Thursday, November 10, 2011

How To Get Rid of a Hangover


Ahh, the hangover -- dreaded reminder of a night devoted to forgetting. Though so-called "remedies" appear abundant at first glance, they always seem to do little in stopping its evil onset.

Well, I'm sorry to say that I won't be bringing you some ancient middle earth cure for the mistakes you made through others' encouragement last night, nor am I going to try and sell you some wonder pill that's supposed to soak up all those "Bad Booze Toxins" swimming around in your bloodstream. Instead, I will be sharing with you what has seemed to work for me -- so pay attention.......

Monday, November 7, 2011

College Tuition Facts That Will Surely Piss You Off



I usually steer clear of these huge "info-graphs", but this one was just too relevant to pass up. Being that I am a recent graduate currently feeling the effects of the loan debt this graph is talking about, I really had no choice but to share it.

I also challenge anyone who is currently attending or has recently graduated college to try not getting upset while reading this. Trust me...it's hard.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Make the Most of Your Internship

By Follett intern, Barron Biros

Figuring out your post-graduation career plans can be a daunting task, but one of the best ways to prepare for the real world is by having internship experience. Last fall, a friend told me about Follett’s Marketing Genius competition. I was immediately hooked when I heard about the grand prize: a paid summer internship with Follett’s integrated marketing department and free housing in Chicago.

I entered the competition with my best friend and we created a detailed marketing plan to promote Follett’s Rent-A-Text program, which allows students to rent textbooks instead of buy them full price, and CafeScribe, Follett’s digital textbook option. After pitching our campaign to company executives, we were awarded first place and named Follett’s first “Marketing Geniuses.”

My internship with Follett allowed me to work for a real-world marketing team and gave me the opportunity to put the skills I learned in college to the test. Whether you’re destined to be a Marketing Genius, or your career aspirations lie elsewhere, it’s important to remember that an internship can be a great stepping stone to full-time employment. Here are three tips for how to stand out during your internship and make a great impression on your employer.

Network: Everyone knows networking can be the key to finding a job, but it can also be helpful after your internship is complete. So take the time to get to know your co-workers whether you plan to continue your career there or move on somewhere else. And remember, networking doesn’t always have to be about business. I’ve made some great professional connections here at Follett, but I’ve also made friends with my colleagues. You never know where your connections may lead when your internship is over.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Feeling Lonely? -- 5 Ways To Cure Those Freshman Blues


Moving away from your parents and friends for college can be kind of a shock, and unless you're some kind of "social butterfly" -- it might take a while for you to find interesting people you can connect with. So, here are a few ways to cure some of those in-between"home-town blues" while still meeting great new people.

Take a walk around campus (even if you don't have class)
I know this sounds a little obvious, but we've all had friends that, if they're not eating or going to class -- they're more than likely sitting in their dorm room alone. If I just described you, Get Out for God Sakes! Sitting around doing nothing is the leading cause of the dreaded Freshman Fifteen! Let me put it this way, I met the girl I've spent the last 5 years of my life with on a bus on the way back from "The Freshman Lot" (a place where Freshman have to park their cars if they live on campus). That moment was as random and coincidental as you can possibly get and it has shaped everything about my life ever since. You're never going to find what your looking for where you've already searched, so why not go out and have a look around somewhere else for once.

Leave your Hometown at Home
It's hard to leave people you care about and go on to something new, and I'm not saying you need to cut ties completely -- but if talking with your family and old friends consumes your life at college, you will never be able to form the new friendships and bonds your college years can create. It's alright to Skype a friend every once and a while, or even keep a long distance relationship working -- but you can't let it run your life. Make time for old friends as well as new ones. Being frank about it, if you loved home so much -- then why did you leave it to go to school in the first place? There is such a thing as online classes you know.

