College Roommates: What to Expect

When you begin envisioning your college experience, your dream roommate likely makes an appearance. They’re perfect. They love the same music as you, go to bed at the same time and clean meticulously.

Unfortunately, that’s far from reality.

Sometimes, the college roommate can make or break your transition to campus living, and you’ll start out on the right foot when you have more accurate expectations.

1. It’s a shared space.

At home, you have the luxury to go in your room, close the door and indulge in a little alone time. Sadly, that’s not the case in college. Even if you love your roommates, you’re still going to want your alone time – but you can’t exactly kick them out of the room when the mood strikes.

And chances are, you two will be on different schedules. They may have an early class – or you may have an early bedtime. Instead of fuming from your bed about your loss of sleep, invest in a good sleep app that drowns out the noise of their getting ready or studying as well as a sleep mask. Same applies for guests that come over. It’s their room too – they have every right to have company over whenever.

If, however, you have a roommate that abuses the space, i.e. stays up until 3 a.m. making noise every night or always has friends over, you may need to have a frank discussion about boundaries. Work together on setting a schedule that benefits both of you.

2. It could get messy.

Wouldn’t it be nice if every college roommate was a clean freak? But a clean college student is a rare phenomenon, and their mess will just as likely offend you as your mess does them.

You can either have the discussion at the beginning of the year or until things get so messy you can barely see the floor. Either way, it’s a good idea to split up responsibility for cleaning. One roommate can dust once a week while the other one vacuums. If there is a roommate that thrives in mess, designate a space in the room where they can let the chaos reign.

Whatever the case, work together to clean the space every other week or once a month.

3. Use the experience to learn conflict resolution.

More often than not, there is tension at some point in the year between college roommates. Maybe they have a “what’s mine is yours” mentality that crosses too many boundaries. Perhaps they’re too loud. Or maybe they’re too clean.

Rather than live with it or act in a way that’s passive aggressive, find an opportunity to talk to him or her. If they’ve recently upset you, take a few days to step back from the situation so that you can communicate in a more effective manner. Start the conversation with traits that you like about them or what is working from a shared living space perspective, then talk about the big issue.

It’s also important to know when enough is enough – and act on it. If the tension or conflict between you and your roommate is affecting your academic performance, social life and overall well-being, it may be time to move on. You can always put in a request with campus housing to be moved. Granted, that might mean breaking in a new roommate, but if you’re so unsatisfied with your current situation, a move might be in your best interest.

Living with a roommate is as much a part of the college experience as studying for exams, writing research papers and pulling all-nighters. If it’s not perfect, you’re all the better for it. And if it is – count yourself as one of the lucky ones.

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Find Out if Your Dream School is Actually Affordable

Elite private colleges charge $65,000 or more to attend their institutions, which is out of reach for most students looking to attend college. Their defense is that they offer generous financial aid. But the financial aid system can be daunting. It’s bad enough that filling out all the forms requires an accounting degree, but the system is so complicated that it is difficult to forecast what college will cost once you get there. How can you plan to attend a school when you have no idea what it really will cost?

Fortunately, some schools have taken steps to help overcome the knowledge gap. Wellesley College led the way in 2013 when it introduced its MyinTuition tool, an extremely simple financial aid calculator that provides students and their families with an easy way to get an estimate of the cost of attendance.

How does it work? Students or their parents simply enter six basic financial characteristics that they are likely to have a good idea of their values. These include parents’ total income, the value of their home (and a link to Zillow is provided), mortgage balance, retirement account, other financial investments, and the amount of cash they have in the bank. Exact values are not necessary.

It takes three minutes to complete the form. Afterwards, the calculator presents students with an estimate of what Wellesley College will cost, including expected out-of-pocket costs, work-study commitments, and loan amounts. Since the results are just an estimate, the tool also provides a range of likely values.

The results may be shocking to families that can't afford $65,000. A typical student from a family making $70,000 (around the median for families with college-aged students) would be expected to pay roughly $8,000 at Wellesley College. The student would also be expected to take a work-study job for around 8 hours per week and to take out a loan of $1,800.

