Category Archives: College Life
The advantages of joining a college sports team
Going to college is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life and it can provide the platform for what an individual goes on to achieve in the rest of their life. College life is primarily for the acquisition of knowledge and the development of personal skills to help with a future career, however, there are other ways in which college life enriches people.
College is a time to make new friends and develop relationships that last a lifetime, and yes, further education is about developing skills but it should also be a fun time, and students should get a lot out of the experience. There are many ways in which you can enjoy college life to the full but joining a college sports team should be near the top of the list because it is a great way to make the most of this time of life.
There are many reasons to join a college sports team:
- Being on a sports team encourages health and fitness.
- You develop a strong bond and friendship with teammates.
- Working as a team or acting as a leader can develop you for your future career and life.
- Sports players are respected within the college.
- Being on the sports team should be fun.
A great reason to join a sports team or be physically active is to stay fit and healthy; being on a sports team will definitely benefit you with regard to your health and appearance. Students can grow in confidence and boost their self-esteem by being part of a sports team.
College sport friendships can last a lifetime
You’ll regularly see former students talking about the friendships they developed in a college sports team and how they still stay in touch with their teammates. College can be a daunting challenge for many people and a lot of new students wonder how they’ll make friends. Joining a sports team and having a common goal with people is a fantastic way to create a bond with your peers. There is also the fact that college team players are well respected on campus, which is always something that can help people feel happy in their surroundings.
Lessons learned through sport can shape your life
While playing sports is good for your health, you can develop aspects like teamwork and self-discipline, and learn some leadership skills. Many business experts and people who are happy in their personal life have achieved these goals through the lessons learned when playing sports at college.
It is always important to remember that sport should be fun. If you’re looking to enjoy yourself during your college years, joining a sports team, training and playing games will give you a lot of enjoyment.
There is a wide range of sports you can enjoy at college, including:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Fencing
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
The diversity of sports to be enjoyed at college should ensure there is something for everyone. No matter what sport is played, it is important that people buy and wear the correct equipment when taking part. Take Tommie Copper as an example; clothing and fitness gear from the Tommie Copper compression lines assists players and athletes to enjoy their sport and minimize the risk of injuries. Before playing any sport, always warm up properly, focus tightly on your goals and wear the proper clothing.
Colleges want their sports teams to do well
You’ll also find that colleges are keen to encourage sports teams. Anything that fosters a sense of school spirit and helps people to feel as though they belong at the college has to be seen as a positive thing for the educational institution. A good sense of school spirit can help people to feel happier, it can reduce negative emotions in students, and it can make people want to achieve more with their academic results.
There is also the fact that college sports teams can often bring in money for successful colleges. Whether this is through alumni donations, partly due to the great time they shared on the sports field, or because local businesses and suppliers want to be seen as backing a good local team, colleges can benefit financially from sports teams. Most colleges create a platform that encourages people to enjoy sports, something that should be considered a key component of student life.
Walton Robinson – The personalities you meet in a house share
House sharing has countless benefits; it’s more affordable, helps you to get to know people if you’re new to a city and you could end up making friends for life.
Whether you’re a student or young professional, house shares can be a great experience, but you need to prepare yourself for the personalities you meet in a house share. With the help of Newcastle lettings company Walton Robinson, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list. Don’t forget – you’ll be one of these too… Comment below if you can spot yourself.
The Clean Machine
The Clean Machine is the house hidden gem. They will keep your home tidy, leave your lost belongings in a pile on your bed and get on the backs of those not doing their chores. Make sure you live with one in order to combat any messy housemates you end up living with. If you’re a laid-back bunch, the Clean Machine is simply the person who cracks first.
Great for: Creating a pleasant living environment
Avoid them when: They have guests coming over
Most likely to be heard saying: “Whose is this?”
Most likely to be seen: Standing open-mouthed at a pile of dishes
Borrow their: Anything, they’ll be super clean
Hide your: Mess in your room if they’re on the warpath
The House Parent
Every house share needs a House Parent, someone who looks after you when you’re poorly or takes responsibility when you’re out and about. The House Parent takes care of the bills, phones the landlord when something needs fixing and will fight tooth-and-nail to get you the right internet tariff. With great power comes great responsibility.
Great for: Getting your full deposit back at the end of the tenancy
Avoid them when: You want to be irresponsible and don’t want the third degree.
