‘The newest CL intern – Katie O’Brien ’

 College: University of Michigan

 Year: Sophomore

 Major: English and Communications

Favorite things: Ann Arbor, Michigan football Saturdays, Free People clothes, chocolate chip cookies, the ocean, and thunder storms

Favorite books: The Great Gatsby, The Pact, and The House of the Spirits

Favorite television shows: Friends and How I Met Your Mother

Other Activities: A member of the literature team for SHEI magazine, K-Grams pen pal club, and Alpha Chi Omega.

Dream Career: To work in the television or magazine industries.

Position in CL: Health, fashion, apartment, and professional Writer

 

Ways to Plan Out Your Day: Clutter Free

Many of you have headed back to school this week anticipating the long study hours and “sleepless nights”. This spring semester is a new opportunity to stop the bad habit of  procrastination. Procrastination comes in many forms with excuses ranging from what others know to be procrastination, to what you have programmed in your mind to think about yourself. The number one cure for procrastination is planning out your time and being organized. Allow me to assist you!

It is not difficult to keep a to-do-list or planner of tasks, responsibilities and personal goals, but it can be difficult if they are not used as should. In order to see the effectiveness of your to-do-list, consider these steps:

The first tip is to keep three planners with attached calendars. Did your eyes stretch wide when you read that last sentence? I had the same response when I realized how three planners helped me to achieve my important goals. As an organized young professional, it is important to know what duties lay ahead and keep to them. A planner should be kept for every huge sector of your life. This strategy can be instrumental if you are planning a college transfer which takes a high level of organization.

Planner number one should be kept for all school work. For all of your classes this semester, look through the syllabus and transfer all of the information from the syllabus onto the calendar. This should include exam dates, and due homework assignments. Make sure to specify what class the work is for. For example, One of my classes are entitled “China Today”. In my school planner you would find on the date of February 20, 2012 “China Today: Midterm exam 1”. If the class title is too long, make a shorter name.  Organizing your school work is giving you a head start on breaking procrastination. With this organized school calendar, you can see the due assignments with a flip of the calendar booklet.

With planner one, school work, do not fail to make a to-do-list. If the calendar organizer you brought has paper for a to-do-list to be attached, this is great! Your to-do-list should be composed of weekly tasks. Keep in mind that this to-do-list is only for school. DO NOT mix in any extra curricular activities. We will get to that later in the article. An example of the to-do-list will be the following:

To-Do-List

Read chapters 1-3 for China Today (2)

Watch Assigned Youtube Videos for International Wealth and Power (3)

Pick group topic for Wednesday’s class- American Foreign Policy (1)

This is just an example. You can also mark, next to the items on your to-do-list, what items you will complete first. I have shown you in the above to-do-list example.

Planner number two should keep all work/intern responsibilities. For this calendar include your work schedule and/ or intern due dates for particular assignments. This keeps me very organized while interning for College Lifestyles!  Also include a to-list-do to go with this calendar of work/intern responsibilities. The to-do-list should be the same  as the to-do-list used in the school work planner. It should be composed of weekly assignments numbered the way they will be completed. Again, do not mix other information that does not have to do with your work and/or internship into this to-do-list or calendar. If you do not have an internship, please stay tuned for latter articles I post.

Planner number three should be used for clubs and organizations. As a young professional, being involved on campus is the prime way to network and to be noticed by other young professionals. In this calendar include meeting times, locations, and  be specific on what organization the meeting is for. Do not fail to include a to-do-list. This is important especially if office positions are held. As an officer of an organization, staying organized is the best thing to do. This planner for organizations can also be mixed with personal tasks. Personal tasks can include going to your sister’s baby shower, getting your nails done, or making a specific date to go grocery shopping. A to-do-list for something like this might include a personal facial time!

Lastly, keep important times entered into your phone to remind you of important events that require time notice. If your sister’s baby shower starts at three in the afternoon, do not plan to meet up with someone at two in the afternoon for something totally different. Although you are learning how to be more organized this semester with separating different sectors of life, it is pivotal to also learn that it is okay to have gaps in your schedule. Use those gaps for study time or my personal favorite, “Me Time”!

