CL’s Guide To The College Campus Tour

You’ve dreamed of seeing your dream school for years. You’ve memorized the guidebooks and check the website every week.

Or, maybe you’re unsure of where you could see yourself for the next four years. You’ve applied to a bunch of schools and want to see a few before you make a major decision.

Either way, you deserve the most out of your college visit. As a tour guide for Syracuse’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, I’ve got the inside scoop on how to make your college visits rock.

Speak up- At information sessions, you’re going to get a lot of information. Tons of numbers, facts and names will get thrown around and there’s a good chance you won’t understand everything. If that happens, stop and ask a question. People are there to help you and they’re probably very happy to answer anything.

Get to know your tour guide- Tour guides usually only give tours because they enjoy it. For me, giving Newhouse tours is unpaid but it’s still my favorite part of the week. I love getting to know prospective students and sharing my passion for Syracuse. There’s nothing a tour guide hates more than a silent tour.

Ask questions- You probably want to know whether the food in the dinning hall is actually edible, how students feel about the dorms and what are classes really like? If not those questions you probably have a few other things your want to know about a place you’ll spend four years at.

Be comfortable- Don’t wear your new stilettos or tight clothing to seem more mature for tours. There’s a lot of walking and you want to feel relaxed, not worried about falling down a flight of stairs. You’re not here to impress the student body, just the administrators you may meet.

Don’t be a Know It All- I know you’re enthusiastic about Your Future School, but few things are more off putting to a tour guide than a prospective student that says “I already know that. And that.” Try to channel you’re excitement into a more positive way like “I’m so excited to see the Quad!”

Talk to your fellow tourees- You’re nervous and excited to see a college campus. Maybe this is the one? So are other people. If you get a chance talk to the other people around you, you’ll realize you’re not alone in how you’re feeling.

Pay attention to the student body- Your tour guide may be a great representation of the school, but what does everyone else look like? Are they as happy to be there? Does it seem like there’s school pride? Are there lots of people walking together? See if you could see yourself as someone in the crowd.

Go to a restaurant- See what local life is like by the school. How lively is the atmosphere? Are there students around or is it mostly local? If your server is a student, ask how he or she likes the school.

Although picking a college has a lot to do with academics, there are lots of other intangibles to take into account. Understanding those intangibles is what the college tour is about. Can I see myself here? Can I call this place home? Hopefully, your visits (and these tips) help!

Ariana Romero is sophomore at Syracuse University majoring in magazine journalism. She wishes you luck in your college search and a happy holidays!

CL’s Guide to Toxic Friends

If you have seen or read “Something Borrowed” by Emily Griffin you know this is an excellent example of a toxic friendship!  Rachel and Darcy are best friends since childhood. Rachel is more laid back and a bit of a pushover compared to her BFF. Darcy is the fun life of the party, who walks all over Rachel. The storyline features flashbacks of Darcy competing, judging, and ordering Rachel around. The resentment towards each other gets so bad that Rachel has an affair with Darcy’s fiance! If you can at all relate to these characters (besides stealing a fiance!) you may have a toxic friendship!

What is a ‘Toxic Friend’?

A toxic friend is an unhealthy friendship.  This can be your friend who blabs all of your secrets or the friend who makes it all about her. A toxic friend can be more than just a bad friendship; it can be toxic for your overall morale. A friend isn’t like your boyfriend, but the dynamic is similar – some relationships simply do not work!

Examples of a Toxic Friend

• The Gossiper – her favorite pastime is putting others down and drama. If this is her idea of fun, do you ever wonder what she’s talking about when you’re not around?
• The Victim – something is always wrong, and you’re only needed to comfort her. If this is the case she may be using you, and you don’t even know it!
• The Green Monster – jealousy is her thing, and she will critique every single thing you do. She will make you feel bad or stupid all the time.
• The Competitive – everything with each other is a competition! Who scored higher on the math test? Who talked to the cute guy? Who has the cuter outfit? This is highly unhealthy in a friendship, a little competition is okay, but not when it really dampens your mood!
• The Not So Dependable – an incident occurred and you’re having a hard time, but where is your “BFF”? If she’s too busy to be there when you need her, despite the fact you are always there for her, she may not really be your BFF.

There are many more examples. The best way to identify if you have a toxic friend is to think how they make you feel. After spending time with them do you feel bad about yourself or not good enough? No friend is perfect, but some are just down right toxic!

