Classy Co-Ed’s Guide to Awesome Advising Appointments

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably trying to figure out what exactly you’re going to have to do to graduate on time (although I don’t know why anyone wants to leave college), get a good job or into graduate school, and all that good stuff. And if you’re even more like me, you probably need a little help. That’s where advisors come in: they’re a great resource for every classy co-ed if you know how to ask the right questions. I asked my advisor a few questions about how to have more productive advising appointments and now I’m passing that advice on to you.

• Do a little research- it helps to have a general idea of what you want to know. If you’re going to your advisor for advice on how to get into grad school for example, do some online searching to see what kinds of schools you think you want to go to. If there’s a class you desperately want to get into that’s full, go prepared to tell him or her exactly why you would be an asset to the class and why the class would be an asset to you
• Ask specific questions to get specific answers- I once went into my advisor and literally asked if I could switch from pre-med to pre-law and that was the only question I’d come prepared with. The answer? “Yes” and that was all. Which didn’t help me with what I actually wanted to know: what should I do to make the switch happen and still be successful? Make a list beforehand of what exactly you want to know. Write down any answers you don’t think you’ll remember later.
• Make sure you’re going to the best advisor for your questions- At Mizzou, I have two advisors specifically assigned to me (one in each of my majors), plus an Honors College advisor and the pre-law advisor. I didn’t even know there was a pre-law advisor until I was considering a double major, and found some things about law school on the Political Science website. Sometimes it helps to just dig around and send some e-mails to feel out the resources your school offers.
• Bring any important documents with you- If you want to discuss your chances of getting into a major program, internship, or graduate school, you’ll probably need copies of your transcripts, recommendation letters, test scores, etc so your advisor doesn’t have to waste time looking things up and he or she has all the information.
• Try to get to know your advisor and maintain a relationship with him/her- the more you get to know your advisor, the more he or she will know (and care) about you too. Your advisor sees lots of students who just pass through, asking requisite questions and never pausing to learn his or her name. Some advisors are really cool people, and if they know you, when opportunities come across their desks that would be perfect for you, they’ll let you know and maybe even write you a recommendation letter.

Kat McClain is an intern at College Lifestyles ™. She attends the University of Missouri-Columbia, is a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and is extremely excited about the start of football season. Go Tigers! She also enjoys reading magazines, watching trashy TV, and listening to the new Katy Perry cd.

How to be Budget Savvy in College

A guaranteed way to find out that summer is coming to an end is the sudden emergence of back-to-school gear in stores.  With the excitement of picking out bedding, new fall clothes and schoolbooks comes lots of bills.  Unfortunately, the money spending only continues as we ease back into or begin our college lives.  What’s a budget-conscious co-ed to do?  Read on to score some of my tips!

Say NO to Plastic

This saying applies to both the environment and watching your budget.  Many of us have credit cards, and it is so easy to be fooled into thinking that this means we have the money to pay for certain things.  Sadly, it’s not that simple- there are only a few times when credit cards are necessary to make a purchase (ordering something online is an example).  Using a credit card to make a purchase can affect your credit score if your purchase isn’t paid off immediately, which opens you up to a whole host of problems later.  If you want to be budget savvy, try only using your credit card when you need to, and otherwise pay for things with the cash in your wallet.  You won’t be fooled when your credit card statement comes in the mail.

Make a Plan

Divide your budget planning into a weekly affair.  Take a sheet of paper and map out how much income you make or receive each week.  Then consider what money you regularly spend each week.  Maybe a coffee date is set in stone each Monday with a friend- that’s perfectly fine.   Just copy down how much money you spend on your coffee and subtract that from the total.  Map out the essentials that you just can’t live without, including bus fares, the average amount that you spend on groceries and any social events that are attended consistently each week.  Be firm with yourself- while the coffee date with your friend is a must, are the other three that you end up having each week?  Once you have subtracted your weekly necessities from your weekly income, you have the net amount that you can spend each week.

