Category Archives: Student Life

Student Life

The Four Most Essential Pieces of Clothing for Winter on Campus

Walking around campus during the winter can be . . . shall we say . . . less than fun.  It’s often slippery, cold, and windy.  It also seems like everything you wear gets drenched whenever it snows.  This is because college is different; you are constantly walking in between buildings to get to your classes.  You need the right gear to make it through your day without getting cold and drenched.  This is why we’ve put together a list of the four most essential pieces of clothing for getting through winter on campus.

Photo from buffalostate.edu

Snow boots.  Your best friends will be snow boots when it gets to be really snowy.  We suggest picking boots that are not only waterproof, but also have a warm lining and have treads on the bottom so you don’t face plant on your way to class.

A waterproof snow jacket.  Like we said, it seems like every time it snows on campus, everything you wear seems to get wet.  This is why a warm, waterproof snow jacket is a great idea for getting through those cold, snowy days.

Gloves.  Gloves are pretty much a give in, however, we don’t just recommend any gloves.  We specifically recommend getting gloves that have some sort of traction so that you’ll still be able to use your phone while you’re wearing them.  It can be a pain if you have to make a phone call and you have to remove your gloves.  The best thing is to either find gloves that just naturally work well enough so that you can still use your phone, or find gloves that can do that (they actually make them, which is cool).

A hat.  Like gloves, a hat is kind of a give in.  However, we really recommend a thick knit hat that will cover your ears.  This way you won’t get that searing pain in your ears that you get when it’s really cold and windy outside.  This will also prevent you from getting too soaked when it’s snowing out.

While some of this stuff may seem like a no-brainer, prepping for your trek across campus can sometimes feel like a science that you have to learn and perfect.  It really comes down to what is going to keep you the warmest and the driest when it gets really nasty outside.

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Student Life

The Must-Haves for Your College Medicine Cabinet

Photo from http://www.scrubs123.com

It’s really easy to realize the things you’ve forgotten as soon as you need it.  It’s especially easy to do this with your medicine cabinet, because you don’t notice you need things like bandages or alcohol until you hurt yourself.

It’s best to keep some sort of first aid kit in your place, so you have all your necessities in one place.  In your first aid kit you’ll want to keep band-aids of varying sizes, sterile gauze dressings, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, and isopropyl alcohol.  Other things you may want to include in your first aid kit are things like q-tips and an over-the-counter allergy medicine (in case of allergic reaction).  It’s good to have these things all in one place so if someone gets hurt, all you have to do is grab the kit that you put together.

You should avoid using the products in your first aid kit, as these are only for emergencies.  Therefore it’s a good idea to keep a supply of all of these products on hand, aside from the ones you keep in your first aid kit.

Some other suggestions for your medicine cabinet include a thermometer, antacids, cough syrup, and anti-itch medicine.  It’s also a great idea to have some sort of over-the counter-pain medicine, either with acetaminophen or ibuprofen as the active ingredient.

It’s best to keep your medicine cabinet well stocked, even if you don’t need it now.  This way you’ll have something on hand should someone get hurt, or you just need something for your headache.

 

References:

Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves

6 Important Items for Your Medicine Cabinet

5 Must-Have Home Safety Products

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Student Life

Winter Weather Prep

Photo from http://saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com/

Especially if this is your first time living off-campus, there are certainly some things you need to know about getting yourself prepped for the snow and ice that comes around this time of the year.  Particularly with the recent Nor’easter, this seems particularly appropriate.

The first thing you need to consider is essential supplies to keep on hand.  Of course you’ll need basics like a snow shovel (ideally for both your car and your apartment), road salt or de-icer, and an ice scraper for your car.  However, you also want to consider putting together an emergency kit in case you get snowed in.  A home emergency kit should include:

  • Canned goods
  • Bottles of water
  • Batteries
  • Flashlights
  • Battery-operated radio
  • Extra blankets (in case the power goes out and you don’t have heat)

You’ll also want to make sure that you have an emergency kit in your car in case you get stuck somewhere.  A car emergency kit should include:

  • Sleeping bag (preferably a camping sleeping bag, as that will be able to keep you warm)
  • Extra winter boots
  • Additional warm clothing
  • Non-perishable or semi non-perishable snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries

These types of kits, although you may feel like you don’t need them, could save your life in the event you get stuck with no electricity or you get stuck in your car.

We also recommend getting proper snow attire, especially when you’re walking around campus (because class isn’t cancelled when it snows).  Some great winter gear we’ve learned to keep on hand are

  • A winter jacket that is waterproof
  • Waterproof snow boots with a tread
  • Long underwear or spandex to put on underneath your clothes
  • Winter hats
  • Scarves
  • Waterproof gloves or mittens

Take it from us:  These are some of the essentials for getting through winter both on- and off-campus.

