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Your Aching Head: Managing the Many Migraine Triggers

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Migraine

Migraine

Your head hurts. It starts as a low rumble, but quickly explodes into an uncontrollable sensation of pain, nausea, and vision problems. It’s a migraine, and it’s awful. Migraines can occur in children and adults and, believe it or not, many doctors still don’t understand the root causes of them. With that said, there are treatments out there today that help to control migraines. Even so, it’s best to log triggers so that you can avoid them.

Alcohol

If you’re a drinker, stop. Alcohol is one of the most common triggers for migraines – especially red wine with its high concentration of tannins. But, any alcohol can trigger an episode. If you’re a regular drinker and you’re finding it difficult to stop, you might benefit from social support.

No, you don’t need AA, but maybe websites like non12step-drugrehabs.org can help – it offers a non AA alternative to understanding and controlling alcohol use, especially when it’s habitual.

Drugs

Drugs are another common trigger. If you use or abuse drugs, you may need medical help as well as psychological help to break the addiction. Understandably, it’s tough to do, but it usually helps control symptoms.

Stress

Stress is a major trigger, and one that most people are exposed to on a daily basis. Chronic stress comes from work, a busy home life, and even from spouses and romantic partners who, while loving, don’t really understand your condition fully.

Minimizing stress can be difficult, especially if you lead a busy life. But, meditation can help – especially Yoga-based meditation. Suntheanine, a patented form of the natural amino acid l-theanine (found in green tea) is clinically proven to promote relaxation.

Finally, maybe you just need to chill out once in a while. When’s the last time you sat down by the pool and soaked up the sun? What about talking a walk around the neighborhood or jamming to your favorite tunes? What about playing retro video games or going to the park? Find a playful way to relax.

Migraines

Migraines

Smoking

Smoking is a known trigger for migraines, and it’s also a nasty habit that destroys your lungs and increases your risk of lung cancer. There are many approaches to quitting – all of them hard. Some of the best ways include behavioral modification, where you disassociate daily tasks from the smoking habit. For example, if you regularly smoke after breakfast, try doing something else – focusing solely on the cigarette after breakfast. Once you have stopped smoking in the morning, fight the next battle – lunch, or whenever else you smoke next.

In this way, you’re fighting one battle at a time instead of quitting cold turkey. And then there’s the cold turkey approach. Quitting for 3 days will flush the chemicals out of your system. From there, you’ll be dealing with the psychological addiction which may require a psychotherapist.

Foods

If you have food triggers, they will become apparent rather quickly. However, many people have food triggers and don’t know what they are. Non-IgE food sensitivity tests, like the LEAP MRT or other food tests may help you uncover food sensitivities that are causing your migraines. Once you know which foods provoke an inflammatory response, you can avoid them.

Migraine Treatments

Migraine treatments vary from pills to nutritional therapy. The Life Extension Foundation has even make a “cure” available. The organization claims that an imbalance of hormones and nutritional deficiencies are often to blame. Talk with your doctor about which treatment options make the most sense for you, if you believe you absolutely need medical intervention.

Steve Tucker is a medical professional with a deep sense of responsibility for his patients. When not at his practice, he often blogs about common ailments and how to treat them effectively.

photo credit: ladybugrock via photopin cc
photo credit: Neil. Moralee via photopin cc

The post Your Aching Head: Managing the Many Migraine Triggers appeared first on College Cures.


3 Workouts for People Who Hate Working Out

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Plenty of individuals can’t wait to get to their workout every day, but if you’re not in this category, you still should be doing something physical on a regular basis to stay healthy. Many universities are investing more and more money to build and renovate state-of-the-art fitness facilities that give students access to fitness equipment, swimming pools, saunas, group fitness classes, and more.

If you hate exercising for whatever reason, these workouts are for you.

CrossFit

crossfitCrossFit is an incredibly popular fitness program developed in 2000 by Greg Glassman. As the CrossFit website explains, it relies on the idea that, in order to get in peak condition, you have to complete a variety of different, functional exercises at relatively high intensity. You’ll do combinations of calisthenics, powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, high-intensity interval training (HiiT), gymnastics and strongman exercises.

This fitness program is great for people who aren’t too keen on hitting the gym not only because the routines are so efficient, but also because it is offered in classes. You can feed off the energy of everyone getting in shape alongside you. People in your classes can become buddies who can hold you more accountable. The emphasis on a variety of exercises also fends off boredom, making it more likely you’ll stick with the program.

According to the Tabata Times there are more than 5,000 registered CrossFit affiliates in the world with that number nearly doubling every year. Many gyms are beginning to pop up in college towns with big city universities having multiple options within close proximity. Although memberships can be expensive, many gyms offer student discounts to help make obtaining peak physical fitness more financially feasible.

Biking

bikingPeople who are looking for a great cardio burn often come up short because so many exercises that get your heart rate up also are high-impact, meaning that both feet end up leaving the ground at some point in the movement. The force you encounter as your feet strike the ground can be incredibly high. In fact, according to the Chester Knee Clinic and Cartilage Repair Centre, the force you experience when running can be up to eight times that of walking, putting tremendous stress the joints. With biking, you still challenge your cardiovascular system but can avoid the impact that puts you at risk for joint issues.

Many gyms and university recreation centers now have biking (spinning) classes, but you also can use a biking DVD if you have a fitness bike at home. If you’d rather get skip the gym or get out of your house, you can invest in a good bike and head out onto any local biking trail, which offers beautiful scenery, fresh air and plenty of intensity variation.

Many students place a lot of weight in geographic location when deciding on where to attend college. Institutions such as the University of Colorado at Boulder are surrounded by mountainous terrain that provide the ideal setting for mountain biking while more urban schools such as The Ohio State University have city wide bike trails that extend miles away from campus in to multiple parks and neighborhoods.

