You get to college, and you decide its time to up your LinkedIn game. Everyone is telling you that networking is HUGE in college (ps they're right), and you know that a LinkedIn account is a must! But when it comes time to create an account, it may be a daunting task. Don't worry, everyone has been in your shoes at one point. While most people are trying to throw together the prefect resume, take this time to also build up your LinkedIn profile and take your plain and simple paper resume to the next level.

Social professional networks (aka LinkedIn) are an important source for getting hired. While turning in your resume and applying for a position is a great way to get a job, there's a better way. Could you imagine getting hired "passively?" Well that's what LinkedIn can do for you. If you're active in all the right ways on LinkedIn then potential employers may be able to find you and your profile and consider you for a position without you even having to apply.

So now I've got your attention. And you're starting to wonder, "Danyell, how do I actually build a great LinkedIn profile?"

Your profile picture is going to be the first thing potential employers see. You want it to make a great impression! Science says that it only takes about 100 milliseconds for someone to form an impression of you just by looking at your face. So, you have really got to pay extra attention to the type of picture that you are sharing on LinkedIn. Keep it professional yet personal.

- Smile with your teeth.

- Accentuate your jawline.

- Dress for your desired role.

- Make eye contact with the camera.

- Have your head and shoulders in frame.

- Use a dark picture.

- Wear sunglasses.

- Use a full-body shot.

- Showcase inappropriate content.

While you're a college student, you might not have a lot of work experience. But take the time to showcase what you know by sharing details of each course you've completed, school work and projects you have done, and more. Including as much information as possible to tell the story of your journey to where you are now will sky rocket your LinkedIn profile above and beyond the rest.

By taking pictures of your poster boards or including your files of papers you've written, you are giving employers the chance to look at some of your hard work. For some people, their course work is the only work experience they have, and that's not a problem! Just make sure to really make your school work shine.

Connecting with a certain industry or joining in with a group are all good starts to building a presence on LinkedIn. But simply being a part of those groups and organizations isn't enough. Make sure that you are making your name known by interacting with industry posts via comments and likes, and asking tons of questions on the group pages you are involved in.

Being passive in the groups you are involved in will not give you the opportunity to take your LinkedIn to the next level. Being a passive member is almost the same as if you weren't a member at all. By being active and engaging you are establishing your personality, voice, and appearance that others are going to see and react to.

Recommendations are a great way to show potential employers that others enjoy the work you do. It gives you credibility and makes your entire LinkedIn profile appear more trustworthy and honest. Having a recommendation from a professor who is well known in his/her field will just add fuel to your already burning, amazing fire. LinkedIn recommendations can make you stand out above the crowd.

One of the greatest things I did this summer (among all others) was studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. I already forgot how the idea of studying abroad came to mind. As an international student studying in the U.S., in fact I am already “studying abroad”, but doubling up that experience some how made sense to me, and I decided to JUST DO IT (as Nike famously proposes). While Europe and Latin America remain the top two choices for studying abroad, I opted for an  less popular option- Australia. I can imagine why Australia doesn’t sound exciting to many. As an English speaking immigrant country, how could Australia possibly be different from the U.S.? I had just the same question before going to Sydney, and now I’m glad I had the opportunity to find out the answers.

Postcards from Sydney

Before diving into my adventure in the land down under, let’s take a look at how IU made possible my Australian experience in the first place. I went to Sydney through the Arcadia Summer Internship Program, which includes an internship and 6 academic credits. This program is open to Kelley School of Business, and the Liberal Arts and Management Program (LAMP). I am a proud member of LAMP: an honors-level interdisciplinary program that integrates liberal arts education (any major in the College of Arts and Sciences) with practical business skills (Microsoft Excel, accounting, etc.). After the initial process of application, I went through half a semester of orientation, anticipation, communication with my internship coordinator, and visa application (one extra step if you also happen to be Chinese), and secured an internship with Pureprofile, a leading Australian online market research panel. Finally, I was ready to go.

Sydney Harbor Sunset- a view from MrsMacquarie’s Chair

When the crew of 53 Americans, among which 25 were Hoosiers (IU), arrived in Sydney, we did not expect the city’s early winter to be, so, gorgeous.  It was late May (think about late November in Bloomington), and the average temperature in Sydney was in the low 70s. Soon enough, we toured Sydney’s most famous attractions: Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Opera House, Darling Harbor, the Royal Botanical Garden, Sydney Tower Eye… In the streets of Sydney, you can find all sorts of people: well-dressed businessmen negotiating on the phone, ready to eat the world; beautiful young women wearing flaming red lipstick, waiting to cross the road; bearded men in white tennis shoes, rushing by with a lunch box in hand; middle-aged women holding a small boutique of daisies, sitting with a homeless man outside a grocery store in the heart of the city. People in Sydney are well dressed.  As a friend I met on the trip describes, “ they dress up even when they go grocery shopping”.  I guess that has to do with the fact that we lived right by the CBD (Central Business District) area. But in general, Australians do have taste. Sydney offers a myriad of varieties. You know that half of the people walking by you aren’t even Australians, from their accents, and from their looks. Everybody was just as different as I was in this big vibrant city, and so I felt that I belonged. A city this big makes you wonder who you are, and who you want to be. 

Sydney Harbor Bridge                            Coastal Walk                                The Opera House

Moving to a smaller Australia city, life may be very different. During my stay in Sydney, I took an opportunity to visit a friend in Adelaide, South Australia. Adelaide is a lot smaller population wise, compared to Sydney. This fifth largest city in Australia has only 1.3 million people, compared to Sydney’s 4.3 million.  While Sydney’s streets are composed of ten thousand kinds of different people, Adelaide’s people look more like everyday folks. Downtown Adelaide reminds me of Indianapolis, with a group of business buildings and not a lot of people. From my four days in Adelaide I cannot generalize about a life in the city, but at least my life there was quite laid back, thanks to a day in Barossa Valley and a visit to the Granite Island. One thing that made me hesitate about permanently living in Adelaide is that its grocery stores are closed at 5pm on Sundays. In fact, a lot of businesses in Adelaide are closed at 5pm or on Sundays. Considering also that Adelaideans decided they did not like Starbucks or IMAX(they used the have both, but let them go because “people did not like them”, so said my Adelaidean friend). After all Adelaide is a lovely city, but just might not be one for me.

Granite Island                                                          The Blue Mountains

What did I do other than sight seeing and having fun? Good question. I was actually in Australia for an internship and 6 academic credits. My Internship with Pureprofile was exciting, for the company was then busy re-branding, and preparing to launch its IPO at the time I was there. Because of all the changes going on in the company, two other interns from my program and I got to sit in on meetings with the CEO, to discuss his idea behind funding the firm, plan of action for re-branding, and how he envisions the company in the future. The most important thing I learned from the internship is to take initiatives if you want to learn in an internship. I got to learn a lot about online marketing just by initiating conversations with my Pureprofile colleagues, and gained valuable insights that I would not have otherwise learned if I did not start the conversation. Academic wise, every Monday, we took class on the University of Sidney’s beautiful campus, and learned about Australia culture and history through immersion. As part of the class, we visited the Stats Library of New South Wales, went to a Sydney Swans Aussie rule football game, and went to the Sydney Jewish Museum.

