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

Find what works for you! College is, at one point or another, a stressful experience, and setting aside time for yourself and your own hobbies is crucial for staying sane through it all. Whether you’re an introvert or not, purposefully blocking out time for your own hobbies can not only improve overall happiness  but could also improve your productivity during study time , too. Here are 3 hobbies that you can enjoy either solo or with others if desired. Reading For Fun Most students have to read for class and homework, but hear me out: whether you choose to reread an old favorite, pick up a guilty pleasure novel, or grab whatever catches your eye at a bookstore, reading for fun can revitalize your brain for more studious reading during studying. My own bias as an English major is showing, but I will defend this hill! You can turn reading into a social activity by starting a book club with friends, or just casual convos about your favorite characters and passages from whatever you’re reading at the moment. Video Games Even if your brain immediately jumps to the likes of mainstream M-rated fare like Call of Duty when you see the words “video game,” keep in mind there are TONS of different games out there to try. Whether you like action-packed, online matches like in Overwatch , or more relaxed Minecraft sessions, or something in between, there’s something for everyone out there! My own personal favorites are games that are single-player and story-rich, but you might love massive multiplayer games or strategy games! The easiest way to find out what games you love and don’t is the Epic Games Store , which regularly gives out games for free ! Obviously, the best way to make gaming more social is to play alongside friends, but bonding with other players of your favorite game, no matter what kind, can lead you to new friendships. You can bond with others by joining a club focused on gaming or having passionate debates with classmates over which character is The Best One in Hades (trick question, it’s all of them). Small Instruments You don’t need to have Beethoven-levels of talent to enjoy making music on your own. Some small instruments to start with can be a kalimba (sounds like a music box!), a lyre (mini harp), ukulele, bongos, and even small piano keyboards. All of these can be found relatively cheap online; they’re easy enough to learn the basics of and are portable, too. A great benefit to this hobby is how tangible the progress is, which can really inspire you to keep improving. There are lots of tutorials on Youtube for how to learn as well! Playing alone in your dorm during study breaks is pretty soothing, but if you want to include others on your musical journey, you can find others who play too and learn from them. Try seeing if there’s a club on campus focused on learning music or even one for your specific instrument! If you get skilled enough and want an audience, you can play in a dorm lounge (just be sure you aren’t disturbing anyone studying).  All of these things can get you lots of mileage enjoying on your own, but if you’re ever feeling lonely, it’s easy to include others in seemingly solitary activities. Sometimes the best thing about a hobby is sharing it with someone else!  WRITTEN BY Brianna DiGeronimo The College of New Jersey Brianna is a rising senior at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) studying English, with minors in Communications and Marketing. She loves playing video games and the kalimba (albeit badly). She is currently an intern at Macmillan Learning (BFW Publishing) in the Marketing department. ... View more

Your ultimate playlist to take on the day! As students, music can inspire us to do what is needed in order to accomplish tasks. Music can be used to maintain focus through studying, working out, spending time with friends, and commuting. Focus We all get distracted while trying to concentrate, especially when trying to write a ten-page paper or trying to study. Sometimes we just need to play music that won’t distract us and put our phones down. While it’s important to take a break from your electronics, you may not want to be in silence; this is when the background calming noise from music can help you focus more on what you’re doing. My favorite song to help me focus is   Trigger Protection Mantra   by Jhene Aiko. Motivation/Workout Health and wellness are always important, especially for college students. Students may become tired or stressed out, but it’s always best to take a little time out of your day to workout. This allows your energy to keep flowing throughout the day. I personally like to stay energized no matter how tired I get because it allows me to be more productive throughout the day. A motivational song I like to listen to is   Sicko Mode   by Travis Scott and Drake. Get Together When we are throwing little get-togethers in the comfort of our homes or dorms, a well-needed playlist to vibe along to is always essential. Being with friends always brings good energy, especially if a reunion has been long overdue. Providing a welcoming environment and open space will have people leaving your house wanting to come back soon again. This includes making sure the music you play fits the