Savvy on your own, No GPS Required

Ok. Question. How did we become so dependent on technology? I heard on the radio the other day about GPS users in Europe driving into  a river because the GPS hadn’t been updated recently. Later that day I went to dinner with a friend and his mom and left my phone at home, and surprisingly, it felt freeing. I didn’t have a panic attack that my phone wasn’t in my purse. If someone called, it could wait, I was having a nice dinner with friends, why worry? So let’s go over some pros of cutting back on technology (just a little, don’t panic).

–The Cell Phone: we all get annoyed when our friends are physically with us but are more enthralled with their cell phones. Yet don’t deny it, you do it too. Even just that quick checking of the phone can be disrespectful to your friends. If you just leave the phone at home, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how more relaxed than ever you are. You won’t be nervous and be able to really connect with your friends making your bonds stronger with each conversation.

–The TOM-TOM/GPS: Yes, being in a new place is scary for college and you want to not get lost. But what do you learn about a city from a map?! Do you think Carrie Bradshaw needed a GPS for Manhattan? OR Audrey Hepburn would have used Google to maneuver around Paris? I think not… Explore your college’s town/city. I learned more about Milwaukee driving and walking around aimlessly than I ever could have with GPS Blinders on.

Also, asking for directions isn’t bad ladies! Heck, you may learn something about your city, a great used bookstore or café, or the best cheap burgers in town. So be social (responsibly). Ditch the GPS. You are a smart, classy, savvy college co-ed and you don’t need technology to tell you where to go. Trust yourself, don’t listen to everything the robot says.

–The iPod. Didn’t think I’d talk about the precious iPod, huh? But the other day I saw a girl jogging with her headphones on nearly get hit by a car. Luckily the car stopped in time. But is Justin Bieber (oh… am I the only one that think he’s got great workout jams?) really worth your safety? Keep the volume way low when running outside or save it for the treadmill. Sorry, mother-like instincts come out from time to time.

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology (I’m blogging for an awesome website). But I do think we’ve gotten a little too dependent on it. We are smart and savvy women; we should trust ourselves more and lessen how much we worship technology.

–Audrey is a PR major at Marquette University. She is a proud sister of Alpha Chi Omega.  A lover of travel, reading and movies of every kind.

Your Classy, Fun CL Summer…FOR LESS!

So it’s summer. It’s time for fun, popsicles and carefree sunny days, right? Well…there always tends to be the problem of money. Especially when you don’t have academics to take up your time and you’re home from school wanting to spend time with all your High School friends. “Let’s go to dinner! Let’s grab Starbucks! Let’s see a movie! Let’s go to Six Flags/Wisconsin Dells/Waterpark/Theme Park” The only way to hang out seems to be to spend money. I’ve come up with some cheap and free ideas for soaking up the summer sun—just make sure to bring the Sunblock!

Does your city have a museum or art gallery? Make a day of exploring those places! Lots of museums have free days or significant student discounts. Plus, you’ll look so sophisticated wandering around an art gallery in a new summer dress (see fashion section of College Lifestyles for ideas!). You’ll definitely feel like Charlotte York and you can learn interesting facts through walking around with friends rather than sitting in class.

Get a library card. What are gorgeous sunny days and large green parks for anyway? Hit the Air Conditioned library and pick out a piece of literary history (Jane Austen, Dumas, James Joyce, George Eliot, The Brontes…ok I’ll stop, Book Worm escaped for a bit) or just a fun summer read. Go out to the park with a blanket and read! Take time to enjoy the book and if your eyes get tired, go play on the swings.

Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t go to the pool? What’d you do? Water fights, sprinklers, super soakers, etc. Cool down with friends by embracing your inner child. I don’t think much more explanation is needed here. Let your imagination run wild! And make sure popsicles are in the freezer for after.

–Use Twitter, Facebook and websites to look for great summer deals! Lots of cities and towns have “sample the city” or “downtown dining” weeks. So keep your eyes peeled for great meals for way cheaper than normal. Plus there are always deals and discounts to be found, you just have to look hard enough.

–When it rains, movies seem like the best idea, right? Now I love movies so this is where most of my money goes. So if you’re like me and can’t function without popcorn and the glory of the cinema, make sure you add the word “matinee” to your vocabulary. With movies at $10 these days, the 6-dollar matinees are your best friend. Also, think about going in on a cheap Netflix subscription with your friends. Then you can have a movie night in the comfort of your own home, with your friends and only have to buy popcorn!–Look for free concerts. Lots of towns have “Jazz in the Park” or other musicians for free in parks and other venues. Bring a blanket, sit with friends and cheap snack food and enjoy the sounds of summer.

–JUST GET OUTSIDE. This should be a no-brainer. Grab a Frisbee, football, baseball and glove, soccer ball, kite…ANYTHING and go enjoy the freedom that you have. Co-eds are more fun when they participate rather than just sit and watch. It doesn’t cost anything to go play a game in the park with friends. You’ll make memories you’ll never forget (bring the camera, you’ll want proof of this much fun when you get back to schoolwork!). Get creative! The sky is the limit. Games in the park also transitions great into a fun picnic!

I plan on enjoying the sun with lots of Popsicles and SPF 50 (being a redhead, I know the pain of sunburn…not something to repeat).

You stay classy out there this summer, CL Readers! (Sorry, couldn’t help an “Anchorman” reference)

–Audrey

 

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