What to do about a Toxic Friend

Staying Classy on Vacation: A CL Guide!

Summer’s not over yet and there’s plenty of time for some vacations. If you’re heading off to the beach or traveling across seas, every CL girl should know her vacation etiquette! Here are some tips for when you’re traveling with a friend’s family instead of your own.

1. Be helpful!

Whether it’s packing up the car or carrying bags into the hotel, make sure you offer to help! Extra hands can go a long way during a vacation, especially when trying to save some time for more relaxing and fun activities!

2. Be Polite!

Minding your manners and saying please and thank-you are always good gestures. Your friend’s parents will also be impressed with the added gesture. Being polite can be the deciding factor between being invited to go on vacation again next year or not. Being polite also keeps the mood light and happy. Rudeness tends to add tension to the environment. Plus, being polite is just the classy thing to do!

3. Be Yourself!

If you’re not familiar with your friend’s family, you might feel a little bit uncomfortable or awkward when you first arrive. Being yourself is a great way to ease your own discomforts as well as allow the family to get to know you (I’m sure they’re just as nervous meeting you too!). Talking with your friend’s parents and siblings will also diminish some of the beginning awkwardness. Getting to know them and showing interest in them will allow you to fall into a routine with them. Once you feel comfortable around them, they’ll feel comfortable around you and you’ll be able to enjoy the vacation better!

4. Be Gracious!

At the end of the vacation thank your friend’s parents for taking you with them. Also it’s always nice to send them a thank-you card in the mail after the vacation. If you feel comfortable enough or know the family well, giving a thank you gift at the end of the vacation is also a nice gesture!

Following these few tips will surely help you have a fun care-free vacation with your friend and his/her family! Plus you’ll be classy and every CL girl wants to stay classy!

Do you have any vacation etiquette tips or advice? Have a story about vacationing with a friend’s family? Comment below!

Nicole Savitsky is a junior at DeSales University majoring in English and Communications. She loves going to the beach during the summer, especially with friends! She can usually be caught reading a book, trying to get a tan, or swimming in the ocean when she visits her favorite vacation spot!

Ask A CLIntern Responds: Getting Involved in Student Safety

Recently a  CL reader asked:

How can co-eds get involved in student safety on their campuses?

College is a time for fun, independence, making friends, and studying. To make sure you have the best time during college, every co-ed should know how to stay safe while on campus. Student safety on campuses is an important part of college life.

Co-eds can get involved in student safety in a variety of ways depending on your school’s safety program. Before getting into how to get more involved, make sure you know the safety basics of the school.

Most school’s have Emergency call buttons located around campus. It would be a good idea to know where they all are in case you come across trouble. Also some campuses have a text  and/or e-mail alert program. Signing up for the program can help you stay up to date with every kind of emergency (Last year our school sent out texts to let us know about rough weather like tornadoes in thearea). Get familiar with safety policies and procedures as well so you’re well informed before getting more involved!

If you want to get more involved with student safety, try meeting and talking to your head of campus security or resident life. If you feel students need to be more informed about campus procedures, policies, and safety options, try setting up a presentation with campus security, resident life, and student activities to show to fellow students. In my experience a lot of the safety polices are  covered during orientation, but things can easily be forgotten or missed during all the excitement of the first few days of college and a refresher might do some good!

Organizing a campus awareness or student safety club is another way to get involved. The club could organize fun and informative meetings and events to get students more involved. Or if you are more of a “hands-on” kind of co-ed then try getting involved with your college’s student EMS squad. The student-run EMS squad do a lot of the first responding to situations alongside campus security before outside help arrives. Also, at my school, there was a Rape Defense course that was free for students to take during each semester. See if your school offers anything similar and then spread all your new learned moves and tips to stay safe to fellow friends!

A great way to get involved with student safety is to talk! Talk to friends, classmates, teachers, workers, and administrators about staying safe and tips on how to do it! Word of mouth goes a long way!

Hopefully these suggestions answered your question and co-eds will go out and try being more involved with student safety on their campuses!

Have another question about College Life or anything in general? Ask bellow in the comments or email intern@collegelifestyles.org! (“Send in your question and be featured in a future College Lifestyles post! (Out of privacy, we will not use your name in the post)”). Check out the Ask Intern Post for more information!

Nicole Savitsky is a junior at DeSales University majoring in English and Communications. She’s active at her university and tries to stay well-informed about what’s happening on campus. She’s always there if someone needs some advice or has a question on anything!

