Ways to Save Money On Textbooks

It’s not too late to save money on textbooks! Everyone knows how pricey one semester’s worth of textbooks can be, so here are some tricks to help you save loads.

Timing Is Key – You’re most likely to get a great deal on books if you’re buying really early or really late. As soon as you find out your class schedule for the next semester, buy your books! Procrastinating will leave you with substantially higher buying and renting prices during peak textbook purchasing time. However, if you procrastinate too much, you’ll still be fine. Wait till the semester has been underway for about a week or so (deal with sharing a textbook with a friend until then), then rent or purchase your books. Prices will plummet after the new semester starts.

Share With Friends – If you and your friends are taking the same classes, share textbooks! You’ll most likely choose to study together for every big exam anyways, so why not save yourselves some money in the process? That expensive chem textbook will suddenly drop from $180 to $90, and that French workbook will go from $40 to $20 – talk about cheap!

E-textbooks – Now e-learning is definitely not for everyone. However, for those who can still learn and study without a hard copy of a book, the benefits you can reap in savings are insane! By choosing an e-book, you can save up to 75% -- it doesn’t get better than that!

We all know how expensive textbook shopping is; it is definitely a necessary evil though. Never skip out on buying your books because you’d rather have a new Xbox for your room or you think you really need a new pair of Steve Madden heels. You never know when you’re going to end up with a super-strict professor or a class that’s really going to challenge you, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember, if you end up getting a book and realizing that you don’t really need it for your class, you can always return it – almost all textbook renting and buying sites have a flexible return policy.

Creative Ways To Make Money In College

Alexis Dent

We all know how hard it can be to save money while in college, and we all know that it can be even harder to earn it. With classes, sports, clubs, and activities, your free time is already limited, so who wants to spend what little free time they have doing some lame on-campus job? For some people who love structure, an on-campus job and/or work-study prove to be very useful. However, for others, working in the library every Tuesday and Thursday just won’t cut it. Here are some out-of-the-box ways to earn money in college.

Tutor – You can oftentimes sign up to be a tutor through your school’s academic support program, which makes tutoring your peers in your free time rather easy. However, you can also make some nice money by having your friends tell their friends that you’re a math savant or an literary genius. By tutoring on your own and not through your school, you can always create your schedule, set your own tutoring rates (be reasonable!), and choose who you want (and don’t want) to tutor.

Odd “Jobs” – In high school, an odd job was mowing lawns, raking leaves, or washing cars. However, once you’re in college, there are no lawns to mow or leaves to rake – your tuition covers that. And there are no cars to wash – it’s much easier to convince your elderly neighbor that you should wash his car than it is to convince your peers. Despite all this, you can still earn some extra money in unlikely ways. I’ve heard about all kind of campus “businesses”, from doing other students’ laundry to being a McDonalds delivery guy to students on campus. If you want to earn a couple extra bucks, you can definitely get creative and do it.

Selling Books – Textbook costs are pretty hefty, and we all hate coughing up tons of dough on books we’ll use for just a few months. However, at the end of the semester you can sell many, if not all, of your books back. Your school’s bookstore isn’t always the best bet – usually an online textbook retailer or website like Amazon will prove to be more lucrative. Now I know what some of you guys might be thinking: “That’s not making money, that’s earning money back!” But since you (or your parents) spent that money months ago on the textbooks, oftentimes you totally forget that you’re only making part of the money back.

While an on-campus job is always a steady way to earn some money while in school, that’s not always the best route for everyone. If you think a little bit, there is definitely a fun and creative way that you can make a couple bucks without cleaning tables in the dining hall.

Fun Things To Do Off-Campus

Alexis Dent

School can become very hectic, and there’s always a need for fun things to do when you need to alleviate some of the stress of college-life. Depending on whether your college is rural, urban, or suburban, it’ll have varying options for activities and entertainment, but here are some things you can do in basically every college town:

Go out to dinner – Even if you go to school in a small town or rural area where there are more hills than townies, there will always be a nice casual restaurant to go to. Going out to dinner is not only a great way to catch a break from dining hall food, but it also fosters a great environment to sit down and talk with your friends about things other than yesterday’s impossible-to-pass chemistry exam.

Go bowling – A bowling alley is another college town staple! Bowling alleys frequently have specials and coupons, so you can often end up getting a great deal on food and games! It’s a fun change of pace for any college student, and usually some good laughs ensue because of all those stray gutter balls.

Shopping – Most girls (and some guys) LOVE to shop. Find the best (or in some cases, the only) shopping mall in your area and make that your go-to destination when your wardrobe needs to be re-vamped or you just want to window shop and spend some time away from campus.

Get outdoors – In some areas, the outdoor activity of choice is biking through the park, in others, its hiking, and in some, it’s just traipsing around the city streets on a nice day. Fresh air and exercise are two of the greatest things for your body. While it becomes easy to sit in your dorm and study (or sleep), going outside and enjoying your surroundings can be a great way to truly come to know and appreciate your college town.

Do something new – This one isn’t as specific, because doing something new will vary from person to person. Whether it’s trying sushi for the first time, riding the local amusement park’s huge rollercoaster, or even volunteering, dare to do something you didn’t do in high school. College is all about new experiences and broadening your horizons, so be sure to break your typical boundaries – in a positive way.

No matter how you choose to occupy your free time at school, remember that college is all about balancing work and fun. Too much of either is bad, but a perfect balance will have you succeeding in the classroom and with your friends. When you arrive at school be sure to start looking for things that will be fun to do with your friends when on-campus life gets a little dull!

