CL’s Guide To Getting a Head Start On Fall Semester

Although it’s hard to admit it, the summer’s almost over, and fall semester is looming closer and closer with each day.  It can be hard to stay on top of things—between classes, Greek life, having a job, and even a social life—that’s why it’s important to get organized before the semester even starts.  Here are a few quick and easy ways to prepare for the Fall.

Ways to Get Organized for Fall Semester:

Use a Planner/Calendar: Using a planner is a great way to make sure that you have all of your assignments written down.  You’re that much more likely to remember to do something if you have a written recording of it.  Also, if you use a calendar, you’ll be able to plan for events far in advance.  That way, when something major comes along, you won’t feel too overwhelmed.

Buy Your Books Before the Semester Starts: Although you might end up dropping one of your classes, it’s still a good idea to try to get all of your books before the semester starts.  Most professors assign homework after (or even before) the first day of classes, so if you don’t have them by the first day of classes, there’s a good chance you’ll fall behind.

Check your Email/Online Resources to See If Your Professor has Posted a Syllabus: Lots of professors contact their students either via email, or through other school-run websites (my university uses something called Sakai).  It’s great to know what assignments you have coming up, that way you can get a head start.

Try and Give Yourself a Daily Schedule: If you plan out each day, it’ll help you to include each thing you want to do, and leave you less likely to procrastinate.  Sticking to a schedule is easier than sitting there and wondering how you’re going to find time for everything.  Just make sure you schedule at least (some) time to relax!

Make Sure You Know Where All Your Classes Are: If you’re an incoming freshman, finding those classrooms on your first day can be tough.  Or, even if you’re an upperclassman, it can’t hurt to map out your route to classes.  This way, you’ll be sure to arrive in class on time and you won’t have to worry about starting off on the wrong foot with your professor.

Lana Schwartz is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM) and a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta.  She loves to read, write, and above all, stay organized.

Texting While Driving: It’s As Dangerous As You Think

Texting while driving—I’m sure most of us have done it.  And although it seems like a momentary distraction, it can lead to a lot more trouble than you would think.  Here are some facts to think about next time you start texting while you’re driving, and also, some easy ways to avoid doing it.

The Facts:

• Talking on a cell phone causes nearly 25% of all accidents these days.
• Four out of every five accidents are attributed to distracted drivers, whereas drunk drivers account for one-third of all accidents nationally.
• Studies have shown that texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
• Texting while driving is about six more times likely to result in an accident than driving while intoxicated.
• In 30 states, and Washington, D.C. texting while driving is actually illegal.  Even if no one gets hurt, you could still get in trouble with the law.
• When composing a text message, your attention is taken away from driving and focused on the message instead.  This makes it harder to process what is happening on the road and slows reaction time.

Ways To Avoid It:

• Use a Bluetooth.  There are many different options today that can allow you to both talk on the phone and drive at the same time.  This is perfectly legal and much safer.
• If you’re with a friend, hand your friend your phone and have them do your texting for you.  That way, you can still have the texting conversation you want to have while driving.
• Text or call whoever you’re speaking to at the time and tell them that you’re getting in the car. That way, they’ll know not to try to contact you for the time being and you’re less likely to get distracted.  Or, put your phone on silent, so even if you get a call or text, you won’t be able to hear your phone.
• If you decide that you really need to text, pull over to a safe place where you’re not blocking traffic, keeping yourself and others out of harm’s way.

Here is a hilarious PSA from the stars of the NBC show Community discouraging texting while driving: Don’t Text and Drive

Lana Schwartz is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM) and a proud sister of Kappa Alpha Theta.  She is so excited to be back at the University of Delaware in only a week!

CL’s Guide to Consignment Store Shopping

I’m sure lots of you love to shop—and if you’re like me, you’re always longing for those expensive, designer clothes that you can’t afford.  However, there is an alternative to spending tons of money on great clothes—and it’s not shopping online.  They’re called consignment stores.  They’re spreading through cities like wildfire and it’s easy to see why.  Consignment stores are like thrift shops—except they’re a lot more likely to carry name brand items.  In fact, some stores will only accept certain clothing if it was created by those on their “Accepted Designer List.”  You can find gorgeous Kate Spade pumps (I have) for only $30, or a nice Free People shirt for only $15. Here are some tips to keep in mind on your first (or second, or third) trip to a consignment store.

