Get out of the Snow Day(s) Slump!

I never thought I would say this, but I'm done with snow days. That's right, I'm done. I'm over it. I remember the pre-Boston part of my life, when my Mom warned me about the notorious New England snow. I knew that Boston would have a little more snow than home, but I never imagined it would be this bad! As a New Yorker, I never thought snow was much of a problem, until now. With these unscheduled mini-vacations all of my work has come to a standstill. It's so hard to be productive when you don't know if there will be school tomorrow.

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This post will be for all those, like me, who have yet to return to Tufts normalcy. Covering the fundamental steps for getting back on track can help restart your school productivity and get your brain back in gear. With the unprecedented number of snow days this semester, several professors will be trying to find alternative ways to compress more topics and work into fewer school days. This definitely could be a stressor in the upcoming weeks, especially with the looming shadow of midterm exams. Yeah, I said it. Midterms are coming. So, here are a few simple ways to spark your work productivity after days of procrastination and to ensure you are mentally and physically ready for the approaching storm.

Time Management
Starting with time management is a good thing, as most stress is caused by not managing your time well and resulting in the build up of stress. Reducing the stress caused by juggling courses, activities, and your job and internship search is the first step of recovery from Snowpocalyse 2015. Using a planner or an application such as iCalendar, can help set you on the right track. According to this Forbes article practicing time management is not only effective for work productivity but it's also better for your health. Scheduling your life weeks ahead of time and putting it to paper, or online, will not only result in better productivity, but will make it more likely you will complete your tasks. Procrastinators: I'm talking to you. If you need a first step towards digging out from the pile of work that has accumulated like the snow here in Boston, start by mapping out how much time and when you will dedicate to each project.

"Organize your daily and weekly work goals!"
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Academic Resources
There are a variety of resources available at Tufts for students who are feeling stressed because they have a lot of work to do. Take advantage of Tufts Counseling and Mental Health Services.  They have a variety of tools to help you de-stress. They even have a Relaxation Room with a biofeedback chair and massage chair so you can truly relax. Look for departments to host massage sessions, particularly around exam time!

Places of Productivity
Are you tired of Club Tisch? Here is a list of places to catch up on all that work. Try to study in different locations from time to time. According to US News studying in different areas helps with memory retention.

"Find a place where you're productive!"
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• Ginn Library- NOTE: You may have to dress up to fit in with the stylish Fletcher graduate students
• Eaton Computer Lab- Open late night, great for writing papers
• Mayer Campus Center- Food, lighting, great ambiance. 5 stars.
• Tisch Library- Classic Tufts study spot
• Starbucks (Davis Square)- Off campus, free wifi, and trendy
• Tamper (Boston Ave.)- Great tables, modern feel
• Danish Pastry House (Boston Ave.)- Pastries for days!

Recalling Kelly's post on Self-Care, be sure that you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and getting some time outdoors (unless it's subzero). Cabin fever is real, so get some sun and try moving around more. Head to Tisch Athletic Complex, where it's totally acceptable to read while on the elliptical or bike!

I hope this post will help inspire you to get back on track after these crazy snow days. I remember saying that "Winter is Coming," but I really didn't think it would be this bad. Good luck to everyone taking on this snow and this weird semester, and remember to "Treat Yo Self!"

Carpe Diem,

Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016

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Hidden Gem: The Dowling Library and its Treasures

By Angela Sun

The Dowling Library.

What? You mean Tisch? Oh no, you meant Ginn. Student Services? Career Center? What is this 9 3/4 platform non-sense?

Many of my friends scratch their heads when I talk about the Dowling Library. This space is located adjacent to the Tufts Career Center at Dowling 730 and houses spacious tables and four computer workstations. Though it features a small collection, the library actually holds an incredible array of texts on career development. 

There are school rankings, employer listings, job/ internship listings, guidebooks, reviews, brochures that are roughly organized by industries such as Non-Profit and Human Services, Spanish, Tech/ Biotech/ Computers, International, Pre-Law, Medical, Science, and more. 

Here is a small sample to get you excited about coming in to check the place out for yourself.