These aren’t trivial hurdles, but the cost is far from $65,000. A typical student whose family makes $40,000, would be expected to pay $2,000 with the same 8 hours per week work-study job and no loan expectation.

The reason this matters so much is because it can change college decisions. At this price, an elite private college like Wellesley is a reasonable option. Perhaps other elite private colleges are affordable options as well.

In fact, MyinTuition is spreading to other colleges. Last year, Williams College and the University of Virginia also adopted the tool. This coming spring, it will spread to another dozen or so schools who recognize its value. Hopefully many more schools will soon be using it as well.

Why does all of this matter? Because all students looking to attend college should have as many options available to them as possible. Some students may choose not to attend college at all because they are scared of the cost. Other students may avoid applying to colleges that would be a great fit for them, missing out on an opportunity to get the most out of their college years.

At the end of the day, what we all desire for our children is to have a fair chance. MyinTuition is one tool that can help accomplish that.

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Black Friday Scholarships & Internships

The holidays have arrived earlier than ever this season (at least it feels that way). No matter which holiday you observe, one type of “holiday” seems to be shared by everyone – deals and steals.

Black Friday. Cyber Monday. It seems as though everyone wants in on the action, whether it's waiting in line at a store to snag the latest tech or surfing the web for sales from the comfort of your couch.

Yep - everyone wants the steals and deals offered on Black Friday and, of course, Cyber Monday, too. But, are you aware of the deals and savings that won’t cost you a dime?

In addition to deals, plenty of retailers offer scholarships, giving away thousands of awards to high school, college and graduate students. These companies also offer exciting internships, awarding amazing opportunities to students like you.

Instead of spending this year, why not earn your way to a brighter future? Check out these Black Friday- and Cyber Monday-themed scholarships and internships: you may find that your deal of the century is your scholarship win or internship-turned-employment offer!

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Scholarships

Doodle 4 Google Contest

Deadline: 12/02/16

Available to: Maximum Age 18

Award Amount: 5 Awards between $5,000 and $30,000

The Doodle 4 Google Contest is open to students in grades K through 12. To enter, you must create a Google doodle that tells the world “What I see for the future.”

Learn more about the Doodle 4 Google Contest.

Google Lime Scholarship

Deadline: 12/04/16

Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5

Award Amount: Varying awards of $10,000

The Doodle 4 Google Contest is open to students in grades K through 12. To enter, you must create a Google doodle that tells the world “What I see for the future.”

Learn more about the Google Lime Scholarship.

Cards Against Humanity Science Ambassador Scholarship

Deadline: 12/11/16

Available to: High School Seniors through College Seniors

Award Amount: 100% of Tuition

The Science Ambassador Scholarship is open to women who are seeking an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. You must submit a video of yourself explaining a topic in science that you are passionate about in order to be considered for this award. Ideal candidates will be ambassadors for their field that are passionate about their discoveries and who will share their excitement with others.

Learn more about the Science Ambassador Scholarship.

Burger King Scholars Program

Deadline: 12/15/16

Available to: High School Seniors through College Freshmen

Award Amount: Up to $50,000

The Burger King Scholars Program is open to graduating high school seniors in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. To be eligible, you must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and plan to enroll in a two - or four - year college, university, or vocational school.

Learn more about the Burger King Scholars Program.

$20,000 Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship

Deadline: 12/16/16

Available to: High School Seniors through College Freshmen

Award Amount: 20 Awards of $20,000

For the sixth consecutive year, Foot Locker will be awarding incoming college freshman with $20,000 in scholarship funding to pursue a 4-year college degree - not because they scored the most touchdowns or goals, but because sports have helped them grow into strong leaders at school and in their communities.

