Posts Tagged ‘college life’
Easy Ice Breakers
College brings many new social situations along with it. Breaking the ice can be an awkward thing, that is, unless you read this blog! I’m here to give you all the tips and trick you need to succeed in a new social setting. Let’s try and steer away from the oh-so common, “how’s the weather?”
The first situation is with your random roommate. Odds are if you chose to get a random roommate you answered some basic questions about yourself to try and get someone somewhat similar to you. Regardless of similarity, the beginning stages of moving in with someone you don’t know can be a little scary. The first thing I would suggest is to talk to them ahead of time. Use Facebook message, texting, or even a call to get things in order. Talking to your roommate at least a couple times before you move in will ease your jitters. Go into the roommate situation asking the basic stuff, like where they’re from, if they have a boyfriend/girlfriend, and what they like to do for fun. Try and go out of your way to spend time with your new roomie be it study time in the library or a quick lunch, the more time you spend with them, the more comfortable you will be.
Next, let’s talk football games, pep rallies, or welcome week. When in a large crowd, make a point to talk to the people around you, or at least smile! You need to appear friendly and welcoming. If you are standing next to someone you don’t know at the game try talking to them about the game. That one is obvious. If you notice they are cheering extra hard for certain players ask if they know them in order to strike up a convo. Same thing goes for pep rallies or welcome week activities, the key is to pay attention to the person, and try talking with them about whatever interest them. When meeting new people you need to be a good listener above all.
What if the person I’m talking to is shy!? In this case, you might have to be the talker. If the person you are trying to get to know is shy, the key is determination without being annoying. Odds are, they enjoy people, and they just don’t know what to say. Try asking basic things like whether they have any siblings, play any sports, or live on campus. Eventually, they should loosen up, but you need to be patient above all in this situation.
Let’s say it’s the weekend and you get invited to a party where you know no one, except the person that invited you. Go! The key to meeting new people is to get out of your comfort zone. You need to realize that everyone else is also there to make new friends and have a good time. Try not to cling to the one person at the party you know, and get out there! Find something to talk about with the people around you. Like I said before, pay attention to the people around you and talk about their interest. If you notice they have some good moves on the dance floor try this, “you’ve got some good moves, where’d you learn to dance like that?” Compliments are always a go to in new environments.
But what if I get shut down!? The worst thing that can happen in a social situation is a person not replying. Honestly if this happens, pretend like you were talking to someone else and walk away. Or, ask again. Chances are they didn’t hear you, or they’re so rude they aren’t worth knowing anyway. There is nothing embarrassing about being ignored, more so, it just makes the ignorer look rude.
Use these basic ice breaking tips for any situation and remember to smile often! There are many new people to meet and it all begins with a simple conversation. Try and save yourself from, “So…how is the weather?”
-ToonyToon
Places for Students to Volunteer Domestic and Abroad
How do you give back to those around you? This is a question that doesn’t often get asked, or even thought about by a percentage of college students. In between cramming for exams, trying to stay afloat in the social stratosphere that is college, and planning for your future, students tend to simply run out of hours in the day to give back. That’s not to say that everyone does, but let’s admit it, it’s not always in the foreground of our priorities. Work gets in the way, time slips by, and things just don’t work out. However, if the mood strikes you, and the time permits, I have to say that volunteering, both locally and abroad, is one of the most rewarding and beneficial activities that you can engage in as a college student.
There are a number of reasons to get involved in service, the most obvious being that you’re helping other people. However, that’s not always the first reason people get involved—and it doesn’t have to be. Volunteering is a life-long activity that can serve you physically, socially and mentally. You are physically bettering your community, making lasting relationships that can transfer well beyond service projects, and doing something good for yourself, while also helping others! What beats that?
All of these reasons are great—however, as well intentioned as service may be, these benefits may go overlooked as a result of how crammed and busy our college lives tend to be. This doesn’t make service any less desirable to get involved with, but it does make it trickier to “market” to college students. How can you convince students to give up time, energy and effort for a cause that doesn’t seem as relevant as Tuesday’s Biology exam? How can you showcase the wonderful and lasting impressions that service can make without overshadowing the real reason for doing the service in the first place? It’s a balancing act—you want students, and other volunteers to enjoy service, and have a good time, but also understand the depth of the activity, and the “whys” behind doing it in the first place.
With all of this being said, where and how can students and potential volunteers look to get involved? Is it better to go far away to help, or can you look in your own backyard?
