Alright kids, everyone is looking for easy classes to boost your GPA, and well look at that - you have room for another 2 credits of class! Google "easiest classes at IU" and all the top results say "Take X112. It's soooo EZ!"

Well, I took it and...

IT'S NOT EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I don't know if these good reviews were written by Hoosiers from like 10 years ago or something, but they were either geniuses with a lot of free time on their hands or the course material has changed greatly since they took the class. It is not a cup of tea.

Yes it's online and it's titled "Traditions and Cultures of IU," but beware! First of all, it's A LOT of reading. I mean, you really can't decide to do the readings the night before your exam because

1) It'll take you around four hours if you want to do well on the exam.

2) You have to stop every few slides and take a reading quiz (there's like 100 slides per unit).

Additionally, the format of the course is also really outdated and frustrating and makes you want to rip your eyelashes off one by one.

Here's how the class goes: 3 exams make up most of your grade while your reading quizzes and a visit to the IU Art Museum make up the rest of it. Only 3 exams, sounds great right? WRONG. Do badly on one of them and you'll be studying frantically for what should have been an easy A (not that I know from experience or anything). Also, not all of the exam material is covered in the text (or I just didn't read close enough, but I'm telling you I totally did) so sometimes the exam just didn't make any sense and you end up guessing. The reading quizzes are also not just "reading" quizzes, but sometimes you have to do extra research if you don't know the history of everything that ever happened because they just assume you know what random events are and then you'll be like:

You can probably sense my frustration with this class, but I actually got my A, I just had to try a lot harder than I wanted to. I was taking 16 credits already and I thought this would help boost my crappy first semester GPA without a headache. The exam that I may or may not have failed happened to fall on the same day as my Macy's presentation for Business Presentations and that obviously took precedent. But honestly, the stuff you learn can be cool! I'm a tour guide so it's always good to have more fun facts to throw out. Course material covers the history (and ventures in to the future) of IU (Herman B. Wells, IU during WWII, the origins of Little 5, the Kinsey Institute). 

Bottom line? If you're interested in learning more about IU, developing a greater understanding and appreciation for our school's history, and you don't mind reading - take X112. But be prepared for your eyeballs to start hurting from staring at your online text. 

Other easy A class suggestions? Take an SPH 1-credit class like Basketball or Self-Defense! It won't weigh as much in your GPA as X112 would, but it's a great way to stay active and get credit for it! Additionally, you can always check the IU Grade Distribution website to see how others did in any course that IU offers. But don't worry too much about boosting your GPA because you'll do fantastically anyways! 

When it comes to preparing for college, it’s easy to get quickly overwhelmed. You aren’t sure what classes to take, what to bring or what to buy before moving into your dorm. You’re afraid to clutter your room, but you don’t want to forget any essentials. Being environmentally conscious can make it easier to decide what you need and what you don’t, and from where you should get your necessities. From decorating your dorm to finding friends through involvement, it’s easy being green! Below are some tips to show you just how simple it is to be a green freshman.

For a list of what to bring, what to leave at home and other tips on being green, use IU's Green Packing Guide. Following this guide will make it much easier for you to certify your room through the Green Room Certification Program. Once certified, you’ll receive a certificate and a free reusable water bottle! Also, packing your items in reusable containers, such as under-the-bed plastic tubs, can help eliminate waste from cardboard boxes and provide extra storage in your dorm room.

Once you arrive on campus, check out the Hoosier-to-Hoosier sale to pick up all the items you need for your dorm! You can find almost anything at the sale, from clothes and decorations to furniture, electronics, storage containers and appliances. To eliminate any strange dorm smells, contemplate getting a plant to purify the air in your room instead of a toxic air freshener. Plants are also much more visibly appealing. When it comes to décor and style, try finding some old paintings, posters and other decorations at thrift stores and garage sales. You’ll save money AND the environment! Always try to use reusable shopping bags when shopping for your eco-friendly items!

Hoosier-to-Hoosier Sale

There are plenty of transportation options available on campus, so really there is no need to bring a car during your first year on campus. Leaving your car at home helps cut back on pollution, plus you won’t have to deal with moving your car from the stadium for every home football and basketball game. If you live in or near Indianapolis, take advantage of our Campus Commute system and enjoy a nonstop service on a deluxe shuttle bus with Wi-Fi, DirecTV, reclining seats, electrical outlets and bathrooms! Tickets start as low as $7!

Once you arrive and get settled, start sustainable habits by conserving, recycling and going organic. Since you won’t have electric and water bills to pay, it might be difficult to realize how much you use each day. It’s easy to leave lights on and appliances plugged in, but try to shut down your laptop when you’re finished with homework, unplug your charger and use electrical appliances with a high energy star rating. Instead of throwing old notes, papers and food containers in the trash, try recycling them instead. Each dorm and food court has recycling bins available for your convenience! Avoid buying bottled water and highly packaged or processed foods. Instead, visit the Bloomington Community Farmer's Market on Saturdays from 8 AM-1 PM where you can find organic fresh fruits, vegetables and other locally grown items that you can easily store in your dorm.

One of the most fun and important parts of being sustainable is getting involved on campus. Attend the major events hosted by the Office of Sustainability such as Big Red Eats Green. Participate in the Energy Challenge, Greenest Floor Challenge and SustainIU Week. Enroll in sustainability related courses, and join one of the many student sustainability groups on campus. If you’re not sure about making a time commitment to a group, consider volunteering at the Campus Garden or Hoosier to Hoosier sale. Getting involved isn’t just for your resume. While working at events that strengthen sustainability at IU, you’ll be able to find people with similar interests and values and develop your own social circles. There are many other ways to get involved, all of which you can find at the Office of Sustainability's website! As students of higher education, we all should be aware of how our actions affect the environment. By following these simple tips, you can begin making a difference! 

Welcome Class of 2019! I want to officially congratulate all of you in your successful admission to Indiana University Bloomington! As a premiere Big Ten research university, Indiana University is a higher education environment filled with accomplished faculty who teach a wide array of students on various subjects such as public affairs, public health, music, education and psychology. It's also nestled in a friendly community whose residents welcome students with open arms as we provide a good majority of the business profits during the academic year to the city. Now, I know that many of you are moving from home to the dorm and are worried about getting along with your new roommate; however, I have some key pointers that when taken collectively will provide a balance in your school-work life throughout your four years of college.

Main entrance of the Indiana Memorial Union:
a great place to hangout, do homework and eat.

