Tag Archives: graduate students

How to get back into the grad school groove

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It’s always hard to bring your brain back to reality after a vacation. Your heads are probably still filled with sugar plums and candy canes, but it’s time to focus. It’s time to start the semester off right and I’ve got some tips to bring you back from vacation and into the classroom. My tips will help you become organized at the beginning of the semester, and hopefully will become habits that last until the very end (then we can repeat after summer vacation).

1.) Start the semester off organized – Before the work starts piling up, make sure you have everything you need. Books. Pens. Highlighters. Calculators. Notebooks. Anything you may need in case of a homework crisis. Make sure you have a work area at home: the desk, a kitchen table, etc. It has to be clean. Stress will build quicker if you’re surrounded by a mess. Put your books on a shelf, and buy a file organizer to keep all of your papers throughout the semester. It will make finding information at the end of the semester easier.

2.) Turn off the TV – As soon as you get home from work or class, don’t sit on the couch and watch TV. You may have had an exhausting day and you may want to finish the show you started to watch over break, but try to refrain. You may sit on the couch with the intention of getting up and doing homework after just one episode, but as we all know, it’s never just one episode. The TV is addictive and it allows you to wipe productive thoughts from your brain and will make it even less productive after you’ve finished. Long story short, save the TV for after your homework.3.) Talk to your professor – Hang back after class to talk to your professor. Whether you want to compliment them on a good lecture or let them know how much you’re enjoying the readings, it will help create a bond between the two of you. Getting to know your professors early in the semester will make it easier for you to ask for help later. It’s easier to discuss your class difficulties with someone you trust, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.

4.) Go to the library - Yes, the library is even open at the beginning of the semester. Check out the library early. Use a computer to check the news, check out a fun book to read, or just explore. Learning how the library works early in the semester will make it easier for you to research later in the semester. Sometimes doing homework in the library is more productive than working at home which has a number of distractions.

5.) Go to bed early – The beginning of the semester is the time where you should be saving up sleeping hours, because by the end of the semester, you will be exhausted. There are no medical researchers that concede this information, but nonetheless, going to bed early will help create a healthy sleep cycle that will no doubt increase brain function. It will also create a good habit.

Alumni Angle: MBA graduate, Andrea Lomanto

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Andrea Lomanto currently resides in Voorheesville, NY. She received her BS from Boston University in 2005 followed by an MBA from Saint Rose in 2007. After graduation, Lomanto earned a job on the Saint Rose staff, where she is now Director of Alumni Relations. In her free time she enjoys making jewelry, gardening, attempting to knit, cooking, and traveling. Her favorite movies are anything horror and anything directed by Woody Allen. Meanwhile, she loves to listen to Jeffrey Foucault, The Stray Birds, and M.R. Poulopoulos (her talented boyfriend).

What did you get your degree in? And why did you choose it?

Andrea Lomanto: I chose communications at BU because I wanted to work in advertising, specifically as a copywriter. I was initially attracted to the glamor of advertising. After an eye-opening internship, I saw how not-glamorous and cut throat the environment could be. I didn’t give up on the idea of advertising, though. My first job out of school was with a small ad shop in Schenectady. I found out rather quickly that it wasn’t the Andrea Lomanto Picturecreative outlet I thought it would be. Fortunately, I’d enrolled in the MBA program at Saint Rose to continue on a more general marketing and management path. Another motivating factor for earning my MBA was the shockingly low starting salary for an entry-level advertising employee. I like to think I dodged burnout and bankruptcy!

How did your education at Saint Rose help with your career choice?

AL: I developed lasting relationships with the faculty during my MBA program and appreciated the intimate and nurturing classroom setting. It was a very positive experience for me. During the program, I interned at the Albany Institute of History & Art (AIHA) where I had my first not-for-profit experience. The internship program showed me a new path I hadn’t considered, and that was the world of development. I eventually ended up back at AIHA where I worked in Corporate Development. That position prepared me for my position as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving. After some department reorganization and a promotion, I’m Director of Alumni Relations today.

