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The 5 Negative Consequences Of Partying Over Studying

I don’t get high, but sometimes I wish I did.

That way, when I messed up in life, I would have an excuse.

But, right now, there’s no rehab for stupidity.”

Chris Rock, U.S. comedian, and actor 

Right now, there really is no rehab for stupidity. There’s no place you can go to detox, away from other stupid people, under the correct professional guidance and supervision, to get yourself a little brighter, a little bit smarter, and then to re-enter the local community as a valid member of society, prepared to never return to your utterly nonsensical ways of the past – indeed, as someone now in possession of a few more sandwiches in the picnic basket.

Unless, of course, I’m subconsciously discussing college here… 

Take any typical college campus. Throw in a free(ish) weekend, and the majority of young people are going to be looking to enjoy themselves, have the proverbial good time. And why not? And so what if those Monday memories of it all are a little jaded, a little sketchy, filled in only by amigos who approach you with a look of fair disbelief on their face? There’s time enough in your life to be putting your shoulder to the wheel, making the mortgage payment this month, every month, and filling the tank every couple of days. If cars still have tanks then…

That was my attitude during my college days. Add the fact that I was well down the road of chronic addiction (liquor and meth, to be precise), and a free weekend was a done deal. Winner, winner, blackout dinner. Tell me about it on Monday. Or Tuesday… Or never. Just avoid me in the corridor.

Nowadays, I’m a little more focused, to say the least. Nearly ten years ago, and thanks to my parents, I found myself in one of the other kinds of rehabs – the ones where they detox you and then make you well from the years of substance abuse that you subjected yourself to. And, with good luck and a following wind, I’ve been clean and sober ever since. And sobriety feels good.

Real drug and alcohol rehab, for me anyway, was a far better source of meaningful education than college ever was. But, I guess, it comes down to what you’re studying. I, as it turned out, was majoring in a chronic disease that came close to killing me. Now if that doesn’t get you to sit up and pay attention in class, I don’t know what will.

I’d like to share some of my class notes with you here. Especially aimed at those students who are tempted by a weekend of drunken and drug-induced debauchery as opposed to settling down with a nice History essay or five. Here are your 5 negative consequences of partying over studying:

Alcohol Overload

It’s unpleasantly like being drunk.” 

“What’s so unpleasant about being drunk?” 

“You ask a glass of water.”

Douglas Adams, British author, and playwright

Drinking alcohol at college parties is as endemic as textbooks. It’s there, and how you deal rationally with it is an important aspect of your college life. Fail to do so, and rationality will go out of the window as your reliance upon it increases. Take it from one who’d chug a shot before the first class of the day. Alcohol’s effect on any student will take various forms – here’s a few to get you thinking:

  • Liver Disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cancer
  • Ulcers & Gastrointestinal Problems
  • Immune System Dysfunction
  • Brain Damage
  • Malnourishment & Vitamin Deficiencies
  • Osteoporosis
  • Heart Disease
  • Accidents & Injuries

Being young doesn’t make you exempt. Many of the fellow addicts I shared rehab with were experiencing a number of these, and some were irreversible. Irreversible.

Sleep Deprivation

One of the main consequences of partying like you’re Prince (am I showing my age here?) and it’s 1999 is this – sleep deprivation. Not enough of it, poor quality sleep, or not even being able to get there in the first place. And this can be whether your party fun was chemically-induced or not. So, say goodbye to past levels of concentration when the lesson bell rings. And everybody knows that Monday morning feeling of wishing for a brand new weekend to suddenly begin again.  

Sliding Grades

“Striking a balance” is pretty good advice for anyone when it comes to getting through life. Yes, there is doing what needs to be done, and, yes, there is doing what doesn’t need to be done, but you want to anyway. Get the balance right, and they won’t be able to wipe that smug smile off your face. Get it wrong at college, and your teachers and professors will know before you do – your grades will snitch, and will tell on you. Guaranteed.

