How to tackle BIG reading assignments in college

You know that feeling you get when you realize you have over 100 pages to read in a week for school? Instead of letting that feeling take over (i.e. making you avoid reading at all costs) do this instead:

Why you should go into airplane mode even when you're not on an airplane

I've always been a somewhat late adopter when it comes to technology.

For example, when I purchased my second smart phone ever last week it was already two versions ahead of my current phone. 

I've always been slow in this area because I never wanted to feel like I was a slave to my phone, to it's updates and bings and notifications and constant connectivity.

But alas, I can't fight it anymore. It's here, and here to stay, and the addiction has taken hold. When I hear a "bing" I just have to read it. I have to know what just happened!!! Was it a retweet?! A text?! A new LinkedIn connection?! I MUST KNOW NOW!!!!!

So yeah...I know, I know, "Welcome to the 21st Century, Isa." I've finally arrived, and while there are a ton of advantages to all this connectivity, there are still times where I need to just zone out and FOCUS.

As a professional writer and speaker this is especially vital. I almost never give the same speech twice, as every one is customized to the specific audience and event, so there are times where I have to focus deeply to get into the "zone" of creating something new. 

Same with writing of course. And for a while I found myself actually procrastinating this work - something I never used to do.

And I realized it was because it was just so hard to focus. I was avoiding the strain not of the work itself, but of the effort it took to focus despite all the distractions around me.

Recently I decided to try something that I think might help you too when it comes to studying. 

I turned my phone on airplane mode. Now, of course you can just turn it off too, but to the addict, that just feels wrong. ;) 

So now when I need to get important work done I turn my phone on airplane mode, and sometimes even turn the wifi off on my laptop.

The result? I've felt re-energized in my work and have created some of the best speeches I've ever done, if I do say so myself. ;)

So give it a try! 

(I also downloaded a bunch of classical music meant for studying on iTunes that I also use when I need to zone out the sounds around me too; just search 'classical music' and 'study' and you'll find a ton of results).

You may be surprised at how much you might accomplish, and what your brain can do when it's released from the constant "bing" for a little while.

Do you have to buy a computer for college? #AskIsa

Have a question you'd like to see me answer just for you in a video? Ask it in the comments, tweet it to @IsaAdney, or send me an e-mail at isa@isaadney.com! The student featured in this video is struggling with procrastination and isn't sure if he should buy a computer for college. 

Check out the answer below! :)

5 things to stop procrastination (while I wrap myself in plastic wrap??)

Procrastination is one of the most popular topics students ask me about, so I'm loading up content at the beginning of the semester for those of you who really want to get a handle on this and not let procrastination stop you from getting good grades and reaching your full potential in college. 

The worst mistake procrastinators make on their to-do lists

This is the time of year where the most popular topic is procrastination. Students e-mail me from all over the country desperate to overcome their procrastination.

And to be honest, I'm impressed. The fact that you want to stop procrastinating is kind of awesome. 

Today I want to share with you the worst mistake many people make (I've done this before too) when creating their to-do lists - a mistake that basically invites procrastination over to play video games with you and be your best friend (and not ever do any work).

Do you ever make this mistake? Test yourself with the following:

You're assigned an essay in a class. What is the first thing you do?
A) Put the due date in my calendar
B) Put "Write essay" on my to-do list
C) Think, "boo I hate essays" and then go check Instagram
D) Put "Create project to-do list and calendar reminders for essay" on my to-do list

Did you catch the mistake there? While obviously C is not so great, the real mistake is B. 

Writing a whole essay is overwhelming, even to straight-A students. I love reading and writing, but seeing "Write an essay" on my to-do list is enough to make me want to go play video games instead.

Looking at a big project will make even the best anti-procrastinators want to think of doing anything else but tackling that big ugly project. 

Instead, the first thing you should do when you're given an assignment is D, "Put 'Create project to-do list and calendar reminders for essay' on my to-do list." 

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the things you have to do to complete a big project. Instead, it's best to focus only on the very NEXT step you have to take, and do your best to forget about everything else.

