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Macey:
Hey everyone, welcome to 海角社区 Rundown, the official podcast of 海角社区 Community
College, where we鈥檙e dedicated to helping you find success in college, your career,
and everything in between. I鈥檓 Macey Scotten, and with me again is鈥�
Sydney:
Sydney Dacus!
Macey:
We鈥檙e really excited to be here with you today. We鈥檙e talking about back-to-school
and getting into the swing of things. We鈥檝e got some fun tips and tricks to share,
plus feedback from 海角社区 students and graduates. I鈥檓 excited about today鈥檚 topics,
so let鈥檚 jump right in. First up is universal advice for students鈥攖hings to incorporate
into daily schedules. I鈥檒l start with organizing and managing time effectively. You鈥檙e
currently a student, Sydney. What tips do you have for our listeners?
Sydney:
Being back in school while working full time has been a lot. I鈥檓 so excited to finish
my master鈥檚 in December! One of my biggest helps has been keeping two dedicated notebooks鈥攐ne
for work and one for school. That way I don鈥檛 get overwhelmed seeing everything at
once. I鈥檓 not a highlighter or color-coder, but I do write down every due date and
task. Separating work and school into different notebooks keeps me sane.
Macey:
That鈥檚 really helpful. We have many students working full time while earning their
degrees. I鈥檓 the highlighter type! I keep a monthly planner and highlight deadlines,
meetings, contests, and assignments in different colors. Big-picture organization
helps me, but like you, I also separate tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Sydney:
Another key for me is prioritizing. If I know a work project is due Thursday but an
assignment is due Friday, I plan early in the week and set multiple reminders鈥擮utlook
calendar, phone calendar, and even alarms. I used to think I didn鈥檛 need all that,
but now I see reminders as a tool to get things done.
Macey:
Exactly. I used to set alarms in the evening to remind myself to start tasks. Whatever
you need to do, do it. Let鈥檚 shift gears. How do you get into the right mindset鈥攅ither
for an evening of work or for starting a new semester with goals?
Sydney:
First, I take a deep breath and think about my big-picture goals and my smaller, immediate
goals. For example, maybe I want a 4.0 GPA, save money to buy a car, and get a promotion
at work. I break those into bite-sized chunks: study on Tuesdays for a tough class,
set aside money weekly, take specific steps at work. My dad always says, 鈥淗ow do you
eat an elephant? One bite at a time.鈥� That鈥檚 what I recommend鈥攖ake it slow and step
by step.
Macey:
I love that. I鈥檒l be honest鈥擨 struggle with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed too. I鈥檓
reading a book by Jenny Allen about taking control of your thoughts. Instead of spiraling鈥斺�淚鈥檓
failing; I鈥檓 not smart enough鈥濃�攔edirect your actions: 鈥淚鈥檓 frustrated with my grades,
so I鈥檒l make studying a priority.鈥� Shifting self-talk changes your behavior and your
results.
Sydney:
That鈥檚 so important. Even now as an adult I sometimes think everyone else has it together,
but they don鈥檛. We鈥檙e all figuring it out. Redirecting your thinking and asking, 鈥淲hat
can I do about it?鈥� is huge.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 talk about study tips. Do you have a specific method that works?
Sydney:
I鈥檓 terrible at studying traditionally! But I do take notes in class, and I learn
a lot by explaining material to others鈥攍ike telling my dad about a paper I wrote and
realizing I really understood it. That鈥檚 been one of my most effective ways to retain
knowledge.
Macey:
Great point. I鈥檒l share a few structured methods:
Passive learning is just reading material鈥攗sually cramming the night before.
Active recall: study, then close the book and test yourself.
Flashcards/Quizlet: super helpful for tests.
Pomodoro method: set a 25- or 30-minute timer for focused work, then take a five-minute break. Move around during breaks and limit distractions (phone on Do Not Disturb, TV off, maybe quiet music).
Many students say the Pomodoro method dramatically improves focus.
Sydney:
I love that. Also, where you study matters鈥攄esk vs. couch makes a difference. And
if you鈥檙e struggling, talk to your professors. Professors here really do want students
to succeed.
