10 Things to Avoid as a College Senior

Are you a college senior?  Congratulations on making it this far!  You may think the hard work is over, but you still have a whole year that could determine your future.  Check out these ten things to avoid as a college senior.  You can learn more at Campus Explorer.

 

1. Skipping Classes

Choosing to skip classes could mean missing valuable information for upcoming tests. And don’t forget to think ahead to university classes: Information you’ll need for your major in your college program may be covered during a high school lecture you miss.

2. Thinking Second Semester Grades Don't Count

Many universities look at your second semester grades, so keep that GPA up and keep taking those AP/IB and honors classes. Admissions departments at many colleges and universities have been known to rescind the acceptance letters of students who drop their tough classes or let their GPA sink dramatically due to senior slump.

3. Falling for “Senioritis”

A bit of restlessness during your senior year is to be expected, but don’t let yourself lose motivation, procrastinate or slack off completely. Letting yourself get physically or emotionally run down can ruin your senior year and make you less prepared for getting a college degree.

4. Getting Too Overwhelmed

Senior year means juggling everything from the prom and parties to college essays and AP tests. You’ll get through it all if you take a step back and prioritize your time: Make lists and timelines to keep track of all of your deadlines and make sure you get it all done.

5. Confusing Your Priorities

Planning for college doesn’t mean you can forget about your current obligations. In class, that means making sure your transcript is full of good grades in all of your subjects, not just the ones you think are easier or more relevant to your intended degree. Outside of class, that means not dropping your extracurricular activities or work if those activities will benefit you financially or personally.

6. Forgetting to Study

Keep up on your assignments, even after a tough week. While you’re taking time off, there’s another student going for your spot at the schools you’re applying to who isn’t. When you feel less motivated to study, remind yourself that every good grade gets you closer to finding a college that offers a great program in the major you want. Keep your eyes on the prize!

7. Mismanaging Your Time

Be realistic about your current workload. While you know how long it takes you to write a paper or study for a test under normal conditions, all the pressures of senior year could make you work more slowly or give you more distractions. To stay on top of your assignments, calculate how long you think something will take you, and then double it. Triple it, if time allows. That way you’ll have ample time to get your work done even if something comes up for the colleges you’re applying to.

8. Daydreaming About Your Future Too Much

Your mind now might be wandering, thinking around about degrees, majors, MBA programs, possible careers, study abroad and many other things. These are all exciting future possibilities, but don't forget the here and now. Devoting too much time daydreaming when you have homework and reading to do could seriously curtail those future plans.

9. Blowing Off “Less Important” Work

Don’t be fooled by the idea that a second paper or a midterm quiz doesn't make that much of a difference. Everything counts. Even if something is only worth ten percent of your grade, take it seriously. That extra ten percent might be what pushes you into a college slot over the next applicant.

10. Failing to Use Available Resources

Teachers know about all the challenges you’re facing during this busy time, and many of them are nice enough to offer extra help during the second half of senior year. This help can be in the form of extra office hours, a review of topics covered, study guides, sample exams, or other tools to help you improve your grade. Take advantage of them.

5 Tips for the College Student

Image from The Atlantic.

We hope that your semester is going well!  Time management, organization, and healthy living are key tips to staying ahead of your work.  This blog has five great tips that will help you succeed and have fun this semester.  You can learn more at CBS.

1. Budget wisely

“It is crucial to discuss the importance of budgeting while attending college with your teen. Nowadays, college is expensive and they should not go around aimlessly spending money, especially if loans are involved. Having your teen get a summer job can be a great start (or even a part-time job at school), as they may learn to enjoy new skills that they are able to add on their resume. If they are planning to live on campus, either in or out of state, it would be wise to purchase a meal plan, as it would be less strenuous both on your teen and your budget.”

2. Sharpen time management skills

“While attending college, time management is key. Your teen may feel overwhelmed with so many things to do on and off campus that may include socializing with friends, juggling assignments and making sure to attend club meetings — the options are endless! While it is important than they take part in all of the above, they must remember to set their priorities straight. As many of us know, college is one of the best times of your life, but there will be time to make room for the things they have always dreamed of doing.”

3. Network with others

“ Networking is an essential skill your teen must get accustomed to while at college. Networking with others once they have chosen a school is a great step to knowing the ‘ins and outs’ of the school as well as choosing to stay informed about opportunities. Networking will also give your teen the opportunity to learn from others and not just their friends and family. While they do network with friends and family on a daily basis, it is important to inform them to network with others while at work, too. It never hurts to carry around a business card or even their resume — they’ll never know who they’ll meet over the summer or in class!”

