how to GET ALONG WITH YOUR ROOMMATE

By Zach on April 17, 2010
For many college students, living with a roommate in a dorm room or an apartment is one of the most difficult experiences they encounter. After all, sharing space with a friend or stranger is a new experience for most students. In addition, college is a stressful time, and the stress of final exams, homesickness, financial problems, all those other issues can exacerbate problems between roommates.

So what's a college student to do? It's worth the effort to make the best of a roommate situation, because otherwise, life is going to be a whole lot more difficult for both of you. Here are some survival tips to help you get off to a good start with your new roommate and stay there.

Choosing a Roommate
Finding a compatible roommate is not an easy task. You might get along well with someone well socially, but when it comes to living together, you might be more different than you realize. At some point (like freshman year), you'll probably have to choose between living with someone you already know and living with a random person.

Roommate Contracts
One of the smartest thing new roommates can do to minimize conflict is to write a roommate contract. This allows each roommate to articulate their expectations of each other and to negotiate points that might lead to problems. If you live in a dorm, your residence hall advisor might require you to write such a contract and may be able to give you guidance

Roommate Etiquette
Getting along with the person you live with is a challenge for just about everybody. To make it work, it's very important that roommates show each other a mutual sense of respect and politeness. At times, you may need to make a little extra effort to make sure you're treating each other appropriately

how to LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS

by Jillian on April 17, 2010

(This applies to Freshmen who are moving back home for the summer, students who have decided to live at home to save money and college grads who can’t yet afford to live on their own)

• Respect your parents. I know this is difficult when you consider yourself an adult, you are capable of working and being in an adult relationship but the bottom line is that you are still reliant on your parents so you must humble yourself before them, respect them and do your best to please them.

• Do not alienate your parents. No matter how difficult this is, they are the people who will always love you and be there for you. Friends can come and go but family is for life.

• Obey their rules. If you’re over 21 and of legal drinking age, your parents still won’t think it’s cool if you spend every waking minute of your free time getting wasted on their wallets. If you can’t afford to live on your own, then you don’t deserve to enjoy all the amenities that being an adult has to offer (this goes for relationships also).

• Figure out what you’ve done wrong and change. Changing yourself is not easy to do. We all find fault in others, and though we may also see the faults within ourselves, old habits die hard. If you’re still at home because you’re frivolous with your money, then you need to figure out where you are making mistakes and fix them.

• Learn to compromise. As much as you want to be treated like an adult while living carefree under your parents’ roof, it isn’t going to happen. But they can give you some freedom, if you earn their respect and obey their general rules. So you can have the occasional beer after work, or go out responsibly with your friends once in a while. But bringing home a date is just plain tacky. On the other hand, if you’re in a long-term relationship, then it is acceptable.

• Communication is the key. Be sure that you understand their rules and that they understand your needs and struggles as well. Let them know when you make progress in your life and seek their advice when you need it. They’ve been on this earth twice as long as you and they’re still here, so must know a thing or two about living.

• Remember that it’s only temporary. Allow yourself to envision the future you want to have for yourself: the city you want to live and work in, the type of apartment you’d like, whether or not you’ll have roommates, etc. Use these dreams to remind yourself that you can’t get what you want unless you work hard.

how to GET A GOOD LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

by Zach on April 17, 2010

So, you want to apply for a scholarship. Or med school. Or grad school. Or a really competitive job. What do all these things have in common? Clearly, you need some awesome letters of recommendation. And I’m going to tell you how to get them.

1. Choose Wisely. If you want good, solid letters of recommendation, choose people with whom you have a good rapport. (Go for the teachers whose classes you have aced, not the ones who gave you a C+ on your final.) Also, stay away from asking family. Instead, try asking professors, employers, volunteer/church leaders, or long-time family friends (adults!) who work in your field

2. Give Plenty of Notice. Remember how hard it is to write a good paper the night before it’s due? Don’t put that kind of pressure on your letter-writers. If possible, give them at least a solid month to write your letter (and give them a deadline before the real one in case they’re late).

3. Give them Specifics. Let your recommendation writer know exactly what you need in the letter, especially if you need them to focus on certain aspects of your achievements. Also, let them know about how long it should be. A too-short letter of recommendation can be almost as bad as a half-hearted one.

how to BE A NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT

by Jillian on April 15, 2010

Thinking about going back to college? You can do it! There are many of us who didn’t want to go to college right after high school. We found jobs, became used to our newfound financial freedom and gave up on college. Well, if you found out later that working without a degree is not all it’s cracked up to be, then there is still hope. You can go back to college. Finish that degree but take it one step at a time. Take it one day at a time, one semester at a time, one degree at a time. Breaking it down into smaller, short-term goals is the key to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
• Choose a Major you love. If you aren’t exactly sure what you want to do with your life, that’s fine. Choose a major you enjoy studying so that you will be inspired to stay and school and finish out your degree. Companies are looking to hire people with a variety of educational backgrounds so don’t worry, you will make it.
• Don’t get caught up in the social hype of college. If you’re going back for a second degree, much later in life, then you probably won’t worry about this. But if you’re young enough to be mistaken for a typical college student and you’re not yet married and settled down then you may find yourself standing out rather than fitting in. It’s ok to stand out. We all do in some way or another and sometimes, it’s a good thing. You’ll find your group of friends, your social connections, whatever it is you are looking for. Just remember that you’re here to learn, to study, earn your degree and get a good job. Socializing is great but this is still a competition.
• Utilize your assets. You have gained valuable life experience by being in the real world. Use it to your advantage.