That is why the first to-do item on your list should be to sit down and break that big project into smaller to-do items (as well as set SMS/mobile reminders on a calendar, like Google Calendar, to make sure you don't get behind).

Asana is what I use to create my to-do lists for work and I love it (you can use it on your phone and computer). You can literally create a project and then create the small items that need to be done under that project, each with their own due date.

So for example, instead of putting "write essay" on your to-do list, you'd make that essay a new "Project" in Asana, and then start creating to-do items, ideally tasks that would take less than an hour or so to complete. For example, tasks for an essay could look like this: 

- Brainstorm at least 4 possible thesis ideas
- Choose final essay topic
- Create a rough draft outline of essay
- Choose 5 sources for essay
- Create MLA bibliography for 5 sources
- Read source 1 and write out quotes for essay
- Read source 2 and write out quotes for essay
- Read source 3 and write out quotes for essay
- Read source 4 and write out quotes for essay
- Read source 5 and write out quotes for essay 
- Copy/paste quotes into the outline
- Edit final outline
- Write page 1 of rough draft 
- Write page 2 of rough draft
- Write page 3 of rough draft
- Write page 4 or rough draft
- Write page 5 of rough draft
- Bring rough draft to writing center for edits 
- Edit pgs 1-3 of rough draft
- Edit pgs 4-5 of rough draft
- Do full final edit 
- Turn in essay  

Now, that may seem like a lot, but the key here is that you would put all these items under a project, and then create another project like "Today's Tasks" and then just put only the next to-do item in that list, so all you can see is what you need to do that day. 

The more time you put into breaking a big project into smaller items, the easier it is to accomplish. When you sit down to "study" you then have a plan, instead of just starting at an essay and wondering where to begin, dreading the whole thing.

Let me know how this goes for you and please share in the comments any other things you have done that have helped you overcome procrastinator habits. 

You can do this! :) 

How to stop procrastination BEFORE it starts

Do you procrastinate on fixing your procrastination?

Probably. 

The WORST mistake you can make in college is not developing a plan to stop your procrastination before the semester starts. 

One of my most popular posts ever features 10 ways to stop procrastination, and I wanted to add another way you can stop it - BEFORE the semester starts.

(If you're reading this after a semester has started it's okay, this can still help.) 

Not only will this help you not procrastinate, but it can also help you improve your grades IMMENSELY. 

I've developed this really simple time management chart for you that you can download and do in a few minutes RIGHT now (see links below). 

I know you want to procrastinate this right? You're already opening a new window and thinking "well, Isa, that sounds good and all, but I'll do it tomorrow, right now I need to catch up on my Twitter feed"). 

Hold it right there. You can do this right now. I believe in you!! Tell that procrastinator in your brain to be quiet and keep scrolling.

I can't take all the credit for this idea as I got the inspiration for it in a book I was reading this morning about teaching a college course. I added my own spin to it and I hope it helps. 

Doing this chart will help you plan to have plenty of time to do homework, readings, and study for each course AND enough time to get ahead and put in the time and effort required to get an A in any class.

I spent at least two hours in the library for every course each week and it enabled me to get straight-A's throughout college without stress or procrastination. I also almost never did homework on the weekends, which may not work for everyone, but I loved devoting Monday-Friday to school and then the weekends to pure fun. 

If you put the time and effort into building your schedule the way you want it (and make the necessary sacrifices to make your classes and the work required of them a priority, even over work) you can get the grades you know you're capable of and actually enjoy the learning process. 

You may feel like you need the last-minute pressure to do your work, but once you experience the thrill of doing something EARLY you may just find that can motivate you even more.

Click on one of the links below to download the chart to help you build your schedule and find the time you need to reach your full potential in college. I've made the documents available on Dropbox for you and the links are below.

To fill it in on your computer download the .doc here on Dropbox.

To print it out and fill it out with pen/pencil download the .pdf here on Dropbox.

It looks like this:

 I challenge you to do this right now. Go. Come on. You can conquer procrastination once and for all. 

Your GPA will thank you. 