This article gives great ways to stay organized. Remaining structured is the key to ending procrastination as a bad habit. Through experience, I have learned that separating sectors of my life is the best way to remain organized and I am sure you will find comfort in this technique. I never try to mix personal with business, and through this I have remained healthy relationships with those who I would have risked it with being too consumed on one sector of my life. Be more organized, and find yourself having more time! <3

Said with love,

Charlene Alexander is a Professional and Relationships Writer, Social Media, and Special Events Intern at College Lifestyles ™. Charlene is a Mass Communications Undergraduate at University of South Florida. Miss Alexander is an analogue girl in a digital world who enjoys writing.

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Extra! Extra! Read all about CL’s newest intern – Sherelle Black!

Hello Co-eds!! I’m Sherelle Black and I’m new to the CL team!! I can’t wait to share my ideas with CL as one of the sorority and college prep writers!

 

 

Name: Sherelle Black

 

School: Louisiana Tech University

 

Major: Journalism

 

Year in studies: Junior

 

I have been with College Lifestyles since: January 2012

 

Greek Affiliation:  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated!

 

Organizational Involvement: President of AKA, vice president of Black Student Union, and managing editor of The Tech Talk

 

Pets: I have none at the moment, but I would love to get a small dog in the near future!

 

My friends say I am: a nerd with all the characteristics of a socializer: outgoing, a great dancer, the life of the party and hilarious.

 

Astrological sign: Sagittarius

 

My personal style is: very classy and feminine. I try to dress “dressy-casual” on most days. My definition of “dressy-casual” is a cute pair of jeans (or bottoms) with a dressy top and fancy accessories. My favorite accessories are my scarves and pearls. When going out, you’ll never catch me without my heels on!

 

Favorite clothing stores: Forever 21, Papaya, Wet Seal. I love these stores because they are very affordable yet fashionable.

 

Favorite movie: Love & Basketball

 

Favorite book/author: One of my favorite authors is Kate Chopin, but as far as books go I have too many favorites to choose from.

 

Favorite quote: “Let your dreams be bigger than your fears and your actions be louder than your words.” -Unknown

 

My screensaver is: A flyer to my AKA probate (showcase). The showcase was the first time I presented myself as an AKA.

 

On my IPod you will find: tons of R&B and hip-hop (mainly Drake and Chris Brown), with a little pop and country mixed in every now and then.

 

Must have beauty product: Fashion Fair base “Perfect Finish Crème Makeup”

 

I have a slight obsession with: desserts and Twitter!

 

I dislike: people who are dishonest and judge others, and liars

 

Last movie I watched: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

 

Last book I read: Persuasion by Jane Austen

 

My definition of a classy co-ed: Someone who lives every day to inspire others and creates motivation for them by carrying themselves as a dignified, intellectual, and charismatic young lady. She goes above and beyond and always thinks about others. She is a role model!!

 

Why I am excited about being an intern with College Lifestyles: College Lifestyles is filled with fun and interesting articles about everything a classy co-ed would need to know. I’m excited to add my ideas to the site and work with the other classy interns. It’s always been a dream of mine to intern at a magazine that values sorority life as much as I do.

 

 

 

Sherelle Black is a junior at Louisiana Tech University majoring in journalism with a minor in marketing. She is president of her chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and likes to dance and hang with her sorority sisters in her spare time.

Welcome Back, Tiana Blue: A Returning CL Intern

Name: Tiana Blue

School: Penn State proud!

Major: Communications, with a print journalism focus. I will be minoring in Women’s Studies.

Year in studies: I’m a Sophomore, but the time is just flying by.

I have been a College Lifestyles intern since: August 2011 and its been four of the most dynamic months of my life.

Organizational Involvement: I am the Letter Writing captain for Altoona Benefiting THON and the Marketing Manager/Publicity chair for Penn State Altoona’s Red Cross Club.

Pets: Sadly, I’ve never had any.

My friends would say I am: Tall (go figure), optimistic, determined, and easy to talk to!

Astrological sign: A notoriously intense Scorpio.

My personal style is: This is always a tough question for me to answer. I’m going to go with “effortless” because I let my minds eye pick out my clothes. I gravitate toward items that immediately pop into my head and simply hope that it goes together (and it usually does!)

Favorite clothing stores: Any types of vintage or thrift stores and Urban Outfitters, which I have loved since I was in junior high school!

Favorite movie: Kill Bill Vol. 1 by Quentin Tarantino.