• Academics: A key tidbit on attaining academic integrity & acquiring top grades is to attend class as an engaged and attentive student. This means one has to eat right, exercise daily and sleep the proper amount the evening before in order to function well when it comes to class time.
• Professional: A college student's life is not only about academics, but also building your professional identity. There are three important items to note. First, I personally made it my goal to network with anyone and everyone I met during my time at Indiana University. This comes in handy later on when your trying to acquire that internship or first job out of college. Second, I created my resume late in my freshman year and would recommend all of you to follow suit because college is a time for you to learn who you truly are as an individual. Last of all, please study abroad as a college student because it will totally transform your perspective on international affairs which is important in the world we live in today.
• Extracurriculars: My two pieces of advice for getting involved as a college student would be to attend the Student Involvement Fair at the beginning of each academic semester and meet the student leaders who you want to emulate.
• Social: A great piece of advice I received from my former orientation leader as an incoming Hoosier student in August 2011 was to create a support network of peers, old classmates and family to lean on during times of need. Truth be told, I really appreciated her advice!
• Free: Choose your actions carefully as a Hoosier because everyone watches your every move. What you say and do speaks a lot about your overall character.

I hope the 5 key pillars of student success light your path to achievement! By the way, please check out this WeAreIU.com article titled "Balancing Priorities in College" by Alyssa Modos for more information regarding time management in college. In addition, I was featured in a Class of 2015 Senior Spotlight video to highlight what makes a Hoosier experience so special in the minds of graduates. Have fun at Indiana University Bloomington and take it from an alumni that these next four years will be unforgettable for all of you!

This summer, I've had the opportunity to work and study abroad with The Media School's Summer in London program. Though my time here is coming to an end and I'm incredibly sad to leave, I've had one of the best summers. London is definitely a world capital, and there is a ton for tourists, students and locals to see and do. Here are five highlights from the trip that I recommend if you ever visit London. 

When I told people I would be in London for the summer, the majority gave me the same piece of advice: go to afternoon tea. I ordered English breakfast tea, one of the most popular and common teas in London. The teapot arrived with a fancy contraption that I could not identify. The waiter had to explain to me that it was a tea strainer with a drip catcher; you place it on the side of your cup and pour the tea through the strainer so the loose tea leaves don’t get in the cup.

We ordered a full afternoon tea service, which consisted of scones, various baked goods and four varieties of finger sandwiches. The scones were served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. The texture of the clotted cream reminded me of butter, but the taste was much richer. Unlike butter, it didn’t melt when I spread it over the fresh, warm scone.

Everything was absolutely delicious; I ate so much that I wasn’t even hungry for dinner later in the day. Even though I inadvertently started my journey home during rush hour and had to wait 15 minutes for a Tube with enough room for me to squeeze on, the experience was definitely worth it.

Within walking distance of Tower Bridge, this marketplace is one of the largest of its kind. The marketplace is open nearly everyday, and even if you went every day, you would not be able to try everything. Like the Bloomington Farmer's Market, local growers have fresh fruits and vegetables on display. Additionally, freshly made meals are provided by various food vendors: from Turkish to Caribbean to Portuguese, the market has options for all tastes. Spend a few hours walking through and tasting the various foods.

Like New York, London is known for having an incredible theater district. Right in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, you can find tons of musicals, plays and other shows for whatever mood you're in. While I was here, I saw Les Miserable (musical), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (play) and The Play That Goes Wrong (comedy). Cheaper tickets can be found at TKTS in Leicester Square, which is about a 15 minute walk from most of the theaters.

The London Eye and Big Ben are tourist favorites during the day, but be sure to check both of them out at night. While the buildings aren't as clear as they would be in the daylight, the night view allows you to take in the city from a new perspective.

This should be a given, but it's definitely worth mentioning. Each place makes their fish and chips a bit differently, so try them at as many places as you can and find your favorite. Make sure to get the side of mushy peas, too.

London is, by far, the greatest city I've lived in, and I'm so happy I chose to study abroad there. Have any questions about life in the UK, studying abroad or more recommendations for things to do? Feel free to email me! Cheers!

Hello, Class of 2019!

I, and so many others like myself am thrilled to meet you this fall. Take advantage of this summer to relax, hang out with friends and family, fill out scholarships and earn money so that you have something to live off of in the beginning of the school year when everything is enticing.

Indiana University is an amazing experience, especially if you are a small town girl, such as myself. I chose IU because not many people I knew would be attending, which gave me the experience to branch out and learn more about myself. (It sounds cliche, but it's true!)

However, I planned on my first post being dedicated to the new class to help you prepare for the transition into semi-adult life, so here are my tips!

• If you are in a scholarship program, attend as many events as possible. I had the pleasure of being selected to be a Hudson and Holland scholar, which led to me meeting many wonderful people, and knowing someone in almost all of my freshman-level classes, so that set me up pretty well. H&H also does a great job of setting up its members for success. During Welcome Week, there are so many different events to go to and those continue throughout the year. I definitely contribute most of the people I knew and the opportunities I have received at IU from being a member of the Hudson and Holland program.
• Do something. ANYTHING. IU is humongous. We all know this. I personally liked joining an organization or doing something that makes IU feel a little bit smaller. Everyone has different ideas of what this could mean. For some people, making campus smaller could be joining student government, getting a job or finding your 100 brothers or sisters in the sorority/fraternity life. IU literally has something for everyone and you are bound to find your niche. Make sure to attend the activity fair! 
• Keep your door open. This is something that I regret I did not do more of. Keeping your door open can lead to so many great friendships. This helps with the transition from home to the dorm and for finding new friends as your old ones from high school adjust to their own new surroundings.
• Be prepared for the food. Honestly, coming from an extreme foodie, the food at the Woodlands isn't too bad. I'm a big fan of food and tend to gravitate towards fruits and veggies more than anything else.The dining halls at IU have food for almost anyone, and the nutritionist and dining hall staff are more than willing to help you figure out what to eat.

All in all, I hope you guys have a great year and I am excited to start blogging. I hope to persuade future people to attend IU if they were on the fence!

Now that we’re at the peak of summer 2015, you’ve probably gotten into the groove of your summer schedule. One of the most popular ways that college students choose to occupy their time during these warm months is by interning. If you’ve already completed an internship - great! Don’t stop there! And if you’ve yet to suit up and get a taste of the professional world, you still have plenty of opportunities year-round. As an internship enthusiast, I’m here to tell you why Internships are a college student’s best friend. 

Applying for internships gives you the chance to work on revising your resume, writing cover letters and learning interview techniques. These activities may sound like a drag, but they really help you realize your most marketable skills and give you confidence to achieve more while in college. The career services office is a fantastic resource to get free advice while editing your resume. I would also recommend searching the internet for tips on downloading effective resume templates or learning about how to dress for interviews. 