Kickboxing

kickboxingYour workout should let you get rid of frustration, not make the problem worse. In this regard, no workout is better for people who’d rather skip the gym than kickboxing. A hybrid of martial arts forms, it uses punches and kicks to deliver full-body results. As you throw moves like jabs and back kicks, you’ll be able to release all the pent-up aggression you have in a constructive, positive way.

You can train with a professional, join a kickboxing center so you can spar with others, or just get your game on with a good kickboxing DVD in your living room. Recreation facilities are beginning to add kickboxing to their list of programs offered to students with the cost of tuition.

Weighted gloves and a kickboxing bag, which you can order online if you visit SportPursuit.com or similar sites, are standard (but often optional) equipment.

Conclusion

Staying fit and healthy doesn’t have to mean going through physical routines you don’t like. With options like Crossfit, biking and kickboxing, you can lose weight or tone up and have fun at the same time. College fitness and recreation centers offer many programs that allow you to get more value for the cost of admission. In addition to this, taking advantage of your universities setting will allow you to explore the city while simultaneously increasing your level of physical fitness!

 

Corrine Martin is a fitness guru with a keen eye for motivation. She loves blogging about the tips and tricks to enjoying a successful fitness routine.

photo credit: CrossFit Huntsville via photopin cc
photo credit: jankie via photopin cc
photo credit: Josa Jr via photopin cc

The post 3 Workouts for People Who Hate Working Out appeared first on College Cures.

Pura Naturals Are Redefining Personal Hygiene

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I have never been much of a fan of washcloths. Perhaps I am lazy but it just creates more laundry while acting as a breeding ground for bacteria. No matter how often I fold it up nicely and drape it over the faucet, I always return to find it balled up in the corner of the bath tub soaking wet. Hence, I have grown up utilizing the standard lather it up method with nothing but a good ol’ bar of soap. That was until I discovered Pura Naturals soap infused sponges.

The first new category for personal cleansing since the introduction of liquid soap in 1980, Pura Naturals are changing the game of personal hygiene.

Pura Naturals

Pura Naturals: Rethink Cleansing

Natural and nourishing, these soap infused sponges are made from a unique, plant-based formula with no harsh, artificial chemicals that could be potentially damaging to skin. 100% vegan and gluten-free, each sponge is infused with Level Naturals soap, botanicals, and essential oils. Finding a product without harmful additives can be a daunting task so we are bringing Pure Naturals soap infused sponges to you!

This environmentally safe product is made with revolutionary 3P Technology, a unique proprietary polymer that is highly chemical resistant, thus not at risk of breaking down when absorbing other chemicals. Better yet, the product absorbs oil and grease, resists bacteria, and contains absolutely zero synthetic ingredients.

Ever take a shower and still not feel clean afterwards?

That will not be the case with Pura Naturals.  With over 12 scents that will stimulate and please your olfactory senses and even kitchen sponges, all of your cleanliness concerns can now be alleviated.

For more information check them out at Pura Natural Products.

The post Pura Naturals Are Redefining Personal Hygiene appeared first on College Cures.

Be On Your Way to the Perfect Career With the YouScience College Success Profile

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Have you ever thought about what career is the best fit for you? Of course you have. Any one who has attended college has struggled with this internal debate at one point or another. Deciding what field of study to major in is challenging enough but figuring out what you want to spend the rest of your life doing once you obtain your degree is the real challenge.

The YouScience College Success Profile™ is here to help make your path that much easier.

youscience-chart

Drawing from over 90 years of empirical, research-based scientific studies, the YouScience College Success Profile  is designed to help individuals seamlessly transition from high school to university and in to the work force. Co-Founder Betsy Wills, in an interview with Venture Nashville Connections, discussed that YouScience is designed to assist students ranging from 17-27 in creating a model of themselves as successful workers in areas that directly correlate with their intrinsic abilities and aptitudes.

With 14 various aptitude assessments – ranging from visual comparison speed and vocabulary to hand-eye coordination and time frame orientation – and two interest profile areas, YouScience creates a comprehensive college success profile that steers students towards a profession that is in-line with their natural abilities and interests. This profile shows employers why you are an ideal candidate for a given position while potentially translating to a more rewarding career, both personally and financially. The formula makes sense. If your career is personally tailored to your interests, the chances of being successful are that might greater.

With the knowledge obtained through the YouScience profiles, students will be able to more easily mold their educational paths around their prospective career. Not only are students provided with a comprehensive analysis upon completion of the 2.5 hour test, but the YouScience College Success Profile allows clients to explore 500 various jobs while inspecting job outlook, number of people in the field, and geographical areas with the highest rates of growth.

Regarding the current investments students are making in their education, Wills continued:

Now that college has gotten unbelievably expensive, the stakes have become very high for young people as they enter a very expensive education process [...] If we can reach these families before they have invested a tremendous amount in this education, we can really help them more.

There is no better investment than investing in yourself. While most existing career tests focus solely on self reported data, YouScience examines personal interests and abilities to formulate a thorough analysis of career objectives.

College already costs enough time and money.

Don’t waste more stuck in the cycle of trying to figure out which career path to journey down. Discover your personal profile today. For more information, visit the YouScience website by clicking here.

The post Be On Your Way to the Perfect Career With the YouScience College Success Profile appeared first on College Cures.

5 Tips to Avoid the Freshman 15

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freshman 15Now that school is back in session, our erratic summer lifestyles have come to an end. For those who are away from home for the first year, the most difficult part of acclimating to the new environment can be establishing a new routine. Balancing classes, a job, a social life, and physical fitness routine can prove to be an extremely daunting task, especially when you are facing the challenges of the “real world” for the first time on your own.

