It can be easy and fun to fit some exercise into your hectic day! Everyone wants to look and feel their best. But often, college life can get in the way of staying healthy and happy through exercise. Too busy to go to the gym regularly this semester? No worries. With a little patience and determination, you don’t have to sacrifice your health because of your busy college life. Here are a few simple ways you can stay healthy and happy without making massive changes to your daily schedule. Make the Most Out of Your Commute For many students, commuting is a major element of college life. From making your way to your internship’s office to traveling from your dorm room to your next class on the other side of campus, movement is the key to keeping your heart rate pumping. Start by making subtle changes to your daily commute to maximize your activity and stay moving. No matter how luxurious that elevator looks, try taking the stairs. Give yourself 30 extra minutes and take the long walk to class. Have an old bike at home? Bring it to campus and enjoy the ride. Push yourself to incorporate a bit of extra activity into the things you do daily. Free Gym? Yes, Please! If your campus has a gym that’s free and open to students, taking advantage of its services and programs can go a long way in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Never been to the gym before? No worries. Many schools even offer fitness classes and personal trainers to help ease you into working out in a way that is best for your body’s needs. Start slowly by taking a few laps around the track. Once you feel warmed up, gradually increase your activity with gentle cardio on the stationary bike or the treadmill. If you feel even more confident, test out some light weights and strength exercises. If you’re too busy during the week to hit the gym, take 30 minutes to an hour out of your weekend to dedicate to learning the ropes. Sweat the stress away! Stay Accountable and Bring Friends To stay motivated, invite a friend or two to join you as you work out. Not only will you keep yourself accountable in your workouts and dedicated to personal growth, but you’ll also build a stronger friendship with your workout buddies! Set up a date and time to meet up with one another, and plan for a workout that suits your individual bodies and goals. Test the boundaries of your comfort zone and try new exercises together. Your relationship with your friends (and your health!) will thank you for it. Keep Your Heart Ticking with Tech One of the best ways to stay motivated to work out is by using apps to remind you to exercise, monitor your food intake, and track your progress. Seven, for example, offers users a simple guide to exercising by helping you reach your fitness goals with just a seven-minute workout per day. To eat healthier, Lose It! helps users count calories, plan meals, and even keep track of workouts, water intake, weight, and more. Maximize the effectiveness of your workout plan with the technology you use every day! Feeling pumped up? Check back here at College Quest for more ideas on how you can make the most out of your college experience… the fun way! WRITTEN BY Samantha Storms Hofstra University Despite her last name, this senior journalism and publishing student doesn't have dreams of becoming a weather forecaster upon graduation from Hofstra University. She is currently exploring her love of language as a Media Editorial Intern for the psychology team at Macmillan Learning. A true Pittsburgher through and through, Samantha enjoys knitting, listening to eighties pop, and searching for the best pho spots. ... View more

A message from those who made it. Dear Stressed Out Student, I am writing to you today to help you get through that point in every semester when it seems that all your professors plot together to give you an exam, project, and assignments due in the same week in every single class. Luckily, there are some ways to prevent getting overly stressed out during this inevitable week of pure horror. Organize Using an app like myHomework Student Planner will help you organize all scheduled assignments and exams. Organizing tasks most likely will help you feel like your workload is under-control and less stressful to think about. Prioritize My advice is to prioritize all the big-ticket items first (term papers, group projects, final exam prep) and leave the small-valued assignments to the end. Prioritizing helps remove the need to rush to finish something that has a heavy weight on your final grade by devoting your time and energy to the more important tasks. Plan Ahead Busy the weekend before a big exam? Plan ahead some time to study before your weekend plans so you aren't cramming the night before. Space out your study time over the course of a week to allow a proper understanding of the material. Allow yourself breaks Taking breaks from any task is valuable in retaining focus, as found in a 2008 study on retention rates. Giving yourself 15 to 30 minutes breaks will help you stay focused for longer periods of time. Use this time to eat, nap, or exercise to free