Macey:
Yes. Use our campus resources like the ACE Tutoring Center (Multimedia Building, Room
215, Mon-Thu 8鈥�5, Fri 8鈥�4). Pair personal studying with tutoring or study groups.
Reserve library study rooms for a quiet, distraction-free space.
Sydney:
And if you鈥檙e commuting or don鈥檛 have a study group, still reach out to professors.
We鈥檒l do what we can to help.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 shift to campus vs. commuter life. I live on campus, you commute. For dorm life,
my top must-haves are a mattress topper for better sleep and a Brita water filter
to stay hydrated. Decorating your space also makes it feel like home.
Sydney:
Even in my apartment I鈥檝e loved making the space my own with photos and cheap frames.
Giving yourself a 鈥渟afe space鈥� matters, even if it鈥檚 small or shared.
Macey:
For limited space, try under-bed storage or over-the-door organizers. For healthy
eating on a budget: lean proteins, yogurt, fruits and veggies (buy small amounts if
you鈥檙e cooking for one), compare prices, and stock your backpack with snacks to avoid
vending machines. We also have affordable food on campus鈥攖he diner in Cougar Corner鈥攁nd
a free student food pantry in the Student Center.
Sydney:
The pantry is adorable鈥攍ike a mini grocery store鈥攁nd such a great resource. Use it!
Macey:
We also want students to get involved. You help with student events鈥攚hat鈥檚 the goal?
Sydney:
Connection. We provide free food (not just pizza!) and fun activities like cocoa bars
in December or nacho bars during football season. It鈥檚 a chance to meet people, take
a break, and feel part of the community. We post event dates on our website, Instagram,
and student email鈥攕top by even if just for a snack.
Macey:
And for commuters: plan your schedule, leave early to avoid stress, and use gaps between
classes productively鈥攕tudy in the library instead of driving home. Do you listen to
podcasts or music on your commute?
Sydney:
Mostly music. I curate funny playlists with pictures and names鈥攊t sets the mood for
my day. Podcasts too, but not while driving.
Macey:
Great. Any tips for home study spaces?
Sydney:
Have a designated spot鈥攄esk, dining table, wherever鈥攁nd make it appealing with your
supplies ready. Communicate with family or roommates about quiet times when you need
to focus.
Macey:
And finally, how can commuters stay connected to campus?
Sydney:
Come to student events! I didn鈥檛, and I regret it. College friendships and clubs can
lead to lifelong connections. You do have time for what you choose to make time for鈥攇et
involved and people will help you plug in.
Macey:
We also surveyed current students and alumni. Their top dorm tips: make friends with
roommates, remember people matter more than place, decorate your space, cook simple
meals together, keep a small toolbox, join clubs, and never turn down an invitation鈥攃ollege
is a unique chance to build connections.
Study hacks from students: attend class, use Quizlet, don鈥檛 procrastinate, study with a group, change your environment (coffee shops like Iron Tree downtown), and try 25-minute focused work sessions with breaks.
Balancing responsibilities: surround yourself with supportive people, know your priorities, stay organized with planners, set realistic weekly goals, and rely on mentors for advice.
Sydney:
Even asking friends at other schools for tips or sharing your wins helps build community
and keeps you motivated.
Macey:
Let鈥檚 end with rapid-fire questions. What鈥檚 one must-have for college life?
Sydney:
Someone you trust.
Macey:
I agree鈥攁 great support system. And what鈥檚 one thing you wish you knew before coming
to school?
Sydney:
People want you to succeed. At 18 I felt like the world was against me, but professors
and staff truly love hearing about students鈥� successes.
Macey:
Mine is: don鈥檛 limit yourself. Keep an open mind about your future. Say yes to opportunities鈥攜ou鈥檒l
discover what you love and what you don鈥檛, and both are valuable lessons.
Sydney:
Exactly. Every lesson is valuable, even hard ones.
Macey:
Well, that鈥檚 our back-to-school episode. We hope our listeners find this helpful鈥攐ur
insights plus feedback from current students. Thanks for joining us on 海角社区 Rundown.
See you next time!
Sydney:
Bye, guys.
