[Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. This month we’re following Jill as she gets out of that boring box of hers and starts facing some fears. She killed a spider, she sang some karaoke, and she confronted authority. And now it’s time for her final challenge.

I’ve never been a fan of roller coasters. Or water slides.
Or heights.
Or rides at the fair.
And in my 25 years of life, I’ve never – not even once, not even for a half a second – been on a Ferris Wheel. True story.

I was the girl who waited in line with my friends then held all their sh*t while they went on the ride. Three times.
I was the girl who made up excuses why I couldn’t spend the weekend at Six Flags.
I was also the girl who suddenly had to go to the bathroom when my family wanted to go on Splash Mountain at Disney. (My mom finally bribed me to go on the ride saying she would buy me a new pair of shoes if I didn’t have fun. I cried the whole time, proclaimed it was child abuse for forcing me to go on, and got a new pair of shoes.)

But this month is all about facing fears and face fears I did, my friends. I took a baby step and went on the Ferris Wheel at the infamous Navy Pier in Chicago.

I went with my four-year-old nephew and fifteen-year-old cousin, both who were anything but scared. In fact, my nephew looked bored. I, on the other hand, was shaking at first. Did you know the thing keeps moving as you get on and off??? I sure as hell didn’t!

But I will say this: I realized there really is nothing to be scared about! It was pretty, it was slow and it was fun!! I can’t believe I waited 25 years for THIS. So not scary and, really, sort of a let down after all that waiting…and shaking….and imagining the worst case scenario (me plummeting to my death). Read More »

OR ?

Everyone knows that women mature faster than men. That said, as you wade your way through the college dating scene, you might find yourself growing tired of the undergrads on your floor, and that Sociology grad assistant might start looking mighty fine. Undergrads, grad students…on campus, the possibilities are endless! Here are some of the pros and cons of hooking up with guys gearing up for a Bachelors, and dudes who are striving for a Masters or PhD.

The Maturity Level

Grad students might be attractive if the undergrad who’s crushing on you still hasn’t quite grasped the concept of doing his own laundry. Grad students have been there, done that. At twenty-three and older, they’ve grown up a lot. They probably won’t be engaging in syrup-chugging contests when they have a research project on the horizon.

Still, what about yourself? If you’re trying to make the most of your own undergraduate career, your grad student beau might not be as excited as you are the first time your new fake ID works at the bar and you chug 50-cent Natty Ices for four hours straight.

Point: Grad Student. Read More »