Are you anxious about an upcoming paper and need some tips? If you are a bit nervous, you aren’t alone. It’s actually a known factthat one of the most dreaded aspects of college for many students is writing term papers. Experts have revealed that fear (also known as resistance) is the number one culprit of writer’s block.

Believe it or not, writing papers can actually be an interesting process and rewarding. In an effort to help you write a stellar paper, we have compiled the following 7 Tips:

1.      Narrow down and define your topic. Take time to really think about your topic and make it as defined as possible. When a topic is overly general, it is difficult to find the right sources, write a concise argument and effectively support the paper’s premise.

2.      Develop an outline. Once you’ve defined your topic, you should outline your entire paper. An outline should include your introduction, main points, support for your main points and conclusion. The more detailed you get, the easier and faster it will be to write.

3.      Solid sources. Make sure that you locate plenty of great sources to help validate your topic and arguments. It is a good rule of thumb to gather more sources than you will use, read them thoroughly, make notes, and discard sources that don’t provide the support you need.

4.      Format correctly. Become a pro at using the required format (as prescribed by your professor). Whether using MLA, APA or any other format type, the more you know about formatting the better off you are. There is nothing that irks a professor more than receiving a wrongly formatted paper.

5.      Be creative. If you really want to stand out from your fellow students, don’t be afraid to get creative when making your arguments. Keep in mind that professors have to read through numerous papers. An innovative paper is usually more than welcomed!

6.      Proofread. When you have finished your paper, make sure that you carefully read through each sentence for grammar and spelling errors. Also, make sure your paper flows well and is easily understood. To be extra certain, it’s a great idea to have a friend serve as your proofreader for the term. Sometimes proofing your own work can be quite a challenge – that second pair of eyes can make all the difference in the world.

7.      Ask for guidance when needed. Some professors are more than willing to offer help when you become stuck. They may even offer to read through your paper and offer suggestions before you turn in a paper. Take advantage of this opportunity if possible.

We wish you luck as you embark on the writing of your next paper. Also, if you have any other tips you’d like to share; we’d love to hear them! Visit our Facebook wall and share away.

Have you found yourself spending far too much time staring at your computer screen, sitting in on never-ending lectures, orchilling with friends at your favorite coffee shop and not getting any exercise?  If this is so, you probably notice that you tire easily, are frustrated all too often and become unfocused often.

The good news is that with 30 minutes of exercise a day, you can turn things around! You’ll get your blood flowing, increase your metabolism and gain amazing amounts of energy. We hope the following ideas will get you started:

• Run for 30 minutes. Keep it simple by getting up from your desk, throwing on a pair of running shoes and grabbing your watch or smartphone. Run in your favorite direction for 15 minutes, then turn around and run for 15 minutes back to your dorm room/apartment. If you take your smartphone along (iPhone, Android, etc.), you can track your progress with Endomondo (an awesome free app), and even share your 30 minutes of running success with your friends on Facebook.
• Exercise in your dorm room or apartment. You can also try standing up from your desk and attempting a series of exercises for 30 minutes straight. Simple exercises can include squats, lunges, pushups, stairs, sit-ups, jumping jacks, and more. The key is to start moving and attempt to work up a sweat.
• Try online yoga classes. You may love yoga and find yourself complaining that it takes too much time out of your day. Thanks to the Internet, there are all sorts of free yoga classes. All you have to do is Google “30 minute yoga class videos” and you’re ready to go. If yoga isn’t your thing, there are tons of other free 30 minute workouts online.
  
• Fun with friends. Exercise can also include playing tennis, throwing a baseball, chasing a football around the yard, or any other favorite activity. Call a good bud and tell him or her to meet you for a bit of fun. Inspire each other to keep moving for at least 30 minutes and dare to play like a kid once again. The best way to reboot your mind is to have some fun!

The above are only a handful of exercise ideas for busy students. We’d love to hear your ideas. What do you do for exercise in your busy world? Share away on our Facebook wall.