Favorite book/author: My favorite book is “Trust Your Vibes” by Sonia Choquette. It taught me an incredible amount of things concerning myself and the world at large. I would suggest everyone read this book. My favorite author is Mitch Albom; he’s one of the few authors that makes me enjoy reading fiction.

Favorite quote: ”Insecurity rents every room it walks into, confidence owns them.”

My screensaver is: Having to answer this question made me realize that I didn’t have one! Now, I’ve got some pretty cool bubbles floating across my screen.

On my iPod you will find: Well, technically nothing–I had to delete all of my music due to a virus! But once I start building up my iPod to what it was before, it would have a ton of Amy Winehouse, Phantogram, Old School Hip Hop, and more abstract sounds like D.I.M and Flying Lotus.

Must-have beauty product: “Ultimate Herbal Oil” by Africa’s Best. If your hair is on the drier side (whether that’s naturally or due to what you put your hair through on a daily basis), this product is chock full of natural oils and extracts such as Soybean and Sage–and it’s under $10 at Walmart!

I have a slight obsession with: My planner. I take it with me everywhere. I was once told that my planner makes it obvious that I’m an artist because of all of the colors and designs you can find on every page. It’s also bright pink and sports a College Lifestyles sticker on the front–best combo.

I dislike: Intolerant, forceful, and unmotivated people.

Last movie I watched: 300 by Zack Snyder.

Last book I read: “Trust Your Vibes” by Sonia Choquette.

My definition of a classy co-ed: A woman that knows who she is each and every day. She lives without too rigid of a plan, allowing life to take its course. She’s confident, but isn’t afraid to ask for help. She’s determined, but knows how to enjoy life. She’s driven toward short and long term goals and strives to be great at what she’s best at–I am a classy co-ed!

Why I am excited about being an intern with College Lifestyles: College Lifestyles has taught me so much in these past couple of months even outside of my writing duties. I’ve never known more about PR in my life! I’m ecstatic to see where CL goes from here–we’re aiming beyond the stars.

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

Ask a CL Intern: When to Make the First Move

DO make the first move if he’s giving you repeated (sometimes obvious) hints, but can’t seem to step up. Let’s face it—boys are almost always just as terrified as you are. The one thing my guy friends tell me is that if a guy likes you, he’ll do something to let you know. Depending on how shy he is it could be either very obvious or very subtle. Keeps your eyes open for clues!

DON’T make the first move if he’s refusing to put in any effort. It’s not worth pursuing if he hasn’t done anything to make you feel special. If he hasn’t reached out in any way or you couldn’t see him reciprocating, there’s probably someone better waiting that will do anything to see you smile.

DO make the first move if you finally want to move beyond friendship. He’s probably nervous to test his limits with your relationship. If you’re curious and think that there could be something more, step up and take the next step!

DON’T make the first move if you’re really nervous around him. A relationship should make you comfortable and excited. If you’re not enthusiastic about relationship potential, taking the next step might be more trouble that it’s worth.

DO make the first move if you’re genuinely interested in commitment. Sometimes boys are scared that you’re not ready for the girlfriend label (or they’re scared of the label themselves). Reaching out may convince him that you’re in it for the long haul and that you are serious about developing the relationship.

DON’T make the first move if he’s dated one of your good friends. Dating comes with a lot of extra baggage. If you value your friendships and don’t want to jeopardize the relationships you already have, you may want to be cautious in moving full speed ahead. Consider letting the relationship run its natural course.

DO make the first move if you have a great, low-maintenance date idea in mind. If you’re ready to suggest a casual and fun activity, turn a friendly hang out into something a little more. Ice skating, sledding, window-shopping at the mall, and matinee movies are all no-pressure options great for the winter months.

DON’T make the first move if you’re terrified of being let down. Most of us get extremely nervous around the people we’re interested in, but if you can’t bear the thought of rejection, think about waiting until he steps up and takes the risk. In this case, patience may be better than stepping way beyond your comfort zone.

DO make the first move if he’s all you can think about. Is all the constant wonder and possibility driving you crazy? It may be time to ease your persistent thoughts and pursue the ‘what if.’ If you feel an obvious connection and you think he may just be too shy, show off your confident persona and take charge.

DON’T make the first move if he’s been called the infamous player. He has the nickname for a reason… and it’s usually not a good thing if you’re looking for something serious. Putting yourself on the line when you are already a bit skeptical is a huge risk—and it may not be worth the likely heartbreak.

