Marybeth Norcross

Organize Your Day with Dayboard

There are many time management and to-do apps designed to help you keep track of long-term goals, manage complex projects, and schedule and prioritize day to day tasks. Dayboard is a simple tool for posting your top five priorities for the day where you can see them often.

Dayboard for Google Chrome

Dayboard is a free Chrome extension that changes your new tab page into a to-do list. You can list up to five tasks which you intend to complete that day. Unfinished tasks do carry over to another day, but because you are only allowed to list five at a time, it’s best to use it for tasks that that you want to complete within a day.

This extension couldn’t be easier to use. Once you download and install it on your browser (there are extensions for Chrome and Firefox) your to-do list will appear every time you open a new tab. It will ask you to list the five items you want to accomplish that day. When you have finished a task, you can cross it off and add another. That’s all there is to it.

Dayboard is simple and easy to use. It doesn’t try to do too much, which I think is the secret of its success. I like that it appears every time you open a new tab in your web browser. Usually I get distracted by all the opportunities to procrastinate online, so having a reminder of what I need to accomplish every time I open my browser motivates me to stay on task. Since I work on a variety of ongoing projects, I can be very specific about what I want to accomplish on a given project per day, which helps me eliminate last-minute cramming sessions. The one problem I had is that I had gotten accustomed to seeing the Google screen when I opened my browser, and was a little frustrated when I had to go looking for it. I solved the problem by adding Google to my bookmarks bar.

Overall, Dayboard is a great tool for anyone looking for a simple to-do list that is easily accessed. If you are looking for a no-fuss task management system, you should give Dayboard a try.

Connect and Collaborate with Stoodle

The ability to work with others is a critical skill for academic and professional success. However, it can be difficult when you are separated from others due to schedules or geography. Online collaborative whiteboard services can help you connect with your classmates, a tutor, or a teacher at anytime from anywhere, but they are often costly, difficult to set up, and have limited capability for real-time communication. Stoodle was created to provide an alternative.

What is Stoodle?

According to the website, Stoodle is “the ultimate online learning experience”. Basically, Stoodle is a free online collaborative whiteboard service, designed for students, tutors, and teachers to share information. It is an excellent way to connect those with information to those who need it.

Stoodle is simple. It includes just the features needed to make online collaboration with a whiteboard effective and efficient. Those features include

Communicate in real-time through voice and text chat
Invite any number of people into the session
Add whiteboard pages easily
Share your whiteboard with others
Use basic drawing tools
Upload images

Stoodle is free, doesn’t require an account, and is incredibly easy to use. You go to the Stoodle website and click on Launch Classroom. Stoodle will ask for your name. Type your name in the box, click OK, and your whiteboard is prepared. Stoodle will remind you to send the URL to those you want to invite. It’s that easy. The video below by ER’s EdTech Tutorials gives an good overview of how to use Stoodle.

Stoodle Tutorial

Watch this video on YouTube

Why Use Stoodle?

Stoodle is such an adaptable tool that it can be used for many different purposes. It requires almost no set-up, so it’s ideal for impromptu review and brainstorming sessions or informal tutoring. Because Stoodle is free, it is open to everyone. It is also ideal for non-traditional students who would like to work with their classmates, but are separated by geography. The Stoodle whiteboards can be used for all kinds of process work, from brainstorming, creating concept maps for reviews, problem solving, or editing writing projects. And you can store your whiteboard sessions to review later.

Communicating with your peers shouldn’t be difficult. Whether you are a non-traditional student or taking classes in a face-to-face environment, Stoodle offers you the opportunity to connect with your classmates, a tutor, or a teacher at anytime from anywhere, at no cost. With real-time communication options, unlimited whiteboard pages, and the ability to save your whiteboard for review later, Stoodle is a terrific alternative to other online whiteboard services.

Create a Mind Map with Text 2 Mind Map

What is a Mind Map?

