Feature Friday: How To Ace Your Online Classes

OK. I have most certainly taken a lot of online classes in my day (and yes, even before the pandemic)! I received my entire Masters degree from an online program, while also working an average of 45 hours a week, and then finished out my Nursing degree entirely online as well. It was TOUGH. Online classes are certainly not for everyone, but I’m here to say that you can do it. If you’re struggling, know that it is possible to thrive and succeed!

Tip 1: Adjust Your Attitude

Attitude is honestly a huge factor in whether or not you will succeed. If you believe it, you can achieve it. If you believe that it’s not a possibility or you don’t have enough time or you just can’t learn something online, then it’s not going to happen. Adjust your attitude now! Believe you can and you are honestly- halfway there.

Tip 2. Create a schedule that works for you.

Know when the best time for YOU is- that means when you study and thrive the most. I’m much more likely to be productive early in the morning and Friday afternoons? Forget about it. I create a schedule that works for me. I know that running and having breaks is vital to me getting things done, so I work my schedule around those things. I create a schedule (sometimes weekly, sometimes daily, sometimes monthly) and stick to it. I’ve found that if I start to become too flexible with my schedule, then I don’t take my work seriously enough and things do not get done. However, also know that things need to change from time-to-time and acknowledge that you do have the flexibility of “working from home”. Maybe I study an hour less today, but I can tack it onto the next day. It’s not the end-of-the-world and I can take advantage of the flexibility of online classes.

Tip 3. Find Your Study Space & Schedule Breaks

This took me a while to learn, but there are spaces in our home where I am super productive and others where I just do not get any work done. I know that when I’m at my “desk”, it’s serious study mode. I like to put my timer on my phone and have a clear space to get my work done. I’m much more likely to be distracted if I’m trying to eat breakfast, while also reviewing my notes. Multi-tasking doesn’t work for me (and honestly, it’s been shown that it doesn’t work for most people), so I set a timer for 50 minutes of dedicated study-time and then I go grab a snack for 10 minutes or get up and walk around. If I need to throw in some laundry, I know that I have time to do that during my break.

Tip 4. Have something outside of studying and classes that you enjoy doing.

Schedule your “me time” into your day. Whether it’s running, taking a bath, yoga, strength training, taking the dog for a walk, or reading for pleasure- make sure you have time in your day to do that. I’m more productive, happier, focused, and relaxed when I give myself some ‘me time’.

Tip 5. Be kind with yourself and adjust accordingly.

Know when you need a break or a day-off. It’s really easy to fall into a ‘I have to do: x, y, z today because I’m home’ vibe, however it’s not healthy and you’re putting yourself at-risk for burn-out. Give yourself a break and know when to call it quits for the day. Sometimes I take a run in the middle of the day when I find myself ‘glazing over’ or I take a longer lunch break to help reset my mind. Also- know when to ask for help from your professors or fellow classmates. If you’re struggling, then you’re most likely not alone. Reach out and ask for help. You’re paying good money for your classes and if you’re getting everything out of it that you want, then speak up.

Training Thursday: Why You Should Vary Your Running Shoes

Happy Training Thursday and Friday-eve! Can you believe that I’m back to blogging at least once a week?!? I know- maybe I shouldn’t gloat too much. You never know what can happen over the next few weeks! This past weekend we had a scare with my Dad, who had a small heart attack. So, I was unable to bring you my weekend recap. He is doing much better now (he also had a stroke less than 3 years ago, so we are very very lucky with him) and hope that varying his medications will decrease his chances of having another one. I’ve heard of being blessed (and also unfortunate) with being in the “know” regarding healthcare when you become a nurse, but I definitely experienced it this past weekend. I knew what his prognosis could be, what they should be doing with his treatment (and maybe, what they didn’t do well-enough) and also hopeful when test results started coming back. Guess this means I’m almost an RN now or something?

Anyways, let’s bring you back into the running world and discuss why you should vary your running shoes! I never wear the same running shoe twice in a row and always switch them up based on the workout I’m doing/ running route I’m going on/ how I’m feeling etc.

They provide your feet with varied pressure points and challenge them.

