Image courtesy of Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fast food is especially tempting for college students because we don’t have kitchens or large freezers.

Instead, we resort to junk and fast food to get us that quick fix of energy we need as we run around on campus.

I got stuck in this trap during my junior year of college and ended up putting on some pounds because of it. I went to our campus dietitian for some help because I had no idea where to begin on eating healthy due to my bizarre schedule.

Luckily, she had some advice for me that has stuck with me ever since — and it’s not your typical “eat your fruits and veggies” mumbo-jumbo!

Here’s my cheat sheet on tips/tricks to eating somewhat healthy in college (and lose a bit of weight):

• Avoid energy drinks like the plague. If you need caffeine, then stick with coffee because even though it’s not the best for you, at least you can add milk to it and get some nutritional value!
• Limit your sugary drinks. I absolutely love Mountain Dew AND sweet tea, but I cannot have both in the same day. That’s way too much sugar, not to mention too many calories. I try to only allow myself to have one sugary drink each day. I don’t always stick to that, but I certainly try.
• Try tuna! For the longest time, I had no idea how yummy that tuna in a bag could be. I only tried it because my dietitian said it was filled with protein and was easy to turn into a quick, healthy meal. Plus, you don’t have to worry about cooking it or storing it in a fridge … double bonus!
• Always eat breakfast. If you don’t, you’ll start off your day hungry, and it won’t stop unless you eat something. You’d be amazed how much easier it is to make it through History 101 when you’ve got a full belly. Even if it’s just a granola bar, it’s at least something to help!
• Plan out your week in advance. No matter how much stuff you have going on, make it your job to get to the grocery store every week and grab some items that you need for breakfast, quick lunches or midnight snacks.
• Don’t do anything else while you’re eating like eating in front of the TV or while you’re writing a paper. If you are out with a friend, try to eat as slowly as possible. Slowing down and paying attention helps you avoid overeating.
• Alcohol takes up A LOT of calories — much more than you think. If you want to lose weight, try reducing your alcohol consumption as much as possible.

My cheat sheet isn’t filled with anything that is incredibly hard to incorporate into a busy college schedule, it’s just a couple of things you need to change about lifestyle. While some of these might not work for you, you will be able to find out what does, and before you know it, you could drop a pound or two!

P.S. Check out if your school offers free dietitian consultations. If so, try it out! You’ll be amazed at the advice that he/she can give you!

The post Easy Tips to Start Eating Healthier on Campus appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Freshman year is always something that goes hand in hand with words like legendary or epic.

But just because freshman year has so many great connotations with those of us who’ve been through it, we tend to blur out the bad and awkward parts.

For me, freshman year was a blast, but would I want to go through it all again? Probably not. I had my fun and lived through it, and while I had a blast doing it, it doesn’t mean I’m quite to the point where I’d want to go through all of the homesickness, the hangovers and the broken hearts all again.

Here’s my guide to what really happens your freshman year, apart from all of the epic moments you’ll remember from the nights you’ll never forget.

1. You will get homesick

While some people deal with homesickness better than others, there will come a time when you’re going to get sad. And the sadness is pretty darn difficult to shake off sometimes! No matter how much fun you’re having at school, it tends to creep up on you when you least expect.

For most of us, it was probably that first time we got sick and our Mom wasn’t there to help. Or maybe the first time we had to get over a jerk ex-boyfriend or girlfriend without the aid of our best friend.

When it does happen, just know it will get better and that your family and friends are only a phone call away. Whenever I got homesick, I would make myself try something new on campus to get myself out of the homesickness funk.

2. You will regret making out with that guy/girl in the hall

While there are probably those gross couples out there who just so happened to fall in love their freshman year of college and lived in the same dorm, these people are few and far between. Avoid, avoid, avoid making out or hooking up with someone who lives on the same hall as you … or even the same dorm as you.

You’re going to be seeing  a lot of each other these  next few months, and you do not want to have an awkward elevator ride at 9 a.m. every morning. No matter how convenient (or fun) it may seem, don’t do it!

 3. You may have trouble spotting who your “real friends” are

In college, especially freshman year, it’s easy to get confused on who your real friends are versus who your “friends of convenience” are. I define “friends of convenience” as maybe roommates or suitemates or even hallmates who are your friends because it is convenient to be friends. You might not have a lot of common interests, but it’s easy to hang out with one another since he/she is so close by.

You’ll be able to spot these friends pretty easily if you’re ever put in a bad position or are going through a hard time and they’re the ones who seem to back away from you the most. Also watch out for the friends who always seem to need a ride or some extra cash — they may be using you.

This is just Part One … check out Part 2 coming soon!

The post Part 1: The Real Deal on Freshman Year appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

College students are going to have sex.

As much as some people would like to sweep this under the rug, it’s true. This fact isn’t going anywhere.

thenextgreatgeneration.com

Because of this, I’m not sure why administrators at Boston College have decided to slap some of their students on the wrist for trying to help prevent unwanted pregnancies and STDs.

CNN says student members of BC Students For Sexual Health have received threats of disciplinary action for letting other students know they have condoms available on campus. Members of the group put signs on their dorm room doors that lets their peers know it’s safe to knock and ask for a condom if they need one.

According to CNN, the letter states:

“Should we receive any reports that you are, in fact, distributing condoms on campus, the matter would be referred to the student conduct office for disciplinary action by the University.”

Whoa, disciplinary action for students just trying to help other students? How in the heck can they justify that?

The school claims that the distribution of condoms is a violation of the school rules … and isn’t in line with what the Catholic Church believes.

Well, I’m a Catholic, but I’m almost a realist. I understand that this is against the policy, but maybe it’s time to change the policy.

Students are going to have sex whether the university likes it or not, so maybe it’s time to stop fighting a student group that is trying to help other students, especially the group that claims to be the only one to provide free access to sexual health resources on campus.

The group has decided to notify the American Civil Liberties Union. An attorney for the ACLU told CNN the following:

“The religious freedom is that they can speak out; they can express their values and views and can try to persuade people of them, but not to the extent of punishing those who have a different view of contraception.”

Unfortunately, even if the students decide to take legal action, it might not get them very far. As a private institution, administrators have the right to set their policies as they see fit. If administrators don’t want condoms given out on campus, they have the right to make that call.

