Category Archives: Student Life

Student Life

The “Dirty” Truth: Hand Sanitizer vs. Hand Washing

Getting sick can be one of the biggest setbacks you can have during the semester.  You can’t be too careful when it comes to making sure that you don’t get sick.  That’s why cleaning your hands can be one of the best ways to prevent coming down with something nasty.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal agency charged with providing the public with information about how to avoid spreading and contracting serious illnesses, it’s important to make sure your hands are clean.  Whether you’re preparing food, eating, treating wounds, using the restroom, blowing your nose, or handling garbage, you should always remember to “wash up”.  These are all primary situations in which it’s best to be careful, especially after being on campus all day around at least hundreds of other people.

For most students, their first reaction may be to use hand sanitizer after touching a doorknob or leaving the bathroom.  However, is this really better than washing your hands?

Photo from cdc.gov

The CDC  sheds some light on the situation.  They recommend hand washing as the best option, saying hand sanitizer is really only good in situations where soap and water isn’t available (and only if it contains over 6o percent alcohol).  This is especially true if your hands are visibly dirty; in those situations you should wash with soap and water.

We also found that using antibacterial soap over standard soap can actually do more harm than good.  According to the Mayo Clinic, antibacterial products leave surface residues that may help to develop resistant bacteria. In fact, using antibacterial soap can cause the development of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics.  Overall, it’s best to use standard soaps and rinse with warm or cold water.

While it may seem so simple, there really is something to washing your hands over using hand sanitizer.  Overall, using standard hand soap will help keep your hands clean, but it will also prevent you from picking up the nasty cold that your roommate got, or the stomach flu making its way through your Poli Sci class.

References:

CDC:  Hand Washing – Clean Hands Save Lives

Mayo Clinic:  Hand Washing – Do’s and Don’ts

“Strange But True:  Antibacterial Products May Do More Harm Than Good” by Coco Ballantyne

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Student Life

ASK THE EXPERT: When Is The Best Time to Start Looking For a Job?

The “real world” isn’t too far away for college juniors and seniors.  For most, this will be the most exciting part of their lives, as it is reminds them of the greater independence that awaits.  However, this certainly comes with great incertainty, too, especially given increasing reports that more than 53% of college graduates are underemployed or unemployed.  This is certainly disheartening news for students, as they went through four years of schooling, only to feel as though it hasn’t helped them.

According to David Pinkley, founder of Resume Sage, this is exactly why students should start their job hunt the summer after their junior year.  In fact, Pinkley explains that students should not only be looking for a job, but they should be lobbying for a job when they graduate; promoting themselves to network contacts, prospective employers and the like.

He explains that it is all in the introduction.  “Don’t make people ask,” he says, but instead make a clear and succinct introduction for yourself that includes things like your class year and job aspirations.  Having something like this prepared will set you apart from the rest.

Students should also have a sense of humility and understanding that their degree, while impressive, is really only the beginning of their learning experience.  Pinkley explains that students should have an understanding that their experience is limited and they have much to learn.  This should be accompanied by a thirst for knowledge and an enthusiasm for learning.  For Pinkley, this will set college graduates apart from the others, in that students who have this skill set will be easier to work with and will work to successfully complete a job.

This is not to say that this entire process isn’t intimidating once students make these changes.  However, students should not give up, as they can demonstrate to prospective employers that they have the desire and perseverance to learn what they need and to do the job well.  All it takes is motivation and hope

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Student Life

The Dorm Room Workout

Working out in college can be difficult, especially on days when you have a lot of studying to do, or it’s snowing/raining and you can’t seem to justify walking all the way to your school’s gym. It doesn’t seem like you have a lot of options. However, you can’t let the small space in your dorm room fool you.  There are simple exercises you can do in small spaces that will get the job done.

Cardio. You don’t have to go outside for a jog; just throw on one of your favorite TV shows or some music, and you can jog in place right in your dorm room!

Dancing is another great way to get your cardio in, and it’s probably one of the easiest workouts to do.  Just throw on some of your favorite music, and dance. You can even recruit your roommate to join you.