Most likely to be heard saying: “What time will you be back?”
Most likely to be seen: Making a cuppa for the relationship-challenged
Borrow their: Anything you need – tissues, pens, painkillers – they’ll have it.
Hide your: Naughty habits.
The Shakespeare of Note-Writing
The Shakespeare of Note-Writing is something of a phantom: you may never see them, but you can feel their presence. The SONW has perfected the skill of passing judgement without ever saying a word. You will be able to identify if you have a SONW from the passive-aggressive notes written in public spaces, reprimanding any wrong-doer for their lack of community spirit.
Great for: When you can’t get 7 down on your crossword.
Avoid them when: SHOUTY CAPITALS are in the notes.
Most likely to be heard saying: Nothing. They communicate through the written word.
Most likely to be seen: Purchasing pens and paper to give their next round of feedback.
Borrow their: Dictionary.
Hide your: Fury at the notes. This is a tough one.
The Clean-Eating Gym-Lover
A health and fitness fiend to the core, the Clean-Eating Gym-Lover will put you to shame on a daily basis. Their diet will be perfection – so don’t expect them to be up for a Saturday night take away – and they’ll total more reps than Ibiza. If you want a training partner you’ll find no better, but don’t force yourself to keep up or you’ll be in for a wild ride!
Great for: Helping shed the Christmas weight in January.
Avoid them when: Their delivery of protein is late
Most likely to be heard saying: “Go hard or go home”.
Most likely to be seen doing: Tricep dips while watching the telly.
Borrow their: Yoga mat when they go camping.
Hide your: Big Mac.
The Other-Half of a Whole
In many house shares, you’ll feel the presence of the couple; whether you live with an in-house couple or just one half of a relationship. Either way, you’ll not see one without the other, like two bumps on a log, so make sure to get to know them both equally.
Great for: Advice on relationship dramas. Who can advise better than a loved-up couple?
Avoid them when: It’s date night.
Most likely to be heard: Finishing each other’s sentences
Most likely to be seen doing: The Lady and the Tramp spaghetti thing.
Borrow their: Picnic blanket for your next date.
Hide your: Phone, because they’ll definitely want to try your Tinder app.
The Beer Monster
The Beer Monster: every house share’s gotta have one. They’re the sociable one, with the word ‘pub’ always just moments from their lips. If you enjoy a sociable household, the Beer Monster is a must-have housemate and you’ll have a ready-made friend to hit the pub with. Problems arise if you’re an early-riser or light sleeper, because chances are you’ll hear them clattering in at 4am.
Great for: Turning a dull evening into one you’ll remember forever.
Avoid them when: The hangover starts kicking in
Most likely to be heard saying: “Does anyone fancy a pint?”
Most likely to be seen doing: Tequila on a Sunday afternoon.
Borrow their: Playing cards that they’ll inevitably have for drinking game.
Hide your: Chocolate liqueurs.
The Late-Night Internet Peruser
You can be forgiven for failing to know the nocturnal Internet Peruser is living with you at all. They’re up ‘til all hours, surfing the net, online gaming and checking out the latest online fad ages before you’d ever see it. The Internet Peruser can be really interesting and show you a lot of cool stuff, so don’t underestimate them.
Great for: Getting a glimpse of a video hours before it goes viral.
Avoid them when: The house is having bandwidth issues.
Most likely to be heard saying: “Give it here, I’ll sort it” about all types of technology.
Most likely to be seen: Pottering, laptop in hand, into the wee hours of the morning.
Borrow their: USB
Hide your: Coffee — they’ll be tempted to borrow a cup late at night.
The Up-With-The-Larks Get-Up-And-Goer
Who is that in the kitchen at 7am on a Saturday? That’ll be your everyday Up-With-The-Larks Get-Up-And-Goer. A characteristic of this type of housemate is that they’re notable by their absence – filling their evenings and weekends with wholesome activities. They’re a great friend if you want to do something new on the weekends, but will make you feel a little guilty on your lazy days.
Great for: Organising fun activities to bond the housemates.
Avoid them when: You want a Saturday morning lie-in.
Most likely to be heard saying: “But you’re wasting the day!”
Most likely to be seen: Making a packed lunch for their next outdoorsy adventure
Borrow their: Umbrella, raincoat or suncream – they’re prepared for all weathers.
