Roycroft Michaela

I have a love of reading and writing, in addition to my many hobbies and loves; some of which include animals, baking & cooking, family, and art. I have a knack/passion for sharing good information with cool people like you. My major at SUNY Ulster is Communications in Media Arts and I plan to go far with it. My mantra is something like, the world is full of happiness and opportunity if you are only willing to open up and accept it.

FAFSA: It’s Been Made Easier!

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Two open faced hands hold a big ball of crumpled bills in them above a brown and green background of blurry foliage. A metaphoric representation of financial aid such as FAFSA

Let’s Break Down What it is First

FAFSA: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form to be filled out by current and future college students in the US. Its purpose is to find out if they qualify for student financial aid from the government, and how much.

A cluttered desk of notebooks, a plant, and a computer with a piece of paper showing that depicts a stick figure developing a finance plan.
Photo by Rawpixel.com

An initiative of the Higher Education Services Corporation has made this part of college easier recently. This has made FAFSA and the Tuition Assistance Program, TAP , easier to access than ever before in my opinion. Plus the web pages feel much more friendly to use from the perspective of someone who has filled out FAFSA a few times before.

FAFSA & TAP: A Few of Many Ways to Fund Your Success

FAFSA and TAP are just a few of the ways that you can find resources to succeed using financial aid. You can use the US Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool or read up here at StudentAid.gov on exactly how and where to find the perfect scholarships for you. The College Scholars Program is a marvelous way to fund your future if you can swing it. The Excelsior Scholarship and Enhanced Tuition Awards Program are some other things that have been affected by the modernization. They’re incorporated into the new section of NY.gov called “Start Here Get There” that we’re talking about.

It Was High Time for a FAFSA Rejuvenation, and That’s Exactly What We Got.

New York is really trying to work with students and make it less painful to fill out your forms every year that you’re going to school. The Department of Education is stepping up their game, and personally, I appreciate it. Less runaround and more getting things done, which is what we’re all about, right? Step-by-step instructions on how to complete the fafsa form can be found on the state’s new section of their website: StartHereGetThere.ny.gov.

A cork board of sticky notes with one in the middle, larger than the rest, that says "Make things Happen"
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

There’s Also A FAFSA App: myStudentAid

a screenshot of the Federal Student Aid app as seen from an iPhone when one searches for FAFSA.
The app as seen on an iPhone

The reviews on this app are the usual, ranging from rants to raves. From the need for an update to the ease and simplicity compared to the old method of filing FAFSA. In general, it’s safe to say that you should fully investigate how you like the app before taking anyone else’s word for it. You might just think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, who knows.

A screenshot of the Federal Student Aid app as seen on an Android phone when one searches FAFSA.
The app as seen on an Android phone

Finding the app was fairly simple, I merely searched “fafsa” in each of the app stores and it was one of the first apps to pop up, right after the ads of course.

If You Need Help:

There are also some numbers to call if you do get stuck somewhere during the process. If you need help understanding, the number for the Federal Student Aid Information Center is 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Another method of finding help is the FAFSA Assistance Hotline 1-800-808-1790, open Monday – Thursday, 9am – 5pm. You can also email them, simply address it to: FAFSAhelp@hesc.ny.gov or if you’re already logged into Facebook and want to message someone directly you can visit the page for New York State Financial Aid.

What Are You Waiting For? We’re Down to The Wire!

Now that you’re loaded up with resources and ways to fund your college journey, go apply for FAFSA here. You’ll want to apply ASAP so that everything is in place for the beginning of the Fall semester on August 26!

Ready, Set, Fashion! Calista’s Journey to Entrepreneurship

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A green sewing machine works on a blue cloth with a spool of red thread sitting next to a pair of scissors

Coauthored by Calista E.

A fair skinned woman with light colored hair, profile shot.
Calista Allen, SUNY Ulster Class of 2018

Another person has started here, to go far in the community with her newly learned skills. Calista chose SUNY Ulster over a well-known private college and says it was “it was one of the best decisions I have ever made” as she knew she wanted to be an involved part of a small business and remain local.

Calista has been designing and sewing for about ten years now. She credits her grandmother for teaching her garment creation basics before her time in college. Saying that her grandmother has been one of her biggest supporters and inspirations.