mood. One of my favorite songs to listen to when friends are around is   Before I Let Go   by Beyonce. Commuting Songs Whether you are commuting between classes or campus by train, walking, or driving, you can make the trip more enjoyable with a quick playlist to sing along to. This can help you distract yourself from all your studies and escape into your own world. Whether you’re driving alone or with your friends, sharing music can provide a break from anything on your mind or stressing you out. A calming yet upbeat song I like to listen to is   Talk   by Khalid and Disclosure. Music is essential for anything and everything; it is a way to become involved with yourself or even others. Through parties, commutes, alone time, or during a workout, it is a time to feel inspired and motivated. 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

Make the most of your summer! The prevalence of “one last hurrah” high school films--of varying quality--can, I think, be attributed to the fact that the summer between the senior year of high school and freshman year of college feels so powerfully and bizarrely ineffable. I have yet to encounter that feeling again: the first real notion of a chapter of your life-- a huge one--decisively ending, coupled with the realization that you’re starting something huge and new. It’s months of building up question after question about will come next; some of these questions have easy answers. A capful of detergent should do the trick; all of your Monday classes are going to be in the Scott building; there are three pizza places open until 3 am. However, questions like “am I prepared enough to be here,” “is everyone here smarter than me?” and “am I going to make friends?” don’t quite have such simple answers. I truly think it’s a one-of-a-kind moment we encounter too young to recognize just how special it is. So while the market oversaturation of alleged “last day of high school” gutbusters will always invoke some eye twitching, I can appreciate the sentiment. Begrudgingly. So what’s to be done during this time? How do you spend this strange moment in time? It’s not a one size fits all type situation, but the crux of all these tips is to try to reflect on your priorities and prepare yourself for college having done the things you’ve always wanted to do. Spend time with your friends and family. One of the best things about college is the new friends you’ll meet, people from all different walks of life. It’s an infinitely exciting prospect, but it’s made bittersweet by the acknowledgment that you’re leaving behind the people in your life who have shaped you into who you are now. Meeting new people is invigorating, but sometimes you’ll want nothing in the world more than to laugh at your three-year-old inside joke with your best friend. So, in preparation for the first-time you’ll be apart, cash in on those good times. Have plenty of quality time together, let them know you’ll miss them like crazy, and make plenty more inside jokes that will make you bust up laughing in the middle of your first lecture hall. (It’s not as bad as it sounds!) Do that ridiculous, crazy thing you’ve always wanted that seemed too frivolous or silly to indulge. Want to enroll in circus classes? What’s stopping you now? Maybe you’ll even really enjoy it and sign up for more classes and especially love trapeze even though it does leave some fairly substantial bruises on your ankles. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything... School. You sure nailed that whole circus thing! Really hit it out of the park. I can see a promising clown future for you, but nevertheless, it may be wise to really focus on getting yourself academically organized. This is an incredibly fun time, but it’s also stressful. You can alleviate the stress a bit by taking initiative; look at the syllabi for your classes, stock up on the required supplies, do any preparatory readings you may have, find all of your classes on maps or GPS apps, etc. Your first day will be crazy no matter what, but you can manage a lot of the chaos by doing a little bit of preemptive work! Read list after list just like this. If I had to wager a guess I’d say that this is probably not the first list of this type you’ve read. That’s normal; it’s hard not to hope on some level that one of these kinds of lists will have that magical piece of advice that will make everything seem less huge, daunting, and scary. While I can’t promise that, it isn’t a bad idea to do some research and comb these kinds of listicles for some good tips and tricks from people who have been in your shoes and come out better for it. With that in mind... Realize that at the end of the day, the only thing you can truly do is accept that you won’t know everything. College is the beginning of something--many things--and that’s nerve-wracking in the best way possible! You’re going to learn a subject you may never have even heard of and realize you’re passionate about it. You’re going to meet people who will be in your life forever. You’re going to come back home with more stories than you can imagine. Do everything you can in the last few months before college, but the best advice I can offer is to come to terms with the fact that there are tons of things you have to learn and that’s not only alright but amazing and exciting. Good Luck! WRITTEN BY Nicollette Brady Rutgers University With a hot off the presses Bachelor’s in English from Rutgers University (no frame though so please don’t breathe on it!) and unlimited access to a coffee machine, Nicollette has officially run out of excuses not to write. She loves cats, bats, books, rats, needlessly elaborate long-form japes, plays, words, and wordplay. She’s incredibly proud to work as the High School STEM Marketing Intern at BFW High School Publishing, but slightly less proud of the fact that the third cup of coffee of the day is sounding awfully enticing right about now. ... View more

