Ways to Sleep Better

Reduce Screen Time Before Bed
Stop checking your email or watching TV just before bedtime and you'll sleep better. A recent study shows that people who consume electronic media (read: stare at a backlit screen) just before bedtime report lower-quality sleep even when they get as much sleep as non-pre-bedtime screenheads.

Exercise to Enhance Sleep
You already know that exercising provides lots of good health benefits—a good night's sleep being one of them. But make sure you exercise in the morning or afternoon, not at night, to see the benefits while you dream.

Eat to Enhance Sleep
Some foods are more conducive to a better night's sleep than others. You already knew about warm milk, chamomile tea and turkey, but Yahoo Food lists others, like bananas, potatoes, oatmeal and whole-wheat bread.

Master the Power Nap
Slowly but surely, the benefits of the classic, 20-minute power nap are getting more recognition, with big companies installing sleep pods at the office and more software applications like Pzizz helping to set the right power nap aural scene.

Avoid the Soul-Shattering Alarm Buzzer
No one likes starting the day by getting ripped out of bed by that evil BEEP BEEP BEEP of the alarm clock, but some sleepyheads ignore anything gentler.

Teach Yourself to Lucid Dream
Arrive at school naked in that terrible dream last night? Turn nightmares around by knowing you're dreaming while you do it. Lucid dreaming opens up all sorts of possibilities for controlling where and how your dreams go. Teach yourself to lucid dream by keeping a dream journal and learning reality checks and dream extending techniques.

Via [Lifehacker]

10 Ways To Sharpen Your Brain

1. Read a Book
Pick a book on an entirely new subject. Read a novel set in Egypt. Not only will your brain get a workout by imagining different time periods, cultures and peoples, you will also have interesting stories to tell about your reading, what it makes you think of and the connections you draw between modem life and the words.

2. Play Games
Games are a wonderful way to tease and challenge your brain. Suduko, crosswords and electronic games can all improve your brain’s speed and memory. These games rely on logic, word skills, math and more. These games are also fun. You’ll get benefit more by doing these games a little bit every day-spend 15 minutes or so, not hours.

3. Use Your Opposite Hand
Spend the day doing things with your non-dominant hand. If you are left-handed, open doors with your right hand. If you are right-handed, try using your keys with your left. This simple task will cause your brain to lay down some new pathways and rethink daily tasks.

Learn Phone Numbers
Our modem phones remember every number that calls them. No one memorizes phone numbers anymore, but it is a great memory Skill. Learn a new phone number everyday.

5. Eat for Your Brain
Your brain needs you to eat healthy fats. Focus on fish oils from wild salmon, nuts such as walnuts, seeds such as flax seed and olive oil. Eat more of these foods and less saturated fats. Eliminate transfats completely from your diet.

6. Break the Routine
We love our routines. We have hobbies and pastimes that we could do for hours on end. But the more something is second nature, the less our brains have to work to do it. To really help your brain stay young, challenge it. Change routes to the grocery store, use your opposite hand to open doors and eat dessert first. All this will force your brain to wake up from habits and pay attention again.

7. Go a Different way
Drive or walk a different way to wherever you go. This little change in routine helps the brain practice special memory and directions. Try different side streets go through stores in a different order anything to change your route.

8. Learn a New Skill
Learning a new skill works multiple areas of the brain. Your memory comes into play, you learn new movements and you associate things differently. Reading Shakespeare, learning to cook and building an airplane out of tooth picks all will challenge your brain and give you something to think about.

9. Make Lists
Lists are wonderful. Making lists helps us to associate items with one another. Make a list of all the places you have traveled. Make a list of the tastiest foods you have eaten. Make a list of the best presents you have been given. Make one list every day to jog your memory and make new connections. But don’t become too reliant on them. Make your grocery list, but then try to shop without it.

10. Choose a new skill
Find something that captivates you that you can do easily in your home and doesn’t cost too much. Photography with a digital camera, learning to draw, learning a musical instrument learning new cooking styles, or writing are all great choices.

Via[SelfImprovment]

Time to Relax

College Kids,

School is really stressful and I was wondering if you had any advice on how to relax?

Sam 19
Years Old
Machias, ME

Sam,

Stress is a very common thing for college students. Your ability to succeed will be in many way dependent on how you are able to deal with stress. There is no right or wrong way to relax so only you can find whats right.