your mind. Don't overstudy You may feel the need to overstudy but it could have negative effects on your studying ability. Overstudying can cause you to easily lose focus, increase in anxiety, and the inability to sleep due to an overactive brain from stress. Once you feel like you have a deep understanding of the topic, stop studying, and take a break. Don't procrastinate Not procrastinating is easier said than done, but it's the easiest way to prevent stress. Give yourself personal deadlines of when you want something due and then reward yourself with candy, take-out, or an extended nap. It took me 3 full academic years and a few sleepless nights to figure out that not leaving all papers and tests to the day before is an effective way to do well in college. Don't be like me; start being productive early to get into the right kind of habits. Sincerely, The Ones Who Barely Made It Out Alive 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

How to be responsible for other students while also taking care of yourself. Real talk -- when I was an RA, some days were pretty overwhelming. Between my residents going through issues, keeping up with RA duties, writing papers, working an internship, hosting a radio show, and having a personal life, my ability to juggle my time was falling apart before me -- and my health with it. I thought I was superwoman; I had pushed myself to the point where I was skipping meals, sleeping four to five hours a night, having major headaches, and taking very few breaks. One day, all of my decisions caught up with me and my physical and emotional health began to suffer, and unfortunately, crash. This can happen if you don’t take care of yourself! This experience made me reevaluate a lot of my choices. Where did I go wrong? What could I have done differently? Who could I have talked to? Just like the saying “a therapist has their own therapist,” an RA is entitled to their own resources just like any other student. RAs should not be expected to be superheroes, to put out all the fires, or to maintain a facade of perfection. RAs are real students, working just as hard as any other student to graduate. Sometimes expectations befalls us and it doesn’t match reality. So, with that in mind, here are a few things you need to understand: You Are NOT Anyone’s Mom or Dad Did you raise them? Do you pay their tuition? Do you mark them down on your taxes? No. You are an RA. This means you’re a mentor, guide, friendly face, community builder, and confidant. When your residents need your help, be there for them, especially in an emergency. Do not hover over them and cater to their every whim (especially freshmen). Give them the tools they need, but let them grow. When you notice a pattern where they are asking more from you than you have to give, talk to your Resident Director (RD) about the matter. Your RD can intervene in these situations. If the issues are not urgent, ask the student to meet you during your office hours. Campus Resources Are There for You Too You’d be surprised how often RAs forget about this. All of the resources that offer assistance on campus are available to ALL students, including yourself. If you’re an RA going through something difficult, seek out a professional if your school offers mental health services such as a Counseling or Wellness Center! Their job is to help. Your RD and your fellow RAs might also be great confidants as well. They might understand better than anyone what you are going through, especially if you feel like your days are one balancing act at a time. All RAs have the same job. Who better to understand door tag deadlines, duty woes, and 4AM lockouts better than a fellow RA or RD who has done the same before? Make Time for Yourself Even if you have to pencil it into your schedule, give yourself time to do WHATEVER you want. Watch TV, read a book, write in a journal, play a game, exercise, or anything else! My RD gave me this advice and it definitely helped keep me sane during a rough semester. Sleep! (Or Sneak In A Power Nap) It’s not uncommon to pull an all-nighter in college (especially if you’re an RA) but try to give yourself enough sleep time. It’s also important to note that for those who dorm or live close enough to campus (RA or not), 20 - 30-minute naps are AMAZING and do wonders*. Try not to exceed 20 - 30 minutes though or you may end up feeling groggier than before. “Doritos Are Not Lunch” This is an actual quote from my fellow RAs on my staff. Please make sure you’re eating substantial meals and not chips out of a vending machine. If this becomes an almost regular occurrence, it’s time to make some changes ASAP. Clarke University highlights 10 Healthy Eating Tips for Busy Students that you may want to check out! Embrace the Good Stress, Evict the Bad Stress can be awesome (said no one ever) but it’s true! Some stress can bring out the best in people and push them to do great things. Everyone’s stress levels vary, but a little stress can be enough of a push for you to take charge, handle yourself, and exceed your expectations. When stress begins to feel suffocating, that’s