Sydney Swans Game                        On the Steepest Train in the Blue Mountains

And did I mention that I won the Study Abroad Photo Contest? IU holds a photo contest at the beginning of every fall semester for all students studied abroad during the previous year. Make sure to snap some good pictures when you go abroad, for a chance to win $50 worth of gift cards like I did!

                  My Award-Winning Photo

Most important thing I’ve learned:

There could be a world of differences between two seemingly similar places. You just have to be there to find out.

Least favorite thing about Australia:

Australians call chocolate “choc”. It’s fine for Aussies to call universities “uni”, we can all be a little lazy sometimes.  But, according to my dear friend Amber, “it doesn’t sound delicious anymore” if you call chocolate “choc”. Enough said.

Favorite thing about Australia:

Wallabies eating dry grass out of an ice cream cone.  Of course they then eat the ice cream cone. Picky eaters eat only the ice cream cone. 

Favorite Australia food:

There is no Australian food, just like there is technically no "American Food"(I wonder if S'mores count...). My favorite thing to eat in Australia is actually from New Zealand. I might have eaten 200 of them during my six weeks in Australia(literally).

Most interesting experience:

Observing Americans be “foreign”. How many times do you see your American peers out of their “natural habitat”?

Public transportation is something that all IU students should become familiar with. Taking the bus is a fast, cheap, and environmentally friendly way to get to classes or work. However, when you’re a freshman or just unfamiliar with the routes, it can be hard knowing where to start.
Not only that, but once you do start riding the bus you will learn the unspoken rules and etiquette that come along with being a passenger. If you learn some of these rules early on, it will make the transition to public transportation much easier.This guide will give you the resources you need to learn about the bus systems and how to get from point A to point B. 

The most obvious answer to this is that you’re paying for it already! There is a yearly transportation fee billed to your bursar that helps fund the IU bus system, so why not take advantage of it? Buses can also be very convenient when it comes to getting around campus or Bloomington without a car. It’s always best to learn about the bus system just so you know all of your options for when you're in a hurry or caught in bad weather.

I have a really helpful article called Getting Around IU’s Campus that discusses some of the major bus stops at every campus bus and the 6 and 9 Bloomington buses. Basically, what you need to know is that the campus buses are red and are listed with letters (A, B, E et.) and the Bloomington buses are typically green and are numbered (9,6). The campus buses are free to anyone and the Bloomington buses are free if you flash your ID and if you don't have your ID it’s $1. Download the IU mobile app and look for two sections: bus schedules and  bus tracking. Bus schedules will show you the major stops of each bus and the times, but most students just head to a stop close to them and know a bus will be coming soon. This is where the bus tracking app comes in handy; with this you’re able to see a live map showing where the buses are heading. 

If you live in an off-campus location, you may find yourself relying on the bus system often. If you are using the bus as a primary form of transportation to get to campus, make sure to give yourself plenty of time. If you have an 8am, catch the 7:15 or 7:30 bus to campus. The 7:45 bus may sound promising but you probably won't make it and rushing into class 5 minutes in every day isn't a good look. 



IU mobile app bus tracking

You know when you’re just having one of those days where nothing seems to go right? Knowing bus etiquette can be the difference between everyone having an easy-going trip across campus or a difficult trip that includes angry tweeting and passive aggressive stares. Here are some basics:

Use the front door while getting on the bus - You have to pass the driver while getting on the bus. You may need to show your ID if it’s a Bloomington bus or just walk past, but either way always use the front door or you may be in the way of people stepping off the bus or asked to come to the front by the driver. 

Have your ID ready- If you are riding a Bloomington bus, usually the 6 and 9 are most popular, have your ID ready to show to the driver before getting on the bus. The drivers are required to see it and having to fish it out of your bag will hold up the line.


Your student ID is a free ticket on any Bloomington bus

Keep others in mind while sitting or standing - If you’re catching a bus at an odd hour where people are typically travelling to classes, it’s okay to sit in the seat closest to the aisle. However, when the bus starts filling up that’s your cue to move over to the window seat to make room or stand if your stop is coming up. Don’t be the guy with the backpack on the seat next to him while people are getting turned away by the driver because it’s full.

Move to the back when the bus starts filling up- When seats are full, a lot of people stand near the back door of the bus so they can conveniently hop off when their stop is coming up. This is fine when not a lot of people are riding, but when it starts filling up please step up to the higher level of the bus to make room for people getting on. If you don’t do this, the driver will either have to get on the speaker and tell you to move back or turn people away when there is plenty of room left. When people decide to crowd around the back door it just slows the entire process down and induces road rage and annoyance to all of the bus passengers and people trying to get on.

Be considerate - It’s easy to feel like you’re in a personal bubble while on your phone or jamming to Spotify. Feel free to take an important phone call but keep your voice quiet. Don’t spread your legs out all over the seats when others have to stand. Don’t trash talk sororities/fraternities or say spiteful things that other people can hear. On the flip side, it's always nice to say "Thanks!" or "Have a good day!" to the driver while you're getting off of the bus.


Taking up multiple seats on a busy bus is just not cool

Speak up - Maybe you see a classmate you recognize or someone sporting a shirt from a club you’re thinking of joining. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation and connect with fellow Hoosiers! Also don’t be afraid to say something if people are seemingly unaware that they are making the bus ride harder for others. If you see someone taking up multiple seats while it’s extremely full ask, “excuse me, could you move over so I can take a seat?” or “Could you guys move up to the back of the bus, it’s getting really crowded up here.”

Getting off of the bus - Most people exit through the back door while getting off of the bus. However, it is okay to exit through the front door as well. Do know that if you go that route you may need to maneuver through people getting on the bus through the front door.

For me, learning the bus system was a step towards adulthood and being able to get around on my own. Becoming a pro at riding the bus will take time, I hope this guide helps you get ahead of the game and conquer the bus system. 

Often times students on such a large campus feel overwhelmed and unimportant. With over 40,000 students it's hard to find a place you feel at home, or discover your "thing." It's so important to feel needed and to feel like you're apart of something bigger than yourself. This is why being a part of an IUDM committee was so important to me. My first semester of college was amazing, but I often felt like I wasn't doing anything meaningful or rewarding. I missed being involved in large organizations like I was in high school.

I was fortunate enough to hear about IU Dance Marathon and applied to be on a committee early on in the New Year. I am on the PR committee and honestly couldn't imagine what being on a different committee, or not meeting the friends I have, would be like. The connections you form, and the friendships you make will last a lifetime. The opportunity is truly one of a kind. How often do you have a room full of 70+ people supporting you, inspiring you, and constantly striving to reach the same goal as you each week?