Your feet are less likely to become relaxed if you’re constantly changing where they have cushion/ where there is less cushion/ where you have more vs. less support. It’s like a small workout for not just your feet, but also your body. You are forced to adjust your form to adapt to the change-of-scenery for your feet. If you’re going out for a run, why not get the most out of it and challenge your feet in a new way (and give them a vacation from the shoes that you wore yesterday)!

Your performance will improve if you have the right type of equipment.

If you have the necessary equipment, then you’re better prepared for the environment (and that includes your running shoes)! If I know that I’m going to be running on the roads, then I grab my shoes that have better grips (like my Brooks Cascadia or Ghosts). If I know that I’m going to be on the track, then I grab for my lightest shoes (Brooks Launch is my favorite). You also should be varying your running routes and terrain to save your joints from the constant wear-and-tear of the same terrain.

You’ll decrease your chance of injuries.

I haven’t (knock-on-wood) dealt with an injury related to running since I began rotating through my running shoes often. Before, I may have grabbed for the same shoe twice in a row or hung onto that beloved pair of sneaks for a bit too long. Now, I know that if I want to prevent injuries -> I never grab for the same thing twice and I retire my shoes earlier rather than later (a new pair of running shoes is a lot less expensive than repeated sessions of physical therapy or surgery)!

What goes with one outfit, certainly doesn’t go with another. (Just Kidding- well, kinda…)

I mean if you don’t look or feel cute in your running outfit, then are you even doing it right? I’m just kidding! But seriously, I save my favorite shoes (currently Brooks Glycerins) for those runs when I need some extra pep in my step. Maybe you’ve got a favorite pair of sneaks or those ‘special sneakers’ or maybe you need a pair! Whatever it is, I think that everyone should get their own pair of ‘ruby red slippers’ like Dorothy has and feel like they’re “home” when they slip into them.

Feature Friday: Black Mtn Backpacking Trip Recap

Happy Friday! Look at me- I’m blogging twice in one week! I can’t remember the last time that I did this…maybe not since last year? I wanted to do a blog post about our backpacking trip that we did a few weeks ago to Black Mountain in Jackson, NH. First of all- we love Jackson. Kinda obsessed with it. It’s such a quant little New England-esque town and if you are looking for somewhere to visit in the White Mountains, I highly suggest going there! We booked this campsite via the Recreation.Gov app on my phone-> so easy to have all of my information saved in there and to easily browse campsites/cabins. This hike wasn’t too long (1.3 miles with just over 1,000’ elevation gain) and the parking lot was easy to find with the directions that were included in our email confirmation.

The trail was very well-marked and it took us about 40 minutes to get up to the cabin. We didn’t see anyone else on the trail which was amazing. We also had a bit of service at the top which was nice to still have the capability of using our phones, but not wanting to actually use them!

It was also really nice to have a cabin to stay at rather than bringing our tent with us (less weight)!

We had the most amazing view of Mt. Washington at the top as well. We could actually see the view from the top of the bunkbed -> it was an inexpensive place for a stellar view.

It wasn’t overly cold out the night that we camped, but had to take advantage of the wood shed next to the cabin and had a fire in the stove. It was so nice and toasty in there.

There were four rooms with each having one set of bunkbeds and everything was in really great shape.

I could see this cabin being a lot of fun with a group of friends in the winter (more body heat too)! You can book it throughout the winter, skin up to the cabin, and then ski down. I’ve always been really interested in doing something like that, but it also frightens me a bit because I do NOT like being cold (so winter camping = I just think of it as being really cold).

We ended up bringing our own water, but there was supposedly a water site near the cabin (we never did end up finding it, but I just don’t think we went far enough). There was also a really nice newly built composting privy there for the ladies (if you don’t enjoy going in the woods, which doesn’t really bother me too much - just as long as we bring a good shovel) and the cabin itself was really clean. We did bring some cleaning supplies (because COVID), however felt safe while in the cabin.

We watched the sunrise right from our front doorstep and brought our jet boil to make some dinner. It was so peaceful just being in the outdoors, but also feeling like we were ‘stepping up’ from camping in our usual tent too.

The hike down was a lot faster (took us something like 30 minutes), since it was basically all downhill. I think that it would be pretty fun to ski down it!

We definitely need to work on packing our packs lighter next time (hello, we’re two overpackers here), but it certainly was great cross-training! The cabin was $40 for the night and our reservation included the entire cabin (a steal compared to the ones in Colorado like this were usually over $100!).