With so many quick and easy dining options available on and around campus, it can be easy to lose track of your health and gain a few pounds.

I’ll never forget living in my dorm freshman year and having an all you can eat dining hall that served breakfast at 10 PM. When I was supposed to be going to bed I was lured down the hall way by the promise of tater tots and cinnamon buns. Needless to say, I might have put on a pound or two that year. However, balancing my physical fitness routine proved to be a lifesaver. For many of us, the easily accessible dining halls are cancelled out by the just as easily accessible physical fitness centers located on campus. While choosing tater tots over bicep curls is obviously the easier choice, a little bit of discipline can go a long way when maintaining your health and wellness and avoiding the dreaded Freshman 15.

 

We take a look at 5 fitness tips to avoid the Freshman 15.

1. Find a workout partner.

Living on campus, there are like minded people all around and plenty of people who will share your interest in working out. Being in the dorm your first year is even better! There will typically be between 10-30 other people living on your floor (depending on the size of your school). You can surely find someone who can help motivate you work up a sweat.

2. Set a specific time.

Having a routine will help you be more productive. This is especially important when you are studying for finals and crunched for time. Block out 30 minutes to an hour each day. Need a break from homework? Go knock out some crunches.

3. Invest in a pedometer or app on your smart phone.

Keeping track of your results and seeing your progress will motivate you to continue going. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.

4. Eat breakfast.

When you have an 8 am lecture, it is better to wake up a couple minutes early and grab a quick meal to kick start your day. You will thank yourself when you aren’t starving by noon and throwing cheeseburgers down your face because you decided to skip out on the most important meal of the day.

5. Choose liquor over beer.

Some say this is a myth. Perhaps it is. But it worked for me. Not that we are condoning drinking of any sort but, let’s be realistic; it is college after all. While it is important to remain safe in the amount you choose to consume, I’ll take 3 vodka and sodas over 10 beers and a beer belly any day.

photo credit: bsktcase via photopin cc

The post 5 Tips to Avoid the Freshman 15 appeared first on College Cures.

Senators Join Undergrads at First-Ever Monument to Rape Survivors

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wes_mid2 On the evening of Tuesday September 2, Wesleyan University students were joined by Connecticut Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for a massive demonstration of support for sexual assault survivors.

Over 300 students and community members witnessed 250 stories from survivors of rape and abuse, which covered Wesleyan’s iconic Foss Hill. The Monument Quilt aims to change US culture from a culture that publicly shames survivors to a culture that publicly supports them.

The quilt gathered together college students and law makers to discuss how to change US laws and cultures to better support survivors.

In a speech delivered at the quilt, Senator Blumenthal stated that when talking with survivors of sexual assault he has heard that, “Many survivors felt they were victimized twice – first by their assailant and second by the system.”

“Everyday, I see rape culture on campus, but I don’t see support for survivors.  When I see this [The Monument Quilt], I see support.  I see survivors not being alone,” says Wesleyan student Tess Altman. 

wes_wide4Sen. Murphy and Sen. Blumenthal visited The Monument Quilt Tuesday in the middle of a national debate on campus sexual assault legislation. During their visit, both senators met with Wesleyan students and heard survivors’ stories and frustrations about how their cases have been handled.  Sen. Blumenthal is part of a bipartisan group spearheading the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, a bill designed to curb the epidemic of rape on college campuses.

“Universities need to treat sexual assault like a human rights problem, not a PR problem,” says Rebecca Nagle, Force co-director.

“We are pleased to see that our law-makers are finally addressing the epidemic of rape on college campuses. We hope that these legislative efforts are not only successful but continue.” says Hannah Brancato, Force co-director.  “Alongside new US laws that support survivors, we also need a new US culture that supports survivors.”

Last spring, in response to a lawsuit filed against a fraternity by a rape survivor, a graduating Wesleyan University senior created a rap claiming that the real victims of the controversy were fraternity brothers. The viral rap, along with other instances of backlash against the suit, created a hostile campus climate for rape survivors.

wesleyan_wide

“After feeling very defeated at the end of last year, we started this year off with a powerful and positive message and a clear commitment to supporting survivors and changing policy,” said Chloe Murtagh, Wesleyan student and event coordinator.

Survivor-led art and advocacy group Force, has taken The Monument Quilt on a 13-city US tour this month from White River, SD to Queens, NY. The 100 x 100 foot that toured the US this summer is only the beginning.

Over the next two years, more stories will be added to The Monument Quilt.

In a final display, The Monument Quilt will blanket over one mile of the National Mall with thousands of quilt squares to spell “NOT ALONE.”

The post Senators Join Undergrads at First-Ever Monument to Rape Survivors appeared first on College Cures.

Cold and Flu Season is Coming: 5 Crazy Things That Destroy Your Immune System

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avoid the cold and fluCold and flu season is creeping up on us, and most people aren’t ready for it. Are you? According to some research, flu seasons tend to get worse over time. How can this be? Because viruses adapt. They get “smarter.” They learn to break through our defenses. And, those that never got the flu, dodged a bullet but may become victims of a stronger virus. So, if you haven’t gotten it in a while, here’s what you might be doing to set yourself up for disaster.

Staying Up Too Late

Staying up too late throws off your circadian rhythm – your sleep-wake cycle. Hormones drive this system along with the light from the sun. It’s true. Blue light, or high energy (short wavelength) light, helps suppress melatonin – the hormone that’s responsible for sleep, recovery, and repair. Likewise, cortisol, the stress hormone, wakes us in the morning and helps us prepare for the day.

If you change your sleep-wake cycle, you’re messing up your hormones, and that can mess with your body’s ability to fight off infection because your body’s ability to recover is compromised.