Remember to take the time to take care of yourself. As a student, school tends to become very stressful and we need our own time to relax and reflect. Students usually find their own ways to unwind from all their studies whether it’s by listening to music, reading a book, doing facemasks, or taking naps. Having a routine for yourself as a student allows you to relieve stress, tension, and anxiety -- and feel refreshed. Skin-Care Routines Having a skin-care routine to follow each day allows you to take your mind off of school and focus on yourself. Having a different morning and evening skin-care routine is very important because in the morning you want to feel awake and fresh and in the evening you want to feel prepared to sleep. Try incorporating cleansers, moisturizers, serums, toners, and face masks into your daily routine (note that some products might be best to use every other day). You can search for information about specific products based on your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive) or visit a dermatologist for professional advice and to find the products that are best for you. As a high school student, having a skin-care routine is very important to me because taking care of your skin at an early age will benefit you as you get older. Usually, during testing week, I pay especially close attention to my skin because stress and anxiety are two factors that cause a student to break out. Liz Fourez, a home and lifestyle blogger, provides some natural skin-care hacks that work together to clean, heal, smooth, and moisturize the skin. Here is Liz Fourez daily routine: Morning Cleanse with raw manuka honey   Tone with lavender witch hazel   Moisturize with jojoba oil + lavender Evening Remove makeup with coconut oil   Cleanse with hemp seed oil + lavender   Clay mask (only once a week)   Tone with apple cider vinegar   Moisturize with jojoba oil + lavender Source:   Natural Skin Care Routine, Liz Fourez Can Distractions be a Part of Self-Care? Distractions can, in fact, change a person's mood depending on what they are doing and how they are feeling. Some people may read a book, listen to music, or take a nap after a long day of classes. If you find your mood is negative, you should do something you enjoy as this allows your mind to shift gears and to focus on positive things. Reading can be useful to help you escape reality and become a part of the story. It’s similar when watching a television show: you allow yourself to become engrossed in the show and end up feeling like you can relate to the show and the characters. Taking naps can also be a form of positive distraction, as they provide a break from school work and responsibilities; they let you simply focus on feeling rested. Usually, after a long day of classes, when I have the chance, I try to take a 20-30 minute nap. This gives me the energy to continue my studies, extracurricular activities, or homework. Besides, students love taking naps! Another form of distraction is listening to music; whether it’s classical, rap, pop, or country, it can be a way to unwind. Personally, after a long day of classes, I tend to listen to energetic loud music. It helps me feel energized and focused as I concentrate on the lyrics or bass of a song. Music can benefit you mentally and spiritually, as well as help reduce stress. An article written by Susan at Knops provides 5 reasons why loud music provides relief for our body and mind: “A song sounds better when it’s played loud: being able to hear more details and picking up different sounds means the music sounds better."   “Loud music relieves stress: the sacculus in our inner ear has a direct connection with the pleasure centers in the brain."   “Loud music is a stimulant: loud music works like a stimulant- just like caffeine, alcohol, and exercise."   “Music evokes emotions: people who react to music have strong connections between the part of the brain that interprets sound and the part that creates emotion."   “Loud music blocks out the world: sometimes blocking out the world and just enjoying the emotions of music is a much-needed experience." Source:   5 Reasons why music is self-medicating, Susan (Knops) Self-care routines are universal -- all students across the world have their own routines and their own way to focus on making themselves feel less stressed and more self-aware. WRITTEN BY Kristen Rossette 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