Most recently, she has turned her long time love of sewing and designing into a blossoming career. Thanks to the real world experience gained from her time in the fashion design program.

SUNY Ulster, Here to Help.

The fashion curriculum at SUNY Ulster has provided continuous opportunities that have shaped Calista’s life, livelihood, and career. The professors on campus encouraged and emboldened Calista to explore her talents and perfect her skills. She enhanced her design methods, portfolio building and interview skills to graduate at her highest potential as a result. Along with the well planned curriculum, the program offered Calista many internship opportunities that were vital to learn the industry first hand. Therefore she interned with brands you might know like: the Robert Tonner Doll Company, Eleven Six Knitwear, and Karina Dresses.

A sewing mannequin stands with a tape measure wrapped around it's top

Calista was proud to say that this school guided and molded her into a networking queen! To clarify she recalls one of the most impactful parts of her educational journey; that SUNY Ulster “provided endless opportunities to meet new people and interact with other local businesses and entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.”

A woman stands in a white dress with leather sleeve and belt accents
The Robin Dress ( made of chiffon with leather details).

After completing her internship with Karina Dresses, the company offered her a full time position. They realized the vigor and passion she had started to hone in on and wanted her skills to stay at their business. Calista has been working there for almost three years as the Social Media Manager and Junior Design Assistant for the brand located in Uptown Kingston. She continues gaining skill and experience while starting ventures of her own in the world of fashion.

Her design aesthetic is athletically inclined clothing with an elegant flair; a mix of sporty and sophistication. In her own words “I enjoy playing with style lines and geometric shapes to create a unique style.” She has used that as a base for a children’s clothing line, entirely of her own making, coming soon.

What’s Next for Calista?

Blue/White Gingham Dress
Cali Bee Kids Spring Line

Calista was happy to express how grateful she is for the fashion program at SUNY Ulster. The way it offered various tools and resources to kickstart her passion, and build strong relationships that continue to support and guide her future to this day. In addition, this driven young entrepreneur has started her own Spring kid’s clothing line. It’s called Cali Bee Kids and is set to launch this August! To check it out for yourself click here: http://bit.ly/CaliBeeKids

When asked what her best memory of her experience here was, she responded: “I don’t have a specific favorite part of earning my degree at SUNY Ulster, because I loved everything!”


Why You Need To Read

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Books line a shelf of various sizes and colors

“So often, in the past, a visit to a bookshop has cheered me and reminded me that there are good things in the world.” – Vincent van Gogh

Reading rates are at an all time low in the United States today. As someone who reads on the weekends just for fun, this baffles me. Cracking open a good book is fading into a thing of the past. Survey data from the Pew Research Center reported that almost a quarter of Americans didn’t read any books last year. That’s a huge portion of our society that doesn’t see any need or desire to get lost in a novel, keep the book economy flowing, or consult print resources when researching. To make it worse, this decline has been going steady since before things like Facebook and video games came into mainstream society. This may not seem super concerning, but is it really what’s best for society or our students? Definitely not, and I’m going to give you a few reasons why.

A book lies open on someone's lap, they hold a cup of coffee and wear a watch.

The answer to financial success might be under the cover of a book.

Books are obviously full of various types of knowledge, depending on the subject. This is an effective way of learning for our brains; reading something and processing the information in your head can change your thought process, even improve it.

Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between household income and the amount of books that household reportedly read during that year. In fact, it’s been proven that people with more education earn a higher income on average. Spoiler: that education is deeply rooted in, yup you guessed it: books. If you’re wondering where to start your reading list, check out these 15 books that CEOs think everyone should read.

a circle of books with a book hanging in the middle

There is no limit on how much a person can learn and increase their mental capacity and ultimately success. Take for example Bill Gates, who says he reads at least 50 books a year, if not more.

Keeps your mind & memory sharp.

Just as you’ve grown your reading skills since you were a wee tot who didn’t know how to read, you can continue to improve your skills well into adulthood. Not to mention that people have reported that they feel more satisfied and fulfilled if they are a regular reader.

Reading can stimulate your brain in ways that visual entertainments just can’t match. The activity of reading stimulates areas of your brain responsible for empathy, emotion, decision-making, and autobiographical memory. Engagement with your brain in this way keeps you sharp, helping to reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. The act of continously remembering the characters, plot line and sub plots, can help to improve and retain memory function.

