Tag Archive for: Student Tips

Safety Tips for College Students

The college experience should include safe spaces where students can live, learn and find a sense of community. Though this is usually the case, it’s exceedingly important to remain vigilant and keep your safety in mind at all times. With the new semester starting, we at Door To Dorm want to provide a few tips on how to avoid putting yourself in vulnerable positions:

Look up from your phone

via GIPHY

It’s easy to put your earbuds in, stare down at your phone, and zone out, but with so much going on around you (traffic, bikers, skateboarders, etc.) it’s important to remember to look up and be present.

Never walk alone at night

walk alone, do not walk alone, night walk, night jog, library, campus, walk on campus

During the day, college campuses are usually teeming with students and faculty, but at night, it empties out quite a bit. If you find yourself studying late on campus, be sure you have a walking buddy when it’s time to walk back to your car or dorm. Many universities offer security escort services for this precise situation, so check with your campus to see if they offer this service.

Utilize campus safety apps

safety app, college safety, college safety app

Most colleges and universities can be found on different campus safety apps like CampusSafe. These apps feature a button that immediately notifies your campus police department when pushed. This saves the time of dialing 911 and notifies the police of your location.

Party safely

college party, party safety, college safety, party tips. party

There’s a high chance you’ll attend some college parties from time to time, but it’s important that you party responsibly.

First off, don’t attend any party alone. This is because you want someone to know where you are and NOTICE if you suddenly disappear throughout the evening. Also, it’s nice to have a buffer when you meet a bunch of strangers so you don’t feel awkward. The best party partner is someone you know well and trust to have your back.

That said, whether you go with one other person or a small friend group to a party, make sure one of you is the DD (Designated Driver). You can switch off for different parties to make it fair, but there should always be someone sober and alert that can gauge when you need to get out of an unsolicited or bad situation.

Watch your beverage. Whatever beverage you drink (alcoholic for 21+ or non-alcoholic ), make sure you never put your cup down. If you have to put your cup down to go to the bathroom, or somewhere else, make sure you grab a new drink after (that you pour yourself). It’s unfortunate, but people have been known to add things to other people’s drinks that they never wanted or requested. The safest beverage you can drink at a party is one that comes from a can or bottle that is sealed—don’t drink concoctions out of a tub, punch bowl or any variation of a pre-mixed shared source. It’s not safe, and it’s also gross.

Don’t be afraid to leave. When something feels not so right, trust your gut. It’s no big deal to leave if you’re not comfortable. There will be other parties. If your friends are good friends, they’ll understand, support, trust, and leave with you. If they don’t, they’re not good friends, but you should still grab a cab, uber, or call someone you trust to pick you up. Many universities offer free pickup services off-campus for college students. Check with your campus to see if you have this resource and save the number for the pickup service in your phone before you go out.

Carry a self-defense device

self-defense, self defense, protection for college, college safety, college protection

Whether it’s pepper spray, a whistle, or a taser—it’s always wise to carry something you can use quickly and efficiently to defend yourself. All three of these devices are compact and easy to transport.

Lock your doors

Lock Doors, college safety, dorm safety,

This may seem obvious, but it’s very easy to become relaxed in your living space (especially if you live on campus). Just remember that no matter how safe you feel in your home, it’s extremely important that you always keep your doors locked—better safe than sorry!

No one wants to live a life full of worry and distrust—relax and enjoy your college experience. Just remember to always have your safety in mind so you don’t end up like this guy:

Real Bros Johnny GIF from Realbros GIFs
/by
,

Fuel Up for Those Midterms

October is spooky, and we’re not just talking about Halloween. You know what we’re talking about – it’s midterm season. Most college students dread this part of the semester. Your week might be filled with sleepless nights, followed by upset stomachs from all the junk you’ve been munching on during study hours. Unfortunately, most students mistakenly eat or drink the wrong foods during midterms. Sweet and salty treats will usually lead to stomach issues, especially if over-eaten. We’re here to help you find the best snacks and meals to properly fuel you and your brain up for midterms!

Did you know that certain foods can affect your exam performance? Your brain literally needs vitamin-dense foods to create the energy that will make your work more efficient. Eating the right food for your brain will decrease fogginess and fatigue. According to the BBC, eating a balanced diet can help you focus, which will lead to more efficient studying, and overall academic performance.

