Ten Things to do When You’re Bored and Not Studying

We know you study all the time. We know you’re a great student. And now we know you’re bored- because you’ve stumbled upon our blog. Here are 10 things to do when you’re bored and not studying:

1. Explore your surroundings– Go on a walk, bring a friend or your camera, if you have an Iphone, Instagram any flowers or interesting street signs/bumper stickers you see along your way!
2. Sing– If there isn’t a karaoke bar near your campus, or your not 21 yet, consider trying online karaoke!
3. Smile at every person you see– We know that you might look a little creepy but you might just make someone’s day or find yourself with a new friend!
4. Play Frisbee– go outside and play Frisbee with a friend, if you can gather a large group of people consider playing frolf!
5. Color– You can do this from almost anywhere! Print out some free coloring pages, grab some markers and create!
6. Tie dye– Find an old sweatshirt or a pair of white shorts, head to your local art-supply store, pick up some dye and some rubber bands and blast some Grateful Dead!
7. Re-watch your favorite childhood cartoon– A surprisingly nostalgic experience ‘nuff said!
8. Make a collage– Make a collage of your favorite images; print out your favorite Facebook photos and rip out pictures from old magazines, hang it wherever you want!
9. Make the perfect PB+J sandwich– Do some taste testing and master the perfect peanut butter to jelly ratio!
10. Try meditating– Let us know if you figure out how this works!

Remember, it’s also ok to do absolutely nothing!

Bubble Charts vs. Outlines: The Showdown

When students are first taught how to write essays, teachers instruct them to organize their thoughts to help them write a structured paper. Students only learn two different methods: the bubble chart and the outline. But which method is best? I’m glad you asked.

This is an epic face-off between linear thinkers and abstract thinkers. Let’s meet our competitors.

In the first corner we have the bubble chart. The bubble chart allows students to be creative with ideas by exploring the many different sub topics of an essay and how they interact with each other. A type of free writing technique (that lets writers get all of their ideas out where they can then decide what they want to use in their paper. Although, the bubble chart lacks rigid structure, its strength is organized chaos.

In the second corner we have the outline. The outline allows writers to follow a more structured path. The outline follows a more linear train of thought and forces the writer to explore and develop the main subtopics before delving into the nuances. This sounds pretty organized and thorough right? We agree, but some would say this is detrimental to a writers’ creativity.

 

 We’ve got a wild card here: the word vomit. Just when you were ready to choose between the bubble chart and the outline, a third candidate jumped into the ring. The “word vomit” writing style is not organized at all. It allows for a writer to just dive right into the essay without so much as a care to the prose’s finite organization. Sometimes the best way to write is to just develop the meat, and then connect the key concepts using the bones later. Remember, the choice to not organize is still a choice.

Students may benefit from using an outline for long research papers while bubble charts may be more helpful for those 1-2 page creative essays. The free for all type of essay that doesn’t require any organization is also perfect for conversational styles of writing.

So, which candidate won in this epic battle of organizational proportions? Sorry to be anticlimactic, but all of them win. In the end it is up to the writer as to what method they choose: the more structured outline, the free flowing bubble chart, or the choice to not organize at all.

Which method do you use?

How to Get a Date With Flashnotes

Okay, so the title is a little misleading. You’re not going to actually be dating the company. But you can find yourself in love with our awesome marketplace…of love.

Not many people know this, but you can actually get a date through Flashnotes. That’s right my friends. That same wonderful website that allows you to buy and sell your college notes at your own price, is the very same site that can hook you up with your future Friday night plans.

Trust us, follow these easy steps and you can secure yourself a fine young lad (or lass) for a magical evening.

Men: We’re going to make this nice and easy for ya.

1. Post your notes under the subject “psychology”
2. Leave hidden love poems in the middle of your notes
3. Let all the beautiful ladies in your class know where to find your “psychology” notes.
4. Watch them all swoon over how wonderful your writing and academic prowess are 

Pro Tip- never date more than one lady at a time- apparently this upsets them.

Ladies: We’re going to let you use your most dangerous weapon: your mind.

1. This is a divide and conquer strategy, and we know you love strategizing
2. Gather all of your great tests from ALL of your classes
3. Convert these multiple choice tests into digital flashcards
4. Sneak in secret messages about how the author of said flashcards is the smartest chick on campus.
5. Men will start flocking to you, because let’s face it ladies: everyone needs a good study buddy

Are there dating sites out there? Yep. Are we a dating site? Nope. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t find love in some peculiar places!

This is really a win-win situation. You can make a ton of money by selling your course materials on Flashnotes; you can also use the money you earn towards a dinner for two. Oh la la!

