88 Surefire Tips for Succeeding in College

I do believe that these are excellent.  Though I may not agree with all of them word for word…..it is by far the best list I have seen in my mere 28 years on this planet.  Be sure to check it out.

 88 Surefire Tips for Succeeding in College

Best (free) Apps for College Students

Who wants to pay $300 for the Microsoft Office Suite?  There are too many options out there to even consider such a thing…especially for your typical college student.  Thus some excellent options for those not wanting to pay homage to the Microsoft monster.  Some replace the typical office suite, others aide in note-taking, social-networking, bibliographies, research, etc.  All are worthwhile, and useful beyond the university realm.

Web Apps for Students

Top Web Tools for College Students

Ramen Noodle Cup Timer

Now you’re not a true college student if you don’t have a case of Ramen under your bed or burried in your closet.  The only problem with the glorious noodle cups is that timing their cooking is awfully tricky.  If you don’t wait long enough they are still starchy and crunchy, wait too long they are cold and an a gel-like gruel.

So I present the Ramen Noodle Cup Timer as seen on Gizmodo:

Their description sums it up well, so check it out here

powered by performancing firefox

Theme Party Themes

Now that you have the basic idea as to what you need for a proper theme party, it is time to come up with the actual theme. The possibilities are truly endless, and as I see it they really fall into 2 categories. First is dress-up themes; people dress up according to the theme. Second is what I would call “action themes.” They are themes that have some sort of action or participation (beyond dressing up) that goes along with them. I’ll give you some examples of each.

Dress up themes:

• Any decade era (60’s, 70’s, 80’s, etc)

• 

• 

• Coordinated male/female roles

  • Pimps and Hoes

  • 

  • Heroes and Heroines

  • Doctors and Nurses

  • Porn stars

  • White trash

  • 

  • GI Joe and Barbie

  • Cowboy and Indian

• Bandwagon – favorite sports team

• Wild animals

• Catholic School Girl

• 

• Dream occupation

• Nationality/Regional

  • Hawaiian

  • 

  • Artic (winter)

  • Beach

  • Jungle

• Book or Movie related

  • Great Gatsby

  • 

  • Favorite movie character

Action Themes:

• Highlighter- highlighters, white t-shirts, and blacklights

• 

• Do anything for money – who can “earn” the most money by the end of the night?

• Mardi Gras – beads, beads, beads

• 

• Around the World – different drink in each room/area, you must visit each part of the world

• Old ball and chain – get tied to/handcuffed to a random person for the night

  • Guys wear a tie to the event, place them in a pile/container, and girls randomly choose one. You get tied to that person for the night.

Obviously this is simply a sampling. The possibilities are endless. Do you have any themes you are particularly fond of?

Theme Parties

Sitting and drinking and playing the same music and the same drinking games get old. Especially over a 4 year span. Therefore it is necessary to spice things up every once in awhile with something new. Since the possibilities are limited, notably for those truly on a collegiate budget, one easy way to achieve a change of pace is through theme parties. This was a staple at my fraternity as well as some of my more frequented party houses at my various schools. Not to mention, one bar in town had an 80’s night every Wednesday. By mid-semester you had to be in line an hour before it started just to be able to get in.

The point is, theme parties are fun, and they provide a bit of a change from the normal routine. They are not expensive to throw together; no more than your typical binge-drinking Friday or Saturday night, and you are more likely to have new people show up when you have a theme.

The opportunities for themes are as endless as your imagination. They can be simple or they can be elaborate. It really depends on you, and how much effort (read: money) you would like to put into the event. Some aspects which are key for a successful theme party:

• Appropriate music – a must to set the proper tone as people arrive. If it is an 80’s party, 80’s music is a MUST. No exceptions!
• Some sort of expectations for dress – you need to have people looking the part if you expect success
• Getting the word out – people need to know about the theme and the party if you expect them to show up. Rely on word of mouth….it can’t be beat. If you prove you are successful at the whole party thing, the proof will be in the product. DO NOT over-hype it; you will either end up with too many people and not enough room, or the hype itself will kill it before it begins….