Join a club or organization
Joining a school club or organization is by far the easiest way to meet new people and make new friends (that is if you actually make time for it). You don't even need to sign up! When I was a Freshman living in the dorms, there was a Baptist Student Organization that always met at the bottom of College Hill and played Ultimate Frisbee every Wednesday afternoon. I never signed a paper or went to a single meeting with the group, but every Wednesday for a couple of months I would head down there and play a few games with them.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" -- Thank You Steve


Not many changed the world as you did -- Thank You.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Google+ You = "Your Social Rebirth"

Have you ever logged onto Facebook and thought, "Who are you people and what have you done with my friends?" Me too! For some strange reason I have accumulated over 400 people that would consider themselves my "Friends", and all I ever see when I log on is them doing stuff without me. Because in truth -- we aren't really friends, we're "Facebook Friends".

Well, if you're tired of feeling this way, I think I may have found the solution....Google+! Google+ represents something of a Social Restart button. Instead of going through and slyly "de"-friending people (that honestly probably never was a friend in the first place), now you can just move onto to the fresh start and greener pastures that is Google+.

Not to mention Google+ has a simple and easy way to move people that aren't as close into a separate category called "Acquaintances". Because isn't that what 90% of Facebook friends are anyway......just Acquaintances.

So.....if your looking for a new Social Rebirth to go along with that degree your striving for,

Here's a invite link to get you started: https://plus.google.com/i/_IspoBj7YP4:nuJGxYj7G6k

P.S. - I know this kinda sounds like a commercial, but no one paid me or told me to say this. Facebook has just been making me mad lately.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Buff up Your Back-to-School Body

The Real College Guide: Health & Fitness

From the Editors of The Real College Guide


photo credit: ©iStockphoto.com/huaxiadragon

If you’ve spent your summer break lying by the pool -- instead of swimming laps in it -- chances are you’ve lost some of your all-star collegiate athlete muscle. Want to buff up your back-to-school bod? Meghan Hamacher, exercise instructor at the student recreation center at University of North Carolina Wilmington, stresses that you need both cardiovascular and strength training to really maximize body toning and fat burn.

“If you increase your muscle, you will increase your metabolism and maximize your fat-burning potential,” says Hamacher. So while cardio exercises are great for shedding fat, a muscular person burns more calories during rest than does a flabby person. “Ideally, you should work out at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, to lose weight and tone quickly.” For cardio, Hamacher says good choices are biking, swimming, running, skating or even walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes. Below are her instructions for strength-training exercises, along with a recommended fitness routine.

Exercises to Get Buff Now
If you’re a beginner or pretty much have been idle all summer, start by doing half the recommended repetitions the first week before gradually easing your way up to the suggested amount of reps. For maximum toning, the courageous can try working up to doing each day’s circuit twice.

V-ups: Lie on your back on the floor, arms at your sides, then lift your legs and chest at the same time to form a V shape with your body, extending arms in front of you for balance. Hold for a count of one before lowering yourself back to the floor. To make it harder, only lower your legs and chest about halfway (so your feet and shoulders never touch the floor). This will really challenge your legs and abs! Try four sets of 15 reps.

Monday, September 19, 2011

DKNY Queen Bed Set Giveaway -- $199 Value


So, you've finally got settled in your new dorm/apartment. Everything feels like it's where it needs to be, except for those hideous hand-me-down bed sheets your mother gave you (probably from when she was in college).You want to buy some new sheets, but you just don't have the money. Well, today is your lucky day.....

I have a brand new Queen-Size DKNY Scribble Bed Set (pictured above) to give away to one lucky reader. Here's what DKNY has to say about this set...
Artsy with a feminine twist, DKNY Scribble Daisy is perfect for the DKNY girl with a creative mind. Covered in fun doodled flowers with a pop of hot pink, this collection bursts with a sense of imagination that is sure to inspire.
So -- you want it? Well it couldn't be simpler to enter for your chance to win (not to mention free). I'm using this great new service called rafflecopter (located at the bottom of this post), which makes the winner completely random and takes care of the entry processes.

