5 Things You Shouldn’t Bring to College

You’re going to have a laundry list of stuff that you need to bring with you when you head off to college, from your laptop and school supplies, to XL twin bedding, to clothing that’s appropriate for the climate you’ll now be living in. But while there are certain things you need (winter boots, a sturdy backpack) and items you’ll definitely want (mini fridge, your guitar), there’s plenty of bulky stuff that you should opt to leave at home. Not only are there many items you won’t have room for, but most of it you’ll find that you also don’t need. So when you make a beeline for the vaunted halls of learning, here are just a few things you shouldn’t bother schlepping along.

  1. Furniture. Forget it! Dorms will provide you with a bed, a desk (and chair), and generally an armoire of some sort. Nothing else is going to fit in your room. They really pack you in like sardines. And frankly, you’re not going to need any other furniture. If you want to stretch out on the couch and watch a movie you can go down to the common room. Anything you actually manage to squeeze into your room (bean bag chairs are the ever-popular choice) is just going to be in the way and will probably spend the majority of the year shoved under your bed.

  2. Your entire wardrobe. Have you seen dorm rooms? They’re small and they have very little storage space. So just bring a few mix-and-match pieces, plus whatever you’ll need to combat environmental concerns, and leave the rest at home. If you find that you’re missing certain pieces you can always have your mom send them to you. And while you could certainly bring a vacuum sealer and bags, the sealer itself will take up some space, potentially negating any benefits it might have brought you.

  3. Large electronics. The 50-inch flatscreen is nice, but there are a few problems with bringing it. First, it is bulky and breakable. Second, you won’t have any place to put it – likely you won’t be allowed to damage the walls by installing heavy-duty mounts to hold it. And finally, even if you could overcome the other problems, you’ll have to sit on your roommate’s bed to watch it and you’ll be too close to the screen. Save yourself a lot of time and heartache by simply using your laptop to enjoy media. Your TV will be waiting for you at home.

  4. Pets. You’ll no doubt see plenty of people on campus with their pets, but keep in mind that these people probably don’t live in dorms. In fact, most dorms don’t allow pets (and even then only small, caged pets like fish, reptiles, and so on). Plus, it’s really not fair to consign an animal to living in such a small space. And likely you’re roommate won’t take kindly to a litter box or occasional doggy mess in cramped living quarters.

  5. Your car. It’s true that to most teens, a car represents freedom. But considering all the obligations that come along with your car; maintenance items (oil pan, tools, 4 post lifts, and so on), the cost of insurance, registration, parking, and gas; it could really weigh you down on campus. Plus, you probably won’t have much use for it since most colleges are easy enough to navigate by walking, biking, or skating, and they generally have mass transit services that come right to the premises. So non-op your car and save some cash.

This guest post was written by Leon Harris.

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Dating Tips with Christopher Mendes

Below is an interview with our very own, editor-in-chief and master-of-seduction, Christopher Mendes. The interview was conducted by Tonya of datingsite.org.

Tonya: The days of going to college for your “MRS degree” were not so long ago. Many college students still intend to get married when they graduate. What should a college student do to make sure their college love is the love of their life? That being said, how common is it these days for a student to graduate without any plans for a wedding in the near future?

Christopher: If you have been together for a least a few years (i.e., most of college), you should know if the person you are dating is marriage-worthy or just a complete bum. But if they are a complete bum, it really says a lot about you…and you should probably go find someone else. Like right away. Do it. Now. Anyway, the average age for men to get married in the United States is 28 and for women it is 26-27. Most people wait until about half a decade after college to do it.

Tonya: Let’s be honest, if you don’t meet your friends in class, you meet them at parties or bars. While these are certainly great places to meet people, what would you say are the top places in college to meet quality, potentially relationship ready, people?

Christopher: From a man’s perspective: One of the best places to meet relationship-type girls is in class. Most of the typical places men hit on women are the worst places to do it. To meet good friends, pick an activity, club, or sport and go for it!

Tonya: What is your opinion on dating sites? More specifically, should college students look to dating sites to find love? Have they become that mainstream?