For 9 months, committee members work together, inspire each other, hangout together, and rely on one another.

Everyone has heard the expression, "one person can make a difference,” and honestly before IUDM I didn't believe this was true. How could 1 person make a difference substantial enough to amount to anything? This experience has shown me how crucial each person of our committee truly is, and how vital each individual is. We're making a difference individually, but implementing a change as a whole. 

My oPRaba (once PR always bad-ass) family helped me find my "thing". 
Join an IUDM committee if you want to form lifelong friendships, work for something bigger than yourself, and discover yourself and what you stand for. 

"Do something great." 

    I was often told that having a work experience is a big advantage, but I never understood to what extent it could actually help me, until now. This past summer, I spent 2 months working as an intern for a South East Asian tech firm called GrabTaxi. It’s application allows people to hail various rides in a number of South East Asian cities.  It was a 2 months that I will never forget.

     My job as an intern included analyzing data trends and patterns and using that information to provide support and guidance to drivers using our application. I analyzed huge amounts of data on a daily basis, but that data wasn't just numbers, it represented actual people; hardworking people earning an honest income who are expecting you to give them support to ensure their safety. It is a huge a responsibility, because the smallest mistake I made could have lead to serious consequences for the drivers, but it taught me one key lesson in life:  there is no such thing as a reset button. You can’t just undo the mistakes you made in real life. Ever since this internship, I have been very cautious about the decisions I make everyday. I often understand the risk of it, making sure there are no bad implications. We often have to make some tough decisions, and there is no alternative way out. That is a hard fact of life, the only way to deal with it is to embrace it.

   The job I had was never easy. The data given to me was overwhelming. There was so much information to process, and so little time to do so, and I can only imagine that this is a norm in tech companies all over the world today. When my professors mention big data in lectures, I finally understand what it truly means. But the questions that bothers me are, why hasn’t there been a technology to help us efficiently manage and understand all this data we have? How can we survive in a such a data driven world without it? It became apparent to me that if there is anyone who can bring that technology to life, it’s us students. We are at IU for one reason, to be the pioneers of the new world. We decide what our future will be. My passion in the field of informatics is now deeper than ever, and I am even more motivated to work hard in college so that I can one day create a technology that will be the next game changer of the world.

  But the most important thing I learned from my internship is the true value of teamwork. Whenever I was placed in a sticky situation, my colleagues and superiors always help me out, because that’s what teammates do, and they are always there for you. Even though many of us in the office have different backgrounds, we all had the same goal, to give our customers the highest quality of service. Many courses here at IU emphasize the benefits of collaboration, and I finally got to see it being applied in the business world with my own eyes. Every time I am involved in a group project for a class or organization at IU, I will remember what I learned from my time with GrabTaxi and apply it here at IU, to make my team stronger than ever.

   Working for GrabTaxi for 2 months was one of the best opportunities I ever had, and I owe my gratitude to the awesome people behind the company. The staff, the administrators and even the drivers I worked with have been some of the greatest people I ever met. They work hard day and night, embracing the risk of venturing into a new business world. What I learned from them is something that no class can ever teach and no amount of money can ever buy. Yes, finding work experience may be hard, but IU has many resources, including career services that can help you make your first step in the business world. If you ask me, it is definitely a challenge worth taking! 

To read more about other IU students and their internship experiences check out these awesome articles 3 Reasons I Succeed at My Internship,  6 Things I Learned at my Internship and  So, You Wanna Be An Intern? Four Tips To A Successful Internship .    

When you finish the midterm, you should realize that it is almost half of the semester. Halloween and Thanksgiving Break is approaching! Do you think you had a good start of the semester? Do you think every day in the past two months was worth the money you have spent? Here are 3 things international students should know to make every cent they spend count!

Almost every college student has the pressure of getting a good grades and graduating on time. Therefore, choosing an easy class becomes the hottest topic during any class enrollment month. Will you really learn something when you only choose those easy classes, which you do not really care what they are about? The answer is "No". Going to college is the last step before you step into the real world. Learning some skills and becoming knowledge will help you to make the transition smoothly. Sometimes, the easy class can be the one you really need. However, the first priority when you choosing class is not "easy" but "learning". First, find the class you need for the future. Second, choose the class that interests you the most. Third, check to see if it is easy or not. But please do not give up the class that fits the first standard because it is hard. 

IU has a great Art Museum on campus with special exhibitions every semester. Going to the museum with your friends or finding a good restaurant on 4th Street can be a fun day. Especially since the IU Art museum is free! IU has many student organizations and clubs which hold different kinds of events. Color Run, Little 500, and Dance Marathon are annual events you do not want to miss. Watching a show at the theater or a musical in the auditorium will give you and your friends a new conversation topic. Don't forget that students at IU get student price. Both IU Auditorium and IU Theatre have a full season schedule of events. 

The basic factor that makes every cent count is: Don't waste anything. Every thought is worth being expressed in class. Every idea is worth practicing in life. Every minute is worth saving for reading one paragraph of an excellent book.

Overview of Media School

Many students come across the country to attend Indiana's Media School, formally known as the Ernie Pyle Journalism School. The media school is combining the Ernie Pyle tradition and prestige, with the new forms of communication and media outlets. The Media School provides a wide range of degrees and specialties, covering all forms of communications. Degrees range from traditional journalism, broadcasting, media and creative advertising, reporting, game design, and many more. Aside from the majors students can obtain, specializations are also available. Journalism majors can earn specializations in many areas, like a specialization in public relations and advertising, like myself. 

What to expect in classes 

Classes in the media school vary depending on major or specialization, but all share some certain characteristics. All media courses will require writing. Depending on the major, the writing requirements will vary, but for the most part all courses will put a big emphasis on creating good writing skills. Another big element to media school courses is reading. Whether it's reporting, game design, or PR, reading will be crucial. Reading and learning the background of communications and the ever-changing industry is very prominent in course objectives. Another similarity between classes, however, is the lack of testing. Most courses don't have regular exams. Midterms and finals usually entail final projects, papers, or presentations. Which is awesome for someone like me, who hates testing. 

Skills developed 

The media school will spread you in a wide variety of directions, letting you gain experience in a diverse range of subject matter. I took a course called visual communications that required me to become skilled in various software and equipment. I learned how to operate cameras, video cameras, and many editing programs like Photoshop and InDesign. So if you're interested in the media school, be prepared to take classes in which you aren't familiar or comfortable with some material or tools. 

Why IU's Media School? 

Ernie Pyle Journalism School always had a prestigious reputation and has been labeled as one of the best Journalism programs in the nation. The media school will continue to follow this legacy, and exceed it in terms of well roundedness. One of the main reasons why the IU media school is so great is because of the alumni. IU alumni are incredible, and the media school alumni continue this reputation. Alumni range from E! news reporters, New York Times editors, Pulitzer Prize winners, and award-winning authors. The networking possibilities and opportunities in the media school are like no other, largely in part to our alumni. 