Those are the needs. Things that will set you apart from others if you can put it together with your theme:

• Decorations – You don’t need a truck full of sand on your entire first floor to pull off a beach theme….but beach toys and a little wading pool could lead to some excellent debauchery.
• Drinks – Kegs are great. The traditional college part drink is cheap beer. Set yourself apart with some themed drinks. Buy the liquor in bulk, buy cheap stuff, and mix a huge vat of the proper mixed drink. Add lots of ice, and make sure it tastes good (read: that girls will love it)….and you will make your mark!
• Party Favors – Could get expensive if you have a huge party/house, but still an excellent addition to any theme party. The key is to keep it simple, inexpensive, and central to the theme. Check out your local dollar store for possibilities. If you find the expense to be too great to be able to provide them for everyone, just hand them out to your “VIPs”….or the girls/guys you want to have stay over that night.

Now I realize that I have not yet even touched on possible themes for this party which I am talking about. I have given you the skeleton outline, but not the actual topic. I will, but this post has gotten long enough on its own. Check back soon for some suggested themes for this party we’re trying to get you to throw!

The cost of smoking

Smoking seems to be one of those rites of passage for many a college student.  The problem with this is that it follows all too many of us to into our “real world” lives.  But once we get there we find that it saps our health and whatever extra money we actually don’t have.  Not to mention that too many states/cities have new(er) laws forbiding smoking in bars, restraurants, etc.  And most importantly….it is almost impossible to pick up a non-smoker if you are one, be it in college or out and about in the world.

Now, here is a post telling you how much you could save if you gave up that pack-a-day habit, which I thankfully did myself about 2 years ago!  It is increadible how much we actually spend on pieces of burning plant and chemical matter which we are putting into our bodies, all the while knowing that it may one day lead to our demise.  Follow the link below for details:

Give Up Smoking - Or Better Yet, Don’t Even Start [Saving Without A Budget]

My gym routine

Previously I have posed the suggestion that everyone “hit the gym”.  Now, here I am to provide my general routine…

I typically try to make it to the gym 5-6 days a week.  However with responsibilities mounting in the fall, it is never quite that much.  When I do go, I alternate between upper and lower body.  So Mon, Wed, Fri may be upper body days, and Tues, Thurs, Sat will be lower body days.  I get many of my exercises from Men’s Health, so if you don’t specifically know what they are, you can probably find descriptions/pictures there.  I also typically make an attempt to “super set”.  This means rather than take a 2 min break between sets, I will do another set of an antagonistic lift, and then the second set of the first lift, and so on…
Upper Days:

1. Jump Rope
   • 2 sets of 60 of the following 2 footed, right foot, left foot, alternating feet
   • 36″ plyo boxes - 2 sets of 20 front to back, 20 side to side
2. Push Press 4×8  with Snatch Grip Jump Shrug 4×12
3. Inclined bench 4×12 with Dumbell Shrugs 4×12
4. Dumbell Curls 4×12 with Dumbell Triceps Extensions 4×12
5. Seated rows 4×12 with Bent over Lat Raise 4×12

Lower Days:

1. 15 min stationary bike ride or 2.5 mile run
2. Ab work (2 sets of each of the following):
   •  50 Swiss ball crunches
   • 50 flat footed crunch
   • 40 (each side) side crunch
   • 50 traditional crunch
3. Calf raise 4×15 with DumbellRomanian Dead-lift 4×12
4. Single Leg Bulgarian Split Squat 4×12
5. Leg Extensions 4×12 with Leg Curls 4×12

Hit the Gym

There is no question that physical activity is good for you. There is also no question that people who routinely work out are more attractive, productive, and generally in a better mood. So why don’t most of us do this…especially while in college? There are a number of reasons, none of which truly hold water.

I will admit, I did not truly take advantage of the facilities at my institutions of higher learning. At each one, I would go a couple of times, sort of do a workout, and within a week stop. This is the case for all too many of us. The key for this is….routine. You need to get into a routine. Just like pre-gaming on a Friday night before heading out to Ruloff’s, your workout has to become something that is ingrained in your psyche.

It’s tough. There are so many distractions at school. Easier things to do. Activities that are not as strenuous. You’re right, it is much better to sit around and play Halo for 3 hours every afternoon than to change, synch the iPod, and trudge off to the gym. But think about it….what one will make you more appealing to the opposite (or the same) sex? What one will make you feel better about yourself? What one will allow you to ogle other co-eds in the mirror while you are on the treadmill?