Divide Your Spending

This is sounding a lot like math class, isn’t it?  It gets easier, I promise.  Once you’ve decided what your essentials are each week, put the money that is left over to good use.  Put half of it into a jar for unexpected expenses- these expenses might be in the form of a taxi ride that you have to pay for or a birthday cake for a friend.  The other half goes into another jar for fun.  Use this money to buy a ticket to a holiday ball or for a trip to the movies with some college friends.  If you continue separating out this money you will soon find that you can put the overflow into your personal bank account.  Win, win!

Start Saving

It might be difficult to imagine saving money while you’re spending money on textbooks, accommodation and tuition for college in the first place.  However, it’s not impossible.  Utilize a savings account if you have one, and start one if you don’t have one already.  Most banks offer a savings account specifically for students, one which doesn’t charge for holding the money in the account.  Be clear about your intentions when you speak to the customer service representative at your bank- if the bank is going to charge you anyway for holding your money, it isn’t worth your time.  Whenever you have an overflow from your budget- I’m talking just a few dollars here- pop it into your savings account instead of into your purse.  Out of sight, out of mind!  Another idea is to set up a Direct Debit to take five dollars from your checking account and put it into your savings once every week or every two weeks.  Little amounts like these will build up, and you can put it towards the summertime or an apartment after college.

Stay Savvy

It’s understandable if some days you veer off your budget and snap up the pair of boots that you’re been eyeing up, or you decide to road trip to visit your friend.  Some of the best times you will have during college are unexpected.  Take a little time to think about the price and whether what you want to buy or do is worth it. If it is, go for it!  Just remember to keep your impulse spending to a minimum and enjoy yourself!

Are there any additional tips that you have for being budget savvy while in college?  We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section! 

Deirdre Cunnane is a College Lifestyles™ intern and a third year law student at University College  Cork.  She is always looking for new ways to save money while still having fun in college.  Her favorite tip is to put any spare change into a savings account- if it’s not there, you just won’t spend it!

Igniting the Savvy Co-ed’s Musical Mind

I’m sitting in my room listening to the monsoon occurring outside my window. Air conditioner turned off; I’m throwing caution to the wind. Let the summer heat engulf me, I’m embracing these abnormal temperatures. Lights dimmed low, shuffling through my iTunes, it’s the perfect way to honor this storm. I have carefully chosen five songs of differing artists and genres that will either present an escape from the storm raging in your mind, or take you to the heart of it, inflaming your temperament. If you need more, I have 9.6 days worth of music that I would be more than willing to spew to the world.

The Dreaming Tree – Dave Matthews Band

Of course Dave (I figured after years of worshipping this God of a musician, I earned the right of a first name basis) not only makes the list, but rests firmly at the top. This tale of song cuts deep to the soul, with its heavy underlying darkness capturing your mind. Illustrating a loss of innocence, it forces us to reflect back on our personal memories, relating to the song’s characters. After all, we are in college; our innocence is long gone.

Heart Shaped Box – Nirvana

Mmm…Nirvana. There’s something about this song that I find so…sexy. Kurt Cobain captivates my full attention with his opening single notes followed by a raw chorus filled with raunchy chords. The founding father of grunge, Nirvana makes me envious of those 90s co-eds.

A Movie Script Ending (acoustic) – Death Cab for Cutie

Acoustic version is the only way to dig it as the sheets of rain force you to relax and reflect. Ben Gibbard’s honest voice compliments the melodic repetition throughout the chorus, creating a flawless atmosphere of tranquility.

Comptine D’un Autre été – L’ap – Yann Tiersen

Sometimes words are too much; your pulsating mind doesn’t need the crowding of someone else’s thoughts. In these unavoidable heavy times, cloud your mind with the compelling work of Yann Tiersen. This double-edged sword will either let you escape yourself for two-and-a-half minutes, or fuel the fire burning in your mind and soul, causing you to take a deeper look at your plaguing thoughts.

Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

And as the clouds disperse (since summer storms bring only a quick relief to our busy lives) and you begin to see that hazy sun, turn up your speakers for this prodigiously gorgeous song. It’s simply beautiful. The voices of Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos are so endearing and pure, they put you in a trance of wonderment. Such innocent lyrics about perfect love, this song has played in my mind throughout my past few months of travel.

“Home is wherever I’m with you…”

Kate Dopazo is an intern with College Lifestyles and a senior at the University of Maryland. With this post, she hopes to spark new musical interests within her readers.