There are fours ways you can enter (one of which you can do once a day).

Each option gives you a different amount of entries into the contest, so pay attention......

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

9 Tips to Survive Dorm Life

The Dorm Room

Sarah Fudin currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California's online Masters in teaching program, which provides the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree and learn how to become a teacher. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.

Going off to college presents many new challenges students may have never faced before, but one of the most daunting is living on your own, away from home and, for most freshmen, in a college dorm. Coming from a tight-knit east coast family I was both excited and anxious when I received my roommate information via mail – she was from Beverly Hills, CA and yes, her zip code was 90210! These tips will help make living in a dorm a positive experience.

1. Explore your dorm early
When you get to campus, take some time in the first few days to familiarize yourself with your dorm. Find out where the laundry machines are, where the lounges and study spaces are and what they offer, and of course, where the closest bathroom to your room is. Knowing what’s available near you will be important when you feel like you need to...

2. Get out!
Living in a small dorm room can make anyone feel claustrophobic pretty quickly. It pays to get out of your room and go study or hang out elsewhere. It’s more than just a change of scene, you will meet more people this way.

3. Organize your room early
It can be tempting to put off setting up your room at the beginning of the year when it seems like so much is going on, but it only gets busier. Take the time to set up your room, making it organized and clean so at least you know it can be. Consider bunking or lofting your beds to make create more space, and find ways to pack away winter clothes and other things you don’t need under your bed or in a closet.

4. Give your room some personality
Just because your one room double is only slightly larger than some closets doesn’t mean it has to be depressing. Get creative with decorations. Put up posters and pictures of friends, hang your track medals from high school or put up Christmas lights. The sooner you make your room your own with fun decorations, the more you will enjoy living there.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Are You Creative? -- Adobe Imagination Challenge


If you know me, then you know how much I love using Adobe Products. All of the logos, banners and even the paper background on this website were all created from scratch within Photoshop. Along with that, I also have this guilty pleasure of using Premiere Pro and After Effects to make little "pump-up" videos for my ECU Pirates (as seen below) -- don't judge me.

So naturally, when I heard that Adobe was putting on a contest that involved their products, college students and money -- I was instantly interested. From August 22nd through October 30th, Adobe is having a contest where students (like yourself) can create something using their suite of software's in order to win one of four $10000 cash prizes. You heard me right -- 10000 big ones!!

Now, unlike my poorly put together football video below, the content you create must be completely original (and actually interesting). It doesn't have to be a video -- it can be any digital creation of your choosing, as long as it was made using one (if not several) of Adobe's Suite of software's.

I know - I know...

Friday, August 26, 2011

Get Ready East Coast....


Hey guys,

Because I am a North Carolinian and I live in Greenville (near the coast), I  may not be able to write for the next couple of days due to power-outages and blocking debris. As soon as I can, I will continue with the site.

To all my North Carolinians (and everyone else who will be affected by this storm), stay strong and take shelter. This too, like those before it, shall pass.

Be safe and keep surviving (seriously),

-Ben

Hilarious "Back to School" Fails!



Check out these hilarious Back to School Fails put together by the Huffington Post from FailBlog. Some of them really make you wonder who's teaching these kids.

I personally like the "Back to School" sale on Trojan Condoms.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

5 Move-in Mistakes That Rob You of Space

The Real College Guide: Campus Life

By Maria Moy for The Real College Guide



Losing sleep over the dimensions of your dorm room? Rest assured, you can survive -- and thrive -- in close living quarters. We tell you how.

Unless you were raised in a jail cell, your dorm room is going to seem way too small for storing all your stuff -- and yourself -- without frequent fits of claustrophobia. Upon moving in, you’ll inevitably find that your closet is too small and that you have to make hard decisions about what will actually fit in your room this semester (big-screen TV or roommate? Hmmm ...).

