Winter Break To-Do List

We all know how fast Winter Break flies by. One minute you’re watching Elf and chugging hot cocoa and the next you’re scrambling to find that missing pair of socks you’ll need to pack for the semester ahead. However, we’ve got everything you need to kick off the best semester yet! So sit back, relax, and watch a few more How I Met Your Mother reruns. You survived the first half of the school year (using our Back to School Survival Guide, obviously) and we’re here to help you finish it out right.

Check these items off your To-Do List this winter break and you’ll usher in the new semester with ease.

TO DO LIST:

[] Check your move-in times. Moving in during the first semester becomes such a production that the second time around seems like a walk in the park. However, most schools still ask that students moving back in arrive between very specific times – often determined by their residence hall and/or floor. Check your school’s website so you’re fully informed.

[] Pack layers. Spring weather is notoriously unpredictable. Rain, wind, and changing temperatures make it difficult to dress appropriately. Make sure to include clothes that can be easily layered and you’ll be ready for whatever Mother Nature brings your way.

[] Review and map out your schedule. Who wants to be late their first day? Make sure you know where you’re going and at what time. Store your schedule in your cell phone in case you need a quick reference.

[] Order your textbooks. Find your bookstore and figure out which textbook options works for you and your budget. Rentals help you save more than 50% of the cost and you can still write and highlight in the books!

[] Make a list of items you wish you’d had last semester. You know that moment when you say to yourself “If only I had a ______!”? Think back to each of those times and make a list. You’ll be better prepared for next semester.

[] Keep in touch with your friends from school. Last year we posted “Keep in Touch During Winter Break” and we still think it’s important now! Keep your school friendships going even when you’re not all living ten feet apart. You’ll feel even more connected when you get back.

What items fall on your to-do list over Winter Break? Post a comment below!

posted by Sandybn
12.12.12
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Download Worthy: Trello

Group projects are a common part of many college courses. Often, they entail weeks of seemingly-endless brainstorming and collaboration until the looming due date approaches. Make your team experience run more smoothly with the Trello app. Create boards, organize them by cards, and upload attachments – all in one place!

This free app helps your group improve communication by eliminating an influx of emails and keeping everyone on the same page. You can communicate with other team members in real time in order to gather opinions and assign tasks. Group projects are complicated enough – simplify them with this helpful app!

Looking for more tips to help you survive your next group project? Check out our guide here!

posted by Sandybn
10.18.12
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The Roommate Diaries: Keeping the Peace

Even if you’re blessed with a great roommate, there is still a chance you two will hit some bumps in the road. When you’re living in a tight space with another person, it’s only natural to hit some rocky patches. The trick is to prevent slight disagreements from exploding into unnecessary battles. Preventing a blow up will save you both time and energy.

1. Take a step back. Before you get worked up over something, relax for a minute. Are you really that angry that your roommate left the window open or are you actually stressed about your upcoming Finance midterm? Make sure your anger isn’t misdirected before you bring it up to your roommate.

2. Pick your battles. Just because you like to have your closet perfectly organized, doesn’t mean your roommate operates the same way. Unless his or her clothes are overflowing onto your things, chalk it up to accepting your differences. It’s not your job to pick at everything he or she is doing. Focus on the bigger picture.

3. Communicate effectively. If something really is bothering you and the time has come to speak up, pick your words (and tone) carefully. If you launch into an issue in attack mode, your roommate is going to respond in the same manner. Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill – be honest, but calm. Rather than sit back and criticize, offer a solution to the problem.

For more roommate advice, check out our other posts below:

Roommate Survival Guide
The Roommate Diaries: Making a Good Impression

How do you keep the peace with a roommate? Post your advice below!

posted by Sandybn
09.28.12
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Writing a Paper? Avoid These Mistakes…

Have an important paper coming up? Don’t let all of your hard work go to waste! Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll be on your way to an A.

Mistake #1: Not proofreading. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to hand a paper in before reading it over. Once you finish, take a break for awhile and then come back to it. Check your spelling, punctuation, and the overall flow of the paper.

Don't let this be you!

Mistake #2: Ignoring the directions. Pay attention to what is included in the instructions. If a professor puts something in the directions, make sure you do it or you’ll lose points.