College Life: Great Tips for Taking on the Transition from High School to College

For students who just graduated high school, going off to college is a whole different world. Students have freedom-- no more 7-hour school days, no more teachers who would bend over backwards for you, and no more parents to be there to drag you out of bed and make you go to class. Although this is good news to most people, students often have a hard time adapting and transitioning to college life. With these 5 easy tips, you'll have a firm grasp on how to tackle the transition and be fully ready for college life.
1). Homesickness is natural: Being away from home after living there for the first 18 years of your life is hard for many people. You may miss your family, friends and home, but the comforting part is that there are hundreds of other people in your dorm going through the same thing. Use that to your advantage and meet some people on your floor or in your classes. And most importantly, know that the homesick feeling is natural-- and in time it is sure to go away!
2). Balance is key: It's easy to think that you have all the time in the world in college. There will be time to spend on studying and catching up on work, and also time to relax, unwind, and have some fun-- but make sure you manage your time and keep a healthy balance of these. Too much time spent in the library will drive you crazy, and too much time spent out with your friends will hurt your grades. So prioritize. And remember: work hard, play hard!
3). Stress is a norm: Between multiple classes and loads of different work piling up, you may have a constant feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed. However, that's a feeling that will become so common it will almost feel natural. As confusing as it may sound, the key is to prepare to feel unprepared. Just be sure you have some "you" time-- to relax, unwind, and relieve a little stress between your chaotic schedule.
4). Get to know your professors: Nobody likes to be a brown-noser. But introducing yourself and getting on a more personal level with your academic advisors will not only help your grades, but allow you to have someone to go to as well. It's not like high school where you need to be "cool;" it's a time where getting to know your professors and advisors will help you and your grades in the long run.
5). Budget your money: It's so easy to blow off the money you've saved over summer once you get to college. Between the necessary things-- books, food, events-- and the not-so-necessary things-- partying, clothes, going to the movies-- you can see a quickly-developing hole in your wallet. Set aside a certain amount of money each week to serve as your "spending" money and be sure to never exceed that limit. There will be many on-campus and off-campus job opportunities as well!

So, it's here. It's time to pack your things, say goodbye to your family and friends, and officially take the plunge into becoming a college freshman. But with these tips, you are ready to meet new people, manage your time, overcome stress, and budget your money. So be sure to prioritize, but be sure to save that time to unwind and let loose too. Use these tips to help you take on the transition into freshman year, and enjoy your college experience to the fullest!

Great Ways To De-Stress In College

Alexis Dent

We all know how stressful college can be. From tough classes, to hard practices, as well as balancing extracurricular activities, fun on the weekends, and dealing with friends, college students have a lot on their plates.

Here are some great de-stressing ideas for you to try out when things get tough:

1. The Fitness Center – Chances are that your school has a great fitness center and gym facility. Some schools even have multiple gyms! Hundreds of thousands (and even millions) of dollars are invested in keeping your school’s gym up-to-date, so take advantage of that! Working out releases endorphins, which is your body’s all-natural way to keep you happy and energized! Wave ‘bye-bye’ to that energy drink and say ‘hello’ to the treadmill! Not only will you be happier and more relaxed, but working out consistently will also help ward off the troublesome Freshman 15!

2. Join a club! – Whether the club focuses on a love of shopping, your addiction to Call of Duty, or on volunteering with the less fortunate, joining a club is always a great idea! Not only will it relieve some stress to be around your peers (and potential friends) that have the same interests as you, but in the case of volunteering, oftentimes you’ll realize that maybe your life isn’t so tough after all. Bonus: it looks great on a resume and internship applications to show that you’ve been actively involved, and potentially even an executive member, for a club throughout college.

3. Go to your favorite restaurant – venture into town (or the city!) with some friends for a great meal at one of your favorite restaurants. Your body will enjoy the break from dining hall food, and your mind will enjoy the break from the campus setting. Just be sure not to rely on this de-stressing method too much, or I will have to refer you back to method number 1.

4. Celebrate!!! – It’s never a bad thing to celebrate when you’re doing well! Hey, getting an ‘A’ on that paper for your political science class was no easy feat! Whether you like to celebrate by going out with your crew on the weekend, hitting up the bowling alley with your friends, or hey, even having a marathon of your favorite TV show, celebrating your accomplishments is never a bad thing. That is, unless you celebrate too much and end up stressed all over again!

5. Sleep – When all else fails, getting some good ‘ole shuteye will always rejuvenate you! Even if you have to skip all the methods above and go straight to catching Z’s, it’s worth it. As college students we have so much to do in so little time; sometimes there’s nothing more relaxing than doing…nothing. Taking a nap or catching an extra hour or two of sleep at night will come in handy and ensure that you’re not too drained to keep up with school!

When college life gets hectic and you begin to lose focus or motivation, you can always rely on the methods mentioned above to rejuvenate and de-stress you. As you go through your college years I’m sure you’ll find a ton of other ways that are great in relaxing you even amidst the craziest times. While your first priority in college should always be school, too much of anything is bad news. Stay focused, well balanced, and dedicated, and you should be fine.

How to Find a Job in College

There may be times that you feel like the proverbial poor college student. You want to go out and party with you friend. You want to eat at restaurants instead of constantly eating cafeteria food. Now that you are in college, you have the freedom to eat where you want, when you want with one drawback, you have no money. You need money if you want to do anything that’s not free, you need a job. Check out each of the options below and you may just start making money.

WARNING: Make sure that your part time job doesn’t interfere with school work. Make sure that you know how many hours a week you can spend working and still keep your grades up.

1. Businesses on campus

There are probably a bunch of businesses on campus, all of which have positions that have to be filled. A lot of these places hire exclusively from within the school. Keep your eyes open around campus for any hiring signs or you can even go in and ask if they are hiring.

2. Businesses off campus

Look around town for any business that is close by that you can perhaps walk/bike/catch a bus to. These businesses will probably be just like your jobs when you were in high school. Working in retail or at a restaurant is probably the path that you will take without a college degree (that’s why you’re in college anyway, right?).

3. Offices on campus

A lot of offices hire student assistants to perform clerical work for them. Odds are that it won’t be too exciting, but you get to work in an office that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You also get the added benefit of working with many professionals and perhaps getting some insight into a career that you may want to pursue. Along with that idea…

4. Internships

While it is true that many internships are unpaid, there are also a number that are paid. Internships will give you experience in your field, hook you up with great references and perhaps give you money to do the things you want to do. The case may be that you are looking for money, but if you are offered a great internship that is unpaid, go with it for the experience and references.