Four stacks of books

Reading can help you stay physically healthier too.

Reading books can even improve your physical health in some ways. Sitting down with a good book can decrease tension dramatically after a long day. The stress relief can be better than other common methods such as drinking tea, listening to music, or taking a walk. According to Minnesota University, this is because your mind is invited into a literary world that is free from the stressors that plague your daily life. It’s literally a whole new world you can open and close in a minute.

two books lay on a table, one laying open with a pair of glasses on top

If you’re an insomniac, this method of winding down before bed is one you should switch to. Reading, when made into a part of your nightly ritual, provides a signal to your body and brain that it is time to relax, leading up to a good night’s sleep. Which, even though you might not think so, is much less disruptive to your natural sleep cycle than a Kindle or e-reader.

This easy activity can increase your life expectancy as well as your quality of life. Reading can develop your capacity to understand other people’s feelings and beliefs and how they may be different from your own. This leads to increased social interaction, the absence of which has been shown to be associated strongly with early death, almost at the same level as smoking cigarettes.

Go ahead and grab yourself a book.

a pile of eight books, showing the spines

As much as I appreciate you reading this article on whatever device you’re using, I reccomend planning a trip to a book store in the near future. Pick a comfortable, interesting, funny, or passionate topic that you enjoy and reap the benefits of reading today. Local bookstores I’ve visited and enjoyed around the area include some in New Paltz, Kingston, Woodstock, and Middletown. There are even more ways books can improve your life that I haven’t mentioned. Let me know your thoughts on reading books in the comments.

Noteworthy Keynote Address by Dr. Ray Raymond

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Portrait photograph of Raymond Ray

Dr. Ray Raymond has been a well-known professor at SUNY Ulster since 2005. He teaches government, politics, international relations, and American history. In addition, he is an adjunct professor of comparative politics and international relations at the US Military Academy. He is known for riveting lectures complete with an eloquent English air about them.

Teaching students at SUNY Ulster is one of many commitments Dr. Raymond is regularly engaged in. He is also a regular visiting lecturer at the US Air Force Academy and Fellow of the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. He is also the Director of the Katt Institute for Constitutional Studies. His efforts have been recognized numerous times, including by the Times Herald Record Online.

An Address of Importance

On Saturday, April 13, Dr. Raymond gave the keynote address at the World Affairs Council of the Hudson Valley’s 6th annual student conference. He illuminated the diffusion of power in the international system since the turn of the century and suggested that that US international leadership has to be collaborative, not unilateral.

The outline of an eagle is filled with red and white stripes and a blue pattern containing white stars

Dr. Raymond suggested that the US does not have the power it once did. He also defended the liberal rules-based world order and recommended reforms in the US intelligence process to ensure that we avoid blind spots, in hopes that this will improve our understanding of the new strategic political environment.

Curious about this man and what the feel of his lectures are? Worry not, because he has contributed mini-lectures to AcademicMinute.org which are broadcast on WAMC Public radio from Albany. His broadcasts set out his views on US foreign policy and explain some key points of commitment and co-dependence between the United States and the United Kingdom. Listen to one of his broadcasts below.

The U.K.’s and The U.S.’s Special Relationship

Dr. Raymond’s Background

So where does our noteworthy professor get his skills from?
First, he is a former British diplomat who held a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Yale University in American History. Secondly, before coming to SUNY Ulster, Dr. Raymond spent twenty years in Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service as a specialist on the United States. During that time, he analyzed US government and politics, US defense and national security issues as well US trade policy. Between 1997 and 2005, he advised then British Prime Minister Tony Blair on US politics as well as secondary and higher education. He also served as policy adviser and speech writer for High Royal Highness, The Duke of York. In recognition of his diplomatic work, he was honored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the Order of the British Empire.

A flag is bisected diagonally, the upper half depicting a partial american flag and the lower half depicting a aprtial uk flag

 As political officer of the British Consulate General, New York he played an integral role in the UK’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 when 77 British nationals were killed in the World Trade Center. This included organizing events and giving speeches conveying the message to the United States that the United Kingdom would support it fully in the war on terror. One of them was at SUNY Ulster when Dr. Raymond gave the Howard St. John Lecture in late September 2001.