Photo by Sarah Andrews from kalisthenixfitnessblog.com

Strengthening exercises. Exercises like pushups, crunches, squats, and lunges are all relatively easy exercises you can do in small spaces. You can even add textbooks under your feet to make pushups harder. You may just want to be sure to add some padding under your back; dorm room floors aren’t that comfortable.

Stretching. While stretching itself won’t burn a lot of calories, stretching before and after your workout can help you with your workout. However, in an article we read in USA Today, you want to make sure that your stretches before you work out are more “active” stretches that mimic the movements that you’ll be doing in your workout.

Your workouts don’t have to be complicated.  Especially if you don’t have a lot of time, there are ways that you can still fit your workout in along with writing 2 papers and studying for exams.

Here’s a playlist we’ve put together to help you get pumped up for your workout:

1. Teenage Crime – Adrian Lux

2. Disco Heat – Calvin Harris

3. Night by Night – Chromeo

4. Jeffer – Boys Noize

5. Horsepower – Justice

6. Hearts on Fire – Cut Copy

7. Touch It – Daft Punk

8. Strict Machine – Goldfrapp

9. Elliot Uppercut – Jupiter

10. New Lands – Justice

11. Dancing on My Own – Robyn

12. Trash – The Whip

13. Work – The 2 Bears

14. Titanium – David Guetta featuring Sia

15. Take Over Control – Afrojack

Other References:

“The Best Workouts to Do in a Dorm Room” by Joshua Duvauchelle

“What Are Some Aerobic Activities I Can Do In My Dorm Room?” By Natasha Puryear

“Simple Dorm Room Exercises” by Shelley Frost

 “Does Stretching Burn Calories?” By Toby Pendergrass

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Student Life

8 Ways to De-Stress in College

College can be overwhelming; it seems like you have a never-ending supply of homework, projects, and exams, and it’s difficult to manage all of that with a job AND a social life.  However, while you need to make sure you get everything done, you also need to make sure that you don’t get too overwhelmed or stressed.  This is why we’ve put together some suggestions to help you keep your cool.

Take a walk or go for a run.  Taking a short (or long, depending) walk or run will help raise your pulse, but will help lower stress. Exercising is a great way to release some of the built-up energy that you get from being stressed.

Clean your room.  Like taking a walk or going for a run, physical activity can be a great way to relieve some of the built-up energy you get from being stressed.  By cleaning, you can also prevent yourself from losing any important papers in a mess.

Hang out with a friend.  Hanging out with a friend can be one of the biggest stress relievers for college students, as their friends are often going through the college at the same time.  Whether you talk with your friend about what is stressing you out or not, being social and having a good time can help you forget a lot of your stress.

Indulge your hobbies.  College students sometimes get lost in all the work they have to do.  Whether it’s painting, photography, or playing an instrument, by taking time to do something you like to do, you will feel less overwhelmed by schoolwork.

Cook or bake.  By concentrating on your favorite recipe, you can relieve a lot of stress.  It’s also doesn’t hurt that you get to eat some really good food!

Take a drive.  Especially if you’re a first-year student, taking a drive cannot only be a great way to relieve stress, but it can also give you a chance to get to know where you live.  You never know:  You may find your new favorite hangout along the way.

Watch your favorite movie or an episode of your favorite TV show.  By taking a little while to just relax and watch your favorite movie or an episode of your favorite TV show, you can get your mind off your stress.  It will also give you a chance to clear your mind before getting back to work.

Breathe.  The best thing to do is breathe; you can get through all the stress.  Just remember to breathe and to take some time for yourself, and you can make it through even the toughest semester.