when you need to take a step back, evaluate, and come up with a different way of handling it. Remember some stress-relieving techniques including exercise, meditation, and breathing exercises. You are your most important self. Though being an RA is a flexibility act, stretching yourself too thin won’t support you or your residents. If I had known then what I know now things would have turned out differently for me, but going through this made me realize and appreciate my limits, my options, and the value of taking care of myself. Source: "Napping." National Sleep Foundation, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/napping. Accessed 12 Mar. 2019 WRITTEN BY Alyssa Del-Valle Macmillan Learning With a BA in Communications and Music and a "Mouseters" in all things Disney, when not writing fabulous articles this native New Yorker is either making up songs in her head about her daily interactions, practicing voice overs for the next hair care commercial, or munching on Doritos she couldn't resist grabbing at her local bodega. The purple bag is hard to resist. ... View more

You're a celebrity! You're a star! You're a...fish? "Life in a fishbowl" is a common phrase known among the Residence Life departments all across the nation. The phrase encapsulates the kind of life a Resident Advisor/Assistant (RA) experiences in their college career. "Life in a fishbowl" means that as a leader and representative of the school, your words, actions, and decisions are noticed by everyone on and off-campus. To a degree, it's like being a celebrity; you're well known, looked up to, and highly recognized among your peers. As mentioned in a previous article in this series, RAs wear many hats, the most valuable of which is being a role model and following through on the policies they enforce. Personal Life and (Para) Professionalism When living in a fishbowl everything you do in public will be noticed, but you also need to remember that you're in college too! So long as school and legal policies are followed, living in a fishbowl does not mean your personal life is non-existent. However, because you are "on" almost 24/7, you need to find a yin and yang balance between your personal life and *paraprofessional one. If there is a party in a freshman dorm with alcohol, 9 out of 10 times it's a dry hall (dry meaning no alcohol is allowed in the building) and therefore you should not attend. If you are out dancing, have a great time! Just make sure you're not sloppy by the end of the night. If you had a bad day, don't start giving your residents' attitude or ignoring them when they really need help. You're their leader and resource, and helping your residents is the genesis of your whole job. There will be situations that are tougher calls but if you feel unsettled by the idea, more than likely you may want to go with your gut or ask your Resident Director (RD) for advice! Your Social Media Footprint Being conscientious of your social media profiles is exponentially important. In an age where social media can sometimes make or break a person's career, it is highly important your profiles are held to a certain standard as you represent yourself and your thoughts online. This is true for everyone, RA or not; if you are not wary of what you post on social media it can be used against you. In my experience, 90% of the RAs fired during my time in Residence Life were fired because of something they posted or someone else posted of them on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter. There are always people watching and the reality is that there can be one person who will take an incriminating post you made and send it to your boss whether in Residence Life or later in your professional career. Here are a few tips to staying social media savvy: If it's a personal account, put your settings on private. Do not bad mouth your institution online (and quite frankly, not allowed either). Whether you agree with a policy or not, as an RA you represent your institution. You are entitled to your own opinion, but voice it in a respectful, eloquent manner. Do not put yourself in an incriminating position. In the age of camera phones, anything can be caught on cam. Think before you post. If you're a selfie queen, by all means, do you. But be aware of your background and anything that could arouse suspicion. Admittedly, being an RA is not your "average" college experience but it better prepares you for your post-graduate career and can even put you ahead. While it does sound overwhelming (and sometimes it is), remember that your staff is going through the same thing; you are not alone. Being an RA at a college institution is a safe environment to learn and make a few mistakes. You will be just fine if you follow your own common sense. Even if you're not an RA, the advice in this article will still apply to you too. When applying to jobs, an unflattering social media footprint can be damaging or hurt your chances. Though it is important to be aware of your actions and posts, mistakes come and go. The metaphor of "life in a fishbowl" is just a warning label to proceed with caution. At the same time, no one can expect perfection and a mistake isn't a period nor an ending; it's a part of growing and learning which is what college is all about. *RAs are considered paraprofessional trained student leaders. WRITTEN BY Alyssa Del-Valle Macmillan Learning With a BA in Communications and Music and a "Mouseters" in all things Disney, when not writing fabulous articles this native New Yorker is either making up songs in her head about her daily interactions, practicing voice overs for the next hair care commercial, or munching on Doritos she couldn't resist grabbing at her local bodega. The purple bag is hard to resist. ... View more