Christopher: Yes, dating sites have definitely become mainstream! A few good friends of mine tried them a few years back when they were starting to get more popular but today everybody is doing it and it is not weird any more.

Tonya: Should college students be concerned about finding love during college? What would you say to those who are graduating not only with no intention to get married anytime soon, but single?

Christopher: I think of college as more of a time to have fun. Thinking about a serious relationship may not be the best way to do it. Relationships are fun and it is definitely fun being in a relationship but that should not be someone’s priority. The intention to stay single, that definitely should not be anyone’s priority.

Tonya: College is often a mix of people from other countries and cultural backgrounds. When is it too soon to ask about the personal issues, like religion for example? Is the first date too soon?

Christopher: I don’t think so. Usually these ‘taboo’ or ‘hot’ topics like religion and politics will ruin relationships or make them stronger. It is best to know where you stand with your potential partner on the issues that are important to you, if they are that important to you.

Tonya: If you met someone while under the influence of alcohol, is it a good idea to call that person the next morning and express your interest in them?

Christopher: It is better than regretting not doing it later! Life’s short; do it!

Tonya: What about teachers? Perhaps professors are out of place, but teacher’s assistants and graduates students often assist in teaching classes and even grading papers. When is it and when isn’t it appropriate to pursue a relationship with these individuals?

Christopher: Relationships between students and TA’s are a lot more common than you think! The best policy is to always wait until the semester is over before starting the relationship.

Tonya: Another common scenario is that a freshman meets a senior student whom he or she is infatuated with. Is it okay to pursue that relationship? What are things freshmen should be cautious when dating a senior?

Christopher: In general if the freshman is the woman and the senior is the man, it is more widely acceptable. But that is not always the case. I would say go for it. What’s the worst that can happen (as long as both parties are over 18)? The potential problems with dating a senior: the senior will soon be graduating, looking for jobs or applying to graduate school, his/her friends will be significantly older and may look down on you for being ‘immature’.

Tonya: My last question is another common scenario, long distance relationships. Sometimes the lover is left in high school, is at another college or graduates and moves away. What is your best advice to maintaining a long distance relationship and keeping it strong?

Christopher: Buy two webcams, install Skype.

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Farting in Class – Hilarious Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMoedZ_PF04

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5 Reasons to Get Outside

So you’ve heard about the dangers of sun exposure, but did you know it could be even more dangerous to stay inside? Quit worrying about your lily-white skin and hit the beach, you’ll be glad you did. Here are five reasons to break out your sunscreen and toast your tootsies.

1. Exercise

It’s so much easier to exercise outdoors. Treadmills are boring! Get out there and see some sights while you run. Play games, like basketball or tennis, and forget you’re even burning calories. Your bike is a great way to get around and a heck of a lot cheaper than gas.

2. Vitamin D

“Two forms are important in humans: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight.” At least ten minutes of sunshine is needed daily for your body to produce the vitamin D3 that you need. The major function of vitamin D is to maintain levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Research also suggests that vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.

3. Social

It’s so much more fun to hand around in groups when you are outside than being crammed in a room like sardines. The next party you throw or gathering you have, try to make it outside. If it’s daytime, try a picnic. Fun plus food equals a good time had by all. If it is night, light it up! Tiki torches or even car headlights provide a fun atmosphere and no one will call the cops to tell you to turn down your music!

4. Brain break

Even the biggest geeks need a break once in a while. Study breaks give you time to recharge and reevaluate. Take a breath of fresh air, look at some scenery, and stop to smell the roses. Your brain, and your test scores, will thank you.

5. Experience

If you are stuck in school all the time, studying in the library, or even hanging out in your dorm, you are missing out on experiencing your town. Every place has something to offer. Your town may have an active night life, it may have a boardwalk or beach, it may have a cool historical district, or just beautiful scenery. You’ll never know if you don’t venture forth and look. Don’t be the guy who knows nothing about the town they went to school in. Take the time to explore.

There you have it; five reasons to get outside. Don’t end up a pasty egg-head, get outside and join in on the fun. If your school isn’t big on the out-of-doors, start something yourself. Winter, Spring, or Fall, you can enjoy the outdoors. So take a chance, take a deep breath, and get outside!