But what I hope administrators see is that these students aren’t taking action to try to hurt or harm their peers … they want to help and prevent them from getting hurt. According to the group’s website, members “seek to engage with the health of the whole person — emotional, social, environmental, physical, spiritual, and mental — in order to empower students to make informed and healthy decisions.” Sounds like a good mission to me!

As human beings, we are supposed to look out for one another, so I’m not convinced that a bunch of students should be punished for trying to do the right thing. Here’s to hoping that the school and the group will be able to have an open and honest dialogue and figure out a compromise that suits both parties.

What’s your opinion? Let me know in the comments!

The post Students In Trouble for Handing Out Condoms appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

When we’re in high school, our to-do lists are very short: Go to school, do your homework, attend any extracurriculars and shower (in any order).

However, if you go to college out of town, your to-do list multiplies by a thousand. You no longer have your parents to help run errands for you or schedule your appointments. Suddenly,  you’re really on your own. You have to juggle all of that in between running to classes, maybe working at your internship or  a part-time job and doing homework. Oh yeah, and at some point socializing with your friends.

It can be rough to get it all done, but it is possible. Even though all of those errands are staring you down, you will have to get over the stress of it all and take action. Don’t let the stress win!

Here are my tips to finding the time (and energy) to getting it all done.

Make a list and stick to it

Some people like the feeling of writing a list by hand and being able to cross things off of it when they are done with them. Others can get by with just typing their to-do list in the notes app on their iPhones. Whatever your style is, make sure to keep it all in one place and bring it with you everywhere. That way, if something comes up, you’ll be able to write it down on your list and from swirling around in your mind.

Make time for it all

As fun as it is to sit on your butt on Sunday and watch Netflix all day, you may have to run an errand or two in order to get it all done. Think about it this way: A little running around now could prevent a whole lot of stress and exhaustion later on.

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

Figure out what’s most important and do that first. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that any health appointments (be it doctor, dentist or therapist) get taken care of first. You’ve got to take care of yourself or you will get yourself in trouble later on! Next on your list will be anything relating to your studies. The order of tasks for extracurriculars and social events can come after that.

Prepare when a stressful week is coming up

A very wise university administrator once said to me that when you know you’re going to have a stressful week, make sure your laundry is done beforehand. I didn’t really understand that then, but I really understand it now. The best way to prevent unnecessary stress is to take care of pesky chores so that if something unexpected comes up, you’ll be ready to roll with the punches.

Don’t freak out

If something doesn’t go according to plan and you don’t get everything accomplished when you want it to, let it roll off your shoulders. You can’t change the past, so don’t worry about it. Figure out when you’ll be able to complete the task instead and stop worrying about it. You don’t need the extra stress!

Now that you’ve heard me out, have fun tackling those to-do lists!

The post Tackling Those To-Do Lists appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

What happened in the Boston area in the aftermath of the bombings was a terrifying time. Many were on lockdown for days as law enforcement officers searched for the suspects.

Image courtesy of m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

What we can learn from this is that a disaster or an emergency can happen in any city at any time. You never know when you will be put in the face of danger after little to no warning. While we can’t predict what will happen when (or where), you can prepare for the worst.

Many of us rely on our parents to keep us safe and to have preparations in place for an emergency or disaster, but if you go to school in a different city, you need to be prepare yourself because your parents may not be able to help and/or get in touch with you.

Each type of disaster, whether natural or man-made, presents different problems, but there are some basic things you can do to keep yourself safe.

Build a kit

One of the most important steps you need to take is preparing a kit to keep you and your roommates safe in case you are not able to leave your home immediately.

Ready.gov, a Federal Emergency Management Agency resource, recommends that you gather the following items for your kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First Aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

Don’t have any of this? Consider asking your roommates to split the costs.

Worried about sounding paranoid? Don’t be. This could make the difference between life and death.

Make a plan

In the age of cellphones, many of us don’t plan accordingly because we assume that we’ll always be able to get in touch with everyone through our phones. Unfortunately, in times of disaster, wireless networks can get overloaded or maybe even shut down, making using your cellphone impossible. This becomes increasingly difficult when you do not have access to a landline, which most college students do not have in their dorm rooms or apartments.

This is why it’s important to plan out a different way to get in touch with your roommates and your family members in case something happens. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated … Agreeing to communicate via Facebook or email is a very effective plan. That way, you’ll know if the phone lines go down to check your email or Facebook inbox immediately.

Staying alert

Many smartphones have the option for you to be alerted in certain emergencies/disasters but consider looking into what local media outlets offer. Most media outlets offer a free service where you can be alerted of breaking weather/traffic/crime news via text message.

If you are able to, you may want to consider getting a battery-operated emergency radio, especially one that will wake you up if severe weather is headed your way. For example: If a tornado is headed your way, you won’t be caught off guard while you’re asleep. Amazon has a variety of radios available.

For more information and resources on planning for emergencies, check out Ready.gov.

The post The College Student’s Guide to Preparing for Emergencies appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

tinybuddha.com

Spring has officially sprung, and it’s time to ditch your dorm room and get outside.

Although you probably want to get outside to start working on your tan, the health benefits of being outdoors also include lowering anxiety and stress levels. And, from my point of view, it just makes you feel happier.

While there are “exercise nuts” out there who spend their time outdoors running multiple miles, there are still plenty of things you can do outside that don’t necessarily involve exercise.

1. Study in the sun

Hanging out in a poorly lit library is depressing. Why not soak up some rays and enjoy the nice weather while you study instead? Grab a blanket and study on the quad or hit up your nearest coffee shop with outdoor seating. No matter what your campus is like, there is probably somewhere to sit where you can enjoy the sun and catch up on the hundreds of pages of reading you’ve got to cram in before final exams. Being outside will definitely make studying a little bit more bearable!

2. Enjoy the water

If you’re lucky enough to go to school close to the beach, you already know how fun it is to kick back and enjoy the scenery. But for the rest of us who are more than a few hours away from having the sand between our toes, alternatives will have to do. Do your research. Is there a lake or river nearby? Or maybe a state park with a creek? Does your campus have a pool? Figure out what works the best for you and enjoy some time with friends before the semester ends.

3. Host a cookout

Everybody loves a good cookout! Invite your closest friends and plan for a day of drinking and hanging out. Not only is this relaxing and low key, but it’s also easy (and free) to find a park or a friend with a grill nearby. If you can, consider gathering around a fire as it gets dark and temperatures get cooler. S’mores are always fun, no matter how old you are! Here are some recipes to try!

