Marybeth Norcross

Conquer Compressed Courses

Taking a course during the summer is a good way to catch up on prerequisite classes or to move closer to completing your program. There are a number of advantages to summer courses. For example, they often have fewer students, meaning you have more opportunity to connect with your instructor and peers.

Compressed Courses

Summer courses are compressed. They don’t last as long as a full semester, so they may meet more often during the week or have longer class sessions. They tend to be more intense, in order to cover all the material they present in a full semester. This means that students have a heavier class workload over a shorter period of time. Maximizing your success in compressed courses requires a particular set of strategies. Here are four tips to help you successfully complete your compressed course work this summer.

Focus on the goal. Why are you taking a summer course? Is it is prerequisite that you need to complete for your degree? Are you trying to raise your GPA? Are you trying to finish your program early? Focusing on your goal will help you stay motivated and improve your success.
Manage your time carefully. Compressed courses offer unique time management challenges. Because the course length is shorter, you need to dedicate more time daily for class work and personal study. Create a realistic study schedule and stick to it. Consider minimizing other time commitments during the course. Compressed courses are shorter, so your intense study schedule won’t last forever.
Try to stay ahead of the deadlines. Compressed courses don’t allow time for procrastination. Try to complete assignments and projects early, so you don’t get caught when life gets crazy. Remember, the course will be over soon, so stay on task.
Connect with your peers in the course. Your classmates are in this with you! Form a study group and review the material together. You will learn from one another and get support in your study sessions. Online students can meet in groups too, using free tools like Stoodle or Google Hangouts.

There are a lot of advantages to taking compressed courses during the summer. Focusing your goals, managing your time, staying ahead of deadlines, and connecting with your peers will help you maximize your success in your compressed courses this summer.

Tech-Wise Test Preparation

Most of the programs at UAMS have at least one board/certification exam, and scheduling some group review time is an effective test preparation strategy. Trying to explain a concept to someone else tells you just how well you understand the material. However, some students attend their classes online, and aren’t able to come to campus to meet with their peers. Using a tool like Google Hangouts is a great way to meet online to answer questions and review content. You can share your screen in a video call, which makes group test preparation sessions much easier to facilitate.

Up to 9 people can join your Hangout, which will accommodate most study groups. But, what if you wanted to host a larger review session? Maybe you wanted to combine with several study groups for a comprehensive test preparation session, or to share information about the exam. Is there a tool that could broadcast your session and allow more people to participate?

Test Preparation for a Bigger Audience

I recently learned about live reviews for AP exams in US History, European History, and Government hosted by Keith Hughes and Tom Richey using Hangouts on Air. The two teachers broadcast their discussion of AP exam topics through their YouTube channel. Students from all over the country joined the hangout, submitting their questions through Twitter and Instagram. The teachers had their students monitor the Twitter and Snapchat feeds, identifying questions for the teachers to answer. In addition, they were able to guide students to their video resources for more information about topics they should review before the exam. Using a platform like Twitter or Instagram as a backchannel for questions, comments, and suggestions allows more people to participate directly.

Google provides plenty of resources to help you get started with your own Hangout on Air. You can get started with step-by-step instructions on Google Help or by visiting the Google Help YouTube channel.

Whether you are a distance student or just looking for alternative ways to host group study sessions, Hangouts on Air can offer you options for large group test preparation.

Reflecting on Reflection

I’ve been thinking about reflection a lot lately. Maybe because the school year is over and I’m wrapping up finished projects and starting new ones. Maybe it’s because as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more reflective. Mostly though, I think it’s because I believe that reflection is the key to growth, and I look for ways to improve. Taking time to reflect always results in making changes in how I do the things I do.

Uncomfortable Reflection

I don’t always enjoy reflection. I’m never a superstar when I look back over what I’ve done. Most of the time I see things I could or should have done differently. In hindsight, I could have accomplished more, had less stress, or drama, learned more, increased my efficiency, and been more organized. More personally, I could have been kinder, more helpful, more encouraging, and more patient. I could always have been more patient. So it’s not exactly fun.