This Guest post is by Christine Kane, a graduate of Communication and Journalism. She enjoys writing about a wide-variety of subjects including internet providers in my area for different blogs. She can be reached via email at: Christi.Kane00 @ gmail.com

[All photos free courtesy of MorgueFile.com.]

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5 Scholarship Websites Every College Applicant Should Be Aware Of

What is the most vital part of the process of applying for college? Some applicants would say it is passing all exams or making sure that your high-school transcript looks good. Others may state that the most important part is preparing all the needed documents and selecting the institution. 

Each of these answers is true. However, there is one more thing that you might be missing out. Let’s discuss scholarships.

With tuition costs going up by leaps and bounds, an awarded scholarship can become a lucky ticket for many high-school graduates. College scholarships and grants can give you a good kick-start into adult life and help cope with a variety of financial issues.

Unfortunately, many young people are ignoring this opportunity, thinking that obtaining a scholarship is extremely hard or even impossible for them. 

This judgment is not always true. Of course, it may be hard to find the right opportunity and prepare all the documents. Presenting a top-notch essay isn’t easy as well unless you turn to a professional write my essay online service. However, all it takes is a bit of dedication and work. 

Besides, if you know exactly where to search for such opportunities, it is already halfway to success! In this article, we have prepared a list of top five scholarship websites that will help you get the financial help you need. Let’s dive in!

College Applicant’s Toolkit: Best Scholarship Sites to Keep at Hand

Despite a common belief, finding scholarships can be easy as A, B, C! Just a few decades ago, this process used to be much more complicated and time-consuming. Times have changed, and now, students can do the same quickly and easily.

The easiest way to discover available opportunities is to use specialized websites that have a database of various grants and scholarships. As a rule, applicants can search through a base with the help of multiple filters such as gender, country of origin, academic level, special interests, etc. 

How to pick the right website? It could be hard if you’d have to do it on your own, but we’ve got you covered! Below, we have collected some of the best sites to help you fund your education.

1. Fastweb

Even if you haven’t heard of it yet, trust us, Fastweb is one of those must-have tools for all college applicants! This resource features a convenient tool for finding funding.

Also, here, you can discover tons of internships and jobs. Finally, at Fastweb, students can research different colleges and find up to date information about each institution with ease. Therefore, if you still haven’t used this platform, be sure to give it a try!

2. FinAid

Our next top pick is a widely known online resource for university applicants. Here you can find comprehensive information about different types of funding, including grants, financial aid, scholarships, and more.

One of the most significant benefits of FinAid is that it makes finding opportunities simple and helps you determine which ones are the right options!

3. CollegeBoard

For those of you who have never heard of it before, the College Board is one of the oldest educational organizations in the world. Thus, it is fair to say that the resources offered by this community are reliable and helpful.

The same applies to their extensive database of funding opportunities called CollegeBoard, where students from all across the globe can discover a variety of options.

4. Chegg Scholarships

This platform’s database contains over 25,000 options, so the chances that everyone will find something suitable are pretty high! The reason why we like this platform a lot is that Chegg Scholarships features an extremely intuitive and convenient searching tool. At the same time, it provides quite accurate matches based on the details you type in.

5. Peterson’s

The last but not least handy option on this list is Peterson’s. It is a smart online platform created to help young people find funding for their education quickly and easily. 

The searching tool used at this service has pretty high filtering capabilities, allowing you to find a perfect match based on your needs!

Final Words

If you are starting off to university, be prepared to face a handful of various challenges daily. In most cases, life in a campus becomes a transition point from a teenager into an adult. 

Clearly, this transition can’t pass unnoticed. You can’t avoid some hardships in the studying process. However, one thing you can do right now is to make sure that financial issues won’t be among those issues you may face!

Although obtaining high-quality education is much more available today, it is still expensive. And the cost keeps growing with each year. Applying for grants and scholarships, you can ease the financial burden and get more of your campus years.

Hopefully, this article will help future students find just the right opportunities for them. Using any of the websites mentioned above, you can save plenty of time and discover the most exciting scholarships available out there. 

Now, all that’s left to do is to believe in yourself and do your best to get the funding you need!

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