11 Ways to Have a Happy First Year

Starting college can be both an exciting adventure and a difficult transition.  While you are bound to make new friends, you are leaving old friends behind to move onto campus.  While you are officially living on your own –without the watchful eye of parents! –you are without the security and stability that parents often provide.  Lots of decisions about your life have to be made by you.  You’re an adult now, and I hate to say it…but being an adult isn’t always fun.  It’s hard work.  You will undoubtedly encounter the “figuring yourself out” phase.  It’s part of the package when becoming an adult.  At times, you will feel lost, and unsure of yourself.

Needless to say, your first year can be overwhelming.  Here are ways to maintain your happiness, while dealing with the highs and lows of college life.

1. Cultivate friendships with classy coeds. Create a home away from home by developing friendships with other first-time freshmen and upperclassmen.  When you’re feeling homesick, or troubled about a situation, you can turn to them for support.  They will likely know exactly what you’re going through.  These are also the people with whom you will explore the town and embark on daytime/nighttime adventures.

2. Surround yourself with what you love. Without a doubt, you will miss home and all your family and friends.  Decorate your walls with pictures from home of family and friends.  (Pets are part of the family, too!)  Love books?  Love collecting elephant figurines?  Surround yourself with them.

3. Do what you love. What is your passion?  What activity makes you happy?  Singing?  Dancing?  Reading?  Volunteering?  Whatever it is, when your spirits are low, do it!

4. Be you. This is a simple thing to do, but it can be complicated if you’re not being true to yourself.  Naturally when you enter a new environment, you want to fit in.  But fitting in may involve doing things that you aren’t really interested in.  Try to learn quickly what is and isn’t you.  Invest your time in the things you’re passionate about.  You’ll be the happier for it.

5. Be productive. An idle mind breeds negative thoughts.  During a low or lonely moment, you’re likely to feel worse about your situation because you have time to think about it.  Occupy your time by forming a study group.  Or by becoming active in campus organizations.  Not only will you be giving back to your community and/or campus in some way, but you’re sure to make new friends as well.

6. Exercise and eat healthier foods. Exercising is a sure way to boost your mood.  If your campus has a fitness center, take advantage of it.  You and a friend could participate in joint workout sessions.  If you don’t have time for the gym, walk the longer route to class.  And make it a point to take the stairs instead of the elevator.  In my first post for College Lifestyles, I mention healthy foods that are mood-boosters.  Check out tip #3.

7. Listen to your favorite music. Create an album of music on your I-pod, or in a file on your computer, of songs that make you feel good.  When you’re feeling down, play it… but don’t sit still.  Get up and dance.  Dancing is also a form of exercise, so even if you aren’t the greatest dancer you will still feel good about yourself afterward.

8. Create a comfortable and relaxing living space. Sometimes our clutter is a reflection of how we’re feeling inside.  If you feel flustered and disheveled, your living space is going to reflect that.  What makes you relaxed?  What makes you happy?  Is it your favorite color?  Pictures of your friends?  Minimal clutter?  Flowers?  Decorate your dorm room with whatever makes you breathe a sigh of relief when you step inside.  For dorm decorating tips, check out Kendall’s post: Dorm Decorating for Any Classy Coed.

9. Become organized. When you’re organized, you’re able to stay on top of things and you’re less likely to stress.  You don’t have to wonder where you put your term paper, or whether you’re missing a really big meeting or deadline.  You have more time to focus on what’s really important: making sure you have an exciting and memorable first year of college.

10. Smile.  It really works. Whenever you’re feeling unhappy or upset about something, smile.  It can make you feel better.  My mom taught me this when I was younger, and it worked for me.  How exactly it works, I’m not sure.  Maybe smiling tricks our minds into believing that we are happy.  Maybe it sends a signal to our brain that says, “Hey, she’s smiling.  She must be happy!”  With a smile on your face, you’re likely to attract people who are upbeat and in happy moods –exactly what you need.

11. Decide to be happy. You determine your happiness.  And you control your emotions.* Make the decision that you are going to be happy, and actively work towards it.  Nothing in life comes without work.  Your happiness is no exception.

