College nightlife is one of the best things to ever exist. There's no telling what could happen from having a night out. Nightlife in college may seem like a distraction, but it’s an essential and necessary part of any college experience. Studying can be exhausting, and nothing recharges your batteries - or makes you more tired - like a fun night out. Whether your scene is clubs and bars or concert halls and theaters, it’s important to find time to get out of your room, leave your books behind, and enjoy yourself.
Once Friday arrives, most students like to get away from the campus environment. Exploring off-campus areas is a great way to do this. Off-campus nightlife can be vibrant, diverse and fun, especially if your school is located in a city or college town.
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For some students, working in college is a necessity; for others, it is simply a desire. Whatever the reason it's important to consider all of the factors of working while in college before agreeing to take a job. A new study from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce finds that, over the past 25 years, more than 70 percent of college students have worked while attending school. And the number of working students has grown as college enrollment and tuition have increased. When it comes to having a college job, perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is not necessarily where you'll work in college—but how much. There are many advantages to working while you are in college. It looks great when you begin to apply for jobs, especially if you can find work in your field. Finding a good college job will make it easier to manage your money and gain work experience while in school. Additionally, you may benefit from tuition assistance and other employee benefits offered by your company. The more money you make, the less you have to borrow, which can save you in the long run. If you choose to only work during the summers, you need to make the most of your summer job. You may also take an internship. You may opt to work full-time and go to school part-time to avoid going into debt and manage your money better. This work experience can help you as you plan to transition from attending college to working.
One downside to working in college is the potential for students to work so much that their jobs interfere with their college goals and academic progress. Working a higher number of hours, especially when the employment is off campus, increases time to get degree and reduces the likelihood of completing a degree. Working around 15-20 hours a week is ideal to allow students to have lots of time for academics and studying as well as other extracurricular activities. Working a reasonable amount of hours and balancing those hours with other college responsibilities can help a student graduate not just with a diploma but also with the skills needed to enter the workforce after graduation caps have been tossed and the job search begins. College students in today’s society have become dependent on caffeine in order to perform at their best in multiple areas of their busy lives, including classes, clubs, work and internships. Coffee is found to be the most popular caffeinated product on college campuses. Major situations in which students consume caffeinated products include when they did not get enough sleep the night before, before driving long distances, and before studying for an exam. While only 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee every day, one University of Kentucky study showed that more than 78% of college freshmen consume above the recommended amount of caffeine per day.
What to consider when you need your caffeine fix:
“Freshman Fifteen” is a term everyone knows too well. But here’s what no one tells you: fifteen can easily turn into thirty, and that’s not always weight gain—you might actually lose that much just as easily. There are plenty of factors that come into play when it comes to how your eating habits go when you move away from home and enter the broke, starving college kid world. When living in a dorm most colleges require the purchase of a meal plan. Meal plans can be beneficial to the average lazy college student but the food that is served plays a big factor in the freshman 15. Cafeteria food not only in pretty unhealthy, it often doesn't taste too good or have much of a variety. Although to a guest just eating there for one meal, the food may seem enjoyable but after having to eat it for one year three times a day, it gets a little old. Even though it is beneficial to have the luxury of someone else cooking for you, here are some dorm room meals and snacks to supplement the cafeteria food.
Some easy meals to prepare in a dorm room:
One of the most common used phrases among college students is "I'm broke." Whether it actually be true (which it is most of the time) or they just don't want to spend the little money they do have on that particular activity, money is a large issue for college students. Although it is hard to manage money, starting early can help stress levels now and down the road. Some tips and tricks to help manage money in college are:
College can be expensive, but learning the basics when it comes to money management now means you don't have to graduate with massive debt. Laying the groundwork for smart budgeting and spending habits in college enables you to handle responsibility and learn the value of accountability. Roommates can make or break your college experience. At the beginning of every school year, thousands of first year college students prepare to take their first steps on the grounds of the schools they are attending. After the excitement of getting into colleges and deciding what school you are going to attend, comes the next high-anxiety issue: finding a roommate. Many people obsess over not just finding a decent roommate, but how a complete stranger (a psycho roommate) could ruin your first year at school... and your life.
