Meet A CL Contributor and NYC Summer Intern, Meaghan O’Connor!

Name: Meaghan O’Connor

Position: Contributor (I’ll be writing about my experience as an NYC intern at Food Network Magazine this summer!)

University: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Major: Communication Studies

Organizational Involvement: Alpha Chi Omega

Pets: Maltese/Shih-Tzu Puppy (Addie)

Nickname: Meg Taylor

Dream Job: Editor-In-Chief of a Hearst Magazine or PR Professional for Hearst Corporation

Favorite color: Pale Purple

Favorite candy: Peanut Butter M & M’s

Favorite movie: No Strings Attached

Favorite cuisine: Any Breakfast Food (Oatmeal, Greek Yogurt, Muffins, Blueberry Pancakes)

Favorite season: Fall

Coffee vs Tea: Definitely coffee; I share an entire pot with my mom while I’m at home!

PC vs Mac: I don’t think I’d be a functional college student without my MacBook Pro.

Coke vs Pepsi: Diet Coke

Stripes vs Polka Dots: Polka Dots are my summer staple!

3 words to describe me: Organized, Conscientious and Focused

3 words to describe my style: Simple, Clean and Sophisticated

You will find on my desk: My computer, pens/pencils, my Lilly Pulitzer planner and lots of picture frames

You will find on my DVR/Tivo: Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl and The Bachelorette

You will find on my iPod: Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift

You will find in my refrigerator: Yogurt, Apples and a Tub of Cookie Dough

I have a slight obsession with: My iPhone and Instagram

I dislike: When people break their promises.

My friends would say I am: Driven and passionate about achieving my dreams.

I am most happy when: I’m home with family for the holidays.

Most people are surprised to know I: Have never read the Harry Potter Series.

A classy co-ed is: A college student learning that it’s okay to be comfortable in your own unique skin…and also realizing that real life is just around the corner.

Meaghan O’Connor is a Communication Studies Major at the University of Michigan who would rather be at Starbucks or Barnes and Noble reading magazines than anywhere else. She’s excited to be spending the summer as a CL contributor and Intern at Food Network Magazine in NYC. You can follow my day to day adventures on my personal blog.

CL’s 5 Stay Fit in Summer Tips

By: Katie O’Brien

 

Accompanied with the bliss of summer heat is the daunting thought of short shorts, swimsuits, and tight tank tops.  It’s no secret that summer weather translates into less clothing, and thus the added pressure of staying fit. After stress eating your way through finals, the thought of busting out that bikini for a beach weekend seems unbearable. Thoughts of juice cleanse, intense diets, and crazy workouts run rampant through your mind as the weather warms up and the shorts come out. Indisputably, no one can resist an ice-cream cone during these heated months, making the notion of dieting seem far too unrealistic. However, the true secret to feeling your best during summertime is a healthy exercise regiment. CL provides some great tips for remaining healthy during the summer.

1. Follow an effective exercise routine

One of the best types of workouts for you is cardio. Even if it is only for 20 minutes each day, cardio is one of the best ways to stay fit. Interval training is recognized as one of the most efficient ways to get your body in shape—it can be as simple as alternating running for ten minutes and walking for ten minutes.

2. Find a workout buddy

It is much easier to go on runs, go to yoga, or go to the gym when a friend goes with you. You can work to motivate each other and make sure each other keeps up with the workouts.

3. Be consistent with your workouts

It is crucial to stay consistent with your workouts. You should exercise for about the same time each week and try to do some form of physical activity every day.

4. Set a goal for yourself

You should set a goal for yourself and work towards it throughout the summer. It will help you stay motivated. Maybe buy a dress or shorts in a smaller size and work towards reaching that point. However, it is imperative that these goals are realistic so you avoid feeling discouraged.

5. Eat what you want, but in moderation

You should not deprive yourself of all of the summer foods you crave. It is most certainly okay to indulge in lemonade, barbeques, and ice cream! However, it is important to do so in moderation.

The 5 Best Shorts for Summer 2012

By:  Katie O’Brien

Undoubtedly, one of the best parts of the summer is breaking out the much-anticipated warm weather clothing. After spending the excruciatingly cold months (especially as a student in Michigan!) covered in huge sweaters and puffy coats, it is finally time to wear dresses, skirts, and, my personal favorite, shorts. Shorts are arguably the most versatile article of summer clothing. Paired with the correct top and accessories, one pair of shorts can function as both casual and dressy. Admittedly, however, it is difficult to find a good pair of shorts for a reasonable price. To help classy co-eds find the perfect pair of shorts that fit into a college student’s budget, CL has searched for the perfect options. Below are five inexpensive, but extremely stylish, pairs of shorts.

