Now that Labor Day Weekend is over, you may be convinced that it’s time to pull yourself together and prepare yourself for the manygrueling weeks of studying ahead. Your efforts in college have a lot to do with your energy levels. Looking for ways to find more energy without taking a gnarly over-the-counter energy supplement that keeps you up for days? The following may help you out:

1.        Greens. Go to your nearby holistic health store such as the Vitamin Shoppe and find a greens supplement like Greens Plus. Not only does eating greens rich in chlorophyll give you energy, they boost the immune system and can even work as a mood enhancer.

2.       Protein. Sometimes college life is so busy that it becomes quite easy to ignore your diet. Protein is essential for brain power. Make sure you are getting enough throughout the day, especially in the morning. Fish is one of the best proteins you can get because of its high contents of omega fatty acids.

3.       Water. In order to have maximized energy levels, water is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. A dehydrated body makes you feel sluggish and actually slows down thinking processes. Try drinking at least 8 cups a day. You may even consider carrying a large water bottle with you to your classes.

4.       Exercise. In order to gain energy, you really need to put out energy through at least 20-30 minutes of exercise at least 3-4 times a week. Choose a variety of exercises that you enjoy such as running, yoga, cycling, etc.

5.       Sleep. All-nighters are needed once in a while during college life, but it is best practice to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll do with your studies and social life by getting enough rest!

In addition to the ideas above, you may want to check out The Juicing Bible. This book is awesome for the student on the go. It includes recipes for energy gaining juices and smoothies that you can make at home.

Have any ideas of your own for gaining energy naturally? Share away on our Facebook wall!

You probably already know by now that each and every professor is a unique creature with a different set of quirks, expectations and requirements. Some are willing to bend over backwards to help you understand difficult concepts while others can be quite inaccessible. Also, there are those who gear their entire course around difficult exams, while others provide tons of course work for balance. There is no single formula for connecting with each professor, but we hope these ideas will help you excel in your classes:

• Carefully observe your professor. Watch him or her carefully as they try to explain class structure and their expectations. Try to determine if your professor is a people person or more of an introvert. Does he or she seem easy-going or more like a drill sergeant? By understanding what makes your professor tick, you can better connect with them and meet their requirements.
• Engage your professor before or after class. It is an excellent idea to come early to class or stay late to get to know your professor. Don’t forget that you’re not only going to college to get a grade, but you are also there to learn as much as you can. You’ll be amazed at what doors can be opened when you engage your professor. You may even be able to inspire him or her to meet up with a handful of students for a professor/student dinner. By knowing your professors, you will gain important insights in your classes and life in general. Plus, recommendations from top professors go a long way when you begin seeking a job!
• Ask plenty of questions. Bestselling author Timothy Ferriss in his book The 4-Hour Workweek shares that when he was in college he would ask tons of questions to make sure he was on-track. In fact, he would set meetings with his professors before tests and prior to paper deadlines to drill them with questions. This propelled him to the top of his class at Harvard!
• Notes & recordings. Dare yourself to deeply focus on every word your professors utter during class. Most likely a large percentage of test questions are gone over in class. Becoming a master note taker will save you tons of time when preparing for examinations and assignments. As a backup, you can also audio record all lectures.

We hope the above ideas will help you in your efforts, and invite you to share ideas of your own! What techniques do you use to master your professors and ace your classes?  Post away on our Facebook page.