#freshmen tips

Step up your ramen game and turn them from ordinary staple to extraordinary culinary creation!

 Once upon a time, ramen noodles were simply known as a dorm room essential for the college student on a tight budget. But with some creative additions, you can bring a bowl of ramen to a whole new level. Here’s 10 ways to turn this pantry staple into an epicurean delight.

1. Phabulous Pho 

Cook noodles according to package, but only use half of the seasoning packet. Add juice of 1 lime, a tablespoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, and if desired, a good pinch of pepper flakes to the broth. Put into a serving bowl, and add 1 to 2 ounces thinly sliced flank steak (it cooks in the broth), a handful of bean sprouts, and some mixed herbs like basil and cilantro, to taste.

2. Beef and Snow Pea Stir-Fry

Toss a quarter pound of thinly sliced flank steak with half of the seasoning packet, then simmer the noodles until they separate; drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil until smoking. Add beef and cook until well-browned (about 1 minute). Add a quarter pound of snap peas and stir fry for about 1 minute. Add another tablespoon of oil, the noodles, the rest of the seasoning packet, a couple tablespoons of oyster sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Toss until well-coated, then serve.

3. Hawaiian Ramen

Pan-fry spam and toss it in with drained ramen noodles. Fry up an egg in the same pan you used to fry the spam so it gets that spam-tastic taste and throw it on top of the noodles. Add some sweet pineapple chunks and finish it off with Japanese-style barbecue sauce.

4. Chilled Coconut and Peanut Ramen Salad

Prepare noodles as directed, then drain and add them back to a pot filled with cold water. Mix together a couple tablespoons of chunky peanut butter, half of the seasoning packet, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, and a tablespoon of chili-garlic sauce or sriracha to taste. Add a little water to adjust consistency; then toss in the noodles along with some chopped cilantro, peanuts, and unsweetened coconut flakes until coated thoroughly.

5. Chili Cheese Ramen

Cook noodles as directed, drain, and top with canned chili and shredded cheese.

6. Ramen and Meatballs

Prepare noodles as directed; drain. Add pasta sauce and cooked meatballs (you can find these in any frozen food section).

7. Ramen Frittata

Split finely-crushed uncooked noodles between two microwave-safe mugs. Stir 1 lightly beaten egg, ½ cup milk, shredded cheddar cheese and seasoning packet in small bowl. Pour evenly into mugs. Microwave 1 ½ to 2 minutes on high until cooked through; let stand 1 minute. Top each with a slice of cooked bacon.

8. Marshmallow Crispy Ramen

Microwave 10 regular-size marshmallows and 1 tablespoon butter in medium microwave-safe bowl on high for 1 minute or until melted. Stir in finely-crushed uncooked noodles. Let them to soften; then shape into a bar.

9. Creamy Chicken ala Ramen

Heat up 1 can cream of chicken soup and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once simmering, add 1 package of ramen sans seasoning; cook until noodles are soft and separated. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with dried Italian seasoning.

10. Ramen and Eggs

Perhaps the most simple of all, just crack 2 eggs into the pot as you’re cooking the noodles. Leave them intact or stir in beaten eggs. The broth will cook it perfectly. Add the seasoning packet at the end.

It’s time to pack up and head back (or to college for the first time!) to college, and you only have so much room in your car to get your gear there. How do you prioritize your belongings and pack only what you need? After all, a dorm room is about half (or less) of the size of your room at your parents’ house. You don’t want to bring more than you need because you’ll probably just end up having to bring it all home again at summer break.

Here is a list built to help you decide what you really need to take and what you can leave at home.

1) Bedding

-mattress cover (Lots of people have slept on that mattress in the dorm room.)

-comforter or duvet and duvet cover

-foam mattress top (if you think you’ll need extra cushion)

-pillowcases (2)

-blankets (2)

-sheet set (2) (Wash one; use one.)

