Tag Archive for: College

What I Really Learned In College

You learn a lot within the four (or maybe more) years of college. Transition is inevitable, no matter what school you go to or who you choose to socialize with. People say the majority of what you learn in college is outside of the classroom, and they’re not wrong. Here are a few of those lessons that I learned in college.

How to Balance It All

When you start off in college, there are so many new things going on. It can be hard to choose between going to a football game with your friends, or staying in to study. If you decide to join intermural sports or a student organization, balancing that with academic work while still trying to have a life outside the classroom can be pretty hard to manage at times – whether it is spending time with friends, nurturing a creative hobby, or exercising. Learning how to prioritize is one of the most important lessons to take away from college life. It is a skill you will take with you as you enter in to a work environment, and even beyond that.

Hard Work Really Does Pay Off

There is nothing you can’t accomplish with a little hard work. When you set a goal for yourself, you are fully capable of making it happen. It may take sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and probably a few tears, but if you work hard enough you’ll accomplish what you set your sights on during your college tenure. It can sometimes be hard to see past the now of a situation, but shifting your mind to see the full picture is what is going to keep you motivated and your head held high. In the end, you’ll be able to take pride in yourself, not only for reaching your destination, but for the journey it took to get there.

Anything is Possible

There are opportunities around every corner while you’re in college. Whether it’s studying abroad for a semester, or landing an internship in the city of your dreams – anything is possible when you are both determined to make it happen and put a carefully laid out plan in place to move towards your goal. College is the one time in your life where you’re main goal is to learn about the world, about yourself, and figure out what will be important to you as you enter the “adult world.”

Put it Into Perspective

Realize that what is important to you now, as a college student, is not likely to be as important to you as you experience new events in your life. If you think something is must-have-can’t-live-without-not-going-to-change-your-mind, then take a minute to read this great post on Quora about “What is the single insight that most changed your life?”. This type of perspective is important to keep in mind. You’ll need to continue to reassess what’s important to you in life as things like career, family, and children enter the picture.

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How to Land a Summer Internship

Spring Break is upon us, which means Summer vacation is coming up quickly! No matter if you’re a freshman or a senior, if you haven’t had an internship yet, there’s no better time than now. Getting a degree is critical, but having experience in your field of study ranks pretty high on the importance scale as well. Internships show future employers that you’ve had real-world experience and also prove that you have put in the effort it takes to seek out, apply and complete an internship. Summer internship can be some of the best experiences of your life, so here are a few tips to assist in your summer internship venture!

Choose a City

There are so many internship opportunities it might be hard to narrow it down! If you’re finding it difficult to sort through options, I suggest choosing a city you would like to live in for a summer. It is a great way to test the waters for some place you’re considering moving to permanently after graduation. Also consider that depending on your area of study, some places might have better opportunities than others. New York is great for finance, advertising, or theater internships. Nashville is where you want to be if you’re thinking about the music industry. Los Angeles is home to numerous internships for film and television. Washington DC is ideal for gaining experience with non-profits or the government. Keep it local, travel to a place you’ve enjoyed before, or try out somewhere new you’ve never been to before but curious to explore. The possibilities really are endless!

Do Your Research

Once you’ve chosen a city, it’s time to do your research. Look at places that have what you’re interested and don’t be afraid to reach out companies that may be a good fit for you. Some companies have internship tabs on their website, while others may not. Regardless, almost everywhere has contact information and it doesn’t hurt to shoot them an email letting them know you’re interested in a summer internship. If you don’t find internships listed on the company’s website, check out Indeed.com. Also, many university’s Career Centers receive solicitations from company’s seeking internships. Making a good connection at your school’s Career Center can go a long way in getting a solid recommendation or first dibs at a new opportunity. If reaching out to a company directly to inquire about internships, send a brief email with your resume. Be more concise in order to be respectful of the HR Manager’s time. And, it is always better to have your resume as a link rather than an attachment. Don’t forget to have your LinkedIn profile filled in completely and highlight skills relevant to the internship you want. This helps build the picture of who you are and how you can contribute to the company you approach.

Don’t be Afraid of Rejection

Sometimes companies really don’t have a spot available, are only looking for particular qualifications, or if it’s with a larger company, can have a lot of applicants. Whatever the reason, if you’re not getting the responses you want, don’t worry! It only takes one yes for you to get that summer internship. So continue to apply know that your yes is right around the corner!

Companies will be impressed by your persistence and dedication. Hard work really does pay off, and that’s something that people will recognize. Once you’ve landed your summer internship, be prepared to treat it like a job and try to soak up as much knowledge as you can. If that means staying a little later, or offering to assist with a new project, putting in the extra effort will benefit you in the long run!

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Freshman 15 – Myth or Fact?

Everyone has heard the phrase “freshman 15”, but how much of it do we know to be true? After much research, we’ve concluded that this phrase can actually be true, but only if you allow it to be.

We all know that starting off your college career can be a scary and stressful time, especially if you are moving across the U.S. away from home. Living on your own, whether in a dorm or apartment calls for responsibility. Even though studies have shown that the freshman 15 is realistically more like the freshman 3-10 (lbs.). If you don’t prepare, then you can definitely be at risk to gain some college weight.

