Campus Life

Drug Alert: crackdown on Four Loko and other recent fads lead to dangerous experimentation

Posted in Campus Life on 2/15/11 by .

Don't take pills to help you study! Sometimes peer pressure can lead to people trying things they aren’t interested in or have no idea what effects are.

Modern drug culture is getting more intense every year, and while alcohol is technically a drug, students are taking it to a dangerous level to feel high… or numb.

In a recent expose by the Huffington Post, there are no less than EIGHT new drug trends. We’ve decided to share these in the hopes that you will spread the word and end these deadly and seriously dumb ways to get high.

Four Loko and whipped cream with an ABV is tame compared to these.

Bath Salts

Remember bubble bath as a kid? Maybe not, but nowadays “bath salts” aren’t just for relaxing. Apparently a new drug is being marketed as this bath product, which is then snorted and produces effects similar to cocaine. Or worse… one man who used it sliced his stomach open with a knife. In a separate incident, a woman ran after her mother with a machete believing she was a monster, according to InsideHigherEd.com. Sounds fun?

Synthetic Cannabis

As states continue to crack down on marijuana use (and others just abandon hope of ever controlling it), synthetic cannabis has been developed. These legal herbs apparently “mimic” the effects of smoking dope, without showing up in THC tests. It’s weed for cheaters!

Nutmeg

Also a hot new drug? Sniffing nutmeg! Gee, what will they think of next?! If ingested in large doses, the spice can work as a hallucinogen. However, it’s been known to cause sudden sniffing death syndrome (which is the most hilarious cause of death we’ve heard in a while.) and the high can last one to two days, reports ABC news.

Salvia

Ugh, and then there’s Salvia! Oof, guys did you ever see this? If you do this psychotropic drug… you’ll turn into Miley. Then no one will like you. And your life will suck. Ergo, Salvia is lame!

Adderall & Ritalin

While this one isn’t very new, Adderall and Ritalin certainly gained huge ground in the four years we spent in college. With more and more work being loaded onto students, these pills have become almost a staple in cramming for college exams. It’s all fun and games, however, until their addictive properties kick-in. Or you end up in the hospital with severe kidney damage, like the 13 U of Iowa football players who suffered from Rhabdomyolysis, caused by muscle fibers being released into the blood stream, according to the Daily Iowan.

Helium

Have you ever tried inhaling helium from a balloon? If you have, technically, you’ve done drugs. That giddy feeling you get from ingesting gas is incredibly dangerous. It can lead to brain damage by cutting off access to oxygen, and eventually death. It was a massively popular drug in the 90′s, better known as “Whippets” or nitrous oxide. And no one lives in the 90′s anymore, so quit it.

DMT

Like “bath salts,” we’ve never heard of DMT, but its effects are similar to meth, according to the Huffington Post. Last October, three students were arrested for building a lab to create the drug in their dorm room… at Georgetown. You think they’d be smart enough to know that having a drug lab in your dorm room is a big no-no.

Malava Novocaine

Whoa whoa whoaaaaaa. Have you heard of “Mary Jane’s Relaxing Soda?” “Malava Novocaine?” “Drank?” These are just some of the names of new anti-energy drinks, which are marketed as the opposite of caffeinated alcoholic beverages like Four Loco. Nicknamed “relaxation in a can” (say wha?!), CNN discovered that some of these drinks might even be laced with marijuana. Ummm, are you trying tell us that they’re selling Green Dragon now? How is this legal?!

“When you are stressed out, normally you’d have a drink,” said Matt Moody, founder of Mary Jane’s Relaxing Soda in a CNN article. “You can’t walk around smelling like vodka all day. I wanted to try to make something you can have to mellow you out… It’s a quick fix to slow things down when things get hectic.”

That just does not sound safe.

So there you have it, kids. The eight drugs that are either regaining popularity or have just been discovered by some infamously idiotic psychopath looking to get high.

When you’re out partying, please, PLEASE be responsible. It’s one thing to have a few too many drinks… we’ve all been there. It’s another thing to be on spring break and end up in jail because you bought “bath salts” in Mexico. Because let us tell you, you ain’t getting home if that happens. At least not before school’s back in session.

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To have or not to have sex on the first date

Posted in Campus Life on 1/28/11 by .

Don't have sex on the first date if you want to wake up like this five dates later.There’s a very important debate that will probably never die, but it’s a topic that we should embrace, especially given the college dating scene’s reputation as being somewhat slutty.

The debate? Should you have sex on the first date?* Sure, making out and maybe a little over the sweater action can’t hurt, but does completely embracing a new partner within hours of getting to know one another make a good equation?

