ELI would like to wish you a safe and restful Spring Break (March 11-17, 2013)! 

Daylight Savings - Sunday, March 10

It is that time of the year again - time to spring forward. Daylight savings time begins at 2 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013. As a reminder, please remember to set your clock to one hour ahead of schedule preferably on Saturday evening before you go to bed.

As an aside, daylight savings time ends on the first Sunday of November when we set our clocks back.

Pay it Forward

As we hit the middle of the spring semester, we often realize how much we are we have on our plate and it is difficult not to get hyper focused with our own problems and stressors in life. Here is an unconventional way to distress and have a new perspective during these hectic moments.

Have you ever heard of the phrase to “Pay it Forward?” The phrase comes from the idea of selflessly giving to others without asking for anything in return. Instead, this concept is meant to inspire others to carry on this idea of giving to others.   

It even has become a global movement!

You’re probably wondering why we would suggest a concept like this. Here are a couple reasons why:

1) It turns our focus away from ourselves.  Instead of the usual thought pattern of “How can I benefit from this?” or “What’s in it for me?” the question of the day is more like, “How can I create a little happiness for someone?” or “How can something I do let someone know, with no strings attached, that kindness is still present in others?”

2) It’s centered on giving rather than taking. Taking or receiving is what we do when someone gives us a gift.  It’s certainly what drives most dreams — we go out and claim it, make it happen, both are forms of taking.  But giving — the ability to give — is a gift unto itself. 

3) It’s joyful both ways.  Doing something nice for a perfect stranger can generate an unmatched feeling of pure joy.  As well, being on the receiving end where you least expect to find kindness feels a lot like hot cocoa and a soft, warm blanket on a stormy day.

One of the best takeaways of this idea is the way giving to othersputs our own lives into perspective and how even small actions can affect others in large ways.

Here are some ideas on how you can contribute:

- Put a quarter in a meter, any meter, that’s about to expire

- Be nice to the customer service people who are trying to help you with your technological difficulties

- Thank the cooks, wait staff and bussers personally

- Forgive a driver directing road rage at you

- Buy or pack a meal for a homeless person (or give him/her your to-go box from a restaurant)

- Give a warm coat to a homeless person

- Mentor someone

- Make a donation

- Let someone cut in front of you at the grocery store

- Give someone a chance to prove him or herself

- Encourage someone to pursue their dream

- Hold the door open for someone

- Tip a cab driver generously

- Teach a child something you wish you knew at that age

- Offer sincere, kind words to someone who’s hurting

- Spend some time with a senior citizen living alone

- Give up your seat on a crowded bus or train or ferry

- Loan something to someone and forget about it

- Give blood

What are some of your ideas on how you can pay it forward?

Learn more about National Pay it Forward Day here.

Are You Ready For A Snow Day?

Staying informed will allow you to plan accordingly and stay safe! NOVA makes it easy for you to stay up-to-date in the event of an emergency or inclement weather.

If the College is closed or delayed due to an emergency or inclement weather, a text alert will be sent to cell phones registered on NOVA Alert, a notice will be posted on the home page of the College’s website, and a message will appear on our cable television station (channel 19, 25, 37 or 59 – check your local listing) as well as several local radio and television stations. The College uses several media sources to announce delays and closings. These may be found on our website under “Emergency Preparedness: Closing Information.”

Keep in mind, even when the college is closed, you can still log into Blackboard to access your ELI courses. To find out if a closure or delay will affect your ELI course, check Blackboard for announcements from your instructor.

The ASPIRE Study System

If you are looking for an inspirational way to revamp your study skills, the acronym  A. S.P.I.R.E. speaks for itself!  Each letter of the acronym stands for the following:

        A- Keep your attitude positive while studying to remain energized and focused.

Arrange your study time in such a way where distractions are minimized.

S-  Select a specific set of concepts to study and limit it to what is reasonable to complete.

Survey the important information that stands out in the form of headings, graphs, summaries and study questions.

P – Piece together the critical sections of information and summarize the concepts to reinforce them without the aid of your books and notes.

I – Investigate alternate sources of information such as references that the author lists in the back of your textbook, relevant websites, tutors and resources that your professor recommends.