Remember, it’s never too late to recover your academic performance, and get back on track. Or is it? I’m an example of principal-stamped proof of the latter. I actually remember one tutor telling me that I needed more than a miracle to pass the semester, and considering I had failed every Monday morning to rise from the dead as Jesus had done, that was probably a little too far-fetched for me. That was my “Satirical Humor” class.

Ever-Changing Moods

Partying should make you happy. Usually, it does. However, the after-effects of any binge, drugs or alcohol or both, is going to hit you emotionally. You are in no way going to be your usual motivated, leveled, industrious self if you have become a permanent fixture of the house party circuit. Two biggies to watch out for here: anxiety and depression. If either of these sound alarm bells with you, it really is time for a time-out.

Conflicts Where There Should Be None

When you become out of control on a reasonably regular basis (and take it from me, control wasn’t one of my things), conflicts will invariably arise, some of which you will have no idea about until the other side decides to vent at you. And, in my experience, vent they will. Too much partying will always try and knock down the walls of personal relationships – romantic, friends, and acquaintances. You have been warned.

What Happens Next

Well, that’s up to you. Tone it down, hit the books a little more, strike that balance, and all will be good. Carry on like you’ve got one month to live, and, like me, maybe you’ll be told that for real one day. Yes, it’s college, yes, it’s your life, yes, you’re younger than I’ll ever be, but, unless you make changes if you are bearing witness to the consequences described above, then maybe you’ll wake up one morning, back of a dumpster, no money, no home, no nada, just an angry thirst. Yes, many a time, in case you’re wondering.

Have you been out too much lately, living it up when you should be handing it in? Please let us know by sharing a comment below. The last thing – take it easy. Because life gets no easier.

Here are a Few Great Reasons for You to Try Your Luck in an Online Casino

Online casino gambling is one of the fastest growing forms of entertainment in the world. Restrictions and laws against the practice are quickly disappearing and millions of new people each month are beginning to partake in the activity. The reasons why the industry continues to attract larger numbers of people are many, but here are the most popular ones:

The Convenience

Previously if you wanted to gamble on casino games, you needed to travel to a state that allowed gambling. The laws were clear that any gambling had to take place within that state’s borders and only during the places and times that were allowed by the state. This could mean that you would have to get on a plane or take a long bus ride to get to a gambling state. Then you would have to go to a casino and put up with the crowds and inconvenience to get the chance to try your luck. You might also need to pay to stay at a hotel to get in enough gambling to be satisfied.

Online gambling put aside these issues by providing a computer based platform for you to utilize. All of your favorite casino games were brought to your home and you could play as long as you wanted any time that you wanted. In a short while millions were gambling every day at a casino online.

As mobile gambling has become the norm, things have gotten even more convenient. Today, you can gamble using your tablet computer or smart phone from anywhere you have an internet connection. This allows anyone of gambling age to set up an account and have fun wherever they are. The options are endless and include everything from traveling on a train to standing in the checkout line at your grocery store. Mobile gambling apps are easy and can be learned in less than ten minutes and you can both add and take out funds within the mobile gambling app.

The Privacy

When you go to a regular casino you play in an area where anyone can come can watch you gamble. This can sometimes be fun, but other times it can be annoying. You have to have a certain level of decorum and in some cases you even have to dress a certain way to gain access to the casino. When you play online you can dress any way you like and you can just be yourself. If you want company online there are often games like poker where you can play against others.

The Prizes

The prizes at online casinos rival those at any major casino. Depending on the game you choose to play, you can win a fortune if your luck holds out. You can select games like slots that have progressive jackpots or different styles of Blackjack where the odds and winnings are clearly laid out before you play.  And as the audiences grow, the jackpots will continue to get bigger.

When you consider all of the benefits of online casino gambling over visiting a real casino including the additional expense, time required, inconvenience and limit on the style of games, it is easy to understand why it is so popular.

Things for College Aged Women to Know About Breast Augmentation Surgery

Many college age women are not happy with the size of their breasts and are considering getting breast augmentation surgery. This procedure promises to help any woman increase a few cup sizes and have a larger, fuller breasts. The reasons for a woman seeking breast augmentation can vary. Some want to feel more confident, others want to look better in their clothes, while other do it because their husbands or boyfriends have asked them to do it for them.