Meaghan O’Connor is a Writer/Social Media intern at College Lifestyles (TM) and is a Communications/International Relations major at the University of Michigan. She is a proud member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and is known for her big heart and big dreams.

CL’s Top 5 Tips for Making the Most of Time at Home

1. Spend quality time with family and friends- try fun activities that you don’t get the chance to do often!

You are finally away from the stress of school, homework and exams. Enjoy the company of the people who mean the most to you. Spend time in great conversation, and push yourself to leave all your worries at school. You only have a short time to be home- encourage your family/friends to engage in fun winter activities like ice-skating, sledding, skiing or hometown excursions. There are probably places and/or activities you’ve never seen or done before!

2. Catch up on sleep & enjoy the comfort of your own room and comfy bed.

There is no greater time to go to bed early, sleep in, or just spend the day lounging in your own room. If you’re anything like me, you don’t realize how badly you need a break until you spend the first night of break at home. You’ve probably been running yourself ragged—settle down and kick your feet up for a while. You deserve it!

3. Spend some time in the kitchen!

Holiday break is your chance to go home to a stocked pantry, home-cooked meals and an open kitchen! Take advantage of your time away from the dorm cafeteria or your daily meal of ramen noodles and spend some time with your parents cooking healthy, delicious meals. Baking holiday treats is the perfect way to spend an afternoon with the family or to reach out to friends and neighbors- and the perfect opportunity to indulge in your sugar cookie cravings!

4. Read a good book, catch up on a lost hobby, or spend hours doing exactly what you want to do.

While it’s important to spend time with family and friends—don’t be afraid to claim some alone time as well. Remember all the things you ‘wish you could have been doing’ instead of spending night after night in the library? Now’s your chance to do anything you’ve missed while at school, guilt-free! Treat yourself to your favorite activities and relish your time to step back and breathe.

5. Enjoy the awkward family holiday parties and get-togethers.

Everyone has them… the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents who come around during the holiday season and ask the same questions year after year. How’s school? Are you getting good grades? Do you finally have a boyfriend yet? What are your plans for the future? As much as we dread the same questions, the awkward small talk and the drawn-out parties, family get-togethers are a great way to rekindle relationships and spend time with the people who care about you the most. So instead of running away from your embarrassing uncle, laugh at the same joke he tells every year and enjoy what makes your family unique and special.

 

Meaghan O’Connor is a Writer/Social Media intern at College Lifestyles (TM) and is a Communications/International Relations major at the University of Michigan. She is a proud member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and is known for her big heart and big dreams.

Amika Triple Barrel Pro-Curler: CL Approved

Every fashionista needs a good hair day to complete her look. Whether you’re going out with some girlfriends,on a fancy date, or to an interview for an internship having a good hair day can make or break the attitude you wear for the rest of the night. Curling your hair can give you that dressy look without trying too hard, but finding the perfect curler can be a challenge in itself. Sometime a curler can call itself everything fabulous, but it just won’t keep those curls in. Or a curler will take too long to warm up, which is a problem for busy bees like me who need to get quick classy curls for the next big event. Sometimes a curler will do the job, and warm up fast, but leave your hair super frizzy. Well I finally found a curler that beats all of these problems. If you are willing to spend a little more, for a lot faster, better, and healthier results than the Amika Triple Barrel Pro-Curler is the way to go.

