How To Get Involved in Community Service in College

This podcast discusses how to get involved in community service and non-profit organizations like Americorps and Alternative breaks while in college. 

Top 5 Reasons Why Libraries are the Best (Post #12)

I'm a firm believer in libraries. Not just for the books, but for the entire environment. It's a place to kick back and get some work done, or to panic and get more work done. No matter what it is, the library is the place to be. Today I am going to give you more than enough reasons to go to the library to get your work done rather than to depend on yourself to focus in a louder location.

*DISCLAIMER* - I am in a library.

1. Silence 

At Mabee library, there are many different floors for many different students. My personal favorite is the quiet floor. There is no talking and I seem to get all of my work finished in half the time I usually do anywhere else. 

2. ResourcesAnything you could ever want is in this library. Need to find a book? You better believe they got them. Need to use a computer? They have those, too. What if you just want to use the internet on your phone or your tablet? Well, they have that also. 

3. Outside Help

The library also has many helpful resources for homework or paper help. There is the Tutoring Center where you can walk in and receive help on your homework. There is also a Writing Center where you can get advice on your paper. There are also librarians who are always ready to help you find exactly what book you are looking for. 

4. The Shop

I know what you are thinking. Sure, the library is nice for books and studying but I do need food. Well, the library has that, too. On the main floor there is a coffee shop with lots of drinks and snacks. 

5. Atmosphere

There is something about being around a lot of other kids are that studying that makes me want to study. It's an academic place to be, but it can also be fun at the same time. It's like taking a classroom and putting it in a giant coffee shop. There are so many people doing different things! 

Top 5 Thanksgiving Alternatives (Post #11)

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches with less than two weeks until the last day of class, it's that time to start thinking about where you will be going for Thanksgiving. It is common that a lot of students around campus will go home, whether home is in Topeka or far away. But, not everyone goes home. There are students that can't because of distances, finances, or circumstances out of their control. So today I want to spend a little time discussing some alternative ideas for students that aren't going to be able to make it home this Thanksgiving season.

1. Find a Friend

This may be awkward at first to ask a friend if you could attend their Thanksgiving meal, but usually the family would love to have you. 

2. Volunteer

There are LOTS of needy people around the Topeka area around Thanksgiving time. Many soup kitchens and other organizations set up times for those who do not have meals to receive a little something. You could volunteer your time to one of these organizations. 

3. Make Your Own

If you have other friends that will not be going home for Thanksgiving, think about setting up your own thanksgiving. You don't have to have any of the traditional foods like big turkeys and green bean casserole. Think about making it a potluck so there are many types of foods. 

4. Take the Day Off

Is there a movie you have really been wanting to see but haven't had time? Take Thanksgiving as a day for yourself and do whatever you want to do. Put down your homework and your planner and relax. 

5. Do Your Work

Maybe you do need another day to work on assignments and get stuff done. Catch up on homework and assignments so you are ready for finals when you go back to school! 

Top 5 Things to Consider When Planning Your Schedule (Post #10)

The second semester of the year is quickly approaching! With less than 5 weeks until the end of the Fall semester, it is now time to register for new classes. But what do you take? This can be overwhelming, even with help from an adviser. What class goes where? What do I absolutely need to take this year? Is there going to be any free time for me?

Hopefully after this post, you will know exactly what to do next semester!

1. Plan Your Years

This can be as stressful as your schedule, but you will figure out your entire class schedules and you'll know what you need to accomplish this Spring. Are you planning on studying abroad? Make sure you take that into consideration now rather than later. 

2. Know Your Life

If you have any preexisting plans or activities that you know that you will have to do, right them down and try to get your classes to revolve around them. This can make it easier on you in the long run when you are trying to go from class to class, activity to activity. 

3. Day or Night? 

Personally, I'm a morning person. I'd rather get up early and get all my classes done so I have the rest of the day and night for myself. Start out early if you want to make your day longer or plan classes later if you want to sleep in!

4. Plan in Chunks The worst thing that can happen during a weekday is wasted time. Try your best to keep all your classes in chunks so you aren't in the library or the student union for hours and hours

5. FRIDAYS
This tip is probably the most important tip I have ever said. DO NOT PLAN A CLASS ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. You won't go. You think you will, but you won't. The temptation to skip class on a Friday is very strong, especially when your friends are out of class and want to hang out. Just stay away from Friday afternoon classes!

I hope these tips helped you find exactly what you need to take next semester. Happy Class Hunt! 

Top 5 Things to Do on the Weekend (no party version) (Post #9)

The most common question that makes its way across Washburn campus every Thursday is by far, "What are you doing this weekend?" The most common response to this is, "Uh..."