how to STUDY FOR REAL

by Jillian on April 12, 2010

• Do a Little at a Time. Don’t try to tackle a large paper assignment all at once. Brainstorm and work when “The spirit moves you”. Once your inspiration has ended, revise for grammatical errors but put it away, sleep on it, and add to it the next day…and so on and so forth until your paper is complete.

• Limit Recreational Activities and Choose Them Wisely. School is important. You are here for a reason and this is a one-time deal. Work hard and focus on your school work because how well you do today is going to determine your place in the real world. However, it is important to relax from time to time, just be choosy about your chosen form of relaxation.
o Read a novel. This is great because it relaxes you and still engages your brain so it is a good practice or warm up for more mentally stimulating reading such as philosophy.
o Play Video Games. While video games are great for relaxing you, heightening your senses and increasing hand-eye coordination the challenge with video games is knowing when to quit because they can be habit-forming.
o Avoid Television. We’ve all grown up around a TV set but the wisest of us believe “TV rots your brain”. If you must watch it, limit the amount of time to one or two hours per day, depending on your work load. Choose programs that are educational; channels such as The Science Channel, The History Channel, Planet Green, HGTV, etc.
o Pick up a Magazine or a Newspaper.

• Exercise in the a.m. Exercise is essential for everyone’s health and these days, many of us are not getting our fill. If you tend to be weight-conscious then getting the exercise out of your way early in the day will enable your mind to focus on schoolwork rather than dwelling on the amount of carbs you ate last night. Exercise is a great stress-reliever; it raises endorphins, lowers blood pressure, increases our metabolism, burns calories and builds muscle. Exercise is good for body AND mind.

• Study in a Quiet Room. Don’t’ study with the TV, radio or I-pod on. You will not be able to focus as well as you can in silence. Turn your phone off or put it away to avoid texting. Remember to focus on your work; your social life can wait.

• Drink Green Tea. Sure it sounds antiquated and Eastern, but Green Tea has been used for a long time for many good reasons. It is an antioxidant (which means “cancer-fighter”), it gives you a subtle boost in energy without the caffeine jitters of coffee. Green tea helps to stimulate the mind and focus your energy and it is a great tool in weight-loss.

• Do Yoga. Yoga is a unique form of exercise that truly helps you concentrate on whatever tasks lie ahead of you. If you are stressed out about a big exam or a 12-page paper, yoga will calm your nerves, stimulate your senses and allow the positive scholarly energy to flow. Try it sometime—you’ll be amazed.

• Reward Yourself for a Day’s Hard Work. A night out with friends, a TV program, etc. Having that reward in mind can help you get through the tough work.

how to MAKE DECISIONS

by Zach on April 10, 2010

Everyone comes to college with the best intentions in mind. We all want to make new friends, and good grades while having the time of our lives. Sometimes though, we are stuck having to make a decision between going out with our friends, and studying for an exam. So, how do we have a successful college career while enjoying ourselves as well?

The first step is to realize that the ultimate reason that we are in college is to get the best job that we possibly can when we graduate. Although we have to go to class and do schoolwork, it is not difficult to make A’s and B’s and have a decent social life. You meet people in class, in the hall, and when you go out, so there is no reason that you should be lacking in friendships. You should get engaged in activities on and off campus, and you and friends/classmates should study together and help each other live to your fullest abilities.

Remember that partying should never take priority over schoolwork. It is very tempting to give in when you know everyone else will be having fun and you will be sitting at a desk studying, but when it results in a good grade, you will know that staying in was the best decision. Anyone can balance school, a job, and a social life if they prioritize well. College is about making the best of yourself for your future, so make responsible decisions!

how to RELAX WITH THE GYM

by Zach on April 10, 2010

I think it can be universally agreed upon that college students are in a constant state of stress. If it’s not one test it’s another, if school is being gentle then your personal life is taking a toll. We enter college with the idea that it’s going to be a piece of cake only to find out that this new life experience is ten times harder than we thought. So what’s an overworked, overtired and seriously confused collegiate to do?

Hit the gym! Climb onto the treadmill and feel the burn. Pick up some weights and watch your muscles bulge! Working out is a great way to relieve some serious tension, plus with summer coming up it’s a for sure way to get the body you want. Exercising does more than just make you break out a sweat and tone that winter flab. It releases “feel good” endorphins. These polypeptide compounds work just like opiates to kick up the feeling of well being and accomplishment. It’s the natural high you can get with a quick run or just from the fact that you know you accomplished your new work out routine. So, kick back, relax and show that punching bag how you really feel about weekends loaded with homework!