LSAT (and MCAT) Books 

If you’re considering a career in law, the Dowling Library has Kaplan LSAT practice questions, the Vault guide to the top 100 law firms, Barron’s guide to Law Schools, and brochures from law schools from across the country. There is even a hefty career guide for public interest law. Take advantage of these valuable, and pricey volumes, available for free at Tufts! Similar resources can be found for the MCAT/ medical school as well.

Study Abroad References

Whether you’re considering studying abroad or have already booked your flight, Tufts has collected study abroad reviews from students in its programs like Tufts in Chile, Tufts in Paris, Madrid, London, Ghana, China, etc. These reviews cover the orientation experience, academic coursework, language acquisition, administrative organization, housing and food, and social and cultural experiences of the programs. One student that completed Tufts in Zhejiang advises, “Don’t expect the culture shock to go away immediately. Prepare for a challenging yet rewarding experience.” Another student from Tufts in Madrid says “It’s easy to find great, cheap lunches in Madrid.”

You can also find these reviews at www.abroad101.com. (These reviews represent only the views of the student reviewers, and not the views of Tufts University.) There is also the whole range of Insight Guides to different countries available in the library.

Industry Resources

As I mentioned, the majority of the content is industry-based mini-collections. I"ll use Computers/ Tech/ Biotech as an example, and here is what I can find:

• Books:
• Break into the Game Industry: How to Get a Job Making Video Games
• Career Opportunities in Computers and Cyberspace
• Turner's First Century
• Curves
• Opportunities in Biotechnology Careers
• High-Tech Careers for Low-Tech People
• MIT Technology in the National Interest

• Guides/ Directories:
• Resume's for Engineering Careers
• EPA Careers in Engineering, Science
• Four Vault Guides: Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, Technology, Energy& Oil/ Gas
• Wetfeet Industry Insider to Biotech+ Pharm Industry
• MIT Biotech Directory, also available at www.massbio.org
• 2008 New England Technology Directory
• Tufts Handouts

• Job Choices 2012 for Science, Engineering and Technology Students

• Grad School Brochures:
• The Gordon Institute

Other

There is some unique literature sprinkled throughout the collection that could be an extra boost to your career development. Here are some examples:

The Girl’s Guide to Social Savvy, and The Guy's Guide to Social Savvy by Jodi R. R. Smith

In these guides you find advice on business, grooming, and dating etiquette alike. Here are some snippets from the business/work section, but feel free to drop-in and peruse the rest of the content:

“Information Exchange: If you’ve enjoyed speaking with someone, ask for her business card or telephone number so you can get in touch at a later date. Once the person has handed you her card, offer yours. However, you should never offer your card first. Carry your business card with you wherever you go—you never know when someone will ask for one.”—Girl’s Guide.

“A Hint of Mint: Should you find yourself in the company of someone with bad breath… take a mint for yourself in front of that person and offer him one (after all, you’re only being polite by sharing.) And if someone at some point offers you a mint, take it.”

“You are the Company: Anytime you make contact with someone outside the office, you represent the company for which you work…you should be as polished as possible. Avoid slang, misspellings, and any remarks that may be a bit too casual.”

–Guy’s Guide.

Straight Jobs, Gay Lives: Gay and Lesbian Professionals, the Harvard Business school, and the American Workplace by Annette Friskopp and Sharon Silverstein

"Business consultants Friskopp and Silverstein surveyed over 100 gay or lesbian alumni from HBS for this publication. Their findings resemble a sort of MBA case study in which problems are presented and participants are invited to try and resolve them...Given the "golden passport" of a Harvard MBA, survey respondents have all done quite well. Yet there have been instances of on-the-job discrimination ranging from the subtle (eg. rumors, gossip, homophobic remarks) to the more blatant (gay-basing, firing, etc.)...These authors also discuss the importance of networking and mentoring. An excellent and comprehensive resource that includes Internet and online sources; highly recommended for larger business and nonfiction collections."

--Library Journal

Richard Drezen, Washington Post News Research Center, Washington, DC.

Oh, and did I mention the awesome panoramic view of the suburban Boston landscape? Yeah, there is a breathtaking view of the suburban Boston landscape. 

So while you’re here, don’t forget to stop by next door to check out the latest happenings at the Tufts Career Center and/or sign-up for an appointment!

Please note that the materials in this library are for in-library use only. Your consideration allows more students to benefit from this shared resource. 

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