We’re not going to say you shouldn’t do the deed, but let’s examine the subject of sex on the first date as we’re sure many of you have no idea what to say after that awkward:

#1 “Well, that was fun!”
#2 “Yah!”
#1 “So do you want to go out again” (steps closer)
#2 “umm. Ummmm. Sure!”

(Kiss)

Awwwwww.

The problem with sex on the first date is two-fold. First and foremost, you don’t really know the person – oh sure, you may have just spent four hours with them, but you don’t know who they are as a person. You can hear an entire life story in a day but still not completely understand them, because, honestly…they probably don’t know themselves that well anyway (ahem, college students, we’re looking directly at you.)

In addition, they could be really bad in bed. Think about it… people are much more likely to stay together once they’ve taken the time to be comfortable with one another.

People who hook up and have awkward bunny rabbit sex aren’t going to be calling each other the next day. Couples who wait are comfortable enough (or at least should be) seeing each other naked, however, should be able to talk about things if they get awkward. Lack of orgasm, uncomfortable positions, immaturity (if you catch our drift) are all on the table once you’ve established a relationship.

Without a relationship, it’s much easier to blow off the guilty/awkward party who made the sex somewhat unbearable.

Of course, if you’re going on a date just for a hook up, then having sex is a perfectly acceptable way to end the night. However, “date” and “hook-up” are not the same thing, so make sure there is clarification going into the romantic encounter.

Another reason to wait is the hotness factor. According to CollegeNews.com, “waiting to have sex gives both of you an opportunity to learn little details you may have overlooked if you rushed into sex. Give him [or her] chance to learn where you like to be kissed, teased and caressed.”

Basically it comes down to this: if you are looking for a relationship, avoiding having sex on the first date. Unless you’re super drunk and won’t remember what happened the night before, it’s a generally bad idea.

Waiting helps set up a sense of security with the person you’re priming to have sex with, plus it’s kind of hot.

As YourTango.com says, “Understand that when you tell a guy that you’re not going to have sex, he doesn’t take it as a literal there’s-no-chance you’re getting in my pants; he takes it as a challenge, a chance to rob the gold… From that point on, he’ll not only want it, he’ll want to get you to want it – and that will bring out the best lover he can be.”

So if you want a guy who’s going to give it all he’s got, hold off and make him wait.

If not, you could end up facing another lonely night… we hope you have a storage pack of batteries.

*Dates on spring break are not taken into account when discussing this topic.

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A Freshman Primer

Posted in Campus Life on 1/5/11 by .

Avoid being a Freshman Fool by following these suggestions.A college junior has been nice enough to share some ideas about what she wishes she knew during her freshman year.

In a recent article from USA Today, third-year undergrad Morgan Gibson shares the lessons of being a young, naïve college student in their first year. Of course, not all disasters can be avoided, but the major ones certainly can.

If your college has co-ed dorms, beware of the sexy young thing next door. Try to avoid hooking up with people on your floor as the results can get ugly. When the inevitable break up ensues, everyone that lives near you will feel the awkwardness.

When you walk down the hallway and see your former FB (you should know what we mean), it won’t be all smiles and waves. Instead, the death stare will take over and everyone will see it. Avoiding the girl or boy next door prevents becoming barricaded in your room or avoiding the floor all together.

Do you wander down the street looking for flashing lights and pumping bass? Bad idea, says Gibson. “Wait for rumors of parties or go with the girl whose brother’s a senior and his friends are having one,” she advises. Walking up and down Frat Row makes you look like lost little puppies and in college, no one wants to take care of your drunk ass.

Also, stop staring in sorority windows, it’s creepy, says Gibson, herself a sorority member. If you want to join one, pledge during Rush Week at the beginning of the semester.

Fashion is an important part of life anywhere you go today, so make sure you’re not making any faux pas. Gibson suggests not wearing pajamas to class, but we say fuck that. Students need to be comfortable… how else can you sleep at the back of the lecture hall. In smaller classes, don’t wear jammies, though.

Girls, don’t walk around campus in heels. While it will make you look sexy, falling down in heels makes you look like a fool. And you will fall. College walkways are uneven and often have cracks in the pavement, which can make for a long walk to class. “Carry them in your bag,” Gibson states, and put them on when giving a presentation, but otherwise leave them for going out to get laid at night.

Also, you know those free t-shirts you get on move in day and the first game of the season? Don’t wear them anywhere besides your dorm room and at sporting events. Otherwise, it just screams: “I’m a freshman! Look at how young I am!”

Don’t be mean to your roommate, either. We never saw eye to eye with our roomie, but that doesn’t mean we were horrible to each other. Want to know what happens when roommates fight? They cut holes in your clothing, kick you out and then end up living somewhere else, imposing upon other students.