CL’s Guide to Healthy Eating at the Movies!

With summer blockbusters like Harry Potter 7 part 2 just around the corner, many classy co-eds will be crowding the movie theaters this summer. (Check out CL’s Top 5 Summer Must Sees!) Every good movie needs some tasty snacks to complete the experience! But before you reach for the jumbo bowl of popcorn and large coke, read on to find out some healthier options to satisfy those movie-watching cravings!

1. Popcorn!
I love munching on some popcorn while watching a great movie. At the movie theater, it’s practically a rule to get some. Luckily popcorn’s considered to be a healthy snack if you eat it in the right sized portion. One way to do this would be to order a small popcorn and share it with a friend. You’ll end up eating less than you probably would. If none of your friends are takers, then try bringing some plastic snack bags to put the popcorn into–an easy way to portion out the popcorn. Also, when they ask if you want butter on the popcorn, (be strong!) say no. The popcorn will be a healthier snack without the added butter.

2. Drinks!
Movie theaters are prime places to fall into the soda craving trap. If you’re craving something sugary try ice-tea instead of the soda. However, for a few cents more, opt for the bottled water! Water is always the best option for drinking. No calories, No sugar, No worry!

3. Candy!
The candy at movie theaters is usually filled with sugar and unwanted calories. However, how can you say no to all that delicious candy? My suggestion if you want to stay healthy would be to pick either candy or popcorn and not both. Also another suggestion would be to pick a candy that’s chewy like Gummi Bears, Twizzlers, or Sour Patch Kids. Since these candies have you chewing, you’ll be eating more slowly. Eating slower will help you get full quicker because your brain will have time to register that your stomach is full. Check out the list of calories on all the movie theatre snacks here if you’re interested.

4. Bring Your Own!
A great way to stay healthy and quench those snack cravings would be to bring your own healthy snacks. Craving something crunchy? Try carrots or celery with dip. Not feeling vegetables? Try dry cereal for satisfying your crunchy craving or even your sugar cravings. Want something sweet? Bring some strawberries. Craving something salty? Pack some peanuts. You could even bring your own healthier popcorn popped at home. Just remember portion sizes with whatever snack you choose! Oh and enjoy the movie!

Comment With Your Favorite Movie Theater Candy!

Nicole Savitsky is a junior at DeSales University majoring in English and Communications. When she’s not working or reading, she loves watching movies. She can’t wait to see the last Harry Potter movie with her friends!

CL’s Guide to Orientation Etiquette!

Healthy Snacks on the Go – An Interview with Some Classy QU Phi Sigs

With such busy schedules and recruitment this past weekend, I asked a few of the fabulous sisters of Phi Sigma Sigma at Quinnipiac University what their favorite healthy snack on the go is. Here is what they said:

“My favorite snack is low fat yogurt and a granola bar.” – Val

“Ritz crackers and a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese.” – Heidi

“I like to eat fruit on the go, especially apples or grapes.” – Chelsea N.

“I really like to eat kids’ Cliff bars on the go. They are very filling and they come in all kinds of flavors like chocolate chip, fudge brownie, and graham cracker. They also have no high fructose syrup or Trans fats and they have vitamins and minerals in them. They also have regular cliff bars, but I like the kids because they are just the right portion for a snack on the go!” – Sara

“Protein bar.” – Kelsey W.

“My favorite healthy snack on the go is a banana, yum!” – Ashley H.

“I like fruit or a granola bar on the go. Both are easy to eat and scrumptious!” – Kasey

“Celery and hummus!” – Megan

“It’s random, but I like frozen grapes!” – Marina

“My favorite healthy snack on the go is an apple.” – Carissa W.

Better snacking choices will lead to better meal choices. Grabbing a healthy snack like fruit or a protein bar is just as easy as grabbing a bag of potato chips or a candy bar, and they often taste better too! What’s your favorite snack on the go?

Check out how you can pack a healthy dorm refrigerator, and you will be eating healthy snacks on the go in no time!

Nicole Celli is an intern at College Lifestyles.  She is an English major at Quinnipiac University and a member of Phi Sigma Sigma.  She always grabs a granola bar on her way out the door to stay focused and energized throughout the day!