There are also situations where women get breast augmentation because their breasts are not symmetrical or because they have had cancer and want a set of new and bigger breasts. Whatever the reasons, this cosmetic surgery has surged in demand all across the United States creating a demand for skilled surgeons like Dr. Nina Naidu, who has an expertise in making the new breasts look natural and the clients feel satisfied. Dr. Naidu services dozens of women every year who are looking for new and larger breasts. She not only performs the operation, she also counsels them on important things they should know before the operation. Here are a few of the key items to understand.

Breast Augmentation Surgery is the most popular type of cosmetic surgery

Nearly 300, 000 women every year in the US have breast augmentation surgery. It is the most popular type of major cosmetic surgery and shows no signs of losing its popularity. This can give you comfort that many other women are doing it and the reasons for this surgery remain strong. Breast augmentation surgery when done by a reputable surgeon is safe and the results are fantastic. And with new techniques it is less invasive and more natural looking.

You Will Need Time to Recover

Breast augmentation is surgery and like every surgery, it will require a recovery time and during that time you will have to get lots of rest and curtail many activities that you might be used to doing. These include strenuous exercise, walking up steps and no heavy partying. The most critical time of your recovery will likely be two to three weeks after surgery, where you will have to be very careful.  Expect your surgeon to give you a specific timeline because your case might have special circumstances.

You must also look out for any complications that may develop. Breast augmentation has become a common and low risk type of surgery. But like with any surgery there can be complications and setbacks. These might include excessive bleeding or even complications with the implants. In the event of any circumstances happening outside of what your surgeon tells you to expect, you should call her immediately and tell her exactly what has occurred.

It Will Take Time for Your New Breasts to Take on Their New Look

In the weeks following your breast augmentation, surgery your breasts will be swollen and may loo misshaped a bit. You are also not used to seeing a different set of breasts sitting on your chest so they will probably look weird to you. Also where they sit will look and feel different.  They may also be relatively high up on your chest. Give yourself the few weeks or perhaps a little longer for the swelling to subside and then you will see how they will look going forward.

Breast augmentation surgery is a big step that demands you take time to research. Find a great doctor like Nina Naidu and have her walk you through the procedure, recovery and how you can will look with your new breasts.

7 Signs You Should Start Your Own Business

Not everyone can be an entrepreneur. The hours are long, the decisions are tough, and failure comes as often as success. However, for some people, there is no other option – destiny is pushing them toward business ownership.

If you feel that traditional career paths aren’t compelling, if you have a captivating business concept, if you are a hard worker with keen business sense, you might be a natural-born entrepreneur. Here are a few common signs of a life destined for entrepreneurship – and at least one reason you shouldn’t drop out of school and start your business too soon.

You Are Always Team Leader

Working in teams is a common occurrence throughout grade school and college for the same reasons workers team up in the real world: It encourages greater productivity and creativity. However, every team needs a leader – and you most often take that spot.

Good entrepreneurs prefer to be in control, which means they don’t enjoy being bossed around and they need the freedom to follow their vision. Though you might struggle to manage your controlling tendencies in other aspects of your life, entrepreneurship is where you can let your natural leadership shine.

You Search for New Achievements

“Good enough” is not what you strive for. For some reason, you feel the need to chase perfection, to excel and to win praise, awards and other recognition for your actions. If this is the case, you should become an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs have the ultimate opportunity to prove their worth. Business ownership can be brutal, but in success, you will show yourself to be the best of the best.

You Feel Comfortable With Risk

There is hardly a riskier endeavor than running your own business – save perhaps bull riding or base jumping. An entrepreneur’s goal is to reduce risk as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean you can ever eliminate it completely. Every decision you make as an entrepreneur carries risk, so you must feel comfortable with risk before you start your own business.

You Are Financially Savvy

Cash flow issues are the number-one cause of business failure, accounting for more than 80 percent of all small business collapses. Other money troubles, such as failing to acquire sufficient funding, pricing products and services poorly and improperly forecasting sales, claim nearly as high rates of fatality. Thus, it is imperative that you know some about finance before you nosedive into entrepreneurship.