Ready to Rush? There are many negative stereotypes associated with Greek life, however, the Greek community offers much more to its members than what is portrayed in the media. Greek life provides its members the opportunity to lead, meet, and help others in a way that no other college community does. Although it might not seem so upon first joining, time in your organization is fleeting. There are many simple yet effective ways to make the most of your time in Greek life and become a respected, successful member of this amazing community. Seek out leadership positions. Believe it or not, the Greek community offers a plethora of leadership positions that members can hold. Taking on chair or executive board positions may seem daunting, but seeing how you’ve impacted your fraternity or sorority after your term makes any stress worth it! Chapter leaders often implement new leadership practices or plan successful philanthropy events that continue on for years to come. Additionally, holding positions can foster soft and technical skills that you can highlight on your resume. The Public Relations chair, for example, is responsible for social media marketing, while the Treasurer allocates and budgets money for the chapter’s various affairs. These leadership positions, as well as many others, are great talking points during an interview. Make connections both inside and outside of your organization. One of the best things about Greek life is the number of people you get to meet. Upon joining an organization, you have a strong support system of brothers or sisters who would be willing to help you in any way you need. Befriending people in different fraternities or sororities expands your support system, and will expose you to differing viewpoints on Greek or campus life that you may not have considered. Joining the Greek community is also a great networking opportunity; many alumni help current members find internships and full-time jobs. Learn more about other organizations’ philanthropies and values. While it is easy to fully immerse yourself in your own Fraternity or Sorority, it’s important to remember that you are a part of a larger community. Educating yourself on other organizations and what they stand for will help you better understand their points of view and what types of events they hold throughout the school year. You will probably also find some similarities -- many Greek organizations share philanthropies or values such as academic excellence, service to the community, and being a well-rounded individual. Go to as many events as you can. Many seniors will admit that their biggest regret throughout their time in Greek life is that they did not attend as many events as they should have. As an underclassman, it can be challenging to manage academic, social, and other extracurricular events on top of Greek life events. With time and practice, it will get easier to do so and your organization will help you take advantage of all the Greek events you can. Spending time with your brothers or sisters is special, and you will greatly miss all the events, that Greek life has sponsored for you once you graduate. Be passionate about what you do as a member of the Greek community. There is much to take pride in upon joining Greek life. This community is dedicated to its causes, which can vary by organization, such as Habitat for Humanity and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The connections you make through Greek life are unique -- the bond formed between you, your brothers or sisters, and the rest of the community are unlike any other. Reflecting on all the positive impact that Greek life has is empowering. Although it may seem daunting, taking these small steps will help to ensure that your time in the Greek community is well-spent. 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

Bask in the sunlight! The best time of year has finally arrived:   SUMMER!   Summer is the best time to catch up on all the activities that you may have missed during the busy school months. Don't know what to do with all this newly-found free time? Check out our list of summer activities to make the most of your time off: Travel The summer means warm weather, beaches, music festivals so why not take some time and explore! You can travel far by airplane, cruise, or pack up the car with some friends and hit the open road for a camping trip for an economical alternative. Volunteer Volunteering is something that is usually put on the backburner when setting up your priorities during the school year. For example, doing yard work for your neighbors or helping out at a soup kitchen nearby are easy ways to reach out in your community. Take summer courses Summer classes are a way to either move ahead in your curriculum by finishing general education courses early or catch up if you're falling behind in coursework and usually only last a few weeks per session. Get a summer job/internship Internships and summer jobs are a way to build the foundation of your career while learning valuable skills like time management, communication in a professional setting, and work ethic. Spend time with friends/family Whether you go to school across the street or across the country, the summer is a time to make memories with friends and family that you may have missed when studying for exams. RELAX! This is most likely the first chance you've had to relax for the past few months so enjoy when you can! Take 5-minutes, a day, or a month to reflect on all your achievements from the past semester and relax. You earned it! No matter what you decide to do during the summer, congratulations on finishing another semester! It was hard work, but now you have the freedom of summer to look forward to. 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