That’s what happened to our roommates girlfriend. She spent the entire spring semester turning our two-bed dorm room into a three-bed. Not cool.

Lastly, and possibly most importantly, make sure your ready for class! This doesn’t mean take every book you own to the first lecture. Rather, it means always having two pencils, one pen and a notebook (with paper!) so you can jot down anything about the course from the first day.

Many professors delve right into the material on the first day, but that doesn’t mean you have to lug all your books! “Don’t show up empty-handed, but don’t bring your entire book list either,” says Gibson. “If it rains or a pen leaks in your bag, the resale value on those $500 books goes way down.”

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The great clicker debate of 2011

Posted in Campus Life on 1/4/11 by .

Shoulds students have their grades affected if they don't show up to lecture?Does your school have clickers now that you’re back from winter break?

If you read the New York Times, then you are aware of the fact that Northwestern University in Chicago recently began using interactive remotes to take attendance in big lectures.

UCLA began using the clickers in 2006 in their freshman courses because attendance was so low.

This process worked like this: in the middle of lecture, the professor (in all his PowerPoint glory) asked a multiple choice question about the readings assigned or something discussed in an earlier discussion. Students in attendance, like the good young adults that they are, correctly input their answer on the remote and it was then recorded à la Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’s ask the audience poll.

Of course, the purpose of these questions isn’t to check whether you’ve been paying attention, but whether you’re in class or not.

And therein lies the debate that will surely become a hot topic in 2011.

Why are these clickers so important? Do professors really care if we’re in lecture or not? What about the students who do the reading but have a scheduling conflict with the class (usually they can attend the smaller discussions, for which attendance is mandatory)?

We don’t know who to side with on this one.

Professors usually care about students when their pupils take time out of their busy social calendars to discuss a recent lecture topic, but not so much when they just sit in the back.

So why the need for attendance? We have a few theories:

1. Administrative Board

The schools administrative board is forcing them to check in with students to get them graduating in four years. While you may think colleges want to keep you to get more money, they just want you to become a successful statistic. If attendance is enforced, classes look more attractive to younger students and the school gets a good rep.

2. Professors Reputation

Same theory, but more personal. Professors need to keep up a good reputation in a time of lay offs and pay cuts. If their classes are full every time there’s a lecture, they look better than the professor who’s kooky and smarter than every teacher but doesn’t require lecture attendance.

3. Student’s Learning

Is it possible professors actually care about the student’s learning? We’d say maybe if we didn’t go to a big school, but most professors are so involved with research and outside the classroom projects, its hard to believe they care about attendance for the benefit of the student. But weirder things have happened, no? (ahem, crazy bird apocalypse, anyone?)

Then, of course, since college students are eligible to vote (once they hit 18) shouldn’t they have a say in how their classes are conducted? We don’t want anarchy, but we’re adults too and certainly deserve a say in the matter.

Everyone learns differently, and while class is very valuable to many students, it can also be a burden to those who have trouble focusing in big lecture settings, people with hearing problems, students who learn through kinetic reading instead of listening to a detailed monologue and copying it down verbatim.

Also, what about our texting and email conversations that need to be completed? Do professors really expect us to stop conversing with our besties just because class has started? We hope not… that’s crazy!

So in conclusion, the clicker debate will continue… We don’t really see how its fair, but it doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon.

Ahhh, bureaucracy.

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A Year in Review: College 2010

Posted in Campus Life on 12/29/10 by .

Graduates had it rough this year, see what else was big on 2010 on college campuses.In 2010, a new decade began and college students across the country continued about their business as if it was 2009. College loans requests spiked, students acted ridiculous and some even turned into the year’s biggest villains.

Below is a list of the top ten news stories that shook college campuses to their core. Some of them are funny, many are scandalous and more than a few made people realize that America needs to change.

We’re sure 2011 will an interesting year…

10. Declan Sullivan

Social networking could have saved Sullivan’s life if the University of Notre Dame had read his tweets. As the junior student stood 30 feet above the ground on a high platform, from where he filmed the Fighting Irish practice, he tweeted “Guests of wind up to 60 mph… I guess I’ve lived long enough.” Less than an hour later, his last tweet was filled with panic, “Holly Shit, Holy Shit. This is terrifying.” The tower he stood on collapsed soon after, and while investigators have yet to officially release its report, many speculate the high winds caused the crash. Sullivan died at a nearby hospital from the injuries sustained by the fall.

9. “The Fuck List”

In one of the college’s greatest social experiments ever created, a Duke student wrote about her sexual escapades, turned it into a power point presentation and sent it around to her friends. It included photos of the men who slept with, transcripts of their conversations, and vibrant observations about the guy’s physique and their prowess. You should glance at the report here, it’s easily the best read of 2010.