Get Away

One of the most helpful ways to deal with stress is to get out of your environment. If you live in a dorm or apartment stress can build up between you and your roommate or just from being cramped in a small room. What you need to to is go outside and find a place where you can relax. If the weather is nice I would suggest going to a park or plot of grass. Here you can get away and get some fresh air.

Do Not Procrastinate

In college you can get caught behind in no time. If you want to stop stress then you need to make yourself do your work on time. This can be hard, but is worth it in the long run.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your body. Exercising for a half hour can lower your stress and get you in shape. It also gives you time by yourself (or with friends) to get away. Another important factor is your sleep. We all know what a full night can do to your mood and your grades. So do what you can to give yourself the eight hours you need, or in some cases ten or twelve.

Avoid Draining Relationships

Lets face it, some people suck. Every college has those people who are mean, ignorant, and annoying. You want to stay away from them. You will not believe how much better it makes you feel when you surround yourself with people who pull you up instead of down.

Make Time For the Things You Enjoy

School is important, but it does not mean you should lose touch with yourself and what you like to do. I know a lot of people who came into college with hobbies that they loved only to stop doing them. Many people get busy and get so caught up in their lives that they forget how much they enjoyed playing the guitar or writing. Make sure you always take time for yourself when you need it.

I hope this gets you thinking.

Cheers!

The College Kids

Shout out to DBurke - Boston, MA

Going to Bars for Dummies

Okay, nobody thinks you're a dummy. However, I've noticed that a lot of times when a person first becomes old enough to go to bars (or manages to get in anyway), there are certain things that they haven't learned yet. Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your first bar experience goes off without a hitch.

1) Know how to order drinks. This is especially important in a crowded bar. When there are tons of people packed around the bar, you're not getting drinks unless you're assertive. Make your way up to the bar, put your arm down on it, and lean forward so the bartender can see you. Make sure you know what you're ordering beforehand (if you don't have much drinking experience, you can look up all kinds of drink recipes online, at sites such as http://www.webtender.com/), bartenders don't like to waste time when they could be racking up tips. Say your order in a loud, clear voice. In really noisy bars you'll probably have to lean in close to the bartender and shout.

2) Once you've ordered and the bartender has made your drink, you have to pay for it. Be sure not to give exact change, the bartender will be expecting a tip. If you don't tip, the bartender (or waitress if you're at a table) will not be as inclined to serve you. It's also just a really lame thing to do, and makes you look like an awful person. Generally the bartender will make sure to give you change in a way that makes it easy for you to tip (say you give $10 for $5 worth of drinks, they'll give you singles/dollar coins instead of a $5 bill for change). Generally the going rate for tipping is $1 per drink, you might want to see what other people seem to be tipping to make sure you're not tipping too much/too little.

3) Once you have your drink, be sure to hold on to it until you're done (especially if you're a girl). Never leave a drink unattended and then go back to it. You can never be too careful.

4) Now, when you're in a room packed with people holding drinks, chances are eventually you'll bump into somebody, spill a drink, etc. Most people are pretty easy going, and if you simply apologize you shouldn't have any trouble. If you've spilled somebody else's drink it's probably a good idea to offer to buy them a new one.

5) If somebody you're with buys you a drink, it's customary to return the favor.

6) Be careful not to drink too much. Obviously you're there to have a good time, but you absolutely do not want to be "that guy who puked all over and got thrown out". Know your limits, and don't try to be a hero ;).

7) Before you go out, make sure you and the people you're going with have a plan for getting home. Designated drivers are a great idea if you can get a friend/family member to do it. Otherwise, be sure to bring enough cash for a taxi. If somebody who lives relatively close to the bar(s) you're going to is cool with it, it might be a good idea to have everyone sleep there for the night so you can all split on a cab and save some money. In this case, it's a good idea to have everyone park their cars there and head to the bar in a taxi, come back in one, and have everyone leave with their cars in the morning.

Well, I think that about covers it. If anybody has any further suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments. Be safe, and have a great time!

Written by: Jay Mykytiuk
Ask a College Kid Guest Writer

Girlfriends from High School

College Kids,

I'm a freshman in college but I still have my girlfriend from home. Is this a good idea?

Nick
19 Years Old
New Jersey


Nick,

This is one of the hardest questions that a college freshman can face. We can't give you an answer on whether or not you should stay together but we can give you some input based on our personal experiences.