References:

“50 Ways to Destress in College:  Learn How to Relax Amidst the Chaos” by Kelci Lynn Lucier

“Top Ten De-Stressing Activities:  Tips to relax college kids, young adults and parents too” by Jackie Burrell

“20 Affordable Ways to De-stress” by Nina Kim and Georgia Price

“How to Deal with Test Anxiety:  College Student Tips for Overcoming Midterm and Final Exam Stress” by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

“How to Deal with Test Anxiety:  College Student Tips for Overcoming Midterm and Final Exam Stress” by Naomi Rockler-Gladen

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Student Life

6 Tips to Landing an On-Campus Job

For students looking for work, on-campus jobs are not only a great way to make a little money, but they’re also a great way to meet new people.  On-campus jobs offer students a much more flexible environment, where their studies come first, while still providing them with valuable experience that they can take with them after they graduate.  However, for many students, it can be difficult figuring out how to get a job like this.  This is why we decided to put together some tips to help you find on-campus work.

Photo from kentwired.com

Don’t limit yourself.  You may not always find your “perfect” job, however, you can certainly find one that fits at least most of what you want.  Think of the skills you want to learn and what areas you might be interested in.  Even if it’s not in your major field, the experience can never hurt.

Follow up.  Be sure to follow up on any applications you have submitted.  If you haven’t heard back in a week, be sure to send a follow up email or phone call.  It won’t hurt to remind people of who you are, and your interest in the position.

Find openings by looking online, talking to your friends, and visiting departments.  Keep your eyes peeled.  While looking on your school’s website can help, it will certainly not hurt you to ask your friends, classmates, and professors as well.  Let them know about your interests and ask them if they know of any positions on campus.  You never know:  Their recommendation may help you get a job more easily.

Don’t give up looking if you don’t find something right away.  Don’t feel discouraged if you didn’t get your top choice for a job, or you aren’t finding what you want.  Student positions are always popping up, as students graduate and there is always a need for student help.

Be professional.  One of the major obstacles students face when looking for a job can be an unprofessional attitude.  Make sure you maintain a professional attitude, as this will go a long way with any potential employer.  Especially when taken seriously, this will not only be something you can put on your resume, but it will also help you shine in any recommendation your previous employers give you.

Take your job seriously.  Another major obstacle for students is balancing school, work, and a social life.  While school should come first, you should also be mindful that you do have certain responsibilities that come with your job.  Take what you do seriously, as the experience you get from any job you hold will help you in the future.

For students, on-campus jobs can be a great way to make a little money in school, while not taking on so much responsibility that they get overwhelmed.  In many cases, on-campus jobs allow students the flexibility and the experience they need to make it to graduation.  While it may not seem easy at first, being professional, persistent, and keeping your eyes peeled can certainly help you on your way to landing an on-campus job.

References:

“How and Why to Get an On-Campus Job” by Julie Mayfield and Lindsey Mayfield

“Five Reasons Why:  You should get a job on campus” by Heather Huhman

“Tips to Getting an On-Campus Job” from UW River Falls

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Housing Advice, Landlords, Student Life

Tips for Improving Landlord-Tenant Relationships

The landlord-tenant relationship is often one of the most strained.  For landlords, according to one of our previous posts, our expert, Diane St. Laurent, explained that this incompatibility often extends from the expectations and rules of the rental.  For tenants (especially student tenants), this incompatibility may extend from poor communication and misunderstandings with landlords.  This is why we’ve put together some tips to help both landlords and student tenants improve the renting process and improve this typically strained relationship.

For Landlords

Take a mentor role with your student tenants.  According to St. Laurent, one of the most important things landlords can do is to take on a mentor role with students by “treating them as adults and [holding] them accountable for their decisions.”  She explains that this is one of responsibilities landlords assume with renting to students, as this is the time that they will be assimilating to their independence and adjusting to all new responsibilities.  By helping students through this process, it will not only help the landlord to feel that their tenants are making good decisions, but student tenants will feel more comfortable in maintaining their responsibilities.

Keep open and honest communication with tenants.  According to St. Laurent, landlords are also accountable for building lines of communication with their tenants.  In this way, student tenants will feel like their ideas, questions, and concerns are being heard, and landlords will feel that problems are more easily and swiftly resolved.

