How to get through the last month of school...

When I think of summer, this is what I picture in my mind. Of course, with one month left of college, I have a slight case of senioritis. Actually, I take that back. I have a HUGE case of senioritis.

I'm missing more classes than normal, I can't focus, nor do I want to even attempt to study for anything. How can I with summer less than a month away?

Here's how to survive the last month of school:

1. Resist the warm weather. We all want to soak in it, but don't let the warm weather distract you from class. Probably too late for most of us. I have seen too many people going to the Point for fun activities. FAIL.

2. Compromise. Do your work outside. There are plenty of parks, common areas, benches, etc. that can allow you to soak up the nice weather but get your work done at the same time!

3. Hide in the library. If you dedicate one day that you can bang out all of your work in the lib, you should be able to stay on schedule. I'm not talking about all-nighters or running off of coffee, just a couple of hours in the lib should be just fine--especially for Point Park work.


4. Who cares. This probably contradicts my first three points. Hopefully your last month of school doesn't reflect your entire semester. I am slacking a ton, I'm sure many others are. Let's be honest, summer is right around the corner, assignments are not going to get done.

Random thought: Bad case of the mondays.

How to not break the bank when you purchase items at the Point Cafe...

The Point Park Cafe literally raises its prices every year. It is now $3 for a yogurt, almost $7 if you get a wrap and chips, $3 and some change for a soggy fruit cup, and a whopping $8 for a pre-made salad that sits over in the cooler by the coffee. The cheapest things in the cafe include drinks, small snacks and other random things that will never fill you up.

Here's how to eat cheap in the cafe:

1. Buy Brisk Iced-Tea. This brisk not only has caffeine to get you through your busy day, but it comes in many flavors and once it actually lasted me 2 days because it's so big! Also, it's only a buck! Can't beat that...

2. Fruit and pop-tarts are cheap. With their variety of pop-tarts and fruit for only one dollar, that's a good way to start your day and not spend a lot of money. Make sure you check for rotten spots on the apples. Point Park's apples have never been the most promising.

3. Cafe Snack wraps. $2.19 per wrap, and although I may need about 3 of these to be full, they are a good snack that can kind of tie you over until you get home.

4. Grilled Cheese. Grilled cheese in the cafe is delicious and cheap, but they never put enough cheese! That's just a personal complaint, but usually I can get a cup of soup and a grilled cheese for only $4.18, which is pretty cheap compared to their $8 salads, just saying...

5. Eat at subway instead. It's really close and $5 footlongs, duh.

Random thought: This weather is miserable!

How to look cute while dressing comfy...

FYI: This is what happens when you google, "Yoga Pants"

Everyone has those days when they want to come to class in sweats and a hoodie. Most people do this anyway, because honestly, who are we trying to impress at Point Park.

Here's how to look cute and dress comfortable:

1. Yoga pants. For guys, I don't recommend this, but for girls, this may be your best bet. Yoga pants and a cute shirt, yoga pants in a hoodie, yoga pants in a cute hoodie, it never fails. Comfortable and not sloppy looking--and they come in all different colors!

2. Leggings. Same thing goes for leggings - comfortable and cute with a big hoodie and UGGS (well I think so anyway.)

3. Jeggings. The new mix between jeans and leggings. I make fun of the name but they are surprisingly comfier and cuter than you may think!

4. A dress and UGGS. Cute for the spring and easy to pick out!

5. A hoodie and sweats for you athletes. I wear this at least twice a week. Everyone who hates this, no more judging.

Random thought: This week is going slow.

How to test out of a class...

Don't want to take your general education classes? Or you aren't able to graduate on time? Testing out of a class using the CLEP program is easier and cheaper than taking a class! When you test out of a specific course, sometimes it even counts for two! Take Natural Sciences for example. This CLEP test will allow you to test out of NSET 1 & 2, therefore you will only have to pass one test for two classes. It will only cost you a little less than $100. Here's how:

1. Do the research. On collegeboard.com there are links to CLEP testing that give you all of the details. You can see which tests are available, where the closest testing center is, the costs, registering info, etc.

2. Once you pick the class that you would like to CLEP out of, download the registration form available through your test center and send it in with a payment. It's best to schedule your test during the summer or while you are on a break, that way you have more time to focus. I ended up scheduling the Natural Sciences CLEP test for next week, right in the midst of the semester. Although I gave myself plenty of months to prepare, it's tough to sit down and study for it when you have 10 million other things to do for your current classes.

