Nerdify Reviews 13 Ways That Music Helps With Studying

Nerdify reviews team is sure about one thing: studying is, probably, the best experience you could ever have. But you guys, let’s be honest – learning is also the most challenging trial to come through. It is not a secret that diligent studying implies overcoming a number of barriers, including emotional ones. Eventually, you feel exhausted and even sick!

Take a helping hand with this tutorial from Nerdify reviews team, which has been written especially for you — the one who cares about own emotional well-being and seeks to preserve health for years to come!

Top-5 Emotional Challenges Facing Students

There’s a bunch of emotional challenges that students encounter during their studies. But I’ve prepared a list of the most common ones for being forewarned is being forearmed.

Depression

Depression is quite a common condition in learners. A recent study suggests that around 30% of college students report being “so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during their studies. Evidently, it’s high time to sound alarmed, since depression is connected to suicide, the second leading cause of death among people aged 15-34 years.

Fighting depression starts with understanding signs and symptoms:

1.You aren’t getting things done at college/work.

2. You retract from doing enjoyable activities.

3. You feel unable to concentrate.

4. You rely on alcohol and sedatives.

5. You feel unhappy, disappointed, and miserable: thoughts like “I’m a failure”, “I’m worthless”, “My family/friends would be better off without me” become common.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, there’s probably a need to learn more about depression and take decisive actions against the condition.

Fortunately, there’s a number of ways to treat depression. The common ones are: medication, therapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, and grief therapy), lifestyle changes: diet, regular physical exercises, and enough sleep can do wonders with your wellbeing!

Anxiety

Anxiety is another problem facing college students, while its rates are truly alarming. According to recent findings,  one in five college students has anxiety, depression, or both.

When in college, we see our life-changing at an astonishing speed! But it’s not the only reason for feeling anxious. Research findings indicate that college students spend too much of their time on social media platforms, and become addicted to their mobile phones, which leads to anxiety.

The study of Adams and Kissler (2013) found that 50% of college students woke up at night to answer a text message. The same study discovered an inverse relationship between the amount of sleep and the level of stress.

You’re likely to have anxiety if you:

1.Feel overly worried about your past, present, or future.

2. Feel apprehensive.

3. Have a feeling of powerlessness or worthlessness.

4. Have difficulty concentrating or remembering things.

You can learn more about the symptoms of anxiety here. In the meantime, keep in mind that treatment of anxiety is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance, and it includes:

1.Easing up on caffeine. Once you’ve made a commitment to ease up on caffeine, check the list of foods, since coffee and soda aren’t the only things containing this “anxious” ingredient;  

2. Scheduling “worry sessions”. It may sound crazy, but you should give time to thinking over things that make you mad.  Spending 30 minutes a day reflecting on the issues that bother you or make you stressed is more productive than feeling anxious all the time;

3. Breathing deep. Deep breathing signals your brain that you are OK. Try simple breathing exercises to boost your well-being;

4. Changing lifestyle. Eating healthy food, doing physical exercises, having enough rest and sleep are the best gifts for your mind and body!    

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are prevalent and persistent among college students. In fact, it is not surprising because young people seek to be attractive, and may resort to radical methods to look nice. One study suggests that eating disorders “are characterized by behaviors aiming to achieve or maintain slim body shape; great importance is given to thinness as a requisite of self-esteem.”

While many students use the notions of thinness and fitness interchangeably, there’s nothing attractive about physical and mental exhaustion! 

So, you should consult a physician if you have one or several of these symptoms:

1.Ongoing dieting

2. Eating in secret

3. Self-induced vomiting

4. Eating to the point of discomfort or pain

You can learn more about the symptoms of eating disorders here. Understanding the problem will help you to plan a conversation with the health provider in a way to come up with an effective treatment intervention.

Some interventions that apply to treat eating disorders are as follows: intensive inpatient care,  psychotherapy, family-based treatment, evidence-based treatment.

Of course, these are just some of the treatment interventions that help college students to improve their physical health and emotional wellness by overcoming eating disorders.