5. Become self employed

If there are no other options, you may as well employ yourself. If you live in a small college town, go around and look for odd jobs that you can perform for some extra money. If you are really strong in one subject, offer to tutor kids that may be in introductory classes. Use your strengths and put them toward making you money.

It is great to have money, but it can be hard work and time consuming. No matter which of the tips you decide to follow from above, make sure that you have time for classes, studying and the fun things that perhaps made you get a job in the first place. There will be plenty of time to work in the summers between school years and when you graduate.

How to Meet People in College

High School was designed in such a way that it makes it very easy to make friends. While you are reading this, you are probably thinking about all of the friends that you made while in grades K - 12. College is a different game though. You may go to school without any friends that you knew when in high school, and even if those friends are in college with you, there is no guarantee you will see them. Either way, even if you know some people in you college, it would be wise to meet new people.

While attending college, you will not be forced to interact with other students, except for the occasional group project and class discussions. In college, it is up to you to make friends and meet people on your own. The following is a list of ways you can meet new people while in college.

1. Your roommate

This one is pretty obvious, but it had to be noted. You will be seeing a lot of your roommate(s), so it would be wise to get to know and be friendly with this/these individual(s). You could look them up on Facebook before you get to school and get to know them. Also, your roommate(s) could always introduce you to friends that they already know.

2. Talk to others in your building

Speaking of dorm rooms, you are probably living on a floor with many other people. You should take some time to meet them. You will probably see a lot of them, especially your neighbors, so that is a good chance to make friends with people. Besides, if you want to hang out with someone, it will be much easier/more comfortable to walk down the hall on a cold winter night than to get in a car or on a bus and freeze on the way to see your friend.

3. Classes

This is another obvious tip, but a lot of people go through an entire class not making any friends. It will definitely be in your best interest to make friends with people in your classes. These people may have similar interests to your own, seeing that they have a similar class, so you might get along very well with them. Also, if you miss a class, you always have a friend that you can get notes from and you can study with them if you would like to. People usually keep the same seats, so it will be easy to talk to the same people all semester long.

4. Student Organizations/Clubs

Not to mention looking great on a résumé, and grad school applications, these are great places to meet people. The reason for joining a club or organization is because of an interest that the members share. This should make it pretty easy to make friends, seeing that you already have something in common. Meetings can often include group activities that will make you interact with other members. It would be wise to join a student organization for many reasons, even if for no other reason that to meet people.

5. School Events

Any event a school is a great place to meet people, whether it is a big game, a concert, festival or anything else. Your school is hosting some kind of event and it should be a good time. When people are having fun or are united for a common goal, like in the case of a big sports game, it will be easy to meet people. There is always something to talk about and odds are you have seen a lot of these people in classes and other places and now you can strike up a conversation with them.

If you can follow the above tips, you can be almost guaranteed to meet people in college. Try to start out with a few people, those who are easiest to meet. You can always meet people through others that you already know. Don't worry if you don't make a lot of friends at first, it may just take some time before you meet people who you really gel with. Between classes, try to hang out in common places and not locked in you dorm, it's harder to meet people when you are by yourself. Finally, realize that a lof of students are trying to do the same thing you are, make new friends.

Top 5 Reasons Students Fail Exams

Every semester, in almost every major, you will be bombarded with exams. There isn’t much you can do to stop them; they will be coming for you. It is also likely the case that these exams count for a large part of your final grade. So, what is a college student to do? BE PREPARED. Below is a list of the top 5 reasons why people fail exams and how to avoid these pitfalls.

1. You do not study enough (or at all)

This is a situation easily remedied… study. Many students feel that they can pass a class without ever looking at the book, going to class or taking notes. For the most part, this is not true. Maybe in High School you had straight A’s and you never studied. College is different, you need to make sure that you read the book, go over notes and attend lecture.

When you go over your notes and read your book, make sure that you keep everything organized. One way you can do that is with the BookMarker. This nifty pen will let you take better notes, and add little flags to different areas in a book or notes for optimal organization. Dorm Co is here to help, check it out here and start taking better notes today: BookMarker.

2. Partying

Partying is great. Hanging out with your friends and people of the opposite sex is awesome. But while these activities are good for your social life, they can be killer on your academic life. If you have an exam the next day, it would be unwise to goof off instead of study. Drinking and partying might be fun at the time, but when you step into the room for the exam the next day, you may end up regretting the fact that you were “too busy” to study.

3. Sleep deprivation

This may be caused by partying, but what I mean here is chronic lack of sleep. Going to bed late and waking up early for classes will take a toll on your performance in school and on exams. One thing that you can do to combat this is to set up a sleep schedule: Go to bed every day around the same time, and make sure that you get about eight hours of sleep. If you are forced to wake up early for classes, go to bed earlier. You need to be able to get up and make it to class. So, stay off of late night Facebook and do your homework earlier in the day, the latter of which brings me to my next point.

4. Other classes

What’s this? It turns out that professors don’t care if you have two other exams the day theirs is scheduled. Some days you might have more than one exam and you have to do well on both. How can you do this? First, set up a schedule for studying (you can even combine this with a sleep schedule). Second, make sure that you allow yourself enough time to adequately study for both exams. Focusing on one and forgetting about the other will only hurt you in the end. However, while both exams need attention, make sure that you prioritize and study more for the class that you are having more trouble with.

5. Procrastination

There are probably many things that you’d rather do than study. In fact, even laundry and cleaning your room starts to look like fun when you have an exam. Sometimes you need to get your priorities straight. Giving yourself plenty of time to study before an exam is important. Cramming the night before may result in pulling an all-nighter and forgetting the information right after the exam. This sounds good in theory; however, it won’t work out well when you have a cumulative exam and need to remember everything from past tests.

Exams are scary things. They can be intimidating and that’s because they are so important. Exams are gauges to see how well the student is learning and how well the professor is teaching. If you fail an exam, remember it’s not the end of the world, but it will hurt your grade. Follow the steps outlined above and you will minimize your risk of failing an exam and doing poorly in a class.