Mind mapping, also known as concept mapping, is a way of visually organizing information around a central concept or idea. The process begins with a central concept, the “big idea” that stays in the center of your map. That central idea is surrounded by connected branches of associated topics. The connected topics contain explanations, details, and facts about that topic as it relates to the central idea. The information is visual, in the form of images, keywords, and short phrases, and color is employed to clarify the relationships. Mind maps created with computer software can even include short video clips and web links. The easiest way to understand a mind map is to see one, so I have created this simple mind map about summer.

Mind mapping benefits students in a number of ways. First, mind maps organize information the way your brain stores memories – by linking new information to the things you already know. Mind maps are clear and easy to understand. The main concept is usually in the center of the map. Mind maps are flexible; they help you understand the connections between concepts, and improve your ability to recall information.

You can create a mind map easily with a pencil and paper, but it can be difficult to make changes and add or delete information. Using computer software gives you more flexibility and helps you keep your map neat and orderly. There are a number of free mind mapping programs online, and mind mapping apps are also available.

Text 2 Mind Map

Text 2 Mind Map is an online mind mapping tool that lets you create a mind map from an outline, and is very easy to use. To create a mind map, simply type (or paste) your outline text into the text box provided. The site will not recognize your outline formatting, so you will have to use the Tab key to indent and Shift + Tab to out dent. Once your text is formatted the way you want, click on the Draw Mind Map button and Text 2 Mind Map will create your mind map. You can reposition the elements by moving them with your mouse, and you can use the options panel to change some of the elements. Then, download the map as a PDF or a PNG image. That’s really all there is to it.

Features

Anyone can use the free version simply by going to the website. It’s very simple to use, has options for configuration, and all the maps you create are downloadable as a PDF or PNG (image) file. You can also save your map with a title. You won’t have immediate access to your map, however. The save feature is there so that the company behind Text 2 Mind Map can email you the map if you lose it. Still, if you don’t need to save all your maps in a collection online, the free version should be all you need.

I think that Text 2 Mind Map is a terrific tool, and I am completely satisfied with the free version. I don’t have any need to store the maps I create in an account, and I don’t mind seeing ads. When I tested the site it was very clean and there weren’t any ads visible. I find using this tool very helpful when I want to distill my notes into non-linear, linked elements. The ability to easily go from my text outline to a visual mind map makes it easier to check my understanding of new material. Text 2 Mind Map is the only tool I have found with the text-to-map capability which should make it useful even to people who are unaccustomed to creating mind maps.

Find Help When You Need It

At some point during your time at UAMS you may need to find help. You might find yourself falling behind in your courses, experiencing financial struggles, developing health problems, or experiencing technical issues with your computer. Students often need help and there are a variety of services in place just for you. Learn about the services that UAMS has to offer. You will be more confident knowing that there are organizations waiting to provide the support you need, when you need it.

Finding Help

Below, you will find links to some of the organizations that provide services to UAMS students. Take time to browse through the list to become familiar with what the UAMS campus has to offer.

The Student Success Center

The mission of the Student Success Center (SSC) is to provide all UAMS students with educational services, programs, tools, and resources to improve their performance and achieve academic success. You can learn more about our services by clicking on the tags in the image below.

Here are a few additional resources at UAMS that are available to assist all UAMS students.

College/Program Faculty and Staff

The Colleges and Programs at UAMS often have staff available to help you with a wide variety of issues. For more information, contact your college.

College of Health Professions

College of Medicine

College of Nursing

College of Pharmacy

College of Public Health

Graduate School

Campus Life and Student Support Services

Campus Life and Student Support Services provides campus housing, plans and organizes intercollegiate activities, and oversees the student government association, intramural sports program, and student insurance. Visit the website to find out how to connect to activities on campus.

Center for Diversity Affairs

The Center for Diversity Affairs works to advance diversity, inclusiveness, equity, and cultural competency in all aspects of the UAMS mission. They are responsible for recruitment and advocacy for the admission and graduation of candidates from underrepresented minority groups. In addition, they support UAMS students from all protected and affected minority and disadvantaged groups to help them be academically successful.