Overall, the best thing you can do is to get prepared for winter before it gets here, as the snow and the ice can often come way before the first day of winter.

References:

“Top 10 Winter Survival Tools and Tactics” by Roby Ferrari

“Put Together a Winter Home Emergency Kit” by Jason Fitzpatrick

“Put Together a Winter Car Emergency Kit” by Jason Fitzpatrick

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Student Life

Dealing with Bad Neighbors

You may have (unluckily) landed bad neighbors; those neighbors that are too loud ALL THE TIME, the neighbors that host wild parties, or the neighbors who are just a little too sensitive.  In any case, having bad neighbors cannot only be a downer, but it can also cause you and your roommates a lot of stress.  Trying to sleep through those loud parties or your neighbor complaining about your every move, is certainly not going to make you feel comfortable.

You’re biggest dilemma, however, is that you can’t change your neighbors.  Therefore, you have to take action.  This doesn’t mean combating your neighbors or retaliating.  That will only make matters worse.  Instead, the best thing to do is to have a talk with them about what is really bothering you and what both of you can do to fix it.

Like with any discussion of this nature (see our roommate posts), the best thing to do is plan out what you’ll say beforehand.  This way you’ll stop yourself from saying anything you’d rather not say, and that you can get your point across.  Especially if you don’t already know your neighbors, it is best that you’re as clear and as cordial as possible.  You certainly don’t want to come off as the nagging neighbor.

Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid blaming the problem on personality flaws.  This can make matters worse and it will most often escalate the discussion into a fight.  The best to do is focus on certain actions and how you are bothered by those actions.  If you’re neighbor plays their music too loud, just let them know that the music is a little too high when you are trying to study.

However, this will be a little different if you’re neighbor is very sensitive.  The best thing to do in this situation is to have a talk with them, and ask them what can be done to fix the problem.  Like with any discussion with your neighbors, however, you should be sure to keep it civil and to keep it about specific behaviors, rather than personalities.

In any case, talking to your neighbor can help the situation.  However, it is not always a long-term solution nor is it a give-in.  If the problem returns, the best thing to do is to have another talk with your neighbor about the problem, and remind them of your previous discussion(s).  If the problem becomes persistent and it does not seem like you can fix it, it is best that you talk to your landlord.  This will prevent any major conflicts with your neighbors, and in most cases the issue will be solved.  In serious circumstances, it is best to have your landlord (or the authorities, if needed) deal with the situation.  You should not try to manage any situation with your neighbors where you feel you are harm’s way.

Overall, dealing with bad neighbors can be extremely stressful.  However, properly managing the situation by talking with them about the problem and trying to find workable solutions can be extremely helpful in fixing the problem.  While in most cases talking to them might work, in persistent or serious situations, it is best to contact your landlord (or even the authorities, if needed) to deal with the problem.  In the end, it’s best not to leave any of these situations alone.

 

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Student Life

Roommate Problems: The Inconsiderate Roommate

While the messy roommate and the inconsiderate roommate may be sometimes one in the same, it’s not always the case.  Sometimes you just have a roommate who plays their music on high until 3 am, takes your food from the fridge, and doesn’t do their fair share of the chores.  What do you do about this type of roommate?

Well it’s a little bit harder with an inconsiderate roommate than just a messy roommate.  This is because there are generally a whole range of different behaviors you have a problem with; not just one.  However, like with the messy roommate, you should certainly talk with them about what is bothering you the most about their behavior.

With any sort of discussion like this, the first thing you want to do before you even talk with your roommate, is to think about what are the things that are really bothering you and how you will handle the situation.  It is best to come up with your responses to the possible reactions your roommate may have about the situation.

When you’ve decided what you’re going to say and when you’re going to say it, you should be sure that you avoid approaching this situation as a “confrontation.”  You should avoid thinking about these types of situations as a “confrontation” because this will automatically freak you out and will cause you to react poorly.  It’s best to keep an open mind and go into the situation thinking about a positive outcome for both you and your roommate.  This will keep both you and hopefully your roommate, positive.

Like with any discussion of this nature, it’s also best to focus on the specific behaviors that bug you the most, and avoid blaming it on personality flaws.  It will not only cause your roommate to become defensive, and possibly hostile, but it will also ensure that you will have a less-than-satisfying outcome to your discussion.

Overall, with any problem you experience with your roommate, it’s best to come at the situation with an idea of what you’ll say, an idea of how both of you will react, with hope for a positive outcome, and an understanding its not a personality flaw that is causing the problem.  While it may seem like a lot to remember, having that sometimes-difficult discussion will not only be better for your psyche, but it will be better for your roommate, and the relationship.

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Student Life

10 Great Halloween Movies

It’s that time of year again; that time filled with ghosts, goblins, and tasty candy.  It’s also a great time to sit down with a bowl of popcorn with some friends and watch some great horror films.  This is why we’ve put together a list of some great horror films you just have to watch to get into the Halloween spirit.