How to Choose a Major in College

College only lasts for four short years. That may seem like a long time now, but remember how fast high school went by? In college, students can break away from doing the same old English, science, math and history classes and specialize in one or a couple subjects. Nobody can graduate from college without a major, so it is important to choose one, and make sure it is the right one. Use these tips to help you decide on a major for college:

1. Make sure you are interested in the subject material.

Do not enter into a discipline if you don’t like what you are learning. If the material is boring or unappealing, than it will be a long four years. You should not dread going to class every day. Do not do something just for the career prospects. Even if that field is supposed to be incredibly lucrative, you are better off making less money doing something you love, than making more doing something you hate.

2. Make sure there are career opportunities

On the flip side, while doing something just for the money is a bad move, so is doing something that will not land you a job. If your major doesn’t have any prospects for employment, it would be unwise to go with that discipline. You may have to compromise by choosing your second favorite major in order to get a job after college. Perhaps your minor can be the field you are most interested in, or you can double major if you have the time.

3. Take a variety of classes

101 classes will give you a wide breadth into a subject and help introduce you to what awaits you in that major. Take as many of these classes as you need to figure out what interests you. These introductory classes may also have others thinking about the major. You can talk with them and see what is interesting about the major to them. This leads me to my next point…

4. Talk to people

Believe it or not, professors are people too, and they love to talk about their field. Feel free to go to your professor’s office hours just to chat about the major. Clubs, other students and alumni are also good resources. Go to club meetings and see what they talk about and ask them why they like that major, why they chose it. Talk to alumni who went through the entire process of deciding on a major and even graduation already. Students currently in the major will possibly give you the least biased opinion. They will tell you what they love and what they hate about their major, helping you create a mental list of pros and cons.

5. Internships

This can be incredibly eye opening, not to mention a great résumé builder. An internship will place you in an entry level position of any profession that you decide. You will work for them for a semester, a year or however long you decide, and in that time you will learn all the ins and outs of the organization and the career itself. Internships will give you great insight into what your days will be like after graduation. Also, some companies only hire internally, so you would have the advantage over other candidates if you wanted to work there after you graduate.

6. Talk to career services

Career services are there to help you resolve issues just like this. Many career service offices can give you tests to help figure out where your interests lie, connect you with the alumni I was talking about and give you great tips, not unlike what you are receiving here. Make sure you are upfront and tell them what you are really looking for. If you can do this, career services may be one of the best resources you have to discover what major you are most interested in.

7. Relax

The last tip I want to give anyone trying to decide their on major is relax. Yes, this is an important decision and should not be taken lightly, but people do change majors. Besides, there are so many resources at your disposal, that it is almost certain you will be able to make an informed decision. If you are split between two majors, you can always double major, get a minor or get a certificate. Remember, colleges want to help you decide on your future and give you a good education.

It may be a daunting task deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life. It might seem that you are setting your future in stone. Take your time, relax and follow the steps above and you will be on your way to a great major and career in no time.

How to Work in a Group for a College Project

If you are in college, and let’s face it, you probably are if you are on a dorm supply website, you have a lot of assignments to take care of. Many assignments and projects you get assigned in college are to be done by yourself, but sometimes you have to work in a group. Here are some tips to make sure that your experience working in a group is great and not a nightmare.

1. Make sure everyone in their group knows their role

There are many different roles in a group, and if people do not know what their job is, it might not get done. No matter what is needed: research, a presentation, or some other special task, make sure there is somebody to fill that role. Optimally, the task someone is performing should match pretty well to their skill set. For example, a good public speaker will be a better presenter.

2. Make sure there is a leader

This kind of follows the first point, but a leader is a special role in a group. You might be thinking ‘yeah, that sounds like the perfect role for me, I get to do no work and tell people what to do.’ A leader that acts like that is a poor one. The leader must make sure that everyone is on task, and even pick up tasks that nobody else is doing. They need to be the ones that keep the group together, set a good example and organize everything.

3. Organize and plan

This may seem obvious, but make sure that you have everything well organized. With some many people working together, communication and order may be lost. Have the contact information for every member of the group: cell number, email, etc. Set deadlines for certain tasks and decide as a group when something is finished.

Have a schedule of when to meet and where, whether it be a classroom, conference room or dorm room. A dorm room might be hard to meet in without a white board. Dorm Co can help in that case with our Wall Wizard – Dry Erase. Plan everything in the comfort of your dorm with this dry erase that come in sizes from 5 feet to 40 feet, not inches, feet. Check out our Wall Wizard Dry Erase.

4. Keep on task

It can be easy to become friends with group members. You may go out on a Friday with them and when the group meets, just blab. It is important, however, to stay on track when meeting. Unless you do not mind sitting for hours and getting nothing done, the meetings should be structured. Make sure that everyone brings what needs to be brought, and the meeting can go smoothly.

5. Make sure the group is cohesive

Finally, although there is the danger of getting nothing done because of socializing, the opposite may be worse. If you and your group do not get along, it might be hard to get the job done. If there is a problem with group members, do something to fix it, you can change groups, remove those who are slacking, etc. The group needs to be cohesive. Even one person not doing their part can take away from the end product.

Follow the tips above and you will be on your way to a successful group project. As long as everyone does their part by putting the time and effort into the project, there is a good grade in your future.

What is happening to Cotton?

Have you noticed that cotton sheets, cotton comforters and cotton bedding in general are hard to find? For those in the bedding import world you know the prices have increased so much that it is a scary proposition to purchase cotton bedding. The fear is ‘what if consumers won’t pay the higher prices’? With importers and retailers not wanting to take the chance on looking high priced or not being able to sell their goods, they have turned to polyester as the alternative to cotton. So while consumers have seen what appears to be stable prices, what they are really getting is an inferior product (polyester) at the same retail prices as cotton used to be.

It is a case of legal switch-a-roo without many customer even realizing it.

The only thing worse than this legal switch-a-roo is the illegal switch-a-roo some retailers and importers are actively partaking in. The deceit is so horrible that to call it shocking would be an understatement. What I am referring to is the intentional mis-labeling of goods. In other words selling polyester sheets, but labeling them cotton. Or calling sheets 400TC, but they are really only 150TC. Disgusting right!?