As a newly added bonus, one of our 20 winners will be selected for the Ken C. Hicks scholarship for demonstrating superior educational achievement, outstanding leadership, and a true love of the game. This winner will receive an additional $5000 award (for a total of $25,000). This year's 20 winners will join the program's four previous classes of Foot Locker Scholar Athletes, which will result in 120 total scholarship recipients since the program's inception in 2011. Applicants are evaluated based on whether they are Foot Locker Scholar Athlete material. The ideal candidates would be proactive, highly motivated, inspiring, charismatic, honest, trustworthy, genuine, strong and courageous.

Additionally, promising applicants embody good sportsmanship, strong moral character, are passionate/committed to empowering his or her community, are confident and enthusiastic leaders, come from diverse backgrounds and display academic excellence.

Get more information on the $20,000 Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship.

Toshiba ExploraVision Science Competition

Deadline: 2/06/17

Available to: Ages 14-21

Award Amount: 8 awards up to $10,000

The ExploraVision Science Competition is available to students in grades K-12. You must work in a group of two, three or four students. Each team will select a technology that is present in the home, school and/or community and explore what the technology does, how it works and how or why it was invented. All applicants must be citizens of the United States or Canada to be eligible.

Learn more about the Toshiba ExploraVision Science Competition.

Wells Fargo CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes

Deadline: 6/30/17

Available to: High School Seniors through Graduate Students, Year 5

Award Amount: 6 Awards of $5,000

The CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes is open to high school and college students. To enter, you must enroll in the Wells Fargo CollegeSTEPS educational resource program.

Learn more about the CollegeSTEPS Sweepstakes.

Goodyear Toyota Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Freshmen through College Seniors

Award Amount: $700

The Goodyear Toyota Scholarship is available to full-time students at Cameron University.

You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to qualify for this award.

Learn more information about the Goodyear Toyota Scholarship.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Internships

Target Internship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Freshmen through College Seniors

Internships are available to undergraduate and MBA students at Target Corporation.

To be considered, you must demonstrate action - oriented leadership ability; relationship-building aptitude; have strong written and verbal communication abilities; and problem analysis, decision making, and analytical capabilities.

Learn more information about the Target Internship.

Toys”R”Us Students Internship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Juniors through College Seniors

The Toys"R"Us Student Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students.

In this paid ten-week summer program, interns will gain valuable business experience, participate in off-site activities, be empowered through learning workshops, and receive mentoring from seasoned executives.

Get more information on the Toys”R”Us Student Internship.

AT&T Retail Leadership Internship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Freshmen through College Seniors

The Retail Leadership Internship is available to undergraduate students who are pursuing a career in retail sales management.

You must be pursuing a degree in business, finance, hospitality, communications, management, or marketing to be considered. Preference is given to students with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Learn more information about the AT&T Retail Leadership Internship.

Patagonia Enviro Internship

Deadline: Rolling

Available to: Patagonia Company Employees

The Patagonia Enviro Internship is open to Patagonia employees who are interested in interning with environmental groups.

Patagonia provides up to two months of paid time off for employees to pursue their environmental interests.

Learn more information about the Patagonia Enviro Internship.

Microsoft Business Internship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Juniors through College Seniors

The Microsoft Business Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Positions are available in finance, human resources, legal, marketing, sales, and content publishing.

Learn more information about the Microsoft Business Internship.

CVS Caremark Internship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: Graduate Students, Year 1 through Year 5

The CVS Caremark Internship is available to pharmacy students.

This internship provides the opportunity to develop your professional and clinical skills in a community practice by exposing you to all aspects of the pharmacy profession.

You must be actively enrolled in one of your professional years of pharmacy school to be eligible for this award.

Learn more information about the CVS Caremark Internship.

John Deere Internship Program

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Sophomores through Graduate Students, Year 5

The John Deere Internship Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students.

Internships are offered in: accounting/finance, engineering, information technology, marketing / product support, and supply management.

Learn more information about the John Deere Internship Program.

Sears Retail Management Internship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Junior

The Sears Retail Management Internship is available to college juniors who are interested in a career in the retail industry or in management.

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible.

You must demonstrate a dedication to customer service, team - building skills, strong communication skills, and leadership abilities. Internships are available at Sears locations nationwide.

Learn more information about the Sears Retail Management Internship.