 

1.  These KNT by Kova & T Leather Varsity shorts are sold at Urban Outiffers. Admittedly, leather shorts do sound complicated. However, the deep red leather is not too over the top—they can be worn to class or dressed up for going out. These shorts, definitely a must have, are only $39.99!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21364096

2. These Ecote Silky Printed Shorts can also be found on Urban Outfitters. The pattern is perfectly understated and the colors in the shorts make them easy to pair with many different colored tops. They are only $29.99!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?id=SALE_W&categories=catalog01_sale_sale_w_sale_w_bottoms

3. These Pieced Lace Shorts can be found at Free People. The delicate lace makes them extremely girly and unique. Paired with a black tank top or a jean jacket, these shorts are perfect for a summer night out. And, perhaps best of all, they are on sale for only $49.95!

http://www.freepeople.com/sale-sale-bottoms/pieced-lace-skort/

4. Their name describes them perfectly. These Season Staple Shorts from anthrpologie are a must have. They can be worn all throughout the summer and even the fall. They are simple enough to go with almost anything and are only $58. 

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-pants/23876253.jsp

5. We have saved the best for last. These 4” chino shorts come in all different bright colors and can be dressed up or dressed down. They are definitely a summer staple and are just $45. http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shorts.jsp

 

 

10 Healthy Study Snacks

By: Katie O’Brien

As the end of the school year fast approaches, we contemplate summer plans, we anticipate the gloomy goodbyes with our friends, and, perhaps most notably, we dread the hours of studying for finals that are sure to ensue. Studying for finals translates into stress, sleep deprivation, and late nights. The culmination of these factors undoubtedly results in snacking during studying. Because we are college students, we have endless inexpensive, but very unhealthy, snacks at our disposal. Admittedly, it is much easier to bring a bag of candy to the library than it is to bring a healthy, well-balanced meal. It is hard to find healthy foods to eat on a college student’s budget and it is even harder to find time to make healthy foods for yourself. So, here are some of CL’s suggestions for study snacks during finals—they are relatively easy to get, require little to no preparation, inexpensive, and good for you!

 

1. Mangos:  provide about 1/3 of the suggested vitamin A daily intake and almost 100% of a day’s vitamin C. They are not only delicious, but also contain a decent dose of potassium and fiber.

2. Unsweetened Greek yogurt:  has twice the protein of ordinary yogurt. It is thick, creamy, and goes perfectly with bananas, cereal, or berries.

3. Broccoli: has a lot of vitamin C and vitamin K and is widely accepted as one of the best foods

4. Watermelon: provides about 1/3 of a day’s suggested vitamin A and C intake and has a lot of   potassium in each serving.

5. Almonds: contain a significant amount of protein, fiber, and powerful antioxidants like vitamin E. They are a great source of magnesium—which produces energy and regulates blood sugar within your body.

6. Blueberries: have very few calories but very high doses of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin E. They are also known for containing many brain-boosting nutrients.

 7. Dark chocolate: is known for being rich in antioxidants and has the capacity to protect skin from UV ray damage.

8. Oatmeal: is fiber rich and potassium, low in cholesterol, and known to keep arteries clear.

9. Walnuts: contain fatty acids known for reducing cholesterol. They are also known to improve mood, regulate sleep, and protect skin against UV damage.

10. Carrots: are a great source of vitamin A and known for helping vision and hair.

Were You Single On Valentine’s Day? Learn To Love Yourself & Music

Even though February is coming to a close and the pressure from everyone to have a date for Valentine’s Day is long gone, all ladies should feel beautiful. Remember, you are amazing 365 days out of the year, 366 this year, it’s a leap year! These songs are perfect for any single girl looking to sing and dance alone in her room, or blast in the car with friends. They’ll make you proud to be single

1. Single Ladies- Beyonce
2. I Look So Good Without You- Jessie James
3. Make Me Proud- Drake
4. Kerosene- Miranda Lambert
5. Who Says- Selena Gomez

1.  Single Ladies- Number one is obvious. What girl has not done the “single ladies” dance at least once in their life. It’s a single girl’s anthem!

2. I Look So Good Without You- The perfect post-breakup, newly single song.

3. Make Me Proud- Drake recognizes a women’s independence, and celebrates that as a women you do not need to depend on anyone.

4. Kerosene- It is about being strong, getting revenge and letting all of your anger and emotions out.

5. Who Says- The song is a girl power song stating I’m beautiful being me!

 

Alex is a freshman at Kent State University. She is a single, hopeless romantic that believes music can make you feel amazing regardless of how bad your day is going! 