4. Utilize school resources

“Make sure your teen educates themselves on which clubs or organizations they’d be willing to join. Getting involved on campus is a great way to stay active and interact with other students and professors while enriching your college life. The career center is often a place that students take for granted while attending college. The career center is a key place for your teen to familiarize with, as they provide help for students who are interested in internships or students who are interested in polishing up their resumes and cover letters.”

5. Organization is key

“Unlike high school, college is not about set dates and assignments. A lot of the times, classes will not be in the same building and are set at different times. Your teen should realize this when they attend orientation and are making their schedules. If your teen is interested in extracurricular activities or keeping a part-time job while at school, it is important to stay organized. Getting organized can start off by having them do small things at first, like keeping their rooms cleaned or making sure they are responsible enough by assigning them to run ‘adult’ errands. Using a planner is probably the best way to make sure assignments are handed in on time, meetings are scheduled and attended, study sessions are filled in or even to jot down the days they are working (which can help your teen find time to relax and hang out with friends on campus). A whiteboard to write to-do lists for them to view is beneficial as well!”

15 Tips for Better Dorm Food

As you may know, it's back to school season, and that means that ramen packages will be flying off the shelves in no time. This article checks out some great simple recipes in the spirit of back to school, but we think you'll like them too! Check out "15 Back to School Recipes & Tips for Better Tasting Dorm Food"

TOP ROW

• 1 Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake - Yammie's Noshery - Yeah, cake in mugs are kind of ridiculous, but when you're craving something sweet this peanut butter chocolate one should do the trick. 
• 2 Scrambled Eggs in the Microwave - They won't hold a candle to the ones on the stovetop, but might be better then the cold eggs sitting in the cafeteria
• 3 Overnight Oats - This is so easy to do, plus great for when you're on the go in the morning. 
• 5 Steam Broccoli in the Microwave - Sneak some veggies from the cafeteria and make something a little healthy as a snack or to add to microwave pasta. 

SECOND ROW

• 1 Make Instant Ramen Taste Better - Radical Possibility - If instant ramen is inevitable in college, you might as well switch it up every once and awhile. 
• 2 Grilled PB&J - Everyday Occasions - The easiest trick of them all! Grilling your PB&J is life changing. If you don't have a panini press at school, I've heard of people "grilling" it with their clothing iron. That's right. 
• 3 One Bowl Microwave Macaroni and Cheese - Minimal effort involved. 
• 4 Three-Ingredient Cereal Bars - Undressed Skeleton - Take your favorite cereal from the dining hall and use it to make these easy breakfast bars. 
• 5 "Roast" Garlic in the Microwave - Mhmm das right, you can even "roast" garlic if you want to live it up. 

BOTTOM ROW

• 1 Brew a single cup of coffee - Instructables - Because sometimes you just want one cup of coffee and it's like 2am and everything else, including coffee shops, are closed. 
• 2 Make Foamed Milk in a Microwave for Coffee - Because if you're going to go through all the trouble of making that single cup of coffee at 2am, you might as well make some milk foam for it too. 
• 3 Ramen Noodle Trail Mix - May Squared - This recipe techincally requires a stove, but you could just throw all the ingredients together into a bowl and call it a day. 
• 4 Make Polenta in the Microwave - Get fancy with your study group. 
• 5 Toast Nuts in the Microwave - Necessary snack item made better with a microwave. 

Related → College Eating: 5 Ways To Spice Up Cafeteria Food

Related → Our Readers' Best Tips For Cooking Real Meals in a Hotel Room

(Images: As Linked)

Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/back-to-school-recipes-tips-for-better-tasting-dorm-food-193941

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome back to school, University of Memphis students!  Have you participated in the welcome activities happening around campus.  Check out this great schedule below, and check out the U of M website for the rest of the schedule. 

6 Great College Packing Tips

Are you packing up to move back in?  Check out these great tips on how to make packing easier from home to college.  You can find out more  at College Fashion.

1. Keep Clothes on Hangers

You’ll save lots of time moving in if your hanging clothes stay on their hangers so all you have to do is fill your closet once you get there. I separate my clothes by type (short sleeve shirts, dresses, skirts, etc.), punch a small hole in the top of a garbage bag and slip the clothes into the bag with the hanger hooks coming through the top of the bag.

2. Pack Bedding in Your Pillowcase

Photo Credit

When you pack your bedding, it’s a great idea to slip the fitted sheet and top sheet inside the pillowcase so that you know everything is together and easy to grab when it’s time to change your sheets!