Here are a few tips that you should keep in mind during your entire college career, which will help keep your health on the right track:

  • Get plenty of sleep (although being a college student is stressful, try your best)
  • Drink lots of H20
  • Keep healthy snacks in your minifridge for in between meals
  • Look up MyPlate to see how to incorporate the 5 food groups into your diet
  • Stay active
  • Eat breakfast
  • Talk to your University dietician to help come up with a meal plan that you can accommodate with the dining hall on campus

Remember, the freshman 15 will only come to be if you allow it. Monitor your eating habits and take care of yourself!

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Get Your Dorm Deco Ready For Fall

We bet you are excited to begin classes and move into your dorm room, but you still have a few weeks left of summer. Why not get your dorm decorations ready? DIY projects are super fun and you get to show off to all your friends! We searched for some of the coolest DIY dorm deco projects, for you to use, courtesy of Pinterest!

1. Light up your room with some fun and colorful lights.

These are are sure to start up conversation, with the opener, “who knew ping pong balls weren’t just for playing games”!

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Click here to find out how to make these fun lights for your room!

2.  Transform your room using washi tape!

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Click here to see all the different ways washi tape can be used!

3. Give yourself some privacy with a new dorm bed canopy!

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Find out how to make it here!

4. Make a colorful rainbow using paint chips or samples!

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Head down to your local hardware store and ask for some paint samples or paint chips, using your imagination, create a colorful design to attach to your wall!

5. Create a cool, organized desk supply holder using emptied Pringle cans! First you snack, and then you stack!

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Click here to make your very own! 

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Oh, The Places You Can Go!

If you had the opportunity to travel internationally, meet new people, try new things and study your degree in a whole new perspective. Would you do it?

Traveling abroad can be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences in your college career. It gives you that chance to gain knowledge from another country including their customs and culture, and experience it for yourself.

With the help of your University, the possibilities are endless! The only question you would need to ask yourself would be, “Where do I want to go”?

Here are the top 5 most popular places to travel abroad, according to BuzzFeed Life:

1. Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia

2. Keio University in Tokyo, Japan

3. Univerity of Granada in Spain

4. Fudan University in Shanghai, China

5. American College in Dublin, Ireland

Many of these International Colleges were rated the highest on The Abroad 101 list and also offer many of the courses that will qualify to transfer back over to your University. Not to mention, they are also located in some of the world’s most beautiful countries, with tons of things to do! You can not only study, but possibly learn a new language (which always looks good on a resume). And you’ll have life-changing experiences, which we are sure you wouldn’t regret! Get together with your advisor and see what options you have!

 

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Summer Job in the City

Summer is in full effect but what are you going to do until school starts back up again? Have you thought about getting a summer job? It’s not too late to look into something part time, there are plenty of places that even hire just for the summer.

Getting a summer job is a great way to keep busy during the summer if you didn’t sign up for summer classes, meet new people, plus you get some extra cash! It’s a good idea to save some of the money you earn during your summer job, this way you can begin the school year with some funds in your bank account without having to ask your parents.

You can also use your hard earned summer money for some fun during your break as well. Go out a few times to see the city with friends. Visit the places you had been wanting to but couldn’t during the semester, try a new restaurant you’ve been dying to try. You’ll have the extra time and money to have a fun and memorable summer!

Some good places to look for seasonal positions:

  • Retail Stores
  • Coffee Shops
  • Small Boutiques
  • Bookstores
  • Restaurants
  • Music Stores

Other good ways to save some money this summer:

  • Dog Walking
  • Baby Sitting
  • House Sitting
  • Blogging
  • Tutoring Summer Classes
  • Become a Door To Dorm Student Ambassador

 

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Summer School Blues

Summer is here and while other students are going home for the break, some students need to stay for summer school. During these months, the days tend to get hotter and there’s no better way to beat the heat than gulping down cold drinks.

A mini fridge is one of the most common items in a college dorm, especially during summer. These fridges are cheap and small enough to fit in small spaces. They provide convenience and independence to students, which is why you should consider renting one for your dorm.

While mini fridges are cheap, it is recommended to rent one for the summer. Fridge rentals are affordable and will save you money in the long run. When you have one in your dorm room, you can keep cold drinks. This can save you a lot of money instead of buying soda and coffee on the go. The fridge is also a great place to store leftover food, say goodbye to spoiled food!

When you go back to school in summer, having a fridge in the room will help you stay focused on schoolwork. When exams come, and you do a lot of cramming, you don’t need to go out of the room to grab a drink or a quick bite. That way you can concentrate on studying without any distractions.

Students with fridges in their dorm rooms have been observed to have healthier eating habits compared to those without fridges. They keep yogurt and fruits in their fridge that allow them to eat healthy. Some of the common healthy foods that you can keep in your mini fridge include low-fat cheese, vegetables, eggs, hummus and salsa, just to name a few.

When looking for fridge rentals, you should keep in mind that some dormitories and colleges have rules about appliances in rooms. You should check with your college first before renting one for the summer. If they allow one in your room, we can provide FREE shipping, that way you don’t need to worry about how you’re going to get the fridge inside your dorm. And when your rental agreement ends, we will also pick it up from your dorm for FREE again!

Ordering a mini fridge for the summer is the perfect way to save money and at the same time beat the heat. You will have all the comforts of home without breaking your budget. Fridge rentals are better, especially if you are going to use it for a single semester. Most rental facilities offer a per-semester rate, which makes it more affordable than buying one!

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