Here are the top five mistakes to avoid when stuffing your stuff into a small space:

1. Leaving furniture as is By far, the biggest mistake you can make on move-in day is to leave the furniture where it is. You are totally allowed -- with your roommate’s blessings, of course -- to move it! And don’t be shy about trying out a few different arrangements. Often, there is a better way to position your furniture to at least give the illusion of more space and even privacy. Typically, pushing your bed and desk against the walls leaves an open area in the center of the room. Pushing bureaus back to back can create private nooks for dressing or sleeping (so you never have to wake up to eye contact with your creepy roommate).

2. Not using vertical space The sky (OK, ceiling) is the limit when you are organizing your room. Even if your desk doesn’t come with shelves, you can pick up cost-effective shelving units at places like Kmart and Target. Be sure your shelves are durable enough to support the considerable weight of your textbooks or whatever else you plan to keep on them -- clothes, shoes or even people if the shelves are waist-high. If you have room, a full-out bookcase is great for storing groceries, cooking supplies and other dorm miscellanea. Or opt for wall shelves, which free up floor space but might not be as sturdy. Hint: Buildable cube shelving gives you sturdy flexibility and can be recycled for whatever space you find yourself living in next year. And you can shove a single cube at the bottom of your closet or on your desk for additional organization.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

What the New Facebook Privacy Overhaul Means for College Students


If you haven't noticed already, Facebook is going through some changes. It appears that Facebook is finally answering the privacy calls of the masses and straightening up their act.

So what does all this have to do with you? You're just an average college student using facebook to keep up with friends.

Well.....

TCSH Back to School Collection!!


To start off this grand Back to School occasion, I thought it would be fitting to share with you a little round-up of previous posts already written on the matter.

5 Money Saving Tips For Buying Textbooks
How To Avoid Those Freshman 15
5 Ways NOT To Be A Terrible Roommate
4 Questions You Must Answer Before Renting
How To Do Laundry in 10 Easy Steps
Top 5 Ways To Suck Up To Your Professor
How To Make Proper Ramen Noodles
How NOT to Get Overextended at College!
7 People You Should Socialize With In College
Getting Back to the College Mindset

Make sure to check back in for some fresh-new-post-goodness later on!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Back to School Week!!


If you haven't done so already, then you probably will soon....it's time to go Back to School! Yeeeaaah!!!

Ok -- maybe not "yeah", but you still have to get ready to go and (lucky you) I'm here to help. This week is dedicated to aiding your Back to School woes -- so make sure to check in regularly for advice.

Keep Surviving,

-Ben

(P.S. - How do you like that sick banner I made?)
(P.P.S. - Did anyone else on the East Coast feel that?)

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Hide Things From Your Roommate in Plain Site

Is your roommate eating up all your food? Are you tired of reaching for that bag of chips you bought, just to find that Fatty Mc. Fat Pants ate them while you were in class. If so -- then do I have some news for you.

With nothing but a few tools, some time when your roommates not around, and this free pdf book The Construction of Secret Hiding Places by Charles Robinson -- you can kiss those chip-less nights goodbye.

(Source Via Lifehacker)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Spotify: It's Music..For FREE!


Fret not weary traveler, for I have seen the promised land -- that which has been foretold from across the great ocean. Oh venturer from music service to music service, I have been to the mountaintop! I have seen it with my own eyes! A paradise free of skip-restrictions, excessive ads, and the inability to truly control the music experience. The prophecy has been fulfilled! The time has come to part ways with your "swashbuckling" ways of the past. Spread the word, the chosen one is upon us -- and it goes by the name.....

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Getting Back to the College Mindset



By Elizabeth Cunningham for The Real College Guide



It’s natural to be a little anxious about the change of pace from summer to school -- but if you take advantage of the beginning-of-the-school-year energy and lighter workload to get a jump on the year, you’ll feel ultra-prepared. From your social life to academics to settling into your new dorm or apartment, here’s how to get your place in order, social life on track and brain in gear from the moment you set foot on campus:

1. Get Settled
Dorm rooms and campus apartments are designed to be utilitarian, so getting organized and personalizing your space are key to feeling like you have a home.