It is so criminal that it is hard to believe that importers and retailers do this and can get away with it. Somehow these brash individuals and companies do get away with it and they keep doing it because of such high profit they make out of the deceitful crime. In every sense of the word it is fraud and should be stopped!

It should be stopped because it cheats you the customer and it should be stopped because it cheats good retail stores like DormCo that only sell what we advertise and know is correctly labeled bedding. Lastly, it should be stopped because in every sense of the word these retailers are stealing. They are stealing from hard working people who want to buy what they pay for.

DormCo is proud to say we offer 100% cotton and 100% polyesters bedding products and to that end we test our goods to ensure you the consumer rightfully gets the quality that you paid for. A word of advice is if the ‘bedding’ deal looks to good to be true it most likely is! Run the other way or if you are in a fighting mood stand up to the retail store and demand better!

If you ever feel scammed by bedding that you bought and want to find out the truth you can send you bedding to http://www.idfl.com/. IDFL will test any type of bedding and tell you anything from thread count to what the product is made of. This laboratory has personally assisted Dorm Co in catching scam manufacturers and importers before we allowed their goods to be offered to you the customer.

The truth is even when it comes to dorm room bedding you should get what you pay for! There is no area in which a scam is ok!

Cheap College Date Ideas

College is a time for intellectual development and personal growth. It's also a time for blossoming romance and hot flings. You're young and free, and you have nothing to lose. Campus is full of eligible girls and guys, and almost everyone is on a dorm room budget. Though love may be in the air, cash may be a little short. Fortunately, there are many ways to still have a good time in college. You don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money to have fun on a date. Here are some cheap and enjoyable college dating ideas for you to try.

A Lovely Picnic

Nothing is more romantic than a cute picnic date on a beautiful day. During the warmer parts of the school year, you can always plan a simple picnic trip. Campuses usually have some form of a park, or at least a pretty lawn where you can spread a blanket and eat some sandwiches. You can pack your favorite foods, some beer, or a bottle of wine. The best thing about a picnic is that it's a great way to share a nice meal with your date without spending a lot of money.

A Bottle Of Wine, A Warm Blanket

If a picnic is not really your thing, you can always opt for a blanket and a bottle of wine. Do some exploring on campus and around your college town for a nice romantic spot. It can be a friend's balcony, a rooftop, a nook on top of a hill with nice scenery, or any place you find desirable for date conditions. On a clear night, you can enjoy a bottle of a wine with your date under a big warm blanket and an open, starry sky. This is a romantic way to spend time with someone new. It's also a great excuse to snuggle.

Arts, Culture, & Knowledge

The great thing bout dating in college is that you have access to tons of stimulating activities. Campuses on any given night offer interesting artistic, intellectual, and cultural events. Do some research and find out what special events are coming up and plan your date accordingly. University sponsored activities and events are usually either free or extremely cheap for college students. You can attend an interesting lecture, see an art show, or check out a poetry slam. There are hundreds of ideas just waiting for you all over campus. This is a great way to learn and explore new things with your date.

Play

A fun way to get to know someone is through play. This can be in the form of sports, games, or recreational outdoor activities such as hiking. A light tennis match can be a great way to break the ice with someone new. Tossing a frisbee around can also be a fun outdoor game. You and your date could also try learning a new sport or skill together. Playing is a good way to get to know someone's personality and an easy way to spend time with someone you may not be able to converse with quite so easily at first.

A Creative Outlet

Inspire your date and yourself by getting together to do something creative. Come up with an easy art project and invite your date to help you. It can be as simple as building a house out of popsicle sticks or painting. Even if you aren't artistically inclined, anyone can pick up a marker or a paintbrush and have some fun. The end result of your art project doesn't matter. The important thing is to get to know your date by putting your creative energies together. Creating with another person is a sincere way to share your time and show someone who you really are.

Whatever you choose to do on your date, make sure it's something that's enjoyable for you, not just for your date. You don't have to spend a lot of money, you just have to be yourself and do what feels fun. What matters is that you show that you put thought into the activity. Anyone will be impressed by creative date ideas that differ from the usual "dinner and a movie" regime. If they're not, then they're probably not that cool anyway.

How to Survive the All-Nighter

…Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
-Dylan Thomas

Though Dylan Thomas wasn't exactly talking about staying up all night (indeed, this poem's subject matter is much more grave), these words express the sentiments of those who have ever had to face the dreadful ALL-NIGHTER. Though it sure isn't the ideal way to get things done, in college you will inevitably be forced to endure the dying of the light. Let's face it. College is fun and you're liable to procrastinate until deadline night. Even if you aren't a procrastinator, there may come a time when it all just piles up too high. Whatever the case, you'll need to arm yourself for a duel with the darkness. Here are some tips!

Strategize

Just thinking about the fact that you may have to spend all night battling your academic demons is enough to make you feel exhausted. So don't think about it too much. Treat the all-nighter like another day. Think of it as one big project and disregard the lack of sleep part of it. Remember that you can always make up for the lost snooze time, but it may not be possible to make up for missed assignments or bad test grades. The first thing you should do is make a list of what needs to be done for the night. If you need to write a paper or finish (or start AND finish) a project, simply prepare to work as usual. Treat it like just another day. Work for an hour or so at a time and give yourself very brief breaks. If you've got to cram for an exam, then you'll want to organize your night into study sessions. This may seem difficult because you could be tempted into taking "study breaks" that turn into you falling asleep until dawn. Avoid this by studying for 30 minutes at a time f ollowed by 15 minute breaks that involve physical movement. This way, you maintain your concentration all night without succumbing to sleep.

Uppers, uppers, uppers!

You don't want to ever really do this, but for the all-nighter, you may have to stock up on some serious caffeine. Red Bull is the devil, but it could be just the thing to get you through the night. Go ahead and allow your self several energy drinks, but don't go overboard! Always drink a glass of water after every coffee or energy drink, and don't drink more than one for every couple of hours! It is possible to overdose, and if you drink too much all at once, you may be too jittery to even function.