While you can be best friends with someone, it doesn't necessarily mean you can live with them and vice versa, you might be able to get along great with your roommate(s) but not be really good friends. No matter what the situation is, whether you find a roommate on your own or through the matching surveys most schools put out, there are some ways to manage this college-induced anxiety and have a positive roommate experience. Here are some ways to foster a good roommate relationship: 1. Don’t expect to be BFF's on the first day: Look at your college roommate as someone to get along with, not as your future best friend. The idea is to have a good, not necessarily great – and definitely not bad – roommate: someone you can live well with, who does not interfere with your studies. Living pleasantly with your roommate and enjoying their company when you can is a great outcome. 2. Start talking to them ASAP: The sooner you can begin the relationship the better. If you know who your assigned roommate is before move-in day, reach out to them and try to get to know them or even meet up if possible. The more you know beforehand, the less anxiety you will have when the move-in date comes around. 3. Alarm clocks: Try to compare class schedules with your roommate(s) before the semester begins to see if you can establish a working dynamic around those times. If you're the type of person that can sleep through anything, your roommate’s alarm and five snooze buttons later, it may not affect you. If you're a light sleeper however, the alarm clock is a possible source of tension. This will take adjusting for everyone so try to be as understanding as possible. 4. Discuss bathroom habits: Figure out if the bathroom is actually in your dorm room, or shared with the students on your floor. As many as eight people can share one bathroom so prepare wisely. Arrive to school with a bathroom caddy to transport your toiletries to-and-from your room, as well as plenty of towels. 5. Study habits: It’s good to have a variety of places to work outside of your room. This will take some pressure off. Nevertheless, a few all-nighters are inevitable and your exam schedules will never line up perfectly. 6. Cleanliness: Merely entering into a dorm room, let alone living in one, is like jumping into a petri dish. Each of you will get sick at some point your freshman year, probably more than once. Disinfecting wipes and cleaning supplies can help immensely. 7. Deal with annoying/loud noise: There is no way to know who will snore or talk too loudly, or too frequently, or on the phone. Along with study habits, you should discuss how to manage phone conversations and visitors in these close quarters. 8. Bad smells: Funky smells can doom any roommate relationship. Air freshener room spray for a quick spritz works wonders. You might also come armed with a few of those scented plug-ins. Set your expectations early. When things are particularly invasive, like smoke or bad smells it is fine to insist that they stay out of your shared space. 9. Dealing with hook-ups and being "sexiled": Whether it’s some light PDA, or an overnight visit, dealing with a roommate’s romantic partner can become a major source of conflict. If it’s ongoing, the constant, unwelcome presence of your roommate’s partner can eat at what little privacy you have. It’s best to have an honest ground-rules conversation upfront about boundaries and visiting hours. Whatever you and your roommates decide, consideration for each other and your shared space should be the priority. 10. Talk about problems early on: If it’s bugging you, bring it up. Don’t let it linger and fester and don’t assume that your roommate has any idea that there is something wrong. Bringing it up directly and early will save you piles of stress and tension. Passive aggressive behavior towards an unwanted roommate is a habit that just makes it worse for both of you. Be the adult in the room, you will be happier for it. No matter how many ground rules you establish in the beginning, no matter how compatible you think you are with someone, there is no way to avoid all unpleasant moments, or even one or two unexpected, unprovoked all-out bad experiences. Avoiding the issue, or not finding a reasonable way to manage the problem, is how most roommates go from pleasant dislike to all-out resentment. School can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. Graduating from college is a big milestone many people have looked forward to since they were young children. The journey to get there though, isn't all that easy. It may consist of a lot of late nights, confusion, crying, hopelessness and doubt but will be followed with a sense of accomplishment after completing assignments, getting a good grade on a test or landing that job you've been wanting.
Think about what majority of college students go through. Leaving the family home or city they grew up in, feeling intense pressure to obtain high grades to match career aspirations, taking final exams, trying to establish a romantic/social life, dealing with (often very high) costs of college and possibly working at a job or multiple jobs during the school year. On top of all that, students in many parts of the U.S. must deal with wild weather patterns including snow and subfreezing temperatures during a good portion of the year. Between 2009 and 2015, the number of students visiting counseling centers increased by about 30% on average, while enrollment grew by less than 6%, the Center for Collegiate Mental Health found in a 2015 report. Students seeking help are increasingly likely to have attempted suicide or engaged in self-harm, the center found. In spring 2017, nearly 40% of college students said they had felt so depressed in the prior year that it was difficult for them to function, and 61% of students said they had “felt overwhelming anxiety” in the same time period, according to an American College Health Association survey of more than 63,000 students at 92 schools. Although stress in college is almost guaranteed, there are many ways to reduce the factors.