8. Fatal Attraction

In a horrifying turn of events, a University of Virginia lacrosse player was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend. Yeardley Love was found on an early May morning by police who originally believed she had died of alcohol poisoning. Later that day, however, allegations spread that George Huguely, Love’s ex-boyfriend, had killed her. Huguely has been in jail for seven months and awaits a trial in January. UVA, however, was left to reel over the loss of a friend and athletic star.

7. “Blackout in a Can”

We never tried Four Loko… it’s not that we never got the chance. Apparently containing as much alcohol as five beers and the same amount of caffeine as six cups of coffee, Four Loko was nicknamed “blackout in a can.” It wasn’t until October, when nine students from Washington State University were hospitalized for alcohol poisoning that people began to realize the stuff wasn’t so good for you.

“Everything was going fine, the music was playing, people were having fun – and then all of a sudden all the girls were puking everywhere,” said one student. “Girls were outside on their backs.” Apparently some of the people found unconscious had a BAC of .35, states the New York Daily News! That’s crazy! Needless to say, Four Loko has since been banned from most college campuses and states across the USA have taken the beverage off the shelf.

6. Fraternities prove their worth

A party allegedly organized by Pi Kappa Alpha at University of California San Diego called the “Compton Cookout” drew ire when the event turned into a blatantly racist affectation of the ghetto. A Facebook invitation used slang and uncouth remarks that led to an uproar in the African-American student community. Soon after, a student television show called the Black Student Union a bunch of “n******,” creating more tensions.

The last straw, however, came when one UCSD student found a piece of cardboard in the TV station with the words “Compton lynching” on it. Students marched in protest and demanded more funding for minority recruitment and safe spaces for African-American members of the school community. A forum was held so students could talk about the problems they faced as black members of the UCSD community.

So what happened after that? Not much. A noose was found hanging in the performing arts center of UCSD in July, further sparking racial tensions and police investigations into acts against African Americans. The school’s black population makes up 2 percent of its entirety, according to the San Diego News Network. So much for affirmative action. No reports have suggested anything has changed… except for the fact that people are just now apparently realizing this is 2010 and not 1964.

5. We ‘Like’ “The Social Network”

Arguably one of the best films of the year, The Social Network was a fine look into the politics of how social media is changing our generation. Great acting, witty dialogue and legal action made this film enthralling and entertaining. Our favorite part? Just Timberlake’s portrayal of our ex-enabler Sean Parker. Yup! One of our writers actually knew the hard-time partyer… and according to him, the real Parker was much worse. JT, however, played the role perfectly.

4. I’m sorry… you said how much?

College costs rose to an all-time high this year. Students everywhere needed loans and many academics were forced to drop out of school and attend community college. According to Business Insider, the Project on Student Debt claims that 206,000 Americans or more graduated college in 2008 with $40,000 in student loans. Another shocking fact? “Total student loan debt in the United States is now increasing at a rate of approximately $2,853.88 per second,” says the Insider. Well, gee, ain’t that swell?

Things got worse when students graduated too – more students than ever moved back home, many got jobs they were overqualified for, and others simply couldn’t find a job at all. With the economy on the rebound, it looks like job spots may begin to open, but debts will surely continue to rise.

3. Columbia University apparently supplies Manhattan’s drug habits

Not even four weeks ago, frat bros from three different organizations were arrested for selling cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, Adderall and LSD, according to the Columbia Spectator. Wha? After a five-month sting called “Operation Ivy League,” authorities arrested five Columbia students and three drug suppliers. One of the suppliers was allegedly planning to kidnap a rival trafficker! These guys were obviously intense. While everyone knows a college dealer or two, these guys seem to have been either really stupid or too good for their own safety. Either way, aren’t you glad you don’t go there?

2. The Boy Who Beat Harvard 2.0

While Mark Zuckerberg gave Harvard the middle finger multiple times, Adam Wheeler certainly flipped the bird, too. In May, Wheeler pled guilty to perjury, identity fraud and other allegations after professors at Harvard discovered he wasn’t the man he claimed to be. For years, Wheeler pretended to be a straight-A student from Phillips Exeter Academy with perfect SAT scores. After he applied for a Rhodes scholarship, his lies became clear and he was thrown out of the university. The phony got 10 years probation and Harvard felt duped for the first time ever, reported The Associated Press.

1. Death of Tyler Clemente

One of the most tragic stories of the year was the death of Tyler Clemente. As a gay student at Rutgers University in New Jersey, Clemente felt isolated, scared and depressed. When his body was found in the Hudson River, authorities knew almost immediately what had happened. Clemente’s roommate (winner for villain of the year) had videotaped the student’s hook-up with someone he could finally relate with.

