What I've Learned In...Ecology

My professors keep talking about how a shift in education has begun. Teachers now only teach the material that students need to know to pass their exams, instead of giving them any practical information. There is too much of an emphasis on earning grades rather than knowledge.

Lately I've been trying to think about what I learn in my classes in a broader sense. What's the "big picture" of what I'm learning? How am I going to use this in the future?

Which brings me to the first of this installment: what I've learned in ecology.

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• Bears aren't hibernating anymore! Well, they are, but for shorter amounts of time. They've been slowly migrating to more urban areas, where they have ample food sources from all the garbage they get into. This is why National Parks have bear-proof garbage cans--it really messes up their psyche and hibernation patterns.

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• The current population boom is not happening in the USA--it's happening in pre-industrial societies (such as Africa and rural parts of Asia) where new technology is lowering the rate of infant mortality

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• You want to see something interesting? Check out wikipedia's page on overpopulation. In a nutshell, we don't know when Earth will reach its carrying capacity (when we don't have enough resources to cover everyone on the planet), because there are so many factors and variables that would determine this statistic. 

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• Clown fish and angler fish are the coolest animals ever. Clown fish change their sex during their life. For angler fish, the male is teeny tiny and bites onto the female. She ends up sending out a chemical that dissolves the male until he's only a pack of gonads so she can reproduce. So weird!

I thought ecology would be a pretty dry class going in, but it's actually turned out to be quite interesting. It's always like that--the classes you're not excited for end up being great!

--Becky

Understanding Shakespeare: 4 Simple Tricks

This semester I was forced to take a 300-level Shakespeare class. It's a requirement for my English major, so I figured I might as well get it out of the way so I don't have to take it senior year.

Is it fun? No. Am I getting through it? Yes, but it's been a painful experience.

For those of you who don't understand Shakespeare either, I thought I'd compose a list of the tricks I'm using to survive the class. These tricks can be applied to any English book that you're required to read.

1. Use Post-It Notes to summarize each page

In class, we go through the plays page by page. I use post-it notes when I'm reading to keep track of all the major events, characters and lines on each page. Not only does this keep me from falling asleep when I'm reading, but it also means I don't have to write all over my rented Shakespeare textbook.

2. After reading, write down a brief summary of each scene

I don't know about you, but these plays are confusing. It's hard to keep track of everything, so right after I'm done doing the reading assignment I write down what I remember about the plot. It's great to study off of for our oh-so-wonderful weekly reading quizzes.

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3. Check to see if your interpretation is correct on Sparknotes

Okay, I'll admit it, sometimes I don't do the reading for classes and rely on Sparknotes to help me out. BUT I find that Sparknotes is actually a better tool for when you've done the reading but aren't sure if you understood it or not. For instance, I got completely stumped by a passage in The Merchant of Venice, but Sparknotes helped me get through it by summarizing the meaning of the passage for me. Don't rely on Sparknotes, though--use it sparingly.

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4. For help with specific lines, check out No Fear Shakespeare

"No Fear Shakespeare" is a series of books that translate traditional Shakespearian plays into "modern-day" English (Shakespeare technically did write in modern English, but I won't bore you with that story). If there's a specific line that I don't understand, it's great to look up the "modern" translation of it so I can understand it better.

I'm curious: do we have any fans of Shakespeare out there?

--Becky

College Studying Tips

Someone asked me if I could do a post on studying tips. I feel like a hypocrite telling you these tips because I haven't been following them at all this year. My classes haven't been too challenging yet, but I know they're all of a sudden going to creep up on me.

Here are some tips I followed last year that helped me survive organic chemistry and some tough upper-level biology classes. Hopefully they'll help!

1. Make studying your priority and mindset

This is a mindset you have to have in order to pass some harder classes. You have to make sure that studying prevails over all your other plans. This means not going to a party because you know you'll have to study for a test the next day (it sucks, I know). It means backing off on extra curriculars. You're paying a lot for college, and if your transcript gets a D or F you're not getting your full worth out of it. Studying HAS to be your number one priority.

Yep...I have to do this on my calendar sometimes to make sure I don't schedule anything else on that day. The woes of a college student.

2. Schedule hourly blocks to study

I always make sure there's time in my schedule where I don't plan anything so I can study. This year, right after my classes get out I have an hour or so where I can force myself to go to the library and study before dinner. Then I'll have extra-curriculars at night until about nine, when I can study some more. This idea works wonders--I'll always have time to study (but the question is, will I?)

