Speaking For Change

For most students, finals is synonymous with extended periods of stress, lack of sleep, unadvisable amounts of Red Bull and quickly finding a god or deity to pray to. Is this on of the rites of passage of college? Sure, some may say so. But you can get through it with much less stress – and better grades! Just look at those well-balanced kids that ace their classes. Jessica was one of them; here are some of her secrets to successful and stress-free finals!

1. Hakuna-matata

It means no worries – for the rest of your days.

If you’re not into Lion King jive, it means relax. Take finals in stride. No stress.

Let’s take the worst-case scenario that you’re probably freaking out about: you bomb a final. I’m not condoning bombing a final here – but just one isn’t the end of the world. For example, Jessica failed a history final freshman year, but that’s all it was: one final. She continued to get a 4.0 next semester and graduates in under 3 years.

One bad grade is not going to ruin your college career, let alone your professional one. If you do your best studying, you shouldn’t bomb any in the first place – but my point is, it’s not even worth worrying about if you know you’re studying smart and doing well overall. Read the rest of this entry »

Cheating is about beating the system, right? Finding ways to get ahead without putting in mind-numbing study hours? Well here are four ways to do just that, and never get caught!

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College is all about learning to beat the system, right? I mean who’s ever going to use Chemistry or Differential Equations in real life anyway? Let’s look at five reasons for cheating.

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Read the rest of this entry »

For many students graduating high school, a 4-year college is their clear path. For others, it’s a vocational school, military, or the workforce, or a 2-year/community college. But for those that are undecided between swinging for a 4-year or starting at a 2-year, here are some factors that can help shape your decision.  Read the rest of this entry »

Written by Tip Fallon and Erik Hyrkas

Let’s be real: Your professor announces the first test that’s been blatantly on your syllabus the first six weeks of school, and you’re still in shock. You may have not even bought your book, let alone opened it until now. This test determines 30% of your grade, encompasses all of the material you may or may not have listened to during lecture, and requires you to rethink your partying habits for the next week or two.

Here are keys to help you get through midterms without having a nervous breakdown. Read the rest of this entry »

Written by: Jessica Swendiman

Disclaimer: Guys, read along if you want but this post is mostly for the women. Judging by the Costco-sized tubs of protein powder in your closets and the mismatched dumbbells you use as doorstops, you may be more interested in gaining the freshman 15 than losing it. However, if you are one of few fellows lucky enough to be waist deep in the battle of bulge, read on!

Ladies, if you’re like most other seventeen and eighteen-year-old women heading off to college, you are secretly terrified of gaining the freshman 15. And even more terrified of gaining the freshman 25, 30 or 40.

In the first few weeks of college you might have comforted yourself with the thought that you would only eat from the salad bar at your dining commons or even looked online for the healthiest menus. Or you and your roommate might have had a blissful first shopping trip together where you only bought “healthy” foods to cram in your little fridge and shoebox freezer. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Gain leadership skills.

Leadership doesn’t necessarily mean being in a position like president or vice president. Whether you’re designing banners or making executive decisions you will get a taste of leadership if you have to delegate work and help manage your peers. These skills will build confidence in you, make you more attractive to employers, and last you long through your career. Of course, serving as a Vice President or President is away to step it up a level and employers usually never complain if you bring that experience.

2. Meet cool people: make friends and build a network.

You will likely meet people that not only share a similar interest to you, but are also more active. Students involved in one org are likely to be involved in others as well and can introduce you to wide networks and more opportunities. The network you build will come in handy when you’re looking around for openings for internships, people to help critique your resume, and all the other things you’ll need help with through college and your career. Plus when you’re working late nights together and pounding questionable Chinese food trying to get that event ready for the weekend, you really have no choice but to be friends

3. Gain confidence. Read the rest of this entry »

Racking your brain for cool date ideas that won’t leave you penniless? Whether you’re working up the courage to ask out the hot girl in PSCY 101 or tired of your girlfriend yelling at you for making her stay in and play Madden with you for the 9^th weekend in a row – here are 29 dates to make some fun memories and stay on a budget.

Some of these require a car. If you don’t have one, try zipcar, friends, or kiss up to the parentals.

$$: If you’ve got ten to twenty bucks…

1. Go out for ice cream / desert – frozen yogurt if you’re trying to be healthy.

2. Bumper cars / go-kart driving – always a blast and a chance to brew a little healthy competition.

3. Ice skating – hard to have more fun than watching each other fall all over the ice.

4. Planetarium – girls tend to like stars and stories about the Greek gods that put them there.

5. Golf driving range – perfect after a stressful day or week, plus possibly a chance to teach her something. Read the rest of this entry »