Join the Global Movement to Protect Africa’s Elephants!
Brought to you by 96 Elephants and The College Blender Team
96 elephants are killed every single day in Africa. You can help stop it.
The increasing demand for ivory is driving African forest elephants close to the point of extinction. People across the world are uniting with the Wildlife Conservation Society to protect them. Join the Wildlife Conservation Society to help stop the killing, stop the trafficking, and stop the demand.
You can do your part to save elephants now by pledging that you will not buy or sell ivory products in your country. To pledge and take part in the global movement, visit: http://www.96elephants.org.
Awesome Costume Ideas for Halloween This Year!
By: Niki Olsen
It’s that time of year again! Halloween is coming up and you’re probably struggling with deciding whether your costume should be funny, witty, sexy, half-assed, homemade, or from the consignment shop in town. Thankfully you stumbled across this post, because we will guide you through your dilemma. This Halloween we will take care of you!
Here are three potential costume ideas for you to showcase on your campus!
Option #1: TV show cast
This idea is basically two options in one (you’re welcome.) Take this option and run wild with your childhood memories! Can you think of that old show that makes everyone chuckle when you mention it? Grab your friends and recreate the cast of Hey Arnold or Scooby-Doo.
Want more relevant? How about Walter White and the gang? Either choice you make, if you choose a memorable show, people will be asking to take photos with you all night…
Option #2: Someone big in pop culture
Think about a character or person that everyone will recognize. Something easy and quick but add to the costume something that will distinguish who you are. The mayhem guy from Allstate will get a laugh out of everybody! Throw on a pink headband, a couple fake cuts and bruises, a black tie and you’re set.
Option #3: A play on words costume
Why not attempt at being funny? A play on words costume would be the perfect way to be witty and creative with not having to try super hard. You can easily Google play on words and go from there. Cereal killer or chick magnet are some of our favorites! Humor is much appreciated!
If you’ve got any other great costume ideas please share them below!
The Best Time Of Your Life: Top 10 Colleges With the Happiest Students
Of all the colleges with the happiest students in America, Clemson ranks in our top 10…!
While the point of college to learn about a selected field in deep detail and graduate with a degree that stands as your proof of competency in it, if you spend your whole time there bored out of your gourd, what’s the point?
Happiness needs to be factored into the equation as well, and to aid you in factoring that aspect into your decision-making equation, we have put together a list of ten colleges that stands heads and shoulders above the rest in this important category. Let’s review each of them, starting with…
1) Texas A & M University
If college athletics is important to you and you are looking for a university in the Lone Star State, you’re in luck, as Texas A&M is a big sports school, with its students whipped into a mad football frenzy every home game weekend. Those looking for a plethora of living options will be pleased that there are many apartment choices near the university, and those looking to celebrate Spring Break in style won’t have to budge an inch, as South Padre Island is practically in A&M’s backyard!
2) Vanderbilt University
Want your degree to actually mean something? Vanderbilt has some of the highest quality professors around, meaning that you’ll actually have the knowledge to back up the letters by your name after college. On the social side of things, there are tons of restaurants to choose from, which is quite fortunate, because you’ll be frequenting them after the countless parties you’ll be attending, as the party scene here is outrageously huge.
3) Virginia Tech
Despite the horrible tragedy several years back, Virginia Tech is a safe place that boasts one of the most down to earth student bodies in the nation. Those that are looking to ride a team all the way through to college bowl season will be in luck here, as football is a way of life for many students, faculty and alumni at VT.
4) Claremont McKenna College
Taking in the stunningly beautiful campus at Claremount McKenna College will be the first of many positive experiences you’ll have at this school, as the well-entrenched party culture will be the scene of made friendships forged over beers and shared interests. Those who claim Judaism as their religion will love the fact that there is a strong Jewish presence on campus, and those that live, eat and breathe academics will love the fact that their professors clearly know the subjects that they specialize in.
5) Stanford University
Despite being a school of Ivy League caliber, Stanford continually surprises newcomers with the friendliness of its faculty and student body. An open environment ensures that people of all creeds, races, orientations, etc are made to feel welcome and accepted, and the campuses’ Californian location grants it photogenic looks that will the background of every experience you have over the next four years.
6) Clemson University
Well known for its great social scene and incredibly friendly people, socially extroverted types will thrive at Clemson. Those that consider themselves outdoors will love the fact that the natural splendor of South Carolina will be at their finger tips, as the Appalachian Mountains are 45 minutes away, and the sandy beaches of the Atlantic are a mere 4-5 hours from campus.