  • First things first Unpacking can be overwhelming, to say the least, but Vassar College senior Katie Hoople has this advice: “I always make my bed first. It’s really nice to have an oasis of calm in the middle of all the chaos.” There really is something about tidy bedding that makes the whole room seem more polished.
  • Pull it together When it comes to dorm rooms and apartments with limited space, there isn’t enough praise in the world for closet organizers, available at most discount stores. If you’re driving to campus, you can even pack your clothes right into the organizers and just hang them when you arrive.
  • Spiff up your space Late summer and early fall are prime time for yard sales -- and are right in the college student’s price range. Plus, distinctive accessories will give your space a unique “decorator” touch. “Last fall, I found this awesome bedside table at a yard sale,” says University of Colorado junior Samantha Rosenberg. “It was shaped like an elephant and only cost me 50 cents!”

2. Be Social
Whether you’re a freshman searching Internet groups for friendly faces or an upperclassman whose friends have been scattered all summer, make some plans to socialize.

Monday, August 8, 2011

A Quick Way To Save Some Cash At College


I'm currently doing a little experiment to save some cash and feel like queuing you in. I've decided to no longer receive cable T.V. and instead watch Television exclusively through online services like Netflix, Hulu, ESPN3 and those "Digital Bunny Ears".

Doing this has cut my cable/internet bill in half!

It's been a over 3 months now and I can definitively say that this was a very good idea! My girlfriend and I watch our favorite shows on Netflix and whenever we want to watch something  live, we just fire up the Antenna. 

So if you're strapped for cash and looking to save without sacrificing a lot in the process, try getting rid of your cable for awhile. You might just find yourself missing it a lot less then you think.

*Update*
DirectTV's NFL Sunday Ticket package will be available on the PS3 this year.

Friday, August 5, 2011

What You Should (and Shouldn't) Pack for College


Getting ready to head back to college?.....Of course you are! Who's not thinking about schoolwork and exams in early August?

Just kidding, I know you're probably trying to put off that kind of thinking for as long as possible -- but you still need to start getting everything ready to go. So before you begin the fury that is packing for college, take a second and check out this great list of "7 Things You'll Regret Bringing to College"  (especially you incoming Freshmen).

Though I don't particularly agree with leaving your alarm clock home in favor of your cell phone (mainly because cell phones mysteriously forget to plug themselves in and die), there is plenty I do agree with. For example nearly the entire "Don't Leave Home Without It" section......besides the multivitamins -- nasty!!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Get Career Goals in Gear This Summer


From the Editors of The Real College Guide


Summertime … it’s for relaxing by the pool, road-tripping and -- if you’re lucky -- making some money. But summer is also a good time to chill out and think about your future career goals. We help put it in perspective, starting now, with eight simple rules:



Career Goal Rule No. 1: Figure out What You Enjoy
Do what you love.
It’s a phrase undergrads hear all the time -- because those four little words pack a lot of punch. “I definitely believe students should look for subjects and careers they love,” says Leslie Stevenson, director of the Career Development Center at the University of Richmond. “When you love something, your natural interest in the topic translates to enthusiasm and a willingness to invest more time in the area.” Don’t know what you love? More on that later, so read on. …



Career Goal Rule No. 2: Keep It Real
While most would agree that it is important to be passionate about your career, reel in your expectations to align with reality. Your hopes of being a professional athlete could be lofty, but consider segueing that passion into an area such as sports medicine or broadcasting. And even if the job of your dreams is attainable, it’s doubtful you’ll rise to the top of your field right out the gate. You want to be the next great American author? You might have to write your share of press releases, for example, before ever getting published.



Career Goal Rule No. 3: Be Forward-thinking
Prediction is an imperfect science. Just ask Wall Street. You never know what the future will hold after four years in college, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to look ahead. “In conjunction with pursuing something you’re passionate about, it also helps to pick a career with potential to grow -- especially in this current job market,” says former Fox News Channel entertainment editor and film critic Bill McCuddy. “Never hurts to be one step ahead of the game.”