My advice is to look at both! There are numerous trips and geographic areas that you can search for! You can choose to go far away, or stick to more locally based programs and projects. My school is on the smaller side and specializes in service trips—it’s one of the larger departments in our service office—so take these trips with a grain of salt or use them as a jumping off point for where you and your school could eventually travel to, or for projects you could eventually start!
Domestic Trips that get rave reviews—both on the “fun” scale and the impact that the students are able to make—are located all over the country. Over spring break, 40 students travel to Harlan, Kentucky located in the Appalachian Mountains. While there, the students stay in small log cabin. They not only make friends and memories, but also help to rebuild homes and neighborhoods in the local community. Students participate and work on full-scale construction sites with local carpenters, builders and technicians. The trip is rewarding for the community because they receive outside support and recognition for their hardship, however it is also rewarding for the students as they see how others live in this country, and experience first hand the importance of supporting and giving back.
Students also travel to reservations in Montana to work with and support children and communities. Another large project that students are involved with is an annual Habitat for Humanity trip. The location changes every year, however the students are able to engage in hands on work that benefits a family or community in need.
Other domestic, local projects you can look to get involved with are soup kitchens, local shelters, food banks, thrift stores, city clean ups, charity walks or events, or even rehabilitation centers, community centers, or after school programs. Any help or time you are willing to give is appreciated. Find a cause, or project that means something to you and search for ways to give back.
If you interested in volunteering abroad there other options. Some students take a year off and volunteer to travel the world to different countries, fulfilling different needs as they come along. Other students take trips to the Dominican, or to Central America. These trips require research and most likely, formal arrangements. Don’t let the restrictions deter you, just do your research and look for a program that fits your needs.
Volunteering can be special and rewarding. Not only will you make life-long memories, but also you will find an activity that you can participate in for years to come. The relationships and experience you gain for the simplest of service can change your outlook, and maybe even the time you have left at school!
-Ring Queen
How to Not Lose Yourself in College
When starting college, it’s very easy to lose yourself. For most people it’s their first time out on their own away from home. College is a time of growth, but you want to be growing in a positive way without losing who you are as a person and where you’ve come from. I’ve come up with some ways that you can remember who you are while you’re away at school.
My first idea is to create a scrapbook the summer before you leave for college. Be sure to include your favorite photos with friends and family back home. Write down your favorite song lyrics at the time, or memories to go along with the pictures. Pack this scrapbook when you go off to school and anytime you need a quick flashback, pull it out from hiding. Not only will you remember things you might have forgotten about, but you will have something to remind you of home.
My second idea is to keep up with your faith. If you’re Christian, bring along a personal bible and try to read a verse every now and then. If you’re Mormon, Jewish, or anything else, bring along something to help you keep in contact with the faith you were raised on. Try and find a local church that will suit you and where you can attend every now and then. Keeping up with faith values from your family will help keep you on the right track.
Third, keep some of your old playlist on your iPod. Sometimes just listening to a song that brings back childhood memories can make a day. I find that certain songs remind me of when I was really little, and others remind me of high school. Remembering the past helps you to remember where you came from and who you are.
Next, stick to your hobbies. If you’re a former high school basketball player, join an intermural team! If you love art, spend your free time creating new work. If you wrote songs, keep it up! It’s very easy to get busy and forget about the little things that you used to do in your free time at home. Make the effort to keep up with what makes you happy.
Using technology to its full advantage can help you to keep in contact with old friends and your family. Taking the time to call your parents, friends, or siblings back home can remind you of yourself. Be sure to ask about your home town, how everyone is doing, and the latest gossip. Do your best to keep up with everything back home while starting a new life where you’re at now.
To sum it all up, there are so many ways that you can remember who you are. There are also many ways to get caught up and forget. All it takes is a little effort and a little free time. Everyone gets more free time once they get to college because they don’t have classes all day like they did in high school. It’s how you choose to use your free time that makes you who you are. Never forget where you came from or who raised you, life is all too short for that.
-Speedy G.
What is TEFL?
Ever wonder what it’s like on the other side of the classroom? More and more students have been getting certified to teach English after their undergrad degrees as a way to work and travel to break up their schooling or to take a break before they enter the work force. Depending on where your destination is, a person could make enough to start paying off student loans, although most of the time, a teacher will just break even especially when just starting out.