My school schedule for this week. You can see that I have a huge block of time between class and my clubs on Monday and Tuesday. That's when you'll find me at the library (if I can force myself to go there...)

3. All nighters= horrible idea

Some people can get by on two hours of sleep...the other 95% of us can't. Even if I do well on a test after pulling an all-nighter, I'll be miserable for the next two or three days. It just isn't worth it. Don't get me wrong, sometimes we all have to pull all-nighters, but I try to be responsible and study a week or two ahead of time so I can spend a few hours the night before cramming--not six or seven.

4. Self Control app for Mac

I don't remember if I've posted about this before, but this computer program has saved my life. For Self Control, you type up a list of websites you want blocked, then set a timer for how long you won't be allowed to access them. This program is foolproof. I've tried changing my internet settings, turning the computer on and off, erasing my history--NOTHING will work and allow me to access these sites before the allotted time is up. Without Self Control, I don't think a lot of my English papers would ever get done. [And it's free! Even better.]

You put websites on your "blacklist" in the window on the right. On the left, you set a time for how long that site will be blocked.

5. List all the homework you have to do each night

You've probably heard this one before, but a simple checklist does wonders in motivating a person. Throughout the day I make a list of the things I need to accomplish that night, and I cross them off as soon as I complete them. Using the list prevents me from cramming for a test the night before, because I can delegate how long to study for a specific subject during every study session.

My to-do list for today...clearly I've accomplished a lot in the two hours I've been sitting here at the library.

I feel like I have some more tips up my sleeve, but hopefully these will work for now. Do you have any studying tips?

First Week of Junior Year

So how's the beginning of everyone's fall going? Well, I survived my first full week of school...and it's been filled with quite a cast of characters.

Via Amazon

My physics teacher is a Grammy award-winning singer.

My theology teacher is really young and encourages us to follow him on Twitter (when you picture theology, don't you picture an old, bald priest being the teacher?) These are real Rate My Professor reviews of him.

Jim Wand

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I met a real-live hypnotist on Friday as part of being a leader for the freshman Welcome Week events. No, I did not let myself get hypnotized...I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of 800 freshman, thank you very much!

Source: imgfave.com via Becky on Pinterest

And my friends. I missed them so much this summer! The hard part of college is that your best friends most likely come from separate parts of the country or, in my case, the globe! Two of my roommates hail from Michigan, but the third is from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. And she spent the summer in Canada! I don't have any good pics of us all together from this year yet, but I will soon.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend! Enjoy the last days of summer.

--Becky

Chicago Bucket List

I've been in Chicago for two years now, but I've only got two more to go. I feel like I haven't done enough of the touristy things that every Chicagoan should experience. Yes, I've seen the Bean, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, the Hancock Building. I've shopped the Magnificent Mile, seen a Chicago play, ice-skated at Millennium Park. I've been on the El countless times, been to the beach on the Lakeshore, eaten deep-dish pizza.

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But, alas, there are obviously holes in my Chicago experience. Here are some of the things I hope to accomplish this year while here in the Windy City. Wish me luck and, if you're a native Chicagoan, give me suggestions on what else to add to my list!

Pictures via ChooseChicago.com; collage by me

Yep. This will be my year.

--Becky

Sunday Confessions: Back to College Edition

Forgive me if this post turns into Tumblr, but the pictures and the gif aptly explain the conflicting emotions I have with the fall semester starting. And they're fun...fun's always a plus.

1. Really? I originally wrote something very passive aggressive here, but no one needs that negativity! I'll just keep it short and vague: when I saw the class rosters for my classes, this was my reaction:

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Love this SNL skit! I miss the two of them being on the show.

2. I spent the past week being a Welcome Week Leader: helping freshman getting to know each other and tell them how great my college is.  However, this week I definitely wasn't in the mood to be all bubbly and happy-happy-cheery-cheery-college-is-AWESOME! But I sucked it up and did my job. Hopefully I helped a few freshman out.

I just wanted one freshman to ask me this. Just one.

3. I feel guilty that I have a lake view out of my dorm/apartment/I-don't-really-know-what-to-call- it window. Really, I don't deserve it. I'm not worthy.

Lake Michigan beats the ocean anytime.

4. I'm totally going to become a slacker this year. I can see it already. Now that organic chemistry and my hard biology classes are over, I'm just going to slide by. But I can't let that happen! I'm not in medical school yet! And I still have that pesky MCAT to take next April.

WEBSITE COUNTDOWN

Countdown to the MCAT...maybe it'll give me some motivation.

