A karaoke bar. There. I said it. As much as I like to claim my school has everything I could want and is essentially the perfect college town- I might be stretching the truth just a teeny tiny bit. And I don’t think I’m alone. I’m not sure if there is a perfect college town out there- but if there is one, I pretty sure it would include these ten things. Read More »

I’m sure by now everyone has heard about the 7 states considering the legalization of guns on campus. With schools usually being gun free zones this has caused some uproar among students and professors and just about anyone else with a pulse. Those in favor of legalizing firearms on campus say that allowing students and faculty to carry guns on campus will allow them to protect themselves if a shooter (who would now be totally free to tote a gun to school) comes into the building and opens fire.

Those opposed see the irony in the above situation.

The truth is, there are some things that just shouldn’t be allowed on campus. Like guns. And parents. And…. Read More »

Take a break, dude. You deserve it!

Part of the reason I write a Weekly Ten is because I’m paying homage to my man David Letterman (seriously, my dad hasn’t ever missed an episode), and partly it’s because I like lists. Particularly lists where I can prattle on about whatever issue I feel is super relevant. Ya know, like how I’m just not that into you or being super fabulously sober.

This week I’ve decided to list the 10 jobs that totally deserve to sleep in past noon on this very special Labor Day. Why is it even called Labor Day? Shouldn’t it be Not-Labor Day? But I digress. Some people deserve a break for all they do/deal with on a daily basis. I don’t have the power to give it to them, but maybe they’ll note my appreciation and hook me up in the future.

So here are the people both on and off campus that totally deserve the holiday and our respect on this last official day of summer. Read More »

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Meredith at Simmons!) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you've got some major style? Know someone else who's always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

What is Thompson Rivers University?
Where is Thompson Rivers University?

To tell you the truth, I have no idea. (Without some Wikipedia, of course.) All I know is that a very creative and fashionable girl named Kimberly works that campus like a runway. She recently sent us an email asking that we “expand our [Campus Couture] idea and take a look at a student from Canada!” (So that’s where TRU is!) Little did Kimberly know, we’ve been featuring same Canucks all along, but after looking at her pictures I figured we could add another to the list; those Canadians have some great style.

Kimberly “takes great pride in her clothes” and while I don’t know her from some other hockey lovin’ Canadian, that is obvious in the unique mix of textures, colors and styles she has pulled together here. Way to go, Kimberly. You represent Canada well, girlfriend! Read More »

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Kayla at Lakehead!) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You know someone who's got great style? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

The best part about having Meredith as my roommate for the past two years has to be my unlimited access to her wardrobe. I can’t even complain about her taking up the entire closet because it’s always the first place I look when I need something cute to wear out.

Meredith can put together the perfect outfit for any occasion. She works at Ann Taylor, so she’s expert at putting together a professional-but-not-boring outfit for class or a job interview. Despite her college student budget, she can always throw together an elegant ensemble for a swanky dinner party. And when it’s time to have fun, she’s never without a cute/crazy/sexy outfit to party in. Read More »

Dude, where are all the dudes?!

Here’s some food for thought: for every 100 women at American colleges, there are only 77 men. And for every 100 women who graduate from American colleges, only 73 guys manage to snag their Bachelor’s degree.

The college gender gap isn’t a new phenomenon—women first started outnumbering men in 1982—but it is widening by a significant margin every year. I knew that there were statistically more women than men in the world of higher education (and of a much higher caliber), but I had no idea that the discrepancy was so huge. Projections show that enrollment could soon grow closer to a 60/40 ratio, making men even scarcer on campuses than they are already.

I’m really mystified by the extent of the gender gap. Where the hell are all the guys going? Haven’t they heard that college is awesome—an opportunity to open your mind and push your liver to its absolute limit, one last chance to enjoy freedom from responsibility before being unceremoniously thrust headfirst into the real world? (Can you tell I’m a senior?)  And on a more serious note, don’t they know that having a B.A. is pretty much essential if they want to get a good job?

Does the scarcity of dudes mean that a college environment is naturally more suited to girls than guys? The fact that our culture views guy-centric things like football games and wild frat parties as stereotypically “college” activities would seem to contradict this idea, but it’s hard to argue with the numbers. Read More »

While it’s obvious that there are situations common to all college students whatever campus they may call home, every campus has its own unique traditions. Some, like walking through a certain fountain upon graduation, date back hundreds of years. Others, like puking under a table at the late night Mexican restaurant on the night of your 21st birthday, are simply infamous amongst the student body.

