How do you romanticize your life for $1? Let’s take a minute to reflect… What does a realistic day in your college life look like? I’ll start first. I wake up, pray, scroll on TikTok for an endless amount of time, get dressed for class, and I may eat breakfast if I remember because we’re so busy right? Then I meet up with my friends sometimes, go to work, study, and then I proceed to get ready for bed to start the same cycle over the next day. From the outside looking in, it may seem like I have a productive life, but even though I’m doing these things to set up a successful future, we sometimes forget to take time for ourselves in the present. I’ve started this new thing called “Self Care Sundays” and it means exactly what it says. I choose Sundays because it provides me with the relief and relaxation I deserve from the long week I’ve endured and it allows me to have a fresh start to take on the new week. Listed below are some budget-friendly things I like to do to treat myself. All items can be found at The Dollar Tree which is a store that sells everything for only $1. Mani/Pedi The feeling of freshly painted nails, a new set of acrylics, the intense massages from pedicure chairs, or the hot towels wrapped around your legs after a pedicure is the vibe we all may want, but as college students, we may not be able to afford it. So, here is a list of  budget-friendly items to pick from the Dollar Tree for a DIY mani/pedi in your dorm or apartment: Press on nails Manicure Set Dove hand cream Nail polish remover Cotton balls Facial Staying up late to study comes with both good and bad consequences. The good consequence is that you may ace your exam, but on the other hand, you may experience sleep deprivation which can lead to puffy eyes or dull skin. Here are the items that you can get for a DIY facial :  Eye and lip mask  Freeman face mask  Bubble Bath/Foot Soak Maybe your feet hurt from walking around campus or maybe your body is just drained from always being on the go. A bubble bath or a foot soak for those who live in dorms and don’t have access to a tub is something that I enjoy. I would suggest picking up these items: Lavender bubble bath Foot Epsom Salt Candle I challenge you to continue to work hard and set yourself up for the future, but I would also encourage you to not forget to take care of yourself in the present and incorporate self-care days into your routine.  WRITTEN BY Ayanna Williams Troy University Ayanna Williams is a former BLACC extern for Macmillan Learning and a student at Troy University who enjoys traveling and analyzing R&B music videos from the late '90s and early 2000s. She is also ambidextrous and she thinks that is the greatest asset to her love of writing.   ... View more

Shop Smart! Many students entering college often are surprised about the other side of independence. Often students think about not having a curfew or bedtime and they don’t think about the important things like food.  Most colleges and universities have meal plans that offer students a certain amount of meals a week. This sounds like a sweet deal until students realize that their dining units are only open from 9am-7pm. Many students do not budget or realize that they have to budget for extra meals and groceries. Shopping for groceries has always been a learned skill because it is an unknown variable. Many people do not know how the isles work or even what makes “good” groceries (groceries that will last a long time or have multiple uses). This list below will serve as a guide to help students along with their solo grocery adventures. Groceries Rice: Rice can be mixed with nearly anything and is very filling, meaning it can be stretched for a long time. Noodles: I think we have all had that one pot of pasta that lasted a week and a half. Noodles are a great carb for any meal. Chicken: Baked, fried, smothered, grilled, or seared; chicken is probably the most versatile meat you can ever experience. It is hard to get bored with it.  Cauliflower: This is a vegetable that does not go bad easily, often this is good as a meat substitute as well. Frozen vegetables: These are pretty key as they will not waste your money because they can be thawed and frozen multiple times without going bad. This is much more efficient and cost-effective than fresh vegetables Water Filters: This may seem like an expensive purchase at first, but it actually saves money on water bottles, specifically in areas that may have poor water quality.  Shopping Tips Write a list: Write a list and check it twice. Follow your list and it will cut down on impulse and unnecessary purchases. Don’t go hungry: It sounds like an old wives’ tale, but it is the truth. If you are shopping on an empty stomach, you are more likely to buy things you honestly don’t need Clip Coupons: You don’t have to be on the level of reality shows on TLC to get great savings with coupons. Most stores offer them online or have small magazines that are in the front lobby that contain coupons for you to get the best savings. WRITTEN BY Aubre Thomas Central Michigan University I am the epitome of a personality that is way bigger than my size. I come from Detroit, MI and I am a proud student at Central Michigan University. I am the co-owner of a start-up clothing brand XonIT.   ... View more