Be professional.  According to St. Laurent, rentals should be managed like a business.  This means that landlords should feel a sense of a responsibility of responding to problems and concerns of tenants to not only to keep tenants happy, but also to ensure that the property is well taken care of.

For Student Tenants

Pay your rent on time.  One of the biggest problems landlords and tenants can have is late rent payments.  This is not only a problem that will most likely create others, but it can also further exacerbate any existing issues within the relationship.  Therefore, it is important for tenants to budget for and send their rent payments so that they arrive on time.

Follow the terms of your lease.  As St. Laurent mentioned, one of the greatest problems can be incompatibility with landlords and tenants over the expectations and rules for the house.  It is best to read your lease in full before signing, and address any concerns you may have with the terms at that time.  Going forward, you should also keep a copy of your lease handy so that you can refer to it later, if needed.  This will not only enhance the clarity of your lease, but it may also allow you to negotiate the terms of your lease.

Take care of your rental.  This is not only your home, but it is also someone else’s property.  Be sure to take good care of the property and to be mindful of the “wear and tear” that you inflict on a property.  This will not only keep the property nice for you, but it will also help you keep your landlord happy and ensure that you get your entire damage deposit back.

Get to know your neighbors.  Surprisingly enough, grouchy neighbors can be one of the biggest sore points between you and your landlord.  This is because your neighbors will often report your “bad behavior” to your landlord.  As we mentioned in our previous post on this topic, it is important to get to know your neighbors to avoid unnecessary conflicts and frustration with both them and your landlord.  

Keep open and honest communication with your landlord.  We advise this for both landlords and tenants.  It is important that tenants let their landlords know when they have problems, when they need repairs, and especially when there has been damage to the property.  While telling your landlord you’ve damaged something on the property may be difficult, it will be better to tell them right away.  This will help to ensure that you maintain trust and honesty with your landlord.

However, you should also be mindful to be reasonable in your requests when you need something done.  Avoid calling your landlord over when a light bulb needs to be changed.  The things that you can do yourself are most likely the things you shouldn’t bother your landlord for.  It’s the things you can’t do and don’t feel comfortable doing; these are the things you should be contacting your landlord for.

Overall, while landlord-tenant relationships are often strained, there are certainly things that both parties can do to improve their relationship.  All it really takes is honesty, professionalism, open communication, and a sense of responsibility to ensure that the rental process goes smoothly.

References

How to Be a Good Landlord – 7 Tips, Advice & Responsibilities by Angela Colley

5 Tips for Being a Great Tenant that Landlords Love by Angela Colley

10 tips for a healthy landlord-tenant relationship; Perspective: Renters must read the lease, know landlord’s expectations by Ben Holubecki

A Guide to Good Landlord-Tenant Relations by DoItYourself.com

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Student Life

ASK THE EXPERT: What are some of today’s biggest obstacles for college students?

For many college students today preparing themselves for the working world, it seems incredibly bleak. In general, unemployment rates are high (around 8.3% according to the U.S. Department of Labor), but this also extends to students. According to a recent Drexel University study, recent bachelor’s degree holders saw an increase in unemployment and an increase in underemployment, despite an overall increase in jobs. With such a discouraging job market, it’s not surprising that approximately 20% of graduates decide to continue on with their education.

However, according to David Pinkley, founder of The Resume Sage, the economy and unemployment aren’t the only obstacles recent college grads have to overcome. For Pinkley, another one of the greatest obstacles students have is the competition they face with more experienced individuals who are also looking for employment. These individuals often have extensive knowledge of the professional world, with a network that extends well beyond that of a recent college grad. According to Pinkley, “unless you’re doing cutting edge research, all you have is your attitude.” Students are especially at a disadvantage when it comes down to experience in a specific industry, even with the smaller price tag they command.

Another major obstacle Pinkley identifies is the media coverage detailing the decline in college graduate employment. Pinkley believes students are greatly impacted by reading these stories, obviously affecting their psyche and their hope for finding a job once they do graduate.