3. Buy a CLEP book. They have these books available online or at Barnes&Noble, Borders, etc., and I recommend getting one to study from. The literature CLEP test is more comprehensive reading and answering questions, but the Natural Sciences test consists of a lot of double-negative questions, diagrams, etc. The CLEP books aren't that expensive and they will definitely help you study.

4. Schedule these tests early in your college years. If you don't pass one of the tests, you can retake it 6 months later. If you try to test out your freshman or sophomore year, you have plenty of time to retake the test if you don't pass it right away.

That's all.

Random thought: Feeling guilty for not going to class.

How to make your papers longer...

Getting that last page done on your 10-page research paper is always difficult to do. Need to add some length? Here are some ways to extend your paper so you don't have to do all the leg work.

1. Change the size of your periods. If you change all of these from 10-12 or 12-14 font size, it will add at least a page to your document, depending on how long it is. CTRL+F with find and replace, and then add the bigger period to replace the smaller ones. Hope this helps!

2. Change your spacing. Typically in word you can add more depth to your spacing to make your double-spacing longer, however you do not want to add too much. You need to keep this spacing reasonable, not noticeable. Under paragraph you will see a spacing tab, click on this and then up your double spacing point (pt.) just a teeenssyy bit. This may help! =)

3. Change your font to Arial. This only works in your COPA classes or for the professors who don't really care about AP style or the type of font/size that you are using. If you change it to Arial 12pt. font, it will most likely add a half page or possibly even one to your research paper.

4. Do your research before you start writing. This will not only put more ideas in your head before you begin to write, but it will also take less time to write your paper if you break up your research day and your writing day.

5. Make your headers BIGGER. This will add length.

Random thought: Let's go UCONN.

How to find an outfit in 30 minutes or less!

I could literally end this post after the image. But I guess that's kind of vague. Yesterday a friend and I went to South Side Works because she needed to find an outfit for a Little Wayne concert (lol) I guess I should have spelled it 'lil' wayne...oh well. Anyway, we were pressed for time! I thought I was just going to return my redbox movies, but I ended up buying a dress and a shirt (for only 20 bucks, chicka yeahhh)

We had about twenty minutes to shop, but instead we took about a half hour. Anyway, here is how to shop like we did!

1. Know what you want to buy. Have an idea already in your head. My friend Michele (yes, we're no longer fighting) wanted a blazer and a tank for Lil' Wayne, so we figured H&M and Forever 21 would be our best bet. It's a good thing Mich already knew what she wanted, this way we didn't end up trying on random shirts to ruin our time. Found the blazer in H&M, I grabbed a button up, we briefly chatted with the cashier about Bugles (Beagles, Bangles) and we were on our way!

2.Know your store. In this case, we went to 2 stores and bought everything successfully within a half hour, yet for other people this may be hard to do! Target one store and go for it. If you need a dress, top, jeans, leggings, anything--I'm sure many girls reading this would know that Forever is your best bet.

3. Eliminate the items you want to try on. If you have a friend with you, let them retrieve different sizes/clothes if you need them so you don't waste time in the dressing room! If you know your size and think you can fit it, don't even bother trying it on! (This is something I would do, yet many people wouldn't recommend it.)

4. Shop fast!

Random thought: Duke is out, my bracket is screwed.

How to find time to eat during the day....

So I googled food and that's what happened.

Anyway, does anybody else find it difficult to find time to eat during the day when you are busy?

This week I am feeling extra rushed, extra busy with no time for myself to run, eat or keep my room organized. :( I'm a mess this week. And super hungry.

Here are some tips to find time to eat during the day!

1. Pack a lunch the night before! (But don't forget it in the morning, Karly) This is a cheaper and more effective way to make sure that you will have time to eat, whether it is during class, at work, etc. And you get to choose what you pack therefore you have more options!

2. Bring your food to class. Even if you have a 15 min. break before or after class, grab something quickly and bring it in! You pay to be there, so who says you can't eat if you're hungry! (just nothing too crunchy...) I don't recommend buying anything from the Point Park Cafe unless you have a meal plan because it is literally $9.00 for a pre-packaged salad. Absolutely ridiculous!

3. Allot yourself a lunchtime, if you can! This way you will get hungry at the same time everyday and you will also know that you have that half-hour to spare just to eat! This works in your favor if you have a less busy day than others. I wish I had time for this--somedays I do!

4. Pack snacks! ...Self-explanatory kind-of

Random thought: I am so hungry if you couldn't tell by this post...