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

"Charged and Ready": Full Sony Vaio S-Series Review



Warning: It has come to my attention that I have written what appears to be a small book about this computer and do so apologize if my long form article does not hold your restless brain for its entirety. It won't hurt my feelings if you decide to leave and come back -- just try not to fall asleep because then my "Time Vistors Spend on Website" numbers will become grossly skewed (just kidding). I would also like to take this opportunity to caution you about the content of this post. It's not too often someone hands me a brand new computer and asks, "What do you think?", which means I am definitely going to be using this rare opportunity to the max. In other words, prepare to get "techafied" and make sure to have your nerd hats on tight!......Also, if you've been wondering what I've been working on all this time between posts, this is it!

Starting off I must divulge that this post is part of a program called, "Charged and Ready", by Sony Electronics and Microsoft. I, along with a few other college bloggers, were given a Sony VAIO-S series laptop to test and review.

So, with that out of the way, let's begin.....

Like I said, I've been testing this Sony Vaio S-Series Notebook for a few weeks now and think I've formed a pretty good opinion on its pros and cons as a laptop.....

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Thanks for the Recognition BOU!!


Thanks,

BestOnlineUniversities.com for naming us one of the "50 Awesome Weblogs Every College Freshman Should Read".

It's greatly appreciated!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

4 Steps To Job Hunting Success


Guest Post Written By: John from Home Loan Finder.


When you are a graduate searching for your first real job -- you are on the threshold of opportunity. You are taking the first step into the rest of your life, the world is your oyster...and you're sick of all of the motivational cliches. While to your parents, teachers and mentors this stage of your life is an exciting and momentous one, for you this is just the next day, the next week, the next year of your life and turning point or not, you need to get out there and start earning some real money.
Following are comprehensive tips which will help you with your job hunting if you are a graduate, minus the cliches.
Before You Start the Job Hunt
Before you start looking for the right job for you, you need to be prepared and have the right mind set. For example, there is so much bad news out there about the job market that it can be easy to give up your search before you've even begun. However, rather than being worried about how the state of the economy and the world has affected the job market, and letting that stop you from applying, take a look at what really is out there, before assuming that there really are no jobs available.
Also make sure not to burn any bridges as you commence your job search, and keep your position in the workplace, even if it is only in part time work as an intern. Even work experience which isn't directly related to your field of study can help you with your job search, because it can demonstrate your reliability and work ethic. This includes volunteer work and unpaid internships which can look good on your resume.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

"Charged and Ready": Sony Vaio S-Series First Impressions


How many times has it happend to you? You’re at school all day taking notes (and checking Facebook) when your battery starts to run out. Reaching into your bag, you grab for your charger only to realize that you've left it at the dorm, leaving you computer-less for the remainder of the day. Well, hopefully with the new Sony S-Series notebooks, that will be a thing of the past.

I have been given a great opportunity to review the new Sony Vaio S-Series notebook in a program called “Charged and Ready,” which focuses greatly on the fact that with this computer, you can get up to 15 hours of battery life with an optional battery pack (pictured on far bottom right below).

Saturday, July 9, 2011

The Boy is Back in Town



After what is surely considered an eternity in the blogosphere, I have returned from the depths carrying with me a bounty of savory knowledge and tips to again bestow upon you.

I do apologize for the long delay, but there have been many great developments since last we spoke, many of which I cannot wait to tell you about! So make sure you to check-in regularly or subscribe to our RSS Feed, Facebook and/or Twitter so that you can stay up-to-date on all the latest developments.

Stay Tuned and Keep Surviving,

-Ben

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Organize Your Life With SpringPad


Not too many things come along that completely change the way I live my life on a day-to-day basis. Facebook, iPods, Netflix and Google all did -- and now there is another....SpringPad.
Android QR Code

SpringPad is an online/smart phone application that simply helps you remember. Everything from tasks to ideas are easily stored away for a later time using this sleek interface.

