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The Best Time Of Your Life: Top 10 Colleges With the Happiest Students
Of all the colleges with the happiest students in America, Clemson ranks in our top 10…!
While the point of college to learn about a selected field in deep detail and graduate with a degree that stands as your proof of competency in it, if you spend your whole time there bored out of your gourd, what’s the point?
Happiness needs to be factored into the equation as well, and to aid you in factoring that aspect into your decision-making equation, we have put together a list of ten colleges that stands heads and shoulders above the rest in this important category. Let’s review each of them, starting with…
1) Texas A & M University
If college athletics is important to you and you are looking for a university in the Lone Star State, you’re in luck, as Texas A&M is a big sports school, with its students whipped into a mad football frenzy every home game weekend. Those looking for a plethora of living options will be pleased that there are many apartment choices near the university, and those looking to celebrate Spring Break in style won’t have to budge an inch, as South Padre Island is practically in A&M’s backyard!
2) Vanderbilt University
Want your degree to actually mean something? Vanderbilt has some of the highest quality professors around, meaning that you’ll actually have the knowledge to back up the letters by your name after college. On the social side of things, there are tons of restaurants to choose from, which is quite fortunate, because you’ll be frequenting them after the countless parties you’ll be attending, as the party scene here is outrageously huge.
3) Virginia Tech
Despite the horrible tragedy several years back, Virginia Tech is a safe place that boasts one of the most down to earth student bodies in the nation. Those that are looking to ride a team all the way through to college bowl season will be in luck here, as football is a way of life for many students, faculty and alumni at VT.
4) Claremont McKenna College
Taking in the stunningly beautiful campus at Claremount McKenna College will be the first of many positive experiences you’ll have at this school, as the well-entrenched party culture will be the scene of made friendships forged over beers and shared interests. Those who claim Judaism as their religion will love the fact that there is a strong Jewish presence on campus, and those that live, eat and breathe academics will love the fact that their professors clearly know the subjects that they specialize in.
5) Stanford University
Despite being a school of Ivy League caliber, Stanford continually surprises newcomers with the friendliness of its faculty and student body. An open environment ensures that people of all creeds, races, orientations, etc are made to feel welcome and accepted, and the campuses’ Californian location grants it photogenic looks that will the background of every experience you have over the next four years.
6) Clemson University
Well known for its great social scene and incredibly friendly people, socially extroverted types will thrive at Clemson. Those that consider themselves outdoors will love the fact that the natural splendor of South Carolina will be at their finger tips, as the Appalachian Mountains are 45 minutes away, and the sandy beaches of the Atlantic are a mere 4-5 hours from campus.
7) University of Wisconsin
Those that yearn to get involved on campus will find plenty of opportunities to get involved socially at the University of Wisconsin, and for those that would rather paint their face and cheer on their school’s team until they lose their voice, being involved in D1 athletics creates a lot of spirit on campus. What if you’re introverted though? A variety of dorms enables people of all types to find a living arrangement that suits them best, eliminating friction being portions of the population that are less compatible with each other.
8) Florida State University
In the relative warmth of the Northern Florida autumn, football season is a blast from start to finish, as enthusiastic students crowd the stands to cheer on the Seminoles to victory. A vibrant Greek life only serves to fuel that fervor on game days, as well as the party scene on weekends. Those that were hoping to actually get some learning done in all this aren’t left out in the cold though, as the professors here are reported as being very competent and knowledgeable in their area of expertise.
9) Tulane University
First point in Tulane’s favor: it’s in freakin’ New Orleans, so when the books shut on Friday afternoon, the nightlife that ensues will make you the envy of your old high school friends. Those looking to meet people different from themselves will love the fact that Tulane attracts a diverse student body from across the country and around the world, all seeking the Nawlins lifestyle.
10) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jocks and partiers rejoice: the parties and social events that revolve around sports never seem to stop here, so enjoy the four years you spend here if you go, as they will invariably be the best ones of your life. Despite its location in the midst of the Deep South, UNC at Chapel Hill is actually one of the most open-minded and accepting places in the country, standing in stark contrast to the uber conservative countryside that lies outside this bubble of liberalism.
How to do Paris on a Student’s Budget
These kids know how to do Paris on a student’s budget … how can you do the same?
As destinations go, Paris ranks among the top to experience before passing on into the great beyond. The problem is that it gets harder to see places like The City of Lights as you take on ever more responsibilities in life, so it is imperative that you get out and see these sights while you are young, single and fabulous.
The only chestnut that you can’t seem to crack in your mind is this: all this stuff costs money. Especially Paris, which consistently ranks among the priciest urban destinations on Earth. However, with some tenacious travel hacking, even the more expensive places in the world become accessible to those of modest means.
Since you likely count yourself among this group at this stage in your life, it is important that you find ways to stretch your dollars until President Washington cries. To help you do this, we have scraped together our best tips on how to do Paris on a student’s budget.
Let’s review them in detail below, so you can begin packing your rucksack for an amazing adventure in one of the most fabulous cities on Earth.
The best things in life are free
While you might be excited enough to book your ticket at this point, take the time to read this first before charging your credit card. While just about any time of year is a great time to visit Paris, be sure to time your trip to coincide with the first Sunday of the month. A large number of museums, monuments, and tourist attractions offer free admission at this time, including the Louvre (during the winter months).
In addition to this, strolling through the Jardin de Luxembourg, along the Seine, or though hip neighborhoods such as The Marais doesn’t cost anything, allowing to save your money for a night or two of fine French dining.
French food doesn’t have to break the bank
One of the pleasures of being in France is partaking of some of the finest cuisine in the world, and as such, you shouldn’t deny yourself of it totally in the name of keeping to a draconian budget. Dining out every night does add up though, so you’ll have to pick your battles when it comes to eating out at fancy restaurants.
This doesn’t mean you have to slum it on your cheap days though, as Paris offers plenty of affordable treats that won’t break you financially. Crepes are a popular sweet or savory treat that you simply have to try, as it will only set you back a few Euros for the more basic varieties.
Boulangeries offer racks full of macaroons, croissants and freshly-baked baguettes, while Paris ethnic diversity will expose you to a myriad of international street fare such as falafel, a frequent find due to the strong presence of Arabic cultures within city limits.
Chip in on an apartment together
Of course, none of the above matters if you have no place to lay your head at the end of the day. While hostels can be fun, if you are traveling with a large group of friends, it can be difficult to keep everybody together in the same rooms in the perpetually busy budget accommodations of this highly popular city.
An alternative option that it is just as affordable (but far more cozy) is to rent an apartment for the duration of your stay here. By making use of booking sites like this one (http://www.housetrip.com/en/paris), you can get a place that is close to nightlife, tourist attraction and shopping, all while having a quiet place to return to at night.
Or a place where you can party it up without imposing on strangers.
Either way, the freedom you enjoy with this option makes it worth your serious consideration.