Hide your: Head under the pillow if you have a Saturday morning hangover.
The One Blind to their Own Mess
Failing to save the best ‘til last, we have The One Blind to their Own Mess. This person wanders around the home, leaving detritus wherever they go. Don’t blame them, for they don’t see the mess they leave – it is invisible to them. Whether it’s nail varnishes, tea cups or clothing, they don’t see it, so try not to blame them. They are kind-hearted, just a little messy.
Great for: Pointing the finger at when you haven’t done your chores.
Avoid them when: You can’t find something.
Most likely to be heard saying: “Why are you cleaning? It’s tidy!”
Most likely to be seen doing: A number of different activities in one go.
Borrow their: Every possible item that’s lying around.
Hide your: Irritation, they really don’t see it.
Things to know about sharing a home with other students
Photo by CC user artinstituteofportland on Flickr
So, you have just left home for the first time, and you are about to spend your first semester at your chosen college or university. Unless you are staying in the dorms on campus, you will soon be sharing a home with other students.
Here’s what you need to know to keep things running smoothly, avoid animosity, and a build a sense of community within your new home away from home.
The kitchen
Of all the areas in the house, it is the kitchen where there is the greatest potential for conflict. The creation of dishes is the biggest issue, as it only takes the actions of one laggard to spawn resentment. Left unaddressed, this situation can lead to the refusal of others to keep up the cleanliness of this common space.
Another concern is food storage security. According to a recent survey commissioned by Data Label in the United Kingdom, anywhere between 14% and 37% of students had reported their food or leftovers had gone missing from communal fridges and food storage spaces. This study was also featured on We Are Homes for Students.
By carefully vetting roommates before allowing them to rent in the house, and then taking a proactive approach if food goes missing, these incidents can be avoided or quickly resolved.
Divvying up chores
If you hope to have a house that is at least respectably clean, it is imperative that you establish a schedule for chores at the start of the semester.
If everyone knows who is supposed to clean the kitchen, vacuum the floors, take out the trash/recyclables, and perform other tasks on given weeks, you will have an environment that feels more like a home rather than a place to sleep.
Paying the bills
The lights, water and internet won’t keep themselves on. In order to keep all these services running smoothly, the bills will need to be paid on time. Make sure that all bills are posted on the fridge as soon as they are received, with a complete breakdown of what is owed by everybody.
Though it may be uncomfortable to chase after your fellow housemates for money, it is vital that no one falls behind in their bills without a valid excuse, as it will give others a reason to be tardy on their payments as well.
Respecting each others needs
It can be difficult to share space with other human beings, but this task is made all the more tricky when the people involved are very young adults. Everyone must make an effort to respect each others need for privacy and quiet, especially during the week and at exam time.
On the other hand, if it’s the weekend, or early on in the semester, lighten up a little and respect your other housemates need to unwind, blow off steam, and have fun. So long as everyone has an understanding of the magnitude of a planned social gathering, and when they will begin and end, there should be no issue with having friends over every once in awhile.
10 Simple Hacks To Land Better Grades Possible in College
College can very well be a time of great stress brought about by sleepless nights to meet deadlines, countless bottles of energy drinks downed to the bottom, and equally burnt out college buddies whose only thought at two in the morning is “Who wants more coffee?”
Sure, the university is a tough and competitive place where you feel that everyone else is way ahead of you in many aspects. You may find that some people are getting the Algebra class easier than you do, or that your roommate is still better at you in Physics despite keeping a day job.
Worry no more, buddy. We have compiled a list which hopefully helps you to breeze through college and get better grades.
1. Keep a positive outlook – It is only human to feel inadequate in the face of failure. We sometimes do not perform the way we expect it, especially during surprise quizzes or an essay-writing test about how the First World War changed the economics of the world. Keeping a positive attitude helps you overcome the feeling of failure. Instead of reminding you of the shortcoming, it makes you focus that tomorrow is another day and we can get better at we do.
2. Attend all your classes – In short, never miss any class. It is but normal to skip, but if you want to land better grades in college, you would have to attend all your classes. Not only that, it is important that you pay close attention, absorb the lessons, and make your presence known. Raise your hand if you do not understand something or if you know the answer. If you know that your professor knows you, the real learning starts from there. Should you encounter him/her outside the university, you can initiate a conversation by saying his/her Creative Writing class taught you many things.