5. I didn't buy any textbooks this semester! Hurray! I know karma's going to come around and I'll have to buy twenty next semester, but for now, my debit card is very happy.

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I Googled "happy debit card", and this is what came up.

What are some of your "Sunday Confessions"?

Emergency Backpack Kit + Pencil Pouch Organization

Remember when I posted about what I carry around in my backpack? Well, if you thought I was obsessive-compulsive then, wait until I show you my Emergency Backpack Kit. 

What is it? A makeup bag that I fill up with all the essentials you never know if you'll need or not while in class, at the library or at work. Yes, it's a little intense, but at least I'm always prepared!

Emergency Backpack Kit by preppypremed featuring a lip treatment

The essentials:

• Makeup bag to hold it all
• Mini stapler
• Mini comb and mirror (the Chicago wind kills  my hair!)
• Hair ties: I'm loving the satin hair ties that are all the rage.
• Pencil sharpener
• Lipgloss
• Scrap paper
• Post-it Notes
• Lip Balm: My favorite is Burt's Bees
• White-out
• Aspirin/Advil
• Bandaid
• Calculator
• Extra erasers
• Gum
• Hand lotion and sanitizer: I love Bath and Body Works products, such as this Shea Cashmere lotion and their Pocket Bacs. They're perfect for winter!

To finish out the school supply posts, I also wanted to share with you what I put in my pencil pouch. It's pretty simple, but it does the trick!

Pencil Pouch Organization by preppypremed on Polyvore

The essentials:

• Pencil pouch: I'm in love with FallInDesign's pencil pouch here, but usually I just get slider pencil cases. They're only $.69 at Target!

• Pencils: I never was a fan of mechanical pencils. So my pick? Dixon Ticonderoga pencils.

• Colorful pens: Besides having your basic black and blue pens, I also use a few different colored ones to color-code my assignments and such

• Highlighters: You've got to get Tul highlighters! I got them in my Christmas stocking last year and I love them. They're long-lasting, unlike some of the cheaper highlighters I've used.

• Post-It Tabs: Definitely necessary to mark your place in one of your huge textbooks.

And this ends the back to school posts! Whew.

Did I miss anything? What are some of your school essentials?

Back to School Shopping List

Since summer is wrapping up, I decided to make a "back to school" list featuring items that I've talked about in the past few weeks. Even if you're not going back to school, fall is a great time to buy a few new items.

Back to School Shopping Essentials by preppypremed featuring statement necklaces

Links go to previous posts where the products are talked about in-depth

1. Oxford Shirts

2. New stud earrings (featured: Kate Spade "Putting on the Ritz" Stud Earrings)

3. Ballet flats

4. Statement necklaces

5. Long-sleeve tees and chunky sweaters

6. Trench coat

7. Planner (featured: Lilly Pulitzer Large Agenda "Give Me Some Leg")

8. Blazer

9. Wristlet (featured: Vera Bradley All-In-One Wristlet)

10. Skinny Jeans

Are you all stocking up for the new season?

College Binder Organization

Last week I wrote about backpack essentials so, to go with the "Back to School" theme, I wanted to share with you how I organize my binders at school.

I've tried all different ways to take notes during college. What I've finally settled with is using binders to keep track of all my handouts/papers and to do practice problems in. For taking notes, I use my computer and put the notes in separate folders according to subject.

Just because you have to carry a binder around doesn't mean it can't be cute! Also, by organizing a little bit, you can make your binders functional to fit your needs. Here are some of my binder tips:

Binder Tips by preppypremed on Polyvore

A little more explanation:

1. I have a binder for my M/W/F and T/Th classes. That way I'm (hopefully) only carrying around one binder per day. Maybe at night when I go the library I'll have to bring both with me, but two binders is pretty light considering I used to make a binder for each subject.

2. I use binder dividers such as these to divide the binders into a sections for each class. In each section I put a folder and filter paper.

3. I make a LOT of notecards to study for quizzes and tests, so I need a way to store them. I use a pencil pouch inside the binders to store notecards. Otherwise I lose so many notecards inside of my backpack.

4. Finally, I personalize the front of my binders by printing out pics from the internet or making a picture collage. This year, I followed The Pink and Green Prep's tutorial to make the following binders:

What do you all think? Do you have any tips for school organization?

Oh, How Pinteresting: Dorm Room Edition

For the third straight year, I get to live in a dorm room during the school year. The good thing about becoming an upperclassman is that the dorm rooms suddenly get a lot bigger. Does that mean I'm going to get more organized and decorate my little corner of the dorm room more? Probably not. But I can dream, right?