• Scavenge: This might sound strange, but there is literally no other word that best describes how to search through a consignment store.  You never know what you’ll be able to find when you go through literally almost every item the store has.  Sometimes the best treasure is buried treasure.
• Don’t buy things just because they’re cheap: If you see a name brand item for next to nothing—make sure that it’s actually an item that you’re interested in.  Even if it’s a Prada bag that only costs $50, if it’s an ugly bag, it’s still an ugly bag.  No matter what brand it is.
• Make sure you’re getting what you pay for: Since the items in a consignment store have most often been worn or used by someone before you, sometimes the items are a little worse for wear.  Don’t buy something that you won’t be able to get a lot of use out of.
• Wash before wearing: Even though people are supposed to clean their items before selling them to the store, still make sure you wash or dry clean your new clothes before wearing them.
• Don’t get discouraged: There are definitely times when I’ve left consignment stores empty handed.  Try not to get discouraged if you don’t find something perfect every single time.  Often, it is just luck of the draw—which is why scavenging helps to ensure you find fantastic new clothing.
• Be sure to come back another time: Finally, since it’s not designers that consignment stores get their merchandise from, rather, people just like me and you, they get new clothing in all the time.  You might be unsuccessful one week, and then find tons of things you love the next, so be sure to visit your local consignment store as frequently, and as fiscally, possible.

Located in many different states along the East Coast, this is the link to my favorite consignment shop, Second Time Around: www.secondtimearound.net

Lana Schwartz is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM).  She is going to be a senior at the University of Delaware and she loves to shop.

CL’s Guide To Sleeping Soundly

It’s summer, and that means many of us have the opportunity to do something that we don’t get to do much of during the year: sleep.  Between our busy social lives, building our resumes, and of course, academia, sleep always seems to come last on our to-do-lists.  It’s summer now though, and even with a slightly less hectic schedule, there are more opportunities to catch up on the six to eight hours of sleep that you should be getting nightly.  However, if you’re still experiencing difficulties getting yourself on a regular sleep cycle, here are some tips to help you sleep more soundly at night.

1. Avoid drinking caffeine in the late afternoon and evening.  We all look to coffee to boost our energy in the morning, but consuming it closer to when you fall asleep at night will make it that much harder for you to catch some z’s.
2. Try to avoid exercising before bed.  However, exercising earlier in the day will help you get to bed later that night.
3. Make sure your environment is a comfortable one.  Any kind of light or noise can detract from your sleep experience.  That means falling asleep with the television or the lights on is out.
4. As hard as it may be, don’t take long naps during the day.  Taking long naps can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.  Attempt to limit your naps to 20 or 30 minutes long.
5. Get into a routine.  Getting into bed every time at the same night will help you to fall asleep at the same time, and wake up at your goal hour in the morning.

Although it might be hard to stick to some of these guidelines, sleep is your body’s way of maintaining itself.  Not getting enough sleep now can lead to some major problems down the road.

Lana Schwartz is an at intern at CollegeLifestyles (TM) and a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta.  She is an English major at the University of Delaware and she loves to sleep!

Five Great Beach Reads

If you’ve been spending these insanely hot summer days at the beach, you might be looking for some literary companionship.  There’s nothing better than soaking up the sun while reading a page-turner, and occasionally looking up to admire the ocean.  Whether you’re looking for a good laugh, a good cry, or both, you can definitely find it from one of these novels.

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Stieg Larson’s first installment in this trilogy is a nail-biting, suspenseful drama.  If you’re looking for a book that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, this is definitely the one for you.  And then, if you can’t get enough of Larson’s intriguing story, there’s always Larson’s sequels to the novel, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest.

Best Friends Forever: I’m sure many of you have read, or probably have at least seen the movie In Her Shoes.  If you enjoyed this novel by Jennifer Weiner (or even just enjoyed watching the movie), then you’ll love Weiner’s newest book, Best Friends Forever.  The characters in this novel are similar to those in In Her Shoes, and relatable for almost any girl who has ever felt both happiness—and disappointment—at the hands of a friend.

Summer Sisters:  Usually, when you hear the name Judy Blume, you associate it with novels like, Are You There God?  It’s Me, Margaret and Fudgemania.  However, published in 1998, Blume’s novel is definitely for an older audience.  Another book focusing on strong female friendships, Summer Sisters takes you back to summers on Martha’s Vineyard from 1977 and onwards.  The novel might tell the story of a different generation, but the characters still feel like people you would know today.  Forever one of my favorite novels, Summer Sisters tells the story of two best friends that won’t soon be forgotten.