Joyful Reflection

On the other hand, it’s not a total downer either. I get to see what I’ve accomplished, the goals I’ve achieved, and a whole bunch of new experiences and challenges I didn’t expect, but really enjoyed. Taking time to reflect helps me appreciate all the great people in my life; my family and old and new friends. We celebrated graduations, birthdays, new homes, and even qualifying for the Boston Marathon (my husband). Reflection brings gratitude because I am so lucky to get to celebrate with the people in my life.

Balanced Reflection

I think the key to growing through reflection is to find the balance between celebrating success and taking steps to improve. When I look at things reflected in water, it’s never a clear or perfect picture. Shapes are exaggerated and lines are blurred. What you see are fuzzy images rather than crisp detail, because we reflect through a filter of our own feelings and thoughts. Knowing this, I focus on learning from my reflections, changing the things I can change, and enjoying the celebrations. Doing this helps me grow both professionally and personally, and makes the reflective process both useful and satisfying.

Receiving the White Coat

Last week I was invited to attend the white coat ceremony for the UAMS College of Health Professions’ Physician Assistant Class of 2018. I was deeply impressed by the by the students, the ceremony, and the significance of the white coat. While I know that several of the colleges and programs have white coat ceremonies, it was the first time I have ever been able to witness one.

I learned that the white coat ceremony is a rite of passage that marks the students’ entry into their profession. During the ceremony, the professional community, represented by the faculty and staff of the program, begins to communicate its values and mission to the students. The white coat bestows both privileges and responsibilities on the wearers. It represents their position and purpose.

When the students put on their white coat, they put on a new identity. It is a transition from ‘prerequisite to program”, a tangible statement of their role in and commitment to providing quality health care. At the end of the ceremony they know what their profession will expect of them. They understand that the decisions they make will define their practice.

I wish more disciplines had the equivalent of the white coat ceremony. I certainly wish my field of study had something like it. It’s not the same as the graduation ceremony that marks the end of your time as a student. The white coat ceremony focuses students on what the end result of their hard work will be. It gives them a brief picture of that city on the hill, that successful, professional life that is waiting for them. It lets the students know that the demands placed on them will be worth the effort.

Congratulations of the Physician Assistant Class of 2018 and to all the students who have participated in a white coat ceremony! You are remarkable group, and I know you will work hard to achieve your goals. I believe all of you will be successful and accomplish great things in both your academic and professional endeavors.

Your Next Adventure

Oh the places you’ll go,
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So get on your way!
Dr. Seuss

Congratulations to the 2016 graduates of the five colleges at UAMS. We, the faculty and staff of the Student Success Center, are so proud of your hard work and success. We expect you will do great things for your profession and make a positive impact on health care for many years to come.

Life is a series of adventures that are all part of the Great Adventure. Graduation signals the end of one adventure and the beginning of a new one. So whether your next adventure takes place in Arkansas or in someplace far away, make the most of every opportunity you are offered, and make a difference in the lives of the people you encounter. As UAMS graduates, you have been educated and trained to improve the health, health care, and well-being of Arkansans and of others in the region, nation, and the world. We can’t wait to see what you will do.

So, in the words of Dr. Seuss, “Today is your day!” We join you in celebrating all you have accomplished here at UAMS. We are confident you have what you need to be successful as you climb your professional mountain, so go ahead and “Get on your way!” We wish you all the best on your next adventure!

Relax and Restore after Finals

With finals over, everyone is ready to take some time off and relax. In your academic pursuit you are the most important asset you have, but you can’t continue to perform at your best unless you take care of yourself. So here are three ways you can keep your brain and body healthy.

Get Outside and Exercise

While it is tempting to lay around watching movie marathons on Netflix, exercising consistently for thirty minutes three to six times a week will increase your ability to be proactive when you return to campus instead of reacting to all the outside forces around you. And spending some time outside is a good antidote to all the time you’ve been spending inside classrooms and labs.