Exercise

Physical movement is also really great for keeping yourself awake. If you keep yourself in motion, your body will forget to be sleepy. If you start to feel like you're about to doze off, or if your thoughts are getting a little slow and droopy, it's perfectly acceptable to go for a 10 minute jog, or do some jumping jacks. Get your heart rate up naturally by doing aerobic exercises. Keeping yourself physically active during the all-nighter will help you fight your instinct to sleep and overcome boredom and fatigue.

Nap

If you really need to put your head down for a moment, then allow yourself to do so. Just make sure it's absolutely for no longer than 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Set an alarm clock and place it next to your ear. You should also avoid napping in your bed. Instead, try napping with just your head down on your desk, or at least on a chair. If you allow yourself to nap in your bed, you probably won't be able to get back out, ruining your entire night of progress. Again, 20 to 30 minutes is fine, but much longer than that will severely hinder your motivation. Your body will put itself into total rest mode and you will probably be completely comatose until morning. Stick with a short nap however, and you should be alright to move on.

Moral Support

If at all possible, try going through the all-nighter with some study buddies. Team work is honestly one of the best ways to get through the all-nighter (or anything). If you're behind on work, chances are someone else in your school is also behind. You could send out an email blast to other students. If it's the day before a big exam, you can probably find many other students planning their own all-nighters. Take advantage of this and gather yourself an army of study partners. There is always power in numbers, and it's a lot easier to go through a difficult time when you have moral support. Having other people (or just one other person) around will help you stay motivated. You guys can poke each other with sharp sticks if one person starts to doze off.

Whatever happens, remember to be strong. If you're smart, you'll do everything you can to cut down on your need for all-nighters. You know you can do it. It's all about mind over matter. Keep your eye on the goal and remember that as soon as the ordeal is over, you'll enjoy the best sleep of your life! Good luck!

Tips to Improve Your Study Habits

So you're in college! Congratulations! It's fun and new and you have more friends and distractions than you have ever had in your young life. That's wonderful, but also kinda detrimental if you're interested in graduating…someday. If you have no intentions of ever earning that degree, then please happily continue slacking off. If you do however, want to succeed academically, make your parents proud, possibly even have a real job someday, you might want to consider amping up your study habits. With college being so darn fun, it can be quite a challenge at first trying to get your head in the game, but it must be done. You must succeed! You WILL succeed! Just read these tips…

Get Plenty of Sleep

College, more than any other time in your life, will teach you the importance of sleep. Sleep is a luxury, a precious time for you to rest your weary head. Your body needs plenty of sleep to function properly. Did you know that for every night of sleep you miss, it takes your body 7 days to compensate for it? This is why it's so important that you do everything you can to get a full night of sleep every single night. For college students, a full night of sleep means 7-9 hours of uninterrupted rest. If you can manage to give yourself this amount of rest every night, your brain will be electric, your body will float, and you will feel grand all over. If you don't sleep enough, you'll have trouble concentrating, your memory will decrease, and you might even feel a little depressed after a while. Whatever you do, no matter how much you party (or even study), make sure you give your body and mind proper rest!

Note Taking as a Way of Life

Even if you find yourself unable to comprehend everything in class, you should learn to take notes. Not only should you learn to take notes, note taking should be a way of life for you. Write down everything you see and hear, even if you don't quite understand what's going on. You can always ask questions later. When you take good notes in class, you not only force yourself to concentrate during a class session, but you allow yourself plenty of material to go over once class is over. Any confusion you might have can be addressed with the professor at another time, but it is vital that you write down as much as you possibly can. Note taking also helps you improve your listening skills, since you have to hear everything you write. It's also an easy way to keep your brain stimulated so you don't fall asleep in the middle of class. When it's time to go through your notes, you can jot down any questions that are floating in your mind (again, more notes!). Keeping up with your note s is like keeping up with your academic life. They go hand in hand since it is a record of your experiences. If you can be religious about note taking, you've already won half the battle on studying.

Stay Organized

This should be simple for most college students. Staying organized is a fundamental rule when it comes to good grades. Do yourself a favor and buy a stack of folders. Keep things from different classes in separate folders so you don't mix up your chemistry notes with your Latin homework. That will not help you succeed. If you have a messy backpack or an unorganized folder, you will become frustrated and may be less likely to study when it is necessary. A messy pile of stuff is intimidating, and the last thing you want is to be too frightened to approach your studies. Getting yourself a calendar where you can write down your deadlines and make to-do lists will also improve your organization and encourage you to stay on target.

Nature's Help

When you feel overwhelmed by school, look to mother nature to help you through your arduous tasks. Try doing your homework while sitting under a big, friendly tree, or bask in the sunshine while you catch up on your reading. Studying in nature is something that the ancient philosophers always did, so it very well could work for you. Another thing you can do is to take Ginkgo Biloba supplements, or drink plenty of green tea. These herbs are all natural and help stimulate your brain.

The One Hour Rule

If you're really having a hard time concentrating, one of the best ways to get through hours of work is to only focus for one hour at a time. For example, if you've got about four hours of studying to do, you can commit to one hour of study, followed by an hour of play, followed by an hour of study, and so on, and so on. It has been proven that the average person only has an attention span of about 45 minutes at a time, so it's alright if you find yourself dreading long hours of study. Maybe you're simply not meant to do it. That's why the one hour rule is perfect for improving your study habits. Not only will you get the study time you need, but you'll continuously refresh yourself for better intellectual performance.

Power in Numbers

Finally, it is a great comfort to know that you can always lean on friends to help you get through college. As naturally social beings, we are meant to help each other. Starting a study group for certain classes is a great way to motivate yourself to study. If you have problems with procrastination, scheduling a study group session will help you stick to your commitments since other people will be relying on you to show up. Facing difficult assignments alone can be scary, but working with other students will not only help you comprehend more, but you'll have a better time getting your work done.

Pacing yourself and being creative will allow you to find more ways to get through college and improve your work habits. Whatever you do, remember to be patient with yourself, and to do everything you can to make school work fun and interesting. As long as you balance hard work with play, you will be well on your way to a happy and successful academic career.