Get involved, get experience. Getting high grades is only half the battle of impressing future employers with your resume. Employers like to see that their employees are well-rounded, can multitask, and are involved in their community. As much as I wish binge-watching Grey's Anatomy for the 100th time can count as a resume-worthy accomplishment, employers want to see something more meaningful. Here is a list of types of extracurriculars to make your resume stand out: Major-Related Clubs These are one of the best for networking and reaching club alumni in your field for possible career opportunities. These are also a great way to form study groups, swap professor recommendations, and make friends with people with similar interests. Greek Life Greek life is another amazing networking opportunity. Whether you join a social, service, or major-related sorority/fraternity, the networking and friendship making possibilities are endless. Other benefits of joining Greek life are academic and alumni support, leadership development, and philanthropy. Sports Joining sports teams shows employers your ability to multitask by juggling mandatory sporting events while successfully completing a college degree. Time-management is an important skill when managing sports and academics that employers like to see in their employees. Community Involvement Joining community service clubs that are offered on almost every college campus like Habitat for Humanity or Relay For Life demonstrate to employers your desire to aid the community and cooperate amongst groups. Leadership Clubs Employers like to see that their employees can take charge in a leadership role, if need be. The experience as a Resident Assistant (RA) or an Orientation Leader can be a predictor of future behavior in the workplace that is attractive to employers. Leadership experience shows employers your proactiveness, decision-making abilities, and your managerial skills. School Government As well as networking opportunities, being in a school government organization teaches students leadership skills, how to work with a team, and the development of "people" skills. If these clubs don't really work for you, start your own! Starting a club with an advisor and a few friends shows your initiative and drive to accomplish a project. Clubs are an easy way to have fun but also benefit your future after graduation by learning important skills and networking. 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

Put your game face on. One of the best parts of game day is having the perfect outfit! Win or lose, you can still post on all of your social media accounts to show off your school spirit. And of course your trendy style.   You don't need to go to the campus bookstore to buy your apparel! I would recommend going to a local thrift store in the area; you can find amazing pieces at a discounted price. Buying a vintage item also means no one else will be wearing it! T-shirts are great for game day because you can easily pair them with jeans, leggings, even a skirt! I recommend sizing up in the T-Shirt you decide to DIY because the more material you have to work with the easier it will be to create. I know you might be asking yourself, when will I ever find the time or money to make my own outfit? Here are 5 easy tips to style your college t-shirt apparel   without breaking the bank   and can be completed in   30 minutes or less! Tie a knot Grab a handful of material from the area of the shirt you want the knot to be. Next, twist that same material. Then you'll create a loop with your twisted material and pull it through just like tying a knot! Crop Lay the shirt down on a flat surface. I recommend outlining the bottom of the shirt with a pencil where you plan to cut as a guideline. Then take any scissor and cut the bottom of the shirt in a straight line. Use caution when using the scissors because you can always cut more off but once it is too short, there is no going back! Distress Lay the shirt down on a flat surface. You will need to take a disposable razor and drag it across the portions of the shirt you'd like to become distressed! Cuff the Sleeves Fold up both sleeves once or twice depending on your style preference! You can even add a small safety pin on the inside of the shirt to have it stay in place. Add a Patch You can buy a patch of your mascot or even the logo of your school. Once you have your patch, I recommend buying Permanent Patch Adhesive glue as it dries clear and then allows you to stick the patch anywhere on the shirt. This method is much faster than ironing or sewing the patch on! WRITTEN BY Alicia Casamento Syracuse University Alicia is a student at Syracuse University who  likes to take long walks to the nearest fast-food joint, never knows the lyrics to any song ever, and would absolutely stop ongoing traffic to pet a dog hanging outside a car window if the opportunity ever presented itself. ... View more