Dell IT Internship

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Sophomores through Graduate Students, Year 5

The Dell IT Internship is available to undergraduate and graduate IT students.

Internships last 10-12 weeks and provide participants with opportunities to work and learn at Dell.

Learn more information about the Dell IT Internship.

AMEX Undergraduate Summer Internship Program

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Freshmen through College Seniors

The AMEX Undergraduate Summer Internship Program is open to students attending top - tier schools in the U.S. In this 10 to 12 - week professional development program, interns will have the opportunity to gain hands - on experience in projects that have strategic, operational, or financial significance to the company while working alongside senior leaders.

Learn more information about the AMEX Undergraduate Summer Internship Program.

Time Inc. 2016 Summer Internship Program

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Freshmen through College Seniors

The 2016 Summer Internship Program is available to students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. You must be majoring in writing, photography, graphics or design to be considered for this position. As a Time Inc. intern, you’ll be placed in a team based on your background, strengths and skills and you’ll be mentored by some of the best in your fields and in our industry.

Learn more information about the Time Inc. 2016 Summer Internship Program.

Ford Motor Company Engineering, Business, Strategy & Research FCG Intern

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5

The 2016 PD – Engineering, Business Strategy, & Research FCG Intern is available to students pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, computer engineering or computer science, aerospace, biomedical, chemical, and other engineering disciplines in key areas. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and involvement with Formula SAE or similar extracurricular activities, strong communication skills, ability to work within diverse teams to be considered for this position. As an intern, you will You become part of a team that is already leading the way, with ingenious solutions and attainable products – and it is always ready to go further.

Learn more information about the Ford Motor Company Engineering, Business, Strategy & Research FCG Intern.

Amazon University Internships

Deadline: Varies

Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5

The Amazon University Internships is available to students currently enrolled in undergraduate, MBA or equivalent master’s level program. You must be committed to learning new things, taking ownership and getting things done to be considered for this internship. As an intern, you will roll up your sleeves to complete a high-priority project that will deliver significant impact to the business.

Learn more information about the Amazon University Internships.

Please note: If scholarship deadlines have passed for the 2016 application cycle, many of these scholarship programs will be taking applications again in 2017. If you are interested in any of these scholarships, make a note to yourself about the name of the scholarship as well as its website. Check the scholarship provider’s website frequently for application updates. Best of luck!

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Top 10 Thanksgiving Episodes

We laugh, we cry, we know them inside and out. The characters become family and, sometimes, we feel like know them better than we know ourselves.

Yep, nothing compares to your T.V. favorites. Here's our list, in no particular order, of our favorite Turkey Day-centered television. [gate]

1. “Friends”: "Friends" packed in more than a mouthful during its classic Thanksgiving Day episodes. “The One with All the Thanksgivings” & “The One with the Rumor” gave us moments we’ll surely never forget.

We’re sure you have your favorites including the Geller cup; fat-to-thin Monica; Chandler loses a toe; Rachel makes that disgusting trifle; Chandler in a box; Joey and Monica both put turkeys on their heads (in different situations, of course); Brad Pitt guest-stars as President of the “I hate Rachel Green” club and reveals he and Ross were in cahoots and spread a nasty rumor about her; Joey eats a whole turkey and Phoebe is 19th century medic.

Let’s not forget the touching moments, too, like when Chandler tells Monica he loves her and, in a later episode, the couple finally gets the news that they are able to adopt a baby.

Jam-packed with an array of emotions, humor being the most prominent, these episodes leave viewers with a whole lot to be thankful for.

2. “How I Met Your Mother”: There’s talk that "How I Met Your Mother" is competing with "Friends" as the modern day Thanksgiving episodes sitcom classic. We won’t pick favorites between the two, but you surely can.

Episodes “Slapsgiving: Part I” and “Slapsgiving: Part II” entertain to the max as Marshall torments Barney with the threat of the last slap from their “slap bet”; the awkwardness that ensues between Ted and Robin’s awkward breakup; unwanted family moments; weird board games; Lily’s determinedness to have a perfect Thanksgiving; Barney volunteers in a soup kitchen and the ultimate Thanksgiving treat of Robin’s music video, "Let's Go to the Mall."

