Tag Archive for: Tips

How to Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

When traveling to visit friends and relatives during the holiday break, or moving between semesters, many travelers are exposed to other people’s germs, especially in busy areas such as:

  • airports
  • train stations 
  • bus terminals 
  • taxis 
  • …basically any public transit!

So what does that mean for you? When exposed to a widespread of germs, or bacteria, your chances of getting sick are at an all-time high, (and we all know that getting sick is literally the W-O-R-S-T). Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help lower your chances of getting sick while traveling back home for the holidays.

Look, But Don’t Touch

Remember that hard surfaces such as stainless steel or plastic will retain viruses for 48 hours after contact. Airport gate counters, fast food tables, toilet handles, armrests on chairs, kiosk screens, handrails and especially the trays used in TSA security are all hot spots for bacteria, or germs to build up, contracting many illnesses. 

Some tips to prevent catching an illness would be to:

  1. Book an early morning flight, because planes are cleaned more thoroughly. 
  2. Bring your own pillow + blanket, (and make sure to wash them once you’re home)! Check out this neck pillow that’s affordable & machine washable!
  3. Try to avoid touching those hot spots mentioned above.
  4. If you do touch them, wash your hands frequently. 
  5. Always carry a travel safe hand sanitizer (<3.4 oz) or antibacterial wipes. 
  6. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, or
  7. Wear a mouth mask to protect you from inhaling any bacteria, as inhaling is the main way your body is exposed to germs.
  8. Keep your immune system up while traveling by drinking plenty of H20 + taking your vitamins.

Winter breaks are a perfect time to spend with your loved ones and eat yummy home-cooked meals. If you’re planning to bring back any food from your trip home, read our last blog post on which food items are TSA approved!

/0 Comments/by

5 Apps You Need When Studying Abroad

Traveling has never been easier than it is now. Gone are the days of MapQuest and struggling in with the travel apps. When they said “There’s an app for everything,” they weren’t kidding. This generation of travelers want the hottest deals and the lowest prices when roaming the globe – especially if they’re taking a semester abroad. If you’re planning on taking an international trip in the near future, we’ll break down five must-have travel apps to download before your new adventure begins!

1. Hopper


If you’re a millennial, you’ll most likely be traveling by air. We all know that plane tickets aren’t always cheap, and that’s why Hopper is a great help in airfare price-watching. With the slogan “Predict. Watch. Buy. Fly.”, Hopper makes booking flights that easy. If you know when you will be going, you can just punch in the dates, and let the app do the rest.

2. Maps.Me

Because you might not always be able to connect to WiFi when you’re abroad, this app is a serious life saver. With Maps. Me you’re able to look at maps of the country you’re in without an internet connection. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or driving, Maps.Me will help get you there fast, and for free.

3. Hostelworld

When it comes to studying abroad, you’re probably not going to stay in the same place for long. On the days you’re not working on academics, you might explore other nearby places. Whether that’s hopping on a boat or train to another country, or just visiting a different city, you’ll need a place to sleep. Hostelworld let’s you find and book different hostels worldwide. Rated with nearly 5 stars, it’s secure, convenient, and perfect at fulfilling that feeling of wanderlust. It’s no wonder Huffington Post’s round up featured Hostelworld as one of the best travel apps.

4. Foursquare

Online reviews are a beautiful thing. Picking a place to eat, drink and be merry is so easy with apps like Foursquare. You can read reviews on restaurants, coffee shops, and night-life in the area so you don’t have to go in blind. Foursquare makes it easy for you and your friends to discover hidden gems globally, which is perfect for those who are traveling abroad to unfamiliar destinations.

5. WhatsApp

Data charges are ridiculous when you’re studying abroad in a different country. WhatsApp is a necessity when it comes to keeping in touch with friends and family back home in the United States. Here’s the breakdown: both you and your loved one will need to download the app. It can work as a text messenger, or you can make a call, as long as you both have an internet connection. That’s basically it, it’s simple, secure and reliable. Say goodbye to outrageous data charges and homesickness. Thanks WhatsApp!

/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
,

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!

/by

Summer Internships Pros vs Cons

Taking a summer internship can be one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of your career. With summer just around the corner, the deadlines are coming along with it for most companies. If you haven’t already applied and/or interviewed for any internships this summer, you definitely want to act now. If you are still a bit “ify” about the whole deal, here are a few pros vs cons that might help with you ultimate decision.

Pro: Networking. Introduce yourself to as many people as you can, engage in conversation and get to know your peers. Networking is one of the easiest and best things that can help you in your career.

Pro: Advantage. If after your graduate, you decide you want to re-apply at the same company you interned with,  they will remember your name and work ethic because you showed them during your internship.

Pro: References. Your boss at your summer internship will make a great reference for future job opportunities. Work hard and earn those letters of recommendation!

Pro: Experience. Whether paid or not, you’re still getting experience which will benefit you in the long-run throughout your career.

Wait, we forgot to mention a con…

Con: Not doing a summer internship will make you miss out on all these pros!

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow, will be our doubts of today.”

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

Here is a few internship websites to help you get started:

http://www.summerinternships.com/

https://www.internmatch.com/s/summer-internships

http://www.internships.com/business/2015-summer-paid-internships

http://espncareers.com/college/internships

https://netimpact.org/

/by