I never know what I'm doing during my time off. Personally, I don't go to parties or contribute to anything of the sort. I know there are many college students here at Washburn and all around the nation that feel the same as I do. So this blog today will help both you (the reader) and me (the writer) find out what there is to do on off days during the school year, other that go to parties! 

1. HOMEWORK

This is the most important thing, yet for me it seems to get done last. I urge you to do this first before you do anything else on the weekend. If you get this done first, you will lift a huge burden off your back! 

2. Relax, kid. 

Get some rest for the week. There will be time to socialize later! Personally, my entire week is a little off when I am busy all weekend without any down time. 

3. Gym. Gym. Gym. 

Gym's are fun...right? This is a chance for you to get out there and make some friends at the recreation center! 

4. Night Out of the Town

Get a group of friends together and plan a night around Topeka, going to the movies or a campus event. Sometimes finding your group of friends that don't party can result in a lot more fun than any party.

5. Game Night In 

The funds aren't there, I get it. Invite friends over to your dorm room or apartment  and tell them to bring a little snack each. Get a board game or a video game and go at it! This can be more fun than going out with your friends (and less expensive.)

Top 5 Ways to Find a Major (Post #8)

Recently, I had my semester advising appointment with my adviser. This is always a hectic time for two reasons; I never know what classes I want to take and I always wonder if I should be in a different major. Don't get me wrong, I love journalism. But just the thought of exploring another option or a different future career is always in the back of everyone's mind.

So what should you do if this happens to you? What if you aren't sure in the first place what you want to do? Today I want to give you a few tips in solving this mystery. 

1. Find a Majors/Minor Adviser

Most campuses have career advisers who help students figure out what they ultimately want to do with their lives. Take advantage of this! If you have no plans for the future, talk to these guys first. They will give you the best tips to finding out what you want to do. 

2. Find your Hobby

What do you like to do? How can you make that a job? Doing what you love to do (even like to do) can boost you in the right direction of finding a career. 

3. Find your Place on Campus

What are you involved in? Sometimes the best options in life are the ones right in front of us. Join a few clubs or activities. These don't have to be things you will do for the rest of college or even the rest of the school year. Just trying it out can trigger a future plan!

4. Find the Dough

We are all in college to find jobs that we love, but also jobs that pay well. How does money effect your life? If it is important to you, you may want to think of careers that can support your financial needs. 

5. Find your Friends

The people that you are around the most know you the best. Talk to them about what they are doing with their futures and ask what they think about yours. The honesty of that person may trigger either a spark for a career, or a petition against it all. 

I know first hand that finding your future in college is hard and it is bound to change at least once, whether it be the emphasis or the major in its entirely. But if you aim for a job that you enjoy and that you will make a living from, you'll ultimately find what you are meant to do.

Top 5 Ways to Stay Healthy in College (Post #7)

The other day, I went to the student union here on campus to buy a drink at the corner store. While there, I couldn't believe my eyes. Students of all kinds were grabbing big bags of chips, packages of cookies, over-sized sodas, and the tallest order of coffee available. Didn't these guys get it? The freshmen "15" (which actually applies to sophomores, juniors, and seniors) is an epidemic on campus, infecting all those students who invest in the cheapest junk food with the most amount of sugar to get them through long hours of studying.

But, it doesn't have to be like this! Although this food is cheap, it makes you want more, more often. So today I want to give you a few tips on how to stay healthy in college.

1. Eat Right

This may sound tough. Who has time to count calories when they can't even count their homework assignments? Calories aren't everything, however. If you replace cookies with fruit and chips with vegetables, an quick change will occur. 

2. Drink Right

Soda is tasty. Really tasty. It's borderline addicting, actually. Just taking this out of your diet (or better yet, limiting it to a few days a week) will keep the pounds off. 

3. Sleep, Sleep, and Sleep 

Exams are important. Sleep is more important. Schedule your time accordingly to allow you to get enough sleep to keep you energized during the day. 

Sleep=Energy. Energy=Study. Study=Success. Therefore, Sleep=Success 

4. Get to Know the Rec

This place is made for you. Literally. The recreation center on campus is made for you to come and work out as much as you want to. There are lots of things to do at a rec, if running isn't your thing. There are free classes for students, basketballs courts, and machines to work out on. Go check it out!

5. Don't Stress It

The number one way not to get sick is to limit your levels of stress. If you feel like you never get a moment to just rest, you should find that time! Even if it means you have to miss a meeting for one of your 50 clubs. 

I hope that these little tips get you started with either maintaining a good diet and weight or helping you in losing those few pounds that you have acquired here at Washburn.