Office of the University Registrar

Duties of the Office of the University Registrar include student records and enrollment for all colleges and academic programs at UAMS.

Student Financial Services

Student Financial Services is divided into two divisions to help serve the students at UAMS. The Financial Aid Office provides information and services to help students searching for different types of financial aid. The Bursar’s Office coordinates the disbursements of loans and financial aid and processes tuition payments.

Student Health Clinic

The Student Health Clinic (SHC) provides UAMS students with treatment of acute illnesses, wellness and health promotion services, and continual health education.

Student Wellness Program

The Student Wellness Program is a preventative service created to provide short term, confidential assistance for UAMS students and to find the necessary tools for students to achieve their fullest potential. Students can find help for depression, anxiety, grief, relationship conflicts, academic difficulties and numerous other issues. The service is confidential and short-term care is provided at no cost. For more information visit the website.

UAMS Library

The UAMS Library is committed to meeting the information needs of our users with responsiveness, professionalism, and effectiveness. The Library provides an attractive and secure environment that is conducive to study, work, research, and learning.

Don’t wait to find help. Learn about the services that UAMS offers to students. All of these organizations want to help you have a successful and fulfilling academic career at UAMS.

Sharpen Your Study Skills

Good study skills are a requirement for student success. Even if you’ve never had to study much before, you will need strong study habits to meet the rigorous academic requirements at UAMS. Don’t wait until you are falling behind to develop your study skills. Take control and start now.

Take Time to Prepare

Study skills begin before a class session. Students with the best study skills plan for their class meetings. Review your class syllabus and schedule so that you know what content the instructor plans to cover during the class session. Before each class, skim materials like your textbook to get an organizational snapshot of the content. Read the learning objectives, headings and subheadings, and pay attention to charts and graphs. You will be much more open to receiving explanations, details, and facts from your instructor if you have a general understanding of how the topics are connected. Your notes from the class sessions will be more meaningful if you take the time to prepare.

Be Active and Participate in Class

Good study skills are rooted in how actively you listen and participate in your classes. To maximize your ability to retain and understand information, you need to be completely engaged in your learning. This begins with being an active listener. Don’t sit passively and let information drift over you. Instead, take notes and ask questions. Don’t try to write every word. Use short phrases and abbreviations but be careful that what you write is meaningful, because you will need to understand it later when you review your notes and materials. If you ask a question, make sure you can restate it in your notes so that you fully understand it. If you took the time to preview the material for the class session, you will already understand the general outline and organization of the material your instructor is covering which should make note-taking more efficient.

Plan for Reviewing

Good study skills include multiple opportunities for reviewing your notes and materials. Plan to review your notes the same day as your class session, or at least within 24 hours. Reviewing your notes shortly after the class session will allow you to check that you understood the material presented, and that your notes are clear and complete. Mark anything in your notes that you don’t understand. Then you can go back to your resources and find the information you need.

In addition to the same-day review, you will want to schedule study sessions on the days your classes don’t meet, like on the weekends. Use that time to review your notes and materials, re-read portions of your textbooks, summarize information in your own works, make connections between newer and older information, and test yourself through self-questioning and practice questions. Try to schedule some review time with other students in your classes. Explaining the material to another student is an excellent check of how well you understand what you learned. Listening to a peer’s explanation can give you a new perspective on the content as well.

Helpful Resources

The Student Success Center’s website has resources to help you improve your study skills, including information on how you learn and retain information, reading strategies, study strategies, and test taking skills. For more information, visit the Learning Resources page.

You need good study skills to be academically successful at UAMS. Taking time to prepare, being active and participating in class, and planning for reviewing your notes and materials will help make the hours you spend studying more productive and increase your academic achievement.

References

Texas A & M Health Science Center, http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/academic-support/active-learning-techniques/managing-class-content.html

University of Waterloo, http://uwaterloo.ca/counselling-services/curve-forgetting

Time Management

How Good Are Your Time Management Skills?