All this wit grouped into two mere episodes is more than one can bear. Well, almost.

3. “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”: Who doesn't love any story involving good old Charlie Brown? "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" is no exception in our book.

Charlie and the gang need to come together and throw a fancy feast together oh-so-quickly when Peppermint Patty invites herself over.

The instant classic will undoubtedly give you the warm and fuzzies. If not, you’ll at least get a kick out of the impressions you and other Thanksgiving guests will undoubtedly take on, in imitating the adult characters’ “wah wah” conversations.

4. “Seinfeld”: Many other shows put the mockery aside to pay tribute to the Thanksgiving holiday, loading us up with a sappy dose of what show did I just watch? Not Seinfeld.

We’d, of course, expect awkwardness at its finest, with a dollop of cynicism to serve up viewing perfection.

“The Mom & Pop Store” episode contains classic situations like Jerry obsessively trying to figure out if his invited to an annual Pre-Thanksgiving party; Kramer tries to save a shoe-repair shop; George buys the infamous convertible he thinks was once owned by Jon Voight, the actor; and Elaine wins a radio contest, letting Mr. Pitt be in the Macy’s Day Parade. The highlight, of course, is when Jerry accidentally deflates one of the Macy’s Parade floats.

5. “South Park”: Politically correct? Never. But, isn't that what we love most about this amazingly insubordinate genre?

“Starvin' Marvin” classically illustrates this through a starving Ethiopian child, one of the best Bravehart parodies you’ll ever see, genetically-modified turkeys that aim to kill and, who could forget, Sally Struthers.

You may say it’s wrong, but the saving grace that makes us feel human again is that the boys do learn life lessons. Justified.

6. “Everybody Loves Raymond”: Debra takes a stand (shocking, we know) and makes tofurkey (tofu turkey) because it's healthier, with Marie’s support.

The family is up in arms with the healthier spread and Ray secretly orders a real turkey with trimmings to boot, which is recipe for disaster with Debra.

Everyone gives into the “real” meal in the end, opting for deliciousness over health. We can’t say we blame them.

7. “Will & Grace”: "Will & Grace" gave us plenty to be thankful for, but "Homo for the Holidays" was a treasure we may never forget.

The episode revolves around Jack revealing that he still hasn't come out to his mother—and the crew being forced to awkwardly attempt to keep the secret as a result. More family secrets are revealed as the holiday progresses and hilarity ensures, per usual.

8. “New Girl”: Dubbed the potential “Friends” of the millennials, “New Girl” offers a lovable episode entitled “Thanksgiving,” where Jess takes an Amelia Bedelia-esque approach to the meal when she tries to thaw a turkey in the dryer; Schmidt exposes his anal retentive side to Cece in the kitchen, who may or may not like that side of him; the gang learns their elderly neighbor has died in a rather interesting way and Paul, a male version of Jess, is introduced (played by Justin Long).

9. “The Simpsons”: Bart takes on Thanksgiving in the self-explanatory title, "Bart vs. Thanksgiving," but things turn around once he gives up and apologizes to Lisa, his sister, for ruining Thanksgiving and the family actually is able to enjoy a meal together. How touching.

10. “Dexter”: Not all Thanksgivings are made of cranberry sauce and pie, which we find out during the "Hungry Man" episode, when Dexter decides to spend Thanksgiving with the Trinity killer’s family.

Dexter gets more than he bargained for when Trinity’s antics ruining the meal, ending with Dexter attacking Trinity, forcing him to the ground in a choke-hold to protect the family.

They didn't seem very thankful for the guest defending them. How awkward that “thanks for coming, let’s do it again soon” must have been.

Do you have any Thanksgiving episode favorites we forgot? If so, we'd love to hear them!

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College Care Package Ideas

Who doesn’t love getting packages in the mail? Especially with surprise treats inside!