As if that’s not disgusting enough, the roommate and another accomplice posted the video online. Ashamed and feeling more alone than ever, Clemente committed suicide. The story ignited a passion in the LGBT community unseen since the Stonewall Riots and led to projects such as the “It Gets Better” campaign which encouraged gay youth to seek help if they felt bullied, alone or just wanted someone to talk to.

Despite the somber overtones of the number one story in college campuses across America, 2010 was a year, mostly, of identity amidst crisis. Tensions flared, money evaporated and students left this world in a flash. Trying to understand these events, however, is what makes a college community such a close-knit group.

So in conclusion, ask yourself: what did you do this year to make your campus a better place? Who knows, maybe next year you could be the one to make this list be more positive and uplifting!

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How to make a proper New Year’s resolution

Posted in Campus Life on 12/27/10 by .

Ring in the new year with a realistic resolution!Happy holidays everyone! We know you’ve probably been enjoying presents and snow and whatnot these past few weeks, but we have something important to discuss: New Year’s Resolutions.

Oh boy. Resolutions are often the bane of our existence but every year we try to follow through! We gave up Perez Hilton two years ago and that’s the only one we’ve stuck too. Other attempts have not been so successful (i.e. drink less, save more money, get to the gym, get laid more often).

So how do you make a New Year’s resolution that you can keep? We’ll discuss the reasons why certain resolutions work and other don’t. Suggestions, silly comments and general frivolity will ensue.

First of all, let us dissect the resolutions that are just completely nonsensical…. meaning, of course, they’d make us the happiest. Things like winning the lottery, joining a boy band and becoming a princess are all unlikely and completely out of your control. Ergo, while these are all great things (don’t lie… you know you want to be part of the next Backstreet Boys), they can not be your New Year’s resolution. End of story.

There are other goals one could make that combine a mixture of luck and personal action. Want to get a raise or a new job? That doesn’t just get handed to you, but it requires action on your employers part as well. Want to score a boyfriend or girlfriend? You need to find someone who actually likes you…and is alive. It is impossible for life to imitate “Lars and the Real Girl” no matter how cute Ryan Gosling was in that movie.

Resolutions like these should be a ‘sub-’ New Year’s resolution. Make it a goal for the year, but not your number one priority in terms of changing yourself.

See, New Year’s resolutions are about making a personal change that will affect you for the rest of your life. A job might get you somewhere but the job you have during your twenties will almost certainly not be the job you have when you’re thirty.

Quitting smoking, however, is a perfect goal to begin in 2011 as it gives you a full year to gradually cut down on a vice.

We don’t have any good advice on how to quit smoking, that’s best left to a doctor as giving up tobacco can lead to withdrawal symptoms and general crankiness. Better now than never, however, so get help if you want it! You should. We know you’ve heard it before… but smoking kills. It kills babies. Do you want to be a baby killer? Yah, we didn’t think so.

By the end of 2011, you should be smoke-free and ready to start another goal. The cycle goes on and on.

We also suggest being as specific as possible when making your resolutions. “I want to lose weight” isn’t the best idea as there is no number to achieve. Dropping pounds can be difficult and with no specific end in sight, it can get hard to continue pursuing the goal.

Instead stick to something like “I want to lose three pounds per month” or “I want to lose 25 pounds this year.” That way, you can set a long-term plan to do this.

Tip: hiring a personal trainer can help you target certain areas of the body that often store hidden fat and offer specific exercises that pertain to your body type. It’s much better than just attacking the treadmill and getting frustrated.

Losing weight, while a great resolution, is also expensive. Gym memberships can cost a lot, and a personal trainer can cost extra… they also see a massive drop in attendance after February as the excitement of setting goals wears off.

To save money, we have a few ideas. A lot of gyms offer a free trial period (read the fine print!) where you can try out a trainer. This might sound horrible, but get some exercises that feel good and know will work then bolt before the trial ends. Keep a list of the exercises and you’ve got your workouts!

Friends are there to share, too, so if they go to the gym see if they have any tips on how to lose weight without using hard-to-access equipment like a treadmill or the elliptical. Sometimes all you need is a dumb bell and a yoga mat. Speaking of yoga! We love it, and if you get OnDemand with cable go to “Sports & Fitness” then “Exercise TV” and abuse the shit out of it. It’s super easy and you can do it alone without other people staring at your horrible form.

The most important thing to remember, however, is that resolutions should be for yourself only. If someone is telling you to change, don’t make it your resolution. Chances are said person is toxic and negatively affecting your life so maybe your goal should be to cut them out. That’s what our March 2011 horoscope said to do in Cosmo. We’re seriously thinking about it.

Anyway, we hope you get what we’re saying. It’s all about YOU! How often do you hear that?