The Ex-Files

I’ve been seeing this pop up on TV (Gossip Girl’s Chuck and Blair) and in music (T. Swift) a lot lately, so I wanted to dive into the topic of exes a little bit. I know most of us have them, and that quite a few people have trouble letting go. So what makes the difference between an ex who should stay in the past and one that warrants a second chance? That’s the question I’m  starting to address today, classy co-eds, but with a disclaimer: I am not a relationship expert and every situation is different, so these are just loose guidelines.

First things first, a few considerations:

• How long ago did the two of you date/break-up?- If it was last week, chances are that this is a mistake. You guys split for a reason and a week probably isn’t enough time to resolve those issues.
• How serious was your relationship then?- This can go both ways. Super casual romances that never really took off are usually easy fixes, but it’s possible that the connection was just never really there and never will be. Really serious relationships tend to come with the kind of feelings that last beyond a breakup, but they also tend to end more catastrophically. Plus, the temptation is always to pick up where you left off, rather than starting over in the current situation.
• How did the relationship end the first time?- I know that for me there are definite dealbreakers here. Any guy who was willing to lie, cheat, and break promises then, probably hasn’t changed that much. It’s up to you and what you can forgive and forget about, but you really do have to forget and move on for a second chance to work.
• What’s different about the two of you now?- Is there a significant difference between the circumstances then and now? Have the two of you grown up a little more since the split? Why would this time around work when last time didn’t?

The next thing to consider is the logistics of getting back together. In my experience, it works better to literally start all over at the first date-type stage. It’s a little difficult and awkward, but it forces you to treat the new relationship as a new relationship and not a continuation of what the two of you had before. That said, you should try to do something different together to reinforce the feeling of new romance (read: no boring dinner and a movie dates). Race each other in go-karts, go ice skating, go mini-golfing, play laser tag, just have fun and challenge each other a little. The adrenaline rush of competition helps make things feel fresh and new.

A few tips for deja vu couplings:

• Try not to rehash the past.- Sometimes before you can honestly start over, you have to discuss what happened back then. But once you’ve committed to giving it a second chance, don’t look back. Don’t discuss it. Don’t joke about it. I’m not saying to forget it happened, but it’s not important to your new relationship.
• Recognize patterns of behavior.- It is easy to fall back into your old pattern of interaction, just like the first time you dated. Which is part of the draw of returning to an old flame in the first place, but if you notice that you’re falling into the exact same problems you had before, you need to address it before you just repeat past mistakes.
• Don’t rush it.- Because the two of you already know each other and have a history, it’s not as easy to take things slowly, but it’s important to re-discover (not to sound cheesy) each other. Don’t skip steps you wouldn’t skip with any other new relationship.
• Don’t keep it a secret.- There’s no reason to hide your happiness from the people who care about you. Yes, there may be negative comments, and it takes maturity to calmly ask for your loved ones to support your decision, but it will only cause problems later if you don’t tell anyone.
• Have fun!- With so much to think about before you get together, it can be hard not to over-think it every step of the way. But relationships are supposed to be fun and make you happy, so once you’ve made the decision, just enjoy it. If you’re that worried about it not working out this time around, maybe the second-chance relationship isn’t for you.

Classy Co-Ed’s Guide to Awesome Advising Appointments

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably trying to figure out what exactly you’re going to have to do to graduate on time (although I don’t know why anyone wants to leave college), get a good job or into graduate school, and all that good stuff. And if you’re even more like me, you probably need a little help. That’s where advisors come in: they’re a great resource for every classy co-ed if you know how to ask the right questions. I asked my advisor a few questions about how to have more productive advising appointments and now I’m passing that advice on to you.

• Do a little research- it helps to have a general idea of what you want to know. If you’re going to your advisor for advice on how to get into grad school for example, do some online searching to see what kinds of schools you think you want to go to. If there’s a class you desperately want to get into that’s full, go prepared to tell him or her exactly why you would be an asset to the class and why the class would be an asset to you
• Ask specific questions to get specific answers- I once went into my advisor and literally asked if I could switch from pre-med to pre-law and that was the only question I’d come prepared with. The answer? “Yes” and that was all. Which didn’t help me with what I actually wanted to know: what should I do to make the switch happen and still be successful? Make a list beforehand of what exactly you want to know. Write down any answers you don’t think you’ll remember later.
• Make sure you’re going to the best advisor for your questions- At Mizzou, I have two advisors specifically assigned to me (one in each of my majors), plus an Honors College advisor and the pre-law advisor. I didn’t even know there was a pre-law advisor until I was considering a double major, and found some things about law school on the Political Science website. Sometimes it helps to just dig around and send some e-mails to feel out the resources your school offers.
• Bring any important documents with you- If you want to discuss your chances of getting into a major program, internship, or graduate school, you’ll probably need copies of your transcripts, recommendation letters, test scores, etc so your advisor doesn’t have to waste time looking things up and he or she has all the information.
• Try to get to know your advisor and maintain a relationship with him/her- the more you get to know your advisor, the more he or she will know (and care) about you too. Your advisor sees lots of students who just pass through, asking requisite questions and never pausing to learn his or her name. Some advisors are really cool people, and if they know you, when opportunities come across their desks that would be perfect for you, they’ll let you know and maybe even write you a recommendation letter.