True Blood: Showtime’s break out hit True Blood has taken the world by storm.  Currently in its third season, it’s hard to find someone who isn’t a fan of Sookie and Bill (or maybe Sookie and Eric, rather).  If you love the show, or even if you don’t, but you’re looking for an escape into a world full of vampires and werewolves, the True Blood series is a great place to find it.  Written by Charlaine Harris, the first novel in the series is titled Dead Before Dark, gives you more details on Sookie, Sam, Jason, and all of your other favorite characters.  Just think of it as a grown up version of Twilight.

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search For Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia: If you haven’t read this number one bestseller yet—you should.  Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir about her search for happiness and love is a story that will stick with you, long after you finish the book.  If you’ve ever felt like you need something beyond what society has determined that you should, then you will be able to find yourself in Gilbert’s inspiring story.

All of these books can be found at a nearby Barnes and Noble or Borders—but if you’re looking to save a few bucks, I recommend taking them out of your local library.

Lana Schwartz is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM) and an English major at the University of Delaware.  She loves both the beach and reading.

Ten Fantastic Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is June 20^th and believe it or not, it’s already right around the corner.  If you haven’t gotten a gift yet for that special man in your life (whether it’s your dad, grandfather, uncle or even godfather) here are just some ideas that any father would be sure to love.

1) Tickets to a baseball game: Whether it’s major or minor league, a baseball game can be a great way to spend time with your dad.  Tickets to a minor league game can be as cheap as $14, and although they might be nosebleed seats, tickets to a major league game often start around $20.  Whether you’re sitting behind home plate, or in the farthest seats away, it’s an opportunity to bond with your dad and maybe even watch your team bring home a victory. (www.mlb.com)

2) The  Godfather Trilogy on DVD: If your dad is a fan of this legendary trilogy, it’s a chance to not only show him how much you care, but also to show him that you appreciate his taste in movies.  You can find the gift set at your local Barnes and Noble, or you can order it off of Amazon, where prices start at $26.  (www.amazon.com)

3) A New Grill: If your dad is doesn’t already have a grill, or is looking for an upgrade, a grill is a way to ensure that there are fun family cookouts all summer.  You can find grills at Sam’s Club, Home Depot, and many other places.  Prices on Ace Hardware’s website start at $50.  (www.acehardware.com)

4) The Wii Sports Resort Game: For Wii fans out there, a great way to get your dad in the game with you is by buying him the new Wii Sports Resort game. With twelve different activities, including golf, basketball, and frisbee, the game has something for everyone. It is an ideal chance to show your dad some love, 21^st century style.  At Best Buy, the game costs $50.  (www.bestbuy.com).

5) Cooking Dinner For Your Family: Happen to be on a tight budget?  No problem. A great way to show your dad how much he means to you by cooking dinner for the whole family on Father’s Day.  It’s an easy way to both save some money, and enjoy a nice, quiet evening at home by avoiding crowded restaurants.

6) A Framed Picture: Another way to always remind your dad how much you love him is by giving him a framed picture, whether it is just the two of you, or of your whole family.  Whether your dad puts the picture frame on his desk at work, or hangs it on the wall at home, any time he sees it, he’ll remember how special he is to his daughter.

7) Magazine Subscription: Does your dad love Rolling Stone Magazine?  Or even National Geographic?  Keep your dad reading his favorite magazine by renewing his subscription for him.  Or, try out something new for your dad.  If your dad is a science buff, purchase him Discover Magazine.  There’s a magazine out there for everyone.  Subscriptions vary, but you can find lots of information at www.magazinecost.com.

8 ) Noise Canceling Headphones: Give your dad a chance to tune out and focus on whatever he might be watching or listening to by buying him a set of noise canceling headphones.  The headphones start at $38 on Amazon, but for an upgrade, look to Bose or Sony.  (www.amazon.com)

9) Chess Board: I know my dad is a huge fan of chess, and if yours is too, and what better way to show your dad that you appreciate his hobby than by buying him a chessboard.  If you know how to play the game, you can challenge your dad to a match, or if you don’t it’s a great opportunity to have him teach you.  There are plenty of websites dedicated to chess, or you can even purchase a chess board at a place like Kmart or Kohl’s. (www.chesshouse.com)

10) A Nice Bottle of Alcohol: Those of us who have alcohol aficionados as parents, a final gift idea for Father’s Day is a nice bottle of scotch, or even wine, depending on your father’s taste.  You can buy it at your local liquor store, just make sure you’re 21 and that you don’t forget your ID!