The set comes with three clip-free interchangeable tourmaline barrels: 19 mm, 25 mm, and 32 mm. With the different sized barrels, it is a lot easier to create curls of different sizes and shapes. Some of you may be wondering how the clip-free curlers work, and they are super easy to use. You can start from the top of your hairs and wrap it around the barrel, or from the bottom up. The set even comes with a heat-resistant glove if you are worried about burning yourself. I personally like the clip-free barrels a lot better, because they do not leave any creases in your hair, resulting in super smooth curls. I tested out the Amika curling iron using the 25 mm barrel and set it to 150 degrees, though it does reach up to 200 degrees. I was a little skeptical, just because most hair curlers all claim to be efficient and curl hair without the frizz. It warmed up in less than 60 seconds, and stayed hot throughout the process creating even beachy waves. My friend curled my hair for me, keeping my hair wrapped around the barrel for only about 6-8 seconds. It only took 20 minutes to curl and the curls were exactly how I wanted. I didn’t even use any hair spray or other products to hold the curls, just TRESemmé Heat Tamer to protect my hair from damaging.  The results were perfect, and they actually lasted over night. My hair is long, wavy, and thin so I don’t usually have issues curling them–it is the frizz that is an issue and with the Amika curling iron I had no frizz! The curls looked effortless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, I wanted to make sure all my readers knew how it would work on super straight hair that was hard to curl so I tested out the Amika curling iron on a friend with short, pin-straight hair. Her hair is really hard to curl, and rarely holds for longer than a few hours. I boosted the heat to 175 degrees, but still didn’t use any hair product except for the TRESemmé Heat Tamer. It took about thirty minutes to curl, and her curls lasted throughout the night, but not over night. I think if we had used hair spray or gel before curling her hair, it would have definitely lasted overnight as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Amika curling iron is worth investing in for many reasons. You get three curlers in one, and you’re paying for the quality, not only of the curling iron but of the curls as well. You won’t ever stress about time because it works efficiently and the curls last for hours. It kills frizz, and gives an effortless look that every fashionista needs. The curler really gives you the professional look, which is why celebrity hair stylist, Michael Duenas and Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi use the Amika Triple Barrel Pro-Curler, another reason the curler is CL approved.

 

Purchase your own Amika Triple Barrel Pro-curler for $175 online at:

Sephora.com, Bloomingdales.com, Beauty.com, loveamika.com

Here are some styling tips from Amika:

1. Wash hair and apply a heat defense serum to protect against heat styling (Amika Obliphica Heat Defense Serum).
2. Apply the spray for volume at the root of the hair (Amika 2-in-1 Volumizing and Styling Spray), and then massage the area gently.
3. Comb your hair (with a comb or brush) to evenly distribute
4. Use a hair dryer, alternating the warm air with the cold one (amika NRG Professional Drying System)
5. Divide your hair into sections, and hold in place with a hairpin
6. Create natural curls with variation and texture by using curler with a variety of barrel sizes (Amika 3P Triple Barrel Curler)
7. Wrap sections of hair around curler – the type of the hair and the temperature of the iron determine how long you should hold hair around the iron
8. Do not comb your curls! If you want them to look more dense, use your fingers to loose them.
9. After curling each strand, finish with shine spray all over for shine (Amika Obliphica Finishing Shine Spray)

Snag this curler or check out Amika’s Holiday promotions to gift to your best friend, sister, or mom!

Amika Mini Leopard Styler

• This small but powerful style features 100% ceramic plates. Ceramic radiates far – infrared heat that is much gentler on the hair, preserving moisture in the hair shaft and protecting the air cuticle from damage. The floating plates adjust as you style which allows you to go beyond straightening and create wavy and curly styles, and present tugging and breaking.
• Features: 100% ceramic styler with dual voltage for travel reaches 400 degrees. Perfect for bangs, touch-ups and face framing curls.
• Includes: Mini Leopard Styler & Obliphica with Argan Oil Treatment for frizz free and nourished hair
• Price: $25
• Where to Buy: Sephora & www.sephora.com

Amika Silver Go-Go Set

• A perfectly portable mini ceramic styler and ionic hair dryer set. Ideal for overnight trips or as a companion to the gym, this travel-ready set features a mini 100% ceramic styler with half-inch floating plates that allow you to create professional hairstyles or do touch-ups on the fly. The ionic hair dryer harnesses the unique ionic and infrared properties of the tourmaline gemstone which eliminate frizz, static, and drying time while infusing moisture into the hair shaft. This small but powerful mini dryer is 1,000 watts. The styler heats up and is ready to use in 10 seconds and comes with a one-year warranty.
• Includes:  Mini Ceramic Styler, Mini Ionic Hairdryer, Mini Diffuser
• Price: $70
• Where to Buy: Sephora & www.sephora.com

Amika Sultry Lace Mini Maxi with Oil

• The stylers are 100% solid ceramic floating plates and heating elements, far-infared heat and negative ion technology. Can create straight, wavy and curly styles. Adjustable temperature. Engineered for all hair types.
• Obliphica treatment is the ultimate nourishing and styling products. Feed strengths with vitamins nutrients while eliminating frizz and adding shine.
• Includes: Sultry Lace Ceramic Styler, Sultry Lace mini Ceramic Styler & Obliphica treatment
• Price: $125
• Where to Buy: Sephora & Sephora.com

Disclosure: A special thanks to Sephora for sending College Lifestyles the triple barrel pro-curler to facilitate our review. 