4. Volunteer

No matter what your passion is – whether it’s kids, dogs or nature – there is most likely an organization you can volunteer with that also helps get you outdoors. Stop by your campus Student Life office to ask about opportunities on your campus or use a website like Serve.gov to track down organizations in your community. If you’re looking to add experience to your resume, try to find an organization that fits in your field of study.

5. Rock out

Outdoor spring/summer concerts are the best. I love being outside and listening to music, especially when I can have a cold beer in my hand. If you play your cards right, you may be able to find free concerts in your area at local parks when the weather gets a little warmer. Whether it’s a band you’re obsessed with or just a local act getting its start, enjoying music is always a great idea.

6. Work outdoors

Most of us have to find part-time jobs during the summer months, so if you can, find a job that allows you to enjoy some sunlight. I worked at a local amusement park for years because it allowed me to be outside and see the sun! Even though it wasn’t the best job in the world, at least I felt like I was getting to enjoy the warm weather. If you’re able to find  a job that doesn’t keep you locked inside away from windows, then do it.

The post Get Out of the Dorm and Go Outdoors! appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

When you move out from under your parents’ roof, you assume you’re headed toward endless nights of partying and hanging with friends. What we don’t anticipate are all of the struggles that come with figuring out how to live on our own.

Whether you’re roughing it in a dorm or sharing a house or an apartment with others, adjusting to life without constant parental guidance is hard to adjust to at first.

No matter how ready you think you are, you’re still going to be surprised by how much you didn’t plan on or account for.

Here is my guide to some of the biggest surprises.

1. Your room won’t clean itself

I know what you’re thinking … well, duh. But it is important to clean your space on at least a semi-regular basis unless you want to attract germs, mold or bugs (or all three at once). Also, if you don’t clean up messes as they happen, you’ll be dealing with a whole other mess down the road when you lose that apartment deposit because that wine stain wouldn’t come up after you let it sit for two weeks. Be proactive and clean now instead of later. If you don’t, nobody else will.

2. Groceries/supplies run out

When you lived at home, you never had to worry about running out of toilet paper or breakfast food because Mom and Dad were always on top of that. It’s hard to adjust to taking care of household responsibilities when you’re already trying to adjust to the college lifestyle, but you don’t want to get caught in a jam down the road. The best thing you can do to avoid running low on food or supplies is to make a note in your planner or on your phone when you notice something is low. The next time you go to the store, make sure you’ve got that list with you and stock up on what you need.

3. Bills suck

While “Bills, Bills, Bills” is an extremely catchy song, it’s also a reminder that paying bills is an inevitable reality — one that you’ll have to deal with for the rest of your life. If you don’t pay your rent, car, credit card or electric bills on time, companies aren’t so understanding. You could see a dip in your credit score or if it becomes a consistent problem, you could lose your electricity or even be evicted. Your parents aren’t going to be able to remind you to pay your bills every month, so make sure that you do everything you can to get your cash in on time. Set phone reminders or email alerts to run on a monthly basis so you’re less likely to forget!

4. Stuff breaks

If something is broken, it isn’t going to fix itself. Depending on your lease agreement, your landlord is most likely under obligation to fix it, but they won’t know it needs to be fixed unless you notify them first! Make sure you contact them ASAP and keep track of the date you contacted them. If it isn’t fixed in a timely fashion, make sure you know your rights as a tenant. Look up renter laws for your state or even reach out to your campus’ off-campus housing office for help if problems are not addressed.

5. Safety first!

Unlike when you lived at home with your Mom and Dad and a sibling or two, you’re going to be living with roommates who may or may not care about your general safety or well-being. If you do not feel safe in your living arrangement, you are the one who is going to have to do something about it. Mom or Dad will not be able to take care of this for you. Figure out your options and get out of there as soon as possible. It is much better to be safe than sorry.

The post 5 Things You Find Out When Living On Your Own appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

Whether you have been dealing with acne your whole life or it is just something that comes up every once in a while, I think we can all agree on one thing: acne sucks!

Acne Tip #1: Check Out Your Cleanser

If you wash your face everyday and you are still getting acne, it may be time to take a look at your cleanser.

For sensitive skin
Make sure you are using a gentle cleanser that won’t irritate or dry out your already sensitive skin. Try Aveeno Ultra-Calming foaming cleanser which contains feverfew, a natural ingredient relate to chamomile, another calming agent.

Acne Tip #2: De-stress

How are stress and acne correlated? In a few ways.
According to Acne-Resource.com, stress causes the Adrenal glands to secrete two hormones, Norepinephrine and Epinephrine, both of which are known for stimulating the sebaceous glands in your skin to produce more sebum and thus clog pores…aka Acne City.

Have you ever noticed that you start to break out when you are stressing over midterms or something important? Maybe work is running you ragged or you’re just partying too much…whatever the cause, you gotta take a second to breathe and relax.

Make time for yourself
Whatever it is you’ve got going on, make time for yourself. So you studied all day for an exam, reward yourself with a hot shower and vegging out in front of the TV for an hour or so.

Exercise
Working out is a great way to relieve stress in your life. Working out won’t solve your problems, but it gives your body a chance to use up all the extra energy it has generated from stress.
Not only will you be getting rid of excess energy, it will also give you something to focus. Try a new playlist on your iPod or setting a new milestone for your workout. Keeping yourself distracted is half the battle.

Meditation

• I know how this sounds, but meditation is actually a great way to de-stress and take time for yourself. Try downloading a meditation track from iTunes or Amazon.com, lying down in your bed with your iPod buds in and relaxing.
• Taking the time to de-stress after a hard day can help to calm your body and your mind. Meditation is particularly good because it gives you a chance to completely clear your mind of all stressful thoughts; you may even catch a few Zz’s!

Acne Tip #3: Watch Your Diet

There are conflicting opinions about whether or not diet and acne are correlated. But there are a few things that are indisputable. Drink lots of water, eat clean and healthy and pay attention to the foods you intake and how they make you feel.

Water is good
http://acne.about.com/od/acnetriggers/a/dietacnestudy.htm

Acne like most other ailments are usually improved or made worse by your stress levels, general health and response to these factors. Keeping general overall health will improve all the little aspects of your health along the way.