Take a sneak peek into the life of an RA. You're decorating your dorm room with some cool new posters you just bought at a poster sale when you hear a knock on your door. A total stranger (who probably has a basket of cookies or some kind of treat) introduces herself as your RA. Your first thought — what the heck is that? When she begins to explain you get the gist, but do you actually know what being an RA entails? As a 3-year freshman RA at my college, I'm here to explain our truths, debunk our myths, and tell you what's really going down in your residence halls. But first... What is Residence Life? Residence Life (or affectionately shortened to Res Life) is an on- or off-campus living resource with a primary focus on community building through programming, personal growth, academic integrity, and safety in the residence halls. See signs for an ice cream social? Most likely an event hosted by your RA! All these acronyms! What do they mean? There are different variations across schools, but they generally mean the same thing. The structure in some schools in the Residence Life department may differ, but I'll cover the universal ones. DORL - Director of Residence Life As the title suggests, a DLOR is the big cheese of the department and makes major departmental decisions from hiring to housing selections. RD/RHD - Resident Director/Resident Hall Director Your RD is responsible for your building(s). Though an RD is not the director, he or she has the most influence on the buildings they reside in. Should any incident occur that you are a part of, you will certainly be meeting with your RD. RA/RHA - Resident Advisor (Assistant)/Resident Hall Advisor (Assistant) RAs are students just like you! RAs are student leaders who get the most interpersonal time with their residents through daily interactions such as programming, roommate contracts, incidents, community building activities, or sometimes even sharing the same class! Naturally, RAs get the most face time with residents. The Many Hats Your RA Wears Your RA has chronic hat hair. RAs are mentors, resources, artists, conflict resolvers, peacekeepers, problem-solvers, administrators, leaders, decision-makers, event-planners, and most importantly, STUDENTS. When residents need advice, RAs are usually the go-to person. They make your door tags and bulletin boards. They go into each and every room to file room condition reports before and after residents move in and out. They document situations that occur in the building. They make periodic rounds around the halls to make sure nothing is amiss. They know who enters and leaves the building. They answer 3 AM lockout calls (this happens more often than you think). They produce and host the events that bring students together where unlikely friendships bloom. They change lives, including their own. There is a lot that comes with being an RA but to me, being an RA meant that I was ready to face the world with a newfound confidence I would have never had without the good and the challenging days. Be nice to your RAs. They work hard to make sure you're having a comfortable, safe, and fun Residence Hall all the while finishing their 15-page psychology paper in the library alongside everyone else. WRITTEN BY Alyssa Del-Valle Macmillan Learning With a BA in Communications and Music and a "Mouseters" in all things Disney, when not writing fabulous articles this native New Yorker is either making up songs in her head about her daily interactions, practicing voice overs for the next hair care commercial, or munching on Doritos she couldn't resist grabbing at her local bodega. The purple bag is hard to resist. ... View more

A sneak peek into the life of a student studying in America for the first time. Born and brought up in India, I completed my Bachelor of Business Management from the Center of Management Studies in Bengaluru and joined Amazon right out of undergrad as a Risk Investigator where I worked for almost 3 years. Eventually, I decided to pursue an MBA in the United States. I automatically gravitated towards the university located in New York. I blame my fascination with New York on popular TV shows like "Friends" and "Suits". Weather Firstly, the weather: I knew it would be cold and ended up buying thermals and a winter jacket, As soon as I landed, I realized that the jacket was inadequate for the winter, so I bought a bulky North Face jacket, which was my companion the entire season. I've never used those itchy thermals again even to this day. Ayaan's Advice: Understand and prepare for the weather before traveling. Location The first things I imagined of New York were tall skyscrapers and fancy designer clothes. However, I stayed on Long Island, the outskirts of New York City with a more slow placed vibe and isolated vibe. I found a cheap Airbnb to stay for a few weeks that was supposed to be an hour away by bicycle from my university. To my surprise, it took much longer than an hour and the cold made it seem longer. I suggest to do some research and find a place in a walkable distance or a reliable commute to your university. Ayaan's Advice: Do your research on locations. Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear. Tipping Without understanding the tipping system, The first time I ate at a restaurant I didn't leave a tip and the waitress was furious and asked me outright to give her a tip -- embarrassing! In India, tips are included in the bill as a service tax and VAT (Value Added Tax). Ayaan's Advice: Look up the tipping system well in advance and tipping at 15% is a good starting point. Solitude Another thing I had to be prepared for was the loneliness. I didn't know anyone on Long Island and I had a bad habit of only talking to people who approached me first. The bus rides and the walk home during the winters were long and lonely and I used to talk to myself to keep myself sane, which isn't the best welcome to the "Land of Opportunity." Ayaan's Advice: Prepare for solitude and weight your options. You could move out with the friends you make at the dorm in the next semester to save on rent. These small things are an inconvenience at first but studying abroad beats studying in your own country any day because of the exposure and great learning experience. WRITTEN BY Ayaan Pasha Adelphi University Ayaan is said to mean "Gift of God" in Arabic. Ayaan is known in some parts of the world as "Ayaan Pasha the Great" (Just Kidding). Currently on a conquest to get a Masters of Business Administration and some good barbecue, he is an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department at Macmillan Learning. Favorite music era - from the 2000s and all-time favorite movie "The Dark Knight Rises." ... View more

Looking for an internship? Follow these tips to help land the job!! Do you want to get an internship but have no idea where to start? Do you automatically assume that your lack of experience puts you at a disadvantage? It's easier than you think! Follow these tips to help prepare you to find and land the opportunity you've been waiting for: Create/Update your LinkedIn Account LinkedIn is an essential website for your professional career. Not only does it list available jobs in specific categories but it will also recommend jobs that are relevant to you. Your profile allows you to highlight your career goals, your interests, and some of your proudest accomplishments. Employers can see your past experience and that you are ready to advance in your career. It's also helpful to get in the habit of checking your account every day because a prospective employer might message you! I applied to my internship through LinkedIn and I heard back from the HR department the next day! Take Advantage of the Career Services Department at your College or University Most colleges and universities have an entire department dedicated to career services and alumni relations. Through this department, you can create a resume and cover letter, discuss networking opportunities, understand the interview process, and even begin to search for internships. I made an appointment and was given information about a career fair that was coming up which allowed me to meet with different job recruiters. Did I mention this is a completely free service?! I recommend making an appointment today! Keep a very open mind and apply to anything and everything! I think of the biggest mistakes a person can make is not applying to a job opportunity they want because they think they will not get it. Search for jobs in the area you are interested in and apply, apply, and oh yeah, apply. Although you may not hear back, that means is that there is a better opportunity for you to find! The more jobs you apply to, the better chance you have of hearing back. Interview Prep is Crucial! Always prepare for your interview by researching the company to understand the expectations of the job and prepare questions. Practicing interview questions with a friend can help you be well-spoken, confident, and prepared. Bring a copy of your resume and other materials, such as a writing sample, that could highlight your qualifications for the job. Always remember to send a thank you to everyone who was involved in your interview once it's over. But the most important advice I can give you is to be yourself. Interviews can be scary but remember that you deserve to be there. Create that LinkedIn account, research several jobs, finish those cover letters and resumes, and of course prep for that interview. If you take the time to do all these things, then your lack of experience will not be the main focus. All these tips require you to do the work but it will pay off in the end, good luck! 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