Out of all the college kids, four of us had girlfriends going into college. Two of us had been in a relationship for almost a year, one for over 6 months, and one for only days. Now we are all in our junior years and only the couple that started dating just before leaving for school is still together. Out of the other three, two lasted all of freshman year and the other lasted through sophomore year. None broke up just because they were away at college, most actually happened during the summer.

Trust - If you haven't been dating a while or just don't have much trust yet it could be an issue. You are going to have more freedom than ever and will get to know many more people. If you can't trust each other, it will never work. Ironically, only the couple that started dating right before leaving to go to school is still together.

Visiting - Long distance relationships can work but they are extremely difficult. If you cannot see each other at least every few weeks it may be too difficult. The less you see each other the more you have to communicate.

Communication - In order to make a long distance relationship work you are going to have to communicate. Instant messenger and text messages are okay but if you don't talk on the phone for a while every day you're likely to drift apart and that will be the beginning of the end.

Being Spontaneous - When you're apart and in a long distance relationship it's easy to get stuck in a boring pattern where you say and do the same things all the time. Make sure you surprise each other, send some mail, gifts, or flowers, anything will help.

These are just some simple pieces of advice but the main thing is to never get discouraged and to never give up! If you really want the relationship to succeed you can make it happen. It will never be easy but remember, that's not what it's about.

Good luck!

The College Kids

How College Will Change You (The Good, Bad, And In Between)

College Kids,

I've heard that a lot of people change after they go to college. Is this true?

Sam
18 Years Old
Sandusky, OH

Sam,

Absolutely. Moving out on your own is one of the biggest changes that will ever occur in your life. I have seen college change people in many ways, so the college kids and I came up with a few ways that many of us and our peers have changed. Some are good, some are bad, and some are in between. Just make sure you avoid the bad.

The Good

You Will Become More Mature

- This happens to almost everyone and is definitely a good thing. With in a few weeks you will have adjusted to life on your own and be totally comfortable being independent. That means doing what you want whenever you want to.

You Will Become More Open Minded

- One of my favorite things about being in college is all the different people and ideas you are exposed to. I grew up in a small town and it was refreshing to go to a school where there is at least one person from basically every country in the world. When you live in the dorms you will experience different ideas, cultures, and music.

You Will Appreciate The Small Things

-I do not quite know how or why, but college seems to make people more appreciative of the small things. Perhaps its the small dorms or crappy cafeteria food. Who knows. All I know is that I have never enjoyed playing Frisbee with my friends more than I have in college.

You Will Make TONS Of Friends

-Not to say that you do not have enough to begin with, but you will make all kinds of new friends once you move in. Of course, you might want to still hang on to your old friends, they could be your best.

The In Between

You Will Drink More Alcohol

- This is good or bad depending on your definition of "more". If "more" means only on the weekends, then "more" is good. If "more" means Monday through Sunday including all holidays then "more" is bad. You get the the point.

You Will Have More Hookups

- Most of the time this is a good thing. The only time this can be bad is if people start to know you as the girl/guy who hooks up with random people all the time. Then you might want to cool it a bit.

The Bad
Watch Your Weight

- I have seen this happen a thousand times. I even got out of shape my first year in college. All the bad food and lack of motivation to exercise can be a bad mix. My advice: go outside and get some fresh air. It will do the body (and mind) a lot of good.

You Will Have More Stress

- The college workload can put a lot of stress in your life. Added on to everything else this can be a real difficult challenge for college students. Everyone deals with stress differently. You should find ways that work for you. Whether it is exercise, reading a book, going out on the weekends, or meditation, you have to always take time for yourself.

You Will Get Bad Sleeping Habits

When you have to cram for a test sometimes you have to stay up late, very late. In fact, sometimes you have to stay up so late you never go to bed. Freshman, allow me to introduce you to the all-nighter. She is not fun and you want to avoid her at all cost. The best way to do this is by not procrastinating and scheduling your time.

The bottom line is that college will absolutely change you in some way. That is what makes it so great! The idea though, is to let it change you in a good way and not a bad way. It is also to let it change you in a way you want to be changed, and not in a way you do not want.


Cheers!

The College Kids

College Books Cheap

College Kids,

Last year I ended up spending around $500 a semester on books. Where can I go to get them for less?

Tom
19 Years Old
Hawaii

Tom

Books at school are a complete rip off and you should try and avoid the book store at all cost.