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5 tips on how to survive finals

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The end of the semester is looming and so are all of the projects you have to finish. Not only do you have a paper to write, a job to do, and Christmas shopping to start, but you have to find the time to finish it all. December is a month of stress, but luckily finals are only a short part of the month. I’ve compiled my Top 5 favorite stress-beaters that got me through many, many finals weeks. And lucky for you, I’ve decided to share my secrets:

1. Take a Walk:  I’ve read on various websites that you should switch to another activity when you’re stressed or frustrated, like play video games or do a puzzle, but those seem to add more frustration.

When my Mario Kart player drives off the track, I get frustrated. When I can’t find the right puzzle piece, I throw a hissy fit. I found that the best way to beat stress is to take a walk. The fresh air and the time alone will give you time to clear your mind and take a breather.

2. Have a 30-second dance party: I usually dance to a full song because I just can’t stop, but it never fails. When you hit the point where you don’t think you can take it anymore, blast your favorite song as loud as possible and dance like a madman. Even if you’re in the library, find a quiet corner and dance like Richard Simmons (with headphones in of course). Like exercise, dancing releases endorphins that will likely boost your mood and your morale.

3. Clean your workspace: Clutter increases disorganization and disorganization leads to stress. Before working on a major assignment or studying for a final, clean your workspace. Make sure you have adequate tools: highlighters, pencils, pens, sticky-notes, paper, etc. If you’re prepared in advanced, you will have less distractions.

4. Search Pinterest: Peruse the Quotes category on Pinterest and find a few that inspire you. Write them down on Post-it Notes and scatter them throughout your room, books, notebooks, and backpack. Finding these little pick-me-ups will give you that small burst of confidence you need to keep going. It may be cheesy, but it’s effective.

My personal favorite is:  “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” It makes me laugh and gives me a little extra kick.

5. Read something other than class material (like this blog): Pick up a silly magazine and read the first article you come across. Find out why Selena and Justin broke up, which celebrity accidentally tweeted their phone number to millions of people, or read a movie review, anything that will give your brain a break.

I want to hear your best study tips! Share your tips in the comment section below.

Study hard and finish strong!

What to expect during an appointment with Graduate Admissions

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Graduate Admissions is a very helpful resource when it comes to applying to graduate school. The Graduate Admissions Team is available throughout your application process to help you transition into the program of your choice.

For students who know what program they’re interested in applying for, the Graduate Admissions Team can help you decide who to ask for letters of recommendation and who to avoid. They will give you examples of how to write a great statement of purpose, which is often a confusing portion of the application process. They can answer any questions you may have concerning transcripts, credit transfers, the ins-and-outs of each program, discuss part-time vs. full-time, and let you know what you can expect from a program interview. They will help you understand the specific requirements for the program you’re looking into.

Photo Credit to the Graduate Admissions Facebook page

Note: A meeting with Graduate Admissions is not an interview. You don’t have to come in professional clothing prepared to answer questions. You will be the one asking the questions in this scenario. Graduate Admissions is a tool that students can utilize in order to get to where they want to be.

For those students who don’t know what program they’re interested in applying for, the Graduate Admissions Team will ask questions about your background and interests to determine which programs could be worth further exploration.

Graduate Admissions isn’t limited to prospective students, but also helps current students who are considering a change of program. They ask questions in order to target the problem then suggest options on how to get the student to where they want to be. Graduate Admissions is also available to help students find a graduate assistantship to help finance their education.

These one-on-one meetings are anything but generic. The Assistant Directors you meet with are very personable, warm, and friendly. They will not tell you what to do, but give advice and suggestions that they think you will benefit from.

Graduate Admissions is a valuable campus resource for both prospective students and current students.

Don’t panic. Many of the graduate programs at Saint Rose have a rolling deadline so there is plenty of time to apply. The only programs that aren’t constantly accepting applications are Communication Sciences and Disorders, School Psychology, School Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, and College Student Services Administration. If you are looking to apply for any of these programs, be aware of the deadlines. The rest of the programs at Saint Rose accept applications throughout the year so it’s never too late to meet with Graduate Admissions and apply to the program of your choice.

If you would like to contact Graduate Admissions call (518) 454-5143 or e-mail at grad@strose.edu. For application information, click here.