How to Get Good Grades in College

How good does getting good grades feel?

You'll have to see the episode below to find out. ;)

But seriously, it feels great. And if you haven't experienced the elation of getting straight-A's, this video will show you how it can be possible. 

(spoiler alert: I dress up like a pageant queen and a wrestler; I'm waiting for my oscar nomination in the mail any day now.)

College To-Do List Week 19: Organization 101

Being organized is one of the keys to college success, and it's crazy simple. The hardest part is just getting started.

Below is the first step, which, if you're reading this blog, you've probably already got covered - but be sure to watch just in case, and pass along to your friends! :)

What to do when you're overwhelmed in college

Ever have that moment when you're like, "oh my gosh how am I going to get all of this done in time?" Then this is for you.

For more videos of advice subscribe to my channel at YouTube.com/isaadney! 

Ask Isa: 3 study strategies that helped me get 100's on exams

From the Ask Isa inbox:

Dear Isa,

This semester has started and my classes are pretty hard already. I looked at my syllabus for each class and I notice there are a lot of days where I have two or three tests from each class on the same day. 

How do you manage to study WISELY for tests that are packed on the same day? What type of study habit do I need to go through? I've never been in a situation like this.

Sincerely,

Too Many Tests

Dear Too Many Tests,

This is a great question to ask - as exams can often fall in the same day, especially at the end of the semester. 

Below are the three things I did to manage many tests. 

I became a master test taker - me, who did NOT get a good SAT score. But I often got 100's on my tests using the methods below. I really hope they help you as much as they helped me - because one of the best feelings in the world is approaching test day with confidence. 

1) Study every day
There wasn't a day in college that I didn't study. And no, I didn't spend hours and hours in the library. And yes I did have a social life. When I say "study" I don't mean staring at your textbook for hours. That doesn't work. 

Instead, I developed a habit of getting to every class at least 10 minutes early. During that time I would review the notes I'd taken so far in that class, as well as scan the reading.  

During these short reviews if there was something that wasn't easy for me to grasp I'd make a note of it and schedule time during my professor's office hours to ask about the concept.

That kind of studying never took more than one hour each day, and it made studying for the exams the week  before test week almost feel too easy.

2) Meet with a study group
Study groups aren't for everyone, but they were huge for me. The biggest mistake students make with study groups is thinking they will get major "studying" done during that time. 

The best study groups are the ones where you've already done all your studying before meeting with others. I would meet with a study group usually the day before a test. I'd often create flash cards or make up some sort of game we could play.

Then we would test each other and essentially "talk out" the test concepts. I loved it because it gave me an opportunity to reiterate what I knew and boost my confidence. As a social learner it also helped me to talk it out (but again, that depends on your learning style, this is just mine). 

Often others in my study group hadn't studied a lot before the meeting, which gave me the chance to be "teacher" which really helped. One of the best ways to embed the information is to teach it to someone else. 

3) Relax the day of the tests
Cramming for a test does not really work. If you've spread out your studying over the semester you should be set up for a relatively relaxing test day.

Intensify your studying the week before the test and schedule time in the library every day to study. And again, don't just stare at the book. Create practice tests for yourself, use Quizlet.com when relevant, and build activities for yourself to test your knowledge so you can check what you know and what you still need to work on. 

Study early enough so that you have time to talk with your professor and/or go to the tutoring center for any concepts you're struggling with. 

It's vital to do all this BEFORE the day of the tests. 

On the day of it's best to let your brain relax so you're not stressed; you've done all the work and test day is just the time to reap the benefits.

Get at least eight hours of sleep. Eat a big, healthy breakfast. Take a walk or do some stretching. Listen to your favorite music as you drive or walk to the class. Arrive a few minutes early. And don't take out your notes that day.

Just sit in class and breathe as you wait for the exam to be passed out. You'll see everyone else frantically scanning their notes, and you'll be able to sit peacefully, knowing you're ready.

It's one of the best feelings in school. 

Good luck!! You can be a test master.