2) Room

-additional seating (if you have extra room, say in a house or apartment)

-adhesive hooks and strips (to hang up your decorations and not get in trouble for ruining the walls)

-alarm clock (if you don’t use your smartphone for this already)

-rug (to cover up the nasty linoleum tile or carpet in your dorm)

-bulletin board / dry erase board (for roommate communication, scheduling, decoration, reminders)

-bedside table

-couch/chair (for apartment / house)

-coffee table (for apartment / house)

-curtain rods (if not in the rooms already)

-lamps

-full-length mirror

-hangers

-organizers for jewelry, closet, shoes, etc. (Consider over-the-door hangers for towels and clothes, too.)

-photos

-push pins, magnets, whiteboard markers

-trash cans

-bins for storage under the bed

-wall art

3) Laundry

-bleach

-drying rack

-detergent (fabric softener, dryer sheets, stain remover, etc.)

-iron / ironing board

-lint brush / pet hair roller

-quarters (if you don’t have a washer/dryer in your apartment or house, or you’re in a dorm)

-sewing kit

-laundry bag

-laundry basket / hamper

4) Kitchen

­-blender

-broom

-dish soap

-dish rags / towels

-sponge

-dishwasher detergent

-blender

-toaster

-toaster oven

-microwave

-can opener

-chip bag clips

-coffee maker

-dishes and silverware

-dust pan

-hand soap

-minifridge (if you’re in a dorm)

-oven mitt

-paper plates and silverware

-paper towels

-plastic wrap

-sandwich bags

-freezer bags

-reusable water bottle

-mop (Swiffer, if you’re feeling rich)

-bucket

-aluminum foil

-plastic storage containers

-pots and pans (if you’re in an apartment or house)

-water filter pitcher

-electric kettle

-trash bags

5) Bathroom

-wash cloths / towels

-robe

-bathroom cleaning supplies (gloves, shower / toilet / sink and counter cleaner, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, etc.)

-rug

-shower caddy

-shower cap / shoes

-shower curtain and rings (if needed)

6) Toiletries

-acne medication / face wash

-soap / body wash

-shampoo

-conditioner

-deodorant

-hair gel / mousse / hair spray

-eye cream

-lip balm

-lotion

-makeup

-makeup remover

-moisturizer

-mouthwash

-nail polish / remover

-shaving cream

-razor

-sunscreen

-toothbrush

-toothpaste

-blow dryer

-straightener

-bobby pins, hair ties, etc.

-brush / comb

-contacts, solution, case

-extra glasses, eyeglass cleaner, case

-cotton balls / cotton swabs

-floss

-hair curlers

-hand mirror

-headbands

-nail clippers / file

-feminine hygiene products

-tissues

-toilet paper

-tweezers

7) Clothing

-tennis shoes

-bathing suit

-bras

-casual shoes

-dress shoes

-dresses

-purse

-gloves

-gym bag

-hat

-jeans

-jacket

-jewelry

-leggings

-long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts

-pajamas

-slacks

-boots (regular / rain)

-scarves            

-shorts

-skirts

-slippers

-socks

-tank tops

-tights

-underwear

-coat

-workout cloths

8) tech

-batteries

-camera

-chargers (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)

-dvd player

-dvds

-e-reader

-ethernet cable

-extension cords

- external hard drive

-flash drives

-hdmi cable

-headphones and spare headphones

-ipod/mp3 player

-keyboard

- lap desk

-laptop

-laptop case

-microsoft office

-portable phone charger

-printer

-printer ink

-printer paper

-recording device for lectures

-router

-sd card for camera

-spare cables

-speakers

-surge protectors

-tablet

-tv

-tv stand

-video game consoles

-video games

-wireless mouse

9) Documents

 Bank documents (account information, check and savings accounts transaction records)

-car registration and insurance information

-checks

-copy of birth certificate

-copy of social security card

-credit card

-debit card

-driver’s license

-emergency contact list

-enrollment documents

-financial aid documents

-health/dental insurance cards

-lease (if you have an apartment or house)