“You need to move your own mind from the fear that you won’t find work to the hope that you will,” says Pinkley. For him, this is really the only way that students can overcome these types of obstacles. It all really starts with enthusiasm, a bright attitude, and a lust for knowledge to be a student’s driving force when they are looking for a job, because as Pinkley explains, “ . . . all you have is your attitude.”

References

Fogg, Neeta, and Paul Harrington. “The Employment and Mal-Employment Situation for Recent College Graduates: An Update.” Center for Labor Markets and Policy. Drexel University, Jun 2012. Web. 21 Aug 2012.

“Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey.” Center for Labor Markets and Policy. United States Department of Labor, n.d. Web. 21 Aug 2012.

Stone, Charley, Carl Van Horn, and Cliff Zukin. “Chasing the American Dream: Recent College Graduates and the Great Recession.” John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. Rutgers University, May 2012. Web. 21 Aug 2012. <http://www.heldrichpodcasts.com/Chasing_American_Dream_Report.pdf>.

Pinkley, David. Telephone Interview. 20 Aug 2012.

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Student Life

Awesome Apps for College Students

For students, there are a lot of interesting apps out there that can help you stay focused in school. We’ve found a bunch of interesting apps that will not only organize your schedule, but apps that can help you budget, track your class notes, and even automatically silence your phone when you are in class.

Photo from inclassapp.com

inClass

The inClass app allows you to take multimedia notes that you can share by file, through Facebook, or just by printing them right off the app. You can also put together a schedule for all of your classes, tasks for each day and stay up to date by setting alarms for yourself when things are due.

Available for iPhone and iPad

Photo from itunes.apple.com

iStudiez Pro

iStudies Pro allows you to have a virtual planner for all of your classes. No longer will you have to track everything in a paper planner. iStudiez will give you a way to put together a calendar of your classes and assignments, as well as a way for you to track your semester progress, including your GPA!

Available for Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Photo from mint.com

Mint.com

Mint offers a pretty cool app that will help you stay on track with your budgets. Mint allows you to see all of your accounts in one place so you never lose track. It will also keep a log of bills you’ve paid and upcoming bills that you’ll have to pay, as well as suggestions on how you might save money.

Available on PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, and iPad

Photo from itunes.apple.com

Circus Ponies NoteBook

Don’t let the name fool you:  This app is all business. NoteBook allows you to keep your documents all in one place, and the cool thing about it is that it looks like a paper notebook. You cannot only outline through this app, but you can add action items to the notes you take, assign due dates to things, and send important dates to your calendar and your phone.

Available for Mac and iPad

Photo from dropbox.com

Dropbox

Dropbox is a great way to save your files in one place that you can access from anywhere. Dropbox will be a lifesaver when your printer runs out of ink or when your computer crashes the night before your 15-page paper is due.

Available for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry

Photo from play.google.com

Studious

Studious is a great way to keep track of your assignments so you never lose track of when things are happening or when assignments are due. This app also gives you a way to save a copy of your notes either in text or in a photo. However, probably the coolest thing about this app is that you can set it up so that your phone will silence itself while you’re in class.

Available for Android

Photo from play.google.com

Droid Scan Lite

This app is pretty cool because it allows you to scan documents right from your phone or tablet. This makes it easy so that you can automatically save an electronic copy of important documents, notes or an assignment that you can then share.

Available for Android

Photo from play.google.com

Alarm Clock Xtreme

This app is great for those people who have trouble waking up in the morning. Alarm Clock Xtreme allows you to set many different types of alarms, including a music alarm, a rising volume alarm, and even an alarm that requires you to do a math problem in order to snooze or dismiss the buzzer.

Available for Android

These are just a few suggestions.  For more awesome apps, be sure to check us out on Pintrest!

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Housing Advice, Student Life

Getting To Know Your New Home

If you’re heading off to college for the first time, you most likely will be finding yourself in an entirely new place.  It can be incredibly daunting if you don’t know anyone, you don’t know of any cool places to go yet, and you’re just starting off at your new school.  At JumpOffCampus, we’ve certainly been there, and that is why we’ve put together some suggestions for helping you get to know your new home.