You’ll likely be using the internet for most or all of your internship searching. Some of the best sites I’ve used are the IU career services tool (log in and click search all jobs and narrow to internships), jobs@iu, internships.com, internmatch and Indiana Intern. Not to mention a lot of internships can be found on regular job search engines. Also, be on the lookout for emails sent by advisors for internship opportunities that companies have forwarded along to them. 

One of the most valuable aspects of being an intern is learning what it is like to work in that industry. If you’re pre-law and you work as an intern at an attorney's office, you’ll have a better understanding of what is expected of you in that role. Even if you don’t enjoy your internship at a company, think of it as a learning experience! Now you know that you aren't a good fit for that position and you’ve potentially saved yourself years of unhappiness by realizing that career path wasn’t for you. The more internships you complete, the more likely you’ll find yourself confident about your profession after graduation.

Bored waiting tables or folding shirts? Pursue a paid internship to take away your minimum wage woes. A paid internship in your field is an awesome alternative to a part-time job that may not be doing much for your resume. There are many 10-20 hour a week internships advertised during the fall and spring semesters. These positions are usually very flexible with student schedules and you’ll often be paid $9-15 an hour to work in an office environment. Much better than sweating behind a grill!

Recent studies show that the most important thing that employers look for in a candidate isn’t their major or a big name college, it’s work experience in the form of internships. A lot of employers are now expecting students to complete multiple internships so that they have a variety of skills to bring to the table. Also, if you really enjoy interning at a company and you do excellent work, they may offer you a full-time position after graduation.

Internships are really unique experiences that are almost exclusively reserved for college students. With internships under your belt, you’ll be able to enjoy your four years of college while knowing you’re well prepared for what’s to come after you’re a proud Hoosier grad. 

Check out these other articles about internships:

• So, You Wanna Be An Intern? Four Tips To A Successful Internship
• Why Outside-of-the-Classroom Experience Is So Important
• Landing an Internship

Making the transition from a dorm to an apartment is a bittersweet experience. Apartment living comes with a lot of freedom that you can’t find in the dorms. You’ll be able to ditch the shower shoes, enjoy more privacy and make meals that haven’t been nuked in a microwave. However, apartment living also comes with more upkeep and planning before move-in. Gone are the days of buying a mini fridge and a twin XL comforter and calling it a day. Here are a few things you’ll need to do before grabbing your keys and unlocking the next step to adult living.

Text your roommates and get to know them before move-in. Talk about interests, summer plans, favorite TV shows and who’s bringing what when it’s time to head back to Btown in August. This gives you some time to get to know the people you’ll be living with and plan what items you’ll still need for the apartment. 

Apartments with utilities included are convenient, but often pricey. If your apartment doesn’t have utilities included, you’ll need to set them up before your move in day. The three you’ll most likely need to worry about will be electric/gas, water and internet/cable. Talk with your roommates to figure out who should be responsible for what. I know that for Duke energy (the only electric option in Bloomington) if you are a new customer without any credit history you’ll have to pay a $300 deposit (you get this back after 1 year) plus the price of the first month’s electric. Be prepared for beginning charges like this in August. Be sure to call these companies about a month before you move in and schedule a day for set up so that you won’t be without electricity or running water when you move in. Internet and cable is a more flexible utility.You’ll need internet connection for sure, but if you’d like to save on monthly bills you can opt to forgo cable and stick to a Netflix or a Hulu account.

Have some fun making the apartment your own! Prepare to pick up some necessities before you move in, like bedroom/bathroom items. Then begin looking for living room furniture and kitchen essentials. If you’re on a budget I would recommend looking on IU Classifieds for furniture. There are a lot of great deals on used/new items that college students are looking to unload quick! Also check out Bloomington Craigslist, but be sure to follow their safety rules and don’t give out too much personal information. Be aware that if you’re picking up large furniture like couches, televisions or tables, you may need to seek out a friend who has a truck or ask your parents if they can bring their minivan to your rescue. 

If you’re living in an off-campus apartment, you should have a game plan for how you’ll be getting to campus every day. Look up times that the bus comes by your apartment and plan what bus you’ll be catching every day. If you've never ridden that bus before, I would recommend taking a trip to campus on your own before classes start just so you have a feel for what the trip is like and where the bus stops. The IU mobile bus tracking app will also be very helpful to you. If you plan to drive, look up parking permits and decide which is the best option for you. I have an article with lots of parking tips you can find here. If you’re sharing a bathroom with your roommates you should coordinate schedules to see what works best. If you both prefer showering in the morning, and you have 8AMs and they have 10AMs, you’ll be more aware of everyone’s schedule and preferences. 

Now that you have everything squared away, grab some boxes and start packing! It’s better to make this a gradual process than procrastinating, you’re less likely to forget something important. Since you’ve already lived in a dorm or another apartment before, you’re likely to already know what you need and what you’re better off without. There are many more articles on WeAreIU.com that can help you with all of your packing needs. If you are moving from out of state, you may need to rent a U-Haul or moving truck if you will be moving larger items. If you don't have family or friends who can help you on moving day you may also want to check out services like Guys and Dollies who will move boxes and large items. These resources can be expensive and you should call ahead of time to make sure they can help you at your preferred time. 

Moving into your first apartment is an exciting experience! These tips should help you transition smoothly into your new apartment so that you can focus on starting up yet another amazing year at IU. 

Check out these other guides to college apartments:

• Moving Into Your Own Place Off-Campus at IU - and Getting Used to It
• Looking for Off-Campus Housing in Bloomington
• On Campus vs. Off Campus Housing- A Hoosier Dilemma

Hello studious Hoosiers! Tired of studying in your room or in your floor lounge? In this post I will share some of the popular study spots on campus and in Bloomington. Let’s get started!

I call it the floating bricks in the sky...the most obvious study spot on campus, the largest of 19 libraries on campus and remodeled in 2014. The first floor of both East and West Towers have been fitted with desktop computers and glass collaboration rooms for group work. West Tower is chattier and more social and collaborative while East Tower is reserved for more quiet, individual study. Upper floors are a combination of group work floors and the silent stacks. All of Wells is open late, but certain floors of the West Tower are open 24/7 so this is a great place to pull all-nighters if you need to.

Also referred to as SPEA Library or sometimes just SPEA. This is located inside the School of Public and Environmental Affairs on 10th Street next to Hodge Hall, but it's open to all students. FYI the place is overrun with Kelley kids, I think there’s usually more of us in there than SPEA majors. There’s lots of desk cubicles as well as larger desks for studying with friends. There are rooms that you can reserve for group work. There’s also a glass encased room dedicated to silent work. I still get lost every time I go to SPEA because the building is so confusing, but just ask someone and they’ll point you in the right direction.