$$$$ Budget: the buzzword of every conversation around becoming an independent individual. Many people think a budget is just a list of numbers that pertains to the amount of money that you are required to spend on bills. In truth, a budget is a promise and accountability to yourself and your bank account. Many people want to find new and effective ways to budget but there is no “right” way to do it.  The first thing that comes in any budget though, is collecting all your receipts for about a month (past receipts count) and figuring out where you spend the most money. After figuring out where most of your money is going and where you feel you can cut spending, move on to one of these tools. The Binder Method This method is pretty labor-intensive. When using the binder method, the individual needs to have a 3” binder, a lot of ziplock bags or those little pencil pouches that clip into binders, and cash. With this method, the user would write different budget portions onto separate bags (for example: bills, health care, gas, etc). The cash would then be separated by the amounts that must or can be spent that month. This is where that tracking of receipts comes in handy. Apps  There is an app for everything of course. There are many apps for budgeting of course. I personally use the app Mint by Intuit. These apps track how much you spend by linking to your bank accounts as well as allow you to add any bills that you may owe. This is definitely the more hands-off version of budgeting because all the leg work is done for you and notifications help keep you on track.  Calendars Calendars are a more old-school method of budgeting, but they often are very trusty. First, you need to write down all the dates your bills are due and the amounts that they cost. Next, you would want to write down the days you get paid and the amount that corresponds with that day. Afterward, you would plan out your day-to-day spending between checks and bills (pull out those receipts again). This will help because if you know you often go out every second Friday, you will always plan for how much money that you will spend that day. The big key to this is to USE CASH . Every week, pull out the amount of cash that you need for the week. Leave your cards at home if you can and only take what you know you can spend. WRITTEN BY Aubre Thomas Central Michigan University I am the epitome of a personality that is way bigger than my size. I come from Detroit, MI and I am a proud student at Central Michigan University. I am the co-owner of a start-up clothing brand XonIT. ... View more

Budgeting doesn't have to be scary! You’ve signed the papers. The leasing manager gave you your keys. You’re in your off-campus apartment’s living room surrounded by cardboard boxes and you think to yourself, “Wow, I’m actually an adult.” Then the bills start to come. Moving on your own means paying your own bills, and a common mistake for new adults is overspending: going out for drinks with friends, late-night DoorDash meals while cramming for finals, or that new college sweatshirt to rep your collegiate pride. Creating a budget as soon as you start out on your own allows you to stay on top of all your bills while still having a little spending money for the fun moments in college. Determine just how much money you make in a month The first step in creating a budget is figuring out what your income is. This starts at your job: what is your salary?  If you are an hourly employee, it may help to estimate how many hours you work within a pay period (weekly, biweekly, etc.). Always do a low estimate and a high estimate; this can give you a range of money you expect to take in. Here’s an example, based on national averages for college-age part-time employees: Hourly rate: $15 per hour Low hours: 15 hours a week OR 60 hours a month High hours: 20 hours a week OR 80 hours a month Income range: $900 - $1200 a month before taxes For salaried employees, just take your total salary and divide it by 12. That’s how much you bring in a month, before taxes. Determine how much money you spend on bills This is the fun part (but, not really). Add up all your bills by category to get a total amount of expenses in a given month. It may help to put the due dates for these expenses as well. It’s important to be very thorough on this step. You don’t want to miss a bill and end up in debt or worse. I also recommend having an emergency fund — a set amount of money set aside each month for emergencies. Life doesn’t usually work on strict agendas, so it’s better to be safe or sorry if you find yourself in a jam. Here’s an example of an expenses list, based on my personal experience. I lived in a three-bedroom apartment with two roommates, so your costs may vary: Rent: $400 Utilities: $50 Netflix: $8.99 Groceries: $50 Gas: $35 Emergency fund: $50 Total: 593.99 Finally, subtract this amount from your low range income to see how much you have leftover: Income: $840 - Expenses: $593.99 $246.01 leftover This is your extra spending change! Cha-Ching! Test your budget Remember that your budget is just arbitrary numbers if you don’t put it to work. During your first month, test the budget you created and adjust as necessary. Some things to look for are if you end up spending more on groceries or gas, you end up getting another streaming service (since you can’t watch all the episodes of iCarly without Paramount+), your utilities cost more than expected, or you end up taking a large income cut at work. All of these changes can affect your budget, so you should look for them in your first month or so. Continue to monitor your budget and make changes And there you go! You’ve created a decent budget to make sure all your bills are paid and you still have some dollars left in your account.  Now, it’s important to monitor your budget to make sure you are adhering to it. Remember, without discipline, a budget is just an arbitrary list of numbers that mean nothing! Also, remember that life doesn’t always adhere to your budget. Try not to beat yourself up if you have to spend extra on a broken laptop, a forgotten oil change, or even a spontaneous lunch with friends. Just remember to try not to overdo it and get back on track as soon as possible! Happy budgeting! WRITTEN BY SaMya Overall SaMya Overall is a junior at Michigan State University studying English, French, and Women and Gender Studies. She’s currently a production editorial intern at Macmillan and the copy chief at The State News. She loves romance YA books with minority characters. ... View more