Dr. Raymond’s research  has been published by The Atlantic Council and the National Interest. Currently, Dr. Raymond is working on a new book which will be published late next year by the US Naval Institute Press. It is about five of West Point’s most courageous young officers and their heroic service in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

Political Influence Aside

An open book sits on a table with a pair of glasses on top, there is a phone behond the book
Image by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay

Dr. Raymond’s top priority has always remained his students, however.  In addition to teaching, he has mentored many SUNY Ulster students long after they graduated, helping them win places and often scholarships at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and New York University among others.

This influential man also has a high satisfaction rating from his students. He has multiple inspiring reviews on sites such as RateMyProfessors.com. One anonymous reviewer, a political science student, left a rating of five out of five, saying, “Dr. Raymond always remained very professional, and he is thorough. He will explain it a second or third time if needed and always responds to my emails in a timely manner… I personally enjoyed learning from him. A stand up man/professional if there ever was one.”

His Method

A student in cap and gown puts his thumb up with a wide smile

Dr. Raymond says he gets students into history by making it stimulating. He stresses the importance and relevance of political history in ways that ensure students will be able to make an argument using facts long after they’ve forgotten details of the lesson. “If you’re not excited about it yourself, you can’t expect students to be excited,” he commented.

Free Tuition With the College Scholars Program

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An excited group of twelve students from various ulster county high school hold action poses and smiles.

Getting good grades in high school doesn’t just look good to colleges. It can also get you a free ride to SUNY Ulster with the College Scholars Program. Students who maintain a status in the top 10% of their high school class qualify for free tuition upon getting their diploma.

A fair skinned girl with blonde hair sits in a brick walled reading room. She wears a deep blue hoodie with stars on it and has a pair of green headphones hanging around her neck. She sits at a desk with a pile of books to her left and leaning her head on her hand which is propped on the desk. In front of her she has an open faced, large, hardcover book with a small bright green apple sitting on top of one of the open pages.

College scholars have a significant step ahead of the other students they are joining at college. Not only are they extraordinarily studious and devoted to learning. They’ve also earned the chance to get up close and personal with Dr. Al, our college president. While all other students eventually have the same opportunity, it’s a bit different for these few. College scholars are privy to a small meeting with executives. During which everyone is introduced and the program awards are given out. Their footholds on campus are strong before they start courses since they’ve made like-minded friends ahead of time.

Get Your Head in the Game Early

Mary Sommers was a recipient of this scholarship thanks to her hard work and diligence. Before she became a collegiate, she always made sure to maintain the best grades and study habits. She says, “It’s something that I’ve always worked for; the option to go to SUNY Ulster for free was so important and attainable.” Her family inspired her from a young age to be an excellent student and make the most out of her potential. They’ve given her the foundation she needs to attain her desired masters degree in child development so she can become a guidance counselor one day. As for where she will end up, she says, “I don’t know exactly where it will take me, but it’s going to be far.”

Stay Focused on What’s Important

A dark skinned man sits at a mac computer and holds his hands on the mouse touch pad and keyboard. He is wearing a grey shirt with a dark blue collar, a watch, and has an earring in his right ear. We cannot see his face

Another conscientious college scholar, Bradley Westervelt, currently uses the program’s funding toward his music degree at SUNY Ulster. He realizes that the program has had a big impact on his education and life. He says, “I definitely believe I was able to achieve more as a student because of my tuition being funded by the school. I think SUNY Ulster is a great place to go to college. I’ve had really wonderful teachers and many cool experiences since coming here.” The time Bradley spends at SUNY Ulster is in preparation to transfer. He wants to earn a Bachelor’s degree before starting his career as a music instructor.

Something to Aspire To

So for those of you high school students and parents out there, make sure to keep those grades up and the motivation high! The chance to attend one of the top five community colleges, as ranked by BestColleges.com, is nothing to pass up on. The even bigger opportunity to attend that college for free is certainly something to pursue. Mary summed it up well when she stated: “I strived and worked hard to make it into the program, and I think that anyone can set the same goal. As long as you make your deadlines and do what you need to do, you can do it too.”