*Depression makes it impossible to control your emotions.  If you think you may be depressed, you need immediate professional help.  Contact your school’s health services.  Or if you feel uncomfortable doing so, tell your roommate, tell a friend or family member, tell anyone who you believe can get you the help you need.  For signs and symptoms of depression: College Students and Depression.

Shannon Palmore is an intern with College Lifestyles, and a Senior majoring in English at Spelman College.  When her head is not stuck in a book, it is in the clouds, where she dreams about culinary arts school and her first book signing event.  She hopes all new classy coeds have a happy, fun-filled first year!

Gym Etiquette for the Savvy Co-Ed

Sometimes it’s easy to feel lost in the gym. Between all the people and the crowded machines, here are my tips to keep it classy in the gym and always feel in the know!

Unspoken Gym Rules

1. The Space Between

Whenever possible choose a machine that isn’t directly next to someone else unless you’re friends. Yes, the gym gets crowded and sometimes it’s unavoidable but most people like to have their space when working out. So forgo your favorite elliptical just this once and give yourself, and the other people there, a little space. You don’t have to choose the treadmill at the other end of the gym; one space between is enough. However, if you hate the treadmill and there’s only one elliptical available—take it.

2. Keep it Clean

Now, if you’re like me, you sweat. I do! And I’m proud of it. I also have a great respect for anyone who sweats. However, it really grosses me out when people don’t wipe down the machines after they sweat all over them. It’s also very unsanitary and a really good way to pass around disease. So, before and after your sweat-fest wipe down the machine with sanitary wipes; most gyms provide them by the bucketful. If your gym doesn’t have them, ask at the front desk or put in a suggestion. It’s both courteous and important for your health.

Remember: Make sure to take sanitary wipes to the trash can after use. Most people let them pile up on the machines. Treat the gym with respect to keep it nice.

3. Leave No Trace

This is a simple rule about free weights—if you use them, put them back where you found them. Return all plates to the rack, they might be too heavy for others to lift.

4. Mind the Time

We’ve all been there—standing in line waiting for the next available elliptical machine…waiting. And waiting. Although this is already a rule in most busy gyms, when the machines are full, limit yourself to 30 minutes.

5. The Gym is Not A Locker Room

I always bring a bag with me to the gym and I’m sure you do too—mp3 player, water bottle, cell phone. Try to keep it to the essentials that you can keep out of foot traffic. If you do have a large gym bag make sure to leave it in the locker room. Locks aren’t too expensive and they are there for a reason. You don’t want to have to lug your personals around the gym, nor do you want other tripping over them.

6. Report It

If a machine is broken, report it to gym staff. This way they can fix it ASAP and put up an “out of order” sign. This will ultimately benefit all gym goers and be a big help to the staff.

After your workout, try Hillary’s suggestions for some awesome sancking suggestions!

Emily Hacker is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Nutrition at the University of Southern California.  What’s in her gym bag?  Ipod, water, towel (very important), cell phone, and keys.  Simple

Learn from not quite perfect dating experiences

“Learn from not quite perfect dating experiences”

By Carly Bassen

carlybassen@yahoo.com

July 12, 2010

Hormones, hormones, hormones.  I blame them.  They are the reason we end up in the most awkward situations with the opposite sex, i.e. the date.  The buildup of hormones explains why we feel butterflies in our stomach as well as other feelings that may be too sexually inappropriate for a College Lifestyles blog.  Regardless to the chemical stimulation, we are in college and it is fun and natural for guys to want to be around girls and vise versa.

Pleased to meet you, I am a stuttering estrogen maxed out goof who has a dating experience to make your head spin.  My father is only sane because I inform him that I am joining the convent or going to play bingo every time I walk out the door with a different guy.  From the amateur moments where I learned how to kiss, to the serious and great relationships I have had, there are a few hysterical dates that stand out enough to either make me blush or to simply laugh to tears- but who are we kidding, that could be the progesterone.

 

Let’s start with the, “The Creepy Cuddler.”

The summer before going into college, my family and I lived on Fire Island.  Picture a small beach town with sidewalk roads made only for bicycles and a quaint row of restaurants and bars ready to fulfill ultimate partying and grooving.  It was in the beauty of Fire Island that I met an outgoing and fun blue-eyed guy who we will call, “Elvis,” due to his side burns.