Mistake #3: Formatting incorrectly. This mistake goes hand in hand with Mistake #2. In addition to making sure your written content is solid, check your formatting. This goes for margin alignment, headers, footers, and page numbers.

Mistake #4: Skipping the citations. Remember to cite ALL of your sources and to do so using proper methods. Not including a Works Cited page or including an incorrectly-formatted version is called plagiarism. You wouldn’t want someone stealing your work, would you?

Have any other tips? Post your advice below!

posted by Sandybn
09.19.12
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First Test of the Semester? No Problem.

The first exam of the semester can be intimidating. Every professor has his or her own format and question style, making it hard to know what to expect. We’re here to help you prepare and show up to your exam feeling confident. Keep reading!

Talk to your professor. Stop by office hours or linger for a bit after class. Ask if he or she can clarify any formatting inquiries, provide sample questions, or elaborate on any material that you find unclear. Your professor is one of your best resources, so don’t hesitate to ask questions!

Pool your resources. Don’t rely on a few slides for an entire exam. Cross reference what you have in your notes with what is in the textbook. Make sure you thoroughly understand each subject so that, no matter how the question is asked, you’ll be ready. If a professor stresses a certain area, make sure to cover that an extra time.

Talk to your classmates or other students who have taken the class before. Talk to other students to see if they can shed some light on what to expect. (I am NOT – absolutely NOT – saying to ask for the answers. Not only is that cheating, you won’t learn a thing.)

Take it as a learning experience. Now that you have the first test under your belt, you’ll be more familiar with the next one. Determine which areas need improvement. Did the professor use material mostly from the book or from class notes? Was it a mix of the two? Keep this in mind for the next exam.

How do you prepare for the first test or quiz of the semester? Post a comment and share your advice!

posted by Sandybn
09.11.12
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15 Ways to Balance Your College Life

From the dorm room to the classroom, college brings about a number of challenges. Learn to balance them all with these simple tips:

1) Use resources: Check out your school’s libraries, advisors and other resources to help find your way.

2) Get organized: Do it in whatever way works for you, but make sure you have a system for keeping up with your work.

3) Set goals: It’s easier to get where you’re going when you know where you’re going.

4) Go to class: Physically being in class helps you absorb info, meet study partners and get face time with your professors.

5) Seek help: No one breezes through college without help, so don’t be afraid to seek it out.

6) Develop new interests: There will never be a better time to explore new things. What’s something you’ve always wanted to try? Go for it!

7) Eat healthy: Grab a Balance Bar for breakfast instead of that donut, or an apple over cheese fries at lunch. Make good choices and avoid the dreaded “Freshman 15.” Your mind and body will thank you for it.

8 ) Stay active: Whether you’re tossing a Frisbee or playing intramurals, being active will help you stay sharp.

9) Get to know people: Branch out and you’ll form life-lasting relationships.

10) Maintain a social life: Classwork isn’t everything. Take the time to connect with friends.

11) Enjoy free time: Rest and relaxation are more important than you know.

12) Embrace failure: You’re not going to be good at everything, but you can learn valuable lessons even if you don’t succeed.

13) Stay in touch with family: Don’t lose touch with your support system. Keep your parents up-to-date on your life.

14) Prioritize: Staying up till 2am playing the Outlast the Clock challenge on Facebook might be fun, but don’t forget about that 8am exam.

15) Be smart: You don’t have to get all A’s to know the importance of being safe and staying out of trouble.

Do you have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Written by Guest Blogger, David Law, Balance Bar

posted by Sandybn
09.05.12
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September – It’s Better Breakfast Month!

Last September, we posted a few reasons why breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This year, we’re back with even more Better Breakfast month ideas and information. Throughout September, we’ll be posting recipe ideas, the health benefits of breakfast, and even tips for grabbing breakfast on the go. Don’t miss out on the most important meal of the day!

This week, we’ve got a quick and easy breakfast recipe that will help give your body the energy boost it needs to start the day.

 


This breakfast treat has 3 very important components – protein, fiber, and whole grains. All of these ingredients give you energy and keep your body going throughout the day. It’s an easy dish to make so you can eat it on your way out the door!