And it is these things that unite students and make us proud to call our specific school home. So this week I asked the CollegeCandy writers to show a little school pride and share their university’s eccentricities with the world.

Tell us: what campus “tradition” sets your school apart from the pack? Read More »

My top contender for Halloween costume this year is “The Swine Flu.” Who knew dressing up as a pig could be so dangerous?  But in all seriousness, swine flu is still among us, and no matter what your college is doing to protect you (read: installing bottles of antibacterial everywhere), we must protect ourselves.

Here are ten tips students should heed when battling the Swine Flu.

10.  Let’s take a look on the bright side. Swine flu is giving you a reason to avoid those all-nighters in the library. The best way to stay healthy is to get a good night’s sleep. Exhaustion will weaken your immune system. So if you happen to opt for sleep instead of a problem set, never fear. When you’re teacher asks where your homework is, just say the swine flu ate it.

9. Wash your hands frequently. I never leave the house without a bottle of Purell, and these days I’m getting stingy with sharing it. Hygiene is key. If you can’t take the flu, stay out of the pig’s pen.

8.  If you feel sick, stay home! You’re not going to impress the hottie in your Bio class if you come into Lab looking like death warmed over. You’ll be labeled the Swine-Spreader and there goes your good reputation.  Next thing you know, you’ll be have to eat your lunch with the Mono-Makeout Slut.

7. Speaking of makeout sluts… Now’s a good time to get your urge to kiss under wraps. Kissing may be like a handshake for you, but you’re going to be exchanging more than a hello with this swap of spit. The Swine Flu is sneaky and it’s looking to sow its wild oats. It will wait for you to put your beer goggles on and then it’ll plant a wet and germy one right on your lips. Beware. Read More »

If you’ve read any news blogs or even watched a televised newscast in the last week and a half, chances are that you’ve heard the tragic story of Annie Le, the Yale grad student who disappeared ten days ago. Her body was found hidden inside a wall at the building where she worked last Sunday—which was to have been her wedding day. Now a lab technician named Raymond Clark has been charged with Annie’s murder.

This whole saga has been unbelievably upsetting and awful, and our hearts go out to Annie’s family and her fiancé. It’s also spurred a lot of interesting discussion about safety on college campuses—and why the media is curiously fascinated by crimes that occur on Ivy League campuses.

Slate editor Jack Shafer observes that the New York Times has written five stories about Annie’s case so far, while the Boston Globe has run at least six. A quick search shows that CNN.com has a whopping 14 stories about the murder. The media frenzy has been so… well, frenzied that an NBC producer was trampled when journalists and camera-people rushed to speak to a New Haven police spokesman on Tuesday. Read More »

Your bags are unpacked, your Harry Potter poster is hanging over your bed, and you’re celebrating your first night back on campus with some Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka drinks and the new roommates.

Ahhhh. How good it feels to be back.

There are tons of impromptu house parties happening all over campus. You and the roommates decide to party hop so you slip into something white (to show off your tan) yet casual (you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard), pair it with some Havaianas (but which color?!) and hit the town stumbling.

Besides your roommates and the random road trip you took with some friends mid-summer (when you couldn’t handle your mother’s nagging about unpacking your suitcases any longer), you haven’t seen anyone since last semester. When you were pulling your hair out at the library at 3am trying to churn out that last paper before sweet, sweet freedom.

Let’s just say, it wasn’t your finest moment.

But that’s all changed and you wanna show. it. off; you’re more tan, more toned and more experienced (that summer fling taught you a few things). Most of all, though, you’re just really excited to be back and see everyone.

You mosey up to the first party and it goes something like this:

[Loud, shrieking screams]
Girls come running.
“OhMyGod OhMyGod OhMyGod!! HOW ARE YOU!?”
You are swooped up in a group hug. Someone behind you spills beer down your back.

“Hey! I’m good! How was your summer? When did you get back? How’s the boy? Any cute boys here?  Where’s the keg? We should totally do lunch this week!” Read More »