Kelley kids will sometimes pull all-nighters or work on group projects in an empty lecture hall or classrooms that were completely remodeled in 2014! Students can also sit (or sleep) on the Hodge lobby couches and use the tables fitted with electric outlets.  Hodge is accessible to everyone, but only Kelley admits have 24/7 access.

You've probably passed at least one of the couch rooms in the Union when you visited IU. There’s fireplaces to keep the place toasty and the couches are comfy and convenient for studying (or power napping) when you have an hour of downtime in between classes at Ballantine. There’s also Starbucks and the Union food courts for nourishment!

My personal favorite on this list (lol surprise it’s not Kelley).The Pourhouse is a great coffee shop on Kirkwood across the street from the Monroe County Library. It’s just a little past the intersection of Kirkwood and Dunn if you’re walking down Kirkwood toward the square. Great coffee and tea, a little expensive, but I think it’s worth it. It’s a funky, awesome business that gives back. One time I bought a coffee and sat down for eight hours to crank out my final sales presentation for C104 the day before it was due #oops. But definitely check The Pourhouse out, if not for a study spot, it’s a great hangout spot.

Located at College Mall, it’s much farther from campus than The Pourhouse, but that means fewer people come here which leads to fewer potential distractions. And of course there’s nothing like a piping bowl of Panera mac and cheese to help fuel your brain!

I also love to study outside when I can and when the weather permits! With campus-wide wifi, the Arboretum (the grassy area in the picture of Wells) is a popular spot, but there’s also tables scattered all around. Find your favorite place on or off campus to grind out work and rock freshman year and on!

The downright, no fluff, straight truth about my freshman year dining hall experience. Keep in mind I lived in McNutt and scores are based on food quality and accessibility.

Oh Gresh…let it be known that the only thing I ever ate from Gresh past my first experience was the salad bar. That being said, the salad bar is fantastic! I’m not joking around, my roommate and I both miss and crave Gresh salad bar regularly. The rest of Gresh is long forgotten though. There’s a sub kiosk known to give indigestion, a comfort food line which is good, but will probably lead to the freshman 50, a terrible knock-off of Qdoba/Chipotle, an Italian place for basic pasta and pizza, a stir-fry place that never seems to be open and Flamingo Grille for lesser Breakfast Buddies, tater coins, and pre-wrapped sandwiches. Try a Gresh Spec(ial): a creation by my good friend Ben which is a chicken sandwich on top of a cheeseburger (you have to build it yourself).  *That was a totally ironic statement, Ben is gross, don’t make yourself ill by eating one. Score: 6/10​

This is not a meal.

Only a 2 minute walk from Gresh, but a world of a difference.The C-Store is first and foremost a convenience store with your basic soft drinks, Vitamin waters, chips, ice cream, etc. There’s also a selection of frozen foods which you can grab and take back to your room for Netflix marathons. What makes this C-Store freaking awesome is Presentations and the sub line. Presentations features rotating meals like BLTs, quesadillas, stir fry, and buffalo wings. So delish. In the morning, Presentations also prepares the best Breakfast Buddies (breakfast sandwiches) on campus. The highlight of the C-Store is the holy sub-line. I think it’s better than Subway and Jimmy John’s. Pro tip: get avocado ranch on your sub! You will thank me later. Score: 10/10

Wright is like one step above Gresh, but still pretty meh. The only difference is that there’s a good fried chicken place, but you can’t eat there all the time otherwise you’ll feel like pure lard. Score: 7/10

Their breakfast sandwiches and flat-bread pizzas are delicious. I'm sad that I didn’t discover this place until second semester. Don’t make my mistake! They also have smoothies to drink while you’re reading your Wall Street Journal #Kelley. Score: 10/10

Finished in 2014, this dining hall is not only really nice, but they have restaurant quality food. You could probably go on a date here tbh. There’s fancy mac and cheese, premium burgers, sushi, pasta, salad, a better knock-off of Qdoba/Chipotle and you can even get a steak cooked to order! The only downside to Forest is that the food costs considerably more meal points and that it gets really busy during normal meal times. It was also on the opposite side of campus from me which is why it get’s another .5 docked. Score: 8.5/10

So fancy *pinky up*

In summary, the dining hall experience at IU is pretty mediocre with a few shining stars in cuisine. Don’t let that keep you from choosing IU! If you’re choosing a school based on food, you’ll end up at Purdue. And we all know how gross they are. Remember that you’ll be going through the experience with your best friends! It’s part of the freshman experience and what makes college memorable.

Heads up, IU is the farthest thing away from a campus of cookie cutter students. This post is just about what I bought to prepare for freshman year. In no way am I even suggesting that you have to have all this stuff and be “mainstream." I’ll say it time and again that the best part of IU is the diversity of the students. And when I say diversity, I’m not just talking about race and religion; we all have different styles, opinions and interests. That’s what makes campus an amazing place.

Now, I’m not one for labels, but I tend to like “mainstream” stuff - if you do too, consider my school gear buys as a shopping list!

• North Face backpack– I LOVE my North Face backpack. A lot of people use them on campus. They’ve got lots of compartments for all your needs. I use the Women's Recon (they've actually redesigned it since I got mine) but it has a laptop space, a large zip section (for spirals and textbooks), a front zip section (pens/pencils that I’m too lazy to put back in my pencil case), a little zip section (my accounting calculator and random stuff), a water bottle holder on each side and a front section to stuff my sweatshirt in. My sister loves her Borealis model too! Other popular brands include Jansport and Vera Bradley.

Recon model shown above.

• Laptop – First semester I had a PC laptop by Lenovo and it was super useful because I took K201 and you can only use Windows for that class. I ended up getting a MacBook Air 13 inch for Christmas so I used that second semester. I prefer my MacBook for general purposes.
• Lilly Pulitzer laptop case – Lilly actually doesn’t make these anymore, but I got mine off of Etsy from a monogram shop. I use this for when I’m going to the library or coffeeshop and don’t need my other school supplies.
• Vera Bradley pencil case– I use the “Brush and Pencil” cosmetic case. Fits everything I need (pens, pencils, highlighters, eraser, extra pencil lead, hand sanitizer and lip balm). 
• Lilly Pulitzer agenda– I love being organized so having a cute agenda is imperative! This coming school year will be my third year using a Lilly agenda. They are gorgeous and really well designed. I have been using the large agenda size and I think it’s perfect for everything I want to write down. Kate Spade agendas are also super cute and functional.