What You’ll Need:

1 English muffin, split (toast it if you are able)
1 apple, sliced thinly
¼ cup peanut butter (does not matter if it’s chunky or smooth)

What You’ll Do:

1) Spread the peanut butter evenly on each of the English muffin slices

2) Once you’ve sliced the apple, place the thin slices on each of the English muffin pieces. The peanut butter will keep them in place.

3) If you have extra apple slices (and there’s a good chance you will), pack them in a bag and save them for later!

Yum – you’re all set to take on the day!

posted by Sandybn
09.04.12
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Top 10 Colleges for Tech

In a world where keeping up with the constantly-changing technological landscape can seem impossible, these tech-savvy colleges and universities have made extraordinary efforts to stay up to speed.  We came across this article on Mashable and knew it was worth writing about. Check out some of the schools that made the list:

Georgia Tech – Georgia Tech’s College of Computing has launched a program aimed at bringing in more female engineering students and diversifying the engineering discipline. In conjunction with their Advanced Technology Development Center, they have raised more than a BILLION dollars in financing to help entrepreneurs grow more than 130 tech companies.

Hamilton College – Imagine attending a school where there is almost one computer for every two students. At Hamilton College, that vision is a reality. The college’s IT Services department is dedicated to providing current software and devices for faculty members to use in the classroom. In addition, personal computers must meet minimum requirements before they are allowed to access Hamilton’s Wi-Fi  Network. It’s no surprise that many of the school’s graduates have been recruited by technological leaders like Google, Apple, and IBM.

Washington University in St. Louis – Washington University’s school of Computer Science and Engineering boasts more than 80 courses, but the school doesn’t just want an extensive technology department. They want to work technology into all facets of campus life. The high-speed campus network connects all of their campuses and provides links to Internet2 and National Lamda Rail.

Want to see what other schools made the list? Check out the full article on Mashable here.

posted by Sandybn
08.24.12
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The IT List: Fall Nail Trends 2012

Usually, the arrival of autumn means deep burgundies, stormy navies, and rich eggplants in the nail polish department. While this rings true for Fall 2012, there will also a few other trends gracing the nails of fashionistas everywhere. Keep reading to see which polish shades and trends we’re most excited about.

Sticking with classic autumn shades is a sure way to be on trend this season and the rich colors look great on both short and long nails. Opting for a deeper jewel tone, rather than just black, is an easier way to sport the darker trend. A rich forest green or an opaque grape are both excellent choices.

Why have a traditional French manicure when you can put a little twist on it? Feel free to play with colors and textures on your quest for the perfect French. One look we love combines a matte polish with its shiny counterpart as the tip. Sephora by OPI sells a top coat that can turn any polish into a matte version that makes it easy to switch it up at any time!

The last nail look that is going to make a splash this fall is what we like to call the “Muted Mani.” Rather than bold neons or deep hues, it uses soft shades of grays, taupes, and nudes. If that seems too tame for you, add a sparkly top coat for an ethereal glisten.

What nail polishes will you be scooping up this fall? Head to your campus bookstore for all of the hottest Nicole by OPI shades this fall. Keep an eye out for our Pinterest board featuring tons of nail ideas, colors, and tutorials – coming soon!

posted by Sandybn
08.24.12
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Have a Great College Experience as a Commuter

Many students commute to and from school and this can be a great option. It saves money and you get to enjoy all the amenities of living at home. However, one problem many commuters face is feeling displaced from the social aspects of living on campus. We came across this article on USA Today and knew we had to share it with our commuting readers. Here are some of our favorite tips:

 

 

• Actually be on campus: Many commuters just go to class and go home. Staying on campus allows you to meet more people, hang out with friends, grab some dinner, and be social. You can even get a job on campus!

• Get involved: Just because you don’t live on campus, doesn’t mean you can’t be involved. Join a group, sorority, fraternity, honor society, etc. It will give you community involvement, help you make friends, and give you a chance to be on campus without having to be in class or studying.

• Attend events on campus: There are tons of events taking place on campus each day. From musicals to plays to sporting events, anything that keeps you on campus will get you in the school spirit!

Check out the article on USA Today to get more ideas on how to be a commuter and have a successful college career! Do you have any advice of your own?

Written by Guest Blogger, Maria Cafferata

posted by Sandybn
08.16.12
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