Success at UAMS is dependent on time management. You have multiple courses, projects, exams, study groups, and deadlines, and keeping up with them can seem overwhelming. In addition, many students also have to manage family, friends, and a full-time job. Learning to manage all the demands on your time is not just a skill for academic success, but one that will serve you in your future personal and professional life

There are many time management strategies and tools available to you, but most of them center on three components; scheduling, prioritizing, and completing.

Scheduling

Learning to schedule your time is one of the most important steps to learning to manage you time effectively. Get a calendar. It doesn’t matter if it is a traditional hard-copy notebook, or an online calendar you have on your phone or mobile device. Just make sure you have some place to keep track of your coursework. As soon as you can, download the schedules for all your courses and put all your assignments, projects, tests, and deadlines for all your courses on the calendar. Your calendar will give you a clear picture of when you are going to be the busiest.

Prioritizing

Learning to prioritize will help you make certain you are doing the most important things first. Break down your big projects into manageable chunks and work on them a little at a time so you aren’t overwhelmed when the deadline is upon you. Make a to-do list each week, and prioritize your tasks according to importance.

It might help to organize your tasks into three categories: Must Do, Should Do, and To Do. Work through these in order of priority, and be disciplined about taking care of the most important things first. Just remember, that Should Do and To Do items can become Must Do if they are not taken care of when you have the opportunity. Take satisfaction in checking items off your to-do list. It shows you how much you have accomplished, and motivates you to stay focused and finish strong.

Completing

Scheduling and prioritizing are great for planning, organizing and understanding your workload, but the actions you take to complete your tasks and accomplish your goals are what will make your time management plan a success. Follow the schedule you have created and work through the items on your to-do list. Remind yourself of your goals when your motivation sags, and don’t be discouraged when unexpected interruptions occur. Make sure to reward yourself when you complete a large task or achieve a goal. Your success will be a reflection of your discipline and determination in carrying out your plan.

Find Support

The are many different ways to manage and organize your time and workload. Click here to find information, tips, and tools on the Learning Support page.

Your success in managing your time and tasks directly impacts your success at UAMS. Keeping up with your courses, projects, exams, study groups, and deadlines can be overwhelming without a plan for managing it all. Using a time management plan that includes maintaining a schedule, prioritizing a to-do-list, and completing your work will not only help maximize your academic success, but will help you succeed professionally.

Master the Online Tools

Do You Know the Online Tools?

Whether you are an online student or taking classes in a traditional classroom, most, if not all, of your courses will have an online element. The most common is Backboard, the web-based learning management system used to host online courses and provide supplemental materials for face-to-face classes. But your instructors may use other web-based tools such as ExamSoft, O2, or blog sites, wikispaces, and Google apps to support teaching and learning. Whatever the tools, it is a good idea to become familiar with them and learn how they work before you need them to complete assignments or take a test.

Begin with Blackboard

Blackboard is a good place to begin, because your courses will likely have a Blackboard site. Check out your courses in Blackboard as soon as they are available to get the information you need to plan your semester. Then work your way through the following components.

Navigation

Instructors set up their Blackboard sites differently, so it is a good idea to navigate around the site to learn how things are organized and where information is stored. Chances are you will like some organizational systems better than others, but the key is not to be surprised when you go to find something. The more you explore the more you will master navigating through all of Blackboard’s features. Learn how your instructors label and use folders. Click on the discussion feature to see if your instructor will be using discussions in the course. You can learn a great deal by just touring the site.

Syllabus/Calendar

Two of the most important documents you need to access are the course syllabus and calendar. Don’t let yourself be surprised by the course schedule and requirements. Learn where the calendar and syllabus are, and download.

Course Content

Usually the course content folder or tab will contain most of the materials you need to complete the course. Remember that instructors organize information differently. Some may have everything organized into module sub-folders within a content folder, while others may simply have a series of links in the side navigation bar. This step will be easy if you take the time to navigate through the course.

Assignments/Assessments

Find the Assignments and Assessments folders and see what your instructor has posted. Often, instructors upload assignment instructions and rubrics. You will see how you are expected to turn in your assignments, and how the instructor will choose to administer quizzes and tests.