-passport

-product warranties

-renters’ insurance (if you have an apartment or house)

-student id

10) Desk/school supplies

-backpack or tote bag

-binder clips

-binders

-business cards

-calculator

-calendar

-clicker (if you need one for class)

-desk chair

-desk lamp

-desk organizer

-envelopes

-erasers

-file folder for important documents

-folders

-glue

-highlighters

-hole punch

-index cards

-journal

-laptop fan/stand

-leisure books (one or two)

-letter opener

-notebook paper

-notebooks

-notepads

-paper clips

-pencil case

-pencil sharpener

-pencil

-pencil lead (for mechanical pencils)

-pens/colored pens

-planner

-portfolio/portfolio case for interviews

-post-it notes

-rubber bands

-ruler

-scissors

-stamps

-staple remover

-stapler

-staples

-tape

- textbooks

-three-hole punch

-wite-out

11) Medical

-allergy medicine

- aloe lotion

-antiseptic wipes

-bandages

-cold and flu medicine

-cortisone cream

-decongestant

-eye drops

-first aid kit

-hot and cold packs

-humidifier

-insect repellent

-multivitamins

-over-the-counter pain medication

-prescription medicine

-prescription refill information

-retainer/mouth guard

-rubbing alcohol

-supplements (iron pills, etc.)

-thermometer

-throat drops/lozenges

-throat spray

-upset stomach medication

-vaseline

12) misc.

-art supplies

-beach towel

-bike

-bike helmet

-bike lock

-board games

-duct tape

-earplugs

-fan

-flashlight

-lightbulbs

-luggage tags

-musical instruments

-pepper spray (if legal in your state)

-playing cards

-religious materials

-safety pins

-safety whistle

-sleep mask

-sports equipment

-suitcases

-tool kit

-travel bags/travel organizer for toiletries

-umbrella

-vacuum and vacuum bags

-weekend bag

This list is just to get you started. Customize it for your purposes, and have a great semester!

Your mama isn’t there to take care of you when you have a sniffle in college. You’re on your own. (Unless, of course, you’re fortunate enough to be able to live at or close to home!) You’ve still got work to do, and you can’t afford much down time. Here are some ideas to help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.

1) Prevent, Prevent, Prevent. 

Taking good care of yourself is the first step to being as sick as little as possible. That means getting enough rest (Read, “Don’t leave that project until the last minute.) and eating well. Processed foods with little actual nutrition, extra sugar, and loads of carbs will not do much to help you stay well. Eat whole foods, and actually cook for yourself. Eat out as little as you can (This helps save money, too!). Get to bed at a decent hour, and exercise. Take breaks to be with your friends and family as well. Down time is important.

2) Take the Time Off You Need. 

If you’re running a fever, don’t go to class. If you’re hacking your lungs out, don’t go to class. No one wants to be around you, and it won’t be the end of the world if you miss class. The trick is to plan and communicate when you’re going to miss a class or a deadline. See if someone in class will lend you his or her notes. Maybe a friend can go to class for you, take notes, and / or record the lecture for you. Send an email or make a phone call to the professor to let him or her know you’re going to be out for a class and why. Ask if you can make up the test or turn in the paper the next day. Maybe the professor will email you notes and handouts from the class. Instructors are more likely to want to help you out if you simply communicate the situation and then follow through when you’re well again. Make sure you check the instructor’s syllabus for specific instructions on what to do when you’re sick. The protocol and policy is probably laid out clearly in the syllabus.

3) Supplements. 

Supplements, such as Vitamin C, can help you stay well and get better faster when you do get sick. Even if you’re immune system is fighting something, you can find vitamins, herbs, and other nutrients to help you get well faster than if you just let the cold take its course. Talk to your healthcare practitioner about natural ways to boost your immune system during the cold and flu season and to help you get well when you do get sick. If you can lessen the symptoms and feel better faster, you can get back to class and to writing that paper that’s due in a couple of days. By using the right supplements, you may also be able to lessen the degree of severity of any illness you get.