Brand Ambassador Spotlight- Zara

It’s that time again! Our Brand Ambassador spotlight is now shining down on our newest member of our team- Zara. She’s the BA from BU!

Her enthusiasm is unparalleled and frankly all of us in the office are impressed. We think her communications major and business administration minor really allow her to be one of the most productive Brand Ambassadors we have.  She’s a dedicated, goal-oriented student and we’re so thankful to be working with her at Boston University.

Zara is constantly busy with school, but she says she doesn’t worry about balancing time between school and her position at Flashnotes. “What people might not realize is that a lot of the time Flashnotes is interchangeable with school. Even if you might be making notes to sell on Flashnotes, your making notes for classes nonetheless.”

But there are a number of options out there when you want to pick up a part time job, so we asked Zara why she decided to use Flashnotes out of all the other options. She says, “It was really the interpersonal relationship that Flashnotes tries to build that made me feel immersed into the family and more motivated to further our brand name”.

We hope she enjoys a much deserved summer break; we can’t wait to start another semester with Zara! Welcome to the family!

Make the Most Out of Finals

It’s that time of the year- finals! To some, merely mentioning the word will send them into a panic attack. Others actually look forward to finals season. What kind of crazy human being would EVER look forwards to finals? I’m glad you asked.

Flashnotes users do! Finals time is the best time to gather up all those notes and flashcards and make a profit off of them. Want to spend your summer sipping lemonade and vodka by the pool? How about handcrafting a good ‘ol fashioned 30 foot long slip ‘n slide? Whatever you decide to do, you can pay for your extravagant college lifestyle by selling your notes!

Whether you’ve already finished finals or you still have 6 more to go, we can help you.

If you’ve already finished finals: Go out and enjoy that summer sun! Taste the sweet freedom because it won’t last long. I know you probably don’t want to think about this right now, but even though you may be finished with this semester, there’s no better time to start preparing for next semester.

If you’ve already signed up for classes next semester, check out the materials available on Flashnotes to get a good idea of what you’ve gotten yourself into next semester. Give yourself a little time to soak up the sunshine and enjoy a much-needed break from school, but just don’t forget that the earlier you can start preparing for next semester, the smoother it will go.

 

If you still have to take finals: Now is the best time to really put some effort into those flashcards and study guides (not that we didn’t have faith in your studying ability before- we know you’re always on your best behavior). However, now is your time to shine. Finals season is the perfect time to sell those comprehensive study materials.

The key to a successful Flashnotes experience is marketing your material. You can make the best study guide in the entire world, but how will anyone know it’s the best if they haven’t seen it? We’ve seen that the best way to market your notes is through Blackboard or Moodle (whichever system your school supports). Shoot your classmates a quick email, and you’ll be on your way to earning summer fun money and making friends.

The end of finals doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Flashnotes. We’ll be here all summer long to answer any questions you can come up with (even the ridiculous ones). Happy Studying!

Our 6 Favorite Apps to Help You Study

You’re in college and your life moves a hundred miles an hour. When the heck are you going to find time to study, maintain a social life, and (dare we say it?) get some sleep. Well, we noticed that you’re always on the go, so why not study on the go, too? Whip out that smart phone of yours and instead of texting Johnny about 50 cent wing Wednesdays, how about you peruse some flash cards or get started on that paper?

We know what you’re thinking “Ugh, atomic buffalo wings are so much more important than looking at flashcards right now”. Well we have good news for you! You can spend as much time as you want at the local BBQ restaurant because if you don’t study now, you’ll be working there the rest of your life.

If you wish you could just press the “easy button” instead of studying, unfortunately, that button doesn’t exist. However, we can sure give you the resources to make it a little less painful (unless you like pain, which, if you’re eating atomic wings, you obviously do). These 6 apps for your smart phone will have you organized and studying in no time!

myHomework- This is the mother of all college organization. Not good at organizing? Let myHomework take care of that. Keep track of you class schedule, assignments, and major tests all in one place. It automatically color-codes everything based on due date. All you need to do is pay attention in class!

Evernote– If you are already mediocre at organizing, or just want a more user-friendly platform for organizing, Evernote if the app for you. All of your to-do lists, notes, and doodles are in one place. The best part? Evernote automatically syncs all of your devices. As long as you have a mobile device on you, you have organization in your pocket!

Flashcard Plus– Flashcards are probably the most popular way of studying for a test. If you walk into class before a big test, you’re bound to see students flipping madly through their decks and muttering to themselves. With F+, you won’t ever have to wonder where the missing flashcards have gone, and you don’t have to waste paper! This app is totally free, so you can start uploading and quizzing yourself right now!