Photo from billsmovieemporium.files.wordpress.com

1.    Halloween

This 1978 John Carpenter Film brought about the reign of Michael Myers, perhaps the scariest evildoer in a horror film to date.  No one can deny that the white mask and the blue jumpsuit doesn’t scare them.  It’s also doesn’t hurt that it’s appropriately named for the occasion.

2.    The Exorcist

The film tells the story of a girl who gets possessed by an evil entity, and will literally send chills down your spine.  The Exorcist is perhaps one of the most iconic films of all time.

3.     The Last Man on Earth

This 1964 film with the legendary Vincent Price tells the story of the last man on Earth and how he combats the nightmarish vampires that seek to kill him.

Photo from supernaturalwiki.com

4.    The Shining

Perhaps Jack Nicholson at his most terrifying, and is based on the Steven King classic.  This film tells the story of family who is isolated in a mountain hotel, and the horrors that await them during their stay.

5.    Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs was the film that brought us Hannibal Lector, the cannibalistic serial killer, played by Anthony Hopkins.  This movie is not only entirely creepy, but it was also inspired by real-life serial killer, Ed Gein.

6.    Psycho

Ed Gein was not only the inspiration of Silence of the Lambs, but he’s also the inspiration for the murderous Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Psycho.  One of the most classic of the Hitchcock films, the film follows the story of the deranged motel owner and the individuals who are onto his dirty secret.

7.    Nightmare on Elm Street

One of the freakiest horror villains, Freddy Krueger, was a murderer with knives for hands (kind of like an evil Edward Scissorhands).  The scariest thing about Freddy was that he attacked you at your weakest:  When you’re asleep.

8.    28 Days Later

Perhaps the ultimate zombie film, 28 Weeks Later follows a group of survivors after the rage virus spreads throughout the UK turning everyone into angry zombies.

Photo from wikipedia.org

9.    30 Days of Night

Forget those sparkly, vegetarian vampires!  30 Days of Night is based on a graphic novel about a small town in Alaska that is attacked by a group of vicious vampires.

10. The Strangers

The Strangers follows the story of a couple whose trip to their family’s cabin turns deadly when they receive a mysterious knock at the door in the middle of the night.

These are just ten of our favorite horror films.  To find more, check out Boston.com’s list of Top 50 Scariest Movies of All Time.

 Have a fun and safe Halloween everyone!

Other References:

“All About Hannibal Lecter – Fact and Fiction” by Anthony Bruno

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Student Life

Hurricane Preparedness

With Hurricane Sandy set to hit the east coast, it’s certainly a good idea to know how to prepare for the impending storm.  For many students, this may be their first time dealing with a storm on their own, so it’s important to know how to plan.

The first thing you need is emergency supplies, in case you lose power and are unable to leave home for a few days.  As FEMA suggests, it’s a good idea to prepare for at least three days.  In a basic kit they suggest a supply of water (at least one gallon of water per person per day), a supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand crank radio, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle to signal for help, and a cell phone with a charger.

Before the storm hits, it’s a good idea to keep up with the weather reports and regularly check updates for your area.  You may also want to check with your landlord beforehand to see if you are living in a flood-prone area, as this may require you to be evacuated.

You will also want to keep in mind to take in any furniture or belongings that are outside, and, if you can, move your vehicle out from under trees.  This will prevent any property damage.

Overall, it’s a good idea to stay up-to-date on the status of the storm, as well as prepare yourself for any loss of power to your home.  In some cases, you may have to be evacuated from your home, so make sure to be prepared, especially if you’re living in a flood prone area.

Other References:

“Hurricanes” from FEMA

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Roommates, Student Life

Roommate Problems: The Messy Roommate

It’s pretty common to encounter a roommate who doesn’t see eye to eye with you when it comes to the cleanliness of your pad.  Cleaning is actually one of the biggest problems roommates face, and can often lead to roommate conflicts.

While cleaning to you may seem so simple, almost like second nature, it’s not always the same for everyone.  Not everyone has the same level of cleanliness, and so it is something you have to consider when you live with someone else.  However, the best thing to do is to try to come to a compromise with your roommate when it comes to the cleanliness of your place.

The first thing to do is to identify the things that drive you the most crazy when it comes to the cleanliness of your place.  Maybe it’s the dishes in the sink, the dirty towels on the floor of the bathroom, or their books and papers strewn across the kitchen table.  These should be the things that you can’t live without.

The next thing to do is to identify the things that you could live with.  Maybe it doesn’t bother you if they leave the dishes in the sink for a day or so, or that they leave their stuff in the hallway for a while.  These will be the things that you would be willing to compromise on.