Blackboard Collaborate

If your instructor intends to have synchronous meetings online, you will see a link for Blackboard Collaborate. Learn how to join a Collaborate session and make sure your browser, virus protection, and software are up to date before you have to attend a scheduled meeting.

Identify Other Online Tools

Many instructors use other online tools in their courses, so learn what they are and become familiar with how they work. That way, you aren’t trying to learn new tools when deadlines become pressing.

Many instructors use ExamSoft for testing. The College of Medicine uses O2 to provide students with a calendar and a host of other information. Some instructors will use other web-based tools, apps, and websites in their courses. Find out what the tools are, and get to know them.

Site Support and FAQS

What should you do if you need help learning how to use the online tools? Support forums, tutorials, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) will help you get started or solve problems.

Blackboard

Blackboard Help Site

Blackboard Collaborate Requirements

ExamSoft Support

O2 (College of Medicine)

Student Success Center Tech Support

Mastering the online tools you will use in your courses is a good way to help maximize your time. Whether you are a traditional student or taking courses online, you will have to use a variety of online tools in your academic career. Whatever the programs or tools, it is best to know how they work before you need them.

Setting Academic Goals

If setting academic goals isn’t part of your preparation, it should be. Goals provide structure to your academic life. Setting and prioritizing goals helps you focus on what’s important and ignore other distractions. Without specific and realistic goals, you will find yourself making random decisions you may regret.

Set Your Academic Goals

Goal setting starts with your vision of what you want from the academic program you are pursuing. What do you want to do with your education? What is the 5 or 10-year result of being in school? Knowing what you want to accomplish with your education is powerful motivation, especially when you are struggling.

Write a declarative statement for each of your goals. Formatting your goals in the right way increases your likelihood of achieving them. Use positive language. State what you want, not what you don’t want. Say, “I will get a B or better in Equipment and Techniques this semester”, instead of “I don’t want to flunk Equipment and Techniques this semester”. Thinking positively will empower you to be more successful.

One of the most effective ways to format your academic goals is to write SMART goals. SMART goals are effective because they are both realistic and relevant; making it more likely that you will persevere and achieve your goals. Align your goals with the following SMART concepts.

Create an Action Plan

Goals aren’t accomplished simply by writing them down. You need to create a plan of action in order to achieve your goals. Break each goal down into a set of smaller tasks and subtasks. Checking off each of these tasks and subtasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and feed your motivation to successfully complete your goals. Remember, your goals will never be accomplished unless you take action.

Identify Resources/Challenges

Obstacles and setbacks are a natural part of life, but you also have resources available to you to help you overcome them. Try to anticipate the challenges you may face. Make a list of potential obstacles and identify the resources that will support you.

Maintain Your Motivation

As you work on achieving your goals, you may have trouble staying motivated to push through to the end. One way to combat that “slump” you will likely experience is to ask others to help hold you accountable for achieving your goals. We all perform better before an audience, and having people who will celebrate your successes and remind you to stay on track can be a powerful motivation booster.

Another way to maintain your motivation is to visualize your future accomplishment. What will the accomplishment your goal look and feel like? What will be the benefits from achieving the goal? Will you have more personal time? Will your future goals become more attainable? Whatever it is, visualizing the benefits can help motivate you to progress to the next step.

There’s an App for That!

There are numerous ways to track the progress of your goals. If you like to use old fashioned hard copy methods you can put your goals into your calendar, journal, or on a piece pf paper taped to your bathroom mirror. Just keep them where you can see them every day. If you like a tech solution, there are a number of apps for goal setting and habit tracking available for your smartphone or tablet. You can use any app that meets your needs, but I recommend that you check out these two apps.

CheckMark is a great tool that was designed to help you achieve daily goals. This app is extremely useful for helping you complete the tasks and subtasks associated with your goals. It’s easy to use and the design is very simple. The goals you input are the ones that your want to achieve today, not tomorrow or in the future. The goals expire at the end of the day, whether they are achieved or not.