Invest in yourself! Is college too early to start investing? Should students wait until they graduate to think about investing? What, even, is investing? Imagine putting out your money to gain money back over-time. If you keep your money in your piggy bank, it won't grow! Investing is the perfect fix!  Absolutely not! College is the perfect time to begin your journey with investing. Young investors have a tremendous advantage on their side -- time. Starting early can allow you to develop a positive attitude towards financial literacy because it teaches important lessons such as budgeting and saving.  I know it can be hard to come up with extra money in college to do the things you need to, let alone to have excess spending money. But it doesn’t take much to begin! With time and discipline, you can begin by investing just $10 and watch your income expand! Let’s talk about 3 easy tips on how you can begin investing while in college. Invest in what you know Deciding where to invest your money can be complicated without knowing the proper information. Start by investing in the things you know. If you regularly shop at a store, you can estimate their profitability based on how stylish their clothes are, how many people regularly shop there, etc.  Eliminate high-interest debts Be sure to pay off debts before you start investing. This can be tough- but every dollar counts. Start off by paying off debt as early as you can. You do not want to worsen your financial condition by trying to invest while having high-interest loans!  Create a brokerage account Through brokerage accounts, you have access to a range of investments such as stocks and bonds. There are two main options that most investors choose as account providers: online brokerage accounts and Robo-advisors. It takes no time to begin setting up a brokerage account. You can typically complete an online account in less than 15 minutes. Not only is college the perfect time to have fun, but it is also the perfect time to begin developing your financial portfolio. By using your free time in college learning to invest, you are less likely to develop poor financial habits such as overspending. The earlier you begin, the greater your potential return on investment, and the more money in your pocket!  WRITTEN BY Audrey James Howard University Audrey James, a junior psychology major from Chicago IL, is studying at Howard University in Washington DC. In her free time, she makes magic happen! Whether catching a bite to eat at a fun restaurant or going on a spontaneous adventure, you can always depend on Audrey to plan a load of exciting events! ... View more

Save smart! College parties and events can be fun, but let’s discuss the elephant in the room -- how to pay for it. Budgeting and saving money can definitely help alleviate the cost of a college education, but in most cases, it won’t cover the total cost. So, what can students do to help avoid thousands of dollars being expunged from their pockets? How can you pay for college for 4+ years without filing for bankruptcy? The best option for many is scholarships! A vast majority of students receive scholarship funding when they are initially accepted into an institution in their freshman year. According to College Raptor, 57% of financial aid received by students are grants and scholarships. Unfortunately, as the years go on, the percentage of students who maintain their scholarships can dwindle and many students are forced to take out loans or find other options to pay for college. However, finding scholarships for sophomores, juniors, and seniors can be easy with the right tools! Check out these 5 easy tips on how to search for scholarships while you are already in college. Recognize your resources There are many quick and easy resources where you can find scholarship opportunities that are available. Student organizations Campus clubs such as The Black Student Union and The National Honors Society Federal agencies Alumni and Greek associations Free online tools such as collegegreenlight.com Identify the types of scholarships available You can receive a scholarship for literally almost anything. There are tons of organizations that give scholarships for having unique qualities and characteristics! The Tall Clubs International Organization has a scholarship for students under the age of 21 who meet the height requirement of 5’10 for women and 6’2 for men. How cool is that? Save your essays Students can be discouraged from applying for scholarships because of all of the supplemental essays that are required. However, you can often use the same essay to apply to multiple scholarships or you can make simple tweaks to your essay and repurpose the content. Create a Google Doc or Word file with every essay you have written in order to easily retrieve them again. Keep up with deadlines No one wants to miss out on free money. Keep up with when scholarships are due by noting them on your calendar or setting reminders for yourself. Apply, Apply, Apply! Apply for as many scholarships as you want! There is no cap on how much money you can receive. As you can see, finding the perfect scholarship for you can be fun and easy. Although college can be expensive, there are tons of helpful scholarships that can be used towards your education. Don’t wait too long -- start your scholarship search early! WRITTEN BY Audrey James Howard University Audrey James, a junior psychology major from Chicago IL, is studying at Howard University in Washington DC. In her free time, she makes magic happen! Whether catching a bite to eat at a fun restaurant or going on a spontaneous adventure, you can always depend on Audrey to plan a load of exciting events! ... View more

Pave your own path and make some extra cash! So, now you’re in college and your life is buzzing with obligations. You didn’t expect to be this busy, and you’re probably on a budget. You don’t want to live off of the classic college diet of pasta and cereal forever, so it’s time to start making a little extra cash. Finance can be a stressful thing to keep track of when you’re in college, but it’s important to budget and plan ahead. If you find yourself running low on funds, there’s a variety of things you can do to help yourself save or make a little extra money in your free time. Buy, Sell, Trade When it came to finding more affordable alternatives, social media was the jackpot I’d never considered. I joined a Facebook page for students in my first year at my university, which segued into a web of university-related Facebook pages. From there, I found a student buy, sell, and trade page. It was brimming with posts where students were