Elvis and I played volleyball at the beach, boogie boarded in the ocean waves, and drank Snapple Apple from the endless supply in his mini fridge since his father worked for Snapple.  Perhaps because we were so active and usually hanging out with groups of friends, I was blind to his ultra- sensitive side.  Don’t get me wrong, emotions are perfectly normal.  But there is a fine line between honest feelings and nauseating behavior.  Nothing prepared me for Elvis’s little cherished hobby.

As he nestled his head on my shoulder to confess his bedtime secret, he shared that he most enjoys snuggling with his mother.  Take into account that Elvis was 19 years old when he confided this information.  This is when I made my speedy escape, and found something more entertaining to do than cuddling.  Even bingo won that time.

 

Next is, “The date heard around the world.”

Also a summer fling, I met this lumber jack-esque guy through friends.  For kicks, we shall refer to him as Paul Bunyan.  He had a very dry sense of humor and crunched his posture to fit in his too-small car.  The two of us were complete opposites.  When we went bowling he attentively kept score on the computer screen while I moon walked to the lane to inevitably toss the bowling ball into the gutter.  However my friends liked that he could balance my silly behavior.  It turned out that Mr. Bunyan could be even sillier than me.

Just as I had mentioned that hormones exist, so does flatulence.  Everyone has a different opinion of what one has the liberty to call, “farting.”  When Dr. Oz said on Oprah that it was “unhealthy” to hold in a fart, men around the world suddenly felt in style.  Since Oprah has not yet farted publicly on the show or among her many media outlets, I can assume that it is still not safe for women to openly fart.  Personally, I let it go with my brothers who will only laugh and then outdo me.  (Seriously, like on command powers.)  Besides not eating corn before a date, it is also unacceptable to fart on a date.  Poor Paul Bunyan was not informed.

As I was making us drinks in my kitchen, he farted.  Loudly.

The aftermath moment was silent and stunning.  But then I just burst into laughter.

He was stone cold and completely ignored his gas blowing stunt.

Rather than join me, he waited for me to contain myself and then proceeded on with, “How about them Yankee’s” conversation.  If he had laughed it off, everything would have been fine.  Instead, all I could hear was that fart when I looked at him and the fling could no longer go on.  Poof! (No pun intended.)

In college and out of college we will deal with weird secrets, farting, and hormones.  The bottom line is that nobody is perfect.  Within this realm of our youth, we are trying to figure out so much, let alone about the opposite sex.  Many of us are enrolled in summer courses to better advance our education to do the best we can upon completion of college.  Yet we still make minute decisions like whether or not we would like to continue dating someone.  Go with your gut instinct.  (But not necessarily his gut).  Realize that we are in the same shoes as classy college co-eds and are hoping to enjoy ourselves today.  Date or not, it is important to acknowledge people for what you like about them.  Standards are fine, but there is no point in focusing on them until truly knowing a person.  Have fun, smile big, and be yourself.

Upon entering her junior year at Indiana University, Carly Bassen is most looking forward to taking a Samba dancing class with much missed friends.  Currently she is an intern at College Lifestyles and would love to see the website become an actual magazine for great college co-eds everywhere to read and participate.

Tags: Dating, Etiquette, Learn, Laugh, College, Guys and Girls, Snapple, Flings

Something else that is more fun than bingo is going to concerts!  My fellow intern, Becky A, wrote, “CL’s Guide to Making the Most of Your Summer Concert.”  Not only did this article provide great tips about how to “HAVE FUN!!!” at a concert, but could this be applied to the world of dating.  Going to a concert with friends like Becky A. did is quite the adventure and can possibly be made more so if going with a date to a concert.  Throughout the summer, live music on a small or big scale is something to be a part of.  Use Becky A.’s advice of bringing accommodating gear for the weather and tunes to jam to and have a good time on a date.

http://collegelifestyles.org/2010/06/cl’s-guide-to-making-the-most-of-your-summer-concert-experience/

Cool Gifts for Your New Little Part 2 – School Spirit Basket

As promised here is part 2 of crafting for your little (check out part 1 here)!  This week we are going to do a school spirited themed basket.  Everyone loves showing off their school pride and this is a great way to have fun with your school!  We are going for low cost, so remember to look for things on sale, that’s why we are starting early!  Use a football or other sports poster to write a note on for your little, let then know how excited you are to go to the next game with her! Part 3 will be coming up on Monday, look for the Movie Night Basket!