Get Creative

Let’s face it; almost all your finals required you to use the left side of your brain. You had to practice logical thinking, accuracy, and analysis, and all that brain work has left you exhausted. So, do something creative to relax and refresh your brain. Write in your journal, or blog. Paint something, take some pictures, build in Minecraft, sing and dance, or play some video games. Cook something delicious. Be intuitive, subjective, random, and creative.

Refill your Emotions Tank

Spend time with people you enjoy: with family and friends who make you feel loved and secure. Perform at least one act of service, especially an act of anonymous service, where you will gain nothing more than the satisfaction of helping others. Make a difference to someone else on a small way.

You will find that the best self-care comes through finding the balance in each of these three areas. So give yourself a break and take good care of yourself.

Virtual Hope Box: Ease the Stress of Finals

Finals are often a stressful time for students as they prepare to take high-stake exams. Even well-prepared students experience anxiety due to multiple tests administered during a short window of time, and many use a variety of coping tools to help them cope with the additional stress of final exams.

Virtual Hope Box is a free smartphone app with tools that can help students deal with stress through distraction, relaxation, and positive thinking. You add a variety of personally supportive content or use some of the pre-loaded tools any time you want to take a moment to “de-stress”.

The content is organized into five sections, and you can access them any time you want or need a break.

Remind Me is where you can upload photos, videos, music, and audio recordings that remind you of your life outside of school. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of the people or places in our life to relieve stress.
Distract Me has games and puzzles to distract you and give your brain a little break. Select a Sudoku puzzle, a word search, or make a jigsaw puzzle from one of your photos and indulge in a mini-vacation from studying.
Inspire Me has inspirational quotes to help motivate you to achieve your goal. The app comes preloaded with different quotes, or you can upload your own favorites to help you stay on track to finish strong.
Relax Me has breathing, muscle relaxation, and guided meditation exercises to help calm and quiet both your mind and body. Chose a meditation or relaxation exercise and renew and refresh yourself.
Coping Tools has an activity planner that lets you plan an activity like going for a run or enjoying coffee with a friend. You can also create your own coping cards with strategies to help you deal with the most stressful times.

Virtual Hope Box is available for both iOS and Android devices. It is free, easy to set up and use, and is a good way to take a short break and distract yourself from the stress of finals. If you want to discuss anxiety with a health professional, contact the UAMS Student Wellness Program at 501-686-8408.

Companion: Personal Security App

Personal security apps are becoming popular for smartphone users, as people become more nervous about walking home or to their car at night, especially on college campuses. Recently, five University of Michigan students created a free app called Companion that helps combat the issue of late-night safety. According to the website, “Companion lets you reach out to family, friends, or your public safety department to have them keep an eye on you as you travel late at night.”

Increased Security with Friends

Companion has you enter a destination on a map and then select a person (or multiple people if you like) from your Contacts list to be your virtual companions until you get to your destination. Your companions are sent a text notifying them that you are asking them to join you, and includes a link to a map so they can track your journey. Your companions don’t need to have the app to participate.

If you get nervous, Companion offers two quick options for getting help, without having to type a message. Simply tap “I Feel Nervous” to let your companions know you need 8help. If you feel threatened you can tap “Call Police” to dial 911 immediately. Both these options offer quick access to help without having to stop and type anything. If you don’t get to your destination, an “emergency” button with “Are you OK?” will appear on your screen. You will have 15 seconds to respond “yes”. If you don’t, your companions will immediately be notified, and the app will sound an alert with a siren.

Security across Demographic Groups

While the app was designed for college campuses, men and women from all demographics are using Companion. Parents of teenagers like the added level of security, especially with new drivers, and people with elderly parents like it because it helps make sure they don’t get lost.

Overall Review

Companion is a great tool that can fill a need for a lot of people. It’s straightforward, easy to use, and it’s free. It’s available for both iOs and Android smartphones. While I like it a lot, I see two issues that users need to be aware of. First, it can really drain your phone’s battery. Both the iTunes and Google Play pages have a disclaimer stating, “Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life”, so you’ll want to check you settings when you’re not actually using it. Second, while the ratings on the App Store were very positive, some users on Google Play reported problems getting the app to work properly on some devices. However, Companion has made every effort to fix problems, and responds quickly to provide support to those reviewers who experience issues with the app.