7) University of Wisconsin
Those that yearn to get involved on campus will find plenty of opportunities to get involved socially at the University of Wisconsin, and for those that would rather paint their face and cheer on their school’s team until they lose their voice, being involved in D1 athletics creates a lot of spirit on campus. What if you’re introverted though? A variety of dorms enables people of all types to find a living arrangement that suits them best, eliminating friction being portions of the population that are less compatible with each other.
8) Florida State University
In the relative warmth of the Northern Florida autumn, football season is a blast from start to finish, as enthusiastic students crowd the stands to cheer on the Seminoles to victory. A vibrant Greek life only serves to fuel that fervor on game days, as well as the party scene on weekends. Those that were hoping to actually get some learning done in all this aren’t left out in the cold though, as the professors here are reported as being very competent and knowledgeable in their area of expertise.
9) Tulane University
First point in Tulane’s favor: it’s in freakin’ New Orleans, so when the books shut on Friday afternoon, the nightlife that ensues will make you the envy of your old high school friends. Those looking to meet people different from themselves will love the fact that Tulane attracts a diverse student body from across the country and around the world, all seeking the Nawlins lifestyle.
10) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jocks and partiers rejoice: the parties and social events that revolve around sports never seem to stop here, so enjoy the four years you spend here if you go, as they will invariably be the best ones of your life. Despite its location in the midst of the Deep South, UNC at Chapel Hill is actually one of the most open-minded and accepting places in the country, standing in stark contrast to the uber conservative countryside that lies outside this bubble of liberalism.
Back to School Prep 10 Tips to Help College Students Ease Back into Dorm Life
Going back to school has always had a negative stigma. No student likes for summer to end; but taking a few extra days to prepare for the new semester can result in a smooth transition back into the school routine that will make it well worth it. The sooner you start settling into the new routine for the new school year the easier it is to get acclimated and off to a great start. Follow these 10 back to school tips to make life a bit easier for you.
- Move back to your dorm or off campus apartment a few days early. The compromise of moving back to school a few days early will pay off in the coming weeks and months because it will give you a big head start. Moving in early will give you the opportunity to reduce your stress and establish a routine before classes start. This way, when classes do begin, you can concentrate on your class instead of still needing to work on getting settled in
- Make Plans for the school year. Being back on campus helps you get back into the mindset for school, but now you have time to prepare for the year ahead without having to worry about any homework, studying, or reading assignments yet. This can include researching things you want to do, clubs you want to join, and events you want to attend. Marking these down ahead of time will help you with steps 3 and 4, which are setting up your calendar and making your schedule.
- Fill out your calendar for each semester and the school year. Take the time to fill out your calendar so that you can have all of your tests, events, days off, and anything else for the semester and then the year. This way, you will have everything ready at a glance. If you use a tool like Google Calendar, you can easily share events with friends and family and sync it to your smartphone. Be sure to make a habit of checking your calendar daily to see what is coming up.
- Make a daily schedule. Once your calendar is set up, you should also make a daily schedule. This will be especially helpful if you have different classes at different times each day, as most college courses vary in time, day, and even location. Having a daily schedule with reminders will keep you on track every day.
- Map out your classes. Being on campus early will allow you the luxury of finding your classes ahead of time and mapping them out. This way, you can time how long it takes to get to each class so that you can make sure that you have time and are never late for class.
- Talk with administration, counselors, or professors about scheduling and seating. One of the perks of being on campus before the rest of the student body returns is that you can meet with your professors and other faculty. You can get to know your professors, maybe even get a head start on some reading and getting all of your books, supplies, etc. Find out about preferred seating in the dining hall, labs, and sign up for study groups before the times you want get filled up. Being back on campus early allows you to get a head start on all of the arrangements that are first come, first served.
- Set your goals for the year and for each semester. Take a few minutes to think about your goals for the school year and for each semester. Writing down your goals increases the chances of achieving them. Post them up in your room so that you can look at them regularly and stay on track to achieve them.
- Organize your dorm room or off campus apartment. Arriving early will allow you to take the time to unpack and get everything organized. If you will have a dorm mate or roommate, arriving before them can afford you some benefits as far as claiming your space. Getting organized in your room, closet, and bathroom will go a long way towards saving you time and energy down the road. Put your clothes for other seasons away or in storage so that they are not cluttering up your closet if you aren’t going to wear them yet.