Now, you don’t need to be pushing 275 on the bench to benefit. Actually in my opinion, putting up that much on only the bench is the last thing I would want to do. Most of us just need some sort of shape. Hop on the treadmill for 20 min and jog. Do some of the basic stuff. But do something. If you want some different ideas besides the traditional bench, curl, squat, I like Men’s Health. They have a variety of workouts, and generally focus on the whole body besides seeing “how much you can put up”.

I was active in college. I played soccer all year long. So I was in shape, but I was never in shape. Since college I have discovered the gym and eating well, and though I am by no means “big” the change in my life has been dramatic. In college it is hard to get to the gym with so many distractions, but you will find yourself happier, fitter, and I would be willing to wager sexier.

I’ll post my personal workout later…..you don’t need to commit your life to the gym. I like to have 1-1.5 hours, but as little as 30 min will do wonders…..

Universities Aim to Avoid ‘Freshman 15′

While experts say the so-called “Freshman 15″ is usually only 5 to 7 pounds, it’s a common experience for many college newcomers faced with unlimited cafeteria food, late-night pizza binges and snacking that comes with irregular student schedules, not to mention a general lack of activity for many.

This article from ABC News reports on how some universities are trying to educate students about good eating habits so that they not only don’t put on the “Freshman 15″ but so they also don’t lose weight due to no longer getting 3 square meals a day from Mom and Dad.

Read the article here: Universities Aim to Avoid ‘Freshman 15′

No fake ID? No problem!

In the post The Fake ID, we talked about how to go about getting a fake ID for collegiate imbibing use.  However, this is not always possible.  Some people are simply not able to get one.  And it seems like there is always someone in a group of friends who does not have one, which makes going out to the bars next to impossible.  Therefore, there needs to be some sort of way to get around this predicament.  So here we go.  Some options for those lacking an ID.

1. Make friends with the bouncer - This is probably the most obvious and easiest way to get into bars.  Get to know the bouncer and make friends with them outside of the bar scene.  Over time you will earn the right to be let into the bar without having proper identification.  At school my fraternity had one bar where a brother was a bouncer, which made things much easier for those without an ID, or with a poor ID that would not work elsewhere.  At another school, a teammate on our club soccer team worked the door, so that is where we went….  Keep in mind, just “knowing” the bouncer will not get you in.  You need to actually be able to consider him a friend, and feel comfortable relying on that friendship.
2. Sneaking in -  Most bars have some sort of back entrance that can be utilized.  This does take some daring.  Getting caught could get you banned, or in some other sort of trouble.  But then again, so can having a fake ID, so it is the chance you take.  Sneaking in is just like sneaking in anywhere else.  You need to be careful and look out.  Also if the back door is one with a crash-bar that is locked from the inside, you will obviously need some help.  But it can be done, especially in a busy bar where the staff has so much going on that they can watch the exits.  Keep in mind, some bars use stamps, markers, or wristbands.  Make sure you take this into account when sneaking in.
3. The pass-back - This requires 3 people. 2 with an ID, and obviously the person who is lacking.  2 of the people should have some sort of resemblance….at least enough for the ID to work for both people.  Also best performed at a busy bar where the bouncer will not necessarily remember you.  How it is done:  two people go in with their IDs (typically the two who actually have the ID, to make sure that they get in).  Then one of the people leave the bar with their ID, and the ID from the other people who entered.  The second ID is given to the 3 person who is waiting outside, and they enter using the IDs.  Now obviously, this will not work at a bar that slow, the bouncer will more than likely remember the ID and know you are not the original person who was using it.  Also, you obviously need to look like the person’s ID you are using.  But it does work.  The key is to wait long enough after using the ID the first time for the bouncer not to recall it.  I would also imagine that the non-smoking rules for bars in some states would make this easier because people are forced to leave and re-enter the bar in order to smoke.
4. The hang out - Some bars function as restaurants before the bar scene opens up.  Go out for a late dinner, and make your stay carry over after the bar stops serving food and becomes truly a bar.  This can be difficult if your server is paying attention.  My best suggestion for this would be to make sure you are there late enough, pay your bill at the very end of the server’s shift, and hang out as long as you can talking without making it look obvious that you are biding your time.  Hope that the server really wants to get home, and that they clean up your table after you have paid, but before you leave.

In conclusion, there are ways to get around not having a fake ID.  Obviously none of them are as sure-fire as actually having one, but these options do work when employed properly.  Do you have any other methods for getting into a bar without actually having an ID?