Nerdify Reviews 5 Ways To Boost Your Confidence As A College Student

It is hard to imagine anything as challenging as writing down your lecture notes online. Just think about your Internet connection always breaking down or Zoom swallowing half of what has been said. Some people at Nerdify reviews even compare it to some odd writings made by the nursing students. Jokes aside, however, we decided to share the tips that have helped us in 2020 and before when getting a hold of our lecture notes online. It is also helpful for various online conferences and those times when you have to get ready for some online exam and need to take helpful notes.

1. Ask questions. Do not be afraid of asking questions. The majority of students that we spoke to at Nerdify reviews have told us that they were afraid of asking this or that because college professors online would easily become irritated. Still, you are there to learn, which is why it is completely normal to ask something that you have misunderstood. Asking for some clarification is your legal right, which is only natural when someone has an unstable Internet connection or misses the point that is hard to understand when you are online.

2. Write down the key phrases. Write down the key phrases that you hear. You don’t even have to do it right away. Take your time to do it the way they always seem to implement at international conferences. Act just like a good journalist and take notes that come to your mind. This way you can use any break from the lectures or any free moment to write something down. You can easily type it into your Notepad online or save it somewhere where you can easily find it. Just write it down in your own words and reference it later by rephrasing things.

3. Share Notes With Your Friends. Do not forget about sharing your lecture notes with your online friends. Some of you may be more tech-savvy, which is a good way to share your tips and ideas. You do not even have to go outside or sit waiting at your friend’s porch because you can share audio recordings, screen captures, or anything that has been used to write down your lecture notes. Learn about the culture of sharing and assist the best way you can. It will always pay off and will help to make sense out of all the mess that you may have had in the beginning.

4. Ask For Sources. Another great lecture tip that has been proposed by our experts at the Nerdify reviews is asking your college professors for sources that would help you see where the information is coming from. You may not hear something well, yet sharing a link online by posting it as a text message is much easier and will save you a great deal of time. Think about this idea the next time you are participating in an online lecture and make sure to share this great tip along. It will also help you to keep the links at hand when you compose your Bibliography or References page.

5. Make Audio Recordings With Your Phone. Since you might be watching your online lecture via your laptop, remember that you can use your phone to record the lecture and playback things later. We often did so at the Nerdify reviews and it has helped us to notice some things that we could not capture before. Since you can playback things more than once, it helps a great deal to determine what has been said and write down an exact quote for your next assignment. It is a handy trick that you must try and see if it helps you to keep your lecture notes in control.

6. Record Yourself Talk. Alternatively, you can try a different approach by recording your thoughts with a voice speaker by using your phone as well. Remember how famous detectives always do so in the movies? It is exactly the same approach! Just record your thoughts during the lecture and playback them later when you have to start with your assignment.

7. Organize Additional Sessions. When all things fail and if you could not write down your online lecture notes for some reason, ask your friends for help. If they are in the same boat as you are, organize additional online sessions, and ask each other for some assistance. While it may not be always possible to approach your college professor, unite your efforts together, and think of a good solution to this unpleasant situation.

Most importantly, remember that you have a right to contact your college’s online help center and explain the situation in case there were any technical troubles. Just make some screenshots and share your and your friends’ evidence as you do!

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!

Just come to think of it: the social distancing, travel bans, daily restrictions, and online learning have made us so far away from each other, yet it is also the first time in a while that the world has been affected by something that big and challenging. Our Nerdify reviews team decided to ask students from all over the world and explore the ways how they cope with Covid-19. Of course, most college students these days are either taking a break from their studies and focus on exams or special courses or use online learning as a temporary learning remedy. Still, what we are after now is the selection of great ideas that can make students proud.

British students have turned to arts, physical education, and music to host online campaigns that would help the NHS to receive more medical masks. Students from all over the country organize performances and challenges right at the backyards of their homes. It helps to collect some funds that are aimed at buying masks for those who are truly on the frontline these days. Some other college students turn to the local scouting units and help the youngsters organize online games, read stories, or have fun the best way possible. It can only be applauded to such a practice!

Norwegian college students have faced numerous academic disruptions, which is why some of the brightest ones among them decided to host virtual meetings and help the college professors with some lectures. Although it is not purely Norsk as a practice, it has been supported by their Swedish and Danish academic fellows. It is an example of when modern technology has been used wisely to fight the Covid-19 challenges and help each other learn the best way possible. Our Nerdify reviews team hopes that our small posts will help you out as well and will keep you inspired as we are all in this together!

College students in Belgium belong to a great youth network called KSA, which stands for Catholic Students Association. Even though the majority of their activities have been canceled, the witty students decided to organize online parties, quizzes, and competitions for the youngsters. Dedicating all their time and passion, Belgian students decided to focus on the most vulnerable and give their hearts to the children. Our Nerdify reviews team believes that focus on a joint education experience is a great way to improve one’s social skills and add a valuable part to a student’s CV.

Speaking of American college students, we have seen more interest in online education and politics, which is not surprising, considering the situation. The majority of college learners decided to approach social media by recording helpful videos that would explain the situation in their city, town, or even the entire state. It shows that American youth is becoming more responsible, which is a good sign and proves that people could become more united than ever. Our Nerdify reviews team suggests that you should think about starting a blog or at least writing some of your thoughts down because history is made today and you are the future!

The students in Italy, a country that has been badly affected by the Covid-19, decided to focus their energy on the recovery of the artworks, monuments and cleaning the walls from the writings that do not represent any cultural value. They do not talk about graffiti and the local artists but about keeping the city and Rome, in particular, a better place. It is done with the hope that the travel bans will be lifted soon and that tourists from all over the world will be able to enjoy beautiful Italy.

Students in Brazil also decided to take care of the local environment and went to help clean the local beaches and the streets. For some reason, the officials did not support this particular initiative, yet after a little while the police forces have joined the youth and the situation has changed in a positive way. Both young and old would clean the streets day and night and share pictures online that would show how a single person could make a difference even though the challenging times.

Canadian students decided to make the local traveling possible by creating numerous slideshows with short guides about the parks, rivers, First Nations People, and many other topics that would pose an interest for both locals and future foreign tourists. They would handle leaflets with the URLs to the local virtual museums and the libraries where everyone could download books for free or take virtual tours online.

Summing things up, we can see that there is still hope for humanity and that people do care. As they say, united we stand, divided we fall!