There are many different certifications out there to choose from. There is a traditional TEFL meaning teaching English as a foreign language. This is when a person goes to another country to teach English. Similarly, TESOL stands for teach English to speakers of other languages. There is also the ESL, which is where a person teaches English as a second language, more generally done in the United States to help others here strengthen their English proficiency. Generally, most schools require a 120-hour certification. Remember, sometimes once a program is purchased, you may have a certain amount of time for it to be completed. Many programs give you three months to complete a 120-hour program.
Some companies also offer specialist modules, which are certificates that accompany a TEFL certification. Some of these modules include teaching with limited resources, teaching one-on-one, teaching to large classes, teaching to young learners, and teaching business English. These can set you apart and help you get ahead of the competition.
Where do you find these companies? GoAbroad.com is a great way to find various travel companies. There seems to be endless companies where a person can get a legitimate certification, although thorough research should be done on a company before throwing your time and money into a program. Learning about the company through the website is the first step. Next, talk to alumni or people who have used the program. If the company has no way for you to contact people who have gone through the certification program, that will tell you this company may not be the best. A final step to ensure the legitimacy of a company is to contact them directly to see how you are treated and how long it takes for them to contact you back.
Once you have been certified, the next big decision is to decide on where to go. Asia is known to be the place to go to make and save the most money. Currently, there are high demands throughout Asia as well as some areas of Eastern Europe. Keep in mind; you do not need to know the language of the area you are going to. It is actually better for students to be engulfed in a completely English-speaking classroom. For your benefit, learning a bit of the language before departing would be a good idea as you may not need the language in the classroom, but it is essential for everyday life being out and about in the society getting groceries, ordering food and drinks, reading street signs, etc. Be aware of the safety hazards also before going. I would recommend getting the Smart Travel App created by the US Department of State that provides information about the safety of each country. Keeping updated on a country’s current events is
Teaching contracts range from public to private to governmental schools. Some include housing. Others include flight reimbursement. Some are for as little as two months or a summer session. Others are up to a year. Some companies give more support when looking for teaching jobs than others. This is a pivotal factor in choosing a company and choosing a destination. Be sure to research a destination on your own rather than blindly following a company’s suggestions.
While your friends are living at home, you could be teaching English is a foreign land working, gaining independence, and learning a whole new culture. Not to mention, doing things off the beaten track are looked well upon American companies!
Stay Smart About Student Loans
The worst part about college isn’t midterms or pesky required classes that seem to have nothing to do with your major. No, the worst part is all the bills and high costs of a higher education. Though some of us are lucky to get great scholarships or just have really rich parents, many are forced to turn to loans and grants to help them with their mounting dues. Unfortunately, taking out loans can lead to massive debt. Even senior citizens are still seeing the burden of their college education with debt hanging over them. Even more unfortunate, with the economy and job market, is that this could be us in the future!
Before you find yourself in massive debt and wishing you could win the lottery to pay it all off, you should learn about alternatives to loans or the best ways to deal with paying back loans. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to keep on top of scholarship opportunities, whether it’s through your college specifically or through an organization. Pay attention to emails from your college, bulletin boards at school, and do some digging on the Internet. Though scholarships can sometimes be very specific with requirements or low sums of money, it’s still better than nothing and can at least cover the cost of books for a semester. Also, keep in touch with your advisor who may know of other scholarships or grants more suited for you and your major.
For those of you already in debt, take a deep breath and let it out. If you can’t make payments due to an illness, unemployment or any other unexpected issues, you may be able to delay your payments, known as a deferment or forbearance. But, make sure after discussing with your lender you understand any penalties there may be—which generally means more interest and more money owed. When you do get back on your feet, always turn to the most expensive loan with the highest interest rate first (these are usually private loans). This way, once you climb the mountain, you can roll on through the lesser loans and have much less stress. You can also lessen your future burden by trying to lower your principal. When making a loan payment, the money goes toward the interest, any late fees and then the principal. Whenever you have some extra money on hand, try to pay more than what you owe that month. By doing so, you will lower the principal which in turn will lower the amount of interest, ultimately saving you money!
