happen to be serious illnesses).  In the whole world, 33% of the homeless population suffers from mental illnesses, and these can range anywhere from major depression, to schizophrenia. Keep in mind that these stats were from 2009 and have only risen since then. Along with mental illness, disease and disability create another huge barrier for someone trying to make it in today's society. In Seattle alone,  "534 homeless people were physically disabled, 99 had HIV/AIDS, and 140 had a developmental disability." A shocking number that also holds true in other big cities around the United States. The last main cause for homelessness is substance abuse, (something that became very apparent to me in this last visit to Seattle). In 2009, substance abuse topped mental illness for the #1 reason for living on the streets. Addiction and the use of recreational drugs is an expensive thing, and can often find a person sleeping under the cover of a store entrance. In fact, as my dad and I ate at McDonalds in downtown, we were approached by a man asking for 5 dollars in order to purchase cigarettes. The man didn't have enough money to live in a home, and what money he did make, went towards cigarettes. That thought doesn't sit well with me. Given all the above,  I also acknowledge that this is not true in every case. I understand that there are other circumstances that land people on the streets, and I am sensitive to this truth. Now, with that said, lets move on... 

Now that we know some of the reasons for why these people are sleeping on streets, we are able to ask the question, how do we fix this? 

Batman

2. How can we help? 
This is an interesting question, one that has been asked millions of times. I am not naive enough to think that I can do anything different, but with my experience in Seattle this past Sunday, I have one idea. Where is the help from professional sports programs? To make this more simple lets continue this blog with the big four, The NFL, MLB, NBA, and the NHL. These four sports organizations bring in billions of dollars each year. In fact, the leader of the four in terms of revenue, the NFL, brought in 13 billion dollars in revenue in just 2015.

Now lets switch gears and look at the top four cities in terms of homeless population. These four include: New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Diego. All of these teams have at least one team from the big 4 sporting organizations. So here is the question I want to arise, why aren't these teams doing more to help the homeless population?

Lets focus on the NFL. During the season they have a whole month dedicated to breast cancer awareness where all teams wear pink, and the NFL donates to the cause. Also during the year, they have a salute to service campaign where all the games during that period of time give money to three non-profit organizations. It is these campaigns that sparked an idea. Why not partner with homeless shelters or other non-profit organizations that help heal, shelter, and support homeless populations in the US's largest cities? Why don't professional teams don a special color in order to raise awareness for the homelessness problem? And again, why aren't teams doing more to help the homeless populations in their respective cities?

It is my opinion that it would only help the team. They are making enough money to help (13 billions dollars), and it is going to clean up the cities that they represent. Instead of fans having to walk by homeless shelters on their way to the game like I did, they can have a walk not inundated with drugs and alcohol. The NFL can donate team gear to homeless shelters, making living on the streets bearable. They can donate money, allowing care facilities to help the mentally ill and sick. They can build sponsored buildings meant to house homeless people, or create jobs in their stadiums for able minded homeless. Anything they do will serve as marketing tools, and will also make the city better. It's a win-win.

With all this said, I acknowledge that the NFL and other sports organizations do great things for the communities they are a part of. I also acknowledge they are doing amazing things when it comes to people who served in the military, and doing outstanding things for breast cancer awareness. I am simply saying, the NFL should notice this huge issue in their own cities, and help make their home-field so much better. Continue to make a difference, and make a difference in a new way.

Thanks for reading, please comment suggestions and critiques.

Goodbye

Anchoring

Anchor

I'm broke. 

Being broke is something that I think a lot of college students go through. Something that they become used to, it becomes their norm. 

For me, I have recently realize the value of money, and how much that has changed in the last few years. In high school, when I was under my parents wings, $100 was a lot of money. Nowadays, that hardly buys me groceries for a couple weeks. 

Anchoring is a social psychology that describes some reasons for why people make the decisions that they do. To give you a quick synopsis, it means that in your mind, you create a norm, and that is what influences your decisions. You get used to a certain amount of money, a certain type of lifestyle, and any less than this is not good enough. For example, in college, you become increasingly aware that Top Ramen is the norm. Hopefully, when you get out and have a steady job, Ramen will no longer be your top choice. 

The way I think about it, is a financial floor. What you are used to becomes the floor, and when you drop your anchor it can only go so far down. Once you start making money, or become used to more (or less) the floor will change heights. Anything below this floor, you will find satisfies you less. If you want more in depth explanations about this, check out this article. 

Now that we know what anchoring is, whats the point? The point is that anchoring can be bad. That it can cause you a lot of stress, and cost you a lot more money. When what used to be enough, no longer satisfies you, it can put you in a financial pinch. Either that, or you try and buy happiness. And as the saying goes, "money can't buy happiness." 

The point is that anchoring can be avoided...

Shocked

Yeah, its true. It's not easy, but its true. 

First you need to realize why anchoring is bad. Read about it, and come up with reasons for yourself. Then all you have to do is commit to avoiding anchoring in your life. Here are my steps for avoiding it. 

1. Pick a floor.  

floor

This is the hardest step. But the one that absolutely needs to get done. It's a simple step, and just means that you need to choose a lifestyle that is comfortable for you. You'll need to realize this while you are living that lifestyle, and you may need to settle on some things. Find a financial situation you feel comfortable staying at for some time. 

