Author Archives: Elmeret

Where You Sit In Class Matters

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Location, location, location!

 

remax

This phrase often used in real estate can also apply to the classroom, where seating often impact students’ academic performance.
According to numerous studies, students sitting in the front rows during lectures tend to achieve higher average test and exam scores and are often the academic achievers. There are at least three good reasons why “to buy real estate” in the front row of the classroom is a wise choice:
1. You will be much more engaged with the lecturer, take better notes, receive more tips by watching his/her body language and voice prompts, and you will also participate more. Eye contact will be better, as well as hearing and vision. You will also be less nervous to ask questions, as there will be no one to turn around and stare at you when you do so.
2. There will be less distractions, such as looking around, daydreaming, playing on your smartphone or snoozing in. This is specifically important if you find it hard to concentrate or focus continuously due to attention-deficit disorders such as ADD and ADHD.
3. And lastly, it will increase the likehood that your lecturer will take note of you and gradually get to know you better. There is nothing to beat the “up close and personal” touch when it comes to large classes. In time the lecturer will probably think of you as an eager and genuinely interested student, and that will form a positive image of you in his/her mind .Next time the lecturer marks your paper, this picture of you can only be to your advantage, don’t you agree………

So, isn’t it time that you sell your old place and buy some new property in the classroom? It may just turn out to be your wisest move in the game of academic excellence!

Written by Melléta Louw
(Information extracted from hbucollegian.com and Altoona.psu.sdu.com)

What do ‘creativity’, ‘memory’ and ‘ideas’ have in common?

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Einstein

They all form part of intellectual health and wellness. Being intellectually healthy does not imply that you have to become the next Einstein; however, it does mean finding ways to grow your creativity, to improve your memory, and to share ideas with others. Intellectual health and wellness involves the ability to think clearly and realistically, to have more positive thoughts than negative thinking, to be able to pay attention when needed, to have good short and long term memory, and to value learning during your entire lifetime. To be intellectually healthy, you need to be involved in activities that increase your knowledge, moral reasoning and mental alertness. It is important to your intellectual health to be open to new ideas and search for new challenges.

Wondering if you are Intellectually Healthy? You are intellectually healthy if you:

• Are able to think critically, are open to new ideas and are willing to take on a challenging project.

• Have a sense of humor and a sense of where you belong in the world. • Are creative and curious and never stop learning.

• Are able to take what you’ve learned in theory or in the classroom, with what you’ve experienced in your life, in order to lead a more fulfilling life.

• Stay current with events around you and are interested in what is going on in the world.

• Trust your ability to make good decisions.

• Challenge yourself to see more than just one side of a matter.

• Are creative and resourceful.

• Don’t believe everything you read or see on TV, but think critically about it instead.

10 Tips for Improving Your Mental Health and Wellness

1. Read for pleasure.

2. Attend a seminar just for fun; find a seminar on a topic that sounds interesting to you.

3. Debate an issue with a friend, but choose the viewpoint opposite the one you hold.

4. Improve your studying and learning skills. Student Counseling offer some great workshops on these topics. Visit their office on your campus and enquire about upcoming workshops.

5. Learn a foreign language. We do live in a multi-cultural country, you might be surprised how much you enjoy it, and it adds value to your CV!

6. Play board games or cards. It is great fun with a couple of friends and often very entertaining.

7. Play a musical instrument, or go for lessons. You might find that you have a natural undiscovered talent!

8. Write down your thoughts or journal frequently. This is also very therapeutic, and often helps you to make sense of your own emotions and perceptions.

9. Stretch your brain with some crossword or Sudoku puzzles.

10. Eat healthy. The brain requires nutrients just like your heart, lungs and muscles do. Make sure your diet includes some ‘brain food’ that support brain function, for instance: Essential fatty acids like Omega-3, Antioxidants, B-Vitamins, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E.

So here’s to Intellectual Health and Wellness! May these tips help you find ways to grow your creativity, to improve your memory, and inspire you to share ideas with others.

 

This article was adapted from Health and Wellness for families’ webpage, http://www.healthandwellnessforfamilies.com/health-wellness/intellectual-health/ and additional information was retrieved from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower

Are you a “Couch Potato”?

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untitled

How many of the following excuses have you used lately?

“I don’t have enough time to exercise.”

“Exercise is too difficult and painful.”