So, with that said -- I've decided that instead of sitting here and giving you a run down about the entire app (mainly because this ain't no freakin' tech blog); all I'm going to say is that this app is definitely worth a download and hopefully you will fall in love with it as I have.

For Android users, click or scan the QR Code to the right and all you iPhoner's out there can find it on the App Store for....oh yeah, Free!

(P.S. - Just in case some of you are wondering, N0-- no one paid me to say this...I just really love this app!)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

How NOT to Go 6 Years for a 4 Year Degree


I know--it's been awhile since I have bestowed my mystic knowledge of college survival tips 'round these parts, and I do apologize.  Been a little busy over here on my end, but I'm back now and ready to shower down my wisdom from the mountaintop yet again. So here it is....enjoy

Stick With Your First Major
When I came out of high school, it was really hard for me to pick my major for college. It felt like I was choosing the job I would have for the rest of my life. I felt like Jerry Seinfeld in that "Bee" Movie.

Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I wasn't sure exactly what it was I wanted to do with my life, but that I was "almost positive" it was going to involve some business aspect. So, I majored in Business and that was that. After all, you can't have a career for long if you can't make enough money to survive while doing it.

Grow out of the party scene quickly
Yes, I know you are finally on your own and the freedom from your parents is great and all--but if you screw around too much your first year, you might be back under their tyrannical rule sooner than you think.

Monday, March 14, 2011

My Secret For Keeping Up With The News


Hey guys, I hope all of you are having (or had) a great "Spring Break" this year. If you're just getting back to reality today, you may have notice the world seems to be going a little crazy. Earthquakes in Japan, Revolution in the Middle East and Protests in the United States are just some of the many developments.

With so much currently going on, now feels like a better time than any to share with you my little secret that helps me keep up....

Monday, March 7, 2011

Thanks For The Love "College Candy"!


Just wanted to take a moment to thank College Candy for mentioning us as one of their "Favorite College Bloggers". We really appreciate the complement coming from such a well respected player in the college blogging community.

Keep Surviving,
-Ben

P.S.- All you lady college students out there that haven't checked this blog out yet should do so ASAP!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Stay Focused on You're Work With This Great App



Hey guys and gals -- after a few long deserved weeks off, I'm back, so lets get right back into it......

If you're like me, then you know how easy it can be to lose focus and start roaming around the internet when you're suppose to be doing homework. So you can imagine my excitement when I came across this wonderful episode of Techzilla Daily (shown below) on Revison3.com that reviewed a product for just this sort of problem.

The episode is about a great new application for both PCs and Macs called "Focus Booster". The application is a timer that allows users to set a specific amount of work time (and break time) for a task in order to help keep them focused. So, the next time you're studying for that next Chemistry exam and having trouble staying off Facebook, give this app a try and see if it helps.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Top Ten Majors Most Likely To Get You Hired

By Lauren Joffe for The Real College Guide

For students entering a somewhat bleak hiring market, your college major could be the biggest factor in determining your likelihood of securing a job. Based on a survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), here are the majors that offer students the best chances of getting hired upon graduation:

10. Communications/Journalism
And so we reach the final major most likely to get you hired out of college -- communications and journalism majors today have just above a 35 percent chance of getting hired upon graduation -- which may not be the highest of the bunch, but certainly lands them on this list.

9. Liberal Arts/Humanities
Liberal arts and humanities have always garnered heat from parents, grandparents and employers regarding hiring attractiveness come May. But not to worry -- you just make the cut, receiving a somewhat unexpected 37-percent chance of landing that job.

8. Health Sciences
Health sciences majors, ranging from physical therapy to audiology, might not fare as well at the accounting majors out there, but still rake in impressive hiring stats at 38.7 percent. And with graduate coursework almost always required in health sciences fields, we don’t doubt you’ll secure employment.