See the application here.

a cartoon notepad lays open with two arms laying on top of it, one holding a pen. There is also a cup of coffee present and a white smart phone with a dark blank screen. The notepad is blank.
Photo by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Another Honorable Mention for One of Our Professors: Iain Machell

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Two trees stand in middle of the frame and are wrapped with paper that features prints if their bark. The paper extends out of the frame, as if rolling off the tree.

Iain Machell is one of many professors at SUNY Ulster that teaches and influences students with his artistic creativity and experience. SUNY Ulster is proud to have him on board! Machell was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and is currently a Professor of Studio Arts and formerly held the position of department chair of art, design, music, theatre, fashion, and communication and is now Co-ordinator of the Fine Art program.

Artist Iain Machell stands in front of a pencil drawing of what appears to be a ball of hay or twigs. He is smiling and holding a pencil.

This artist has been mentioned many times in various publications throughout his career; such as the New York Times, Saugerties Artists Tour, Chronogram, and more. One of his books can even be seen in the Museum of Modern Art/ Franklin Furnace/ Artist Book Collection. Most recently Machell was included as one of twelve skilled artists in a well known artist’s blog Vasari 21. Check out the fourth name on their “What is Drawing?” series part five, to see the shout out to this professor featuring his 2015 piece entitled “PEEL”, shown above.

Inspirations and Style

Machell creates what he calls “landscape interventions”
described as sculptures made of found materials like wood or stone that are removed from the natural environment. These things are altered in some way, often with text or signage from an unlikely source, and then replaced in the landscape. He also draws and paints other nature inspired creations in his home studio which could be said to represent the human impact on nature and vise versa. One site describes him as a Brit living in New York State’s Hudson Valley, who has been engaged in observing the battle between the human condition and the natural world for many years.

  • Not Again – 2006
  • Root Ball 31 – 2014
  • Sketch 17 – 2015
  • Sorry Not Sorry – 2005
  • Terra Interruptus 2 – 2012
  • Terra Interruptus 62 – 2013

Iain Machell’s drawings, book projects, paintings and sculptures  have been shown in galleries and institutions throughout the United States and United Kingdom notably The Drawing Center, The Sculpture Center and the Center for Book Arts in New York City and a handmade book is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art/Franklin Furnace/Artist Book Collection.

To find out more about this busy man or pick his brain, visit his website: iainmachell.com, his professor bio, or his open letter to all members of the arts community and Muroff-Kotler Art Gallery supporters. If you want to see him in action, watch a video of A Classroom Moment with Iain Machell – SUNY Ulster.

Safe and Sound at SUNY Ulster

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A very light washed out background is shown with a rope hanging in the foreground. The rope has three locks hooked to it. Two are smaller square locks and one is larger heart shaped lock closer to the camera than the other smaller locks.
Ulster County and Public Safety logos on display with text that reads Working Together for a Better Community to the left is a ulster county sheriffs badge and to the right of the slogan is the ulster county school seal.

The Public Safety department is much more involved in your college experience than you may think, as they protect campus every minute of every day. We may only get the chance to hear from them when we get parking passes, I.D. cards, and RAVE alerts, but they work hard to keep SUNY Ulster a safe learning environment for everyone in our community. Taking swift action that keeps us comfortable on campus is their strong suit, and they’re well equipped to handle a wide variety of situations.

So Safe You Don’t Even Think About It

The Public Safety department ‘practically manages a small village’ on campus to keep our students and staff safe on a daily basis. Officers are here and constantly vigilant 24/7, regularly patrolling the grounds to ensure that the college is secure at all times. There are NY state sheriffs on campus daily that patrol the grounds and always stop by the Public Safety department where they have a satellite office. There’s even a seasonal bike patrol present to promote added surveillance and safety in the Summer and Spring.