Inquire about additional resources by asking your professor, tutors and mentors.  The more resources you can find to support the concepts you are studying, the more foundation you will have to recall the information when it comes to test time!

Finally, inspect areas that were unclear, write them down and seek clarification from your instructor.

R- Re-examine by surveying which questions you still have and need further understanding on.  Take notes on any missing information that you need to fill in the gaps needed to clarify the concepts.

Reflect on how you can apply the concepts to your life.

Relay – look for ways that you can effectively communicate the concepts to your classmates or someone whom you are explaining for the first time.

E- Evaluate, examine, explore

Assess your grades to see what areas need improvement based on your current study patterns

Examine your goals and check to see where you are with respect to how your study habits and grades that result are improving

Explore additional options and resources if you need further support such as extra tutoring, a meeting with your professor to get suggestions for improvement or create a study group to help to reinforce the concepts.

If you are looking for new ways to organize your study skills, this guide can give you some direction when you are faced with multiple deadlines and academic demands.  For more information on this topic, visit the following link. 

Adding Moments of Peace to Your Routine

In the busy chaos of holiday activities and as you are making plans that involve new changes for the new year ahead, integrating episodes of peace into your day will help you stay grounded and maintain a positive perspective. Below are some suggestions for peaceful moments into your busy holiday and post-holiday routine:

• While enjoying a favorite TV show or watching a TV movie, put your TV on mute when the commercials come on to savor 30 seconds of peace and quiet and reconnect yourself with a relaxing mood. All of the holiday sale marketing can sometimes disrupt this state and take focus away from an opportunity to embrace joy.

• Take a moment to engage in deep breathing during stressful times. If you are at a party or holiday celebration, take 5 minutes to center yourself whenever you feel the need to re-anchor and recharge.

• Use mouthwash to create a feeling of mindfulness. The very act of using mouthwash – the swishing action combined with the concentration required to not swallow the liquid can not only leave your mouth feeling fresher, but enables you to practice living in the present.

• Having time off from work or school gives you the opportunity to squeeze a cat nap into your day to recharge, refocus and remedy sleep deprivation that can accompany late night holiday events. Pick a quiet place, put on some relaxing music and enjoy a peaceful snooze.

• Retreat to the restroom when you need to recapture a moment of peace. If you are at a holiday party, family gathering or some other social function where you feel the need to escape for 5 minutes, find the nearest restroom to re-center yourself and interrupt the cycle of overwhelm that can sometimes accompany these events.

In general, stay in tune with your inner thoughts and intuition to guide you and direct you in terms of when it is time to recharge and re-center yourself during a hectic holiday pace and the aftermath of embarking on a new year full of new changes and challenges.

For more information on this topic, visit this link.

Tools for Success: Joining a Professional Association/Organization

Make an investment in your future and consider joining a professional association or organization. Membership in a professional association and/or organization related to your major, is a good way to enhance your educational and professional growth.  Not only will membership look impressive on your resume, it will also provide opportunities to grow and develop in your field.  In fact, to encourage student membership, organizations will often offer a reduced membership fee, just for students!

Looking for a way to invest in your future that will further your leadership skills, personal and professional growth?  Do not underestimate the benefits of membership.  As you become involved with a professional association or organization, you will have opportunities to:

·       Enhance your awareness of current trends and best practices in the field

·       Attend annual local and national conferences and network with other professionals

·       Learn about potential employment, internship and volunteer opportunities

·       Participate in professional development and gain skills and professional certifications

·       Gain up-to-date information through newsletters, blogs and monthly publications

·       Receive access to message boards and list-serves

·       Obtain priority and (sometimes) discounted conference registration

Professional organizations are more than just a resume builder.  They are a great way to give back to the community and engage with other professionals in the field that share a common goal. Join today and build your leadership skills by volunteering at events and attending meetings.  Give back, grow and develop in your profession and join the world of professionals. 

To help locate an association or organization in your field, visit this link and begin your search!   (This link does not provide a comprehensive listing; however, it will get help get you started to locating the plethora of associations and organizations that may align with your field and interests.)