The post Have Acne? 3 Important Acne Prevention Tips appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

It’s no secret that life is full of surprises.

girlsguideto.com

You never know what’s going to happen when, so it’s best to be prepared for when a worst-case scenario hits you in the gut when you least expect it.

If you’re living away from home, you’ll have to deal with problem-solving yourself since Mom and Dad are miles away. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure you have the the following numbers in your contacts list to prepare for the unexpected.

1. Law enforcement

Well, you may be thinking that 911 is an obvious response to a situation involving a crime, but dialing 911 might not be appropriate in all situations. Sometimes you may need to report a non-emergency that you’ll still need law enforcement’s help with. Find out which law enforcement agency is most appropriate for you to call with non-emergencies and add its number. If your apartment complex has a courtesy officer, make sure to add that number, too.

2. Health center/doctor

When you’re feeling lousy, the last thing you want to do is get up and go somewhere, but you’re better off going to the doctor if you’re feeling really sick. You’ll be more likely to call and make an appointment if the number is already in your phone. But sometimes getting sick doesn’t fall into 9-to-5 hours, so make sure you also have the phone number of an office you can go to on the weekends or after hours that is covered by your insurance.

3. Landlord/housing

While this may seem like a no-brainer, you’d be amazed how many people don’t have this number saved in their phones! When dealing with a housing emergency like flooding or getting locked out, time is of the essence, so you don’t want to spend the extra minutes looking up a number. Most apartment complexes have an emergency maintenance number you can call after the office is closed for the day. If you’re living in the dorm, ask your RA which number is best for you to call if you encounter a housing emergency.

4. Car insurance

We never want to get involved in a car accident, but it does happen, so it’s best to already have the number in your phone in case it does. Find out if your insurance company offers any sort of roadside assistance. You may be eligible for a service that can come to you and help, so make sure you’ve got that number saved as well.

5. Bank

It’s never fun to find out that your debit/credit card has been hacked or to report that you’ve lost a card. Some banks have different numbers for different situations, which will help you avoid the oh-so-frustrating automated phone system. Figure out the numbers you’re most likely going to need and add them!

Also, don’t forget to store important numbers in a place other than your phone!

In the case that your phone gets stolen or breaks, make sure you have the numbers you need saved elsewhere. Since most of us don’t memorize numbers anymore, the numbers you need to have include not only the numbers listed above, but also your immediate family and your roommate(s).

The post Numbers You Need to Have in Your Phone appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

Photo by chidsey

Finding affordable, easy and healthy snacks is a challenge for most college students. This is mostly because students usually do not have a full kitchen and options are often limited to the high calorie cafeteria snacks.

In college, you are going to spend plenty of nights staying up late studying to cram for a test the next day. The last thing you want to do is eat foods with no nutritional benefits because it will leave you feeling groggy and unfocused.

With healthy snacks as the last thing on your mind, you’ll want to plan ahead and buy energizing foods for those long study days and nights.

It’s important to eat healthy food, even during the busiest hours, because your mind and body needs nutrition to work efficiently.

A few easy, wholesome, healthy study snacks will do the trick:

Fruit Salads

Fruit salads are incredibly quick to make and fun to eat. It’s a simple snack you can make your own. Mix all of your favorite fruits in a bowl and enjoy! You can also include yogurt, flax seeds or granola to add more flavor and density to this light snack. It’s easy, sweet and delicious.

Almond Butter Banana Sandwich

We’ve all had Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches as kids, but try using Almond Butter and whole grain bread to make this sticky, sweet sandwich more nutritious. You’re never too old to enjoy one!

Smoothie

Buy a small blender or magic bullet and start making smoothies frequently. If you have trouble feeling awake, a smoothie a day will give you a huge boost. Add a variety of fruits, but also be sure to include at least two vegetables such as spinach, kale or cucumbers for extra nutritional punch.

Greek Yogurt

Yogurt is a filling, protein rich snack that will give you the energy you need to study. Avoid the sugary added flavor yogurt, and try Greek Yogurt. It is even more delicious and easy to add fruits, granola or nuts.

Green Salad

A small green salad will go a long way in revitalizing you for the day. Salads are easy to make and store in Tupperware a day ahead so you have it ready when you want it. Dark leafy greens are packed with vitamins to give you a healthy boost. Add some fruits, vegetables and light dressing. The more variety of colors, the more energizing nutrients you’ll get out of a salad.

Trail Mix with Nuts

Mix up your own trail mix with walnuts, almonds, dried cherries, raisins, and dark chocolate. This high protein snack will satisfy your hunger and keep you focused. It’s an easy grab and go snack you can bring with you to class or the library.

Even in college you can eat healthy if you make the effort to find nutritious foods and avoid the sugary snacks.  All of these snacks can be made in minutes and will provide the nourishment the brain and body needs to help you focus on studies and do better in school.

The post 6 Healthy Study Snacks to Keep You Energized appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

For most of us, summer is a gladly welcomed break from the hecticness of academia and extra-curriculars. While a job or internship may be in store for some, others have those few glorious months entirely to themselves. But either way, working or not, our habits and routines change as soon as finals end.

Although switching things up can sometimes be a good thing, here are three things academic-year habits you should keep in place throughout the summer months:

1. Learn something new every day

During the school year, most of us learn something new everyday. Whether it’s the correct form of a conjugated subjunctive verb in Spanish, how to advertise for an event you’re sponsoring, or that everything you learned in middle school about Christopher Columbus was a lie, school is – believe it or not – actually a place where you learn more things than you can imagine.

Source: Wiki Commons by Villa Grisebach

My advice to you is advice that I received at my internship last year: Read at least two news articles a day. If you do this already, great! If not, subscribe to the New York Times or head to CNN.com, BBC.com, or any comparable site and get reading. You can learn a lot about things – from the European Union to Google’s latest ventures – simply by taking 10 minutes out of your day to read about what’s going on in the world. And, plus: The facts you learn will prove to be impressive conversation starters.

2. Keep track of things

During the school year, most keep some sort of assignment book or planner. But why do a majority of students pack it away as soon as it’s warm outside?

Whether or not you have homework assignments, it’s important to stay on top of what’s going on in your life, and a daily planner is a great way to do that. Keep track of doctors appointments, birthdays, and daily to-dos (for example, “Read 2 articles today” – check!)