If you're contemplating earning a degree through the Media School, know that aside from obtaining an excellent education, you'll gain experiences, form connections, and be presented opportunities that are simply incomparable. 

For More Information on the Media School check out these post:

• Considering journalism? Consider IU!

• Trips to awesome places for CHEAP! (AKA, why you should be in the school of journalism)

• IU Student Media 

• Thoughts on the Media School

Hi all! It's been so long since I've written, and I'm sorry for that! I've been super busy; I've had a lot going on in my life, but I'm back. (:

This year, I'm living in Union Street Center with three of the most amazing girls ever -- my best friend of seven years, Shelby, and our two random roommates, Emily and Kennedy. Let me be an example of random roommates being the best thing that ever happened! Shelby and I didn't know Emily or Kennedy before this school year, and they're both best friends of ours now! (:

Back row, left to right: Kennedy, Macky (our other best friend), and Emily

Front row, left to right: Shelby and me

Union Street Center is an on-campus apartment complex for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. It is comprised of seven buildings: Hickory, Beech, Cedar, Linden, Birch, Pine, and Cypress. I live in Linden, and I love it. Cedar is the main building, which has one of the best C-Stores on campus. Hickory and Beech both have small fitness centers in them, similar to what a hotel might have.

Union Street Center, although a pricey place to live (around $9,000 for the school year), was perfect for me because you don't have to pay monthly rent or utilities as you would for a typical apartment or house. Because it's an on-campus facility, it's considered room and board. I knew that I couldn't afford to pay rent every month, so lumping the cost in with my tuition was the best plan for me.

The complex is fairly new, five years old, so everything is super nice. Each apartment has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a laundry area. The apartment is also furnished: bedrooms have a bed, a dresser, a wardrobe, a desk, a bookshelf, and a trash can; the living room/kitchen comes with a couch, a chair, a coffee table, two end tables, a floor lamp, a table lamp, a dining room table/chairs set, a refrigerator, a range, and two trash cans. Each apartment also comes with its own washer and dryer, which is super amazing after living in a dorm for a year!

Top to bottom: Panorama of my room, our living room, and our kitchen

USC's location is also really great. It's nestled between 10th Street and 7th Street, and you can get almost anywhere on campus is 15 minutes. This becomes something that you really appreciate as an upperclassman; a lot of my friends have said that they wish they had lived on campus this year because commuting is such a hassle. If you don't feel like walking to class, there's a bus stop right outside of Cedar. The SRSC is a 5 minute walk, Ballantine is about a 15 minute walk, and Kirkwood is about a 20 minute walk.

As I mentioned before, you have your own kitchen, so you can buy groceries and cook in your apartment. There's also the C-Store in Cedar, as well as the Eigenmann grill and C-Store across the street. If you want to go to an actual food court, Wright and Woodlands are both a 5-10 minute walk. It's also right across the street from Pizza X, so when you get that late night (or early morning... second lunch... or anytime...) pizza craving, you're in luck! (:

One other really great thing about Union Street is that it is so quiet. Everyone who lives here is super nice and respectful, and no one has outrageous parties (for the most part; usually about once every weekend, the apartment below us throws a pretty loud party). Most off-campus apartment complexes are super wild and super noisy, and a lot of my off-campus friends have also complained about this. Overall, USC has a really great environment for being a student. Plus, the buildings are beautiful and the view is great.

Courtyard view from my bedroom window

There are a few things about USC that I don't like, but they're pretty small things. The kitchen doesn't have a dishwasher or a pantry. Doing dishes by hand isn't the end of the world, but it can be a hassle at times. Not having a pantry is probably my number one dislike; cabinet space is so limited that only our dishes fit in them. Shelby and Emily both took the bookshelves out of their rooms, and we use them as a pantry. College teaches you to get creative with what you have!

The showers are pretty small, and they don't have any ledges in them, which makes shaving hard. Last on the short list of dislikes is that you're not allowed to have any pets (you are allowed to have fish... but still). To cope with this, my roommates and I frequently visit Anthony's Pets in the mall and play with the puppies.

One thing I want to make sure I talk about is stigma. This may seem random, but I want to talk about it because a lot of upperclassmen are driven away from living on-campus because of the stigma that comes with it. I personally think it is ridiculous to make fun of someone because they live in an on-campus apartment. USC is so nice, and the people are great too. There is virtually no noticeable difference between living here and living at Stadium Crossing or any other off-campus place. If you are afraid of that stigma, you shouldn't be. There's nothing wrong with living anywhere on campus, especially if it is better suited to your life. Plus, if people are going to make fun of you for where you live, what does that say about them? Not anything good, if you ask me. So don't let this sway you!

Overall, my roommates and I love Union Street so much that we've already signed a contract to live here again next year. We won't be in Linden, but Cedar, so it'll be fun to compare the two.

Sunrise behind Cedar (on the left) and Linden (on the right)

If y'all have any other questions or want to know more about something, feel free to ask me! If you want to know more about USC, you can visit there website here.

This semester has been a difficult one for IU. Crime has been extremely prevalent in the short two months that students have been back on campus. With the uneasy events that have been back to back, it's hard to walk around campus without worry resting in the back of your mind.

Students began the school year with the thought of Hannah Wilson in their minds. While still mourning her death, students were unsettled by the disappearance of Joseph Smedley, who was a fellow student. Three days after the report of his disappearance, campus was shocked at the news of a murder-suicide. Yaolin Wang, a 21 year old student, was the victim of domestic violence that escalated to murder. On October 2nd, Joseph Smedley's body was found in Griffy Lake. Five days later, IU's Alpha Tau Omega chapter leaked a video of one of its members performing oral sex on a stripper, surrounded by his brothers who were cheering him on. One day later, the house was shut down and their charter was revoked. On October 17th, Triceten Bickford, a 19 year old student, drunkenly attacked a Muslim woman at a café while yelling about "white power."

With so much national attention due to the high level of crime and scandal occurring in such a short amount of time, it is hard to remember all of the amazing things about IU. In hard times like these, it is important to remember all of the reasons to be proud to be a Hoosier.

IU students look after each other.

For 16 years, IU and Recreational Sports have been hosting the Jill Behrman Color the Campus 5k run. Jill was an IU student and Rec Sports employee. Three years after she had left for a bike ride and never returned, it was discovered that she was murdered. To spread violence awareness, the JB5K color run is held every year in her honor.

At Indiana University, students are philanthropic.

Home of Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM), students have been fundraising annually for 25 years to raise money for Riley Children's Hospital. In the last year alone, students raised over 3.2 million dollars. Not only do they spend nearly two months fundraising, they also hold a grueling but extremely rewarding 36 hour dance marathon to show their support for the kids.

IU is known for prestigious academics.