Personal finance and business finance are two different beasts, but if you are relatively proficient with managing your own money, you will likely be better at juggling your business’s finances. Fortunately, you can always enroll in finance courses to become better at handling financial matters.

You Understand Yourself

Though movies and television shows often depict entrepreneurs as brooding, introspective types, you should not be indulging in soul searching after you launch your business. By the time your business opens its doors, you should know yourself inside and out: your strengths and weaknesses, your goals and dreams, your ideal daily routine, your social preferences, your favorite destressing activities, etc. etc.

Entrepreneurs who understand themselves are more confident in their abilities, more comfortable in their situations and less likely to make mistakes due to blind spots or insecurities. If you feel there is still much for you to learn about you, you should spend some time with yourself before you start a business.

You Are Committed to Being Better

A business has all sorts of competition, from existing competitors in the market to future market disruptions. However, an entrepreneur’s true rival is their past selves. If you are always looking to improve your skills and knowledge, if you are working toward answering any question and finding solutions to any challenge, you should start your own business.

Entrepreneurs must be the best versions of themselves to ensure their business succeeds. Unfortunately, that means it likely isn’t prudent for you to jump into business ownership right away; instead, you should spend a few years gaining more wisdom and experience in your chosen field. Obtaining a job in an appropriate role and industry while you are enrolled in an online MBA program should provide you with the skills and expertise needed to thrive as a new entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs are self-starters who constantly search for new opportunities and new challenges. If you are a natural leader, if you feel comfortable with numbers and if you know who you are and what you want, you should become an entrepreneur.

Going to College When You’ve Never Been Away from Home

If we can take movies and TV shows as gospel, no one ever gets homesick at college. If anything, budding college first-year students are sick of being at home, under the watchful eye of their parents. At least, that’s what pop culture has taught us; reality is, of course, much more complicated.

You might be worried about getting homesick if you’ve never been away from home or away from your parents, or if you have a history of feeling queasy in those scenarios. Not everyone has the full experience of a college prep boarding school to help them truly know what to expect at university.

Before you turn into a ball of anxiety just thinking about move-in day, take heart! You can make some preparations the summer before college and take steps in the first few weeks to help ease feelings of homesickness.

During the Summer, Learn to Be Autonomous

If your parents have already prepared you for life on your own, you should be in the habit of doing your laundry, cooking meals, going to the store to get little things you need, and managing your money appropriately.

If not, the summer is your last chance to learn how to do these things and gain confidence while you still have your parents to lean on for support. Once you’re in college, you’ll be “thrown in the deep end” and will have to fend for yourself or experience the consequences.

When you know you’re capable of taking care of yourself, some of the anxiety should dissipate.

Go on a Road Trip

If you’ve genuinely never been away from your parents, spend a few days on a road trip. Drive to the next city, spend a few days there as a tourist, and then drive home again. Bring a friend for safety, but revel in the experience of having to handle things all on your own. Then, college won’t come as such a shock.

Try Your Best to Be Social During the First Few Weeks

Making new friends sometimes happens by serendipity: you and your future BFF happen to be at the same place at the same time, start talking, and the rest is history. Other times, it takes a lot of work to find the right crowd. Join clubs and take advantage of social opportunities during the first few weeks. Most universities offer plenty of events before classes start to serve as icebreakers.

Go to your classes a bit early and try to sit somewhere new each time until you find people with whom you enjoy chatting with. Make plans to get something to eat, to study together, to meet up in the dorms, etc.

If you feel homesick, talking can sometimes seem difficult. Throw caution to the wind and talk about anything light-hearted. If you feel fatigued, drink coffee to perk yourself up. When you have more energy, you’re more likely to smile, laugh, and be easy to talk to.

If Homesickness Lingers, You May Be at the Wrong School

While you may feel homesickness well up from time to time, you’re in the clear if you can forget your worries and enjoy yourself most of the time. If the semester finds you in a prolonged state of panic and isolation, perhaps transferring to a school closer to home would give you a solid foundation and base of emotional support to help you through the essential part of college: the rigorous coursework.