Source: google.com via Becky on Pinterest

This is my college bedding (yeah, things just got weird, my dear followers...you now know where I sleep.) So if I had a million dollars and more time on my hands, here is how I'd decorate my dorm...

Source: huset-shop.com via Becky on Pinterest

I'd spray paint a cheap doormat hot pink, just like in this picture.

Source: apreppyeducation.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

I'd paint my old animal toys pink, black and white, then put them on top of jars like they do here. They'd hold all the odds and ends on my desk.

Source: gifts.barnesandnoble.com via Becky on Pinterest

I'd have this awesome Daschund bookend set...

Source: mydeco.com via Becky on Pinterest

...and this lamp.

Source: dormroomartsandcrafts.tumblr.com via Becky on Pinterest

I'd make something super organized like this, only wrap it in Lilly Pulitzer fabric.

Source: thecollegeprepster.com via Becky on Pinterest

All my chargers would stay on my desk via this little DIY contraption.

Source: mintlovesocialclub.com via Becky on Pinterest

This would be hanging on my wall...

Source: leslielovesmakeup.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

And this as well.

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But above all, I can't forget the rubber chicken. It's a long story. But I can't live in a dorm room without it. It's kind of a tradition by now.

There you have it, my perfect, organized dorm room! 
--Becky

Fall 2012 Outfits, Pt. 1

Since I previously posted about some cute fall tops I want to buy, I thought that I needed to incorporate those shirts into full outfits. Like I said before, I like to buy a few staple items (like a trench coast, for example) and use them for multiple outfits. Here we go!

Fall 2012 Outfits, pt 1 by preppypremed featuring a cable knit sweater

For information about the tops and necklaces, check out this previous post.

These are some outfits more suitable for the later days of fall, such as the middle of October to Thanksgiving.

Jackets


--H&M trench coat from 2 years ago:they come out with a new trench coat every year, and I find that they're usually inexpensive and are of a good quality

--Blazer: I'm eyeing this one from H&M. I like how it's fitted but still has that "boyfriend blazer" look about it

Shoes


--Ballet flats: as I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm heading to Gap for their cute ballet flats this year. I already own two pairs of black flats, which I bought either at DSW or Payless.

--Loafers: these are a pair of shoes I bought a long time ago but never wore! Now that they're back in style, I'd recommend Bass footwear if you want a high-quality pair.


--Boots: brown boots are perfect for early fall, but once we get into November and December black boots are all the rage. Since I'm on a college budget, I'm buying all my boots from DSW. They have some great deals.

Jeans


--Skinny jeans: Since high school I've been buying all my jeans from Levi's at Kohls. It seems like Kohls almost gives away the money with all the coupons they keep handing out! With the loafers, perhaps a pair of straight-legged jeans would be more suitable.

--Colored denim: Though I bought the blue pants (leftmost outfit) at H&M last spring, Gap has some colored jeans that are the same color but a little bit more structured. You can check them out here.

Part 2, featuring outfits for the beginning of fall (yes, I know, I didn't do this in order...) is coming soon!

Backpack Essentials for Every College Girl

Carly at The College Prepster recently posted about all the essentials she carried around in her tote bag for college. Instead of using a tote bag at college, I use a backpack. The problem is that my backpack is basically my life--I'm never in my dorm room. I'm either at class, the library, volunteering, downtown, or in a research lab. Since I'm always on the go, I have to bring everything with me. I wish I could use totes...there are some adorable ones out there! But alas, I wouldn't have enough room in them for everything.

If you're a backpack girl, here's all the essentials you've got to bring with you as you pave the way through your hectic, busy days!

Backpack Essentials by preppypremed featuring Incase

Starting with the backpack and going counter clockwise:

I bought a Northface backpack for college two years ago and it's still in perfect condition. It might be a little pricier than some of the more fashionable backpacks out there, but you're paying for quality. I also made sure to get a black backpack because it would match with anything and people wouldn't notice if it got dirty.

A wristlet is a must for any college girl. You can fit your school ID, keys, cell phone, money and debit cards all into one little pouch, therefore never losing anything! 

I'm lucky enough to own a Nook Color, so I always have that with me wherever I go. It has my teachers' PDFs on it, my textbooks, books for my English class, "just for fun" novels and a few magazines as well. It definitely has freed up some space in my backpack (and saved my back). Don't forget a cute cover for it so it doesn't get scratched.