- Stock up on supplies. Plan out your first week two of meals and snacks and fill your refrigerator and pantry. Get any other supplies you are going to need for the first semester, or at least the first couple weeks.
- Pat yourself on the back for being ahead of the game. Now it’s time to reward yourself for being prepared early. Go out to your favorite restaurant near campus or treat yourself to something special, a movie, or something fun that you couldn’t do if you stayed home. A great reward is some new clothes for the new school year. Try the convenience of ordering online from a site that specializes in comfortable yet fashionable clothes like NeverlandStore.
Summary
In addition to following as many of our 10 tips as you can, be sure to start waking up early enough for your first class two to three weeks in advance. Experts say it takes 21 days to make something a habit. Making a habit of waking up early and following your new school year routine will pay off when you start the school year strong. Since so many new clubs, groups, and events start or take place in the first couple weeks of school, being acclimated to your new routine will allow you to take advantage of as much of those groups, networking, and events to meet new people without being too tired or stressed out. The biggest benefit is that you won’t have to worry about these things when classes start so you won’t fall behind.
How to Save Money For Traveling!
By focusing on how to save money for traveling, you can join these guys in Europe, or wherever you endeavor to go!
With graduation looming at the end of your upcoming senior year, you have big plans. Instead of strolling off the stage with your diploma and marching straight into a cubicle, you’re going to hit the road on a multi-month (maybe multi-year?) trek of exploration and discovery around the world. You want to do this while you are young and physically able to climb mountains, crawl through ruins, discover obscure mysterious islands and endure rough and tumble night buses, and for this, we applaud you.
Far too many people wait until retirement when their health has failed them, leaving them unable to fulfill all the dreams that they had put off for countless decades. One reality of travel that is constant, no matter how slim your budget, is that you need to have sufficient money to travel for any length of time.
Economy class fares cost the same for all of us, so in this final year of school, you need to acquire the eye of the tiger when it comes to saving cash from whatever job you have (if you don’t, start looking).
The following five tips will show you how to save money for traveling in no time, allowing you to get to the fun part of travel: planning out all your amazing adventures!
1) Stop eating out
Bear in mind that this doesn’t mean to stop eating: we all need adequate nutrition to survive. What this tip does prescribe is this: no more lunches at Chipotle, midnight pizza runs, or hungover breakfasts at your local sports bar. Look up some beginner recipes and start making food for yourself. Start off simple, then branch out to more complex meals. Soon, you will be eating better than ever, while spending considerably less dough than you were before. Talk about a win-win proposition!
2) Wave goodbye to your cable company
With abundant free entertainment on Youtube, Vimeo and Reddit, and cost-effective options on Netflix, Hulu and iTunes, why are you still shoveling your cash into your cable company’s furnace for the sake of a few measly channels? Endure the 30 minute phone call you’ve been dreading and cut the cord tomorrow, and watch as all that wasted capital begins piling up in your account instead of padding the wallet of some greedy CEO.
3) Cut back on drinking (and when you must, do it at home)
While going dry would have a dramatically positive effect on your finances, we realize that the college experience is often drenched in booze. So instead of cutting out the alcohol altogether, go out once per week maximum instead of the multiple nights per week that you are doing now. If you normally go out once per week, then take alternating weekends off from the bottle. Band together with potential travel companions and find fun, non-alcoholic things to do on those days to make adherence easier for everybody.
On weeks when you do drink, opt to stay home and avoid the expense of cover charges, marked-up alcohol prices and expensive cab fares. Instead, have your friends over to your house, and host the party there instead!
4) Seek out freelance work
With all that free time between classes (trust us, you’ll be looking back at this surplus time fondly when you enter the real world), you likely have time to find a second job, or failing that, a freelance gig on the side. Got a way with words? Become a freelance writer. Skilled in the art of editing/manipulating photos? Flog your Photoshop wizardry to the people of the internet in return for monetary compensation. $200 here, $600 there … it all adds up fast.
5) With a month left to go, sell everything that won’t fit in your backpack
With your plane tickets booked and your preliminary plans getting you excited, one last thing you can do to top off the pile of gold in your vault is to sell off all your stuff. Furniture, trinkets, gadgets, kitchen ware … anything that doesn’t fit in your backpack, or will have a practical use on the road – GONE. Sentimental items should be boxed and stored at your parent’s house or at the home of a trusted friend, but all that other stuff? Liquidate it into sweet, sweet spending cash!