Video: Tips to avoid writer's block

It's mid-semester and chances are that means you have some essays due. Check out the video below from the Pearson Students blog for some tips to overcome writer's block and make your essay process yield less stress and better grades.

Video: What does it take to be a successful student?

The lastest episode of The SKiNNY on College Success is here! In this episode you'll learn how to discover your learning style, what value personality tests can have in college, and learn what your peers have to say about what it takes to be a successful student today: 

Now is the time to prep for your exams. Yes. Really.

An exam blog post in January? Am I crazy? Maybe a little, but crazy works really well in college.

Most students don't think about exams until the last few weeks of the semester. This is a bad idea. 

The best students start thinking about exams in the beginning of the semester. These students get plenty of sleep towards the end of the semester, never pull all-nighters, never have to say no to hanging out with their friends because they have to study, and get A's on their tests.

This can be you.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for exams now so that, come the end of the semester, you'll get amazing grades and maintain your sanity: 

1) Go to class
I know this seems obvious, but I'm constantly amazed how many students skip class. Never, ever skip class unless you are incredibly ill. Getting one day behind will set you back immensely when it comes to being on top of the material for your future exams. 

2) Takes notes with exam questions in mind
During class, pay attention to the points in the lecture where the professor seems particularly passionate or dwells longer than usual. Take notes during class in a way that makes it easy to look back on throughout the semester, especially come exam time. I'm a fan of the Cornell Notes method. 

3) Review your notes every other day
Get to each class at least five minutes early, and use that time to quickly read the notes you wrote for that class during the last session. 

4) Visit the professor
Have you visited your professors during their office hours yet? Now is the time to go! Ask for help as soon as you find you're not grasping a concept 100%, or if you feel like you're doing great, ask for clarification on a project to ensure you're heading in the right direction. 

5) Talk about the class with friends
Discuss homework or other projects with your classmates. This is a great way to make new friends, as well as delve the subject deeper into your brain. 

It's never too early to start preparing for your exams. When you spread out the work over the entire semester, you'll find yourself at the end of it calmly walking through the halls towards your exams, wondering why everyone else seems so harried. 

Vlog: College Tips for Your Freshman Year

Below is a video with four tips to start your freshman year on the right foot. If you're not a freshman, you might still want to check out the tips to ensure you did them when you were a freshman. If you haven't - you still can :)

How to make your learning more fun

I'll never forget the moment when my 5th grade teacher took out an oatmeal cream pie (the crinkling sound of it coming out of its wrapper making my mouth water) and crushed it up, stirring it into a big container of water.

He then went on to give us a science lesson about the digestive system.

I've never forgotten that moment, because it was fun and relevant.

In elementary school it is accepted that learning should be fun, to keep the kids engaged. I'm currently learning Spanish right now, and I frequently watch Blues Clues in Spanish to help me learn. And you know what, it is pretty fun. 

I'm sure Blue couldn't do much when it comes to teaching calculus, but then again, what if? Fun and learning can and should always be connected. 

I always looked forward to the classes that were fun. They were the classes where I also learned the most. 

Field trips to Publix to learn about how a deli works, interactive coffee houses where we read poetry, acting out a period of 13th century history using silly costumes...these are the moments I treasure. And they are what kept me waking up every day for school - excited. 

Sadly, those moments waned with every year, with the exception of a few exceptional teachers. Our society assumes we grow out of a need for childlike fun and wonder. That it's time to grow up and stare at books. I don't believe this. Who said coloring stops being relevant? (Bring out a pack of markers for a college assignment and watch what happens in a classroom). 

Learning should never stop being fun. But you can't always rely on other people to make it fun for you - that is a part of growing up.  