This change should affect something that you believe can benefit your personality, health or life in general. The key is to remain positive; have an “I think I can attitude” and create a year-long plan that will help you achieve the goals you set for yourself. Be sure to write it out in a journal and then keep track of your progress.

In addition, you should reward yourself every time you get closer to your goal. This does not mean eating a gallon of ice cream every time you lose a pound! However, if you’ve lost weight during the month, maybe treat yourself to a night out. Or, conversely, if you quit smoking, don’t have a cigarette just because you know you’ve cut down! Do something else, like drink copious amounts of booze! We jest… but we assume you get the picture.

Whether or not you decide to actually make a resolution for 2011, have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve!

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How to throw a ridiculously fun dance party

Posted in Campus Life on 12/15/10 by .

Throw a dance party and have a good time!OK, we’re not trying to toot our own horn here, but we throw some pretty kick-ass parties. They might be fairly nerdy, but there’s nothing that screams “you’re an awesome person” like a celebration based solely on the ability (or lack thereof) to dance.

So, why are these events such a success? Well there are three key components: music, stress relief and a social atmosphere. Liquor could be a factor, but it’s not always a necessary ingredient.

Music is, of course, the main character in the dance party and the type of music played should appeal to a mass audience (or at least the general population attending the fête).

As cheesy pop fanatics, we enjoy artists like Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias and basically any disco we can find. The Eurythmics and Wham! are never a bad choice either. Essentially any song you can mouth the words too should be considered so long as it has a quick beat and lyrics that either a) make no sense or b) aren’t too deep (exceptions: Queen B’s Single Ladies – a MUST when throwing said dance party). Don’t be afraid to go old school, those are often the most popular as they recall an age of innocence and collective happy memories.

If you’re wondering where Lady Gaga is… she is of course welcome to your party, but not ours. We find her political rambling and lack of vocal skill incredibly grating and some of us are part of the “in-crowd” that follows her, if you catch our drift. Yes, we admit Bad Romance is a catchy and certainly dance-floor worthy tune but we’d rather hear the Spice Girls… and there’s only so much time you have!

Rock fans and Indie lovers can find their own music… they wouldn’t appreciate us making suggestions anyway.

Speaking of running out of time, these dance parties are all about forgetting there is a clock ticking on your academic career. Dancing helps students loosen up (… well sometimes that way, too) and reduce stress in addition to increasing energy levels. Also, have you ever seen a dancer’s body? It is pretty much always flawless, so just think about that.

While we were in college, we’re not ashamed to say, we often threw dance parties in our dorms and didn’t even send out invites. We’d just prop the door open, blast the music and let anyone in. Sadly, one party got so big and possibly other room violations occurred, so it was shut down but it was the one of the craziest nights we ever had! It was worth the 15 hours community service required the following week.

Anyway, the point is that these social gatherings help students shake it out and just feel free from the shackles of textbooks and lectures.

Dancing also encourages interaction… even if you’re not humping on the floor, dancing always involves people talking or grinding with each other. If you worry there are too many couples pairing off and leaving out others, pull out some classy dance moves and start the always-popular dance circle.

This gets people to pay attention to others and raises a level of curiosity about others. Trust us, dancing is pretty much the most social thing you can take part in while at college.

So strap on your dancing shoes, pump the bass and boogie down because it’s party time!

StudentCity’s Playlist:

1) Club Can’t Handle Me – Flo Rida
2) Waiting for Tonight – J.Lo (or Let’s Get Loud, a less popular but no less great song by Miss Lopez)
3) Yeah! – Usher
4) Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – Beyoncé (Also, Get Me Bodied, the extended mix, is fantastic and never got the amount of love it deserves)
5) One More Time – Daft Punk
6) Better the Devil You Know – Kylie Minogue (while it may not be popular here, this is still a club fave in the UK. And the UK knows how to party better than you do. Trust us, we’ve been there.)
7) Ray of Light – Madonna (any song from Madge is acceptable, really.)
8) Break Your Heart – Taio Cruz
9) I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston (or “It’s Not Right, But It’s OK” Thunderpuss Mix… yes that’s what it’s called.)
10) I’m Every Woman – Whitney Houston (shut up guys, you know you love it. And of course, a double shot of Whitney is necessary.)
11) Hey Ya! – Outkast
12) My Love is like Whoa – Mya
13) Dirrty – Christina Aguilera
14) Thriller – Michael Jackson
15) Boom Boom Boom – Venga Boys
16) Jumpin’ Jumpin’ – Destiny’s Child
17) Commander – Kelly Rowland f/ David Guetta (Our appreciation for Destiny’s Child singers borders on obsession)
18) Maneater – Nelly Furtado
19) Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson (or Billie Jean)
20) Crazy in Love – Beyoncé & Jay-Z
21) Lady Marmalade – Lil’ Kim, Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Mya
22) Raise Your Glass – P!nk (originally we were going to do 20, but we had to add Mya’s best song and the Moulin Rouge hit reminded us of P!nk’s new hit which we’re totally loving right now.)