How To Organize Your Dorm Desk

The way you organize your desk could make or break your academic life. It sounds dramatic, but your work area is your academic temple, and could foster either a successful or unsuccessful semester. The way you organize your desk will affect the way you think, how you concentrate, your ability to meet deadlines, whether or not you turn in assignments, and how well you handle your work load in general. Think about it. Your desk is the place where you churn all your intellectual energy. If it's not a clean, comfortable and serene place, fit for hard work and long-term concentration, then you could probably use a desk clean-up. Here are some tips on how you can better manage your work space.

Priorities

Go through all your work supplies and tools. What do you use the most? If it helps, you can make a list of all your items and rank them by importance. Your top 10 items should be placed in a drawer that is closest to you when you sit down. This allows you easier and quicker access to your things and will save you time when you're crunching to meet a deadline. Everything else on your list can be spaced out evenly and kept further away from the center of your desk. It is important to keep away things that you only use occasionally. Having unnecessary items around you can be distracting. When prioritizing your supplies, you should keep in mind that you will always need quick access to paper, pens, and your computer. These things should remain closest to you, or should be kept close to the center of your desk. Other things such as tape, thumb tacks and rulers aren't used quite as often and can be placed in a small side drawer or box away from the center of your desk. Consider cre ating a place or a way to organize important documents. A file cabinet is great for organizing folders and important papers. You can turn one of your drawers into a mini file cabinet and alphabetize your documents. However you choose to do this, your important documents should always be easy to access.

The Importance of Clear Space

The most important place on a desk is the center surface. The surface of your desk is your battleground. If you have a lot of clutter near the center of your desk, you are creating unnecessary distractions. The center surface of your desk is where you do your actual work. This space should be clear so you can think and work freely and clearly. Only keep things in the center that you are actually using for a certain project or assignment. For example, if you are writing an essay, the only things that should be on your desk at the time should be your computer and your information resources. Otherwise, keep your actual work space clear. When the center surface of your desk is always clear, you will feel more neat and organized in your head. It's like having a clean slate. A clean slate means a clear mind, and a clear mind produces better work.

Accessibility

You should never have to spend time searching for something. It's a great idea to label your drawers, containers and folders so that you always know where everything is located. Make sure you alphabetize your books and important documents. Label the drawer where you keep fresh paper, and keep your miscellaneous desk supplies all together. If you have to label every single container and drawer, do it. It will save you so much time when you are stressed out over projects and the last you need is to be shuffling around endlessly trying to find a silly little pen.

Lighting

For some reason, a bright desk is usually a more pleasant place to work. Not only will proper lighting keep your desk more organized, it is necessary for long-term concentration. Invest in a desk lamp. It is not enough to have an overhead light in your dorm room. You need concentrated, direct lighting. This will help you stay focused. When you have good lighting with your desk, your desk will also tend to stay more organized because everything is super visible. A desk light will also come in handy for all-nighters when you can't use an overhead light without waking up your roommate. You can also try to place your desk in front of a window. This will do wonders for your work atmosphere, especially when you work during the day and have the sun's natural light to energize your brain.

Desk Aids

When it comes to desk supplies, it's important to make sure you have enough folders, containers, labels, space dividers, and a calendar. These things all help you organize your desk on a daily basis. The folders will help with properly organizing your documents, containers keep small supplies from cluttering space, space dividers organize the inside of your drawers, and a calendar is useful for many obvious reasons such as keeping track of deadlines. You may also want to consider getting a cork board and hanging it near or in front of your desk. With cork boards, you can place notes and other important reminders right in front of your eyes.

Clean Up After Yourself

The best way to maintain an organized and proper work space is to keep up with your daily cleaning. Whenever you leave your desk or complete a project, you should always make sure to put everything away. Again, try to keep the center surface of your desk clear when it is not in use. Put away your important documents, return pens to their proper containers, and throw away scraps of used paper. If you take small steps to clean up your desk everyday, you will never have to deal with an overhaul, and academic life in general will be much easier.

Tips for Soundproofing Your Dorm Room

Many new college students are heartbroken at the thought of not being able to play music in their dorm rooms without being a terrific annoyance to their neighbors. Even though your dorm wall might be cinder block constructed your sound will travel or worse you'll hear your neighbor blasting Miley Cyrus, which will certainly lead to your need to soundproof. Even if you don't play a musical instrument or have any loud hobbies, it's still always better to know that you have audial privacy. Most colleges are very strict about what you can and cannot do/alter in your dorm room, so trying to soundproof your dorm room can be a challenge. Fortunately, where there is a will, there is a way. There are several things you can do to make your dorm room more soundproof. Here are some ideas you can try out.

Furniture as a Buffer

One of the easiest ways to make your dorm room more soundproof is to arrange your furniture so that it blocks in sound. Try to move your dresser, desk, and especially your dorm bed close to your walls. Ideally, you want your furniture lined up against all your walls. This will help keep sound from escaping. Your dorm bed is especially thick, and is great for absorbing vibrations.

Wall Covering

The most important part of soundproofing is increasing the thickness of your walls. There are several ways to do this. The first thing you should do is check with your dorm advisor about wall adhesives and fire codes. Most dorms allow some form of wall adhesion. It may be possible to only use sticky wall putty for example, but even this stuff is strong enough to hold up some materials. You can cover your walls with heavy drapes, hang acoustical panels, or hang mass loaded vinyl. Any of these things can be very effective and require little adhesive if done intelligently. The best kind of wall covering however, is foam or fabric covered cork board. Cork boards are usually made for thumbtacks and hanging paper notes, but once covered with foam or fabric, they make amazing sound absorbers. Another great thing about using cork board is that it does not violate fire codes, and you can usually buy cork boards that are meant to be hung from walls. When covering your walls, don't forg et to install covering for your door as well.

Floor Covering

To soundproof your floors, your best option is a super thick rug. Rugs and rubber mats are amazing sound absorbers and don't violate any dorm room rules. You can pile on as many thick rugs as you want in your dorm room. It is best to use even three or four layers of thick rugs over large rubber bathroom mats. Rugs and rubber mats work by minimizing echoes and reverberations. Not only will you soundproof your dorm room, you will also have a comfortable, cushioned floor.