The Kelley School of Business, Jacobs School of Music, and the School of Journalism are all recognized nationwide for their high standards and vigorous curricula. Kelley is regarded as one of the foremost business schools in the country, with Mark Cuban as it's most famous success story. Even if you're not a student of one of these three schools, you can expect a healthy challenge and a well-rounded education.

Indiana University students are kind.

At IU, you can expect to be randomly complimented by a stranger in passing. You can expect the door to be held for you and a friendly "no problem" in response to your "thanks!" You can expect an excited wave from a floormate from your freshman year. You can expect a classmate to pick up the pencil that you accidentally dropped. IU students are thoughtful, considerate, warm-hearted people.

IU students are proud.

On any given day -- whether it's a jam-packed, class-filled Monday or a easy Saturday revolving around tailgating and college football -- you will see students sporting IU spirit wear. On any given day, you will see at least one posting on some social media platform about how IU is the best, most beautiful school along with how students are all so incredibly lucky to go here. On any given day that there happens to be a high school tour, you can count on hearing students yell a variation of "choose IU, we're the best!"

With so much crime and scandal occurring in such a short time span, it has been all too easy to forget why we love IU and why we chose it in the first place. We need to remember all of the positives about IU in the face of the negatives. I love Indiana University, and I always will. I have made such strong friendships with girls that I know will be my bridesmaids one day. I have taken classes with amazing professors that have inspired me to work diligently for the career that I want. I have experienced events and opportunities that would have never been available to me if it weren't for IU. I am so incredibly thankful for the year and a half that I have spent here, and I am so incredibly thrilled for what the two and a half years that I have remaining hold.

We have all had the times when college completely overwhelms us and we just shut down. It could be a week of midterms that killed your brain, or relationship drama that crushes your spirit, or getting a bad grade on an important test or paper. It happens to all of us all the time! So when you hit your limit and just can't college anymore, here are 10 things to do to clear your head and cheer you up:

I promise you, this always makes everyone feel better. Play with more than one puppy, too! My roommates and I actually did this today, and I played with four different dogs... One literally fell asleep in my arms and I about died from the cuteness.

You can't tell me this wouldn't make you all happy and ooie-gooie. You can't.

You can get fro-yo from anywhere in Bloomington, but if you get it from Bloomingberry, you can use your I Bucks to pay for it. I always get the Double Chocolate fro-yo with strawberries and brownie pieces. (:

You could Netflix binge (which I'm currently doing with Grey's Anatomy), read a book, browse Tumblr and/or Pinterest, or take a nap! Sometimes you just need to lay in bed all day, there's nothing wrong with that.

I know a lot of people aren't fond of exercise, but I am. It makes me feel so much better, whether I'm in a funk or not. The SRSC has tons of free group exercise activities all the time like Zumba and Cardio Hip Hop. If you don't want to go to the gym, you can Youtube exercise videos for yoga or Zumba. You could even take an online barre class, which is my absolute favorite thing right now. Campus also has the Nearly Naked Mile during Homecoming week, which my best friend and I did. Anything to get the endorphins flowing (:

Watch your favorite Disney movies, or have a chick flick fest, or a Paranormal Activity marathon! Pop some popcorn, grab some blankets, gather your friends, and start the movie!

IU is SO BEAUTIFUL. Walk around, take some pictures, breathe in the fresh air.

Top to bottom: a clock tower in the Arboretum, the walk to Ballantine, Showalter Fountain down 7th Street, a fallen leaf at Union Street Center

This is a frequent thing at my apartment. So far this year, I've painted seven canvases and drawn one. It's an addiction. I'm also thinking of taking up crocheting... Creating something is a lot of fun, especially when you're able to use it as room decor!

Four of my canvas creations!

This is probably my favorite thing on this list. I LOVE PIZZA. There are so many awesome pizza places in Bloomington, both on and off campus. Pizza X, Mother Bears, and Cafe Pizzaria are some of my favorite off campus places. There are so many others. Woodlands also has surprisingly delicious pizza, and that's the food court at Forrest. Pizza will make you feel better, I promise.

Bake cookies, make smoothie bowls (it's trendy right now), make some mac and cheese. Try out a new recipe, make your favorite food, find something fun on Pinterest. It's fun to make something and then reward yourself by eating it! Food = happiness.

My roommates and I do this all the time. If you like early Maroon 5 (circa "She Will Be Loved"), Jojo, Lifehouse, and NSYNC*, you will love this playlist. You will sing. You will dance. You will laugh. You will feel better. (:

These are 10 things that make me feel better when I feel like crap, and hopefully you can try them out and see what works for you. Just remember that one bad test grade won't ruin your life; one bad break up doesn't mean you'll be heartbroken and alone forever; one week of midterms is just one week. Things will get better, and these 10 things can speed up the process. (:

I encourage any high school student thinking about a career in media to consider IU.

Why IU, and not other schools? At IU you’re going to get a phenomenal experience both in your coursework and in extracurricular activities with media.

Here are some reasons why I love being a student in the Media School at IU.

1. You can study pretty much anything here.

(Credit: studygram.tumblr.com)

Regardless of whatever you want to study in the media field, you’ll get a wide range of options in the Media School. From degrees in more traditional fields like news reporting & editing, to more technology-based fields like interactive & digital media, there’s a course of study available for whatever you want to do.

And even if something doesn’t catch your eye, you can always forge your own path with the individualized major program to basically create your own major.

2. There’s tons of opportunities to get involved!

(Credit: truegif.com)

Here at IU, we have a whopping elevenstudent media outlets on-campus for students to get involved with!

There’s WIUX, the campus radio station, where you can host your own radio show every week. You could join the Indiana Daily Student, where you can publish your own writing, reporting, editing and photography. You could join IU Student Television, and make TV shows. You could join Hoosier Games, and work on your very own video game.

Those are just some of the many options you have at IU to work hands-on in media and gain valuable experience outside of the classroom.

3. The location is perfect.

(Credit: IU Wordpress)

Starting next year, most of the classes taught through the Media School will take place in Franklin Hall. One of the many beautiful academic buildings on-campus, Franklin Hall is located right next to both the Sample Gates and the Union, right in the heart of IU. You’ll never have to travel very far to get to your classes since the building is centrally located on the campus.

In addition to Franklin Hall, other buildings will contain resources available for your media education, including everything from TV studios to multimedia labs. There’s tons of free resources for you to use for whatever media project you want to work on.

4. Help is just around the corner for your career.

The career services available through the Media School are excellent. Jobs and internship listings are sent to students’ e-mails every week on The Buzz, the official newsletter of the Media School.

You can also meet with a career adviser through the College of Arts & Sciences Career Services, where you can get free one-on-one help for anything you need assistance with. From polishing up your resume, preparing for interviews, and applying for jobs and internships, these advisers are specifically trained to help students prepare for life after college.

So, what are you waiting for? The next generation of media creators are here. Come join us!