Other options to make your debt more manageable are checking out your qualifications. There are the opportunities for debt forgiveness, though you shouldn’t rely on this as a way to get out of debt. Based on your line of work, you might qualify to have some of your debt canceled out. Also, volunteering with certain organizations, like the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, can help drop the amount you owe. You could also potentially qualify for income-based repayment, or IBR. If you have a lower income that can’t accommodate high loan payments, this may be the option for you to lessen some of your burden by lowering your monthly payments and spreading the loan out over a longer payment plan. Additionally, if the IBR payments you make are less than the interest your loan gathers, the government will cover the interest for up to three year. After 25 years, if you’re still making payments, the debt will be forgiven. But remember, using IBR will keep you in debt longer with more interest.
Most importantly, don’t ignore your loans. Stay organized and on top of them, know the grace periods and lenders well to help keep you out of trouble. Set up automatic payments to make sure you’re never late or miss a payment completely. Not paying your loans has serious consequences. After nine months of not paying, you’ll enter default which means you owe your total loan all at once and it’ll be much higher than you ever expected, your credit score goes out the window, and if it’s a federal loan the government can seize tax refunds and withhold your wages.
Just remember to breathe. You’re not the only one in debt, and one way or another it will all work out. As a college grad, you’re certainly smart enough to manage your loans and get them paid off before your 75th birthday. Best of luck to you all!
-ToonyToon
Get Healthy This Spring!
Spring seems to be the time where everyone decides to take their New Years resolutions of getting back into shape seriously as there are only a dozen or so weeks until we reach the first day of summer. Unfortunately, fad diets and gimmicks to shed those winter pounds may be way too tempting to try out. The first order of business here is to know that there are no shortcuts. Doing something drastic and strict for the next few weeks may look good on the outside for now, but you can be doing irreparable damage to your insides. Plus, most of the time when a fad diet fails, a person will gain back the weight they have lost plus some! We all can agree that is the last thing we want to do.
Before deciding to jump on into an all out diet and workout regime, first evaluate yourself realistically. You may not need to lose any weight. Looking in the mirror and asking your friends or even asking the scale is not always the answer. Remember, muscle weights more than fat so you could have gained, but if you have been active, you may have built some muscle, not fat. So instead of asking your mirror, your friend, or your scale, ask a doctor.
No matter what, eating right and getting some exercise is good for you, but it is all about balance. Pushing yourself hard at the gym or on the track while running on coffee and herbal tea is not the way to go. Remember that when you are working out more, you will have a greater appetite. Eating a balanced diet of healthy carbs and protein is the way to go. But what does that really mean?
Fiber foods fill you! There are fruits, veggies, nuts and grains from almonds to zucchini that have high fiber foods that keep you feeling full. Eat healthy carbs from whole grain bread to a sweet potato. Lean protein is what helps build muscle so don’t forget lean meat such as turkey, skinless chicken breast, and tuna. If a vegetarian or vegan, replace that meat by stocking up on beans (and other meat substitutes)!
In terms of exercise, do not over do it but stay motivated. Try getting a workout buddy to ensure you make it to the gym 4-6 days a week. If working out is completely new to you, it is easy to push yourself hard, get frustrated, and quit. Try to build up slowly by walking flat then uphill for couple minutes then go back down again for cardio. If you’re a self-proclaimed gym-rat, do not push yourself too hard each day as your muscles do need a day of rest to recuperate and rebuild themselves. While lifting, you are actually tearing your muscles (hence the phrase “getting shredded.” This is why it is so important to mix up which parts of the body you will be working each day.
One tip that everyone could use is to DRINK MORE WATER. Water is your new best friend. Drinking water throughout the day, especially before a meal, will help you feel more full and satisfied. Throwing in a few lemon slices or a bit of fruit could zing up the boring drink if drinking straight water is just too bland. Your body also cannot build muscle if dehydrated. Dehydration leads to fatigue, which is something we are all trying to avoid.
So get out there. Do your research, talk to your doctors, and figure out what is best for you. Get healthy and do it safely.
-TravelBug
Starting to Feel Under the Weather? Bounce Back!
The weather is changing and getting a little warmer. Trees and leaves are blooming and looking great all over campus. But with all the beauty (and pollen) in the air, sinuses get in a tizzy and student’s internal systems go a little haywire. First it’s a cold, or a little tiny flu, and then you find yourself in a sneezing war, and a battle to get from your room to class without running into anything, or anyone who might make your eyes water, your nose run, or heaven forbid, your throat a little scratchy.