Whether you’re a parent or relative looking to put a smile on a student’s face or another student looking to send a friend something special, there are plenty of treats you can send or get delivered. Plus, with the holidays coming up, these are some solid gifts ideas that'll keep on giving and students can appreciate year round.

Any college student across the nation would love to receive a subscription box or a delightful one-time delivery from someone who cares.

Here are some fun ideas for college care packages that are no-hassle for you, as a sender:

For One Time Delivery:

Baked by Melissa

If variety is what you crave, Baked by Melissa may be a great place to check out. From cupcake mosaics to macarons, you can send sweets to celebrate any occasion (or non-occasion). They also offer great assortment packs in case you think the recipient will want more than one flavor. Bonus: they offer gluten free options.

Cheryl’s

Cheryl’s has a lot of options when it comes to assortments of sweets and occasion. They also deliver, which makes sending an easy breezy task. Whatever occasion, season or theme you’re looking for, it’s likely they have a delicious assortment ready-to-send. Bonus: they offer gluten free options.

Cookies by Design

It’s an oldie but goodie. Cookies by design may very well be the first cookie bouquet supplier and, since they’re still around, you know they’re delicious. With adorably decorated cookies that taste like a sugar cookie dream, what Cookies by Design lacks in versatility they make up for it customized cuteness. Honestly, what could be better than a cookie on a stick? They offer same day delivery so it’s convenient for any last minute ideas. Bonus: they offer gluten free options.

Cookie Dō

While this gourmet, edible cookie dough confectionery is located in New York City and limits instant delivery to the Manhattan area, they do offer nationwide shipping, too. That means that you can send and receive this cookie dough wherever you may be located. While it’s delicious to eat on its own, Cookie Dō’s cookie dough is also ready to bake, if desired.

College Packs

These college subscription packs are geared toward college kids. According to the site, they include brands like Uber, Pink and Starbucks. There’s a choice of starter or VIP packs, party or subscription packs to choose from, too.

Dormify Survival Kits

They may not be delicious but Dormify’s Survival Kits have pre-made themes for fun college occasions, like an exam study kit, dorm survival kit and more. Students will love the fact that you thought about them with a kit for whatever it is they may be going through – and the stuff inside is actually useful! It’s basically like one of the subscription boxes, just as a one-time order.

Garrett Popcorn

With locations in several major metropolitan areas, Garrett Popcorn is a unique snack that can satisfy fans of sweet, fans of salty and, of course, fans of both. Choose from a variety of flavors, like buffalo cheese-corn, buttery ranch or go with the classic Garrett Mix – it doesn’t matter which you choose, they’re all delicious! Send a tin to your favorite student: simply choose the size, tin design and flavor.

Insomnia Cookies

One of the first of its kind, Insomnia Cookies offers delicious, just-out-of-the-oven cookies, brownies, ice cream and other treats delivered straight to a student’s door.
They have 100 locations in 29 states (many of which are located near college campuses) so, for many students, cookie delivery is only a phone call away. Plus, they are open late to curb college student cravings which means you can schedule delivery at all hours. Just picture: after studying for finals, a college student comes home to a sweet treat after a late night at the library! Bonus: they offer gluten free options.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

You haven’t lived until you pick up a pint of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Culinary connoisseurs will love tasting the unique flavors (like goat cheese with red cherries, sweet corn and black raspberries, sweet potato éclair and Thai curry pumpkin – just to name a few this season) offered. Plus, they use real ingredients (no synthetic flavorings) and dairy from grass-pastured cows so it’s about as guilt free as ice cream can get. They’re always switching up flavors, too, so you’ll never get bored. Like anyone could get bored of ice cream.

Magnolia Bakery

With both national and international locations, you’re likely near one of Magnolia Bakery’s locations. But, you don’t even need to be in order to enjoy their sweet treats – they also offer shipping nationwide. Offering baked goods in addition to cupcakes, you’ll love the look (and taste) of their adorable concoctions.