Growing up on the other side of the world, I had always wondered if American schools and colleges were actually like how they are portrayed in Hollywood movies. The school rivalries in basketball and football and the highly competitive atmosphere during a game was something I had always wanted to experience. 

Indiana University game me just that chance.

I will never forget the first time I entered Assembly Hall with my fellow freshmen during Welcome Week. The whole place was packed. Everyone had their Cream and Crimson on. We entered to the frantic chant of “We are IU!” from thousands of students. As the basketball team was introduced to us and the fight song started playing the background, I had never seen or felt this kind of school spirit and in such a magnitude before. Every single student was cheering for the time and singing along with the IU song. And I cheered along as hard as the next person, even though I was new to the university, because I knew I had made the right decision in choosing Indiana. That was the first time I realized what it truly meant to be a Hoosier.

Over the past two years I have had some of the most enriching experiences here at IU, but the memory of my first time into Assembly Hall is something that will stick with me because it reminds me of what a great institution I have the privilege to be a part of. 

We've all been there, you need a class to fulfill one or many GenEd requirements for your major but honestly it's so hard to pick a class out of all of the options available. There are so many GenEd areas: Arts & Humanities, Social & Historical Studies, Natural & Mathematical Sciences, World Languages, and World Cultures. Pull up your GenEd-Approved Courses and let's get started with the first stage of picking a GenEd class:

There are a ton of amazing classes offered by IU. Some awesome classes for each GenEd area are:

Arts & Humanities: History of Rock and Roll Music (MUS-Z 201), The Art of Comics (FINA-A 280), Acting I: Fundamentals of Acting (THTR-T 120)

Social & Historical Studies: Theories of Crime and Deviance (CJUS-P 200), Hollywood I (CMCL-C 290), Life in the Stone Age (ANTH-P 210)

Natural & Mathematical Sciences: The Solar System (AST-A 100), Dinosaurs and Their Relatives (GEOL-G 114)

World Languages: American Sign Language I (SPHS-A 100), Greek Poetry: Homer (CLAS-G 250)

World Cultures: Medieval Heroes (HIST-B 204), Global Pop Music (FOLK-E 151)

There are so many class choices from The Search for Life in the Universe to Dance in the African Diaspora. Make it easier on yourself by narrowing your search down by the specific GenEd requirement you need to fulfill.

At this point, don't give up hope! Stay on the wait list because a lot of times class sizes expand to accommodate more students and/or you can get into your class because other students will drop off the wait list.

For more information on picking the perfect class:

• Five key things you can do to pick the best classes for you at IU
• Who Else Wants to Take Awesome Courses That I Have Taken at IU ?
• Nine Tips For Selecting Your College Courses at IU
• The Most Worthwhile Classes I've taken at IU

college: (n) an educational place where you're expected to discover who you are, figure out the path to take for the rest of your life, make life-long friends, and, of course, meet the person you're supposed to spend forever with

College is full of so many expectations about so many things -- one of them being dating. Dating in college is supposed to be sophisticated coffee dates at the local Starbucks, casual sushi dates full of get-to-know-you questions, late night adventures around campus full of deep conversations. Right? Is this not what every chick flick and popular romance novel has taught us? 

Dating in college is not [typically] any of those things.

Instead of all of the dreamy dates that you've been conditioned to expect, you can [9 times out of 10] expect "Netflix and chill" -- a popular term for casual hookups with no expectations other than sexual favors. Friends with benefits, "Netflix and chill", bed buddies -- whatever you want to call it, "hookup culture" is the norm in college. This means that instead of dating or being in a romantic relationship, people often get together with no strings attached.

If "hookup culture" isn't your thing, it's very easy to feel like the odd one out. It can be extremely confusing to tell if someone actually likes you or if they're just interested in sex. This can be even more difficult if you don't expect the college dating scene to be so centralized around hooking up.

Sure, everyone knows that college is a lot more free as far as experimentation, partying, and sex, but does anyone expect 90% of dating to be hooking up? I know I didn't.

college: (n) an environment where you're expected to find yourself through experimentation, testing your limits, and doing things you would never do if you weren't in college

If you ask me, this is where dating in college became so complicated. I may be here to find myself, prepare for my future, and meet the person I'm supposed to share that future with, but the truth is that a lot of college students just aren't interested in that. College students are here for the academics, obviously. Most college students are also here to party hard before they have real, adult responsibilities. Most students are here to do things that are only justifiable by the fact that, hey, you did it while you were in college. Most students are here to have way too much drunken, drug induced fun while they can, because four years is all you get.

College students are so wrapped up in this idea of being free, wild, and roaming -- living to the fullest with nothing tying them down. People want time to do the things that they have to do and the things that they want to do. Most of the time, relationships are last on their list of priorities. But because people don't have time for relationship commitments, they like to have fun, college students like to be wild, and they also really like sex, hookup culture is now extremely popular.

Hooking up with people does not make you a bad person. Sure, there are bad people that are involved in hookup culture, just like anything. But a lot of people with great grades, good intentions, and huge goals are into casual sex because they're so busy trying to make their way in the world. Relationships take time and effort, and most of the time, people want to expend that time and effort on other things.

college: (n) a setting where its common to hookup [to have casual sex] because romantic relationships are too time consuming, too much work, and/or just not a priority

College is busy. Between balancing academics, extra curriculars, work, and friends, relationships often fall last on that list. Hookups come from that incessant, nagging urge to have a special person in your life, but not wanting to commit to the labels that relationships come with. Once you label something, there are expectations, and a lot of people just can't commit to that.

Hookup culture is so relevant now that there is even an app geared toward college students for casual sex. Tinder is a mobile app that finds people in your area, based on your location as well as theirs, who are interested in hooking up. Profiles of people in your area are sent to your feed, and you can then either swipe left [deny them as a match] or swipe right [accept them as a match.] If two users mutually swipe right, they become a match and are then allowed to chat. Although some people use Tinder as a way to meet people for the sake of meeting people, or just for the ego-boosting fun that comes with it, most people use Tinder with the goal of hooking up in mind.

Casual sex is so common in college because it's what works for people. People don't want to commit to a relationship when they know that they aren't going to be able to put an effort into it. With hooking up, there is way less pressure to be in a relationship, especially because you know your "partner" is thinking similarly. There isn't any shame in this; as long as you're having safe sex and you feel comfortable in the situation, then keep doing what works for you.

It's important to remember these things about hooking up though: it can get awkward [when you're no longer hooking up but you run into each other], it can be a danger to your health [STDs], and it can be surrounded by judgement [i.e. "slut shaming", which is the act of demeaning women for their being sexual.]

college: that insane, confusing, stressful, amazing time in your life when you just might be lucky enough to find someone who wants to be with you just as much as you want to be with them

Everything that's been said up to this point is true: dating in college is not popular, relationships are even less popular, hookup culture is the norm, and people just don't want to commit. However, there's still that 10% of college students who want to find their soulmate and settle down.