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

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

Money-making gigs that work with YOU! Between balancing schoolwork and social life, college can be hectic. On top of all of that, many of us have to support our living expenses by working part-time while attending classes. Here are unique job opportunities to earn some extra cash on a flexible schedule: Dog Walker/Sitter Yes, that's right, walking dogs and getting paid for it. Owning a dog is time-consuming, especially for working professionals who have busy schedules. This is an opportunity for students to make money in between classes by walking dogs and taking care of them. Delivery Person / Transporter Owning a car can be expensive on a college-student budget. An easy way to pay off a car would be to make deliveries for local restaurants or offer to drive people from your campus to the airport before holiday breaks in exchange for money. The benefits of this job are the ability to work at your own pace without disrupting your school schedule. Handyman Working in your community as a handyman is an easy way to earn money while contributing to your community. Examples of handyman jobs are repairing fences, fixing broken furniture, and moving bulky furniture. Tools can be expensive, but buying them used or borrowing them from friends would save you from spending hundreds of dollars on a new toolset. American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Learning sign language is not only useful but pays well. Most conferences and corporate events need an ASL Interpreter and these events generally take place on the weekends. Drone Photographer The demand for drones at many parties and corporate events to get a sky view of their events is a way to use your drone flying skills to make some extra cash. Drones can be costly but some models start off as low as $100 and produce great results. Trading Stocks and Shares Studying at a university gives you access to a pool of intellectuals in economics, finance, and computer science that have a great understanding of the stock market. Reading the news and consulting with these intellectuals would be a great learning experience on how to successfully trade stocks with minimal risk involved. Remember, spend that "moo-lah" wisely and focus on your "school-a." WRITTEN BY Ayaan Pasha Adelphi University Ayaan is said to mean "Gift of God" in Arabic. Ayaan is known in some parts of the world as "Ayaan Pasha the Great" (Just Kidding). Currently on a conquest to get a Masters of Business Administration and some good barbecue, he is an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department at Macmillan Learning. Favorite music era - from the 2000s and all-time favorite movie "The Dark Knight Rises." ... View more

You're not in a classroom, but the work's still piling up. Recently, I was skimming an article on the dangers of cheating services for online classes (What can I say? I like to know what my students might be doing...), and the author gave some alternatives to abusing online classes for people who tended to stress about them. That got me thinking: Are students aware that there is help available to them? Do they know that there are other options besides resorting to cheating in an online class? Many students feel as if there is no other option; they are too stressed with deadlines, life factors, and unrealistic goals to consider the options available to them in helping them succeed throughout their college career. As a TA, observing college freshmen has become a full-time hobby for me, and the reason is not just professional. As I watch these younger students struggle with their new-found freedom and coursework, I'm reminded of all the practical information that they should receive during their first year in higher education. I've never been one for abstract thinking; to me, there needs to be a practical purpose behind everything we do in college. When students begin to advance in their educational journey, online classes become an increasingly popular way to continue college classwork while seemingly taking the "easy" road. While you don't have to be in a physical classroom, online classes, however, can still be stressful. The simple lack of teacher-student interaction can put certain students at a disadvantage, especially if the student does better in a physical classroom. Cheating in an online class can seem like a gigantic help if the student sees no other way of being successful in the class. Being the practical person that I am, I've compiled a list of things students might do instead of resorting to the act that will haunt them for the rest of their college careers. Ask a professor/instructor for advice. Students are painfully unaware at times of just how much they should ask for help/advice when it comes to the online college classroom. Most are afraid of looking incompetent and risk getting