Remember, while the Companion app is a great tool, personal security is a complex issue, and no one tool can provide all the answers. Common sense and being aware of your surroundings are also very important, as is knowing who to contact if you feel unsafe. On campus the UAMS police offer a variety of options to help people stay secure. The Emergency-Police telephones are easily identified by the steady or flashing blue light and provide a direct line to the UAMS Police dispatchers 24 hours per day. In addition, signs posted throughout the campus have a number you can call if you want a police escort to your vehicle. You can learn more about campus safely policies and procedures at https://inside.uams.edu/2015/06/uams-police-remind-campus-of-safety-policies-3/.

The Innovation Hub: Creativity, Collaboration, and Entrepreneurship

On Thursday, March 3rd, the Innovation Hub in North Little Rock invited the community to tour the Hub’s workspaces for designing, making and collaborating. Visitors were able to see the space and learn about their programs, classes, and opportunities. The Open House included tours, activities, demonstrations, and a special celebration featuring local, state, and federal officials.

The goal of the Innovation Hub is to create opportunity, develop talent, and retain that talent for a better Arkansas. The facility is designed around key parts, which together, offer an extensive set of resources. Each of the Hub’s parts and programs include education and mentorship for both adults and children to help foster innovation and promote entrepreneurship.

Spaces for Innovation, Design, and Collaboration

Makerspaces

The makerspaces at the Innovation Hub offer an impressive collection of equipment, including a full wood and metal shop, robotics and advanced computer software, 3D printers, and more. Mentors who will share their time and experience are available to help you with your projects.

Arts and Design Studios

Make your creative vision a reality, whether you work in ceramics, painting, drawing, graphic design, illustration, or printmaking. The arts and design studios at the Innovation Hub offer resources and mentorship so you can innovate and think creatively.

Collaborative Workspaces

Finding a supportive place to meet and collaborate with others can be difficult. The Innovation Hub offers workspaces, complete with resources and support, for entrepreneurs who want to join together and launch new enterprises.

The Innovation Hub recently launched a new program connected to the health sciences called HubX Life Sciences Accelerator program. An accelerator program helps small groups of startup companies by providing funding, work space, resources, mentoring, and networking opportunities to guide them toward a successful business launch. This program, a partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas, Baptist Health, the Iron Yard, and the Innovation Hub, is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and innovators successfully launch businesses that will solve problems, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve access to quality health care services.

For more information about membership, classes, and use of the facilities, visit the Innovation Hub website at http://arhub.org/.

Perspecs Offers 3 Sides to the Story

Today, an increasing number of people in the world get their new through their mobile devices, and they rely on news aggregators, websites that gather news stories from multiple sources, to make viewing easier. News aggregators have been around for a while, with sites like Reddit, BuzzFeed, Flipboard, theSkimm, and Feedly, to name just a few. Some focus on breaking-news updates, others offer options for customization, while still others provide content from a particular publisher, like New York Times Now.

Trinity Mirror, a publishing company based in the United Kingdom, has introduced a new aggregator app called Perspecs. Perspecs is unique in that it offers readers three perspectives on the same story. The app offers a mix of U.K. and international news on subjects ranging from politics to health to technology. According to the website, story categorization varies based on the topic. For example, political stories will first offer a neutral piece with background information, then provide articles from both the left and the right perspectives. A review of a new movie or gadget provides a neutral informational piece, then offer both a positive and a negative reviews.

Perspecs is free and is available for both iOS and Android devices. The app updates Monday through Friday, and you have the option of reviewing the five previous days’ editions.

Sticking to a regular news source often results in only seeing one side of the story. Perspecs offers you the opportunity to see multiple perspectives, making you a more informed reader. Give Perspecs a try and see if it opens your view of the world around you.