Below are some ways you can bring the fun to your learning every day:

• Start study groups and develop fun games to practice the content together. Illustrate concepts with markers. Develop a trivia game with points and prizes. Make people laugh. 
• Have contests between your friends when it comes to getting the best test grades (e.g. person with highest grade gets to pick where you all go to dinner afterwards) 
• Volunteer with or spend time with elementary school kids you know. Watch how they play and learn. Chase your dreams like they chase bubbles.
• When you're reading your textbook or listening to a lecture, always be thinking about how you can connect what you're learning with what you already know about the world. Make it relevant for yourself.
• Listen to music you love while studying, and take short dance breaks.
• Organize your own field trip with a few classmates to a place that will help bring your course content alive. 
• Look into study abroad or other field study courses.
• When you give a class presentation, don't just do the bare minimum and read from slides. Make it fun for your audience. Bring relevant humor, props, videos, and your personality to the table. Entertain while you educate. Invite your audience to have fun with the content. 
• Pick classes that really fascinate you. Never just pick a class because it's convenient to your schedule. Engage with learning that excites you and encourages you to want to wake up every morning. 

When learning is fun, you actually learn. You retain it, treasure it - and you never look at oatmeal cream pies the same again. 

Revving up for finals

It's exam time! (did you just groan? It's okay...we've all been there). But exam time means it's time to shine in your classes for one last time before you go on break. 

Exams typically cause the universal student-groan because they takes work. Often a lot of work; but doing exams right means the difference between stressful work that leads to mediocre grades and an invigorating, albeit challenging, workload that leaves you feeling satisfied after an exam-well-done.

So below are three tips to ensure your exam time is a satisfying acceleration and not a crash and burn.

Study Tipping Tuesday - Exam Edition 

1. Study by yourself first - then engage in a study group a few days before the exam to review and test what you know.

Getting ready for a test is like getting ready for any performance. Musicians have to practice by themselves - then they get together to rehearse as a band (I admit, all I know about being in a band comes from what I learned from Jesse and the Rippers on Full House, but, I consider them an authentic source). 

I danced in high school and a little bit in college and it worked the same way. If I didn’t work on the choreography by myself, I was constantly distracted by what others knew, copying their movements, and not really knowing if the movements were ingrained into my brain/body. 

Then when I came back to dance with the team, I could see where I still needed to work, and where I was good to go. 

Groups are for review – they should test what you already know. So study on your own and use that study group time as a stress-free session with friends to go over the test material.

2. Create your own practice tests.

Okay I know, why would you create another test to take? I promise you - this is the single best thing you can do to ensure satisfying exam grades and a focused and engaged study-time.

Creating your own practice tests helps you engage with the material, anticipate what's going to be on the test, and gives you an opportunity to test yourself and see what you still need to focus on. 

There are tons of ways to approach this.

You can start with learning any terms you have to know for the test. Quizlet is a great tool for that – and it has an app you can use on your phone.

I also suggest making some practice multiple choice and short answer questions – they can help you flesh out what a real test might look like. Here are some more tips for creating a practice test.  

3. Study a little bit every day, never more than 50 minutes at a time, taking 10-minute breaks every hour.

The worst mistake students make when it comes to exams is all-nighters. Start studying for exams now. It will help you maintain your grades and your sanity.  

If you're relying on caffeine to get you through exam time then you aren't doing it right. It should definitely be a challenge, but it shouldn't break you down or cause you immense stress.  

Because never forget – you control what you know, how you prepare, and how you will do – you just have to take the steps to make sure that you stay in control, and get started early. Don't let the exams control you. 

And most importantly – on behalf of everyone who misses summer vacation – finish the year on a high-note so that you can enjoy that feeling when you turn in your last exam with the unique confidence and satisfaction that comes from knowing you got a good grade -- and knowing that you earned it.   

Good luck!

Take my early morning challenge

It's Study Tipping Tuesday, and today I've got a study challenge for you.

Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to take your alarm clock, phone alarm, trained pet rooster, bugle player, or whatever else wakes you up...

...and tell it to wake you up at 5:45 AM. 

Crickets. 

You still here? Awesome. Now let's get down to the why. 

Here is why I know this challenge can help you: 

Staying up ridiculously late, having to pull all-nighters, and not experiencing the hours in which the drive-thru still serves breakfast are all propagated as stereotypes of college students.

And while I think its important to have a social life at night (it is part of the college experience) and I understand that work is going to go late at times, extreme late night desperate studying is just not as productive or healthy.   