Try to hit the hay when the sun goes down or at least by 10PM. If you find it difficult to get to sleep this early, try a pair of blueblocker sunglasses. They block blue light – the same light shown to disrupt melatonin production and cause insomnia in studies.

Sources of blue light at night include your electronics like T.V., iPads, iPhones, and any other backlit screen. Fluorescent lighting also emits blue light.

You can also try experimenting with supplemental melatonin to see if a small dose helps you get to sleep faster. Many people report improved sleep from this supplement, but its long-term safety is unknown. Still, it might be helpful to help “reset” your circadian rhythm in the short-term.

Bad Diet

avoid the flu

Bad diet can be a major contributor to your risk of getting nasty cold or flu.

Bad diet can be a major contributor to your risk of getting nasty cold or flu. Bad diets are lacking in important nutrients like magnesium, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and potassium. You need all of these things for a strong immune system. You also need vitamin D, and most people are deficient or insufficient in it. If you don’t get outside into the sun for at least 15 minutes every day, you may be deficient.

Even if you do, you have to expose at least 70 percent of your body during a high UV index time period. In general, your shadow must be shorter than you are tall. This is a good rule of thumb to follow to determine if the sun is high enough in the sky for ultraviolet B light to penetrate the earth’s atmosphere (allowing your skin to convert cholesterol to previtamin D).

Eating more fruits, vegetables, and getting good-quality meats in your diet will help you improve your nutritional status. Shoot for at least 8 cups of veggies and fruit every day. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. But, right now, you’re consuming a lot of empty calories and that’s not helping you either.

Smoking

Smoking is immunosuppressive. Stop it. Seriously, smoking contains a lot of chemicals that are known carcinogens. You’re more susceptible to respiratory infections. Quitting will help you beef up your body’s natural defenses.

Drugs

Many drugs are also immunosuppressive. If you’re having trouble battling alcohol or drug addition, you might want to try a different approach to drug and alcohol addiction treatment that focuses on positive action-oriented methods. This is for your health.

You Dehydrate Yourself

If you don’t drink enough water, and you don’t get enough electrolytes, then you’re creating the perfect recipe for dehydration. You’re also making it easier to contract a cold or flu.

Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water, and get enough salt and other minerals so that you stay hydrated. Focus on salt, potassium, and magnesium, as these are the major electrolytes. But, don’t forget calcium, as this is also important.

Kevin Martel loves being a physician’s assistant. With a heart for working closely with patients, he often blogs about the simple ways to improve daily health.

photo credit: Just Ard via photopin cc
photo credit: Alex E. Proimos via photopin cc

The post Cold and Flu Season is Coming: 5 Crazy Things That Destroy Your Immune System appeared first on College Cures.

Exploring the Results of My YouScience College Success Profile

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Just over two weeks ago we ran a publication highlighting the YouScience College Success Profile™. With 14 various aptitude assessments – ranging from visual comparison speed and vocabulary to hand-eye coordination and time frame orientation – and two interest profile areas, YouScience creates a comprehensive college success profile that steers students towards a profession that is in-line with their natural abilities and interests. College is already stressful enough. Spending more time and money than is already required is unnecessary and can now be avoided thanks to YouScience.

This finely tuned formula is derived from over 90 years of empirical, research-based scientific studies that is tailored to help individuals seamlessly transition from high school to university and in to the work force.

After completing the 2.5 hour test, users are given their results which specifies which career areas and aptitudes are best suited to their personal strengths.

The turnaround is very quick as well. In just under a week I was on my way to exploring which career would best suit my personal traits and characteristics.

The summary began by outlining my strengths.

As shown in the image below, my top three aptitudes were sequential reasoning, idea generation, and spatial visualization with my top three interests falling within the artistic, social, and enterprising categories. Based on my comprehensive test results, it was determined that my overall work style was Extrovert/Liaison. According to YouScience:

Extroverted Liaisons enjoy representing a cause they care about while hearing others’ opinions and perspectives. They make excellent campaigners and market researchers.

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From there, it went on to examine just a few of the top careers that suit my personal attributes.

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The next section helped in narrowing down 6 academic majors that I should consider in tailoring my education to a prospective career.

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Based on my top aptitudes, the results further went on to explore the specifics of strengths in sequential reasoning.

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Furthermore, the results examine my total aptitudes and how they specifically apply to my interests.

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Based on the personal interest portion of the assessment, the test results specifically explore finite areas that appeal to my preferences.

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Yet another analysis of one of my aptitude strengths.

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This is just a sneak peak in to the type of analysis offered my YouScience.

Each specific aptitude and area of interest is thoroughly broken down and strictly analyzed. Furthermore, each career match is broken down and compared to your personal preferences, creating a strength of match. Lastly, you can dive in to each educational curriculum suggestion to see how exactly they apply to the recommended careers.

Overall, it is tough to find a more comprehensive and thorough analysis that will help steer you in the right direction. If you are unsure of which road to take on your educational journey, stop wasting time and money and invest in the YouScience College Success Profile. You will be hard pressed to find better guidance!

For more information and to try it out for yourself visit the official YouScience website by clicking here.

The post Exploring the Results of My YouScience College Success Profile appeared first on College Cures.


College Relationships: Are You Ready for Dating in College?

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dating in college

College Relationships

Relationships in college are tricky, since the parties involved are typically are young and straight out of high school.

These individuals are energetic, explorative, careless, spontaneous, and emotional.

Students in this category can often find themselves in relationships on upon entry to campus. As expected, many are nervous on what is asked from and expected of them. In many cases young students put overwhelming amounts pressure on themselves. It is advisable to seek out help and advice from experienced and older people when one is in such a relationship. This is because most of the individuals in these kind of relationships are young people with little experience in this aspect of life. As much as one is expected to be actively participative in the relationship, there are limits in that respect.