So what happens if you do catch a bug, or if you catch a cold right before midterms, or right after, when you’re back from your fun in the sun? Between classes, practice, and any extra clubs, you don’t want to be feeling under the weather—especially this time of year. Some classes are acceptable to miss. Shoot a quick email to the professor, or proclaim a it a “personal day”, but either way, it’s better to miss at the beginning of the semester, when things are fresh and make up days are both built in and frequent.
When you aren’t feeling great you have a couple of options. First, you can lay low. Hypothetically, you could skip class, lounge around, and will yourself better. It’s a tough call, but I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that probably won’t help! I find that when things aren’t going your way, and nothing seems to work, you have to keep on moving, and stick through a little frustration in order to kick start yourself back to feeling 100%.
I’m not saying a few naps won’t help, they definitely will. But stopping all movement, communication, and work, in my non-medically based opinion will actually do more harm than good. You want to motivate yourself, think positively, and eat well to get back on your feet.
Make sure you are eating right. I know we all like to skip breakfast every once and a while, but why? It’s the first meal of the day and could potentially take you from groggy to great in a few short bites. If you have a score throat, make tea. If you have a bit of a cold, grab some OJ before heading out the door, and make fruit your best friend for the next few days. Fruit is not only healthy but it feels bright and fun—that may seem odd, why does that matter?! Color won’t make me feel better! Well no, not exactly, but the color can perk you up, give you something yummy to snack on, and of course throw a few extra vitamins your way.
Also make sure to drink plenty of liquids. Orange juice and tea can be great to get you rolling but also try to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Most college sickness is a combination of stress, sleep deprivation, dehydration, and extreme closeness with other sick students around campus. Drink water, tea, orange juice, and really anything else that will get you feeling in tip-top shape again.
The final piece of advice is to get enough of sleep. Like I said before, college sickness comes and goes, and sometimes quick. The best way to beat it right off the bat is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Don’t go out all the time, or save all your work for 5 minutes before you need to get in bed. Try to stick to a similar sleep pattern and not go to bed super late, or even sleep in super late! It will make you more tired and just prolong your iggy, sick feeling. Try to bounce back and tell keep active. Going for a run also works for me. In no time you should be feeling better.
Remember not to overdo it when you’re sick, and if it doesn’t get better, or you start feeling worse, visit the health center at your school. You can only try so much before you have to at least ask for a second opinion. But, for a common cold you should be good with a pack of tissues, tea, and a good attitude, but make sure to know the difference and don’t wear yourself out either way!
-Ring Queen
I’m reading Current Issues and Enduring Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking and Arguments
Outstanding Freshman Athletes
Every year college athletics are blessed with fresh talent from young faces. This year, a number of freshman across the country have really stepped up to contribute in great ways to their new found college teams. Being a freshman college athlete myself, I understand the feelings that come with the beginning of a new team. You need to find where you click among your new teammates, and how you can contribute in the best way possible. For all the freshman studs, or maybe high school seniors that are aspiring to be studs themselves, here are your role models.
Freshman basketball star Anthony Davis is a member of the #1 ranked University of Kentucky men’s basketball team. As a freshman, Davis leads the number one team in scoring, rebounding, and steals. Davis also leads the entire nation in blocks. A Chicago native, Davis earned high honors being one of 30 finalists for the 2012 Naismith Men’s Basketball player of the year award. Freshman Nic Moore of Illinois State has earned high honors in his rookie debut as well. Moore averaged 7.7 points a game this year as a freshman.
Beginning with the current season, freshman baseball stud, Taylor Gushue is a force to be reckoned with. As a member of the number one ranked Florida baseball team, Gushue hit his first homerun on his first pitch ever in college. Also, freshman Jordan Stephans of Rice University has already earned himself a most outstanding player award.
The first female stud is Rachel Updike for Missouri gymnastics. Updike won three event titles in Missouri’s season opener this year. Missouri University is stocked with freshman this year. Another stud, Kelsey Roth of Missouri softball is worth mentioning. In February, Roth earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors as a freshman!
You can’t talk track or cross country without mentioning the name Shelby Houlihan. This Iowa native is in her freshman year at Arizona State. Houlihan was named Conference Player of the Year as a freshman!
In conclusion, freshman athletes can contribute just as much as a senior athlete, all it takes is a lot of hard work and some natural talent.
-Speedy G.
I’m reading Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing
Advice on Life, Love, and Athletics
Next time your day is down in the dumps with nowhere to look but up, check out this blog post. I will share the advice I give myself and advice I have picked up over time from others in hopes of brightening your gloomiest days. Nothing is more exciting than a fresh outlook on things be it life in general, love, or athletics.