School spirit. It stems from a lot of different aspects in college but the main source comes from athletic events. Many schools rely on their football teams to bring the student body together but for smaller schools or schools without a football team it may be harder, although definitely not impossible. While attending a smaller university has other added benefits including a more family-like environment, having pride in your university can be a bit of a challenge with out an on-campus football team to root for. While students get enthusiastic about basketball, baseball and volleyball games, it seems like there is something missing without tailgating and football. Without a football team, schools may have to work together and try a little harder to find pride compared to large universities where school spirit comes naturally. Majority of spirit comes from intercollegiate sports but there are other forms of athletics that attract students and have a role in school spirit. Intramural and Club Sports Students who choose not to or can’t make the school team because of the high intensity of intercollegiate sports, can join sports clubs and intramural leagues. Many college students at a variety of different schools take part in these teams each year as a way to be involved in friendly competition, have fun and stay fit. Club Sports Club sports are less intense than intercollegiate teams but are still able to compete against clubs from other colleges, all run by students. Students are in charge of everything within the club from getting uniforms, hiring officials, making travel arrangements and fundraising for the fees that come along with that. Competition levels and and time commitments may be intense for club sports — teams may be involved in a regional conference and play for a national championship. Intramural Sports Intramural leagues are set up by the college to give all students a chance to participate. Teams from the same college play against each other. Teams can include sorority or fraternity members, students from the same dorm floor, a group of friends or individuals who are interested in a certain sport. Students can often participate in traditional sports, such as basketball, soccer and softball, and can sometimes compete in other activities, such as dodgeball, inner-tube water polo or video games. Some colleges offer these types of sports at different levels, so students can match their skills and interest level by choosing a more- or less-competitive team. Student Thoughts on Sports in College:
Staff in Athletics:
Clubs and organizations are a large part of any university. A great way to get involved on campus, make new friends, network, or simply take a break from studying is by joining a club. At my college orientation I was given a piece of advice I'll never forget. My orientation leader suggested that every person should join 3 clubs, one that has to do with your major, one that satisfies one of your interests, and one that is completely new to you or something your never thought you would do. You would be surprised how many clubs exist, there is one for everyone but if can't find one you like chances are you can start one yourself. Clubs and organization on college campuses cover a wide spectrum of interests, anywhere from sports to cooking to sword fighting or even a squirrel club.
Some of the most unique clubs I have heard of are:
How do I find out about what clubs and organizations are on my campus? At every college campus I have been to, and I've been to a lot, clubs and organizations are found all around campus tabling, trying to get the word out about what they are about. Most clubs want new members, they want you to get involved and ask questions. Don't be afraid to go up to a table that catches your interest (most give out free things). The Office of Student Life & Leadership, in partnership with New Student Programs and Associate Students, Inc., co-sponsors Discoverfest (formerly known as Days of Discovery) at the beginning of every Fall and Spring Semester. This 2 day event is CSUF's largest involvement event for student organizations. Discoverfest is an opportunity for all clubs/organizations to showcase student life at CSUF. It is also an event for students to learn about engagement opportunities on campus. No matter your reason for joining a club or what club(s) you choose to join, you are likely to meet someone new or learn something you didn't know before. Starting college and moving away from home is a huge step for most 18 year olds. Many people have never lived away from family let alone going straight to moving in with a complete stranger. Moving in to a college dorm can bring up a lot of emotions but it also can be a very exciting and memorable time. Just like getting used to college classes, living in a dorm is a learning experience. From the realities of sharing a bathroom with multiple people to the joys of taking part in late-night discussions with new friends, you will definitely create memories and learn new things every day. Being a freshman in a dorm room has its perks forsure. You get to meet and live close to a many great people, there's always something to do or someone to talk to, and in most cases you have a lot more independence than you do at home but living in a dorm comes with disadvantages as well. Some of the biggest pros and cons are:
From showering with flip flops on to eating in the cafeteria, many students have a lot of opinions on dorm life. I asked around for quotes on different people's personal experience living in a dorm. The results varied:
Having the opportunity and means to be able to live on campus is definitely a blessing. I would recommend to anyone entering college to have the experience of living in a dorm. The dorm life may not always be glamorous and fun but it is an experience that adds to your story. Here are some websites to help you get started with this transition:
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