Emotional attachment is the most common issue in college relationships; it may be translated as being clingy if it is too much and being hurtful if it is too little. The partners in a relationship will need to moderate their show of affection, but are expected to limit their attachment to their companion. According to EssayKitchen – as much as people in a relationship need to be close, it is unnecessary to show excessive affection, possession, jealousy and attachment.

One can expect the relationships to have greater emotional comfort.

Often, issues regarding freedom affect college relationships, since most college men are straight out of high school, they are away from their parents watch and it can be expected that they want to try out new things. The adventures with their partners will cover sleepovers, late nights out, and one should anticipate other  happenings involving intimacy. One would expect that the partners would offer each other adequate breathing space, and still be spontaneous, sensitive and adventurous.

It is, therefore, important for partners in any relationship to be realistic, committed and show maturity in handling each other since after all – it is just college.

photo credit: jsgraphicdesign via photopin cc

The post College Relationships: Are You Ready for Dating in College? appeared first on College Cures.

School Budget Tight? Online Glasses Fit Right

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As a college student, you may be counting every penny.  At the same time, you want your eyeglasses to look stylish and connect with your style. You may have surfed ads for online eyeglass companies and wondered if you really could pay so much less for great-looking glasses and still have them fit. Well, the answer is yes, you can—but only if you get the measurements right.

There are five essential numbers you need to know when buying frames.

  • Frame width: the entire horizontal distance of the eyeglasses
  • Lens height: the vertical measurement of the lens
  • Temple arm: the length of the part that goes behind your ear, both the straight part and the bend
  • Lens width: horizontal diameter of one lens, sometimes called the “eye size”
  • Bridge: part than spans the bridge of your nose

All measurements are taken in millimeters, but you won’t flunk if you are a little off like you might in your calculus class. A general rule of thumb is that you may vary 2-3 millimeters for everything but the bridge, which should stay within a 2-millimeter range.

With these measurements and your prescription, you can visit a site such as Zenni Optical, buy a rad pair of eyeglasses (or two), and still have money left over for those expensive books.

 How to Measure Your Eyeglass Frames Size Infographic | Zenni Optical

The post School Budget Tight? Online Glasses Fit Right appeared first on College Cures.

10 Opening Phrases That Will Make Your Email Stand Out

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email tips

10 Opening Email Phrases

Sending emails has superseded phone calls and face to face conversations as a primary means of communication. Whether applying for jobs and internships, emailing professors, or staying in contact with your family while maintaining your busy schedule, it is important to know how to properly email. While some emails may merit an informal approach, it is better to practice using proper grammar and punctuation throughout all of your email practices.

One little omission in an email can be the difference between you being taken seriously or being viewed as unqualified.

When I was in college I had the good fortune of enrolling in a class with a professor who stressed the importance of email etiquette from the very first day of class, and am I ever thankful that this was the case.

Now that I am in the business world, the lessons I learned years ago in that undergraduate prerequisite course are substantiated more than ever. With the ever increasing volume of emails that bombard my inbox on a daily basis, little things such as the subject line, paragraph spacing, and email signature can be the difference between whether I take a client seriously and even take the time to read the email.

Wouldn’t you hate to be on the verge of a large sale and have it fall through because you did not take a few minutes to make sure that your email game was on point?

Furthermore, the content itself can decide whether or not the message is even read from the very first sentence.

John Brandon of Inc.com gives us the rundown on ten opening lines that will catch the recipients attention and entice them to read your entire message.

  1. “Good News…”
  2. I have an answer for you…”
  3. We have lift off…”

For more tips guaranteed to grab your recipient’s attention and ensure that your message gets read, check out the full article by clicking here.

photo credit: Robert Scoble via photopin cc
photo credit: dampeebe via photopin cc

The post 10 Opening Phrases That Will Make Your Email Stand Out appeared first on College Cures.

Pura Naturals Are Redefining Personal Hygiene

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I have never been much of a fan of washcloths. Perhaps I am lazy but it just creates more laundry while acting as a breeding ground for bacteria. No matter how often I fold it up nicely and drape it over the faucet, I always return to find it balled up in the corner of the bath tub soaking wet. Hence, I have grown up utilizing the standard lather it up method with nothing but a good ol’ bar of soap. That was until I discovered Pura Naturals soap infused sponges.

The first new category for personal cleansing since the introduction of liquid soap in 1980, Pura Naturals are changing the game of personal hygiene.

Pura Naturals

Pura Naturals: Rethink Cleansing

Natural and nourishing, these soap infused sponges are made from a unique, plant-based formula with no harsh, artificial chemicals that could be potentially damaging to skin. 100% vegan and gluten-free, each sponge is infused with Level Naturals soap, botanicals, and essential oils. Finding a product without harmful additives can be a daunting task so we are bringing Pure Naturals soap infused sponges to you!

This environmentally safe product is made with revolutionary 3P Technology, a unique proprietary polymer that is highly chemical resistant, thus not at risk of breaking down when absorbing other chemicals. Better yet, the product absorbs oil and grease, resists bacteria, and contains absolutely zero synthetic ingredients.

Ever take a shower and still not feel clean afterwards?

That will not be the case with Pura Naturals.  With over 12 scents that will stimulate and please your olfactory senses and even kitchen sponges, all of your cleanliness concerns can now be alleviated.

For more information check them out at Pura Natural Products.

The post Pura Naturals Are Redefining Personal Hygiene appeared first on College Cures.

Be On Your Way to the Perfect Career With the YouScience College Success Profile

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Have you ever thought about what career is the best fit for you? Of course you have. Any one who has attended college has struggled with this internal debate at one point or another. Deciding what field of study to major in is challenging enough but figuring out what you want to spend the rest of your life doing once you obtain your degree is the real challenge.