Addiction

Students become addicted to quite many things, including drugs and alcohol. Addiction can destroy one’s life, so it’s high time to sound alarm if your friend has at least one of these symptoms:

1.Slurred speech or impaired coordination

2. Engagement in suspicious behaviors

3. A sudden need for money or financial crisis

4. Built tolerance for alcohol or other substances

5. A sudden change in friends and activities

6. Deterioration of physical appearance

Did you know that addiction has become a problem on campus? Recent findings suggest that 60% of college students have consumed alcohol in the past month, 21.3% of people ages 18 to 25 consumed illicit drugs, and 3.8% young people used psychotherapeutic drugs for non-medical purposes.

Fortunately, there are many places where a college student can find help when encountering the problem of addiction. First of all, consider consulting the following addiction resources:

• National Institute for Drug Abuse
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)
• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Everyone wants their body look nice and attractive, but an intrusive preoccupation with defects (often imagined) in one’s appearance is a sign of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

According to recent findings, BDD affects 1.7% to 2.4% of the general population. In young people, BDD is associated with a range of negative consequences, including school dropout.

It is time to consult a healthcare provider if you notice the following signs of BDD:

1.Camouflaging with clothing, makeup, hats, etc.

2. Constant comparison of body parts with others’ appearance

3. Avoiding mirrors or, on the contrary, constant checking in the mirror

4. Excessive grooming or exercising

5. Skin picking

Many students need help to overcome BDD. Fortunately, there is a range of treatment options: cognitive-behavioral therapy,  family-based therapy, antidepressant medication.

Also, students with BDD can find help by consulting the following BDD resources:

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation.
• International OCD Foundation.
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
• National Institutes of Health.
• Teens Health.   

In this tutorial, Nerdify reviews team tried to present a comprehensive list of mental health disorders, symptoms, and treatment interventions. However, in no way we want this guideline to substitute actual treatment! So, every time you notice one or several warning signs, consulting your physician is the best decision you can take!

Biopics are like a great history lesson and a unique chance to take a look inside the lives of famous people or historical figures. In most cases, there is always something most of us can relate to since there are events that are based upon real-life issues. Although there is a fair share of drama from time to time, biographical movies allow viewers to reconsider their opinions and see what they could have misunderstood. Discussing moral issues, social events, psychological struggles, and being famous, biopics offer something for everyone, therefore, they are definitely not to be missed! Nerdify reviews team has picked 5 top movies you’d definitely enjoy.

#5 Adrift (2018)

Who said that biopics have to be boring? Not Nerdify reviews team! There are actually recent examples that take the audience through amazing adventures and keep everyone almost breathless until the grand finale. “Adrift” is a heartbreaking true story of a couple fighting for survival through the damage and devastation caused by category 4 Hurricane Raymond. It is a story of the human spirit and the first love, a struggle to live and save the one you love the most. There are movies that are forgotten months after, but this one is a true story that will bring tears to your eyes and make you think about how precious and fragile our lives are.

#4 Outlaw King (2018)

Okay, now a little history lesson! A true storytelling of Robert the Bruce (played by Chris Pine), the King of Scotland, and one of the most prominent warriors and strategists who had the courage to step up against the English Empire and lead Scotland through the First War of Scottish Independence against England. There is a beautiful Scottish countryside, which brings a special magic to battle scenes and dialogues. It is a great journey that shows how both small and big battles matter. It deserves to be called “epic” because it feels like a time machine has been finally invented. There is a history lesson the way how it should be where you actually feel present there. If ever possible, do all you can to see it on the big screen in a movie theater because you will be glad you did!

#3 First Man (2018)

As some might have guessed, it is a story of Neil Armstrong (played by Ryan Gosling), the first man on the moon and the legendary space mission that changed the entire world. Still, it was far from being easy and took a lot to overcome the skeptics and those who believed that the mission was doomed to fail. Yes, it is filled with special effects and excellent cinematography, yet it shows that there is always a hard-working man behind each success and a team of people who actually believe in what they do. This biopic is a great role-model movie for people of all ages because it is a rare reminder that we all should follow our dreams and reach for the stars.

#2 Best of Enemies (2019)

Based on “The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South” by Osha Gray Davidson, it is not going to be an easy biopic to see, yet it is a true story that should not be forgotten. It tells of a complex emotional opposition between civil rights activist Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. Taking place in Durham, North Carolina, it is not only a racial debate and a deeper look into desegregation but a frightening cry of injustice through American history. There is an important lesson reminding us all that racism is not something people are born with, but a habit man learns as one gets older.

