Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like how we love our BFF, but we just don’t know if we love him like THAT. Or how we love trashy TV, but we’re pretty sure it’s ruining our lives. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!]

Ahhh, summer. The sweet, glorious days of summer. Days spent lounging by the pool, building sandcastles at the beach, or lying in bed all day watching old episodes of The OC on Soap Net. School’s finally out, and since the last long vacation you had was winter break (Spring Break doesn’t count – you came back more worn out than when you left), you’re ready for some of mom’s home cooking and not getting up from your bed. Ever.

But – whaaa? – some students choose to stay in school for the summer? I am dumbfounded. Befuddled. Mystified. Who are these creatures? I guess there are some advantages to spending your summer in the classroom, such as getting ahead in your credits, but I just can’t imagine sacrificing SUMMER is worth it.

So summer school? I’m torn. Read More »

Every college girl – hell, every college student knows that school requires a lot of sacrifices. You give up things that you would have never otherwise dreamed of giving up beforehand. I’m entirely guilty of that (and don’t act like some of you aren’t, either); I’ve been taking my summer vacation for granted for years now, just vegging out, doing a little summer work, and reading.

But since I transferred after my freshman year, I lost a few credits. I still need to graduate in 2009; with the way tuition is, I can’t afford another semester or even another year. So since I was a little underweight in the distribution section, I decided to do what any smart, responsible college student would do; I signed up for summer classes.

Summer classes are no joke. They last just about a month, maybe a little bit longer. You’re learning things that are usually spread out throughout a semester, but crammed together into four weeks. It’s fast-paced, hectic, and time-consuming. It’s even harder if it’s a subject you’re not familiar with.

I’m taking Spanish 101 and 102 at my local community college to get my language requirement out of the way. Mind you, I’m already pretty well versed in Spanish. I took it for about ten years in baby steps. But now that it’s pretty much being crammed down my throat and even I’m having some difficulty. Read More »

Remember back in elementary/high school at the end of the year they would pass out a list of books for you to read over your three months of freedom to get you ready for the next year? Like your English teacher was just trying to cram some more learning down your throat in a last desperate act to get you to care about classical literature. If you’re like me then you’d already read something like 75% of the books on the list. If you’re not like me then well, you didn’t.

So now it’s summer and you probably don’t have that handy dandy guide to follow on a lazy day. Or stress that you’re just not as intellectually savvy as you would have hoped. Or perhaps (and more likely) you don’t even care and haven’t even noticed that it’s gone. But you should care and you should notice because you should have a summer reading list! For exactly three different reasons. Read More »

It’s summer time! While I’d rather be sipping on bottomless pitchers of daiquiris and taking naps by the lake, I’ll spend most of my time working and taking a summer class. While summers aren’t as carefree as the ones of our youth, the next three months can still be fun as the glory days of summers past. Here are a few ideas for a thrill-a-minute summer you won’t soon forget.

1. Go On A Roadtrip

Three guys just earned a spot in the Guiness Book of Records for driving through the 48 contiguous states in just over 106 hours. Seeing the country while hopped up on Red Bull may not be your thing, but road trips are a cheap way to vacation and see some of America’s great wonders and roadside oddities.

2.Learn Something New

You don’t have to take a summer class to keep your brain sharp. Whether it’s making a t-shirt quilt, finally tackling Sudoku or picking up some conversational Italian, find something you’re interested in and give it a shot. After 12 weeks of practice your new hobby may turn into a passion! Nervous? You don’t have to go it alone. Wrangle up some friends to join in on the fun. Read More »