​

• Longchamp large Le Pliage purse– This is my other school bag. I switch off between my North Face depending on my outfit/mood. Also waterproof and very durable. I like black because it goes with most everything, but Longchamp has tons of cute colors.

I have one. Kate Middleton has one. I am basically the Duchess of Cambridge.

• Case-Mate Tough Case– I know this isn’t really school gear but a phone case is necessary when you’re clumsy like me and it flings out of your grasp as you’re walking to class and talking with highly animated hand gestures. In my senior year of high school I designed a custom phone case on Case-Mate (with a Lilly Pulitzer print) and I’m still using it and it’s still so protective and so cute! I highly recommend the “tough” style because it’s very protective while still relatively thin and light. I kept my ID card in the back of it and it was still slim enough to be comfortable in my back pocket.

As far as actual supplies for class goes, it depends on what you’re taking and who your professor is. I used Five Star spiral notebooks, my laptop and kept an accordion folder for all my class handouts and syllabi. Again, if you already have a system that works for you, stick with it! The key to academic success is learning your way! School is all on you in college; professors aren’t checking on your progress with nightly homework. Many classes are completely based on just the midterm and final!

To wrap it up, yes, if you end up purchasing some of the above, you will fit in with many IU students. BUT if you want to stand out, do it! Be who you are; IU is a place of acceptance. Whether it be how you dress, who you love, your political opinions or religious beliefs, you will find support in the Hoosier community. 

Summer after being in college is a lot different than summer after being in high school. Here's why:

That's what I'm doing, and so are the majority of my friends. I work 40+ hours per week, so I don't have a lot of free time! I have to concentrate on having grocery, gas, and car insurance money, along with miscellaneous expenses that I may have during the upcoming school year. Once you're in college, you don't really get to enjoy summer like you have in previous years. I had a lot of big plans with my best friend for summer, and we haven't done any of them just because I have to work so much.

Since I've been living three hours away from my family, they want to see me as much as possible while I'm home. That's really nice and of course I want to see them too, but it gets hard to split time between them, my friends, and my boyfriend -- along with working all the time.

That's right, you miss school. I miss Bloomington and IU SO SO SO MUCH. And that's kind of funny to me because I didn't think that I would miss it that badly. I'm so excited to move back! My best friend is transferring this semester, so we're living together in Union Street Center (an on-campus apartment complex) with two other roommates who seem super nice! I'm excited to have all of my friends back in one place and to regain the freedom of doing whatever I want to do. Which brings me to the next point...

You can't do this at home. If you're living under your parents roof, you have to follow their rules. My parents aren't really strict or anything, but being told to do chores or to do this and not do that, etc., is something that I didn't have to listen to for months and months. So that can be a bit challenging as well.

These are the main things that are different for me between this summer and previous summers. Being home is great, but I miss IU so much now. I miss literally everything about it: Kirkwood, Mother Bear's, the SRSC, my college friends that don't live in my hometown, classes (yeah that's right), my favorite professor, even the stupid train that blares it's horn loud as hell at 3 AM every night. I cannot wait to get back to all of that, but I'm making this summer as great as I can while I wait for August to come around. Here's a look at my summer so far, and hopefully I'll be writing for you guys again soon. (:

If you're an incoming freshman and want to learn more about what IU is like, read some of my others posts here!

So many of you are probably trying to decide what kind of laptop to get for college. First of all, a laptop is not completely necessary on campus. Yes, it is HIGHLY useful and almost everyone does have one, but it's not necessary! There are computer labs in every dorm and academic building, the library of course and at the Union (and probably other places that I haven’t discovered). So if a laptop is out of your financial means, you won’t be at a disadvantage. But the big question for those who are considering a laptop purchase: Mac or PC...

#TRUTH

The biggest reason this argument exists is because of BUS-K201/K20FUN (Computers in Business). In this class, you’ll use Microsoft Excel and Access that ONLY run on Windows (Macs have Excel, but it doesn’t work the same way/process the same functions). Yes, you can partition your hard drive (whatever that means) or run IUanyWare (even though the professors will tell you not to, you can) but it is considerably easier to just have a PC to do homework. How often will you need it for homework? With two lab classes per week, you’ll have approximately two pre-lab and two post-lab exercises in addition to a weekly project that can take anywhere from thirty minutes to eight hours of work. So there is a lot of use that will come out of your PC if you decide to get one or keep your existing one.

I actually took K204 (the honors version of K201) first semester and used a PC and then got a Mac for Christmas so I switched. I took K304 (the honors version of K303 - the second mandatory Kelley computers class) second semester and I just used the computer labs in Hodge and McNutt. It was definitely nice being able to do my homework in my bed first semester without any hassle, but it wasn’t too bad using the computer labs when I had my Mac. Having to go to the labs was sometimes actually good because it forced me to sit down and do my work instead of being distracted by friends knocking on my door. It was annoying though when I couldn’t finish projects in one sitting and had to return to the hot computer lab after class or a group meeting. Additionally, the labs can get chattery and your friends may pop in to do their work as well. FYI the labs (at least in McNutt) will be extremely busy the day/night before projects are due so plan ahead if you need to use them for any purpose!

My answer to this question? Considering my experience with both, I would say Mac. That’s just my opinion. I just like how Macs run better and I didn’t mind walking to the McNutt lab and logging on. If you ask enough people, you’re probably gonna get a 50/50 response based on preference between software and how much they value accessibility. I know this didn’t give you a definitive answer, but hopefully it helped explain the reasoning behind both choices!

And here's some tips for K201/204 so you don't end up like this Evan.

Making myself extremely hungry as I write this...

Location: Dunn Street off Kirkwood

I LOVE BAGELS. BBC is the place to get bagels in Btown. You can choose from a plethora of flavors, “schmears” (spreads) and toppings. My go to is a lox, light plain cream cheese, sprouts and cucumber sandwich on a 9 grain bagel. I’m drooling just at the thought of it.

I need this.

Location: Dunn Street off Kirkwood next to BBC

Best ice cream in town for sure! Do yourself a favor and get the s’mores spinner (it’s like a McFlurry or Frosty).It’s life changing. Marshmallow flavored soft serve with crushed graham crackers and chocolate - seriously so so SO good, I can’t even describe to you how delicious it is. And bonus: they take CampusAccess!

Location: Kirkwood, a couple doors down from Buskirk Chumley 

Their garlic fries are game changing and it’s also a great brunch spot! Really cute place, my best friend and I go here every couple months or so because it’s a little bit pricier. It’s a great place to bring your parents when they come to town because they’ll get the check!