#1 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

This movie is very special to Tim – one of our top performers and the person who suggested that Nerdify reviewed biopics in the first place. Without a doubt, one of the most famous and critically acclaimed recent biopics is “Bohemian Rhapsody”, telling a story of Freddie Mercury and The Queen. Even if there are several issues that fans and musicians may not approve, it cannot be denied that this particular biopic tells a story of courage, hard work, dedication, and going against stereotypes. It shows that rock’n’roll life is not all about fancy cars, five-star hotels, and drinking every night. There are both ups and downs reflected in an honest way without exaggeration or hypocrisy. Even as the biopic was made, there were constant conflicts, which shows how much challenging it was to keep things honest. It is worth giving it a try, at least if only to see that one should never give up because the show must go on!

Even if there is too much homework to do and you do not feel like going out, smile to the world and remember that things will look much brighter if you do. Now bring on your friends, look through the notes not to miss any important deadlines and the payments, and embark on a wonderful journey through the biopic of your choice!

Always yours,

Nerdify Reviews team

When the summertime comes and you finally have a college break (or you are only planning to enter college in the future), it is crucial to keep your brain active and engaged. While it may seem challenging to do when you do not have any lessons or homework to complete, it is still possible to let your creativity flow and keep you safe in terms of being ready. According to our Nerdify reviews experts, you do not have to exhaust yourself either since it will only make you feel tired and stressed. The trick is to find the right balance between having some rest and learning things in a special way that would not ruin your summer schedule and basic plans. It is also one of the reasons why your brain activity must be as enjoyable as it can be!

1. Learn a Foreign Language. Our experts at Nerdify reviews believe that learning a foreign language during your summer break is one of the best ways to keep your brain active. You are not only learning how to write and read but also master the art of thinking and analyzing things in a different language. If one approaches this aspect through the lens of Psychology and Education, it is a great opportunity that you should not miss. It will teach you more about strategic thinking and will help your brain to switch to something different even if you do not feel like learning anything at all!

2. Join Free Online Courses. Another great idea that you should consider is joining free online courses at Coursera, Udemy, or any other online educational platform that meets your requirements. For example, if you are majoring in Nursing but find it difficult to write reflective essays, you can join courses that deal with writing mechanics and help students to improve their style and grammar knowledge. Unlike a typical college course, you will have a flexible schedule, which means that you can spend your summertime wisely and study exactly when you can without making it feel like a chore. Likewise, students majoring in Data Science can consider web design or Java courses that will help them to save time and use free summer days to learn something without being in a hurry!

3. Start a Web Blog. Just before you are ready to say that you won’t ever learn something during your well-deserved summer break, the Nerdify reviews team is happy to offer something different and entertaining for a change. Think about starting your blog or Vlog. It can be anything from fashion tips and cooking to sharing those great ideas in terms of favorite movies and books. The purpose here is to address your planning and writing skills as you learn how to compose blogs, post things on a regular basis, talk to people online, and keep your brain engaged in something creative and fun. Do not forget that blogging can also help you to get sponsorship as you spread your message across the world. Let your thoughts and bright ideas be heard!

4. Participate in Local Community Work. The majority of our Nerdify reviews team members can confirm that summertime is good for taking a break from our online activities for a while and have some rest. Nevertheless, it does not mean that you should sit at the porch of your house or get stuck in your phone as you are choosing among party invitations. Think about participating in local community work and make a positive difference. It can be anything from summer camp volunteering (something you can add to your resume) and political work as you highlight the issues that take place.

5. Read Books & Explore Things. Consider reading books and exploring those things that interest you. It does not have to be related to your future or existing major per se because your brain needs something for a change. If you want to find out more about the history of the United States or learn about engineering, you can also check various audiobooks and online lectures. If reading does not seem to be among your passions, you should still make an effort and read at least one book. Even if it is something that you have read before, it will help you learn a little bit about sentence structure and style as you connect the visual aspect with your brain processes.

6. Train Your Social Skills. Think about the ways how you can train your social skills by talking to people and learning to listen. Think about starting a band or play sports in a team if you have an opportunity. You shall see that your social abilities will improve right away as you compete with others and show strong leadership skills.