How to Say NO

We all have those friends, family members, and people we don’t know or who are acquaintances who make us feel like we are obligated to loan them money or let them see our class notes. Although it may be hard to say no, here are a few do’s and don’ts to help you out:

 

DO

• BE HONEST – It can be very tempting to lie, but it is always best to tell the truth. Your family members and friends will have more respect for you when you give them an honest answer. Also, being honest prevents them from thinking it is ok to continue asking you for these items. Telling the truth will help you get out of this sticky situation without feeling bad about your decision.

 

• OFFER HELP- Even though you will not be giving your notes or loaning money, you can however help them in other ways. For instance, you can guide your classmate needing notes to the proper chapters and pages the notes were taken from or give them an outline of the notes versus the whole thing.

 

• SUGGEST OTHER OPTIONS- You never want to leave somebody you care about hanging, so be sure to suggest some other options to help them out. Give the person in need of money lists of places willing to loan or people you know willing to help them. Tell the person in search of class notes to talk to the professor, read their book or look online for a possible study guide or PowerPoint for the chapter covered in the notes. By suggesting other options, you make the person feel as if you still care about them even though you decline your help.

 

• ASK QUESTIONS- Before you decline your help, be sure to ask them why they need it. They may be in serious need of your help due to an illness, family emergency, or other unplanned emergencies. If you feel you are the only one who can help this person get back on track, I strongly suggest you lend a helping hand.

 

DON’T

• BE RUDE- Since you are already declining to help them, don’t add insult to the injury by being rude. Decline their offer in the kindest manner possible and remember to be honest, offer help, suggest other options, and ask questions.

 

• JEOPARDIZE YOURSELF- Sharing class notes isn’t as big as a deal as loaning money, but it still can make you feel bad about yourself. Classy co-eds are known for going to class and being attentive so they can get the best notes. Therefore, why should they share their notes with someone who does the exact opposite? They shouldn’t and most importantly they shouldn’t jeopardize themselves by giving their notes to a classmate who may not even return their notes to them. When it comes to loaning money, never loan to anyone you are not sure will pay you back. Also, never jeopardize your financial situation by loaning money you don’t have yourself. Don’t be afraid to say no when saying yes could harm you.

 

 

Remember if that person is truly your friend or cares about you, regardless of your answer they will still feel the same way about you.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

CL Insider: Living in a Sorority House and Keeping Your Cool

Last fall, the thought of 50 women living in one house made me nauseous. The impending drama, the small bathrooms, the constant chatter and abrupt laughter all made me second-guess my decision to live in a sorority house this year. I loved my sisters, but could I really stand being in the same house as all of them, all the time? Would I ever get any work done, let alone any sleep?

Last week, I moved into 1212 Hill. As I hauled my stuff up the stairs, I hugged all of my sisters with open arms and excitement. I gave in to accepting 50 new housemates. And although it’s only been a week, I can already tell that this will be one of the best years of my life.

Make the most of your living situation this year (whether it be in a sorority house, dorm, apartment, or house) and preserve your sanity by keeping these simple tips in mind:

Set ground rules from the beginning. It’s important to set clear expectations from the beginning to minimize drama and disagreement. Create a cleaning schedule or a house responsibilities list to help keep you organized and tidy. It may also be helpful to discuss guest policies, shared or private food and drink items, and other respectful rules to maintain a happy household!

Steer clear of the drama. Little arguments aren’t worth the potential headache. You probably have enough on your plate already- pointless disagreements will only multiply under the pressures of schoolwork and extra activities. Agree to set drama aside and roll with the punches.

Reserve a little ‘me’ time. Everyone girl needs her alone time. Although living with all your best friends may seem like a dream come true, constant chatter, gossip and laughter will inevitably get on your nerves. Make an effort to set aside some time each day to collect your thoughts, organize your daily to-do list, or to simply relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. Don’t feel bad for hiding in your room every once and a while- we all need time to refresh and rejuvenate!

Keep your door open when you’re not busy. While you’re casually checking Facebook, watching a movie or flipping through a magazine, leave your door open as an invitation for casual social time. Your roommates will appreciate the opportunity to take a study break and pop in to say hello; you don’t have to feel any pressure to leave your own room! It’s the perfect way to catch up before class or after dinner.

Help out with chores, cleaning and cooking. Sadly, you can no longer count on your parents to maintain the household- it’s all up to you! Don’t leave your roommates with all the responsibility, divide tasks evenly and everything will be done in no time. Keep your house or apartment clean for visitors or unexpected guests. Tidying up will also keep you stress-free so that you can focus on other important aspects of your life.

Cultivate true and lasting friendships. You always learn the most about the people you live with. You are with them all the time- constantly interacting and sharing common space, so why not make the experience a relationship-builder? Have fun living with friends and show them how great of a housemate you can be!

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.

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