“I’m too tired to exercise.”

“My health isn’t good enough.”

“I’m not athletic.”

“Exercise is boring.”

Did you know that physical health is connected to mental and emotional health?
Taking care of your body is a great first step towards mental and emotional health. Your body and mind are linked, therefore when you improve your physical health, you’ll inevitably experience better mental and emotional well-being. Exercise does not only strengthen our heart and lungs, but also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals that energize us and lift our mood.  The activities you engage in and the daily choices you make affect the way you feel physically and emotionally. For example:
Get enough rest. To have good mental and emotional health, it’s important to take care of your body. That includes getting enough sleep. Most people need seven to eight hours of sleep each night in order to function optimally.
Learn about good nutrition and practice it. The subject of nutrition is complicated and not always easy to put into practice. But the more you learn about what you eat and how it affects your energy and mood, the better you can feel.
Exercise to relieve stress and lift your mood. Exercise is a powerful remedy to stress, anxiety, and depression. Look for small ways to add activity to your day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going on a short walk. To get the most mental health benefits, aim for 30 minutes or more of exercise per day. So let’s see how we can combat those silly excuses…
 “I don’t have enough time to exercise.”
Even short low-impact intervals of exercise can act as a powerful tool to supercharge your health. Even a brisk 15-minute walk will do wonders (especially during exam times when those stress levels are rising).
 “Exercise is too difficult and painful.”
Consider “no pain, no gain” the old fashioned way of thinking about exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to hurt to be incredibly effective. You don’t have to push yourself to the limit to get results. You can build your strength and fitness by doing something at your own pace, like walking, swimming, even cleaning your room.
 “I’m too tired to exercise.”
Regular exercise is a powerful pick-me-up that can significantly reduce fatigue and make you feel much more energetic. If you’re feeling tired, try dancing to your favourite music or grab a couple of friends and go kick a soccer ball around for a bit.  You’ll be amazed how much better you feel afterwards.
“My health isn’t good enough.”
It’s never too late to start building your strength and physical fitness, even if you’ve never exercised or are a self-confessed “couch potato”. And exercise is a proven treatment for many diseases, from diabetes to depression.
 “I’m not athletic.”
Don’t worry if you’re not sporty or ultra-coordinated. Instead, find an activity that makes you feel good to be in your body.  There are plenty of “hobbies” that can get your blood pumping a bit faster, e.g. karate, dancing or hiking.
 “Exercise is boring.”
Sure, pounding on a treadmill for an hour may not be everyone’s idea of a good time. But not all exercise has to be boring; just about everyone can find a physical activity they enjoy. Try playing activity-based games. For example skateboarding, soccer, or tennis, can burn at least as many calories as walking on a treadmill; some substantially more. Once you build up your confidence, try getting away from the TV screen and playing the real thing outside.
Additionally…
Get a healthy dose of sunlight every day. Sunlight lifts your mood, so try to get at least 10 to 15 minutes of sun per day. This can be done while exercising, washing your car, or socializing.
Limit alcohol and avoid cigarettes and other drugs. These are stimulants that may unnaturally make you feel good in the short term, but have long-term negative concerns for your mood and emotional health.

So next time when you are concidering to opt for the couch… try to remember how a little bit of sunshine, good food and any form of activity that increase your blood-flow, can invigorate you and help improve your physical and emotional well-being.

Resources
Exercise: A program you can live with. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/special_health_reports/exercise
Guide to Physical Activity. Examples and ideas of physical activity that you might not have considered exercise. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/phy_act.htm
Exercise – How to get started, an overview of exercise basics including stretches. Retrieved from http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/exercise-fitness/exercise-basics/exercise-how-to-get-started.printerview.all.html
Tips to help you get active. A step-by-step guide to getting active, breaking down how to overcome barriers and practical tips on getting started. Retrieved from http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/tips.htm

Want a ‘peace’ of me?

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Do you have trouble saying no, even when you really should?

Do you feel like people walk all over you?

Do you have trouble keeping your temper under control?

THEN THIS IS THE WORKSHOP FOR YOU!

Passive Aggressive Hippie

ASSERTIVENESS WORKSHOP

DATE:               TUESDAY, 11 MARCH

TIME:                14:00—15:30

VENUE:          RESOURCES VENUE, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR,   ROOM 2.503.