4) Get Checked Out. 

Head to your doctor off-campus or the campus health center to be sure that you don’t have anything serious if your illness becomes severe or lasts a long time. This can prevent the illness from getting worse or spreading around. Get any medication the doc says you need, and take it. If the doctor orders you to rest or to do anything else to help you get well, follow through on those orders.

5) Communicate with Administration. 

If your illness becomes such that you’re missing a lot of class, you need to communicate with your campus administration. This can help you stay on track to graduate or to make alternate arrangements, such as taking an incomplete on a course instead of failing, for finishing out the term.

6) Take Advantage of Your Support Team. 

If your friend offers to bring you some soup or to clean your apartment for you, take him or her up on it. You need all the rest you can get. People want to help out, so allow them to. You don’t need to do everything yourself when you’re sick.

Get well soon!

Admit it – when it comes to hitting up the dating scene, it’s easy to find yourself frustrated. All you’re looking for is commitment. Yet, somehow the other fish in the sea don’t want to nibble on your fabulousness.

The reality is that it’s not you – it’s them: the guys. About 99.9 percent of them just aren’t ready for commitment. Why, you ask? Too many toxic bachelors and bachelorettes.

1. The freshman

If you’re looking to date a guy or girl in the post-secondary world – good luck. This is their first time away from home and probably their first time away from their first relationship too. They’re hoping to explore and figure out just whom they want in a perfect mate; there is nothing wrong with that. I’d rather have a partner who actually knows what he or she wants. For those commitment-bound, though, it can be disappointing finding that perfect person on campus, only to find out that he may be interested in you…and everyone else.

Yet, there’s a definitely lure to tapping into the barely-legal dating scene. True, you may be flirting with statutory rape danger, but the idea of finding a high-school fling is kind of hot. Remember those days where you would drive to lover’s lane and just make out? Ahh, those “dates” were perfect.

Pros: Fast and fun times on the town.
Cons: Your relationship will last a New-York minute, and the odds of maturity? Um, yeah…

2. The business major

This person is definitely a good-on-paper kind of mate, but beware of what’s hidden. He or she is critiquing your every move and secretly writing it down on a notebook when they get home. Though they may pick up the tab, he or she may be intimidated by your success. After all, he’s the one who wants to bring home the bacon. Talk about sexism.

3. The pre-law type

Unlike the business guy or girl, your law-school beau-to-be is great at stimulating your mind. However, you should expect some arguments in your future. He or she’ll likely present a few “Exhibit A’s” when you fight over the remote. If you’re a member of the all-exclusive Mensa, then maybe you stand a fighting chance. If not, don’t expect to land this guy…unless you’re a defense attorney.

The great part about a lawyer type is that they’re probably really smart, prepared to analyze any case and can probably get you out of a speeding ticket. Who wouldn’t love a quality like that?

4. The journalist

Your secrets are never truly a secret. Everything you say to the journo is “on the record,” and he or she is constantly digging for that exclusive interview.  The odds of you actually enjoying dating a journalism major is slim. Besides, they’re not going to make a lot of money. Do you really want to shack up with that? Ramen noodles are not forever. Diamonds are forever.

The journalist can be fun, though, overall. In their messy world, they can tackle a lot of different responsibilities at once. They know how to research stuff (study buddy, anyone?) The possibilities are endless…again, as long as you don’t expect them to pick up the tab.

5. The Greek life-bound

Their social agenda includes pulling off horrendous pranks, mastering a keg stand and perfecting his beer pong game. Unless your sorority is building a float with him or her at homecoming, the odds of you actually co-mingling, let alone dating, is slim.

Fraternity guys typically flock to sorority chicks. It’s just an unwritten rule.

But if you’re into socials, speakeasies and non-stop talk about your “brothers” and “sisters” in everything Greek, then it really isn’t so bad. His sexual libido is spot on and always ready for a fling. However, it’s too bad he’s still learning what to do with his “tools,” if you know what I’m saying.