Here are some good alternate sources for textbooks:

Amazon.com - There are lots of good bookstores on the internet, but Amazon has a huge selection, sells both new and used, and is fairly cheap. Be careful of used ones though, shipping can sometimes take a while.
Facebook Marketplace - This one is new to a lot of us. Facebook Marketplace allows you to find people on your campus that want to sell you their book (or anything else for that matter). You then meet up with them and make the transaction happen.
Buy It From A Friend - That usually does not work during the first semester, but this winter you should check to see if someone you know has a book you need. Hell, they might just give it to you for free (or for a favor to be redeemed at any time).
Share It - My mother always said sharing is good. She was right unless, of course, it is for a book that you need to use every day. Remember, only share if it is a class that rarely uses the book.
eBay - You will always find great prices on eBay.

On a final note I must remind you all to make sure you know the right edition, make sure you actually need the book before you buy it, and of course, make sure you do indeed buy books. Sixty dollars for a book may be a lot, but it is nothing like the $800 you will spend retaking the course.

Remember, you are college educated adults and you do not have to let the bookstores screw you!

Cheers!

The College Kids

10 Things NOT to do During your First Week of College

It is almost August and that means only one thing: back to school! Now I know most of us college students are ready to go back, but some of our upcoming freshman may be a little nervous. The first week of college can very exciting and very challenging, so I have consulted my fellow college kids and we have created a list of ten things you do not want to do on your first week:

Do not be the drunkest at the party - Having a good time is one thing, but you do not want to be forever known as "that kid who threw up in a plant on the first night". Also, college security guards are usually patrolling heavily for freshman during the first few weeks. Know the hot spots and steer clear.

Do not skip class - This may be common sense to some, but if you do not go to class on your first week, you will never go to class.

Do not spend all your money - Going to a city school I know more than anyone how easy it is to spend your money. All I can say is be smart, use your meal plan, and pre-game if you are going to the club. If you want more tips go here.

Do not hook up with too many people - This goes out to the ladies especially, because whether it is fair or not, rumors can spread quickly and easily turn into a reputation that you do not want. Of course it is college and well... things happen, but like Tony Sinclair says, "everything in moderation".

Do not buy your books before classes start - You should never ever ever ever buy your books before you start classes (unless your required to). Why? Because many professors do not even use the books or use a different edition than the book store sells. Also, if you have the time to wait, buy online.

Do not be shy - Every freshman there is going through the same thing you are. They are all just as nervous and as scared as you, which is a good thing. This means you should go around and introduce yourself to everyone you meet. You would be amazed at how many friends you can make in just a few days.

Do not cross your boundaries with other people - The first week at school can be very stressful for everyone. Being sociable is a great thing, but understand that other people need their space too, do not over push it.

Do not be afraid to meet your professors - Building a good relationship with your professors is HUGE. At the end of the semester your professor will be much more likely to help you out if you have built a good rapport with them.

Do not let your room become a mess - A few dirty clothes is fine, but make sure your room does not become a land mind. No one is going to want to chill in your room if it smells like B.O. and beer. Trust me, you do not want to be "that guy" (or girl).

Do not drop out - For most people this will not even cross their minds, but for some the adjustment can be difficult. My best advice is that you should stick with it for at least a month or two and let yourself really experience the school. Remember, if you are not happy you can always transfer.

I hope these tips help. If any of you college veterans have any more tips for our upcoming freshman please send them here.

Remember, you are now college educated adults and you will do great!

Cheers,

The College Kids

Five Important Things People Forget to Bring to College

When you first get to school as a freshman, you start to realize the things that you could have brought that would have made life at college a little easier. Here are some common items that people forget to bring.

Toilet paper
Usually the school provides toilet paper, but the fact is, is that they use the cheap stuff which feels like your using cardboard to wipe your bottom. Bring up your own!


Vacuum
Lets be honest. Your room is going to get dirty, and pretty quickly too. Your not going to make all your friends take their shoes off every time they walk in your room are you? Probably not, so buy a cheap vacuum! Your RA will probably have one, but it will probably not work OR he/she will never be around to lend it to you.

Hand Soap
Washing your hands is a crucial thing at college because getting sick and missing out on things is terrible. What I noticed at school was the girls bathrooms were stock piled with soap and the guys were lucky to see a bar of soap a month. Bring your own! Keep it in your room when your not using it so it doesn't end up thrown against the door of the kid who plays his drums at 3AM.

