SeanJohn
In these last few weeks of summer, the last thing most students are worried about is packing and buying things for their new dorm room or apartment. With some planning and initiative, as well as some bargain hunting, moving into a new dorm can be a fun and exciting experience. It gives many students a chance to express themselves in an entirely new way. Whether it’s the comforter with pizzazz, multi-colored storage bins, or your favorite bands poster on the wall, what you buy can make your new place truly your own. Hand me downs from your older brother or sister are usually the cheapest way to furnish your new space, but for those unique things that truly make it personalized you may have to spend a little money. Let us help you avoid the daze that looms over college freshman with a checklist that includes EVERYTHING that you will need this upcoming year. Attached is a printable checklist that you can use as a guide for this back-to-school season. Here is a highlight of just a few key items one the list:
Click this link to open PDF>>> Dorm Checklist
Spice up any dorm with these fun, stackable footlockers. These are perfect for stacking away your everyday t-shirts and jeans, or tossing all your shoes into.
Need a hint for college bedding? Buy a down comforter and duvet cover for easy to was bedding. Washing a comforter is a pain, but with a down comforter you can just take off the duvet cover, throw it in the wash, and put it back on.
This calendar is perfect because it keeps you organized in your busy school schedule, but you can also be creative because it is dry-erase. Turn a boring class calendar into a creative, colorful board.
4. iPod Dock & DVD Player Combo
Here is an instant way to meet friends around the dorm! Prop open the door and turn on some upbeat jams on this iPod dock to invite in some people in the halls. If the small party dies down, turn off the music and turn this iPod player into a convenient DVD player.
5. The Mini Stapler
This item has become one of my top must-haves in college the past few years. A mini stapler can sit on your desk in your dorm, or travels around easily in your bag. This item is great to have on those mornings that a paper is due and you totally forgot to staple the pages together. It is a great way to meet people in class, because there is bound to be a person needing to borrow!
After you get all of your dorm essentials and desk supplies, don’t forget to rent your books at eCampus
Click this link to open PDF>>> Dorm Checklist
SeanJohn
I’m reading Life-Span Human Development
You’re in college, you got your classes set, and now what? Internship time! Obviously internships are a great way of getting to know your field, but many students end up being stuck as coffee drones doing the most menial task that company X couldn’t outsource. Listen, I’ve been there, and I’ve seen the light…not all internships suck! Along the way I’ve had a couple of internships, and I’ve found some basic guidelines to review before accepting an internship.
Flexibility
What are the hours and location commitment of the internship? If they want 20 hours a week of unpaid work, this might literally bust your bank account in a month. Chances are that any internship requiring this much time will actually pay you, but be weary of anyone who wants to pay you 20 hours a week in experience. Unless your working for a major brand, industry leader, or personal hero, skip out on the extra hours and find something that won’t sour your experience. In addition to time, another consideration is location. In 2005 Thomas Friedman declared the world was flat, and this applies to internships! Make a list of people or sites you wish to work for, and began crafting an email where you tell them specific things you can do for them. This will get them interested and give you room to negotiate an ideal virtual internship! If you can’t figure out specific examples of how you can help, then at least list specific skills you can bring to the table (sorry but listing “energetic” is too generic, list specific skills you had to work at to obtain).
Responsibility:
The best internships will outline how they want you to progress through the program, and lead up to tasks that carry more responsibility. Seek out these positions! The act of carrying something (at least in part) on your own is great experience for when you have to do it in the real world. The best internships hired you because you stood out, and they will give you responsibility because you’ve proven that you can handle the work. If you can’t land a stellar internship first go, then start out low, then progress to the ideal internship (this skill alone is useful for the real world).
What will you be learning?
Time to be brutally honest. What will you learn as a result of this internship? Make skills/experience do you want to have? And will this internship fill it? If not, start searching other organizations that will teach you what you want to learn. The approach isn’t the same as school, where your forced to learn certain things. The internship should be focused on your personal need for education.
Also look at these factors when determining which internship is best for you. Remember that your a committing a significant amount of time to these positions, so part of the process should involve you interviewing them! Find out exactly what they need, and make sure it’s an experience you will value!
David Cristello is a recent graduate and Manager of Business Development at Go Financial Aid, a company that consists of financial aid consultants who seek to help students maximize their FAFSA, CSS Profile, and financial aid packages. In his spare time he enjoys reading, skateboarding, drumming, rock climbing, and social work.
SeanJohn
I am reading Understanding Nutrition
As college students we sometimes find ourselves asking whether or not college is worth the cost and time spent working towards our degree. Here at the eCampus Blog we strive to find the answers to these types of questions and keep you informed so that you can make the best possible decision. We did our research and found a ton of awesome information. Check out our infographic that puts it all in perspective. 
SeanJohn
I’m reading Psychology
Our designers are at it again. This time they compiled a list of the top ten events of the past 10 years that shaped your lives and our country and threw it all into an awesome infographic for your viewing pleasure. From Harry Potter, to iPods, to Obama, its all there.
Top 10 Events that Shaped the Past 10 Years
SeanJohn
I’m reading Understandable Statistics
A true story from the eCampus intern files.
Nikko and her gas attack
Big thanks to xtranormal.com
SeanJohn
I am reading McKnight’s Physical Geography