6. The grad student

Finally, a man or woman who has some experience but is still fresh and fun. The good part is that you’re likely to be on similar pages in terms of your budding careers. The only flaw is that because you’re fresh into the job scene, the odds of you staying in one place are pretty slim. This is also prime time for moving and other explorations in life.

Pros: This guy or gal could be “the one,” and hey may be able to afford taking you to places worthwhile. Vacations and jewelry aren’t out of the realm of fine possibilities.

Cons: He or she may expect you to commit to him and your career. Sorry, some people still live in the late 1800’s.

Regardless of where you are on the dating world, just keep things fresh and realistic. You need to be sure you’re finding someone who is, as cheesy as it sounds, on the same page as you. Most prospects out of that will led to disappointment. Sorry, ladies. Keep it real and have some fun.

With the advent of the smartphone and tablet, studying is now an activity that you can more easily do on the go. Apps make it easier than ever to study for that final or midterm, and they utilize instructional methods that speak to just about every learning style. So whether you like to learn by moving and touching (swiping, tapping, and clicking), by seeing what you’re learning (pictures, graphs), or listening (instructional videos, recordings), there is an app that will make it much more pleasant to study. Here are some apps from CollegeChoice.net and ExamTime.com.

Quizlet

Quizlet is one of the most versatile studying apps available. Create a set of flash cards with Quizlet on any topic. Arrange your study cards by subject. Add pictures. Add text and definitions in different languages. Play games to learn how to spell the words on your flash cards faster and more accurately. You can also play games to match the front and back sides of the cards. Add your voice or add words in 18 languages (helpful for studying foreign languages) to the cards if you want an audio component.

Recording App

Speaking of voices, use the voice memo app on your phone to record your voice or your professor’s lectures (if she allows it). When you review your notes, making an audio recording of you paraphrasing the notes in your own words forces you to state what you learned out loud. Later on, listen to the recording to review faster than re-reading the textbook. Listening to lectures again can help you clarify concepts you don’t understand.

iTunes University and Khan Academy

Check out the course material from colleges and universities on iTunes U (only available for iOS). You can watch video and read text on subjects that you’re studying. You may find a resource that explains something you didn’t quite catch in class in a different way. Download the Khan Academy app to watch videos on a variety of topics to enhance your in-class learning and to help you study for tests.

MyScript Smart Note

If you like to write down notes with a pen and paper in class and not type, then MyScript Smart Note might be a great app for you. There are lots of apps that let you handwrite with a finger or stylus, but they can’t really keep up with the speed with which you have to take notes during a lecture. This app isn’t any better about getting your  notes down faster, but it is good for taking notes if you’re taking notes from a book and are studying at home or at the library. One positive aspect of MyScript is that it can recognize handwriting in more than one language, and it can understand even the worst handwriting. This app is available for iOS and Android. The app enables you to change what you wrote with certain hand gestures. You can also draw and add media like images, sound, or PDF files from cloud storage. For a couple of dollars, you can add more pages, the ability to export, and back-ups as well. 

XMind

Xmind is only for desktops and laptops, but it is a versatile mind mapping tool. It isn’t mobile, and there is no Web app for it, but it can be a great planning tool for studying. Mind maps help you categorize and organize your thinking around a central topic and are usually helpful for visual learners. XMind has a free version, but you can pay extra for cloud storage and business-level perks if you want. 

ExamTime

This app lets you create mind maps, flash cards, notes, and quizzes. You can use all of these tools to help you prepare for exams. Organize your notes, and create flashcards and practice tests of your own. Share them with your friends to help them study, and they can share their materials with you to help you improve your grades. Your notes are all stored in one location, making them easier to find and study from. You can also study in groups, private message other users, use the online calendar, and plan your studying. This is a Web app, so you can use it from any device with a browser.

SelfControl

If you’re like most students, your mind wanders easily when you study. Use SelfControl to block a list of websites for an amount of time you choose when you study. You can better concentrate on studying and stay off of the Internet.