Check the walkability score.  In one of Mark’s previous posts, he had mentioned using Walk Score to find cool places near you.  Not only will the site give you the rating of how walkable your city is, but you’ll also get a listing of all the restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, retail stores, bookstores, bars, and other entertainment venues right in your area.

If you’re a coffee lover, try CoffeeSeeker.com.  By simply putting in your zip code, you can find all the coffee shops right within your area.  That way you can even try all the coffee shops in your neighborhood to see which one you like the best.

Check local newspapers and other local publications for cool events and reviews.  One of the best resources you can use are the local publications in your area.  Not only can these give you listings of some of the local businesses near you, but they may also give you reviews of these places so you can determine if it would be a place you would like.  If you live in Boston or Providence, you may want to check out the Boston or Providence Phoenix, which will have a ton of cool listings right in your area.

Take a drive.  Another way to find intriguing places is to simply take a drive around and see where you end up.  This can also be a great way to get to know your new roommate, so take them along for the ride!

Avoid chain stores and shops for a while.  A great way to meet new people and find some great places is to avoid shopping in chain stores, or places you could find anywhere else.  It will not only open you up to your new city, but you may also find your new favorite coffee shop or bakery!

Although navigating a new place can be difficult sometimes, it’s best to try to take it all in stride.  While it won’t be easy at first, just hitting the web or taking a drive can help you ease the shock of living in a new place.

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Student Life

Surviving the First Day of College

If this is the first time you’re heading off to college, it can be extremely terrifying heading off to class on your first day.  It’s certainly not like the first time you went off to high school; you don’t know many people (if anyone) and you are most likely lost as to where your classes are.  You may be concerned that the classes you are taking (if you’ve ever heard of that subject) are really going to be difficult and are going to be incredibly overwhelming.  It also doesn’t help that it seems every class you go to seems to throw scary policies at you that you may have never heard (or thought of) before, and include a workload that will leave you wondering, “Will I ever survive?”

Well, you will survive that day, and you can survive the rest of the semester.  It’s not all that bad.  Sure, the first day is a little scary, especially when you get a look at all the work you’ll have to do and all the policies you’ll have to follow.   However, it can be simple, and this is why we’ve put together some tips to help you to get through the scariest part of the semester so you can make it to the easiest:   The minute you pass in your final exam.

Take a walk around campus to find your classes the day before.  Although you may feel a little dorky, but it really helps; a lot of students on their first day get lost and end up getting to their classes late.  In an article at Surviving College Life, they explain that it’s a good idea to walk around campus the day before your classes start.  You can even bring a couple of friends or your roommate along with you.  It’s easier to find the buildings when you’re not pressed for time and stressed out.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Whether it’s asking someone in your class if you’re in the right class, asking for directions to a building, or asking your professor for clarification, it’s important to ask questions.  Even if you feel weird about asking questions, you shouldn’t; all the other freshmen are in the same boat and so you’re not alone.  Be sure to get the facts so that you’re not wandering aimlessly around campus and miss your class, or that you end up in an art class when you were supposed to be in a business class.

Take a minute to meet the person next to you in all your classes.  This will not only give a buddy in all of your classes who can work with you on projects, but it will also give you someone to commiserate with when you think the test was too hard or you just can’t seem to get through that paper.  This will also give you someone to contact when you miss class or misunderstand something the professor said.

Don’t be intimidated.  The most important thing to remember about the first day, like we said, is that you’re not alone; there are plenty of other freshmen who are in the same boat as you.  It’s important to just avoid getting bogged down with trying to memorize all the policies, remembering when all of your assignments are due, or overwhelming yourself with the thought “How will I ever get through this?”  Make sure to have fun in your classes and to try to get something out of them.  College should be a great experience, and you shouldn’t let yourself get totally intimidated by all the work you have to do.  Just remember to keep your chin up, because you can get through all your work and have fun at the same time.

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