Molly’s Cupcakes

Molly’s Cupcakes has limited locations: Chicago, New York and Iowa City. If you’re in one of those locations – you’re in luck. They deliver! And, they have more than cupcakes, like cookies, ice cream, bars, cheesecake and pies. Whatever you decide to try will be delicious. Our favorite part? They stuff a lot of their cupcakes with the best part: more frosting. Bonus: they offer gluten free options.

Painted Pretzel

A little bit of sweet, a little bit of salty: this pretzel company, featured on the hit show Shark Tank lets you send tins, baskets and bins of chocolate covered pretzels. With tons of treats to choose from that look as good as they taste, the Painted Pretzel is sure to have something that’ll hit the spot.

Potato Parcel

Okay, technically a raw potato isn’t a delicious treat. However, what it lacks in deliciousness, it makes up for with humor. Basically, you can create a message to send via potato. With messages for pretty much any occasion you can think up, you can send a variety of versions including potato parcel (message), pal (someone’s face on a potato), postcard (image on a potato). Yep, it’s silly but receiving a bizarre potato in the mail will certainly put a smile on any student’s face.

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Best known for the creation of the world’s first ever 24/7 cupcake (and cookie) ATM, Sprinkles Cupcakes has locations across the nation. They also deliver within four hours or offer a pick-up order option within two. And, don’t let the name fool you. They offer much more than just cupcakes, though that would be enough! In addition to their original cupcake lineup, you can indulge in cookies, ice-cream, shakes and more. Bonus: they offer gluten free options.

Wicked Good Cupcakes

Another business that originated on the show Shark Tank, the edible confections on this site can only be described as “Wicked Good.” They offer it all: cupcakes, cookies, cake, brownies, pies – you name it. You can even order an entire cookie jar filled with cookies! Our favorite? Ready-to-eat cupcakes in jars that look (almost) too good to eat.

Z Baked

Their tagline says it all: “The Booty-Call of Food Delivery Services.” And, that’s a promise that doesn’t disappoint. While they currently offer three locations in Florida (that also deliver) – Z Baked is so delicious it’s still worth a mention. They offer pretty much any sweet treat under the sun so, whatever your craving may be, they’re ready to deliver. Bonus: they offer gluten free options.

Subscription Boxes:

Subscription boxes are more popular than ever and you can get a box for just about any interest, hobby or craving. We’ve highlighted some of our foodie and college-themed favorites:

Campus Cube

Send a care package to loved ones at school. Offering “healthy, fun and useful items,” sending a campus cube is like “a hug from home.” Cubes contain delicious, useful and fun items specifically tailored for guys, girls or occasions. The earth-conscious student will also love that the cubes a student receives also double as an upcycled dorm room storage system.

Candy Box

Do you know a student that never grew out of that sweet tooth? Candy Box is perfect for any candy lover. It’s a monthly subscription box that delivers a random mystery assortment of candy right to your door. They have both mini and big boxes so you can get the perfect size for a recipient.

Candy Club

Is it just us or does “Candy Club” sounds like the best club ever? Every month, you can get an assortment of premium candy delivered to your door. The club offers plans and, the longer you sign up for, the better the deal. Choose from monthly, 6-month or 12-month plans.

Graze

From sweet to savory, Graze offers boxes of all types to conquer cravings. They even have a “Top 20 Box” featuring each month’s assortment of the most popular snacks. They also offer nutritionist approved boxes for thing like carb counting, protein, calorie counting, etc. to help any student meet their nutritional goals. Boxes start at $11.99, which means that the boxes are affordable, too!

Cratejoy

Pick a theme, any theme and Cratejoy is likely to have a box for it. From dorm crates to college crates, you can find an appropriate crate theme for students of all ages. Items within each box are relevant to the college experience. For example, the dorm crate includes items within the following categories: snacks, cleaning supplies, dorm essentials, school supplies and hygiene items. Students will thank you for saving them a trip to the store each month.

hipKits

Specifically created with college students in mind, hipKITS offers “care packages, gifts and essentials for the student lifestyle.” Choose from a variety of occasions (including student occasions, like exams) and kit clubs to send the student in your life snacks, essentials and more.