The YouScience College Success Profile™ is here to help make your path that much easier.

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Drawing from over 90 years of empirical, research-based scientific studies, the YouScience College Success Profile  is designed to help individuals seamlessly transition from high school to university and in to the work force. Co-Founder Betsy Wills, in an interview with Venture Nashville Connections, discussed that YouScience is designed to assist students ranging from 17-27 in creating a model of themselves as successful workers in areas that directly correlate with their intrinsic abilities and aptitudes.

With 14 various aptitude assessments – ranging from visual comparison speed and vocabulary to hand-eye coordination and time frame orientation – and two interest profile areas, YouScience creates a comprehensive college success profile that steers students towards a profession that is in-line with their natural abilities and interests. This profile shows employers why you are an ideal candidate for a given position while potentially translating to a more rewarding career, both personally and financially. The formula makes sense. If your career is personally tailored to your interests, the chances of being successful are that might greater.

With the knowledge obtained through the YouScience profiles, students will be able to more easily mold their educational paths around their prospective career. Not only are students provided with a comprehensive analysis upon completion of the 2.5 hour test, but the YouScience College Success Profile allows clients to explore 500 various jobs while inspecting job outlook, number of people in the field, and geographical areas with the highest rates of growth.

Regarding the current investments students are making in their education, Wills continued:

Now that college has gotten unbelievably expensive, the stakes have become very high for young people as they enter a very expensive education process [...] If we can reach these families before they have invested a tremendous amount in this education, we can really help them more.

There is no better investment than investing in yourself. While most existing career tests focus solely on self reported data, YouScience examines personal interests and abilities to formulate a thorough analysis of career objectives.

College already costs enough time and money.

Don’t waste more stuck in the cycle of trying to figure out which career path to journey down. Discover your personal profile today. For more information, visit the YouScience website by clicking here.

The post Be On Your Way to the Perfect Career With the YouScience College Success Profile appeared first on College Cures.

5 Tips to Avoid the Freshman 15

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freshman 15Now that school is back in session, our erratic summer lifestyles have come to an end. For those who are away from home for the first year, the most difficult part of acclimating to the new environment can be establishing a new routine. Balancing classes, a job, a social life, and physical fitness routine can prove to be an extremely daunting task, especially when you are facing the challenges of the “real world” for the first time on your own.

With so many quick and easy dining options available on and around campus, it can be easy to lose track of your health and gain a few pounds.

I’ll never forget living in my dorm freshman year and having an all you can eat dining hall that served breakfast at 10 PM. When I was supposed to be going to bed I was lured down the hall way by the promise of tater tots and cinnamon buns. Needless to say, I might have put on a pound or two that year. However, balancing my physical fitness routine proved to be a lifesaver. For many of us, the easily accessible dining halls are cancelled out by the just as easily accessible physical fitness centers located on campus. While choosing tater tots over bicep curls is obviously the easier choice, a little bit of discipline can go a long way when maintaining your health and wellness and avoiding the dreaded Freshman 15.

 

We take a look at 5 fitness tips to avoid the Freshman 15.

1. Find a workout partner.

Living on campus, there are like minded people all around and plenty of people who will share your interest in working out. Being in the dorm your first year is even better! There will typically be between 10-30 other people living on your floor (depending on the size of your school). You can surely find someone who can help motivate you work up a sweat.

2. Set a specific time.

Having a routine will help you be more productive. This is especially important when you are studying for finals and crunched for time. Block out 30 minutes to an hour each day. Need a break from homework? Go knock out some crunches.

3. Invest in a pedometer or app on your smart phone.

Keeping track of your results and seeing your progress will motivate you to continue going. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.

4. Eat breakfast.

When you have an 8 am lecture, it is better to wake up a couple minutes early and grab a quick meal to kick start your day. You will thank yourself when you aren’t starving by noon and throwing cheeseburgers down your face because you decided to skip out on the most important meal of the day.

5. Choose liquor over beer.

Some say this is a myth. Perhaps it is. But it worked for me. Not that we are condoning drinking of any sort but, let’s be realistic; it is college after all. While it is important to remain safe in the amount you choose to consume, I’ll take 3 vodka and sodas over 10 beers and a beer belly any day.

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Senators Join Undergrads at First-Ever Monument to Rape Survivors

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wes_mid2 On the evening of Tuesday September 2, Wesleyan University students were joined by Connecticut Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for a massive demonstration of support for sexual assault survivors.

Over 300 students and community members witnessed 250 stories from survivors of rape and abuse, which covered Wesleyan’s iconic Foss Hill. The Monument Quilt aims to change US culture from a culture that publicly shames survivors to a culture that publicly supports them.

The quilt gathered together college students and law makers to discuss how to change US laws and cultures to better support survivors.

In a speech delivered at the quilt, Senator Blumenthal stated that when talking with survivors of sexual assault he has heard that, “Many survivors felt they were victimized twice – first by their assailant and second by the system.”

“Everyday, I see rape culture on campus, but I don’t see support for survivors.  When I see this [The Monument Quilt], I see support.  I see survivors not being alone,” says Wesleyan student Tess Altman. 

wes_wide4Sen. Murphy and Sen. Blumenthal visited The Monument Quilt Tuesday in the middle of a national debate on campus sexual assault legislation. During their visit, both senators met with Wesleyan students and heard survivors’ stories and frustrations about how their cases have been handled.  Sen. Blumenthal is part of a bipartisan group spearheading the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, a bill designed to curb the epidemic of rape on college campuses.

“Universities need to treat sexual assault like a human rights problem, not a PR problem,” says Rebecca Nagle, Force co-director.