Contents:

1. T-shirt / Hat combo – lots of school sell an inexpensive combo that you can pick up!

2. Mardi Gras Beads – grab some from you local party store, if you get them in bulk you can split them with your sisters!

3. Tie Blanket / Pillow – use fleece in your school colors or with your logo on it (check out my article on no sew curtains & pillows for directions!)

4. Foam Finger – You can get one at a craft store store like Michaels.  Write a cute saying like “#1 Little” on it

5. Koozie – If you did not end up putting one in the beach basket, or even if you did, make a new koozie in your school colors with you logo on it! (Summer Crafts – for directions)

6. Wood Letters – Pick up wood letters, either the letters of your school, your little’s name, or your sororities letters! (Check out this article on dorm decorating for directions!)

7. Sippy Cup – this jus a fun filler, check out the dollar store for fun colors!

8. School Tattoos – grad some from your bookstore

9. Pom-Poms – Another item to grad at your bookstore

10. School Traditions - if your school has any of their own traditions add them in! My school throws purple and gold streamers after a  touch down so we added those to the basket!

11. Ribbon Frame – This great to do in school colors or just your favorite colors!

Here is a quick how to for the ribbon picture frame:

What you need:

° Favorite ribbon (for most of the strips you will not need a ton of ribbon so its ok if you just have short leftover pieces!)

° Paint in the main color of the ribbon that you are using

° Wood Frame from Michaels

° Hot glue gun

° Nice sharp cutting scissors

Paint the frame first so that if there is any part showing it won’t just look like wood.  Cut strips of different types and colors of ribbon.  Hot glue around the back of the frame so that you cannot see it!

Kendall Meyer is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM).  She is an Interior Design major at James Madison University and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority.  Ask any of her little and grand littles, her favorite past time is crafting for all of them!

Check out my favorite post from last week, Is Sorority Life for Me? Part 1 for some tips on keeping your chapter motivated during the long school year!

Savvy Fitness Challenge #5: Just Dance

Nothing is more wonderful than letting go, giving in to the music, and dancing.  Dance is a great way to get moving and you can do it anywhere!  Plus, with temperatures rising, it’s a great way to exercise without leaving the comfort of the air conditioner.  Dance brings joy and I believe it is good for the soul.  Dance is celebratory.  You can dance with friends or alone, you can plan to dance or hold an impromptu dance party.  Dance is so expressive! It’s always an appropriate time to dance.

I encourage you to dance anytime you can.  It relieves stress and requires no equipment—you don’t even need music!  It may take a little bit of courage to let go and feel the music, maybe to feel a little silly, but I guarantee that once you do you won’t regret it.

Songs I’m Dancing To…

1. Not Myself Tonight – Christina Aguilera

2.  Summer Girls – LFO (Gotta love the throwbacks!)

3. Your Love is My Drug – Ke$ha

4.  Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri

5.  Any Way You Want It/Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ – Glee Cast

As you can see the music I dance to is varied and fun!  Dancing helps me stay in touch with both my emotions and my body.  I love to relieve stress by dancing.  Sometimes when I am stressed with school I simply play some music and dance it own even if it’s only for a minute or two.  It helps me connect to the world!

Emily Hacker is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Nutrition at the University of Southern California. She loves to watch “So You Think You Can Dance” for dance-piration! Her favorite style of dance is lyrical/contemporary but she loves to do burlesque jazz!

The CL Guide to Classic Summer Blockbusters

When you think of summertime, lots of things probably come to mind:  beach trips, laying by the pool, barbeques and summer shopping.  Another summer staple?  Summer movie blockbusters.  Check out Briana’s great guide to June 2010’s summer blockbusters here.  If you’ve already seen all of the newest movies, or you’re looking to save money, that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out.  Why not revisit some old summer blockbusters that were hits back in the day? 