3. Pillows in Plastic Bags

Pack pillows in plastic bags in order to squeeze as much air out of them as possible. No need for vacuum bags — extra large Ziploc or other sturdy plastic bags will do just fine. Just make sure to squeeze the air out of your pillow then seal the bag.
On the other hand, if you have delicate furniture or boxes to pack, sometimes it’s best to leave the pillows fluffy and use them as natural padding.

4. Pack Your Purses and Luggage

Photo Credit

I find that it works best to pack as many things as I can into bags I’ll use during the semester. Keep in mind the fact that any boxes you take with you will need to be either stored or thrown away, so it’s a good idea to fill up as many everyday bags as you can. For instance, fill your backpack with all your school supplies, your suitcase with all your jeans, and a purse with all your makeup. Just make sure everything that can spill is tightly closed and put in a plastic bag first!

5. Secret Weapon: Cling Wrap

Cling Wrap is truly my packing secret weapon. Surprising, right? It works like a dream. Use it to:

• Keep DVDs neatly wrapped on a DVD stand or shelving unit. No unpacking required!
• Remember these jewelry storage ideas? Get everything organized at home and then wrap it up with Cling Wrap to keep it organized on the way to school.
• Shelving units that require assembly can be held together in transit with Cling Wrap. I use this for both my kitchen shelves and my closet shoe racks!

6. Be Smart About Packing the Car

Put heavy items on the bottom and build up from there. Once you have the big things in place, use softer items like clothes and bedding as cushioning between bulky items.

Moving Into Your College Apartment

 

1. Proper planning prevents problems. Be prepared with your vehicles (unless they are bringing them and that's why they got stuck helping you move!), boxes, tape, packing materials, blankets for car protection and maps to help them find your new home. The greatest goal when having friends take time out of their day to help you move is to make it easy on them, and show your gratitude as best as possible. Preparation helps this process.

2. Food! Have some fun snacks or meals on hand, depending on the duration of the move for your friends. Take into consideration what they like and will appreciate. (ie Don't buy pepperoni pizza for your vegan friends, etc.) Have beer for your drinking friends during the move, but be careful not to drink too much! Also, have plenty of water and cold, icy drinks for super hot days.

3. Don't expect them to be there all day. Some of your friends may be able to help you for just a little while and then will have to or even want to go about their day. Try to schedule friend-helping time to move large pieces of furniture that you won't be able to move without help.

4. Do a clean sweep before the move. You might not need a lot of those books you've been holding onto, and they are definitely heavy. It will help you and your friends in the long run if you donate some of the items you won't necessarily be using in your new home.

5. Let them know what to do during the actual move. No one wants to rifle through your things or assume which pieces go where. Help your friends know how to help you by giving them specific tasks to keep them busy and the move, well, moving!

6. Give them a token of your appreciation. This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to buy them a gift—just return the favor. Take them to the airport a few times, or offer a babysitting date night, or organize a lovely dinner party at your new home when it's all set up! Remember your friends' acts of generosity and let them know you appreciate them.

It is almost that time of year.  You need to ask your friends and family to help you move into your new apartment for school.  Friends and family are always willing to help, but here are some tips on how to make the experience a bit more enjoyable for them.  You can find more great apartment tips on apartment therapy .

Congratulations to our Summer Graduates!

 The University of Memphis will hold its summer commencement Sunday, Aug. 11, at 3 p.m. at FedExForum. The University will award a total of 701 degrees, including 45 doctorates, presented by Interim President Brad Martin.

The featured speaker will be Dr. Gladius Lewis, professor of engineering and recipient of the U of M’s 2013 Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award.

Lewis is an international leader in the field of orthopedic biomaterials and implant design.

Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, he earned a BS degree in mechanical engineering from the University of London, England, and a PhD in materials science from the University of Nottingham, England.

Before joining the U of M in 1987, Lewis taught at Trent Polytechnic in England, the University of Zambia, the University of Zimbabwe and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He was promoted to professor in 1993.

Lewis‘ work has been widely cited. His results have contributed to many improvements, including self-healing bone cements that are more fracture-resistant than current commercially available brands, and development of cements specifically for two widely used surgical methods for treating compression fractures of the spine. These advances may translate to an increase in the life of hip and knee implants, and improved stabilization and better restoration of fractured vertebrae.

For more information, visit www.memphis.edu/commencement.
Congratulations to all of our summer graduates! Their commencement ceremony will be this Saturday at 3pm at the FedExForum.  701 people will be graduating this Saturday from the University of Memphis.  Check out UofM for more information.