“We are pleased to see that our law-makers are finally addressing the epidemic of rape on college campuses. We hope that these legislative efforts are not only successful but continue.” says Hannah Brancato, Force co-director.  “Alongside new US laws that support survivors, we also need a new US culture that supports survivors.”

Last spring, in response to a lawsuit filed against a fraternity by a rape survivor, a graduating Wesleyan University senior created a rap claiming that the real victims of the controversy were fraternity brothers. The viral rap, along with other instances of backlash against the suit, created a hostile campus climate for rape survivors.

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“After feeling very defeated at the end of last year, we started this year off with a powerful and positive message and a clear commitment to supporting survivors and changing policy,” said Chloe Murtagh, Wesleyan student and event coordinator.

Survivor-led art and advocacy group Force, has taken The Monument Quilt on a 13-city US tour this month from White River, SD to Queens, NY. The 100 x 100 foot that toured the US this summer is only the beginning.

Over the next two years, more stories will be added to The Monument Quilt.

In a final display, The Monument Quilt will blanket over one mile of the National Mall with thousands of quilt squares to spell “NOT ALONE.”

The post Senators Join Undergrads at First-Ever Monument to Rape Survivors appeared first on College Cures.


Cold and Flu Season is Coming: 5 Crazy Things That Destroy Your Immune System

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avoid the cold and fluCold and flu season is creeping up on us, and most people aren’t ready for it. Are you? According to some research, flu seasons tend to get worse over time. How can this be? Because viruses adapt. They get “smarter.” They learn to break through our defenses. And, those that never got the flu, dodged a bullet but may become victims of a stronger virus. So, if you haven’t gotten it in a while, here’s what you might be doing to set yourself up for disaster.

Staying Up Too Late

Staying up too late throws off your circadian rhythm – your sleep-wake cycle. Hormones drive this system along with the light from the sun. It’s true. Blue light, or high energy (short wavelength) light, helps suppress melatonin – the hormone that’s responsible for sleep, recovery, and repair. Likewise, cortisol, the stress hormone, wakes us in the morning and helps us prepare for the day.

If you change your sleep-wake cycle, you’re messing up your hormones, and that can mess with your body’s ability to fight off infection because your body’s ability to recover is compromised.

Try to hit the hay when the sun goes down or at least by 10PM. If you find it difficult to get to sleep this early, try a pair of blueblocker sunglasses. They block blue light – the same light shown to disrupt melatonin production and cause insomnia in studies.

Sources of blue light at night include your electronics like T.V., iPads, iPhones, and any other backlit screen. Fluorescent lighting also emits blue light.

You can also try experimenting with supplemental melatonin to see if a small dose helps you get to sleep faster. Many people report improved sleep from this supplement, but its long-term safety is unknown. Still, it might be helpful to help “reset” your circadian rhythm in the short-term.

Bad Diet

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Bad diet can be a major contributor to your risk of getting nasty cold or flu.

Bad diet can be a major contributor to your risk of getting nasty cold or flu. Bad diets are lacking in important nutrients like magnesium, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, and potassium. You need all of these things for a strong immune system. You also need vitamin D, and most people are deficient or insufficient in it. If you don’t get outside into the sun for at least 15 minutes every day, you may be deficient.

Even if you do, you have to expose at least 70 percent of your body during a high UV index time period. In general, your shadow must be shorter than you are tall. This is a good rule of thumb to follow to determine if the sun is high enough in the sky for ultraviolet B light to penetrate the earth’s atmosphere (allowing your skin to convert cholesterol to previtamin D).

Eating more fruits, vegetables, and getting good-quality meats in your diet will help you improve your nutritional status. Shoot for at least 8 cups of veggies and fruit every day. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. But, right now, you’re consuming a lot of empty calories and that’s not helping you either.

Smoking

Smoking is immunosuppressive. Stop it. Seriously, smoking contains a lot of chemicals that are known carcinogens. You’re more susceptible to respiratory infections. Quitting will help you beef up your body’s natural defenses.

Drugs

Many drugs are also immunosuppressive. If you’re having trouble battling alcohol or drug addition, you might want to try a different approach to drug and alcohol addiction treatment that focuses on positive action-oriented methods. This is for your health.

You Dehydrate Yourself

If you don’t drink enough water, and you don’t get enough electrolytes, then you’re creating the perfect recipe for dehydration. You’re also making it easier to contract a cold or flu.

Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water, and get enough salt and other minerals so that you stay hydrated. Focus on salt, potassium, and magnesium, as these are the major electrolytes. But, don’t forget calcium, as this is also important.

Kevin Martel loves being a physician’s assistant. With a heart for working closely with patients, he often blogs about the simple ways to improve daily health.

photo credit: Just Ard via photopin cc
photo credit: Alex E. Proimos via photopin cc

The post Cold and Flu Season is Coming: 5 Crazy Things That Destroy Your Immune System appeared first on College Cures.

Exploring the Results of My YouScience College Success Profile

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Just over two weeks ago we ran a publication highlighting the YouScience College Success Profile™. With 14 various aptitude assessments – ranging from visual comparison speed and vocabulary to hand-eye coordination and time frame orientation – and two interest profile areas, YouScience creates a comprehensive college success profile that steers students towards a profession that is in-line with their natural abilities and interests. College is already stressful enough. Spending more time and money than is already required is unnecessary and can now be avoided thanks to YouScience.

This finely tuned formula is derived from over 90 years of empirical, research-based scientific studies that is tailored to help individuals seamlessly transition from high school to university and in to the work force.

After completing the 2.5 hour test, users are given their results which specifies which career areas and aptitudes are best suited to their personal strengths.

The turnaround is very quick as well. In just under a week I was on my way to exploring which career would best suit my personal traits and characteristics.

The summary began by outlining my strengths.

