Speaking For Change

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 »

College is all about meeting people and having fun. Here are 10 tips for meeting people whether you’re new to campus or just want to meet more people for the heck of it:

1. Be MEETABLE. Smile. Take interest in other people. Be pleasant. Shower. Even if you want to meet new people, you have to be in a state in which they want to meet you as well for it to work!
   
2. Check out Greek Life. Even if you don’t plan to join, you can meet lots of people during recruitment or “rush” events.
   
3. Hit up your RA. They are there to help you transition to college. Ask them what events and programs are coming up in your dorm and other good places to meet people on campus.
   
4. Say Hi. If you say “hi,” most people will say “hi” back. Worst that can happen is they don’t, in which case maybe they’re not the nicest person to meet anyway. Read the rest of this entry »

While thoughts of your first days of college normally conjure up thoughts of freedom from the parents, partying, spring break planning and studying, we know there can be some worries under all that cool. Here are some ways to ease the transition and set yourself up for a successful semester. Read the rest of this entry »

“What’s your major?”  will probably be one of the questions you get asked the most during college besides “Man, what happened last night?”

And it doesn’t stop at college.  When you’re meeting people for the rest of your life you’ll be asked “What did you study?”

In some weird way, our field of work or study becomes a part of our name and identity.  We’re not exactly just John or Shannon.  It’s John the Engineer, or Shannon the CPA.  Your major can play quite a role in your life. So, how do you pick one? Read the rest of this entry »

Now that you wrote a killer cover letter and got the interview it’s time to win the job in the interview.
Here are a few MUSTS to shake those sweaty palms and have a great interview.

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Your cover letter has to get the employer interested in you. Here are 5 things your cover letter needs to capture in order to be effective.

As an employer reads through your cover letter they are only looking for a few things: Read the rest of this entry »

A hiring manager may go through 50 – 300 resumes for a job opening.  You have to make yours stand out. Here is a brief checklist to help you make your resume as effective as possible.

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One way to increase your chances in getting hired is to ask insightful and memorable questions at the interview. Here are several that will help your employer see you as confident, insightful, and valuable to their organization. Read the rest of this entry »