You will meet amazing people all the time in college. You will meet a lot of people who you could see yourself having a future with. Most of those people generally won't reciprocate that same vision. But one day, totally out of the blue, you'll meet someone who wants exactly what you want. When that happens, all the frustration, annoyance, and dissatisfaction that you felt until then will be totally worth it. It makes you appreciate your newfound significant other that much more.

So even though finding love in college is actually way harder than you would ever expect, it's totally possible.

Think of this as a housing quiz to your heart. Find the description that sounds the most like you and discover your "perfect match."

Budget $300-400 a month

You’re a Freshman ballin’ on a budget or someone who enjoys the convenience of on-campus living. You probably won’t be staying in Bloomington for the summer so a 10 month lease is appealing to you. Cooking isn’t your thing and you’ve developed a relationship with the RPS workers at your favorite dining hall. You don’t mind working hard to save a buck or two if it’ll mean less student loans in the long run.

Perfect match: Co-op dorm
Co-op dorms are floors in dorms Wright, McNutt, Forest and Ashton where residents receive 40% off of the price of housing in exchange for doing janitorial work on the floor an hour a week (or less). You and your floormates are responsible for taking out trash, cleaning the kitchen, cleaning bathrooms et. I know one of the RA’s for this floor and she said these activities allow residents to become closer and bond while saving money.

You want to save some money, but on-campus living is just not an option. Freedom, including your own room, would be nice. You don’t mind having to take a bus to campus if it'll mean you have more space. One, two or three roommates? No problem. You’re pretty social and living by the stadium sounds like a dream come true. Tailgates here we come!

Perfect match: Stadium crossing 
Stadium Crossing / Varsity Court (aka the Villas) are apartment and home locations near the Stadium. These apartments are very fairly priced and you can get a pretty decent sized room and probably your own bathroom too for around $400 a month with utilities. Good location if you’re into partying on weekends or attending athletic events. Look into the A bus route if you want to live here. Want a little closer location? Check out Terra Trace.

Live by the IU athletic action

Budget: $500-600 a month

You're someone who likes everything taken care of all at once. You want your rent to include utilities, a place to workout, and maybe even all of your furniture ready to go. Safety is important and you sleep soundly knowing that security is just downstairs. You live for the weekends - the bars are within walking distance and you apartment building is known for having its own social life. But when Monday rears its ugly head, you can easily catch one of the two buses to campus. 

Perfect match: Smallwood
Smallwood is located on College Ave and is a popular location for students who are looking to live in the downtown area with the option for furnished apartments. Easy access to campus through the 6 and 6L bus.

Smallwood apartments 

You’re a pro at navigating the net, and you think you can find the perfect place online without going through a complex. You dream of the quirky college house with a huge porch. Or maybe you would just rather deal with a landlord than a real estate company. 

Perfect match: Independent apartments/houses
Where you’re going to live is a big decision. Take some time and research to find a place in your budget and ideal location. There are many search engines to find housing. Some popular ones are IU real estate, Bloomingtonrent.com, Zillow, Rentcollegepads, and Cribspot.

Budget $600+ a month

You like the finer things in life. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances sound like your HGTV fantasy. Amenities are important to you. You envision living somewhere with a clubhouse, workout center, pool, and shuttle bus to campus. 

Perfect match: The Dillon 
This is a newer apartment complex that was built in 2014. They offer a lot of amenities and plenty of space in their large, 3 story townhomes. Also see similar places like the Village, Bloom apartments, or Park on Morton. If you want something like this but with a slightly lower price tag, check out Reserve on Third.

The Dillon clubhouse and pool

You like living on campus, but it’s time for some privacy! You want your own space but don’t mind still using a keycard to enter your building and access to the dining halls are nice but not always necessary with your full kitchen. Furnished apartments make move in easy and 10 month leases are available.

Perfect match: Union Street apartments
Union Street is has the convenience of on-campus living but the feeling of adulthood. The apartments can be pricey, but they appeal to out-of-state students especially because they're furnished and you're still able to use meal points. The apartments house four students usually with two sharing a bathroom. Also check out Wilkie, Ashton, or Spruce.

Deciding on housing can be stressful, hopefully this guide makes it a little easier to find what's right for you. Happy hunting!

Also check out:

Getting around IU's campus
Your Ultimate Guide to Bloomington Apartment Hunting
Moving Off Campus: The Wrong Way and The Right Way

You stroll into TGI Fridays that's attached to College Mall and are anxiously awaiting your boneless wings. Once you sit down, your waitress informs you that they are out of some menu items such as sirloins, specialty beers, and certain sauces for wings. You don't think anything of it, you just want your wings. Later on in the meal you overhear another waitress talking to her table about the restaurant closing on Sunday. You ask your waitress what's up just to be told the worst news of your day: TGI Fridays is closing for good.

That's right, TGI Fridays, as of Sunday, October 25th, is no longer part of College Mall (2846 E 3rd St). TGI Fridays and the mall had a disagreement over their lease causing TGI Fridays to close down. If you're still trying to get your TGI Fridays fix, the nearest TGI Fridays now is in Greenwood IN, 37.9 miles away.

According to (former) TGI Fridays employees, management has been helping them find new jobs since the closing of their restaurant. Also, employees were able to enter raffles to win the TVs that hung in the bar area.

We interviewed three Indiana University students about their opinions on this news.

How do you feel about it closing down?

Emily: It's unfortunate.

Sean: I've only been there a few times so it's not that big of a deal for me.

Macky: It's a sad day.

What were your favorite dishes at TGI Fridays?

Emily: Their chicken tenders are bomb.

Sean: The appetizers like mozzarella sticks, potstickers, and wings.

Macky: Can't go wrong with their mozzarella sticks.

What kind of effect do you think this will have on the Bloomington community?

Emily: Well, all of the employees are now out of jobs.

Sean: Absolutely no effect.

Macky: If we're being real here, the mall might lose some business because it was a popular restaurant.

Where will you go instead of TGI Fridays now?

Emily: Certainly not Applebee's. 

Sean: Chick-fil-A and Chipotle and places on Kirkwood.

Macky: Maybe Cheddar's.

It seems like a distant dream when I think of the girl I used to be when I arrived at IU on my first day. Though I still am similar in a lot of aspects, IU has changed me in ways I couldn't imagine. Being an international student who is more than 10,000 miles away from home, I was forced to become more independent. The past two years have made me grow more than any other time period in my life.

I decided to pursue two vastly different majors in Human Resources and Music, managed to get into two competitive student organizations, went on some amazing vacations with friends during spring break to California and Florida, worked in the RPS on-campus dining- cleaning tables and serving people food, traveled to several different countries, such as Germany and France, to meet my family during Thanksgiving, took the initiative to learn how to drive, bought my first car, studied abroad in Ireland and England, had various recitals and ensemble performances in voice, took multiple summer classes to stay ahead, and finally, found an internship all by myself in California for the upcoming summer in 2016. 