As shown in the image below, my top three aptitudes were sequential reasoning, idea generation, and spatial visualization with my top three interests falling within the artistic, social, and enterprising categories. Based on my comprehensive test results, it was determined that my overall work style was Extrovert/Liaison. According to YouScience:

Extroverted Liaisons enjoy representing a cause they care about while hearing others’ opinions and perspectives. They make excellent campaigners and market researchers.

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From there, it went on to examine just a few of the top careers that suit my personal attributes.

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The next section helped in narrowing down 6 academic majors that I should consider in tailoring my education to a prospective career.

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Based on my top aptitudes, the results further went on to explore the specifics of strengths in sequential reasoning.

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Furthermore, the results examine my total aptitudes and how they specifically apply to my interests.

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Based on the personal interest portion of the assessment, the test results specifically explore finite areas that appeal to my preferences.

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Yet another analysis of one of my aptitude strengths.

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This is just a sneak peak in to the type of analysis offered my YouScience.

Each specific aptitude and area of interest is thoroughly broken down and strictly analyzed. Furthermore, each career match is broken down and compared to your personal preferences, creating a strength of match. Lastly, you can dive in to each educational curriculum suggestion to see how exactly they apply to the recommended careers.

Overall, it is tough to find a more comprehensive and thorough analysis that will help steer you in the right direction. If you are unsure of which road to take on your educational journey, stop wasting time and money and invest in the YouScience College Success Profile. You will be hard pressed to find better guidance!

For more information and to try it out for yourself visit the official YouScience website by clicking here.

The post Exploring the Results of My YouScience College Success Profile appeared first on College Cures.

College Relationships: Are You Ready for Dating in College?

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College Relationships

Relationships in college are tricky, since the parties involved are typically are young and straight out of high school.

These individuals are energetic, explorative, careless, spontaneous, and emotional.

Students in this category can often find themselves in relationships on upon entry to campus. As expected, many are nervous on what is asked from and expected of them. In many cases young students put overwhelming amounts pressure on themselves. It is advisable to seek out help and advice from experienced and older people when one is in such a relationship. This is because most of the individuals in these kind of relationships are young people with little experience in this aspect of life. As much as one is expected to be actively participative in the relationship, there are limits in that respect.

Emotional attachment is the most common issue in college relationships; it may be translated as being clingy if it is too much and being hurtful if it is too little. The partners in a relationship will need to moderate their show of affection, but are expected to limit their attachment to their companion. According to EssayKitchen – as much as people in a relationship need to be close, it is unnecessary to show excessive affection, possession, jealousy and attachment.

One can expect the relationships to have greater emotional comfort.

Often, issues regarding freedom affect college relationships, since most college men are straight out of high school, they are away from their parents watch and it can be expected that they want to try out new things. The adventures with their partners will cover sleepovers, late nights out, and one should anticipate other  happenings involving intimacy. One would expect that the partners would offer each other adequate breathing space, and still be spontaneous, sensitive and adventurous.

It is, therefore, important for partners in any relationship to be realistic, committed and show maturity in handling each other since after all – it is just college.

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School Budget Tight? Online Glasses Fit Right

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As a college student, you may be counting every penny.  At the same time, you want your eyeglasses to look stylish and connect with your style. You may have surfed ads for online eyeglass companies and wondered if you really could pay so much less for great-looking glasses and still have them fit. Well, the answer is yes, you can—but only if you get the measurements right.

There are five essential numbers you need to know when buying frames.

  • Frame width: the entire horizontal distance of the eyeglasses
  • Lens height: the vertical measurement of the lens
  • Temple arm: the length of the part that goes behind your ear, both the straight part and the bend
  • Lens width: horizontal diameter of one lens, sometimes called the “eye size”
  • Bridge: part than spans the bridge of your nose

All measurements are taken in millimeters, but you won’t flunk if you are a little off like you might in your calculus class. A general rule of thumb is that you may vary 2-3 millimeters for everything but the bridge, which should stay within a 2-millimeter range.

With these measurements and your prescription, you can visit a site such as Zenni Optical, buy a rad pair of eyeglasses (or two), and still have money left over for those expensive books.

 How to Measure Your Eyeglass Frames Size Infographic | Zenni Optical

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10 Opening Phrases That Will Make Your Email Stand Out

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10 Opening Email Phrases

Sending emails has superseded phone calls and face to face conversations as a primary means of communication. Whether applying for jobs and internships, emailing professors, or staying in contact with your family while maintaining your busy schedule, it is important to know how to properly email. While some emails may merit an informal approach, it is better to practice using proper grammar and punctuation throughout all of your email practices.

One little omission in an email can be the difference between you being taken seriously or being viewed as unqualified.

When I was in college I had the good fortune of enrolling in a class with a professor who stressed the importance of email etiquette from the very first day of class, and am I ever thankful that this was the case.

Now that I am in the business world, the lessons I learned years ago in that undergraduate prerequisite course are substantiated more than ever. With the ever increasing volume of emails that bombard my inbox on a daily basis, little things such as the subject line, paragraph spacing, and email signature can be the difference between whether I take a client seriously and even take the time to read the email.

Wouldn’t you hate to be on the verge of a large sale and have it fall through because you did not take a few minutes to make sure that your email game was on point?

Furthermore, the content itself can decide whether or not the message is even read from the very first sentence.

John Brandon of Inc.com gives us the rundown on ten opening lines that will catch the recipients attention and entice them to read your entire message.

  1. “Good News…”
  2. I have an answer for you…”
  3. We have lift off…”

For more tips guaranteed to grab your recipient’s attention and ensure that your message gets read, check out the full article by clicking here.

photo credit: Robert Scoble via photopin cc
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The post 10 Opening Phrases That Will Make Your Email Stand Out appeared first on College Cures.

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