Sure, sure, I suppose this could all be done on a phone. Call me old fashion, but I think keeping a planner is the more mature thing to do. Moreover, something feels more important when you see it written in your own handwriting; another random notification on your phone amidst the text and email beeps may not truly get your attention.

3. Maintain some semblance of a sleep schedule

For those with an internship, it’s understood that you may hardly be sleeping at all, depending on what you’re doing. Nevertheless, no matter what you’re doing this summer it’s wise to maintain a sort of schedule. When you sleep – no to mention for how long – is a huge part of your day to day life, affecting nearly everything else you do. Obviously, it’s recommended to get about 8 hours of sleep each night; if you cant swing that, at least try to come close. But no matter when and for how long you sleep, do your best to keep it consistent. During the school year our class schedules (hopefully) do this for us, and it’s good for your body and brain to get into a routine. So keep it up during the summer; when you’re well rested, you’re an all-around better and healthier person!

Have any other tips for those long summer months? Share your ideas below!

The post 3 Tips for Staying Sharp During the Summer appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

You wake up to the taste of tequila and a hangover headache. Although your memories are blurry, you do remember chatting with an attractive undergrad who gave you all the clues that they wanted to hook up.

But did you?

Or did things go foul after a pit-stop for some greasy drunk food? Here is quick guide to tell if you hooked up.

Hint one: Location

Open your eyes. Where are you? If you are at your place or a friend’s place, proceed to step two. If you are in unfamiliar surroundings, roll over and check the bed for someone sleeping next to you. Feel free to do a little snooping and take in your surroundings. Look at the walls for pictures and any clues that might jar your memories. Girls love pictures of themselves with their friends hanging in their rooms. Do you spot the person from last night? Does the bedroom reflect the sex of someone you would hook up with? Are the clothes covering the floor from the cutie you were flirting with at the bar?

Hint two: Appearance

Waking up naked is a telltale sign of the previous night’s activities. Although sleeping nude could just be a preference. If you are wearing some form of clothing check your appearance in the mirror. Intoxicated hook ups tend to leave evidence behind. Check yourself for hickeys, scratches and bite marks. Take in the state of your hair as well. Is it typical bedhead or does it look as though someone tugged your hair in throes of passion? Women can take the state of their makeup as well. Smudged lipstick and paired with chapped lips is not a side effect of innocence. Ladies should also do a mental assessment of how their bodies feel. Any soreness below the waist points strongly toward some form of sexual activity.

depositphotos.com

Hint three: Cell Phone

Go through your texts from last night. Were you bragging about getting lucky to a friend last night? Did you to contact an old booty call? By checking your call log and texts messages you can reveal crucial clues. Friends might have texted their concern after you dipped out unannounced with your maybe hook up or cheering you on for scoring. Be sure to go through you photos on your phone just in case you made some additions (dirty or parent approved). It is also a good idea to look for new numbers added from last night. Any texts sent from unopened numbers? Maybe it was the nine out of 10 you almost took home.

Hint four: Social Media

Similar to cell phones, social media is also good for jogging your memory. Girls are notoriously better at being more active on social media sites, depending on your sex you might have a friend request waiting on Facebook. Or you might have been eager the night before and already added them. Also check your Facebook to see if any photos were recently added of you. Every person has one friend that uploads photos immediately, and chances are you could be spotted in the background making out with someone at the bar. Just say a silent pray that you didn’t login to your hook up’s place on Foursquare.

The post 4 Hints to Find Out If You Hooked Up Last Night appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

Each summer of college, there is such a pressure to be productive in order to push yourself forward in your career or your education.

I spent four college summers very differently and would not change my experiences. Each summer had a unique focus but each added to my experience. Remember, you are growing so much as a person during this time in your life so living each summer with a new goal will help you learn a lot about yourself!

The working summer

Have a summer where you get a job, whether it is in your hometown or your college town, and work to save money. It will be nice to start a football season with some savings. I chose a job that did not advance me professionally but gave me flexible hours. I was able to enjoy time with my friends but still earn a paycheck. I recommend being productive in a monetary sense while still spending time at the beach.

The relaxing summer

My relaxing summer meant a great deal of going out to dinner, watching rugby games, getting dollar beers, and taking one class online. I was able to convince my parents I was being productive by taking management online and doing well in the class. I made a point to watch lectures, do my reading, and study for the tests. I actually believe I remember management better than most classes, simply because I had so much brain power to focus on the subject. It was certainly enjoyable to hang out with my friends, and do whatever I wanted while still convincing my parents I was being productive.

The internship summer

Spend one full summer on an internship. I did this the summer after my junior year. I worked at an organization that I thought I would enjoy working for as a career. Through this internship, I realized I did not see myself having this career for the rest of my life. It was an eye-opening experience. I am glad I was able to have this experience because I may have found myself in a career which I did not enjoy. I made some great friends and made the best of the experience. We had a good time, spent some fun nights out, and got a lot of work done. My senior year would have been spent applying for jobs in a field I discovered I did not enjoy. I cannot emphasize the importance of taking on an internship, at least once, during your college career. You never know what you may learn.

The travel summer

Take one summer to travel. I know that travel may not be an option for everyone but I had a part-time job during the year while I saved for some traveling. The traveling summer can be as extravagant or as frugal as you wish. To save money, I recommend visiting friends that have moved to other cities for their jobs. You could also go to a music festival and save some money by going in a big group. This also may be the perfect time for you to travel abroad. Some may choose to do this on their own, while others study abroad through their university. Whichever travel route you choose, I recommend a travel summer.

You only have a certain amount of time left to enjoy summer vacations. Remember, soon enough you will be working potentially year-round with not much of a summer vacation. Listen to some of the career advice, add some things to your resume, but also take time for yourself.

The post How to Spend Your College Summers appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

I was always one of those people that could be persuaded to fill out a survey for pretty much any purpose. My high school job was as a front desk clerk at a hotel. Whenever I got a positive survey I would get a bonus. After that job, I knew it was duty to help people get their jobs done by filling out surveys, answering questionnaires, and giving my opinions – especially for  experiences I enjoyed.

Donating Blood

I think every college student gets hassled to donate blood. For me, it didn’t take much convincing. Donating blood means you are working toward a good cause. In college towns, you often see the best rewards for doing this good deed.  I saw that I would get a free t-shirt, a gift card, and tickets to the movies and I was sold! It was after this amazing reward that my addiction truly set in.