the help they need. Here's a secret, however: Professors are here to help you. The majority of them want you to ask questions and to feel comfortable seeking help. Don't understand a discussion group? Ask for help. Can't figure out where to post an assignment? Ask for help. Not 100% sure what the professor is wanting from a certain paper? Ask for help. Nine times out of ten, they'll be incredibly glad that you asked. An effort is extremely appreciated in higher education. Make sure you absolutely have to have this particular online course. Many students make the mistake of taking an online class so it'll be "easier" on them. In a way, it's completely understandable. I've done that myself. However, I've never backed myself into a corner when it comes to the assignments. I know my limit and I don't exceed it. Too many students sign up for an online class and are blown away by the sheer amount of reading or writing. This makes them stressed, puts them behind, and can ultimately lead to cheating in some form or fashion. If you don't need this particular class, don't sign up for it. Know your limits and what you are capable of at this point in your education. Don't be afraid to drop the class. This particular piece of advice could scare some students away. Drop a class? I would never! Hear me out: Instead of struggling and stressing and cheating to stay afloat, just drop the class. Recognize that this isn't the best situation for you. So many students struggle with when to finish college; they are so worried about a specific timeline for their life that they can resort to things that hurt them in the long run. Personally, it took me 14 years to complete my undergraduate degree. I had a kid, worked in the real world for a bit, and then was able to finish. One great thing I learning from the experience? There's no need to rush. I'd rather give 100% and do my very best work than rush myself through the biggest undertaking of my life. While there are other ways to help students navigate the online education waters, these tips are just a few of the ways that students can take a deep breath and hopefully put some thought into their educational decisions. If you are interested in the previously mentioned article on the dangers of cheating in online classes, see https://www.usnews.com/education/online-learning-lessons/articles/2017-01-27/4-dangers-of-cheating-services-for-online-courses. WRITTEN BY Lee Hall University of North Alabama Lee Hall graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in English and then decided to pursue a Masters in British Literature. She currently lives in Florence, Alabama but tries to talk her husband daily into moving to Scotland to get her PhD. She is raising an awesome 10-year-old son, along with two cats and two dogs who make her question her sanity. ... View more

Helpful tips and tricks for finals week. Got a big exam coming up but struggle with study skills? Have trouble keeping focus while taking your exam? Do nerves creep up before or during your exam? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then congratulations, welcome to the life of a hardworking student! Life as a student can come with its pain points, but check out a few of our study hacks that are sure to get your synapses sparking, nerves crushed, and your exams aced. Gum and Candy For the Win Don't put it under the desks folks, cause this minty savior could boost you a whole letter grade! Chewing gum or sucking on a piece of candy/cough drop can help alleviate your nerves during a test and stimulate your brain while taking your exam. This is scientifically proven; do some research! Your hippocampus will thank you for it. Jog, Dance, Swim, Leap! Work your brain by working your body! Take about 15 minutes to warm your body up by doing some form of stretches or exercises before your exam. Whether you jog, dance, yoga, swim, jump rope, the choice is yours. Getting your blood pumping will help wake you up and get your brain focused and ready for that big exam! Puzzle Me This Great for the early exams, solving puzzles such as Sudoku help center your focus and wake your brain up, especially if you're not a morning person. Mental exercise is just as important as physical. Put it in Song! Get your vocal cords ready. There are scientific studies that show there is a direct relationship between music and memory. Playing music in the background or coming up with songs, jingles, or rhymes can help you remember fun facts like "in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue" or how many elements are in the periodic table. Bonus points if you teach your classmates your song. Repetition is key in any form of practice! WRITTEN BY Alyssa Del-Valle Macmillan Learning With a BA in Communications and Music and a "Mouseters" in all things Disney, when not writing fabulous articles this native New Yorker is either making up songs in her head about her daily interactions, practicing voice overs for the next hair care commercial, or munching on Doritos she couldn't resist grabbing at her local bodega. The purple bag is hard to resist. ... View more