Window Covering

It is vital that you come up with some way to soundproof your windows. An easy thing to do is to install removable window coverings. These are window screens that attach to the inside of window frames with velcro strips. Sometimes you can use "storm window screens" that are usually meant to protect windows from extreme weather. They are amazing because they reduce up to 35% of noise, and can be found in any home-improvement store.

Whatever methods you try, it is important to keep in mind that everything you do to your dorm room must be undone. DO NOT make permanent alterations, as this can result in irreparable damage and heavy fees. Experiment with different materials on small areas of your room first before going through your whole room. This will save you time and money. Eventually, you will find something that is effective as well as dorm room legal. Good luck!

Creative Dorm Storage Ideas

When you move into a dorm room for the first time, you might be disheartened by the lack of storage space, but don't let first impressions fool you. A dorm room may appear to be cramped at first, but with a little innovation and courage, you will find creative ways to store your things. It's all a matter of widening your perspective and using what is available around you creatively.

Underbed and Bedside Storage

The dark, mysterious space under your bed doesn't have to be so scary anymore. In fact, the space under your dorm bed is perfect for storing things. If you're worried about your stuff getting dirty or lost under there, you can always use an underbed storage bag to hold and protect your things. Underbed storage bags are made to fit perfectly under dorm beds and usually have zippers that easily open and close for easy access to your stored belongings. Underbed storage bags can hold linen, clothes, and just about anything else that you want to keep out of view. There are also small bedside storage bags that are made to hang from your bedside panel. These smaller storage bags contain pockets that are meant to hold nightstand items such as cell phones, small clocks and books. You can also keep a flashlight in it for late night bathroom trips.

Zip Up Bean Bag

You can buy bean bags with zippers and double their use by turning them into storage space. You can de-stuff your bean bag, and re-stuff it with extra linen, clothes, or anything soft that you want put away. Another great space saving thing about the zip up bean bag is that it can be emptied and collapsed when not in use. Bean bags are easy to move and you can even bring them to other dorm rooms for movie nights. As long as you don't mind the bean bag being just a tad lumpy, you've got yourself an easy and multi-purpose seating product that is practical in many ways.

Multi-Layer Hangers

Multi-Layer Hangers do wonders for closets. With one of these, you can hang three or four pieces of clothing on one elongated hanger. These hangers are made to hold multiple pieces without taking up more space, allowing you to store three times the amount of clothing in one closet. Some can be used as single hangers as well and connected with other hangers when the need arises. You can also use multi-layer hangers to hang coordinated outfits.

Makeshift Table Top

If you have extra full boxes just lying around your dorm room, you can turn your pile of boxes into a makeshift table top. Simply stack your full boxes on top of each other. Try to form a square or rectangle shape, drape a throw or small blanket over the top surface, and voila! You have a table. This really works if you have enough boxes. You can use your table top to hold lamps, books, laptops, and whatever else you can think of. Use one or two boxes to make yourself an extra nightstand, or use many boxes to build a full table. Throw a dinner party in your dorm room with a temporary makeshift table and be proud that you have the amazing ability to turn clutter into furniture.

Tips for Sharing a Dorm Room with a Stranger

Sharing any small space with a total stranger can be stressful for anyone. Sharing a small, multi-purpose living space with a total stranger is just crazy. Too bad it's what millions of college freshmen face every single year. You're new to the school, so chances are your new roommate will be your first social connection. It's not unusual to become friends, though it is perfectly fine to just treat each other civilly. Sharing your dorm room with a new person can be awkward at first, but it is important to remember that this is an opportunity to practice the art of compromise. Here are some tips on how to share your new home.

Create Personal Space

The first thing in question when moving into any new territory, is personal space. Depending on how your dorm room is set up, you may have a common area, a bathroom, or simply rooms with beds. Whatever the situation is, be sure to communicate kindly and clearly about what space each person will need. Try not to take up more than your own share of the space. Maybe one person has more possessions than the other, but that is no reason to hog space. Try to consolidate and think of space-saving ideas. Try to divide the room equally. Consider purchasing a room divider or changing wall. These help create a sense of privacy in small rooms, are usually collapsable, and relatively easy to handle. Just having that small divider can make such a difference in perspective and create a feeling of more privacy.

Learn Your Roommate's Schedule

Everyone is going to run their days differently. The best way to not clash agendas and habits is to discuss each other's schedule. Learn when your roommate likes to study, have quiet time, or likes to go to bed. Try to coordinate with one another in a way that gives you both what you need. This is where the art of compromise comes in handy. Chances are, even after college you will be living with roommates. Learning how to compromise and live peacefully with different people will make you happier in the long run. You may also decide on some dorm room rules. For example, a rule like "no loud music after 10 p.m." makes it clear to all parties that quiet time is necessary. It may be wise to write down your schedules and place them where they are visible. This will help you both plan your day around each other. Placing a dry-erase board in a conspicuous place and communicating by writing daily messages can also help in coordinating schedules. It is also good to remember that college campuses usually offer libraries, cafes, lawns, and other areas you can go for personal time outside of the dorm room.

Create A Cleaning Schedule

Different humans have different habits. You may consider yourself a relatively clean person, but your roommate may have a whole different definition of "clean." Fortunately, the best way to get around opposing cleanliness standards is to create a cleaning schedule. Alternate responsibilities and make sure to have a check list of when chores are completed. Try to make the schedule as clear as possible to avoid confusion and arguments, and always do your best to contribute your part.

Be Friendly

You don't have to be friends with your roommate, but you can always be friendly. Being kind, honest, and open-minded will show that you deserve respect because you give respect. Be considerate and honest to your roommate. Chances are you will receive the same courtesy. If there are things that you can share in the room, share them if you want to. Trying to find common interests with your roommate can help break the ice and allow for more open communication. No one will blame you if you do your best to make the situation work. Finally, sometimes it may be necessary to admit that some combinations just don't work out, and you can always apply for a room change with your school. There is no pressure. After all, it's not a marriage, it's just a few semesters.