7. Mathematics
Well, maybe not as easy as 1, 2, 3 … but mathematics majors should be counting their lucky stars. Yes -- math majors show a close percentage rate with their VPA counterparts, reaching just below the 40 percent mark with a 37.5-percent chance of getting hired.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

5 Money Saving Tips For Buying Textbooks


It's back to school time again, and you know what that means. Time to empty your pockets to buy the semester's books. Here are a few tips to help you save some of that hard earned money.

Look For International Editions
International editions saved me a bunch of cash in college. They're essentially the same thing you would buy in the textbook store, just with a soft cover and for half the price. The whole legality and reasoning behind why publishers create International Edition is grey and peculiar to say the least. But if you're willing to put all that aside in order to save some big bucks (as I did), try looking for them on sale at sites like Ebay(affiliate link) and AbeBooks.com(affiliate link).

Buy Online
The internet marketplace has changed how we do business forever. Within seconds of turning on your computer, you can search the web for a variety of products at the lowest price possible. There are plenty of sites geared exclusively to help you finding the best deals on college text books, like DirectTextbook.com. The old standby, Amazon, is always a great option as well.

**Warning** When buying books online, carefully examine the seller's description and pictures of the textbooks they are selling. You don't want to end up with a Xerox'd black & white copy of your book held together with some staples and glue.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Top 10 Places to Download Free College Resources

By Alan Shin (references Uploaded by Skeezix1000) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Guest Post by David Boyd of MoneyChoices.com.au

College can be an exciting time of your life. Your college years are a time for both self-discovery and for learning about the world around you. Although not all the learning you will do in college takes place in a classroom, mastering the material covered in your college courses will help you become a better thinker and a more rounded individual. Additionally, doing well in your classes can open up many opportunities for internships and jobs. Fortunately, there are many downloadable resources available that can help you ace your college classes. Here are ten of the best places to download free college resources.

1. OWL At Purdue

If you are struggling in a composition course, or you need help writing a research paper for a class, there are plenty of helpful resources at the online writing labs website run by Purdue University. In addition to the many helpful guides that offer advice on a variety of writing topics, you can also download the Purdue OWL podcasts that cover everything from Aristotelian appeals to invention and prewriting.

2. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Open Courseware

Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers free course materials for over 2000 different classes. You can download lecture notes and course videos that can provide valuable supplemental instruction. If you are having difficulty understanding a particular professor, these materials can help clarify any troublesome points. You can even download exams so that you can see how much of the course material you are actually retaining. Although you might associate MIT with science courses, you can find course materials for classes across many academic disciplines.

3. Utah State University

Utah State University offers great resources for students struggling with technological projects and concepts. This website offers course materials for a variety of technology courses. You can even download sample projects to help you brainstorm ideas for your own.

4. Project Gutenberg

Instead of spending money on a book for class, check to see if the novel you are assigned is available on Project Gutenberg. This website offers downloadable versions of many books in the public domain. You can even download audio versions of some titles.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Nude No More!: Threadless Select Product Review


In college, what you wear defines you. This may be why there seems to be no shortage of online T-Shirt stores geared towards the college community.

Of the many, Threadless(affiliate link), in my opinion,  has shined out as a leader of the pack. Their shirts are witty and cool without being overly provocative or corny. So naturally when asked if I would review their new Select Line of Clothing, I was super stoked.

The Product
In Threadless' own words..
The Select Line is designed by the community, but curated by Threadless. It includes original Threadless designs blown up, scaled back, with the original concepts intact. The products are printed with water-based inks on finer cotton, to be sofer and eco-friendlier.
In essence, Threadless is taking some of their original designs, changing them up a bit, and then putting them on super nice material. The shirts are made from 100% pima cotton and are "satin garment washed" in order to get that soft worn-out cotton feeling.

The shirt I decided to review was the "Peace" design and here is what I thought about it...