3. Get a planner today – Having a planner solves many problems you already have and you will have in the future. More or less, getting a better grade is about time management. Schedule your classes, night-outs, and study groups properly and adhere to them. This makes sure you have an allotted time for all your subjects. Learn to say no to frat parties no matter how much fun they can get. Getting drunk during a study week is going to cripple your entire schedule and system as you will lose time for the subjects you have to review for or the essay you have to submit in the morning. Hangovers are so 2000. Stay in and study.
4. Keep your test papers, homework, and class papers – A lot of students throw their test papers straight to the bin after they are handed. Do not make the same mistake. These papers are your reminders and are really good review materials. You can reassess how you did on those papers and improve your answer.
5. Don’t forget to use the textbook – Professors at the beginning of the class would require some readings, and more often than not, ask the class to refer to just one book in particular. Use the required textbook and always go back to it when the subject becomes confusing.
6. Be better in taking tests – Take your time understanding a question but do not take too long that you forget that there are other questions. Read it carefully and read it twice. Think about your answers in your head, edit them mentally, and map it out on the paper. No professor in history appreciates a really dirty paper. Also, if a question is confusing, you may always ask your professor for a clarification. It never hurts to ask.
7. Form study groups – Sometimes studying alone can be boring. Partner up with a seatmate, or form study groups with classmates that are really serious in getting better grades. Do your homework in coffee shops if it makes you study better. You can also get homework tutoring for college when your friends are unavailable. This ensures that the tutor you’re getting is someone really good at it.
8. Read in your spare time – Do advance readings. Visit the public library and get a book related to a subject you want to improve on. Take notes and make sure you understand what you’re reading.
9. Bye, procrastination! – Going back to tip # 3, you may want to quit the habit of procrastinating. Alright, laying in bed with your phone or playing your favorite online game sure as hell sounds fun but it keeps you from doing some real work. Focus is what you need and the right attitude to motivate you to get better at something. Those failing marks do not look really good to employers. How can you work at Google or Microsoft or any other of your dream employers if you keep on saying “I will do them later” only to say the same thing after two hours? No one likes someone who slacks around in the real, corporate world. So get up and do some real work.
10. Study and study and study – In the end of it all, it all boils down to, well, you got it right—study. But study smart and serious. Avoid your phone at all cost during study time. Put it on silent, or better yet, turn it off. Avoid all possible things to distract you from getting those important information into your golden brain and in turn getting those better grades you wanted.
College does not have to feel hell. With the right kind of attitude and proper time management—and, of course, ample amount of coffee and energy drinks—you can survive, no, graduate with flying colors and no bruises. You may feel stressed sometimes but that is what the weekend is for—to rest. If you plan out your study week right and stick to it, you may no longer have to study in the weekend. You can use this time to get in touch with your Twitter followers, take a short trip to the wine country, and some other activities that will help you balance college and fun.
Study Abroad in Anonymity…Not in Norway!
Studying abroad is something everyone should experience during college, but, sometimes external factors might not make it the most ideal time to ship off to Europe for 6 months. If you never made it overseas to take your higher learning to another level, don’t fret, there is always grad shcool!
BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo created probably one of the coolest PR campaigns I have ever seen and they’re going to select one lucky applicant to essentially be the most popular person in the city, no, really!
Watch this video if you don’t believe me:
Imagine seeing your face and personal interests plastered all over Oslo in magazines, billboards, everyone in school friend requesting you on Facebook, everyone knowing how to pronounce your name properly, your name being placed onto a beverage, an actual national TV commercial, etc.
This is all going to happen for one lucky individual and I don’t see how that person will not be the most popular person on campus, even before they touch Norwegian soil. They’ve named the campaign, “A Flying Start” which is a pretty appropriate title given what the school plans to do for the one student who wins the honor.
Oslo is the largest city in Norway as well as the capital. It is consistently being ranked as one of the top most livable cities in the entire world. Oslo showcases a large international student population, beautiful architecture, alluring surrounding nature, a lively nightlife and much, much more.
BI Business School is very diverse and proudly holds many major accreditations recognized the world over. Currently, there are more than 1800 students from an amazing 106 different countries making it one of the most diverse on the planet.