Location: 3rd Street, catty corner from the Jacobs School of Music 

As far as Btown pizza places go, this is the cult favorite - everyone knows and loves Mother Bear's! They have fantastic pizza and a great college town atmosphere. It’s so fun reading everyone’s signatures and notes that are scribbled all over the walls, tables and booths. I bring all my Btown guests here and highly suggest it to visiting families on tours. My favorite is the Veggie Delight! Bonus: they deliver AND they take CampusAccess!

Location: Kirkwood

You don’t even want to get me started on how much I love The Village Deli, but basically it’s my favorite breakfast place in the entire world. So much so that I wrote an entire article about it here.

Location: The Square, 6th Street

Completely vegetarian and vegan options, their poutine is prime. Super fun place to have a meatless meal!

Or if you're like Ron Swanson...

For the complete opposite of The Owlery, try some of the nation’s best buffalo wings (one of America's top ten wing joints by USA Today)! Bonus: they deliver! There’s nothing like sports on the TV and wings in your stomach.

There’s so many other places in town that I could go on forever about, but hopefully you have a few ideas for some non-dining hall meals! Seriously go out and discover what Bloomington has to offer, you won’t regret it! 

Productive. That is one adjective that almost all college students wish they could use to describe themselves on a daily basis. Maybe you don’t even need to be productive on a daily basis. Maybe you just need a couple hours of productivity to finish off that project that you procrastinated on for two weeks? Whatever level of productivity you are looking for here are 5 tips to help you get there!

Just to be clear, I do not claim to be the model of productivity. I, like many college students, have those days that are filled with the potential to accomplish so much yet result in so little being crossed off of the To Do list (you know what I’m talking about, right?!) However, over the past 3 years I have discovered a few strategies that make being productive a little less painful!

Your bed is in your room. That is enough of a reason to avoid it! College naps are notorious killers of productivity. It wasn’t until I couldn’t go back to my off campus apartment sophomore year that I realized how much more I got done when I spent that gap hour sitting in the Union instead of finding distractions in my room!

It almost seems to be a competition among college students for who has the most to do! We love complaining to our friends about how we have an impossible amount of homework to do and all we really want to do in life is sit in bed and watch Netflix. I’ll let you in on a sad secret….no matter how much you complain about it, you still have to do it. I know, it’s sad :(  Wallow in your misery for a little bit and then try and get it done!

• Prioritize that list.
• Celebrate when you cross something off that list!

Having a time set to meet and do work with someone else is a great way to boost productivity! There have been many occasions when the only reason I got homework or studying done is because I met up with someone else and felt inspired! Much more inspired than I would have been sitting by myself daydreaming about fun things or scrolling through Facebook again. Plus, they can help keep you on track! My friend has a distinct knack for knowing when I’ve surreptitiously opened up my Netflix tab and minimized my paper and isn’t afraid to call me out on it. I hope your friend will call you out on it, too!

I know, I know. You’ve heard this one a million times. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but it really does help. Head to a group exercise class at the SRSC (they’re fun – I promise!) The workout doesn’t need to be intense to help you focus. Take a walk, do some jumping jacks, some light yoga…you get the picture! Do something that helps you feel refreshed and ready to get back to work!

Unfortunately, there is no exact formula to make you be productive at any given time. These are some things that help me get down to business! As the school year gets started take some time and experiment to find out what works best for you!

Looking for more inspiration  productivity? Here are 50 more ideas on how to get stuff done.  

College is expensive. From tuition to housing to meal plans, the costs just keep racking up. After spending four years at IU, I've learned a few things about getting the most for your money and saving a few bucks along the way. I'd like to say that I'm a pretty frugal person, aka my savings account matters to me. I worked throughout college with the intention of giving myself some sturdy financial ground to stand on come post graduation, especially if finding a job would prove to be as difficult as everyone was claiming. I hate to say it, but they were right. 

Graduation may be four years away for some of you, but it's never too early to understand the cost of college or how you can get the most out of your tuition rates. Being an adult starts now, even if you don't have the bills to show for it. It's best to educate yourself early and SAVE early. 

A few of these tips are more like IU hacks. Hopefully they help keep your wallet a little fuller this year. 

IU tuition (plus student fees) is a flat rate per year. 

• In-state students Fall 2015: $5,221.10 per semester 
• Out of-state students Fall 2015: $16,897.46 per semester 

This rate allows any student to take between 12-18 credit hours. You must take 12 hours to be considered a full-time student and most classes are 3 credit hours, so you're pretty much guaranteed a minimum of four classes. However, to get the most bang for your buck means taking the maximum: 18 hours. 

Some classes will require more time than others and prove to be more challenging. If the professor takes the time to explain how difficult or time consuming a course will be, believe them. Past students are always good indicators too. It's important to strategically plan out your schedule and utilize the drop/add function. You aren't locked into classes for a good two weeks after school starts so if you need to make adjustments, do it! 

Taking 18 credit hours a semester could put you on the fast track to graduation. Graduate a semester early and bank that money instead (that's what I did).

18 credit hours is no easy feat. Make sure you understand the requirements and workload of your courses. Spread out the challenging classes and be dedicated to managing your time wisely. If you're up for the challenge, this could save some major money in the long run. Short term pain, for long term gain my friends. I was in a sorority, I've seen plenty of students take 18 credit hours and still have time for a social life, I PROMISE. 

Here's a formula that might give you a better idea of what your school time commitment might look like. I would lean on the lower end in terms of study hours, but that's just me.For every one credit hour in which you enroll, you will spend approximately two to three hours outside of class studying. Therefore, to help determine the course load most appropriate for you, use the formula:

• three credit hours (typically one course) = three hours in the classroom and 6-9 hours of study time per week. Total of 9-12 hours a week.
• twelve credit hours (minimum for full-time student status, typically four courses) = 12 hours in the classroom and 24-36 hours studying. Total of 36-48 hours a week.

Keep this in mind. You don't by any means want to work yourself to death. There is no point in taking 18 hours if you fail one or two of the courses. For incoming freshman: you'll learn what you can and can't handle, it's a trial and error process as you adjust to college academics. Here is a chart to help you determine how many credit hours you should be taking during a regular semester if you are also working:

Keep on the lookout for my next post! I'll let you take a look at my four year plan and we'll chat about how I managed to graduate early.

Every year before school starts I make a list of all the things that I hope to accomplish before summer comes again. This year for me is especially important because I will be a senior! That means I have to get all of the fun things out of my system and make sure that I don't miss any opportunity to live up the Hoosier lifestyle.

While I'm excited to live it up, I know this isn't the end of the road for me. I like how Michaella called this a "Tassel List" because that's how I want it to represent my final months here at IU. This list isn't about the final things that I can do, it's only the beginning (wow, that was so cliche--but seriously!!).