I have been able to take up opportunities that I normally wouldn't take, and have learnt how to autonomously live by myself. Even if I don't end up staying in the country after college, I will never forget how much I have gained from this experience and understood what I am capable of. The girl I was when I came here two years ago was used to having her laundry done for her, and had hired help who was ready to wait on her hand and foot. I have also met so many different kinds of people who have always grown up to be independent and that has rubbed off on me to make it a point to learn from them. 

There is no doubt that it was an easier life back home; and I'm sure that you, while reading this, are wondering why I would have ever wanted to leave that lifestyle. However, there is not single day that goes by where I regret coming so far away from home, or am not thankful to have seen more of the real world in merely two short years. 

Writing Tutorial Services (WTS)- Located in Wells Library, Neal Marshall Black Culture Center, La Casa, Latino Cultural Center, and the Academic Support Center’s in Briscoe,  Forest, and Teter residences halls.  WTS is a free service that can help students with brainstorming, outlining, grammar, content, formatting, and revising. The tutors encourage you to come in with or without specific questions and at any stage of the writing process. To check out location hours and how to make an appointment check out their website.

Massage- Yes you read correctly, students can purchase massage’s from expert massage therapists right inside the IMU! Massages are proven to increase flexibility, mood, and blood circulation, and relaxation. After that long stressful week of midterms make sure to head on over to the IMU to take advantage of this awesome low cost service. Best Part- Massages can be put  on your bursar as a "health center fee"  So if your parents ask…. Just say you weren’t feeling well and had to go into the doctor :)

IT Training - for those of you who aren’t tech savy, have no fear UITS is super helpful! Everything from learning code, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Microsoft products, or even just the basics of computing you can find classes here for free! Courses are offered though instructor led classes on campus or online. Click here to view the current class schedule.

Therapy- Let’s face it we’ve all been there (if you haven’t I highly suggest you check it out, it’s a game changer). Right around finals week when it feels like the whole world is falling in, is the perfect time to go check out IU Health. Each semester every IU student entitled to two free sessions with a trained therapist. You can call ahead and make an appointment or the Walk-In Clinic is available Mon.-Fri. 8:00- a.m.- 4:30 p.m. For those seeking immediate care call the afterhours/weekend line (812) 855-5711 option 1.  

Adventure courses through the School of Public Health- Ever wanted to pick up a new sport or test your wilderness survival skills? Here’s your chance.  The School of Public Health has an adventure courses for just about every activity you could imagine. Yoga, Ice Climbing, Archery, Middle Eastern Dance, Mountain Biking and everything in-between are offered through one credit courses. I highly recommend taking one of these unique courses. It’s a great way to break up a busy schedule and have fun doing it! 

Auditorium- Each year world class artists, entertainers, musicians, and lecturers come to Bloomington. Tickets for all shows can be purchased online; students receive a reduced rate on all events. Making it extremely affordable to attend. Most  lectures tend to give out free tickets to students on a first come first serve basis.

IU athletics- If you haven’t attended and IU sporting event…. You’re missing out!!! We have 24 varsity teams all competing in the big ten conference. Basketball and football tickets are made extremely affordable to students and worth every penny. All other events including nationally ranked soccer and baseball teams are free with your student ID.

IU student Legal Services-Student Legal Services is the on-campus law firm serving only IUB students and paid for by YOUR student activity fee! All meetings are completely confidential with full-time, licensed attorneys.

I hope that by now you know about IT Training at IU. If you don't, have a look at this post.

Okay, now that we're all on the same page, I'll go ahead and talk about the IT Training Tips Blog.  The blog features articles written by training professionals and other IT experts. It's designed to take you beyond what you learn in our workshops and webinars. Topics covered in the blog include:

• Adobe Captivate, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Audition, Flash...
• Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, OneNote, Outlook...
• WCMS (Cascade Server)
• SharePoint
• MySQL
• PHP
• XML
• HTML5/CSS
• Canvas
• And a lot more!

I want to get WeAreIU readers to go over and visit the IT Training Tips Blog, so I've put together a list of some of our best posts about using Photoshop. If something catches your interest, click over and have a read.

• Creating a Custom Brush in Photoshop - Danyell shows you how to turn your logo into a custom brush. It's surprisingly easy.

• Try out and save effects with Photoshop Layer Comps - Photoshop veteran, Carol, shows you how to use Layer Comps to experiment with different looks for your images.

• My Photoshop Process Video - In this video post, Brandon reveals some of his Photoshop secrets. Check out more of Brandon's work here. He's a talented guy!

• Tilt-Shift Effect Photography with Photoshop - This tip from Stephanie is from a few years back, but it's still cool. You can find more of her work here.

Remember, if you have opinions, corrections, or suggestions about a post, write something in the comments. We'll be happy to hear from you! 

*Photoshop enthusiasts might like this post: Get started with Photoshop and then keep going!

I don't know what it is about going to college but for some reason pizza becomes your life. In high school I remember hating pizza but now I'll eat it whenever and wherever. If it's 2 AM and my roommate walks into my room craving food, hundred percent of the time we'll end up ordering cheese pizza with cheese sauce. Also not ashamed to admit that if there's an event going on outside with free pizza we'll go grab pizza and leave immediately (sorry not trying to play in your bounce house). Once again, I don't know what it is about college but once you get here it's like pizza is the best food in the world.

1. In the United States, 4% of pizza eaten by children is for breakfast.

2. In 2011, pizza was considered a vegetable by the government.

3. The most expensive pizza in the world costs $12,000.

4. Americans eat about 100 acres of pizza each day which is equivalent to 350 slices per second.

So, in the sprit of this pizza obsession I asked 500 - that's dedication I know - Indiana University students what their favorite pizza place in Bloomington is. The results were narrowed down to 4 main pizza joints: King Dough, Pizza X, Avers, and Mother Bears (not in that order).

The results were... drumroll please...

Coming in fourth place is King Dough. Located on W 6th St., King Dough is known for using local ingredients. While this one of the more expensive of the four and not typically conducive to those late night munchies, definitely drag your parents along sometime if they come to visit.

40 students stand by this restaurant as their favorite pizza along with the many of awards that Avers has received for their gourmet pizza creations.

75 people said Pizza X was their one true pizza love. It's crazy that our second place pizza place is 275 people behind the first place victor. You know those iconic Pizza X cups? Well, fun fact: Pizza X orders over 300,000 of those a year.

.

No surprise here that Mother Bears is the overwhelming winner. 350 IU students out of 500 that were asked chose this awesome pizza place.

Dear Mother Bears,

You have a pizza our hearts.

However, some people were not too impressed by this hype and stated their opinions: "Mother Bears is completely overrated." and "Would rather eat Papa Johns." Well, tell that to their always busy restaurant and good reviews.

No matter which pizza place you prefer, you bet we'll eat from any of these places to get our pizza fix.