Jen Bokaer-Smith

Managing Academics over Summer Break

Posted on by Jen Bokaer-Smith

1) Use a calendar to plan time for both work and relaxation

Staying organized with work and academics starts with a calendar. The LSC is here to help you make a plan that lets you get your work done AND take a well-deserved break! Download our Summer 2025 calendar to get started.

2) Understand expectations for your summer classes

Use the LSC’s Syllabus Checklist to be sure you know what’s expected in your summer classes, including how to get in touch with your instructor and where to get help when you have questions. Map out all of the important due dates on your summer calendar (#1, above). Just like during the regular semester, map out all of the important due dates, so that you can identify your crunch times in advance and plan for them.

3) Take care of yourself, and have fun 

Spending time doing things that are important to you and bring you joy can improve focus for better work and studying, so be sure to plan in activities like exercise, hanging out with friends and family, summer concerts, eating ice cream, enjoying nature, watching TV, gaming, and just relaxing, along with your work.

Want some great ideas about taking care of yourself, and how to have effective study breaks? Check out Cornell Health’s resources: https://health.cornell.edu/about/news/study-breaks-stress-busters and https://mentalhealth.cornell.edu/self-care/self-care-practices 

 

 

Worrying about tests?

Posted on by Jen Bokaer-Smith

How do LSC tutors manage their test anxiety?

Before the exam LSC tutors:

  • Prepare! Feeling well-prepared helps them feel less anxious about the exam.
  • Do practice tests so they get a sense of what the test will be like. Pro tip: if you can take practice tests under testing conditions (don’t refer to your notes unless you’re allowed to on the test, set a timer, sit for the practice test at the same time of day as your real test, take your practice test in the actual test room if possible) you familiarize your whole self with what the test will be like; this can help reduce worry during the real test.

During the exam LSC tutors:

  • Use good time management and awareness.
  • Quickly review the entire test and make a rough plan for how to allocate their time.
  • Calmly and quickly develop a strategy. Usually they answer the easiest questions first. Why?
    • They know their brains will be working in the background on challenging questions while they’re getting the easier questions taken care of.
    • Sometimes they can tell they will not have time to complete the entire test, so why not leave blank they questions they are less sure of?
  • Are mindful to engage in self-talk that:
    • Promotes a growth mindset. (One of our favorite explanations about the growth mindset is in this Ted Talk.)
    • Gives them a sense of perspective about this exam in the big picture.

Would you like to learn more?

Check out the LSC’s pages on managing time and stress. Also, take a look at this study on anxiety and academic performance

If you want to explore study strategies to help you feel more prepared for prelims, check out the “How to Study” section on the webpage. Cornell students can self-enroll in the LSC Study Skills modules to learn more about “Preparing for and Taking Exams.”