Change Banks
Whether your going to school close to home or far away, a key thing to check on is if your bank is in area of your new school. Yes, you can just take money out of any bank with the "Magic" ATM card, but fees add up, and you want to be saving as much money as possible. Also, this can help you control your money flow. Putting a certain amount of money into your new bank account will help you spend less and set a budget for yourself.

Bottle Opener
This just might be me, but I've noticed not many people own a bottle opener. Having one of these can save you money by not using your school furniture to open bottles. Also, you can meet new people at that party, when that girl or guy is looking for access to their beverage.

Interviewing Tips

College kids,

I noticed that you had a post on how to get a good job, but do you have any advice on interviewing?

Sam
18 years old
Meacham, TN


Sam,

When you go for and interview it can be a very stressful and uncomfortable activity. While many people may not like it, it is still the most important part of getting a job. To put it bluntly: the interview means everything.

Now, with that said, here are some pointers to remember for your next interview:

• Be confident - I said this in my last post, but this is even more important in this one. Why? Because now you are actually meeting face to face with your potential employer. You will not make a good first impression by having clammy hands and stuttering over every other word. You need to be direct, poised, and CONFIDENT. For some more pointers go here.
  
• Practice before-hand - Many people do not practice because they do not know the questions that they are going to be asked. This may be true to an extent, but most interviews at least start off with similar questions. More importantly though, just having the practice of speaking in that environment will help you feel more comfortable the day of.
• Ask questions - When you are in an interview remember that this could potentially be your job. Before you sign up you want to know if that job at Initech is going to be a good fit for you. The last thing in the world you need is a job that is going to make you go office space (trust me I have seen it before). Besides learning about the company, your interviewers will be very impressed that you took the time to do your research. Just remember you should NEVER ask about pay on a first interview.
  
• Never (ever) be late - This may seem like a no brainer to most people, but you would be surprised at how often it happens. Usually it is because you hit traffic or get lost. You should always give yourself an excessive amount of time in case of any issues. Also, do not wait for the last minute to check directions. If you are not sure about something call them!
• Bring a portfolio - This is common practice for artist and graphic designers, but is uncommon for most other individuals. A portfolio is an important add-on that can visually show your skills and leadership. Your portfolio can include, awards, diplomas, certifications, letters of recommendation, and anything else that you have created at another job or in school. Remember to make copies of everything you have so you can give it to your interviewer(s).
  
• Send a thank you letter - Interviewers usually see lots of different candidates. Sending a simple letter can help separate you from the pack, and besides, it is polite.
  

Lastly, you should always remember to have fun and do not ever take anything too seriously. You are a college educated adult and you will find a great job. Good luck!

The College kids

Free Drinks at the Bar

College Kids,

What's a cool trick that can get me some free drinks at the bar?

Ethan
21 years old
Buffalo, NY


Ethan,

Here is a great trick that will blow peoples minds. Make sure you do it just like it's shown here.



Now you may be asking how is this going to get me free drinks? Well, bet someone a beer that you can have a shot of water and a shot of whiskey change places withough using your mouth. They will agree to your bet, and you just gained a beer. In case you were wondering, the reason it work is because whiskey is lighter than water, thus they change places.

Hope this is able to get you crunk one night. Cheers!

Relationships

College kids,

How do relationships work in college? Is it just a bunch a random hookups? I recently got dumped, and I'm wondering if I'll find someone new easily at college. Also, what happens if you date someone for a really long time in college and then he dumps you? Is it easy to find someone when you've been at your school along time?

Erica
19 years old
New Jersey


Erica,

Relationships in college are well...unpredictable. It really all depends on the person and his/her background. I myself, came into college with a relationship that went on all freshmen year and through the summer. Right before school started she broke my heart.

The other college kids have been through their relationships as well. Chris Mc, is still in a very healthy relationship with a girl from back home. Stas has been through his as well, but he is very happy right now with the girl he is with.

I feel everyone has those random hookups in college though. The next morning you will wake up either saying "What did I just do?" or "YES!" You will get some hazing from your close friends, but they mean no harm, you will have the chance to do the same thing to them believe me.

As for getting dumped, it hurts. I know. It's something you need to get past and enjoy what you have while you have it. For instance, last year when I was having troubles with my ex-girlfriend, I lost all my good friends because I was a hermit in my own room. I regret doing that. Carpe diem (seize the day).

I hope everything works out for you.

Good luck,

The college kids