Here my obsessive-compulsive side comes out: I use a cheap travel electronics bag to hold my cell phone charger, computer charger, Nook charger and extra headphones. You never know when these devices will run out of battery!

ALWAYS carry extra index cards with you. You never know when you might need them. Trying to make notecards out of looseleaf scrap paper doesn't work...trust me, I've tried.

I have a little makeup pouch that carries all of my Emergency Backpack Items. I'm saving that list for a different post!

Every college student always has a water bottle with them. Backpacks are perfect for water bottles, as they usually have those mesh holders for them at their sides. Plus, refillable water bottles are so much cheaper than continuously buying plastic ones.

I think a lot of people do this so it's not very innovative, but I have a binder for my Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes and Tuesday/Thursday classes, so I only have to carry one binder around with me each day. 

A flexible pencil pouch is essential. It's a pain to rifle through the bottom of your backpack, trying to find some stray pencils when you have your test starting in a minute. I'm a fan of these cute, colorful pencil pouches here. 

Finally, last but not least we have your computer! Even though most backpacks have a special padded section for your laptop, I still put a slip-on cover around it just in case. Hint of caution: don't buy your case at the Apple Store or right from Dell. They're so much cheaper on Amazon! 

I will be going into detail about some of these items in upcoming posts. What do you consider essential to carry in your backpack?

8 Tops Perfect for Fall

I know, I know...it feels like summer just started, and yet I'm about a month away from starting the fall semester. There is something to look forward to about fall, though: in my opinion, fall clothes are the best! Being able to go to class wearing my blazer or trench coat, switching up my ballet flats day after day, still being able to wear lighter colors...yep, fall is definitely my favorite season, clothing-wise.

I've checked out some fall tops that are starting to roll in. In this post I introduce my favorite tops and necklaces to you. Check out the full outfits in a future post!

I'm all about reusing the pieces I buy for multiple outfits, so here I show you how I would wear statement necklaces in different ways.

Fall Tops 2012 by preppypremed featuring j. crew jewelry

Starting from the upper left and going clockwise:

1. J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee in "Romance Pink" with a J.Crew Bubble Necklace in "Navy" (similar necklaces can be found on Etsy for a great price)

2. H&M Cable-Knit Sweater  in "Coral" with a Forever 21 Shine Long Cluster Necklace

3. H&M Sweater in "Cerise" with a J.Crew Bubble Necklace in "Navy"

4. H&M Sweater in "Mustard Yellow" with a Forever 21 Elephant Pendant Necklace

5. J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee in "White" with a Forever 21 Painted Flower Necklace

6. H&M Top in "Natural White" with a Forever 21 Rhinestone Flower Necklace (sold out)

7. H&M Shirt in "Light Blue" with a Forever 21 Shine Long Cluster Necklace

8. H&M Shirt in "Pink/Checkered" with a Forever 21 Rhinestone Flower Necklace (sold out)

Have you all started planning your fall wardrobes yet?

"It's a Quote Kind of Day" + Crazy Dog T-Shirts Giveaway Winner

Giveaway winner at the bottom of this post!

Source: gthegentleman.tumblr.com via Becky on Pinterest

Today was one of those days where I spent an hour on Pinterest pinning any quote that I could remotely apply to my life. Ever had one of those days where you just go on a pinning rampage?

Source: google.com via Becky on Pinterest

I couldn't come up with anything good to post about today so you're lucky enough to get something personal from me. As you may or may not have seen, I'm working on research with a professor and some other students this summer this summer, using fish as our model organisms. It's completely out of my league, something I've never done before.

Source: thesilverpen.com via Becky on Pinterest

It's taken me awhile to get used to the lab and all the protocols, but I'm getting better each and every day. It's been tough for me because I am a perfectionist and, if I don't get something right the first time, I get a little frustrated with myself. It's definitely something I have to get over, but I'm getting better at it.

Source: arts-and-entertainment101.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

So that's why it's been a quote-kind-of-day. Because all of the above quotes keep reminding me why I'm doing all this: to become a doctor. To help people. To save people's lives.

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Becky on Pinterest

And, in the meantime, being able to inject fish eggs with recombinant DNA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right?



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CRAZY DOG T-SHIRTS GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Thank you all for entering! I used a very sophisticated way to choose the winner: I wrote down all your entries in a notebook and numbered them.

I used the random number generator and it said that the winner is Jennifer Hiles! Congrats Jennifer. I'm sending you an email and you have to respond in the next seven days to claim your prize :)