Smart Goals is an all-in-one goal setting, bucket list (dreams) and habit tracking app. The goals feature helps you set SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound) goals. It allows you to create smaller tasks and subtasks, or milestones, that lead toward the accomplish of your bigger goals. You can re-order your goals or convert goals to dreams or dreams to goals. It is a strong tool for tracking your long-term progress, and it’s editing tools allow you to make changes in your goals as you encounter life changes.

Make goal setting a part of your academic preparation. You will be able to focus on what is most important and complete your academic courses successfully. Your specific and realistic goals will help you make the right decisions to achieve the academic and professional life you envisioned.

6 Tips for Student Success

The start of a new academic year is filled with a sense of new beginnings, possibilities, and optimism. It’s a fresh start. It’s about what you can achieve as you strive toward academic excellence. It’s a chance to take control of your intellectual development and drive your professional success.

Now is the time to set yourself up for academic success. Here are six tips to help you start out on the right path.

1. Set Your Academic Goals

If goal setting isn’t part of your academic preparation, it should be. Goals provide structure in your academic life. Setting and prioritizing goals helps you to focus on what is most important and ignore other distractions. Without specific and realistic goals, you’ll find yourself making random decisions you may regret.

Set goals that are time-specific and measurable, so you will know when you have accomplished what you set out to do. Make sure you re-evaluate your goals on a regular basis. If things aren’t working, ask yourself what you need to change. Do you have to change your behavior? Would your goal be more achievable if you broke it down into smaller chunks? Is your goal realistic? Determining the answer to these questions will get you closer to achieving your goals.

2.Check the Technology Requirements

Several of the colleges and programs at UAMS require students to have a laptop. Therefore it is wise to understand what the technical requirements are before you start. Make sure your computer will work with Blackboard and any other online tools your instructor uses. You don’t want to waste time solving compatibility problems after your courses have started. Check the 2015 Laptop Buying Guide for more information.

3. Master the Online Tools

Access your courses in Blackboard as soon as they are available. Instructors set up their Blackboard sites differently, so it is a good idea to navigate around the site to learn how things are organized and where information is stored. Many instructors use online tools in their courses, so take the time to learn what they are and become familiar with how they work. That way, you aren’t trying to learn new tools when deadlines become pressing.

4. Employ Time Management Tools

Success at UAMS is dependent on time management. You have multiple courses, projects, exams, study groups, and deadlines, and keeping up with them can seem like a part-time job. To help you manage it all, get a calendar and combine it with a To Do list. I prefer to use an online calendar and to-do app that will sync across all my devices, but if you prefer a hard-copy calendar and to-do list, that’s fine too.

As soon as you can, download the schedules for all your courses and put all your assignments, projects, tests, and deadlines for all your courses on your calendar. This will show you when you are going to be the busiest. Break down your big projects into manageable chunks and work on them a little at a time so you aren’t overwhelmed when the deadline is upon you. Keep tasks on a To Do list and check them off when complete. Having a good system for your calendar and tasks will keep you organized and make your academic life much easier.

5. Sharpen Your Study Skills

Good study skills are a requirement for student success at UAMS. Even if you’ve never had to study much before, you will need strong study habits to meet the rigorous academic requirements at UAMS. Don’t wait until you are falling behind to develop you study skills. Take control and start now!

Preview what you have to do and prioritize your workload. Don’t try to cram for tests. Instead, spread your studying out over time. Organize the information and test yourself. Find someone from class to review with before a test. Try to select someone who doesn’t understand the material as well as you. Answering their questions will strengthen your own understanding.

6. Know Where to Find Help

At some point during your time at UAMS, you may need help. Become familiar with all the services that UAMS and the Student Success Center have to offer. You might find yourself falling behind in your courses or struggling to pass a class. Don’t wait to seek help. Go get the support you need right away.

Over the next six weeks we will be exploring these tips in more detail. Check back for more information and tools you can use to achieve more in your academic pursuits. And please, stop by the Student Success Center on the 3rd floor of the UAMS Library to discover more ways we are here to help you achieve academic excellence.