selling football tickets, used clothes, and a variety of other things. This resource works in terms of making and saving money, as you can buy gently used goods for much cheaper than market value, while also selling your own old or unused items. If your university doesn’t already have a student buy, sell, and trade Facebook page, you can easily make one or even use the Facebook marketplace feature to find sellers in your local area. Utilize Your Skills Many students don’t consider their own skills when looking for ways to make extra cash. Chances are, you have a versatile set of skills that you don’t realize can help you make and save money. College was my era of DIY projects and I tried to make everything I wanted but couldn’t afford. You can repurpose old clothing or furniture and create new décor or living-hacks for your space. Maybe you’ve always been in the era of DIY projects, and you’re already crafting recycled dream-catchers or making mason-jar string lights. Have you ever considered selling your craft? Freelancing is an expanding world, blooming with opportunities. Other students might not have your crafting skills yet, but could be looking for décor on a budget. Reach out to other students, find out if they’d be interested in one of your projects rather than buying those expensive online products. Part-Time Jobs I’m not here to tell you about all the local part-time pizza jobs or retail opportunities. Chances are, you’ve already looked into those and decided they won’t fit into your schedule. Thankfully, there are other opportunities that may just be a little harder to find. Check the local libraries and universities-affiliated buildings for opportunities. These part-time jobs tend to be very flexible for student schedules, and they can relate back to your studies. My sister worked in the printing center while she was a graphic design student. It helped her better learn the programs and printing processes related to her studies and give her the opportunity to meet other people in her major. Look for opportunities with low time commitments, like walking dogs or babysitting. There are a number of part-time jobs, like Shipt-Shopping and Uber driving, that can help you make a little extra money on your own time. Don’t forget about tutoring and peer-advisor jobs, either! Handling finance doesn’t have to be a constant stressor in college, just make sure to keep track of your spending habits and keep your eyes open for any extra money-making opportunities. Don’t be afraid to offer your skills and put yourself out there. Job opportunities aren’t just about the money, either. They’re a great way to network, make new friends, and refine your skills! WRITTEN BY Sydney Bagnall University of Michigan Sydney graduated in May 2019 with a major in English Literature and a minor in Graphic design. She has a knack for all things creative. Originally from Pennsylvania, she enjoys biking on rolling hills and never misses an opportunity to stop and observe the sky. If you don’t find her vigorously typing, you can find her outside. ... View more

How do you show you care while controlling your finances? Buying a birthday gift for someone you love is always complicated when they already have everything they need. That's why budgeting creative gifts for your friends and family is convenient. Creating a homemade gift shows how much you truly care for someone and is a manageable way to save your money and to show your creativity. Mason Jar of Love One of my favorite creations for a birthday gift that expresses how much you appreciate someone is what I call the "Mason Jar of Love." On index cards, you will want to write as many reasons as possible why you love and appreciate this person. Or, you can even describe your favorite memories with them. Listed below are some things you will need to create your "Mason Jar of Love:" Buy a mason jar: this is easily bought at Walgreens or Target. Find pictures of you and the person together Buy colorful index card: grab as many as you'd like or base the number of index cards on the age of the person you are giving the gift to Get colorful sharpies/pens Sneak in candy or chocolates in the jar Add everything into the jar as you'd like it to appear Coupon Book Another perfect gift to give for someone's birthday is a   Coupon Book, especially for your mom. Since some moms are constantly busy, a homemade coupon book designed to make their lives easier is a great idea! In this coupon book, you can include: washing the dishes, cleaning her room, giving her a massage, taking her out to eat, cooking for her, and whatever else she would enjoy. Some things you will need are: Colorful construction paper Colorful pens Stapler or hole puncher Ribbon to tie the book together Bouquet of Candy Cars As seen in our blog, "10 gifting ideas on a budget," a bouquet of flowers is always a nice gift too, but giving a Bouquet of Candy Bars can be great too! This is an inexpensive and heartwarming gift full of their favorite snack including various amounts of chocolates, candy, and even gift cards! Supplies you'll need are: Vase Tissue paper or cellophane Ribbon Foam Candy bars Skewers Glue gun Gift card (optional) Recipe Ring In case you're confused about what kind of gift to give your friend who loves to bake and cook, try considering a   Recipe Ring   as a gift. A recipe ring can include all different kinds of recipes whether they are homemade or come in a box. Some supplies you'll need are: 4×6 blank note cards for the recipes Colored paper computer Silver ring Laminator Hole punch You'll need to make a hole punch in each notecard in the corner or on the sides in order to put the silver ring through them You'll also want a cover notecard detailing what the Recipe Ring consists of Homemade birthday gifts are simple, fun, and heartwarming to give and receive. You can always be as creative as you'd like when making gifts. WRITTEN BY Kristen Rossette Cristo Rey New York Kristen Rossette is a high school student at Cristo Rey New York graduating in 2020. She is currently an intern at Macmillan Learning in the Marketing department. Born and raised in Bronx, New York, you can usually find her in the city seeking opportunities in the fashion industry or for new places to eat! ... View more