What do you think, readers? Did we miss anything? Is our love for Beyoncé and Co too much? Have you ever really thought about how amazing Kylie Minogue is? And seriously… how glad are you that we remembered “Boom Boom Boom?”

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How to party while on break

Posted in Campus Life on 12/13/10 by .

Are you missing solo cups and beer? There are plenty of ways to still enjoy them while at home!Finals may be upon us, but quite frankly, we’re not concerned about those.

We know what’s really on your mind… what’s going to happen when frat parties (and partying in general) comes to a standstill over the holiday season?

Despite the lack of fetes at home, there are plenty of ways to enjoy life (involving the good stuff) without booking an early trip back to school.

Yes, the days of keg stands, random hook-ups and free booze will come to a screeching halt but at least there will be some big blowouts before you head back to the dungeon that is your parent’s house.

So what-to-do when you get home? Raiding your parent’s liquor cabinet was fun in high school but now it makes you feel immature and foolish.

Plan A: Parents

First of all, ask your parents for a sip the next time they pop a bottle or crack one open.

You might be surprised by how open they are to getting their more mature child a little tipsy.

That won’t get you through the three-week long holiday however!
As soon as the offer came in we ran with it. If our parents offer to pour a glass, why wouldn’t they buy a handle?

Hand them a 20 the next time they go out to the liquor store and ask for your favorite beverage to “relax with at home.”

Home is key in that phrase. We both know this medicine isn’t for humble purposes, but if the ‘rents think so they’re much more likely to get it for you.

Once you’ve got the goods, plan a party with some friends you haven’t seen in a while. Chances are, if they’re not 21, they don’t have anything worth downing. Conveniently grab the bottle your parents bottle (bought) and say you’ve decided to bring it to a classy party. Dress up a little (you can always change later) so they think you’re a sophisticated adult, and voilà!

You’re parents have just supplied the booze to what is sure to become another dorm room party held in a basement.

Plan B: Siblings

If this plan doesn’t work, it’s time to move on to Plan B. What’s plan B, you ask?

In retaliation against the painful emotional mind games, tattle telling and physical injury, it’s time for those older siblings to pay for what they did to you (only children will get the booze for their rents, we promise).

Don’t even hand them a 20, just go straight up to them, tell them to go buy a handle or you’ll squeal about their pot plants growing in the backyard strategically placed behind shrubbery in the backyard.

Of course, they could have something on you too, so maybe that’s not the best idea.

Plan C: Older Friend

Plan C involves an older friend, one who is over 21 and doesn’t mind bending the rules. (What? Everyone does it!)

Give said friend a call and say you need a favor. If they have a good heart, they’ll oblige and they usually know where to get the cheap stuff! They won’t mind getting those mini Heineken kegs either, so you could in theory re-create the ambiance of a frat party. Mini-keg stands all around!

Of course, the truth of the matter is… college is just better for partying than home. Sometimes we wonder if colleges gives the celebration-prone such long winter breaks to allow the liver to rest.

But that’s just ridiculous… who stops drinking during break?

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What to do when your brain flatlines

Posted in Campus Life on 12/7/10 by .

Cure writer's block by stimulating the brain... or sleeping in class.Today was a rough day, readers. Our writers arrived to an office with no internet and a bad case of the Mondays.

Worst of all, we had a bad case of writer’s block despite four venti peppermint mochas, two shots of tequila and a yoga session.

So how do we overcome these hurdles that prevent us from putting our best foot forward?
There’s no easy way to unblock a writers brain fart but we’ve decided to come up with some solutions that might help.

These suggestions will translate perfectly to any student who struggles to write a paper… Or just likes to wait until the last-minute.

Ignore

First of all, the key to unblocking anything is to ignore. Much like a badgering classmate who won’t leave you alone for last week’s chemistry notes, it’s best to stay silent and eventually, said harassment will stop.

Don’t Panic

In a similar fashion, panicking over a lack of ideas will only exacerbate (word of the day?) the problem. Instead, students should read a magazine or do something that will clear out the cobwebs and get the brain cogs functioning again.

Magazines

“Magazines help brain function?,” you scoff. Ha! We don’t mean Star or People, but publications like the New Yorker, the Economist and Time often have insightful articles that force you to think about a subject from multiple perspectives.

Some of the best papers we’ve written focus on a topic that is not broad and can (be) approached and dissected in 3 or more ways.

Magazines will help with this broad approach to a detailed subject.