7 Things

Happy Monday! I’m in denial that it’s no longer the weekend and still wish that we were at the Basin like we were on Labor Day. Why can’t it just be long weekends every week?!?

I remember having jobs when I first got out of college where I was so spoiled and had EVERY Friday off. I really need to make that a priority again in the future. We also went camping Labor Day night (perks of both working from home right now- we don’t need to start work until 9am so we have the flexibility of going places on work nights)!

This was the first-time camping without Stella and it was really sad. She loved camping more than anything and she was definitely missed. We did get up extra early to catch the sunrise before heading home and that was so nice. Especially with a side of fresh brewed coffee.

It’s just been a whole lotta studying for my nursing boards around here lately. I learned so much information the past 15 months and if I think about how much I still have to learn-> it definitely gets my heart rate going! I’m trying to just stay focused and utilize my review platforms and stick to my study schedule.

We kicked off the weekend with our first APPLE PICKING of the season! I love love love being able to go apple picking again after not having any options when we were in Colorado. First sign of Fall for me = apple orchards opening.

So ofcourse I then had to go out and decorate our home with all. the.fall.things and pick-up some Mums to plant. It’s the little things like decorating for each season that brings me SO MUCH JOY. Anyone else feel this way?

Also running has started to pick-up for me again lately. I hit a burn-out spot this summer (especially with crazy school hours/ clinical hours/ working), but finally starting to hit my stride. 8 miles on Sunday and 9 miles on the bike for a nice little Sunday Funday workout. I’m in the midst of a 5k training plan (virtual race is the beginning of October) and thinking about maybe signing up for an in-person race in November (with all the precautions, of-course). Anyone else getting the itch to race in a safe environment?!

I also broke-out all of my Fall/Winter gear (including my bulky sweaters and mittens), so I am prepared. Also tried to pack Brady away, but Alex talked me out of it…

At least we have this little cutie to balance the other naughty one out. Thankful for the cats to help us work-through losing Stella. They are certainly getting extremely spoiled now.

7 Things

Happy Monday! I am FINALLY done with school and just have one more ‘big test’ left until I can officially put those two-little-letters (RN) after my name -> our Nursing Board exam. I’m still waiting for my school to send in the necessary paperwork for me to sign-up to take my exam, but I’ve started studying (& purchased a million different study programs too… ha). Hoping to take it sometime at the beginning of October!

It feels so relieving to not have to study/ do work/ be on a million zoom calls/ commute everywhere every day now. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this relaxed?!? Also- I think staying at a family friends cabin this past weekend helped a whole lot 💕

We also bought hot cocoas from Dunkin before heading to the lake & that was 1000% the best decision 🙌🏻It was chilly this weekend, but with a warm drink and some warm blankets -> it was really nice.

I was also reminded this weekend that running in the rain is still my favorite thing. I’ll take untangling my hair from a rainy braid anyday over a sweaty ponytail.

Also started planning for our Mini-moon at the end of September to Acadia (!!) and am so excited. We booked a cute little Air BnB right in the park (yay for cooking our own food & sleeping in a nice bed) and will definitely be taking our road bikes. Anyone have any good Acadia suggestions for us? I’ve been once and Alex hasn’t been at all.

Some of you probably saw, but we lost our sweet Stella last weekend. It’s still been really hard to remember she isn’t with us (I keep thinking that it was just a dream), but she lived a very full and spoiled 12 years. I think the cats are missing her too. Woke up to Brady laying on one of her old beds the other morning.

Don’t mind our rug - this is certainly a well-loved Animal playplace around here 😅It’s started to get down into the 40s here at night and those morning runs are feeling pretty GREAT now 🤩I’ve been running less (4 times a week), but biking (2 times a week) & strength training/yoga (5 times a week) more and have had my fastest times on the track yet. Excited to continue to train with our Brooks Run Happy Team for the Twin Cities in Motion 5k! The virtual race will take place the first weekend of October.

Loving that the sunrise is a bit later these days, so we can see it. We got up early Sunday morning to watch the sunrise & it was so peaceful. Definitely putting owning a lake house on my bucket list.

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—Ocean, lake, or Mountain Views?

-Starting to feel like Fall where you are?

-Running in the rain- yay or nay?