Tips to start your career as a personal chef. Nowadays, many college upperclassmen seek off-campus housing to escape the horrors of dining hall food. While it is liberating to choose and make your own meals, this freedom also comes with the fear of finding the time and skills to do so. Between classes, friends, clubs, and more, it's difficult for college students to find the time to cook -- something I had to learn the hard way this school year. When life gets overwhelming, Wendy's drive-thru becomes more and more appealing. Here are a few tips and tricks that I've discovered for fitting cooking into an already busy schedule, all while staying healthy and saving money. Be financially aware If cooking taught me anything, it's how to manage money well for grocery trips. Before you begin to budget, think about how often you might be grocery shopping -- will it be weekly, biweekly, or something in-between? After you've determined this, give yourself a set price-point for your groceries. Make sure that the price-point is realistic: don't try to set it too low or too high. If you see yourself consistently going over or under your original price-point, don't be afraid to adjust it! Regardless of your price-point, I would recommend downloading an application called Flipp. The app allows you to see weekly store circulars, compose shopping lists, and much more, making it a great resource for keeping track of sales. Look for quick, simple meals -- without sacrificing good taste! It is a common misconception that easy-to-make meals lack taste, but that's not true at all! A simple Google search of "easy chicken recipes," for example, will yield thousands of different recipes for you to browse. This method can be used when trying your hand at any sort of meal, or expanding your recipe arsenal! I've found some of my favorite recipes through Google searches -- and most of them can be made in less than an hour! Once you've found a few recipes that you like, try printing them out and storing them in a folder. That way, you can always refer back to them when you want to make a meal you know you'll enjoy! Ask parents and relatives for recipes Not all Google searches will result in finding recipes that appeal to you. If this occurs, give a parent or other relatives a call! They know your taste preferences and can provide you with recipes that you might not have thought to try. Better yet, ask to borrow a cookbook from a family member! It will provide you with delicious recipes and, depending on the book, meals with short prep- and cook-times that are easy to squeeze into a hectic day. Eat with friends Hanging out with friends and eating are two amazing pastimes -- so why not combine them? Having potlucks makes it easy to catch up with friends you may not get the chance to see often while easing meal prep for everyone invited. You could even find a new favorite food to try making yourself! Get a partial meal plan Lastly, if you're really in a bind -- stuck at the library for a long night, have an impossibly difficult lab assignment to do, or whatever else may come up -- there's no shame in having a partial meal plan as a backup. They're cheaper than full meal plans, and allow you to eat on campus whenever you feel like it. Let's face it, trekking back home to cook lunch or dinner is inconvenient. Having the option to eat on-campus makes one aspect of life easy, even if the rest isn't. College upperclassman life is the precursor to real adulthood and, whether we like it or not, cooking for ourselves is usually a factor in both these chapters of life. Learning the ins and outs of even the most basic kind of cooking gives us invaluable skills -- and tasty meals. WRITTEN BY Kelly Vena The College of New Jersey Kelly Vena is a senior at The College of New Jersey, where she is finishing up her English major and Communication Studies and French minors. She has worked as a marketing intern at Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers, the high school textbook branch of Macmillan Learning, since the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Kelly has been a writer since her senior year of high school, and her poetry has appeared in two publications as well as multiple editions of The College of New Jersey’s literary magazine. ... View more

Calm the whirlwind of constant cooking with this simple recipe. Constantly cooking can get tiring and it may mean spending your money on new ingredients each night. An innovative way to save money and time is to begin meal prepping by cooking enough food one night to last you for the rest of the week. Meal preparation is a way to plan ahead to prepare breakfast, lunch, or dinner to eat whenever you are ready. Through this, you have the opportunity to know what you are specifically eating and how it was made -- and to save money every night! Here are my tips to get started with meal prepping: Choosing a specific day to plan and cook your meals is the most useful way to begin your week. I'd recommend preparing two different meals on a Sunday in case you don't want to eat the same food throughout the week. If you begin to prep your meals on Sunday, it's likely you will have enough food to last you for half of the week. When choosing the meals you want to cook, you shouldn't immediately begin with new recipes that you haven't tried before. Start with recipes you know and love as a way to ease yourself into meal prepping. Also, think about the type of foods you typically eat. Are they healthy or could they use some improvement? Meal prepping is a great way to adjust to eating healthier meals over time. When preparing and storing your meals, it isn't best to combine all your food in one container. You'll want to make sure you have storage containers that separate your carbs from your proteins and vegetables. You can also prepare fruit snacks to bring along with you to class or to work. Carrying along fruit snacks to eat between meals will allow you to gain more energy throughout the day and will help you fight your cravings. Are you ready to get started with meal prepping? Try two of my favorite recipes below! Baked Lime Chicken Bowls* Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 20 mins Chicken breasts are cubed and marinated in a chili-lime marinade and then baked and paired with quinoa and green beans for make-ahead healthy meals! Ingredients: 2-3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes 6 Tbsp. olive oil 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar Juice from 2 limes 2 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. kosher salt Fresh cracked pepper, to taste Instructions: In a large resealable bag, combine olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cut chicken into cubes and add to marinade. Toss to coat. Marinate for 2 hours or up to overnight. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Pour marinated chicken onto baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through Serve with cooked quinoa and Lemon Green Beans Amandine or Roasted Brussels Sprouts (or other green vegetable). Enjoy! *Nikolaus, Jen, "MEAL PREP BAKED LIME CHICKEN BOWLS."   Yummy Healthy Easy,   https://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/meal-prep-baked-lime-chicken-bowls/. Accessed 11 January 2019. Homemade Turkey Chili* Prep Time:5 minutes Cook Time:15 minutes Total Time:20 minutes Servings:4 Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 onion 2 garlic cloves 1 lb ground turkey 1 14-oz. can corn kernels 1 14-oz. can black beans 1 14-oz.can kidney beans 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes 2 tablespoon tomato paste 1/2 tablespoon hot chili powder 1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Instructions: On a large cutting board, chop onion into small pieces. Mince garlic cloves. In a large pot, over a medium heat, add olive oil. Add onion and garlic to the pot. Cook for 3 minutes. Add ground turkey and break it up with a spoon. Brown the turkey for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste and stir. Then add corn kernels, black beans, and kidney beans, stirring as you go. Add chili powder, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Stir until all ingredients are mixed evenly. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 10 minutes. Add shredded cheese and mix everything well. Remove from heat and serve. *Cozza, Steph, "Homemade Turkey Chili in Under 20 Minutes."   Spoon University,   https://spoonuniversity.com/recipe/20-minute-homemade-turkey-chili. Accessed 11 January 2019. WRITTEN BY Kristen Rossette Cristo Rey New York Kristen Rossette is a high school student at Cristo Rey New York graduating in 2020. She is currently an intern at Macmillan Learning in the Marketing department. Born and raised in Bronx, New York, you can usually find her in the city seeking opportunities in the fashion industry or for new places to eat! ... View more

Thrive in your digital lifestyle. With so many apps out there, you may be unsure of what apps are useful and which are useless when it comes to succeeding in college (a.k.a Candy Crush) Here is a personally-tested list of apps to maximize your cell phone's or tablet's full potential in college: Productivity ‎Quizlet on the App Store: "Quizlet" allows you to make virtual flashcards for easy use on the go with learning tools and games that can be shared with your entire class or study group. myHomework Student Planner:   "myHomework Student Planner" is a way to track your class schedules, homework deadlines, and connect with professors to review assignments. Flipd:   Having trouble staying focused by constant temptation to scroll through Instagram? (shamefully, yes) "Flipd" blocks distractions, like social media sites, based on what you choose to block for a certain amount of time in order for you to have distraction-free studying. Sleep Alarmy: Sleep if you Can:  Pressed the snooze buttons too many times and showed up late to class? Pretty sure we all have at one point. "Alarmy: Sleep if you Can" prevents you from falling back to sleep by stimulating your brain and requiring you to finish a few "tasks" in order to turn off your alarm. Food MealBoard:   For those who enjoy making their own meals, "MealBoard" generates your grocery list based on specific recipes you choose, plans your meals, and stores recipes you input. Moocho: For those who don't like to cook and want a break from campus food, "Moocho" connects with local vendors and offers deals to college students while offering rewards with every purchase that can be used for more food, clothing, or technology. Finances Venmo:   "Venmo" is a digital wallet app that makes it easy to exchange payments between your contacts conveniently and free of charge. Split a pizza between your roommates? "Venmo" makes it easy to charge or pay your contacts without a trip to the ATM. Mint:   "Mint" is a personal finance management app to track your spending through budgeting features, your credit score, and alerts you if there are suspicious activities on your financial accounts. Fitness Zombies, Run!:  To all my zombie fans, the "Zombies, Run!" Gaming App makes running exciting by syncing your playlists on the app but with zombie noises in the background to encourage a faster speed to collect "supplies" to save yourself from the zombies. Safety Circle of Six: "Circle of Six" is a personal safety app that makes it easy to let the six people in your "circle" know where you are, how they can help in the situation, and alert hotlines if needed to guarantee your safety everywhere. Mental Health Headspace & MindShift: Apps such as "Headspace" and "Mindshift" can help some anxiety and stress that college students often feel throughout their time in college by offering meditation techniques and outlets to help the stressed-out college student. Entertainment BandsinTown Concerts:   Want to find local music venues and bands for a fun Friday night? "BandsinTown Concerts" alerts you of any new musical events based on your preferred music genre. Spotify:   "Spotify" is a free music app for the basic features for endless amounts of fun. The basic features are free but "Spotify Premium" allows users to download music for offline listening ad-free and the ability to create your own playlists that is only $4.99/month with a valid college ID. **All apps are iOS & Android accessible** If you have the technology, then why not make it to benefit your life in college instead of just crushing candy! WRITTEN BY Rebecca Connolly Hofstra University Rebecca is a senior marketing major at Hofstra University. Originally from Colchester, Connecticut, she loves exploring New York City and finding all the best food. You can usually find her anywhere that serves pizza, buffalo wings, or chocolate milkshakes while panicking over her post-graduation future. ... View more