Food Studies

At this point, I began to take advantage of random studies I ran across while walking around campus. They constantly conducted food studies. Whenever I saw a long line, I knew it would be a good study. Typically the studies would be burger tastings, French fry toppings, and other awesomely horrible foods for you. Once I was disappointed with a new flavor of Jell-O once but about two years later I saw it on the shelf and thought I could have had a part in helping that flavor get there.

Extra Credit Opportunities

My marketing professor used to offer us extra credit for participating in studies that the graduate program conducted. We could earn up to 3% on our final grade, which is a crazy amount and could mean the difference between a B+ or an A- in the class. Of course, I took advantage of these opportunities. You never knew what the study would be; you simply knew the amount of time you would be required to participate.

My second time participating in a marketing study was the best experience ever! I went to the small room in a sketchy part of campus and sat in front of the slowest computer. It was a simulation of a gas station and I was given $20 to ‘spend’. They gave the option of spending any or all of your virtual money in the ‘store’. I purchased about three dollars worth of products and decided this would be typical of my personality. After I made my virtual selections, I went to sign out of the study. I signed the paper and they gave me my purchased items and my change! I walked out with a pack of gum, a candy bar, $17.00, and 1% added on to my overall marketing grade!

Sure, I put in a lot of effort and time into these random surveys and studies over the years but I would not change it for anything. In the moment, these studies interested me and brought me a little bit of belonging in a large university setting. The worst thing was eating gross flavors of Jell-O but the best things was walking away with $17 in my pocket. Needless to say, I spent it rather quickly.

The moral of this story is, when you are in college you are exposed to all sorts of opportunities you may not come across in regular life. Take a second, fill out the survey, and get a free t-shirt. At the very least, you’ll have a new shirt to workout in!

The post Food Tasting, Marketing Studies, and Other Extra Credit Opportunities appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

The first thing you need to know is that you’re not alone when it comes to stress during college.

There are so many people out there who have dedicated their lives to helping others.

We all go through some rough times as a college student. We’re growing out of our teenaged years and finally understanding the weight of the real world.

Maybe those tuition bills are piling up. Are you parents hovering too close for comfort? Are your new friends not being too friendly or is it getting harder to make friends?

Stress during college is normal. Here’s how to beat it:

Take a deep breath

This isn’t the worst thing that’s ever going to happen to you. It just feels that way. Remember in 6^th grade when everyone saw your underwear on accident? No one else really does either. In a few years from now you’ll realize how silly your stress is now. Take a deep breath!

Visit the counseling center

Now, If the stress is becoming too much and maybe it’s more serious than some think, you need to talk to someone. It’s completely different if you talk to a counselor rather than a friend. They know how to ask the right questions, they listen and the VERY best part is that they won’t share your deepest darkest secrets (unless they absolutely have to).

TheRealCollegeGuide.com

Visit campus life

At my school, we had a department called Campus Life. Essentially, they dealt with the class part of stress in these situations. If you had to go to a funeral or needed to miss class for some reason, they’d write you a note and get it covered. It’s important to do this so that you next stress (grades) doesn’t creep up behind you during all of this mess.

Talk to your RA or Hall Director

These people took jobs to be able to be there for students going through great or hard times. Shoot them a text, email or just stop by their office or room. Tell them that you’d like to talk soon. They’ll be more than happy to talk with you as soon as they have a free minute and will probably drop everything to do so. These people are sort of better than talking with friends because they can’t tell anyone anything you said (again, unless they have to) and they’re a definite third party in your life. Also, since they’re probably older than you, they might know exactly what you’re going through.

Find yourself a mentor

Find a person who you really respect and like. Maybe it’s the professor in the science department, the director in the writing department or the woman who cleans your hallways before class. Find that person that you really connect with and ask them for coffee or to sit outside for a little while. Adults have this sixth sense when it comes to something serious. They’ll know what to do after listening to your problems and give you great ideas. After seeing years of students roll through, it’s not their first rodeo.

Keep your chin up.

The post How to Deal with Hardships and Stress during College appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

Photo by rakratchada torsap

At the dining hall, the first two weeks of the semester are tolerable. Then, once you’ve gotten your fill (until next semester) of French fries and chicken patties, mealtime starts to become a chore.  Not only is it boring, but getting a diet filled with the same foods day by day is unhealthy. Diversity in the diet is essential in order to get all the vitamins and minerals the body needs to fully function.

The beauty of boring basics, though, is that they can be turned into gourmet-esque, interesting meals on the fly. Simple, easy combinations can lead to a fun, tasty creative outlet during the time you used to dread.

1. Chicken Carbonara:

baked/grilled chicken + whole-grain pasta + alfredo sauce + peas + bacon bits + black pepper

Slice up the chicken and combine all the ingredients on a plate or in a bowl to create a flavorful pasta dish. The chicken’s protein and fiber from the whole grain keep you full, and the bacon, although a treat, adds warmth to an otherwise basic dish.

2. Chicken Parmesan:

chicken patty + whole-grain spaghetti + tomato sauce + shredded cheese

Put the chicken patty on top of a bed of spaghetti and cover in sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and pop it into the microwave briefly to melt the cheese. It may not be mom’s recipe, but it’ll do.

3. Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad:

fresh baby spinach (or whatever type of fresh greens you like) + fresh veggies + chicken patty + bacon bits + ranch dressing + hard-boiled egg

Chop up the chicken patty (or use grilled chicken for a healthier, protein-packed kick) and put on top of the spinach or any other fresh salad greens. Add lots of your favorite fresh vegetables to add even more fiber and feel-good vitamins. Add a hard-boiled egg, some bacon bits, and ranch dressing. Fresh, yet energizing.

4. Fruit Parfait:

fresh fruits + yogurt + granola + nuts

The wonderful thing about fruit parfaits is that they are totally customizable based on what’s available at the dining hall and what suits your taste. Choose your favorite fruits, flavor of yogurt, and whatever granola is available (other dry cereals, like Chex and Grapenuts also work wonderfully). Fresh and never boring.

5. Healthy Waffle Fruit Sandwich:

Waffles + fresh fruit + peanut butter

Prepare or toast waffles, and spread one half with peanut butter. Pile on fruits, nuts, or whatever suits your fancy, and top with the other half of the waffle. If you’re in need of a sweet treat, add chocolate chips or some whipped cream. This dish can also be mixed up daily based on what’s available; don’t be afraid to get creative!