Sleep Cycle– We could all use a better nights sleep. Sleep cycle monitors your sleeping patterns and wakes you up during your periods of lighter sleep, so you wake up less groggy. There’s nothing worse than stumbling out of bed and willing yourself to wake up even though every bone in your body wants to lie in bed.

Coffee Shop Finder- We all know what it feels like to have too much to do and not enough energy. Thankfully, Coffee Shop Finder can guide you to the nearest coffee shop in the world! Yes, that specialty drink that you’ve been craving is closer than you think!

Essay planner- Although this app isn’t free- it’s totally worth the $2.99. If you’re the master of procrastination, this app will help break you of that habit and have you well on your way to writing better. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t always just “wing it” the night before and get an outstanding grade. Writing is about practice and discipline. Why do you think you’ve been doing it your entire school career? Invest in your future, and become a better writer (or at least planner).

Although you should probably be studying instead of reading this, we appreciate your dedication to procrastination. Now, go download some apps and make good use of your time! See something we missed? Let us know, we’re always on the look-out for the next big thing.

6 Comfort Foods to Get You Through Finals

There are three necessary functions of the college student’s body: eat, sleep, study. During finals, it’s pretty typical to give up precious sleep in order to cram for the next big test. One thing we can’t live without, though, is some good food.

Food gives you the energy you need to power through those late nights. It’s also a nice distraction from staring at your computer screen for what seems like the 14^th straight hour. So, why not indulge a little bit? Here’s a great list of easy snacks/study foods that will make you feel great and give you that extra boost that you need to get through the day!

Pirate’s Booty– Healthy junk food? Yes, you heard right. Pirates booty is the perfect study snack! They’re baked rice and corn puffs, and you can get them in almost any flavor. The bag says “Thar be good”! How can you argue with that?

Baked Pasta– Make a super large batch of some bowtie pasta on Sunday night. Bake the left overs with some pasta sauce and parmesan on top. Separate the baked pasta into personal sized Tupperware and you have yourself an easy lunch for the rest of the week!

Baked Potato Soup– You can get this out of the can or make it from scratch. Either way, the carbs in the potatoes will give you that boost of energy that you need without the crash.

Chicken Nuggets– I am a personal advocate of eating chicken nuggets with everything. You can dunk them in BBQ sauce or roll them up in a tortilla with some Ranch dressing and lettuce. Healthy? No. Cheap and easy? Yes.

Quesadillas– Get fancy with this one. We’ve all made microwave quesadillas, so why not put a new spin on it? Throw some tomato sauce or an avocado on it (avocados are a super food)! Pro tip- chicken nuggets in a quesadilla is so unhealthy but so good!

Pizza- We all love a good pizza, and frankly, during finals it’s totally fine to binge eat a whole one. On a budget? Here’s where it gets good- make your own personal sized French bread pizzas from home and just reheat it when you get to campus. Throw together some bread, tomato sauce, cheese and whatever else your creative mind can come up with.

I am a firm believer in doing whatever you have to do in order to be successful. Sometimes, you have to make tough decisions between what’s good for you now and what’s good for you in the long run. That being said, I spent about 85% of my days on campus going from class to the library to class again. It was hell, but my comfort food got me through it. Does anyone else have any go-to comfort foods?

The 6 Types of Study Buddies

Here’s the deal- we all hate to study, so finding a partner in crime sounds like the perfect option to doing it alone, right? Why not waste away both of your nights sharing in each other’s misery about how awful your professors are? Seems like a great Friday night to us.

We just have one word of advice: Make sure you choose the right study buddy, or your nights could take a serious turn for the worse. Here are the 6 types of study buddies. Choose wisely!