Star Wars

Star Wars is the highest grossing summer blockbuster ever.  The original Star Wars movie was released on May 25, 1977, and its success led to two sequels and three prequels.  No one can deny the effect that the Star Wars movies had on pop culture- lightsabers are a staple for Halloween props, and Weird Al Yankovic has two Star Wars parody songs.  Have a few friends over, rent all six Star Wars films, and enjoy a Star Wars marathon!

 Jaws

Here’s a little trivia for you- the first Jaws movie originated the idea of summer blockbusters.  Released in 1975, the Spielberg-directed thriller about great white shark attacks is considered one of the best films ever made.  While the special effects of the shark may be admittedly less impressive than what we are used to today, Jaws paved the way for future films in the thriller genre.  A side-note:  this movie might be best watched after a trip to the beach.

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park, the first movie in a trilogy about an island where dinosaurs have been cloned for human amusement, was released in June of 1993.  At the time it was released, Jurassic Park was the highest grossing film of all time.  The film was such a phenomenon that it earned its own section in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, featuring a complete reconstruction of the Jurassic Park as shown in the movies.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

The first film in the Indiana Jones franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark was nominated for nine Academy Awards when it was released.  Produced by George Lucas and directed by Stephen Spielberg, it is no wonder that this Indiana Jones film is one of the biggest summer blockbusters of all time.  Three additional films followed Raiders of the Lost Ark, including the 2008 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (with Shia LaBoeuf), so it is a great saga to watch on a movie day with friends!

E.T. the Extra Terrestrial

E.T. the Extra Terrestrial is another majorly successful summer blockbuster.  Upon its release it beat out Star Wars to become the highest grossing blockbuster up to that point.  The movie revolves around a young boy who befriends an extra terrestrial and it was based on an imaginary friend that Stephen Spielberg had as a young child.  Check out the 20^th anniversary version of E.T., which was released in 2002, as it includes CGI altering of some scenes which had bothered Spielberg since the original release of E.T.

Have fun with past and present summer blockbusters, CL co-eds!

 

Deirdre Cunnane is a College Lifestyles™ intern and a third year law student in University College Cork.  She is thrilled to revisit the original Star Wars movie this summer, as well as watch Toy Story 3 once it is released in Ireland!

The CL Interns Dish, ‘My favorite decade is…..’

This week, I decided gave the CL Interns an opportunity to jump into a time machine to take them to their favorite decade!

When asked, ‘What is your favorite decade?’  I received these fabulous responses……

My favorite decade is the 80′s! I wish I could have lived in them (other than the 6 months I did). I love the fashion and music, especially the clothes! I love parties and Halloween when I can dress up in 80′s clothes!

~Alle

My favorite decade is the 90s because it produced such crazy fashion and fun TV shows!

~Emily H

My favorite decade is the ‘60s. I love all of the fashions that came out of the decade, which also probably explains why I like watching Mad Men so much.

~Jacqui

~Megan

The 50s tops my list of favorite decades! I love their simplistic style and the “housewife” looks.

~Sarah

Favorite Decade: The 60′s baby! A decade focused on music, love and the expansion of creativity, what could be better? Good people looking for a good time, the way life should be lived!

~Kate

My favorite decade is the 90s, of course!  I miss the days of playing Donkey Kong on the Super Nintendo and being totally creeped out by ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’  I would have traded all of my Babysitters Club books for a chance to be on ‘Legends of the Hidden Temple’ or to meet the cast of ‘The Mighty Ducks’ or ‘The Sandlot.’  I would go back to the ’90s any day… NOT! Talk to the hand!

~Kaitlyn K

Oh no! Do I have to pick just one?! =) My favorite decade would probably be the 60s! If I could have been a teenager in the mid to late 60s, I would have wanted my life to be very similar to Meg Pryor’s on the television show “American Dreams.” I could have been a regular on American Bandstand, and I would totally have been at the airport when the Beatles first came across the pond! Besides the music, I also love the fashion of the 60s! Skirts with cardigans, and belted dresses with short white gloves and a clutch purse! So cute and classy! <3

~Becky

My favorite decade is the SEVENTIES! I absolutely love the music of the time: The Beatles, Bob Marley, The Eagles, The Who, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and the list goes on and on. Fascinated by the music festivals like WOODSTOCK, I can’t even imagine the energy of such an event. I love everything about the hippie movement: their ideals, free spirit, and way of life. They just seem so free, peaceful and truly did live every moment of life to the fullest. I’m jealous! I wish we could mimic the 70′s today!