I never studied later than eight o’clock when I was in college. Even on nights when I had to work. 

Why? Because late at night homework had a lot of competition - sleepiness, social media, fav TV shows, late-night delirium, and friends asking me to hang out. 

You know when you are never going to have to turn down a friend to hang out because you have to study? At 5:45 AM.

You aren’t losing sleep – you are losing distractions.

I think you will be surprised at how energized you will find yourself when you begin to utilize those early morning hours.

And (although your body and mind will have the function of a zombie at first) you can learn to adjust to the early morning routine; you just have to force yourself to make that first step and get your body used to it.


People ask me how I was able to write a book while having a full-time job, speaking, and getting a Master's degree. And I have the same answer every time - I woke up at 5:30 AM almost every morning this past year. Waking up early literally made my dreams possible, and it can make yours possible too. 

There are small steps to take as well:


Eat breakfast. Understand that an early morning might require more sleep at night or a built in nap during the day. Exercise to get your brain moving. 

Don’t just wake up and vegitate for three hours. I’m challenging you to get moving earlier – get up, start your morning routine, and use the extra hours in a valuable way.

Use those morning hours to get your work done – review your notes, work on your homework, write that paper that has been waiting for you. 

Even if your first class is at 8:30 AM, you are giving yourself a few extra hours to get your work done – hours that don’t have to be squeezed in on afternoons when your boss is calling you to come into work or your friends are calling you to hang out. 

And it is amazing how much more ready for the day I am when I wake up that early - it provides the chance to focus on what is really important to you that day. 

When you give yourself a few hours to focus and work in the morning before class, you'll show up to class more engaged and focused, already feeling accomplished, rather than thinking about how much you'd like to go back to sleep. 

So I want you to give it a try. I double-dog dare you ;)


Wake up at 5:45 AM – get some work done, eat some breakfast, exercise, and be ready for your first class.

(And remember, you can always work in a power-nap later in the day if you need to.)

How to Ace Your Presentations Pt. 4 (the scary part)

Study Tipping Tuesday


How to Ace Your Presentations Pt.4 (the scary part)

So now you've outlined your presentation, made it entertaining, and created the right "background" music. It's time to actually give the presentation.

Why is public speaking so scary? I think it's because we are so vulnerable. We are putting ourselves out there and it feels awkward having everyone looking at you, judging you.

But the truth is? People really enjoy hearing other people speak when they do it genuinely. And even when they mess up, people don't really look down on them. Think about it...have you ever watched someone give a presentation and thought less of them afterwards? Probably not. And if you did, you probably forgot about it instantly and went back to thinking about yourself. It's what we do. 

So the good news is, there really isn't as much to be afraid of as you think. Although, I know that doesn't help much. Because those nerves will still come. 

How do I know? Because I still get slightly nervous every time I speak, and I'm one of the rare ones who actually enjoys public speaking and have had quite a bit of experience. The trick is to tell yourself that nerves are exciting - that before the biggest adrenaline rushes there are always a bit of nerves.

Remember your first roller coaster? 

So #1: Embrace your nerves and let them be a reminder that you are about to do something daring. You are about to accomplish something important. 

#2: Practice your speech using notecards with just a few words on them. Ever heard someone read a speech? It is so boring. It is much more interesting to hear someone speak using their natural cadence and a conversational style. I do not recommend trying to memorize or read speeches word for word. Instead, transfer your outline to a few notecards with just a few words each, and talk out your presentation to a wall while you time yourself. 

#3: Make eye contact with people as you speak. Do not just scan the room, but hold eye contact with an individual for a few seconds, and then move on to another person. I cannot remember who said this - but I read a long time ago that a speech should always feel like a private conversation that others are listening in on. 

#4: Don't be afraid to mess up and say so. It's way more awkward if you just stand their silently or tell people how nervous you are. That makes the audience nervous and uncomfortable. If you mess up, just say something like "oh I'm sorry I lost my place, just give me a second"). If you're good at it, feel free to make a joke about it. I've seen people make mistakes all the time. If you're genuine about it and move on, you and everyone else will forget about it instantly. 