I encourage everyone to make a bucket list of their own before the school year starts up again because it reminds you to go out and have some fun, and it gives you fun goals to keep in mind!

Sadly, hardly anyone from my high school came down to IU with me. This year I plan to take some time to visit them and live the college life at a different school.

I've been to shows in the auditorium, but I haven't had the opportunity to see anything put on by the students. I want to go to the dance shows, to a ballet and even to a musical or play!

I've studied by the Jordan River. I've sat and relaxed by the Jordan River. I've even let my dogs walk in the Jordan River. But I'm pretty sure its time to get serious and cute and have a nice and romantic picnic by the Jordan River--anyone up for a date?

Networking is good, and coffee is always good. So this semester I am striving to make more connections with my professors over a good cup o' joe!

I think its about time that I call myself a grown up and go on a vacation just for the weekend. Maybe I'll take some friends and follow the wine trail, or maybe we'll drive up to an amusement park just for the weekend. Whenever I need a vacation I'm going to take it!

Especially the Nearly Naked Mile! I've actually never ran any races that the school has put on, so now is my time to shine. I'm going to run my little heart out!

Well actually, I plan to attend any free class offered over at the SRSC. I can't wait to get my blood pumping and have some fun with lots of friends. Zumba sounds most entertaining to me--but who knows, maybe I'll like a soul cycling class!

I'm going to pull up my big girl panties and make some courageous actions by applying to tons of places that I really want to work and shooting for the stars!

This is one of my favorite things to do--and, I have yet to try all of the coffee shops! So, I am bound and determined to make my way to all the places in Bloomington before I graduate in May. Do you think I can do it?

All of these goals and bucket list items are totally obtainable, and I can't wait to cross them all off as the school year drags on. Something as simple as a buket list is making me excited to go to school this fall--and, that's saying something. Have you made your bucket list yet?

Are you majoring in liberal arts, but worried about marketing your skills to employers? Are your favorite courses discussion-based? Have any Kelley credits under your belt, but not sure what to do with them? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, LAMP might be for you. 

LAMP stands for the Liberal Arts and Management Program, an honors program for students who are passionate about the liberal arts who also want a solid foundation in business. 

As a LAMP student you’ll take a mix of LAMP classes and Kelley business classes. The LAMP courses are focused on improving critical thinking and discussing relevant issues with topics ranging from “Black Markets: Supply and Demand” to “The Meat We Eat.” You’ll soon get to know all of your fellow LAMPers since there are usually only about 20 students give or take in classes. The professors are also some of the best I’ve ever had; they’re knowledgeable, funny and I’ve even been invited to attend a class dinner at a professor’s house. How often does that happen in regular classes?

The brilliant and wise LAMP staff

As for the Kelley courses, you’ll take the fundamentals like economics, K201, A200, L201 and management courses. A lot of LAMPers already have credits from being a previous business minor or major, but if you haven’t taken any Kelley classes that’s fine as well! Please don't let that deter you from applying.The LAMP website has a full list of courses you’ll need to take to graduate with the LAMP certificate. 

Besides the well-balanced curriculum, there are many other reasons that you should consider applying for the LAMP program. First off, LAMP is unique to Indiana University (so far, we hope to take over the world eventually) and employers love LAMP students! More and more studies show that companies value the skills that liberal arts grads bring to the office. LAMP students can read and write critically, have excellent communications skills AND they’ve taken enough business classes to know the fundamentals. Companies love hiring LAMP grads so much, that many of them reach out to LAMP professors with internship postings and networking events that are only available to students in the program. As a LAMP student, you can also apply to opportunities that are otherwise exclusive to business majors such as the Kelley Consulting Workshop. LAMP alum can be found working at companies like Procter & Gamble, Deloitte Consulting and even Google.

There are also scholarship opportunities specifically for LAMP students that can cover your educational expenses and even fund studying abroad. LAMP has a great motto "One Perspective is Never Enough." It’s a saying that encompasses the heart of liberal arts education; being able to approach an issue by looking at it through multiple lenses. LAMP encourages all of its students to consider studying abroad during their college career.

LAMPers also have a lot of fun! We know basically everyone in our cohorts because of the small classes and we even have a yearly team-building event at Bradford Woods called LAMP camp (as you can probably tell we love catchy sayings). LAMP students can also participate in the Virtu project, an investing club with a philanthropy twist that donates to the Timmy Global Health organization. 

Last year's LAMP camp at Bradford Woods

As you can see there are many benefits to becoming a LAMPer. I feel privileged to be in classes surrounded by so many gifted and passionate students that I never would have met otherwise. 

To succeed in LAMP you need to be majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences (the new Media School is included in this!), have an open mind, an eagerness to learn and be committed to maintaining at least a 3.3 GPA. If you aren't sure if LAMP is for you, feel free to meet with advisor Mark Fraley (great guy) and you can have a wonderful discussion about whether LAMP may be for you. Sophomores keep an eye out for fall applications starting September 1st. Freshman, you can apply spring semester on February 1st. Visit the admissions page of the website to learn more and begin planning for a future that is anything but business as usual.

My dad always told me that with each year comes more responsibility. Meaning: I would work more, pay for more and plan more. This was his way of nudging me out of the nest. 

My dad was a huge advocate for summer classes. "Take the classes you don't have an interest in during the summer. You get them over with in a shorter time frame and you can do it all from your bed." 

I snubbed my nose at this the summer after my freshman year. I wanted the mental break that summers in high school always allowed me. I quickly learned that summers in college are lengthy and better with some brain stimulation. I took his advice the summer after sophomore year. 

Here's tip #2: your guide to summer classes. 

General education requirements are annoying and often boring. I think we all question why we have to take classes we have no interest in, but since it is required, my suggestion is to take at least two GenEd courses during the summer. Summer classes are completed in eight weeks or less and if you take them online you never have to step foot in a classroom. Did someone say open book? Not sure it can get any better than that. 

IU (Bloomington, Southeast, Indianapolis, East, Fort Wayne, Kokomo, Northwest, South Bend) offer a handful of online courses during the summer, but so does Ivy Tech. Compare costs and figure out what the best option is financially. I always went the Ivy Tech route. There is a designated IU course transfer list that makes choosing GenEd courses easily. Whatever you do, don't steer away from this list. Double and triple check that every credit transfers correctly.

Putting in the work during the summer could get you to graduation faster than the average student.

Take a look at my college plan: 

Fall 2010/Spring 2011: 6 credits (math+English that I took in high school for dual credit)

Summer 2011: 0 credits (college prep was enough)

Fall 2011: 15 credits

Spring 2012: 14 credits

Summer 2012: 0 credits

Fall 2012: 15 credits  

Spring 2013: 15 credits  

Summer 2013: 6 credits  

Fall 2013: 15 credits

Spring 2014: 12 credits (this is when I learned that I was ahead of the game and could afford to cut back if I took summer classes.)