~Pooja

DEFINITELY the 1920s. All that jazz, flappers, speakeasies. I love the Great Gatsby style and it seemed like so much fun. Fabulous! I think I was alive in the 20s in a past life hahaha.

~Briana

My favorite decade is the 1960′s because I’m all about colorful tie-dye and promoting peace : )

~Hillary

Although I love the trends and fashions of other decades, I would have to say my favorite decade is the 1920′s. I think the 1920′s was a very profound generation, especially for American culture. People went from the early and simplistic 1900′s lifestyles to the Roaring Twenties, an era that introduced to us jazz music, swing dance, brand new films straight from Hollywood, the broadcasting revolution known as radio, and the empowering role reversal of women! This is a time that women were starting to be recognized just as equal as men, and able to get the same job as them and also enter college…which is when the “co-ed” truly began! How phenomenal is that!

~Michelle

My favorite decade is the 60s. I love the tye-die, the peace, love and flower movement. I feel things were a lot more free and things were more widely accepted…I mean, Woodstock?!?! I would have loved to be there. I also feel like neighborhoods and public places were more safe and crime was a lot less. The music rocked, the people rocked and everyone wanted world peace. The civil rights movement was happening, schools were being integrated. That was a huge part of our nation’s history and to be a part of that would be a great experience. I also loved the 70s for pretty much the same reason.

~Molly

My favorite decade was the 1960s!  It is my favorite because I love all of the change and revolution!  I also love the fashion, from the hippie-flower child look to Jackie Kennedy.  The music from this decade was also great!  The Beatles are one of my favorite bands!

~Kate

My favorite decade is the 60s, because I love the music, the fashion, and
basically everything about it.

~Lana

My favorite decade is the 1950s.  Elvis Presley revolutionized the Rock n’ Roll industry.  Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Humphrey Bogart and James Dean changed the face of the movie industry, and brought out some now classic films that every generation knows and loves.  Marylin Monroe even expressed the love that all women had for diamonds in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  The 50s was an iconic period and it embellished beauty like no other decade prior.

~Samantha

The 50’s.  Because I absolutely belong in a diner in a big poodle skirt (I know I know, that not all the 50’s were about) but I just love shakes and burgers.  Plus 50’s is when interior spaces for the average person began to take off!

~Kendell

My favorite decade is… now! We’ve continued good traditions of previous decades, learned from the mistakes of the past and can enjoy the present. It’s interesting to me to see how technology is changing, and how that affects society and the way we live. I’ve also never really “lived” in another decade… it’s great to be young in a world that’s constantly changing, so I can be a chameleon along with it:)

~Jenny

My favorite decade is the 1940s. I have always been fascinated by World War Two and the courage that everyone had during that time is admirable. They cared about style and class but also about practicality and function. The 1940s were a huge time of transition, out of the Great Depression and bringing back the flare of the roaring 20s with a more tactical, dignified approach. Plus everyone seemed to know how to dance, something envied by someone as accident prone and clumsy as myself.

~Audrey

My favorite decade is definitely the 80’s. I love the fashion, the music, just the fun spirit people seemed to have during this period. And of course I made it just in time to call myself an 80’s baby (born 1989)!

~Chrissy

My favorite decade is really a tie between the 90′s and 2000-2010.  You can’t go wrong with some of the incredible music of the 90′s, and I love the fashion styles of the last decade

~Kelsey

My favorite decade is the fifites!  Between Gene Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Ava Gardner all making movies, theGolden Age of Broadway, and the prevalence of pearls in television shows, it is pretty much my idea of heaven.

~Karen

You heard from some of our CL Interns; now tell us your favorite decade!

Shelly Marie Redmond, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director/CEO of College Lifestyles.  She loves getting the ‘dish’ on the CL Interns, and is in love with the classiness and style of the 1940s!  Bring back the Rat Pack and Casablanca!

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