 

Confused on which products actually work, and which ones will kick out faster than you have the chance to use them? Well, College Lifestyles has your answer with our new product reviews! Look for more coming soon.

 

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

A CL Intern’s Top Ten Tips: Bracing Yourself for Finals

We’re approaching the final stretch between Thanksgiving and Finals Week, and if you’re anything like me, you’re starting to get really nervous about an abundance of exams, papers, stress and extra-curricular commitments that have you going crazy! These simple tips will help you keep your cool over the next few weeks and ace your finals!

 

1. Get plenty of rest: don’t skimp on sleep! It may sound unrealistic to aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night, but you’ll actually learn quicker and absorb more material when you’re well rested. It helps to establish a regular sleep schedule (even on the weekends!). Try going to bed around the same time each night and setting your alarm for the same time each morning. For optimal sleep, get rid of caffeine after 2 pm and turn off all electronics at least half an hour before you lay down to sleep.

2. Take care of your body- eat plenty of healthy foods and drink lots of water. If your body is well nourished, you’ll feel better, radiate an optimistic mood and have plenty of energy for long study sessions! Try a daily diet of 4 small, balanced meals with an abundance of vitamin-enriched fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats full of protein, and whole grain carbs. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere, and fill it up as you get thirsty! These Camelbak bottles (in several fun colors, complete with a straw) make drinking water fun and stylish (www.camelbak.com). When you have a case of the munchies in between meals, stock up on fresh apples or bananas, Clif bars (www.clifbar.com), 100 Calorie Snack Packs, or individual-size bags of pretzels or popcorn.

3. Reach out to friends and loved ones for support. It’s important to unload some of your stress and worry instead of keeping it all to yourself. Let your family know when you’re in the middle of your most important exams or when your final papers are due. They can share your stress! They will most likely be there with words of support, encouragement and advice- or just simply as an extra ear to listen. 

4. Find a great study buddy. Studying with other people is not only more enjoyable, but it is often helpful as well. Friends or other students in your classes can act as a different perspective on the material, someone to quiz you, or someone to keep you motivated. Establish a certain time of the week to devote to each class and try to find someone who will keep you to your schedule!

5. Claim your favorite spot on campus as your designated ‘study spot.’ Whether you study best in absolute silence (a law library or your campus ‘stacks’) or in a more social environment (group libraries, study rooms, coffee shops or bookstores)- find the place where you can be the most productive. If coffee is your study essential, make sure a coffee shop is nearby. If you want to eliminate all outside technology and distractions, rent a study room and leave your cell phone and laptop at home. It’s all about finding your own personal place that will make your study session worthwhile.
6. Get rid of unnecessary distractions- scale back on TV, Facebook or social time. It’s time to set personal technology and social activity limits. Cut out mindless TV time by watching only your must-see favorites on HULU and limit the amount of time you spend on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter (try twice a day- once in the morning, once before bed). It’s also important to decide how much time you are willing to devote to social gatherings or events- these fun activities should come after more important study time!
7. Pull out all of your comfortable sweaters, yoga pants, and baggy sweatshirts. It’s easier to study when you’re comfortable and cozy in your favorite clothes. Yoga pants are great for a tailored, athletic, or disguised-professional look (sleek black pants with a bit of stretch can fool many at first glance). Extra large sweaters and sweatshirts are great for their warmth and loose fit. Who says comfortable can’t be classy- especially during finals?
8. Establish study goals ahead of time. If you know how much you want to get accomplished or how long you want to be at the library, write down your goals and expectations before you start. That way, you are motivated to accomplish your written promise and you have a reason to stay focused.
9. Reward yourself for accomplishing your goal or performing well on exams or papers. If you meet your study goals or get great test scores or paper grades, don’t be afraid to reward yourself for a job well done! You’ll be much more likely to do well again if you see the benefit of performing well the first time. Great prizes you can buy yourself include: a package of your favorite candy or candy bar, a massage/manicure/pedicure, a new pair of shoes, a night on the town with friends, or a meal at your favorite restaurant.
10. It’s all about balance! Working too hard could be counter-productive. Don’t push yourself beyond sanity. In the end—although you may want to do well—grades aren’t worth a mental breakdown. Push yourself to do the best you can do, but also reserve time to enjoy yourself and relax. You’re only in college once!