2. Don't let the raise, raise you.

Raise

If you find yourself successful in your career, chances are you are going to receive a raise. The trick is to not let this raise, raise your floor. Instead of using that extra money that you aren't accustomed to - to raise your bottom line - put more in savings. Continue living within the means that you are used to, and save more money. this will allow you to be more financially sound, and it will stop your anchor from rising. 

3. Raise it slow.

Now I understand that it is extremely hard to live within means your whole entire life. Especially when you are making more and more money. With that said, if you must raise your floor, raise it as slow as possible. Continue to save more and more money, and realize when you are buying things that you don't need. 

Now I realize that this list is only 3 steps... 

I know, not very much, 

and I'm sure it didn't even mean much. But there is a problem. Anchoring can make you rely your happiness on things that won't satisfy you. Material objects will never satisfy you perfectly, and you will always be wondering if something out there is better, or if someone has something nicer than you. Realize why anchoring is going to hurt you. Realize that you can stop it, and that you can live a better life. Find things that make you genuinely happy, and allow those things to thrive. Instead of sinking your anchor into things that don't matter, drop your anchor into the things that are the most important to you.  

We all have a choice, and for that, we should all rejoice.

Raise the Roof

The Truth about Creativity

After reading Creative Confidence by David and Tom Kelley, I began thinking about creativity. It is my belief that many people have a skewed version of what creativity actually is. Contrary to popular belief, everyone is a creative.

Most people leave the creative work for the creatives.
Here's why you shouldn't:

1. Everyone is Creative

People

The first mistake that everyone makes is thinking that they aren't creative. The fact is that everyone is creative, but in their own way. Not everyone has the same skills, or the same way of doing things, it is this thinking that they do that holds people back. So often people believe they aren't creative, that they stop trying to be all together. The trick is to continue training the creative side of you brain, in your own way. Whatever you like to do, whatever you are interested in... Continue to innovate within those boundaries. With that, we move on to #2 of this list.

2. Train your Creative Side 

Link

After realizing that you are, in fact, creative, move on and start acting on this. The first thing you need to do, is avoid the blank page. This is one of the hardest things to get over, but it must be done. Many people are scared of looking at emptiness, and refuse to continue working. The way to jump this hurdle is to put pen to paper. The only way to get rid of a blank page is to put something on it. Once you start working, no matter how ugly it is, it gets those gears in your brain turning, and ultimately your "creative juices flowing." Once you do this, move on to #3

3. Embrace Failure 

Path

I was once told by a bright mind, that every huge success was preceded by a litany of failures. I have found this to be true. When you fail, you learn what not to do. Your learn things that do, and don't work. Your ideas continue to grow on each other, and ultimately will culminate into something beautiful. Embrace things that don't work, and don't get discouraged by them. Failure is a critical part of becoming a creative, so avoid the fear of failure, and it will breed success.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice. 

Practice

Like overstated in sports and school, "practice makes perfect," it's true. As you continue to work on you creative ability, you will get better. If you continue to draw, you will get better at drawing. It's a simple rule, but one that is not often followed. This step is simple, so I won't go on, just practice.

All in all, creativity is a skill that is able to grow. Have a growth mindset, and realize that no matter how much creative talent you were blessed with at birth, you can always become more creative. Follow the steps above. Fail, and then fail again. Ultimately you are going to come up with something beautifully creative. That's the point, and thats all you need to become a creative person.

Thanks for reading.

Bye-bye

Reminiscing

As I drove my car down the street, listening to "Summer hits from the 90s" on Pandora - jamming of course -  I was instantly brought back to the early 2000s. I had the most intense visual of my life, and I was sitting on our old Glastron boat, cruising around Canyon Ferry lake.

Now, what else could bring back such a realistic throwback to another time than the greatest music of all time, Matchbox 20.

Album Cover

As "3am" played in my ear I could remember vividly so many memories that had been forgotten (play it) (you know you want to).

How is it that something as simple as a Matchbox 20 song can bring you back to another place, and another time?

Music is a funny thing. It has its own way of connecting with you. Everyone has their own genre that they like, their own favorite band, or song. You instantly connect with those who like the same music you do.

Moreover, music has a way of bringing people together. Concerts bring people from all over, to one place for a three hour show. It brings people to bars, to parks, to amphitheaters. It makes people dance, laugh, or cry, and it will never stop bringing these emotions.

The thing about music is that it does all these things in its own way. It has a way of being liked by everyone. Car rides seem empty, and working out wouldn't be the same without it. But the aspect of music that is the most astounding is its way of transporting you into your memories. Music to me is important because of the associations that have been created through it. Like Matchbox 20 did, it can take you back to a time that you didn't remember before. A song can transport you back to a concert you went to, to a place you were living, or any other time.

I find that certain songs can remind me of when I lived in a different city, and to a different time in my life. A song can remind me of a past version of me, of lessons I've learned, and of the best times in my life. Memories are very reason that music is so pivotal who I am.

As you move through life, things change. Things you love end, and your life moves on. As I find myself looking back, I find myself missing certain times, wishing they would come back. Thought music just gives me glimpses into the past, those glimpses are more than I could ever ask for. Certain songs force me to remember times that I would otherwise forget.

I urge you to embrace these memories. To realize what certain songs mean to you. I suggest that you use music as a tool, a tool that brings color into the world and makes otherwise mundane memories, so much more vivid. I recommend you go to that concert with the people closest to you. To go to the bars to dance and laugh. Go out and make memories, and let music help you do that.

Find your Matchbox 20 song, and ride those flashbacks as long as you can, because they are something special. And ultimately...

Reminisce.

Bye