#5: Use stories to illustrate your point. Why do we love movies and television so much? Stories. We remember stories so much more than facts and information. So whenever you can, share relevant stories to illustrate your presentation points. 

#6: Be yourself. If you are funny, be funny. If you're not, no need to try to be (e.g. you will never catch me trying to be funny...it would be a disaster). Are you shy? No need to try to be outgoing. Are you nerdy and proud of it? Don't be afraid to show it. People love speakers who show their true colors and reveal something about themselves that is humble and honest and shows a high level of self-awareness. Being your true self will endear people to you immediately. People are most judgmental of those who appear to be putting on a show. They tend to like those who are honest about who they are and are willing to be vulnerable. Don't be afraid to share a bit of who you are when it is relevant to your presentation. You'll be surprised at how much people will relate with and appreciate you. 

Good luck on your next presentation! I know you'll be amazing. 

How to Ace Your Presentations Pt.3 (you are the star)

Study Tipping Tuesday
How to Ace Your Presentations Pt.3 (you are the star)

If you missed it – check out Part 1 and Part 2 of How to Ace Your Presentations.

Okay so now you’re ready to start creating your presentation. Have you ever been bored watching a presentation? Good - then you already know what not to do ;) But in case you need a refresher:

• Don’t put too many words on a slide and read straight from them (snooze)
• Don’t put cheesy clip art all over the place
• Don’t go crazy with slide graphics

And the most important…

• Don’t use media as a crutch – the PowerPoint or whatever you use (ever heard of Prezi? Check it out as another cool option that is sure to impress) should be a mere background, like background music in a movie. It sets the tone and gives the audience another mode of embedding the information. A kissing scene in a chick flick without the music? Could be awkward. But add the music and you have chick-flick movie magic. However, the music alone would not bring people to the theater. The stars do.

And you should be the star of your presentation.

Keep this in mind when creating your PowerPoint and you will do great. Let it serve as a background and a visual aid – but not the entire thing. Keep it simple and use visuals whenever possible. I usually prefer 1-2 pictures per slide and a word or two or maybe one short quote. Again, remember, the PowerPoint isn’t giving the presentation – you are.

Now of course every class may be different. Always ask your professor first for his or her PowerPoint presentation guidelines/preferences. These are just rules of thumb that always worked great for me.

So there’s not much to creating the presentation, then, right? In some sense, yes. It should be very simple. A few words, a few pictures, and lots of practice so that you get the delivery right (we’ll talk more about that next week).

But there’s more. In addition to thinking about visuals and other “background music” to set the tone for your presentation, consider going above and beyond and doing something relevant and creative (kind of like what we talked about last week with The Big Bang Theory YouTube videos).

For example, have you ever tried making a movie on Xtranormal.com? I just made my first one for a presentation I’m giving in grad school next week. It’s an educational technology course and our final project is revising a workshop by integrating new technology. 

So I reworked the goal-setting workshop I give to students at colleges around the country, and decided to introduce the workshop with an Xtranormal movie, which you can watch here if you like! (note: I find with Xtranormal it can be best to exaggerate as I think that makes it more entertaining since the characters are so static/robotic. So my movie is hyperbolic on purpose in order to add some humor).

Making this was incredibly fun, and my professor was so excited when she found out I was actually making one and was going to show it in class when I give the presentation on my project. Professors love to see that you are doing something different (and relevant), because it shows that you really care and are the kind of student who goes the extra mile. 

Xtranormal is just one of many options I know you can think of when adding to your presentation “background music.” Share your ideas with our Facebook community. And if you ever make an Xtranormal movie (it’s sooo easy and free) – please also share it on our Facebook. I’d love to see! :)

Stay tuned next Tuesday to learn how to overcome your fears to get up in front of an audience to give your amazing presentation.

Also - while the official media launch date isn't until March 15 - you can order my book on Amazon.com now!! You can get the Kindle version here, or get it on Barnes & Noble.com. Once you read it if you can write a review on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com I would appreciate it more than you know. Thank you guys for being with me through all of this!!!