Meaghan O’Connor is a Writer/Social Media intern at College Lifestyles (TM) and is a Communications/International Relations major at the University of Michigan. She is a proud member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and is known for her big heart and big dreams.

 

CL’s Top 5 Hostess Gifts For The Upcoming Holidays!

Tis the Season! Its that time of year again to be thankful and spend time with friends and family. Each year brings something new, and maybe this year you are going to a friend’s Thanksgiving dinner, or meeting a boyfriend’s family for the first time, or simply traveling to spend the holidays with family that live far away. No matter what the circumstance, it never hurts to bring a little “thank you” gift. CL is here to guide you with a few ideas!

 

Wine: The classic bottle of wine is always a fantastic hostess gift! Don’t worry whether to get red or white, the gift will speak for itself. Liquor stores typically have wine sales around the holidays, so look for discounts and specialty wines just for the season!

Dip: Everyone loves a bowl of chip dip! And if you feel like putting forth the extra effort, which of course your hostess would appreciate, make your own! Try this simple recipe for Calico Cheese Dip:

Ingredients

4 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 can chopped green chilies

1 can sliced ripe olives, drained

4 green onions, sliced

3 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced

½ cup minced fresh parsley

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

TortilIla chips

Directions: In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese, chilies, olives, onions, tomatoes and parsley. Prepare salad dressing mix according to package directions; pour over cheese mixture and mix well. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Find more recipes at allrecipes.com

Bars: Nothing says “thank you for hosting!” like a pan of homemade bars! The delivery of any kind of bar- pumpkin, brownies, lemon, or some sort of family recipe, is something that any hostess would be thankful for.

Cookie Tins: If you are looking for a last minute hostess gift, a cookie tin is perfect! A variety of cookies suits anyone’s tastes, and will definitely be a hit at the party!

Glasses: There are a variety of unique drinking glasses that would make fabulous hostess gifts. Fancy champagne glasses are always classy, or perhaps a set of drinking flutes. Provided someone else brought the wine, your gift will be a success!

What are your favorite hostess gifts to give or receive?

Chelsea Hay is a junior at the University of North Dakota majoring in Communications. She is a proud sister of Alpha Chi Omega, and loves hanging out with friends, reading, laughing, and going to hockey games!

CL Guide: How to Plan a Kentucky Derby Days Party

It may not be time for Derby Days but it never hurts to prepare early, right? Or if you’re really in the mood to be classy, just throw a Derby Days party for the heck of it! CL is here to help you plan the ultimate party, no matter what time of the year!

What To Wear

The most important part of your ensemble is the hat! Derby goers typically wear a large-brimmed hat with lots of frills that draw attention (in a good way, of course), and are tilted to one side. Plan your outfit around the hat.

The dress code for this event is business casual. Women should wear dresses or pant suits, and men should wear collared shirts- jackets are optional.

How To Decorate

If the party is outside use a red and white checkered tablecloth on a picnic table outside. If you can’t wait until its warm to host your party, decorate a table inside and bring the warm weather to you! Garnish the tables with spring flowers or roses (real or fake). If you happen to have any knick-knacks lying around, feel free to use them for a more festive atmosphere!

 

 

What to Serve

Classic Mint Julep

Ingredients

• 3 fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon of mint syrup
• Crushed ice
• 1 ½ tablespoons bourbon (or ice tea for a virgin drink)
• Cocktail straw
• 1 fresh mint sprig

Grind mint leaves into a chilled julep cup. Pack the cup tight with ice and drizzle syrup over it, and then pour the bourbon. Insert the straw, place the mint sprig right next to the straw. Serve with a smile.

Country Ham and Biscuits

Ingredients

• Frozen tea biscuits
• Thin slices of country ham
• Flavored butter and mustard blends

Bake the frozen tea biscuits and fill with country ham that has been browned in a hot skillet 1 or 2 minutes on each side. Guests can dip their biscuits with their choice of flavored butter or mustard blends.

For more recipes check out Southern Living’s Guide to Kentucky Derby Recipes.

What’s your favorite themed party? Are there other dishes you would share at a Derby Days party?

Chelsea Hay is a junior at the University of North Dakota majoring in Communications. She is a proud sister of Alpha Chi Omega, and loves hanging out with friends, reading, laughing, and going to hockey games!

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