For example, take a history course like Western Civilization where the topics are endless. These classes, despite their bad reputation, can be difficult because they have such a broad scope.

Writing a paper on the rule of Octavius may sound like a good idea, but teachers often want an idea presented to them.

Thesis Example (please ignore our factual errors…just go with it): Octavius’ rule over the Roman Empire is considered a success because he listened to the general public and granted many civil liberties.

Seems good enough, right?

Except not. This topic is too broad and “success” suggests there is only one angle to the story.

A better thesis for a paper on Octavian’s rule could read like this: Octavian granted the most civil liberties of any other Roman Empire suggesting he had a strong connection with the general public that allowed him to keep order and peace, the Pax Romana. (THIS IS COMPLETELY FALSE, but an awesome thesis idea.)

From here, a writer can approach this topic from multiple angles.

Think of a thesis as a hypothesis – it needs to be a concise theory but it doesn’t have to be correct.

But we digress, this is supposed to be about writer’s block, not how to write a brilliant thesis (although, you have to admit we helped).

Besides reading a smart and investigative article, exercise can help clear the head and help with that depressed feeling which often accompanies impending doom.

Exercise

Go for a run on the elliptical, take a yoga (maybe yogalates?) class or even just a stroll outside. It’s amazing what some fresh air can do to relieve stress when you’ve been holed up for hours trying to focus.

Eat

Have you eaten? Many students do not eat on a normal schedule and often forget to replenish their energy levels with food and water. Eat a snack and take a 45 minute breather, then attack that 20-pager.

Sleep

Lastly, when all else fails, take a nap. In your room, at the library or even during a lecture (not so easy in discussion, though), a little sleep can’t bring on new ideas (dreams are never a good starting point) but it can wipe away any frustration and fatigue.

We hope that this has given you some ways to reduce writer’s block. Nothing can bring on new ideas except hard thinking but sometimes your brain doesn’t work the way you want it to.

Once you replenish your energy and reduce stress, you can attack a project with renewed vigor that should help with any topic struggles or writer’s cramp.

Bon Chance!

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A dating guide to conversation

Posted in Campus Life on 12/1/10 by .

Be cool on your date unless you want it to go nowhere.The dating scene is college can be amazingly fun and horribly treacherous.

Sometimes, it only takes one “you’re so wrong” argument to end a few weeks of really good sex. And that is never fun.

We’ve come up with a handy guide to make sure no awkward phrases or physical actions occur while out on a date. Sure, everyone is different but we all have universal annoyances (no, we do not want to pay for your meal.)

This will be a somewhat on-going guide with various topics (conversation, etiquette, geography, etc). When we’re done, there will be a quiz…so pay attention! Just kidding, we wouldn’t do that to you.

Today, we’ll begin with conversation since its most often the culprit for creating awkward tension, and we’re not talking about the “when is it ok to imagine him/her naked under those clothes” type.

As a general rule, especially on the first few dates, keep personal opinions to a minimum. Pop culture things are alright, but steer away from politics, religion and most of all, exes. You don’t want to make your date feel as if they’re being compared.

When it comes to books, movies and television try not to get too passionate. Look for common taste that you can mutually discuss without getting into a war over what the end of Lost meant (Answer: nothing).

Any sort of bad mistakes in the past should stay there. Do you have a child? Jail time? A grandma who’s a hooker down the street? Keep it to yourself. These are facts that, yes, eventually will have to come out. But grandma’s not there is she? If she is, tell that bitch to leave.

First dates are always on a need-to-know basis. If you only have seven days to live, let them know. Unless it’s something contagious they’ll probably sleep with you. Side note (and true story): this pick up line has worked before and it was amazing. A few months later, however, our victim ended up in the same class. Needless to say, they were not so pleased.

Also not a good idea? Fart jokes. For what ever reason, some guys and girls just think flatulence is the funniest thing ever. It’s not, especially if your date just let out a big one. If it happens, just keep talking and ignore it.

Everyone likes a little confidence but telling your date just how big your muscles are or how you haven’t gotten below an A- since eighth grade is not cool. It makes you look desperate for approval. People might interpret your comments as a superiority complex as well, which is a big turn-off.

Instead of complimenting yourself on the spot, wait for your date to ask something like “tell me something your good at” and give an answer. Have one ready because if you say nothing, they’ll think of you as a lame idiot who doesn’t do anything.

Most important of all, do not lose your cool! If your date does something that you do not really approve of, don’t throw a bitch fit. You could have misconstrued what they said or any number of things so just avoid getting red. If at the end of the night, you’re seething just let them down politely. You’ll be the better person for being honest. Throwing a drink in someone’s face because they don’t like The Simpsons does not qualify you as being honest. Just a douche.

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