Lana Schwartz is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM) and an English major at the University of Delaware.  She is an English major and she can’t wait for this Father’s Day!

Giving Back–In a New Way

On college campuses across the country, there are always numerous ways to get involved.  There are service clubs to join, and blood drives seeking ready participants.  However, if you’re looking for a way to give back to others even one step beyond that, a great way to do this is by joining the bone marrow registry of Be The Match.  Be The Match is the name of the National Marrow Donor Program, and it incorporates both the bone marrow registry, and its fundraising foundation as well.  Although donating bone marrow is more intensive than giving blood, if you are chosen, the gift of your bone marrow can save the life of a patient suffering from leukemia, or another life-threatening disease.   Recently, a sorority sister of mine, Caitlin Piecuch, decided to put her name on the registry.  Caitlin never expected it, but it turns out that somewhere out there, someone is her perfect match.  I spoke with Caitlin about her feelings on the process, and why she made the decision to donate her bone marrow.

LS: What made you decide to get involved with this?

CP: Well, I had always believed that giving blood was a great decision.  In my heart, I knew that donating bone marrow was just the next step and that it would be a great opportunity.  I was in Trabant one day and the UD football team was trying to recruit people. I figured that I would sign up for it and that if it was meant to be, and I was selected, I would go through with it.

LS: Did you ever think that you would get the opportunity to donate?

CP: No.  I had  wanted to, and I thought it would be cool if I were able to help someone out.  But, as much I hoped I would get the opportunity, I never thought I would.

LS: Did you have any reservations about doing this?  How do your parents feel about it?

CP: I don’t have any reservations because I know at the end of the day all the pain I might go through will help someone else and potentially save their life.  Of course I’m nervous about the procedure but I know that much more good will hopefully come out of it.  My parents couldn’t be more supportive.  I was nervous to tell them at first, thinking they would think I was crazy and that they wouldn’t understand.  They knew I willingly signed up though, and despite the big possibility I wouldn’t be chosen, they couldn’t be more supportive when I was.

LS: What are your thoughts on it, now that you have been selected?

CP: Well, I think that it is a great opportunity, and a great way to give back to someone.  It’s completely anonymous.  I’m really anxious to see what comes of it, and see if it helps the patient.  I’m anxious to see if I will actually donate, and if I ever will make contact with the patient.  Going through this process has made me wonder what it would be like if the shoe was on the other foot.  I think about how I would feel being a family member of the sick patient and hearing the news that a match has been found.  It encourages me more every day to continue the process.  The patient is 62 years old, and although that is a little old depending on who you ask, the person could still have a lot of life left in them.  I know that my grandfather was around that age when he died and I can’t help but think of how this is going to benefit the patient and his family, instead of how it might physically affect me.

LS: If you could say anything to the person you’re donating bone marrow to, what would you say to them?

CP: Just that I hope the bone marrow helps, and I would thank him for the opportunity to have a better outlook on life.  It’s made me appreciate my own life, and the lives of my loved ones.

LS: What kind of preparation do you have to do for the bone marrow donation?

CP: Initially, I got a phone call telling me I was a potential match, so I filled out some paperwork.  Then I was told that the patient’s doctor wanted to continue with me, so I had to give some blood samples, which were sent to patient’s doctor’s hospital.  My blood matched with the patient’s, so I received a letter saying I was a match.  Now, since the patient isn’t medically ready, I’m waiting until he’s able to receive the bone marrow.  I believe that I will have to do some additional testing, like a physical and a Q and A session, but I’m still waiting to hear back about the physical.

LS: What would you say to someone who was thinking about getting involved in this?  What kind of advice would you give them?

CP: I would tell them to continue going through the process.  The people working for the registry are the nicest people and are willing to help you with everything.  So far it’s only been an amazing experience, and I haven’t even donated yet.  I think you have to have “guts,” and be responsible.  It’s nothing to be taken lightly, because it is a very selfless situation.  I would tell them to think positively.  Many people don’t know how to give back to others, and although bone marrow can seem extreme, it is a very rewarding experience considering the gift is inside of your body.

For more information, visit http://www.marrow.org.

Lana Schwartz is an intern for College Lifestyles™ and is an English major at the University of Delaware.  She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and is loving this summer already.