Drink to your Health By Myriah Strivelli

Photo by Alexandar Witt

               Did you know that chronic dehydration affects your brain and your school performance? Dehydration is a common condition that can be easily reversed. Unfortunately, most people do not even realize that they have this issue.

               Research shows that up to 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated (“Chronic Dehydration”). The human body is composed of approximately 75% water (Grazia). Water serves many functions including clearing out toxins, nourishing cells, and aiding in proper digestion. Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, lethargy, joint pain, weight gain, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and depression (“Chronic Dehydration”). It can also inhibit your concentration and ability to process information. A good rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds then you should drink 75 ounces of water per day (Elkaim).

               A good way to avoid dehydration is to keep your caffeine intake to a minimum. Caffeine can be found in coffee, black tea, chocolate, and soft drinks. It has a diuretic effect on the body, meaning that it tends to draw the liquids out, which can further exacerbate the dehydration problem (Grazia). If you limit the amount of caffeine in your diet, you will become more relaxed and at ease. It is common for too much caffeine to cause jitteriness, which will certainly affect the way you perform in school.

               Once you start drinking more water, you will feel healthier and see many other improvements. It will help clear your skin. It will also help you lose weight if you are overweight. If you don’t like the taste of water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime.

                How would you like your next glass of water - straight up or on the rocks? Grab a glass of water and drink to your health!

* Consult your physician before making changes to your diet, exercise, supplementation, or medication program.

Works Cited

"Chronic Dehydration More Common Than You Think." CBS Miami. CBS Local Media,  2 July 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.         

Elkaim, Yuri. "The Truth About How Much Water You Should Really Drink." US News Health and Wellness. U.S. News & World Report, 13 Sept. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.   

Grazia, Albert. "Dangers of Chronic Dehydration." Nutrition, Herbs, and Natural Healing for Health 

and Wellness. Albert Grazia, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

It’s MIDTERM time: How to Prepare for a Test by Melanie Lewis, HCC Learning Support Testing Technician

 

Melanie Lewis prepares a student for her test at HCC's Learning Support Services Testing Area.

 

Think about this…..When you sit down to eat a meal, do you eat all of your food in one bite, or do you enjoy your meal and taste all of the flavors? 

If you eat your food in one bite, you may get choked. 

It works the same way with testing……If you study only on the night before the test, most likely you are going to choke on the test. 

How to study and make sure your studying is a success:

1.     Continually review class materials. The more you actively read over them, the more you will understand them. 

2.   Visit the Learning Support Services drop-in lab for assistance.

3.   Form a Study Group; there is power in numbers.

4.   Keep a positive attitude while you are prepping for your test. (Good thoughts make life better.)

5.     Take a break during your study time and walk around the block. Haywood Community College has the most beautiful campus around; enjoy it.

6.     Make sure you get a good night’s rest before the test.

7.     Eat a light, but filling meal so your body is full and energized. (Think of it this way, you cannot drive your car when it’s out of gas.)

What to do for TEST DAY:

1.     Make sure you use the restroom before entering the Learning Support Services Testing Center. (This will help with the thinking process.)

2.     Hard Candy or Gum may help to keep you calm. (Be Courteous and don’t chomp on the gum.)

3.     Bring your student or photo ID to the testing center.

4.     Sign-in and lock up your cell phone in the locker that is provided for you in the testing center.

5.     Take a deep breath. Oxygen is good for the brain.

6.     Enter the testing room quietly and place your personal belongings on the shelving under the windows. Take a seat in your reserved station.

7.     Read the directions slowly and carefully (VERY IMPORTANT).

8.     Write down all formulas and key information that maybe on the test while it’s fresh on your mind.

9.     Double check and make sure you have answered all of the test questions.

It’s MIDTERM time…..Make sure you call for a testing appointment at 828-627-4696.

Check out more on our website!

Also, you still have time to get some extra FREE help at LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES. Make time and drop in the lab.

Monday-Thursday 9am-7pm

Friday 9am-4pm

Speaking Up in Class Counts!

Written by Shane Smith, Haywood Community College English tutor

               It’s not always easy to voice your opinion or answer a question in class. Having an entire classroom of peers doesn’t make being on the spot and speaking up any more appealing. Besides, there isn’t a real incentive to speak up when everyone else is silent, is there?

Actually, there are AT LEAST five great reasons to give your teacher a breather and to lead class discussion (at least for a minute or two)!

1.      Class Participation Points. If earning all of the possible points for class participation isn’t an incentive, we aren’t sure what will be! Many college professors and instructors set aside a certain point allotment or percentage of your grade for class participation and attendance. If your body is present but your input is not- you’ll lose out on some valuable points!

2.      Engaging With the Materials. Did you know that your brain is more likely to remember content when applied and discussed in class or real life settings? When you actually engage with the material and apply it to your life, you are doing more than just reading and regurgitating the material! You are creating dialogue with the material and connecting it to your experiences!

3.      Stand Out in a Sea of Students. College courses can have a large volume of students, making it more difficult for instructors to remember you, personally. By speaking up in class and adding some flavor to discussion topics- you are making yourself more memorable and you are standing out (in a positive way!).

4.      Boost Your Self-Confidence! Feeling nervous or anxious in front of a crowd is a pretty common dilemma. But, with practice and time, you can overcome this anxiety. But, what if I answer the question wrong or I don’t say the right thing? Having the right answer isn’t always what an instructor is looking for. Getting one person to respond and engage with the discussion can spark further dialogue and make for a very interesting learning environment! Speaking in front of people is a skill you will utilize for the rest of your life in a variety of settings.

5.      University Readiness.  Not everyone plans to attend a four year university once they complete their associate’s degree and that’s okay! But, for those that do plan on pursuing another degree, university readiness includes the ability to comfortably speak in a classroom setting, giving insightful answers to on the spot questions and discussions. Higher level courses require higher level thinking and discussion- so why not start speaking up in class now?

The classroom is a safe space to be heard! So don’t be shy, SPEAK UP!