Summer 2014: 6 credits

Fall 2014: 13 credits (easy last semester of college) 

I graduated a semester early, but this is what I would have done if I had wanted to graduate in three years: 

1. Avoid taking general education classes during the school year, they are the classes most often offered during the summer
2. Taken 9 credits each summer
3. Taken another dual credit course in high school 

It's entirely possible to finish early. ESPECIALLY if you have your major decided and declared by the end of freshman year. Changing majors or not declaring early enough can really set you back. Yes, summer classes do cost money, but not nearly as much as tuition each semester combined with university fees. Like I said in tip #1, graduating early means banking that tuition money. 

If you're interested in the fast track path, make sure you let your advisor know. Don't let them bully you into thinking you can't do it. Shout out to Lauren Kinzer at the journalism school, she and I worked together every semester on my schedule. Like clockwork, as soon as scheduling time rolled around I made an appointment to meet with her. All advisors do things differently. Your options are usually walk-in hours (you'll end up waiting for an hour or more), sign-up sheets or an online appointment process.Once a time was set, Lauren and I would sit down and write out every requirement I had left. Make sure your advisor keeps a copy of this list for your file. If there is ever a discrepancy, you have it all in writing (my roommate had a bad experience). Lauren suggested that I graduate early and I owe her for the honesty. 

So did I. We all do, but by the time I was done with my junior year, I felt I'd had my fill. I'd done everything I wanted to do, a lot of my friends were graduating or had graduated and I was simply tired of sitting in a classroom. I was ready to put my skills to work and make some money.  

It's worth thinking it over! Tip #3 on financial aid coming soon. 

A portfolio can be made of physical content and photographs, or it can be completely digital for everyone's access. Online portfolios are becoming more and more common, and it's a great way for you to network and find potential employers!

According to the career center, a portfolio is "a living and changing collection of records that reflect your accomplishments, skills, experiences and attributes." Your portfolio should be made to highlight your work, make note of your achievements, as well as showcase your personality.

Building your own portfolio doesn't have to be hard and scary--and honestly, you don't even have to be very technologically inclined. But, trust me, you need one! Here's why:

• It gives you the opportunity to be more personal and creative which can help you stand out above the crowd.
• It will allow you to discover yourself and become more confident in your work, not to mention the opportunity to discover others.
• It is a bigger and better way to make your resume stand out because it allows for personality and interactivity.
• It provides tangible proof during interviews of your skills and abilities that demonstrate to the employer how qualified you actually are.

There are loads of amazing resources to assist you in building an online portfolio. Have you ever heard of IT Training? They're located at Indiana University in Bloomington and IUPUI, but offer courses all over including online and on campus. If you're interested in creating an online portfolio and want to learn a little about Photoshop, HTML, Illustrator, etc. then consider signing up for one of their workshops!

IT Training can help you create all forms of a portfolio--a student portfolio, a project portfolio or a professional portfolio. But not matter what, you need to start somewhere. Some good sites to check out could be blogger, WordPress, wix or squarespace. Give it a shot, and let me know what you come up with!

Lastly, you need to know what to include in your portfolio. Imagine your resume except expanded. Each project you worked on can include its own images, descriptions, reports and outcomes. All of the basic things that you include in your resume can be included in your portfolio like: work samples, descriptions of achievements and records of your accomplishments. However, with a portfolio you can dig deeper and include things like:

• written reports
• video/audio clips
• supervisor and peer evaluations
• diagrams and pictures
• websites
• graphics and artwork
• presentations
• reflective journal entries
• pieces of programming code
• lesson plans
• and the list goes on and on!

Whatever you do, make your portfolio unique to you. This online record of your work and achievements is a great way to get noticed for a job or internship, and the best person you can be is yourself. If you want to read more about making your resume shine check out one of my last posts. Also, remember that IU offers a lot of great resources for online help and training!

I'm what they call an "out-of-state" student. I was born and raised in a small town in northern New Jersey and when I decided to go to college far away from home, I never thought I would fall in love with Bloomington, Indiana as much as I did. With one year at IU under my belt, Bloomington has become my second home. Never in my 19 years of living did I ever think that I would want to leave the comfort of my own warm bed, but I found a perfect place to escape. It's a place with a stunning reputation, a love for basketball and the weekend of all college weekends. Obviously, I'm talking about Bloomington. As the sun shines and the summer continues I can't help but think about how many times I've said, "I wish I was back at school." It's really plain and simple, I miss being at IU.

If you're like me and leave the wonderful town of Bloomington, Indiana from the second week of May until the third week of August, then you understand how difficult it is to be away from the most amazing campus in the world. Here's a few things that have been helping me get through the summer (aside from counting down the days until sophomore year).

​Even though you always hear that you won't be friends with your floor from freshman year for all four years of college, there's always those few people who do make an impact on you. Keep in touch with those people. It's nice to see what they're doing for the whole summer, especially when more often then not you're all from different states.

Not all students are blessed with having an internship after their freshman year and many of them end up not doing anything. Get a job, even if it's the job you had in high school or at a local summer camp, therefore, you'll be doing something productive and making extra money. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not sit in your bed and watch Netflix all day because it will make you miss the eventful IU evenings and make the summer go as slow as ever.

There's nothing worse then gaining the "freshman 15" (yes it's a real thing). So, why not join the #FitFam during the summer and focus on losing weight and having a diet that doesn't make you want to eat Pizza X at all hours of the night. I know, it's not as easy as it seems, but once you get in a routine you'll be working out every day and loving the way you look. Plus, don't you want to go back to school looking hot as ever?

As a member of the Indiana University Dance Marathon fundraising committee, I had to add this one. So many people in the IU community are involved or getting involved in IUDM, so why not raise money in all your free time. Put those canning skills to good use and can at home. You'll be teaching the locals in your community about Riley Children's Hospital and adding to your total at the same time. Not only does this help an amazing cause, but it helps to anticipate the coming school year because IUDM is not that far away. 

There are always those friends you went to high school with that you will keep in touch with and it's always nice to catch up with them for a little while. Go out to lunch with friends who go to different schools. Talk about their experience at school and their future plans. Don't get me wrong I love talking to fellow Hoosiers, but sometimes it's nice to hear what other colleges are like. 

I miss Bloomington as much as the next Hoosier, but I've been trying to keep myself busy, so you should too.

For more fun tips, check out this article for 50 more ways to stay entertained during your summer.