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Freedom at Last – Hello Stress

Photograph by: Fred Maidment (me) Location: UG...

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Admit it, when you finally arrived for your first day at college, excitement filled you. Likely, it was your first time away from home for more than a few nights. Freedom at last. That night, you met some of your neighbors, walked around campus, and went home to settle into your new, and probably uncomfortable, dorm bed. Whether the stress hit you then or later, at some point you felt it. That sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. College is different from high school. Now, it is all on you to succeed or fail. Learning how to handle the stress of college can help make sure that at the end of the semester you have passing grades.

It starts with planning. One of the biggest mistakes a college freshmen can make is falling into the belief that there is time for everything – later. Once you have gone to all of your classes, take a few hours to check the work load and develop a schedule that will allow you to get all of your reading and assignments done. Plan extra time for tests and papers.

Next, remember that part of the college experience is having fun. It is all right to go out with your friends and enjoy the nightlife of a college campus. Don’t have so much fun that it impacts your studies. Going out every night of the week will cause you to wake up one morning late for an exam you didn’t study – automatic stress.

Finally, eat and sleep right. These two factors alone can help you deal with stress. Get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Eat breakfast lunch and dinner. When you have time, go for a walk or a jog. Keeping yourself physically healthy will make a big difference.

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Improve Your Grades: Get Healthy

ANNAPOLIS, MD - MAY 17: Members of the United...

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Struggling a bit in school? Looking to improve your grades? Eat a carrot and hop on the treadmill, because studies show that healthier students do better academically than their unhealthier counterparts. Here are some easy ways to get healthier and improve your academics at the same time.

  1. Get Some Sleep.
    Students who are “morning people” do better in school than “night owls.” You need to work on improving your sleep hygiene: go to bed at the same time every night. Wake up at the same time. Perform the same pre-bed ritual every night. This regular cycle will reset your body’s sleep clock, so you can have a much more fulfilling night’s rest. Improved sleep will give you more focus, more energy, and less stress.
  2. Start exercising.
    Exercise reduces depression and acts as a great stress reliever. Don’t even think about using academic work or deadlines as an excuse to get out of exercising. Nearly every college has an on-campus gym and machines like stationary bicycles or ellipticals can allow you to study and exercise at the same time.
  3. Eat healthier.
    Eating healthy doesn’t just make your body look better in a bathing suit. It also improves your self-esteem and gives you significantly higher energy. Keep some veggies in your microfridge that are easy to prepare in a dorm room, like salad mix or carrot sticks. Cut back on that cafeteria pizza, too.
  4. Stop smoking.
    Studies show that non-smokers have higher overall GPAs than non-smokers.

When you improve your health, you get a great burst of self-esteem that carries over into your academics as well. Recruit your roommate and get motivated to become healthier together.

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How to Save Money on Your new Apartment

The recession has done a number on the real estate industry. Now many people are looking to save money by renting out an apartment. While it’s a buyer’s market, many people are unable to buy a home.

Here are some tips on saving money on Chicago apartments.

Before you begin your fun search for the perfect apartment, you want to start saving money. As soon as you’ve decided you want to move into an apartment is when you should start saving. It’s always recommended to put aside $50 to $100 from each paycheck until you’re ready to sign the lease.

Make sure you have money set aside for a down payment. Each rental is different and you’ll either need to make a deposit or pay first and last month’s rent when you sign the lease. Be prepared for either.

Before you move, keep in mind there’s a lot less space in an apartment than in a house. If there are things you don’t need, you can sell them. You will quickly make some extra money selling off things. If you don’t need it, don’t buy it. People like to spend money decorating their place, but they end up spending money on things you don’t need and won’t fit in your apartment. You’re downsizing so you won’t need as many things.

If you’re moving out for the first time, try and find items at rummage sales, the flea market and garage sales. Sometimes the down payment and upfront rent can consume the one you have saved up, but you still need furniture. You can even buy furniture from IKEA, which sells nice furniture at affordable prices.

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Inside Criminal Justice

The expanding field of criminal justice contains a variety of areas offering varied choices within its circle. Those who decide to study this field find many options open to delve into. From opportunities in local law enforcement to private security, criminal justice is a profession on the rise.

The desire to uphold the law and protect others is one of the main reasons why most people are attracted to a career in this industry. Graduates of a Bachelor of Science program can garner an annual salary of up to $70,000. Future police officers gain the necessary foundation for a successful law enforcement career. Other areas for job opportunities include Homeland Security, Forensic Investigation, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and various employment in the Court System.

Students embarking into obtaining a criminal justice degree gain proper knowledge on the workings of law enforcement, the justice system, crime theory, juvenile justice and more. The goal of any criminal justice program is to provide each graduate with the tools to understand and work within public policy. Students are driven by a desire to do what is right by society and their community.

If protecting others and a need for doing the right thing drives you, this degree choice could give you what you are looking for in a career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a positive ongoing growth in this field. The popularity of this burgeoning degree program as a major of choice for new students is on the incline, even amidst a challenging economy. Increasing interest in the criminal justice field is evident by the fact that a variety of online programs are available. So no matter how a potential student’s daily schedule may appear, there is a program out there to fit their needs and earn a criminal justice degree online. Your desire to protect the innocent and uphold what is right is not only noble, but within your reach.

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