Let us begin with life. Life is a very broad topic to cover so I’m going to focus on the basics that relate to most college students. The biggest part of a college student’s life is generally their friends. My advice for friendship is to be non-judgmental. I have had to work on this especially since I have been in college. It’s hard to not judge what your friends are doing when it doesn’t agree with the way you are. When people come to college, it’s often the first time people are free from authority. This freedom leads many college students into new atmospheres and they may begin to seem as if they’re changing as people. Try to remember that deep down they are the same friends you’ve always known, and try not to judge them just because their decisions don’t mesh with yours. My second piece of life advice is to be a friend. You can’t expect to make friends if you aren’t being a friend. Say hi to people you pass on the street, be encouraging, and always be trustworthy. People like people they can trust with their deepest secrets. Finally, have a happy outlook. Wake up to everyday like it’s a new day. Dwelling on yesterday only sets you back from moving forward.
Next let’s talk love. Love isn’t only for relationships. I always try to remind myself to be a loving person. Being this type of person requires patience, listening more than speaking, and the strength to bite your tongue once in a while. If you are a loving person, then you can respect yourself and find love in other people. Love for family is very important in college. Keeping contacts with your family members while you’re away will give you the boost you need and it will make them feel special because you remembered to call when they know you’re a very busy college student. Now for those special relationships, my advice first and foremost is communication. College can be hectic for relationships because you are both making new friends, possibly at different schools, and it’s hard to keep tabs on everything that’s going on in each other’s lives. Talking to each other about what you’re doing and who you’re going to be with helps the other person to gain trust and remain stress free while you’re out having fun. In order to make your college relationship last you have to trust the other person and remain loyal yourself.
Lastly, my biggest advice for athletics is hard work. By the time you’re competing in college, everyone has worked hard to get there. You can’t skate by as an athlete anymore. The college athletes that are their best are the ones that work the hardest. Run the extra stride, put the extra weight on the bar, and drink the extra glass of water, anything you need to be at the top of your game. Secondly, never underestimate the competition. You might smoke a team one game, and then the next get crushed because you went into it thinking you had the win in the bag. Play every game, run every race, swim every stroke, like it’s the championship. Play like you’re playing the best competition in the league. Never let up and you’ll never lose out. My final athletic advice is to take care of yourself. If you feel pain, talk you your trainer. The slightest injuries can become major if they aren’t taken care of. Always remember to Ice, stretch, and rest.
I hope my advice will make your life a little easier and your days a little sunnier.
-Speedy G.
I’m reading Think American Government
Make New Friends But Keep the Old
It is exciting to move to a new place for college. When moving away, you start fresh with new friends and a new beginning. Keeping in touch with old friends is just as important as making new ones. At first, it’s easy to get really busy and lose touch. Here are a few simple ways to keep in touch with your friends back home.
- Facebook – The easiest way to contact friends in an instant is through Facebook. My friends and I write on each other’s walls, post pictures, and message. Through Facebook you can contact multiple friends at a time, create groups, and view your friend’s new lives.
- Skype – Skype is good if you want to actually see your friends. The downfalls to Skype include bad connections, mouths not moving with words, and camera problems. This can be frustrating. If you find yourself with a little free time and a good connection, try phoning your friend via Skype. It’s helped me to show my friends what my new room looks like and even helped me introduce them to my new roommates.
- Phone – It’s not that often that I actually call my friends. I find myself texting 10x more than I call. You can send your friends back home pictures, videos, and messages that’ll help them see your new life.
- Scrapbook Triangle – If you’re feeling really ambitious create a scrap book you can send back and forth. My two close friends and I send a photo album around in a triangle each month. We each insert two pictures and on the back of the photos we write about the pictures. I receive the book every 3 months. It’s always fun to get packages in the mail.
- Visit Them – If you have a weekend off take an impromptu trip and visit them! Keeping in touch through technology is great, but nothing substitutes for getting to just hang out together. Whether you are taking a road trip or flying in, this is a great way to catch up on everything going on!
Keeping in touch can be very easy. With the use of modern technology it can take just a few seconds to show your friends back home how much you care. Take advantage of your quiet time or study break to write on your friend’s wall, Skype them, or send them a text. Be creative, make new friends, and give an effort to keep in touch with old ones.
-Speedy G.
I’m reading Human Anatomy