A yellow box with the words "CALLBOX, 1. Press & Hold button to talk 2. Begin speaking after the beep 3. release button to listen, REC." with two black arrows pointing to a red button in the lower middle of the box.
Hasbrouck Hall call box located just outside Public Safety Office
A pole stands in front of a brick building with tree branches creeping into the corner of the shot. The pole holds a light on top, followed down the pole by a blue box labeled EMERGENCY CALL BOX, followed down the pole by a silver box with a small speaker and a button to talk. There is a bit of sidewalk and grass shown on the ground.
Outdoor call box located near Lot B, outside Hardenburgh building

There are abundant resources available to you if you need them, some you may not even know about! One safety feature that may seem like part of the furniture are the outdoor blue call boxes scattered all around campus with a light on top. There are also bright yellow call boxes indoors all throughout the campus. They are pretty important; they’re call boxes that connect the user directly to a peace officer. They are guaranteed to get your message as it not only goes to the office, but also the officer’s radio and cell phone. If you wanted an escort to your car on a dark night, just pick up one of these phones and hit the button. One of the officers is happy to meet you where you are on campus to make sure you and your car can get on your way safely.

Our Peace Officers Have Your Back

Ever forgotten to turn off your headlights? Don’t kick yourself too hard. If your car is parked on campus, just call Public Safety, they will come to your rescue with a battery starter. The security staff on campus are plentiful and well trained across the board of safety. Whether the situation is big or small.

Surveillance is always present to keep college community members and all their belongings in the building safe. New cameras were recently added to additional areas on campus such as in the cafeteria and in the parking lots. More cameras are set to be installed in the elevators and other spots very soon.

A cork board background is filled with patches that depict various badges. There are police badges, medical personnel badges, fire safety, terrorist training, military and public safety badges all hanging on the board. They are plentiful and colorful and not able to be read for the most part.
The various badges of police, fire, and medical personnel that have worked as a Public Safety officer at SUNY Ulster are proudly displayed on Chief Freer’s office wall.

They rely on us just as we rely on them; if someone sticks out as suspicious on campus or seems to be agitated, don’t hesitate to call public safety! Though you might feel uncomfortable by someone’s presence or behavior, this is exactly what our security staff are trained for. They want to make sure everyone stays safe and sound using their various medical, fire, and police force training. There is never any harm in getting an officer to talk to another person if they make you feel uncomfortable. Your name and information can always be kept anonymous, everyone deserves to feel safe in their home for learning.

Trained for Everything, Ready for Anything

Currently, we have twenty-three officers and all but two of them are known as peace officers. What this means is that they have more power and potential to keep things cool on campus. While they rarely use it, they have powers of arrest and to order mental evaluation. They are also trained, certified, and qualified to carry weapons as armed guards.

Almost all of these professionals have a long history in law enforcement work and safety training. Most officers also have experience in high school and college towns before they are hired to make sure they are the most apt for the job.

A round badge is shown with a ring labeled "NEW YORK STATE ULSTER COUNTY" with a star in the center. In the middle of the star is a the SUNY Ulster seal and a denotation of a peace officer.
Chief Freer’s Peace Officer badge, similar to the ones carried by all peace officers at SUNY Ulster

Chief Wayne Freer is our man in charge; he has had over thirty-five years of law enforcement experience. He is both the director of public safety and the chief of law enforcement. He has been with us at SUNY Ulster for seven years, fostering wonderfully low crime rates on campus. He and his staff have their eyes and ears peeled to all the crime and emergencies locally.


Always In The Background

I bet you didn’t know that the public safety team are involved in every campus event you’ve ever attended. These folks make sure that everything is up to code for public events and ensure that everything is accessible by wheelchair.

Also, behind every door lock and key is one of Chief Freer’s team.
These men and woman are responsible for making all keys and lock cylinders themselves. They use a press tool to cut keys
and make inner locks so that they are all perfect fits.

So next time you see one of our safety personnel in uniform, make sure to think about just how involved they are in your college experience. They’re here to help whether we realize it or not. If you see something suspicious or just have a question; give them a ring and set your mind at ease because no matter what the situation these folks are more than ready to handle it and answer all your questions.

A close up on a computer sceen that says the word Security

4 Tips to Power Through Textbook Reading

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Three walls of books are shown leading up to a bright invisible sky, the book shelves are slightly covered by clouds and books protruding from the sky. It gives the viewer a feeling of standing in a library nook and looking up to see the heavens.

For most students, getting through that weekly textbook reading can be a real challenge. Believe it or not, there are a few ways to make that nonfiction assignment easier. Learning the ways to power through reading that can feel daunting or impossible is a great skill, a skill that is bound to follow you through life wherever you may need it, for another degree or just a relaxed educational reading session. Here are some tips to boost your GPA through the roof with the power of effective studying.