Relax, and treat ya self! Spring break is really the only break college students have during spring semester, so it's no surprise thousands are already booking their trips to tropical destinations like Cancún, Mexico or Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. But a lot of students are left at home in their beds, wondering how some students can save up so much money to have the typical college spring break. If you're one of those students, have no fear! There are plenty of fun things to do at home during spring break! If it's nice out, hike! Breathing in the fresh air and stretching your legs is the best cure for the spring semester cooped-up blues. There's no better way to spend a nice day than in the great outdoors. Bring a picnic for when you reach the top to have an extra special time. If it's still winter weather, channel your inner child and play in the snow es, we are technically adults, but who doesn't love the rush that comes from sledding down a huge hill, the playfulness of a snowball fight, or the warmth from the rich hot chocolate when you go back inside? Sure, it's not the beach-but it can still be just as fun! Have a spa day (or week!) at home Take some R&R time at home and create your own spa! Spend the day in your comfiest pair of sweats, paint your nails, give yourself a facial, read in a bubble bath, and make yourself a nice cup of tea. You'll feel relaxed and refreshed in no time! Spend a day (or week!) Netflix or Hulu bingeing Sometimes, we just need to be a couch potato. Grab your favorite junk-food snacks, your PJs, and get in the Netflix or Hulu zone. Spend time with your family You probably haven't seen your family in a couple of months and they miss you. Take some time during your at-home spring break to make memories with your family members. Try your hand at cooking or baking I know ramen is quick and easy, but you can't live off it forever. During your break, crack open that dusty recipe book, and try cooking up a real meal. Or, if you have more of a sweet tooth, make cookies or cake from scratch. Then, you can surprise your friends when they return from the break with your new skills. Trust me-they'll love it and you! Take yourself on a date OK, I know that sounds weird, but hear me out! Every day, you do things everyone else wants you to do. Take a day and do everything you like to do. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee or seeing the new action movie you've been dying to see, go and do it. Get productive You have about ten days off--use your time wisely. Update your résumé, finish that assignment, and apply for those internships. Bring the beach to you! Who says you can't go to Cancún in your own home? Make some tacos and chips and guac, invite some friends over, and pretend you're at the beach. If all else fails: sleep You haven't gotten more than five hours of sleep in over three months. Sleep your break away and dream about being in Cancún. See? Having a staycation for spring break isn't so bad after all! What do you plan on doing this spring break? WRITTEN BY Theresa Carcaldi Marist College Theresa is a senior at Marist College who has spent the last three years with her nose in a book, a computer on her lap, and a permanent hand cramp due to copious amounts of essays written. If you couldn't tell, she's an English major with a passion for stringing words together and seeing what magic comes from it. When she's not reading or writing, you can catch her trying to get her roommates to join her solo dance party (and failing). ... View more

Show some love without breaking the bank! Running out of gift ideas that work with your college budget? You can spread the love and be price-conscious with these 10 easy DIY gift ideas for all occasions: DIY jewelry display A picture frame, a fun print, and some hooks make an easy homemade jewelry organizer. Find some cute and creative ideas online! Custom dry-erase board Grab a plain dry-erase board and put it inside a picture frame, then decorate the frame or paint it with chalkboard paint. Include some fun markers or chalk to complete the perfect dorm gift! Candy bar bouquet Even sweeter than an old-fashioned bouquet of flowers, candy bars are sure to make them smile! Pick up some of their favorites. Fun photo bookmarks The perfect complement to the book on their wish-list, or as a stand-alone gift. Go with a traditional photo, or try one of fun photos for a bookmark with tassels. DIY bath bombs Make a batch of these homemade bath bombs for a bunch of your friends. Hot chocolate bath bombs are my favorite for the holiday season! Dollar store gift basket Rather than one big present, choose many things with a common theme, like relaxation or self-care! This is a fun way to surprise someone with an entire basket of treats! Cookies/brownies/baked goods If you have kitchen access, baked goods are an easy go-to gift idea! Make your specialty or get creative and share the love by putting the goodies in mason jars for your family and friends. Photo collage The perfect decoration for college dorm rooms or for relatives who miss you! Create a photo collage online and put it in a cute frame. DIY zen garden For the family member with the green thumb or the friend stressed about finals, this homemade zen garden is the ideal gift. Grab any glass container, some sand, and a real or fake succulent plant. WRITTEN BY Meaghan Roche Marist College Meaghan Roche is a rising senior at Marist College studying Journalism and Sports Communication. A native New Yorker, Meaghan is a die-hard Yankees fan and is interested in a career in writing and editing as a postgraduate, ideally in the sports field. As the Communication & College Success Editorial Intern for the summer of 2018, Meaghan is practicing how not to strike out - pun intended - at adulting. ... View more