The post Dining Hall Mash-ups: Creating Hearty Meals from Food Staples appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

When you get to college you will be exposed to a wide variety of new experiences.  You’re exposed to new ideas or concepts in subjects that have never been offered to you before; new social situations will be revealed with different clubs that can range from any sport (including Quidditch in some schools), to the arts and politics; sororities and fraternities will recruit future prospects by enticing you with their social events that include a lot of alcohol and mingling with the opposite sex; and parties occur constantly that can have various themes and various substances.  While college is about trying new things, creating memories, and having new experiences, you should still try to do so in a safe and healthy manner.

“Beer Bottles on Ice” by NayPong

Cigs

Even though I hate to admit it, sometimes I smoke cigarettes (Just kidding, those are lyrics to a Miranda Lambert song. But anyway…).  Even though I hate to admit it, we live in a crazy world with people who do unkind things, and it seems to just be getting worse.  I don’t mean to be depressing, but it’s the truth.  A recent article discussed the increasing occurrence of sexually violent crimes on college campuses, and how the university authorities don’t properly report them or enforce the necessary punishments to those found guilty.  Perhaps it’s all about appearances because if a school reports high incidences of sexual harassment, their reputation plummets, which would then cause them to lose money.  But either way, the harsh reality of it all is that these things happen, and it’s important for students, and all people for that matter, to be cautious.

If you are out at one of the many college parties that occur, or if you’re simply staying on campus late to study for an exam, you should try to never walk home at night by yourself if you can help it, especially if you’re a girl.  If you’re in this situation, ask a friend if they can come get you, ask campus security to escort you, or if these aren’t options and you must go by yourself, call someone and talk to them on the phone until you get back to your room/apartment.

Drugs & alcohol

Additionally, you’ll have a lot of access to drugs and alcohol.  As college students, you’re on your own reaching adulthood and therefore making your own decisions and have to live with the consequences that may emerge.  No one can make your choices for you, and you should never let anyone pressure you into doing something you don’t want to or are unsure of.  College isn’t middle or high school, and even though it may be hard, you shouldn’t let peer pressure affect you.  If something doesn’t feel right to you and you stand up for yourself and say ‘no,’ those who negatively judge you for it are people you don’t want to surround yourself with, anyway.

Get a DD

At bars/parties, if you know you’re going to be drinking, make sure you have a designated driver if need be, as well as other good friends around you to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of, or get hurt in any other way.  My roommate my sophomore year had a lot too much one night and I, along with 3 of our friends, had to carry her home, help her into bed, and make sure she didn’t fall out or get sick because she blacked out and would not stay still.  Situations like this naturally happen and it’s so important to be surrounded by people who care about you and will help keep you safe.  Also, if everyone in your group of friends drinks, it’s important to vary the designated driver to keep it “fair.”

College is a time you’ll never forget and it’ll provide you with stories for the rest of your life.  You’re supposed to have fun, but it should never be at the expense of your safety.

The post Don’t Compromise Your Safety in College appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

With the late nights and early mornings that are unavoidable in college, you’re naturally going to be hungry (duh!).  With early morning classes, you may not have enough time to make it to the dining hall for breakfast, and when you’re up late studying or finishing a paper, everything is closed.  Furthermore, you may not have a car to go get something, or even if you do, you may just be feeling too lazy to actually leave your dorm.  Therefore, it’s important to make sure you have some sort of food in your room to save you in these desperate times.

SXC.HU

Here are a few staples:

Cereal and milk

Jerry Seinfeld didn’t keep about 16 boxes of cereal in his apartment at all times just for fun.  He did it because cereal is amazing at any point throughout the day, and it allows you to eat and drink at the same time with one hand without looking.  It’s a great late-night snack, and I recommend having at least 2 boxes around because portion control is incredibly hard when it comes to cereal and if you’re not careful, an entire box can easily be gone in a day and a half.

Fruit

Most Americans don’t have the recommended daily servings of fruit so it’s important to always have some around.  Fruit is a healthy option and its various vitamin content can help strengthen your immune system so you won’t get sick, because any college student knows, getting sick can cause you to be really far behind in your work.  Try to always have oranges for their Vitamin C content, which is great for fighting away illnesses; some type of berry for their antioxidants; apples, which are high in fiber and have energy boosting properties; and bananas, which also have energy boosting qualities and are great for pre and post-workout snacks.  Oranges, apples, and bananas don’t necessarily need to be refrigerated, which is an added bonus for a college dorm room, but obviously any fruit is a great, beneficial snack.  Combining the fruit with Greek or other kinds of yogurt is a good snack as well, and it’ll be more filling.

Veggies

Like fruit, most Americans don’t get the recommended daily servings of vegetables, either.  Having a bag of baby carrots around is an easy way to increase your intake, and a small bag doesn’t take up that much room in your mini-fridge.

Pretzels

Sometimes, you just want something crunchy and salty.  Pretzels are a good option because they’re healthier than potato chips, and there are so many different flavors of pretzels out there.  Also, if you have a friend/friends over and they want something to eat, it might be a little weird to offer them carrots.

Bread, Peanut Butter, and Jelly

You don’t have to be in 2^nd grade to enjoy a classic PBnJ.  Whoever thought of this combo is a genius and deserves a hug, and you can always alter it a little bit.  You can make a peanut butter and banana sandwich.  Or, if you wanted to splurge and get Nutella, putting Nutella on bananas is amazing, or having a peanut butter, banana, and Nutella sandwich will probably change your life.

These are just a few common ideas, and there are plenty more options out there.  If you don’t have a car, it’s smart to befriend someone who does so you can take trips to the grocery store together.  Or, if none of your friends have a car, the local bus system should pass through your school pretty frequently.  Just try to go with some friends so you can help each other carry everything.  I do recommend having a mini-fridge in your room, but if you don’t, most dorms have hall kitchens that have a communal refrigerator.

Just be sure to clearly label your food/drinks and hope that you have honest, respectful dorm-mates who won’t steal your things.