A teal hard covered book is laying with the pages open on a table, as if someone was reading, pictured with two pages folded up and together toward the seam that looks like a heart. The backdrop is a bold yellow.

#1. Start Your Engines, Prepare to Learn

When sitting down with your book make sure you are ready to learn. You should have a writing tool and some note paper. No one that I’ve ever heard of was sorry that they took too many notes. You want to be ready to learn, but you also don’t want to dive in headfirst. Ease your way into submersion. Preview the topic and material you intend to research. Read the front cover, back cover, the preface, the inner flaps, boldfaced prints, pictures, and diagrams so you are aware of what you’re supposed to learn. You should gather a clear picture of what the text is about, if not, predict what you will be learning. Write your ideas down and see if your initial feeling is right later.

According to Live Your Legend this step is “akin to warming up before a big game.” You wouldn’t hit the field without a good warm up. Why then would you skip these equivalent steps for a research project? Being prepared when you start your research can help you perform better, just like a good stretch! Take the time to prep your brain and your grades will thank you.

#2. Use The Author’s Organization to Understand

Start off by separating the facts from opinion in the text as you read. Remembering that facts are only the stuff that you can prove, opinions just tend to float around and cannot be proven. Finding the facts is a good practice because that’ll likely be where the answers you seek are living.

Four cartoon looking textbooks are shown with various colors and objects on the cover. One shows a math equation, one an atom, one a microscope and the other a simple pattern. No words are visible anywhere.

Next, look at the way the author presents the material, it may be pretty informative. The order of events can vary as well as the style it’s put together in. In biographies and autobiographies, events are usually in chronological order. Other pieces may have an arrangement that is centered around the main idea (a.k.a. the topic you need to learn). If you can pick up on the organization and utilize it, you can predict what will come next. Pick up on the arrangement of info and where the important bits are, what the point is, and what to study for the big test!

#3. Stop, Drop, Summarize

After each section you read you should stop and put the book down for a minute to summarize the main point(s). This not only keeps you from falling asleep from reading the same book for a while, it also sticks that information you just read, but almost forgot, down in your mind.

A portion of a dark table top is pictured with sticky notes, flashcards, highlighters, markers, pencils and pens scattered across it. The office supplies are very brightly colored. There is also a roll of tape and a small compass in the picture.

Another sweet tip: if you create questions to summarize by and put your answers on the other side, it makes the most amazing study flashcards later on. The most bang for your study bucks, I like to say. I don’t know about you, but I like to remember what I read the first time and not have to search the whole book or chapter for answers down the road.

#4. Ask Questions & Analyze Your Work

Two cartoon heads look at each other, the space where their brains should be are filled with a white space. One head has a light bulb in the space and light bulbs rising from the head. The other head has a question mark in the space and more question marks rising up from his head. They could be having a fascinating conversation about reading a textbook.

Go big or go home, right? So finish strong by reaching for that notebook you have nearby and jotting down some thoughts. ASK QUESTIONS! Get those thinking muscles warmed up and actually ponder a little bit about what you just read. Check and see if those initial topic predictions we covered in Step 1 were right. One of my favorite things to do is to go discuss what I just learned with someone and have a good conversation about the subject. They can help provide some questions that might make you want to hop back into reading that book.

This is the ultimate adhesive to your brain for study material. The bread to your test’s butter. One of the more important steps, I assure you.

When you move on to the next section, read and repeat steps 3 & 4. You won’t get lost in timelines and jargon if you understand the chain of events, organization, and topic.

Good Luck!

If things between you and the textbook start to get hairy, take a breather. I’m not suggesting getting lost down the rabbit hole of social media. I am suggesting that you take less than five minutes to relax your mind and refresh your perspective. Get out of your chair, stretch your arms and legs, breath in and out deeply. If you’re not ready to jump back in, try taking a short walk or tidying up the house a bit by completing a chore. Your mood tends to improve with such activities and enables you to jump back into the ring with that textbook and win with a knockout.