Kat McClain is an intern at College Lifestyles ™. She attends the University of Missouri-Columbia, is a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and is extremely excited about the start of football season. Go Tigers! She also enjoys reading magazines, watching trashy TV, and listening to the new Katy Perry cd.

Don’t Miss Out! – L.I.V.E. It Up When You Travel Abroad!

Traveling abroad anytime soon, or considering it as a possibility in the future?   While making plans for your trip, keep in mind College Lifestyles’™ advice to help you make the most out of your travels.  I have had the opportunity to travel to seven different countries in the last four years.  Recently I returned from an 18 day study abroad trip to Europe.  It was a wonderful trip, and was almost unreal, thanks to lots of planning and having an open mind.  There are four specific things that I did before, and during, my trip to help me experience the countries I visited for all that they are worth.  The “L.I.V.E. It Up” method allowed me to come away from my trip with wonderful and positive memories that will last a lifetime.

Rick Steves' "London" (2010)

L-Learn About the Country. Before you set off on your excursion, dedicate some time to learning about your host country.  Two of my most useful Christmas gifts this year were Rick Steves’ London (2010) and Just Enough French by D.L. Ellis and F. Clark.  When reading these types of books, make sure to keep a set of sticky notes nearby.  This will be handy when you read about an interesting attraction that you want to visit, or when you come across a useful tip.  By reading up on your host country, you will learn a lot, both about the people, and the places.  It will help you be better prepared for your visit, as well as make the most out of your trip.

I-Invest Before You Go. From the time I confirmed my trip abroad, my financial focus was geared towards my “Europe Savings.”  I took any opportunity that I was given to earn money, and all of my decisions having to do with spending were accompanied by the question, “should I buy this, or save this money for Europe?”  Although practicing this form of self-control was not always the easiest, it was quickly dubbed well worth it once I was in Europe.  Make sure to take every opportunity you can to earn and save money.  Take advantage of babysitting jobs, sell old clothes to a consignment store, and try your luck selling various items you don’t use anymore on craigslist.com.  As for saving, try to cut back on eating out and other high-spending activities, and limit shopping trips.  No worries, there are still plenty of fun possibilities of things to do while pinching your pennies.

Standing on top of Cerro Negro, an active volcano in Nicaragua

V-Venture Out. As amazing as your trip will be, it is no secret that you will quickly become tired from all of your sightseeing.  My advice?  Do not let this stop you!  Take in all that you can while abroad, because in most cases, who knows when you will have the opportunity to return?  Make the most of your time and challenge yourself to do things you have never done before.  During my trip to Nicaragua last summer I zip-lined over a volcanic lagoon, and also hiked an active volcano.  It was fun to experience something new, and I made unforgettable memories.

E-Experience the Culture. Simply put, the best point saved for last.  Experience your host country’s culture as much as possible.  Try the food, adapt to the culture, and do your best to overcome any language barriers.  While in Nicaragua, I made the decision not to let the language difference stop me from communicating with the people.  Of course my Spanish was nowhere near perfect, but I was surprised at how willing the people were to attempt to communicate with me.  Through joint efforts I had plenty of meaningful conversations with wonderful people that I met.  One of my most enjoyable parts of visiting London was the conversations I had with the teachers at our host school (I spent several days observing in a local school).  It was easy to relate to the women that I spoke with, and was incredibly neat to hear their stories.  I realized how similar we were, and made several new friends.

Do not come away from your trip abroad wishing you had done more.  Experience your host country for all of its worth, and make sure to “L.I.V.E. It Up.”

Abby Bryant is an intern with College Lifestyles™.  She is a senior marketing major at Georgia College & State University® and is the president of her sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega®.  She loves to travel and hopes to make the most of every opportunity that comes her way, especially when abroad.

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