The post Snacks You Should Always Have in Your Dorm Room appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

This is a summary of “A Tale of Two Companies” – a live Google Hangout between Sanjeev Agrawal, Founder/CEO of Collegefeed and Rajen Sheth, Director of Product Management for at Google. Sanjeev was formerly Head of Product Marketing at Google, and CEO of Aloqa (acquired by Motorola). Rajen is widely known as “The Father of Google Apps” for pioneering the use of Gmail in the Enterprise, which eventually lead to Google Apps. Started by Google / Stanford / MIT Alums, Collegefeed helps college students find their dream job or internship by connecting them to employers that fit their interests and skills.

To watch the full video visit www.collegefeed.com/networking

Rajen’s List of “7 things I Know Now That I Wish I Knew In College”:

1. Write your own definition of success.

   Define success in your own terms based on your values and how you want to live your life. Any definition of success is valid. Do not let society or media influence your definition of success. If you think in terms of football, it is as valid to say, “I’m going to run towards the sideline” as much as it is to say, “I’m going to run towards the end zone.” Think about the question “What is success for me?” and then actively work towards it. As your values and beliefs in life change, your definition of success will also change.

2. Each definition, even the “traditional” ones have tradeoffs.

   No matter what you do there will be some trade-offs that you will need to make and understanding these trade-offs early on is important. Some people go into political activism or non-profit or technology and all these are valid roles, but every single one has trade-offs. In college, a trade-off for working really hard means having less fun and fewer parties, and at work it might mean less family time. When making a decision, always be aware of the trade-offs you’re going to have to make to achieve your goal.

3. Take risks early and often–a career is a progression.

   In college, the common belief is that you need more experience before you can start your own company, but in fact it is a lot easier to take risks when you are young. You have more room to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes early on in life. As Rajen mentioned, “I wish I had just dived into starting my own company as soon as I graduated.”

4. Passion is more important than perception.

   As much as resumes and jobs are important, the bigger question is–how is your work making the world a better place? Always keep that in perspective when making key decisions such as What company should I work for? What role should I take? Should I start my own company? Think about what kind of problems you will be solving and how that will impact the world around you.

5. Search beyond your college career center when looking for jobs.

   Career center is an incredible resource to use, but looking beyond it and understanding what else is happening around the world is important. There might be smaller ventures out there that simply don’t have the resources to reach to all career centers. Do your research–use all the resources you have beyond the college career center.

6. Build and leverage your network.

   This is often the hardest, but most important thing to do. Companies don’t hire people, people do. So it’s very important to be aware of what’s happening around you, meet new people, and make connections. Always be curious to know what people are up to and how you can help out. It doesn’t cost a thing and you never know how it (and when it) can pay off. Building a network is the single most important thing you can do while you’re in college.

7. Keep learning and refining as you go along.
   

   Most people don’t have the vision for what they would like to be 20 years from now. As Steve Jobs once said, “You cannot connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect the dots looking backward,” don’t worry too much about the future–figure out your next step and focus on that. As long as it’s something you love, are passionate about, and you understand the trade-offs, you’re good. Keep learning as you go through the journey!

The post 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was in College appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..

Once the school year starts, you’re pretty much wrapped in a never-ending whirlwind of chaos.  Classes, the reading for those classes, papers, projects, exams, etc. all keep you incredibly busy, and the free time you have for things you want to do for fun or for yourself, is limited.  Throughout the chaos you want to ensure that you remain healthy, whether it’s mentally or physically, and a positive thing that is part of any healthy lifestyle, is being active.  Therefore, you need to learn how to manage your time effectively in order to include exercise or some type of activity into your busy schedule, so you don’t lose your sanity during the academic year.

Research shows that exercising causes various mental health benefits.  First and foremost, exercise relieves stress, and stress is a well-known friend to most college students.  Working up a sweat can help alleviate stress and releases norepinephrine, which is a chemical in the brain that’s involved in your body’s way of coping with stress and tension.  Therefore, exercising can improve your ability to deal with stressful situations.  Furthermore, working out can boost your overall mood, which is why some doctors recommend exercise to those suffering from clinical depression and anxiety.  As Elle Woods in Legally Blonde taught us all, “Exercise gives you endorphins; endorphins make you happy; happy people don’t just shoot their husbands…they just don’t.”  Exercising gives you a strong sense of accomplishment, and that happiness will improve your mood and self-confidence, so you won’t go around harming other people.  Exercise also increases relaxation, improves your memory, and can make you more productive and efficient in your work.  If you’ve been reading for a long time, studying, or working on a paper or project, you may feel like you want to hit the fetal position on the floor real quick.  Going outside for a walk or working out for just 30 minutes or so can do wonders for your brain and will help your mind reset.

Again, since exercising or simply being active has massive physical and mental health benefits, it’s important to figure out how to fit it into your busy college schedule.

Here are some simple ways you can achieve that.

• Bike/walk to class, and take walking breaks throughout a long day of doing work.
• -Workout in the morning before your classes.
• -If you have a 45 minute to an hour break in the day, use that time to possibly do a circuit or interval workout.

SXC.HU

These kinds of workouts are fast and effective, and studies show you get the same amount of benefits in a 30 minute interval workout as you do in running for an hour at a steady pace on the treadmill.  You can fit in a 20 or 30 minute interval workout and have time to take a fast shower before you go to class.  Or, you can do a longer workout and not shower before class (which I highly recommend.  No one will judge you, I promise).

Wear your workout clothes throughout the day if you plan on working out in the afternoon.

As the day drags on, it’s natural to lose more and more energy.  But, by having your workout clothes and shoes already on, it’ll be so much easier to just head straight for the gym and immediately start your workout.  If you have to go back to your room to change, you’ll probably just end up asleep on your bed.

Utilize your campus for your workout

If you’d rather workout outside or can’t make it to the gym, you can find a flight of stairs somewhere around your campus.  Running stairs is an intense workout, and you can add things to this activity to make it a little more interesting.  Instead of always running, you can hop up the stairs, alternate one-foot hops, do skaters up the stairs, and skip a step or two depending on their size.  In between each set of stairs, you can stop to do a different toning exercise like push-ups, lunges, squats, or crunches and other ab exercises, to turn it into a full-body workout.

If most people sit down and write out what they do during every hour in a day, they’ll find that they actually do have blocks of time where they’re available or are using the time ineffectively.  It’s important to make exercising a priority and find the time to do it, in order to receive the massive health and cognitive benefits it has to offer.

The post Making Exercise a Priority Within Your Busy Schedule appeared first on College Cures | Everything College, No Prerequisites..