The Weekly Scroll of Things to Know.
|
|
|
Some tips for studying as you prepare for finals week.
|
Being successful in class requires that you prepare and study. Did you know that you should be studying outside of class for two to three hours a week for every credit hour you take? For example, if you register for 16 credit hours, you should study outside of class for at least 32 hours a week. Below are some tips to help you study effectively whether you are by yourself or in a group.
Tips for Studying or Working By Yourself.
- Find a quiet place where you can focus and be free of distractions.
- Don’t wait until you have “more time” or it “feels right” to start studying or working on an assignment. Starting is half the battle.
- Start small with the part of the task that feels most doable.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes and do as much as you can in that time.
- Push aside perfectionism, tell yourself you can fine tune little details after you have completed the basic work.
Tips for Studying or Working With a Friend or Group.
- The best way to find a study buddy or members of a study group is to attend your classes regularly. You’ll connect with classmates who can help you stay on track with assignments and study for upcoming quizzes and exams. You can also connect with your classmates by using the Study Buddy finder in Navigate Student.
- Studying or working with others can help you feel more anchored and like you’re not doing it all on your own.
- Consider setting a regular time to meet with your friend or study group. Establishing a regular meeting time will help you create a routine.
- Come prepared with questions you have about your course content or project.
- Learn more about the benefits of study groups by visiting the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning’s website.
|
|
|
MyScholarships application now available.
MyScholarships is NIU's campus-wide scholarship application system that allows you to apply for multiple competitive scholarships. These scholarships are usually awarded for the following academic year. Some scholarships may have later deadlines, however, you are encouraged to complete a general application prior to Jan. 31 each year to be considered for the majority of NIU scholarships.
|
|
|
|
Spring 2023 class registration underway.
|
Spring 2023 class registration is now open. Read the tips below and learn how to register for classes.
1. If you have not met with your advisor, do so. They are here to help you.
- It’s important to stay on track to graduation and your advisor is here to help ensure you are heading in the right direction.
- Remote advising is available. Options for remote advising could include virtual video conferences, phone calls, NIU emails or IM chats. Schedule an advising appointment through Navigate Student by clicking Appointments and selecting the "Advising" service, or contact your academic advising office to learn more about your options.
- Come prepared to your meeting with any concerns that you have. Your advisor can help answer your questions and point you to available resources.
|
|
|
Do you know you can search for courses using low- or no-cost materials in MyNIU?
The Course Materials Affordability Task Force (CMAT) recently surveyed students registered in fall 2022 courses labeled low- or zero-cost materials about the Affordable Materials Search and Filter in MyNIU. Of the 240 students who responded, only 20% were aware that they had registered for a low- or zero-cost course materials course. In fact, 61% of responding students did not know there was a low- or zero-cost filter. However, a majority of students noted that low- or zero-cost course materials are either very important or extremely important in their course selection. And now that they know, 63% of students who responded said they will search for courses with low- or zero-cost course materials in the future.
To find courses with affordable course materials in MyNIU, apply the Textbooks/Low-cost or Textbooks/Zero-cost filter to class searches. Or you can search by the keyword low cost. For additional information, visit go.niu.edu/affordabletextbook-search.
|
|
|
Aggressive phishing scams targeting NIU students.
There is a recent rash of aggressive phishing campaigns, targeting NIU students, which are resulting in an increased number of hacked student email accounts.
Phishing attacks involve the sending of fraudulent email messages that often appear to be coming from a reputable source. The goal of these messages is for hackers to gain access to the student account and use that account to do more hacking and phishing. Learn more by visiting NIU's Office of Information Security website.
Register for POWER 2023.
The People's Organizing Weekend Empowerment Retreat will take place Jan. 20-22, 2023. Complete your registration by the priority deadline of Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. By attending the retreat, you will:
- Learn about organizing and/or participating in activities centered on the tenets of social justice.
- Enhance your toolkit for purpose of community organizing.
- Create spaces strategically and effectively for intentional and culturally specific planning.
- Focus on coalition-building while allowing you to work as allies and collaborators at NIU and/or your institutions.
|
|
|
Have you renewed your FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for the 2023-2024 academic year. Renew yours as soon as possible. The FAFSA is your application for federal financial aid such as grants, work-study and student loans. Some funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner you submit your completed FAFSA, the more likely you are to receive assistance if you are eligible.
|
|
|
|
- Monday, Nov. 28: Mindfulness and You
- Tuesday, Nov. 29: Ellington's: Meatloaf, Soup, Cranberry Walnut Salad, Mashed Potatoes and Cobbler
- Tuesday, Nov. 29: State of the University Address
- Tuesday, Nov. 29: Latino Dinner at Patterson Hall Complex
- Tuesday, Nov. 29: AAPI Leadership Awards
- Tuesday, Nov. 29: De-Stress Fest
- Tuesday, Nov. 29: NIU Art Museum Presents: Stories From My Childhood
- Wednesday, Nov. 30: Presidential Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) presents, “Women, Life, and Freedom": Women's Struggle for Freedom in Iran
- Thursday, Dec. 1: Now & Then - Listener Appreciation Event
- Thursday, Dec. 1: "Stories From My Childhood" Opening Reception
- Thursday, Dec. 1: Pre- Kwanzaa
- Thursday, Dec. 1: A Night at Holmes
- Wednesday, Nov. 30 and Thursday, Dec. 1: Late-night Study Sessions
- Sunday, Dec. 4: 24th Annual Holiday Choral Concert
- Wednesday, Dec. 7: STEM Café: Happy, Healthy Holidays: Tools for Successful Communication
|
|
|
|
State of the University Address
Join fellow Huskies in person on Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 3 to 4 p.m. in Altgeld Auditorium for President Freeman’s annual State of the University address and Q&A session. Refreshments will be served from 4-4:30 and employees are granted release time from 3-4:30 p.m. to participate. For those not able to join in person, the event will also be offered virtually via Zoom.
|
|
|
|
"The Academic Advising Center is so helpful for planning courses and ensuring that I'm complying with requirements for my degree. I would love to travel for education in the next few semesters, and the Study Abroad Office was so helpful in discussing possible programs and financial aid opportunities if I decided that was something I wanted to pursue."
Darby McGowan
Elementary education major
|
|
|
|
Five tips to get more sleep, even when you’re busy.
You’re familiar with the eight-hour rule. But actually getting eight full hours of shut-eye? Not so easy when you’re juggling things like a busy class schedule, work, and a social life. Getting more sleep, however, can actually help make all those things more manageable.
|
|
|
This message has been approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.
|
|
|
|
|
Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.
|
|
|
|