Five, free resources to check out on your college campus. College is expensive. As a result, college students LOVE free stuff -- in fact, often the best way to attract students to a meeting or event is with free food. However, as much as college students enjoy free pizza and getting the most bang for our buck, sometimes we take our colleges' resources for granted. These services exist to improve our overall health, college experiences, day-to-day lives, and post-grad opportunities. When you go back to school this fall, remember to make use of the resources right at your fingertips. Writing Center Citation guidelines, style guides, proofreading, and tutoring are all typically offered through your campus Writing Center for free or at a very reasonable price. Career Services Most schools offer networking events like career fairs and alumni meetups, as well as appointments for career advice, résumé/cover letter review, employer contacts, etc. These resources aren't just for upperclassmen -- a little career advice can ease your (and your parents') mind at any stage of your college career, so don't wait! Advising Your advisor can guide you through registration and course selection, making this overwhelming process a lot less intimidating. You should develop a comfortable relationship with your advisor, but if you don't click with yours, you can usually request a new one. Special Services Your school should offer accommodations for students with learning or psychological disabilities, or other special service needs. If you require any kind of special services, don't hesitate to reach out to this office for test-taking, note-taking, tutoring, and other accommodations. Health Services The campus health center offers appointments with nurse practitioners, for flu shots, regarding mental health, and more. Living on campus makes you increasingly susceptible to whatever illnesses are going around. The stresses of school can also lower your body's ability to fight infections, so keep on top of your mental and physical health with these resources! Remember that your university wants you to live a happy, healthy, and successful life as an undergrad and postgrad! Take advantage of these free resources to improve your daily life and make the most of your college experience. WRITTEN BY Meaghan Roche Marist College Meaghan Roche is a rising senior at Marist College  studying Journalism and Sports Communication. A native New Yorker, Meaghan is a die-hard Yankees fan and is interested in a career in writing and editing as a postgraduate, ideally in the sports field. As the Communication & College Success Editorial Intern for the summer of 2018, Meaghan is practicing how not to strike out - pun intended - at adulting. ... View more

Survive and thrive! Food in college is important for one's vitality but also can be expensive, especially if you rely on take-out to supply your nutrients for the day. Luckily, I found some simple tricks to help a college student survive and thrive with food. Instapot Easy Homemade Meals An easy way to combat the price of food is to cook for yourself. Yes, this idea may be obvious to those who are the next Alton Brown, but it is beyond intimidating if you're like me and could burn water. A huge help for those on either end of the spectrum is to buy an Instapot cooker. This easy pressure cooker-like device is is quick to use and most dishes can be made in one pot with little hassle. They usually include a detailed recipe book that walks through how to make simple meals, and hundreds more can be found with a simple tool known as Google. Free Club Meeting Food If you don't have access to a kitchen, the easiest free food trick is to attend school club meetings. Many school clubs that take place around dinner time offer food for the attendees. For most of these meetings, you don't need to be an official member of the club, you just need to be at the meeting before it runs out. If you show up at the very end of a big meeting, some clubs will shove all their leftovers in your hands to avoid letting it go to waste. Using Meal Swipes to Your Advantage At some schools, like NYU, freshmen are required to buy meal plans that expire at the end of each semester. Many students try to get rid of their meals so they don't go to waste and this is where your empty stomach comes in handy. These schools sometimes have a "give a meal, get a friend" programs, where students with extra meals are paired with students and for the low price of a meal with a stranger. The benefits are you get a free meal and they get to know their extra meal is donated to a good cause (you). Plus you may make a friend through the program (but let's be honest, you're only here for the food). Getting Your Coffee Fix Finally, though not technically food, coffee is often the pipe that drains student's wallets by stopping at Starbucks every morning. If you are one of those people who cannot be classified as human until your first cuppa joe, you may want to invest in a coffee machine or research free coffee options on campus like at the visitor's centers. If that still doesn't work then there are a few coffee shops that actually have subscription memberships. At Fair Folks and a Goat or CUPS, you can pay a flat rate each month to get unlimited coffee, tea, or other beverages. WRITTEN BY Nalini Rajan New York University Hello! My name is Nalini, but most people call me Lena.  I graduated from New York University's College of Arts and Sciences in May of 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, as well as Minors in both Computer Science and in Web Programming and Applications (an absurdly long title). I was an intern at Macmillan Learning as the Learning Solutions Intern within the Customer Experience department (also an absurdly long title). I am now a Junior Product Support Analyst for Macmillan Learning (a slightly shorter title). ... View more