What to know about vaccines for college students

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Heading abroad for a summer term? If you’re traveling out of country, or just getting ready for next semester, now might be a good time to check on your immunization record. It’s important for college students to support herd immunity on campus–the more people who get vaccines, the less chance of anyone getting sick.

Are your vaccines up-to-date? (Credit: Upstream)

Are your vaccines up-to-date? (Credit: Upstream)

When you live in tight quarters like dorms, it’s really easy for colds (and more serious diseases) to spread around. If you can avoid an illness in college with a simple shot, it’s a no brainer–no one wants to spend finals week (or summer break) down with the measles. Read more →

Work-life balance ideas for busy college students

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Like most college students you may feel as if graduation is eons away, but it will be here before you know it. Time management skills are more important than ever because there is just so little time to get things done.

How do you manage work-life balance? (Credit: The Way HPI)

How do you manage work-life balance? (Credit: The Way HPI)

So I thought it would be a good idea to put together some ideas on how to stay organized, work smart and still find a work-life balance to keep sane. Let me share with you some tips that you can start using now. Read more →

Tips on how to have the best nap ever – YES!

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If you haven’t heard all the noise about the benefits of napping, well … maybe you already know how to take a nap and don’t need any life hacks to help!

What helps you take the best possible nap? (Credit: Expertrain)

What helps you take the best possible nap? (Credit: Expertrain)

But if you’re as crazed and tired and overwhelmed as most college students, a few how to pointers could make all the difference for you when it comes to sneaking in those all-important naps. Read more →

Solar initiatives on campus to help students go green

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I am a big fan of solar energy. I love seeing all the solar panels that look like they’re growing along the highway; there’s a fantastic field of solar panels near Hartford, CT’s Bradley International Airport, which is the closest large airport to where I live. I’m really encouraged by those initiatives to go green, and I see a lot of them happening on campus.

If your campus doesn't have a solar farm, how else can you go green on campus? (Credit: Jim Meadows, Illinois Public Media)

If your campus doesn’t have a solar farm, how else can you go green on campus? (Credit: Jim Meadows, Illinois Public Media)

Last November, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign cut the ribbon on its new solar farm, and even before the ceremony was complete, it was providing energy to campus. Are you on one of the lucky campuses with great solar campus energy initiatives? What else can you do to go green on campus? Read more →

Is it possible to have a vegetarian diet in college?

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Maybe you decided going meatless was a good idea after coming across this quote from George Bernard Shaw “Animals are my friends . . . and I don’t eat my friends.” Or maybe you simply want to learn how to be vegetarian for the health benefits. I tried going meatless myself, and it was definitely a challenge at my school, but I picked up some tips and tricks along the way.

What about a vegetarian diet appeals to you? (Credit: Kazuo Ogawa/AFLO)

What about a vegetarian diet appeals to you? (Credit: Kazuo Ogawa/AFLO)

Whatever your reason for skipping the burgers and more in college, read on for some ideas on a plant-based diet for the dining hall or your dorm room. Read more →

5 realistic time management tips for college students

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With end of the year term papers and final projects due, it can get very busy and stressful. You might feel overwhelmed and not know how to juggle all the things you have to do. Time management tips can help you schedule your schoolwork and spread your workload out so you can have enough time for everything, including yourself and friends.

Using a daily calendar helps with time management. (Credit: WikiHow)

Using a daily calendar helps with time management. (Credit: WikiHow)

Here are some study tips and successful time management techniques. Read more →

4 ways to binge watch your favorite shows without flunking out

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A few years ago, I binge-watched Eureka. All five seasons. Mostly in order. (Actually, a friend recommended I start on season 4 before going back to the earlier seasons, which in hindsight I find to be excellent advice.) It’s a truth that more viewers, and more college students, binge watch television, especially when services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime actually release full seasons all at one go.

What is your favorite show to binge watch? (Credit: Geek & Sundry)

What is your favorite show to binge watch? (Credit: Geek & Sundry)

On the one hand, this is great — you don’t have to book the television in the dorm common room on a Sunday night before a big Monday test to catch the latest episode of The Walking Dead, you can stream shows on your computer whenever they fit into your schedule. The down side? If you spend too much time on a binge watch you can still flunk out. Here are some tips on binge-watching without failing your classes. Read more →

Should I avoid that chocolate or not?

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It hit the news this week: consumer advocate group As You Sow released a survey that chocolate has more lead content than recommended. In fact, they said the lead in chocolate is nine times the amount considered safe by California law. Looking at the pile of empty candy wrappers on the corner of my desk, I’m not feeling great about this news.

Will lead in chocolate keep you from eating it? (Credit: Cooperative Home Care)

Will lead in chocolate keep you from eating it? (Credit: Cooperative Home Care)

Then again, there are a bunch of studies supporting the health benefits of chocolate, particularly the dark blends. Is chocolate good for you? Check out these recent news articles and decide for yourself if chocolate is a good way to improve your mood—or if it’s just going to add to that freshman 15 you’ve been trying to avoid… Read more →

It’s about time you master the art of napping

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I’m willing to bet that there have been plenty of times when you found a quiet corner in the library or student union to curl up and take a nap. It really is a fine art to know how to nap, especially to power nap.

It’s the essential skill for college students who are burning the candle at both ends. So don’t get caught napping in class. Let’s learn how to take a nap. Read more →

7 study tips to help you ace your next exam

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College students dread this time of year – midterms. It’s worse when one midterm and one final exam constitute your whole grade. But if you practice good study habits, you can excel.

How I feel every time I study for exams. (Credit: GraphJam.com)

How I feel every time I study for exams. (Credit: GraphJam.com)

It just takes some common sense, prioritizing and determination. Here are some college tips on how to study effectively. Read more →