The idea is to first present the things that bother you the most about your roommate’s cleanliness (or lack thereof).  Just remember to keep your focus on the behaviors that bother you the most, and to avoid attributing the things that bother you to personality flaws.  It’s also a good idea to explain why these things bother you so that your roommate fully understands.  This will keep the conversation civil and will also help you to express your frustration with the current situation.

Photo from ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com

The next thing to do is to work on a compromise with your roommate.  Mention the list of things you could live with.  That may help make your request seem much more reasonable, and will help you both to work towards a workable solution.

While living with a messy roommate can be frustrating, the best thing to do is to realize the things that bother you the most when it comes to the cleanliness of your pad.  For while you may not always get your roommate to see your ways of cleaning, you can certainly come to a workable solution that you can both live with.

Reference:

“5 Common Roommate Problems (and How to Deal)”

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Roommates, Student Life

Talking with Your Roommate About Their Significant Other

You love your roommate; you get along well, they share their equal part of the responsibilities, and everything seems to be going great.  However, you start to realize that your roommate’s significant other starts showing up more often.  Whether they are great or not, it can be difficult finding out that you will be rooming with your roommate’s girlfriend or boyfriend, too.  It can be overwhelming for you, especially when they start eating your food, and parking themselves in the common areas.  So what do you do?

Photo from ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com

Well it’s best to say something to your roommate, especially if the situation is really starting to bother you.  However, it certainly isn’t as easy as it sounds, because really:  How do you tell you roommate that you don’t want their significant other around as much, or that the things they do bother you?  Here are some things to keep in mind when you do decide to talk to your roommate about it:

Be aware of their feelings on the issue.  Before you say anything, think about how you would feel if you were in their shoes.  Use that as a basis for how you would want to approach your roommate about their significant other.  You especially don’t want to go in with guns blazing, and end up fighting with your roommate.

Refer to the behaviors that bother you the most.  Talk with your roommate about the behaviors that bother you the most, and specifically how those behaviors make you feel.  Avoid making it about their significant other’s personality; it won’t end well, as your roommate will think you are personally attacking them and their significant other.

Try to come to a solution where all of you can win.  Maybe the things that bother you the most are really just that their boyfriend or girlfriend doesn’t pitch in with buying common foods, that they leave the dishes in the sink, or they leave their belongings in the common areas.  These are things that can certainly be fixed very easily.  By suggesting realistic and logical solutions to the problem, you can ensure that everyone wins.

The key is to keeping it simple, and being mindful of how you would feel if you were in their situation.  It’s always best to strategize first before getting into any discussion with your roommate about their significant other, so that you don’t say something you didn’t mean to say.  Just think ahead about what behaviors bother you the most, what solutions you could take to fix the problem, and what your roommate’s possible reactions might be.

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Student Life

Dorm Room Dining 101

While it might not seem like it could logistically work, especially when you’re only allowed to have a microwave and a mini-fridge, there are actually some things you can cook in your dorm room.

While your options may seem limited, there are actually quite a few things you can cook in your dorm room.  Here’s a list of a few suggestions:

  • Ramen noodles (these will be your best friend)
  • Frozen dinners
  • Frozen pizza
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Eggs (they actually make microwavable dishes that can cook eggs for you in the microwave)
  • Hot dogs
  • Popcorn
  • Frozen or fresh vegetables
  • Hot breakfast cereals
  • Russet and sweet potatoes
  • Rice

Photo from ecampustours.com

Those are only just a few.

However, when it comes to cooking in your dorm room, there are some things to keep in mind.  The first is to avoid washing dishes in the bathroom sinks.  Instead you should try to find another sink away from bacteria and harmful chemicals.  You should also keep in mind that you will need microwave safe plates and Tupperware to cook in your dorm room.  You should be sure to check to make sure that the plates, cups, bowls, and Tupperware you do use specifically says that they are microwave safe.  For when it doubt, don’t use it in the microwave.

Another thing to keep in mind is the simplicity of recipes.  In an article by Kristin Stewart (not Kristen Stewart of the Twilight movies) called “Chew on this!  Tips on dorm room cooking,” she suggests choosing recipes with five ingredients or less, as it will not only save you space in your dorm room, but it will also save you money.  She also suggests keeping pasta, oatmeal, milk, sugar, eggs, olive oil, frozen fruits and vegetables, cheese, popcorn, and canned soups on hand, just in case.  Having at least one plate, one bowl, one mug, a drinking cup, a sharp knife, a can opener, a corkscrew, and utensils wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Stewart also suggests asking your roommate(s) about the food that they are sensitive to, either because of allergies or smell.  You want to make sure that you aren’t creating strong odors in your dorm room that your roommate(s) can’t handle.

Overall, you aren’t actually that limited when it comes to dorm room cooking; all you need to remembers is to keep it simple and you’ll be golden when the dining halls close.

Other References
“Healthy Microwavable Food” by Sara Ipatenco

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