Being a student and having to study informational material is not always the most fun thing you have to do, but skirting around the knowledge by only skimming texts will ultimately not benefit you. It might only waste your time, honestly. If you really learn the material, you can’t go wrong.

A cartoon looking man is shown wearing a graduation cap and gown. He points to a piece of paper that looks like a diploma with his left hand and points to a phone with the other. Around his is circle that has various objects surrounding the man. There is a pen, a tablet with a pencil, another phone with headphones and a small pile of books that will encompass a lot of reading. The background is bright teal and a portion of an atom is shown in one corner, a portion of a gear set is pictured in the opposite bottom left corner.

How Joining Clubs In College is Good For Your Career

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Several young people are gathered around a table and appear to be studying. they sit next to a window, no faces are visible.

Those clubs you see posters for all around campus could really help you boost your own success!

Get to Know Your Fellow Students

Meeting new people during your studies could lead to success-promoting network connections later on in life. Plus, everyone needs study buddies! Clubs are quite an effective way to make new friends, making the jump to college an easier one. A club meeting typically has a fun atmosphere where people are happy to chat about upcoming events or club motivations.

Three young women stand bowed over a table that has a dog sitting on top being held by the middle woman. The table is decorated and filled with veterinary information. Behind them is a hallway of windows with many people seated in front of them.
SUNY Ulster Vet Tech Club members represent their club at a college activities fair.

You could find out about a life changing experience to take part in by merely mentioning your interests to the right person or being vigilant about posters for meetings and events. Almost all colleges have a long list of special programs that you should explore. Clubs also tend to work with the community outside the college a little more than your classes will. Meet everyone you can, and make the most out of your college experience. The more people you know the merrier, especially for students intending to become successful entrepreneurs. The importance of networking is undeniable in most career fields. Joining clubs in college is a lot like getting a head-start on building those business connections.

Your Ticket to Less Stress

You won’t need that spa day this semester! Another reason that clubs will boost your overall success is that they can be a major stress reliever. While course work can cause you to feel pressure or tension, going to a club meeting after class is like a getaway, a place to talk to people in the same situation (and maybe even classes) as you. No pressure of academia to be found, just friends willing to get involved in projects based on something you both care about.

Gold for Your Resume

The more impressive material you have to present to someone you want to work for, the better. Volunteering and having extracurricular commitments are always a pleasant surprise for a potential employer. This may be one of the easiest opportunities you have to boost your resume.

Remember while you’re busy with all your class work that volunteering and campus involvement are great factors for a resume. Clubs are a prime opportunity to get involved in those activities. You’re unlikely to regret making new friends or becoming part of something greater than yourself. One of the most important things to do when attending college is to enjoy yourself and the experience along the way as much as you can. Do yourself a favor and join a club or start your own, and let me know, I might want to join!

a blue background with three resumes pictures, no type is visible

Support the SUNY Ulster Senators

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ten diverse SUNY Ulster male wrestling team members stand posed uniformly in their singlets with hands crossed in front of them

A bold red "U" outlined in blue and white with the word "senators" cutting through the middle of the large U: the icon for the SUNY Ulster athletic pageHere at SUNY Ulster, athletic life is both work and play. Just an added bonus being a student in Stone Ridge, all students are encouraged to apply themselves to one of our sports teams. Student athletes have more than doubled in the past three years and there are now eight teams one can join. These activities help students build collaborative and athletic skills that they can carry with them through the rest of their educational journey, and life.

Drum Roll Please…

We just recently released our new athletics page, pretty exciting stuff! Potential students are welcome to check out the new site and use it as a way to apply for the school. Current students are also able to easily find coaches; as a matter of fact, the site has a handy directory of all the athletic staff. So students can find any one of our sports centered staff who are always available to answer any questions you might have.

a back drop of bright green grass with arms and feet reaching in the middle to make a circle, as sports teams often do

The new site has all the good stuff: rosters, schedules, game reports and even videos of our hard-working student athletes in action. Game reports and rosters feature biographies of athletes individually so fans can find all the information available about a player right from the stands if they wanted to!

Don’t Forget To Follow Us Everywhere Else Too

If the all that up to date game info doesn’t quite scratch your sports itch; included in the site are links to our various sports social media profiles such as Facebook, Instagram, and more. Where even more player coverage can be found.