Click here to read more from BBC on which foods can have a positive affect on your brain. Aside from food, it’s also important to give your body plenty of rest and hydrate with lots of H20.

So, what foods you should try to stay away from?

  • Sugars
  • Processed foods (chips, fast food, frozen foods, etc.)
  • Caffeine (soda, energy drinks, coffee, etc.)

We know it seems impossible to make gourmet inspired meals in a dorm room, let alone tasty ones. Luckily, with the help of your MicroChill®, you’ll be able to accept the challenge!

Morning

If your exam is in the morning, you’ll want a yummy breakfast filled with slow releasing carbs which can be found in whole grains. Our go to would be granola or oatmeal, which can be made right in your microwave! Here’s a tasty recipe for a homemade granola from Real Mom Kitchen. We love this recipe because it can be eaten with milk or yogurt as a breakfast, or eaten by itself as a healthy snack on the go. Perfect for those college students running late to an exam, just toss some in your backpack and snack on the way!

Night

If your exam is at night, we have the perfect pre-exam dinner option for you: Salmon. Fish is jam packed with Omega-3’s and protein which is amazing for brain health and concentration. This recipe from Healthy Aperture should do the trick, complete this tasty dish with some steamed broccoli or carrots and you’ve got yourself a healthy meal filled with iron and fibre. The great thing about all of these dishes is they can all be made right in the comfort of your dorm room!

Snacks

Here are two great snack you can prep for the week of mid-terms.

Kale Chips 

Don’t be afraid of vegetables! Kale is a super food you’ll want to incorporate into your diet, and this leafy green tastes even better crispy! Here’s a quick and easy recipe you’ve got to try.

Dark Chocolate Bark with cranberry, pistachios and pecans. 

Not only does dark chocolate taste delicious, but it also has many benefits including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants. Adding nuts and dried fruit is a great and healthy addition. Here’s the recipe!

 

 

/by

Freshman Year Checklist

 

  1. Books – Sometimes the campus bookstore can be a bit pricey, try to shop around first and remember that you also have to option to rent. Try Chegg, Amazon or Slug Books!
  2. Scholarships – To try and avoid student loans, look for scholarships first. Scholarships can also help cut costs on your books and living arrangements. Here’s a list of a few websites that might help you find the perfect scholarship to apply for:
  1. Dorm Necessities – A mini fridge will help save your dorm life & don’t forget to stock it up with plenty of water, and healthy foods.
  2. Sleep Gear – Comfy pillows/sheets/favorite stuffed animal – Whatever will help catch those extra z’s at night, you’ll need as many as you can get!
  3. Map of Campus – and any other paperwork you’ll need to help you find your classes, offices, student resources, etc.
  4. School Supplies – Don’t overdo it. Look at your syllabi and only get the required supplies.
  5. Memories – Because you’ll be moving into a dorm room, you can’t take all your belongings from home. Maybe pick 5 of your favorite memories to keep from cluttering. Perhaps pictures of friends/family back home to start off?
  6. Clothes – Only pack what you’ll need for the fall semester. You can swap clothes for spring when you go back home!
  7. Bathroom – Because you’ll probably have to share a bathroom, a bathroom caddy helps keep all your bathroom items organized and together.
  8. Dry erase board/calendar – This will help you stay organized and keep track of your classes and times.
  9. Headphones – So you won’t disturb your roomie when you’re listening to your heavy rock, rap, or whatever music you like. They’re also great for watching your favorite movie late at night.
  10. Alarm Clock – DON’T rely on your cell phone to be your alarm. There are too many possibilities of it not working and you risking the chance to miss that 8am class isn’t worth it!
  11. Organization – Living in a dorm room is all about organization. Invest in several plastic bins, vacuum seal bags or any other items you can use to help organize all your belongings.
  12. Establish a Monthly Budget – Take a look at all your expenses for the month and try to organize a monthly budget to help you distribute your funds accurately. This is very helpful if you have a part time job or are only living off of your loans, financial aid or scholarship income.
  13. Monetary – University college card/ID, bank card/credit card. Although credit cards can be dangerous, they are great for emergencies. You just have to be responsible and only use for emergencies. (Unfortunately, burritos at 2AM doesn’t count as an emergency)!
/by

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!

/by