1. The Perfectionist- Everything must be perfect, organized, and methodical. This study buddy is on top of everything in class. Careful with this one though- everything seems perfect on the outside, but this study buddy is one pink highlighter explosion away from a major breakdown.
2. The Partier- This kid either comes to class high or drunk and doesn’t pay attention, or doesn’t come to class at all. You can pretty much assume that this kid comes to class purely to hone his doodling skills. This type of study buddy can surprise you though- his/her random alcohol induced life skills and marijuana fueled research can make this study buddy a great wild card.
3. The Silent Partner- You might not be quiet in a library, but this study buddy will remain silent until all is accomplished. Want to ask your study buddy a question about the possibilities of artificial intelligence recreation? How about how their weekend went? Expect the shortest answer possible with as little detail as possible.  Your study buddy came for two things: to be quiet and to finish studying.
4. The User- This type of study buddy may put up a great intellectual façade, but don’t be fooled. This person was not paying attention in class and they want to study with you so they can copy your notes and have you explain everything to them. You might find this annoying and time consuming, but look at the bright side- you’ll end up knowing the material well enough to teach it!
5. The “study” buddy- The hottie you’ve been undressing with your eyes all semester finally asked you to come over and study for finals. You’re stoked, but be warned-you won’t get much studying done with this person! Five minutes into your French vocabulary review in their apartment, and your lips are locked. A couple hours pass and you completely “forgot” to attend your next class. Oopsies! Now you need a study buddy for another class, too!
6. The Yin Yang Buddy- This person compliments you and your study style like Nutella and waffles. Both of you take great notes, try to follow along in class, and have fun studying (who knew this could be fun?!). You might have missed a class or two, but luckily for you, your study buddy filled you in. If you find this person- don’t ever let them go.

Choose your buddy wisely and your grades will thank you. Happy studying!

Sunday Not-So-Funday

It’s Sunday afternoon and you’re just waking up from a very long Saturday night. You wake up just in time to eat breakfast at 1pm and then it’s time for some good old Sunday fun activities.

But wait- you just remembered you have that three page paper due tomorrow for art history! Your Sunday Funday plans with friends just got ruined. What are you going to do!?

Luckily you have a college veteran on your side.  I can walk you through exactly what you can do to if you should find yourself in this position.

Drink caffeine immediately. Normally, I wouldn’t suggest dehydrating your body after a long night of debauchery, but this is an exception. You need to get yourself in the paper-writing mood, and you can’t focus on your paper if you are tired or lazy. Caffeine is a great way to give you that extra boost of energy you need to get started on your schoolwork. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be done. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, do something active for 10-15 minutes. Going on a quick run or even a walk in the sunshine is enough to shake you out of a slump.

Study Outside. The sun is finally coming out, the snow is melting, and it’s almost nice outside. If your friends are going to be rambunctious inside, then move your schoolwork outside! The fresh air is exactly what you need to clear your mind and focus on that paper. Grab some shades, a light jacket, and soak up some sun while you study in peace. If you don’t have a laptop, don’t have Wi-Fi, and don’t have a place right outside your house that you can study, then you have thought of every excuse in the book and can comment on this blog to share more of your fabulous excuses with the rest of us.

Don’t Complain. Seriously. You got yourself into this position; you can get yourself out of it. Keep your complaints to yourself and just do the paper. The more time you waste complaining to your friends about how you are “so tired” or how you hate your professor, the less time you will have to actually write the paper. The last thing your friends want to do is hang around with Buzz Killington. (This option of dealing with unexpected homework is not the most fun, but it is the most valuable to personal growth and becoming a mature adult.)

You have to do your homework at some time or another, and most of us like to procrastinate. This isn’t always a bad thing. (Some of my best papers were a result of intensive research done during a short period of time.) However, don’t make a habit of procrastinating and don’t put yourself in a position to choose between your friends and your schoolwork on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Most of the time, your friends will win and your grades will end up the loser.

3 Excuses to Get Out Of Anything

I don’t have enough time in my day to do everything. Should I go workout or go study? Decision made. I’m playing Mario Kart.

Do you ever have too much to do so you just decide to give up and not do anything? Don’t worry- we’ve all been there. Here are some excuses we’ve devised to get you out of doing anything for the rest of your life.

“I’m sick” Teachers say this at the beginning of every single year: “If your sick, just don’t come to class because you’ll get everyone else sick”. It’s true. One person in my 75-person lecture was coughing like crazy and the next time we met for lecture only 25 people showed up because they were all sick. The easiest way to not go to class is to be sick.

“I forgot” Who cares if it was your only job interview in the last five months? You forgot. It’s fine- we’ve all forgotten something at one point in time. Your would-be-future-employer doesn’t care if you’re on time for your interview anyways. Simply tell them, “oops, I forgot”. The easiest way to not get a second interview is to tell people that you really don’t care how valuable their time is.

“That goes against my New Year’s resolution” This is the mother of all excuses that never fails. Go ahead- tell someone that your New Year’s resolution was to gain 15 lbs. They won’t question you when you eat the entire lasagna that your mom sent you that was supposed to last you a week. (We don’t know anyone who did that)

Next time you’re sitting at home on your throne of lies and don’t want to do any thing, make sure to pull out one of these foolproof excuses and watch your free time multiply.

If you have any other good excuses, please feel free to leave them below. Our social media manager needs some new material.