GRE Study Essentials

                                                  


If you're planning on applying to graduate school, chances are you've heard or the GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations. 


1. Set Your Timeline

I cannot stress the importance of giving yourself enough time to study. I would suggest adding two months extra on top of your current timeline to make up for potential missed study days and extra review of material you don't feel confident in. 

I went into my first GRE blind, just hoping to gage my starting point. I scheduled my second test the latest possible date I could to still be able to apply to my programs on time.

PrepScholar recommends taking the GRE no later than three weeks prior to your earliest application deadline. I would add a buffer week, just to be safe (scores could get lost or misreported).



2. Materials 

Here is a list of study materials that I felt were invaluable to the increase in my GRE score:

• ETS 5lb Book
• This book is filled with practice questions from vocabulary, essay prompts, and math concepts you may encounter on the GRE
  
• GRE Mat
• GRE Mat's videos are honestly a lifesaver! The amount of free, easy to understand tutoring videos he produces is astounding. I credit all of my quant score improvements to him.
  
• Quizlet to review vocabulary & math formulas
• Here is a list of 52 Common Vocabulary Words on the GRE
  
• ETS Practice Tests
• These can be found on the ETS website and are free to take and retake as you please

3. Study Playlists

I really like to study to playlists that add to the ambiance, here are some that I listen to often:

• Chilled Cow
• Harry Potter Playlist
• Animal Crossing
• Legend of Zelda

4. On Test Day

Some advice for your test day!

• Eat breakfast & Pack Snacks 
• Mental work needs fuel! The second time I took the GRE I doubled down and had a huge breakfast and was still starving by the time I got my 10 minute break.
  
• Arrive Early
• To ensure you find parking, the actual room your test will be in, and get checked in on time
  
• Dress Warmly!
• During my first test, it was 90 degrees outside but I knew test rooms could be chilly. I wore a long sleeved shirt and leggings and was freezing!
  
• Remove All Jewelry Prior
• I was even asked to remove my wedding bands before taking the test! My glasses were inspected, as well, so just be prepared and avoid wearing extra jewelry because they will ask you to remove it.
  
• Most Importantly: You Got This!
• After all the time you put into preparing and studying, feel confident and you will do great!

Good Luck!

1st Anniversary Trip to SF

Hi all,

I thought I would do a little roundup on our first anniversary trip up to San Francisco. We took a long weekend and flew up on Thursday, giving us the whole weekend to explore the city!

My husband booked our hotel for us, so I was shocked when I saw the beautiful view from our hotel room: a straight shot of Coit Tower.

     

Friday was our first full day in the city, so we took to the streets of San Francisco early in the AM in search of one of my favorite coffee spots, Philz 😊


We walked down the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Warf, where we tried to get a picture in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, but our plans were foiled by Karl. We were not dismayed, though, and decided to walk up to the Ghirardelli factory to split an ice cream sundae.

     

We spent the rest of the day exploring North Park, walking to and up Coit Tower, and stopping in cafes intermittently for much needed coffees and pastries.

We both woke up the next morning ready for another day of exploring but also absolutely exhausted! After realizing we had walked 8 miles the previous day, we decided to Uber to the Mission district for brunch and ended up at Stone Mill Matcha, where I had the best Swiss roll and matcha latte ever. Plus, just look how sweet their presentation is!

     

As our trip came to a close, we crossed the Golden Gate to spend some time wandering through Sausalito before heading back over the bridge to Golden Gate Park. The weather became quite gloomy so we stopped in for dumpling soup & dim sum (so delicious).

    


Overall, I couldn't have asked for a more fun or perfect anniversary trip. I feel so lucky to have gotten to go to this beautiful city with my best friend 😊