Knack

Knack’s cool “College Care Subscriptions,” allows a sender to pick from a variety of categories, making each box tailored to the recipient. You can also schedule sends and write a personalized message to be included within each care package, taking your thoughtfulness to the next level.

LuckyUBox

What’s neat about LuckyUBox is you have the choice of ordering a subscription or a one-time box to celebrate any occasion. Boxes include a variety of student-centric, college themed items, games and snacks. They can also be personalized with a photo or a note to add an extra special touch.

Mirth In A Box

What’s mirth? Laughter, gaiety or merriment that’s, in this case, delivered door to door in a care package. They have clever student themes, like the “All Nighter,” “Mind Games,” “Have a Ball! Care Package.” Receiving a random themed box will surely put a smile on any student’s face.

MunchPak

Discover snacks from around the world with MunchPak’s delicious snack boxes. Choose from mini, original or family-sized boxes of grub. It’s also affordable: starting at a mere $10 for five or more snacks. There’s something for everyone’s taste buds in each box so it’s a box that anyone can get behind.

NatureBox

NatureBox offers delicious, wholesome snacks with no pressure whatsoever. If you don’t like any snack within each month’s box, you can let them know and they’ll replace it for free in next month’s box. This is perfect for the health-conscious student, because all snacks featured have simple ingredients, no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, and are all less than 200 calories per serving! Busy college students on the go will certainly appreciate this easy alternative that allows them to grab a healthy snack on the go.

Our Campus Market (OCM)

There’s no need to go to an actual market when you can get a perfect market assortment delivered right to your student’s door. Featuring the popular fall final exam packages, students will feel the love and support from home to stay on track with each semester’s goals. They also offer customized options, like vegan and gluten-free care packages to accommodate special diets. Our favorite? The “Healthy Hot Soups and Teas,” a great option to send when your favorite student comes down with a cold on campus.

Package Penguin

Package Penguin lets you create a customized care package or, even easier, premade packages. Premade packages are offered for a variety of student themes or occasions, including exams. Packages mainly consist of grab and go snacks which any student on the go can appreciate.

Pijon Box

College life experts choose the contents of each month’s care package which includes healthy snacks, personal care items, dorm essentials and fun gifts students love. You can choose gender-specific or neutral boxes and save when you subscribe.

TetherBox

TetherBox derives their name from their version of the definition of tether, “the bond between loved ones that keeps them joined together even across great distances.” Described as the “modern twist on the classic care package,” it’s basically the gift of a care package for college students reoccurring each month.

Treatsie

Known as the “monthly artisan sweets box,” Treatsie allows you to choose a plan that delivers confections from local business across the country. That means, you’ll be able to sample the best sweets across the nation right from your couch. And, if you decide you cannot live without a featured treat, they have an online store to order more of a specific item you discovered.

UniversiteeBox

UniversiteeBox caters specifically to female students, with the goal of empowering girls via a “network of encouragement, empowerment, and enlightenment for college girls all over the world.” Choose UniversiteeBox for style and empowerment essentials that scream, “Girl power!”

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10 Scientific Reasons to Get a Good Night's Sleep

Breathing. Eating. Sleeping. These are the necessities of life that humans need to sustain a healthy (not to mention, living) existence.

Fact: Sleep is just as important as diet and exercise. (The National Sleep Foundation)

This isn’t a secret by any means. We can actually feel when we're lacking in sleep. So, why do so many of us skimp on one of our most basic needs?

Fact: Man is the only mammal that willingly delays sleep. (The National Sleep Foundation)

Sure, we’re busy. We have a lot on our plates.

But, wouldn’t we be able to tackle that much more of said-plates if we had an adequate night’s sleep every night? Science says yes.

Generally, doctors recommend anywhere from seven to nine hours to qualify as a healthy night's rest for most healthy adults. However, that number varies as some individuals may need as little as six hours or up to ten hours to function without sleeplessness or drowsiness.

Scientific studies within the past ten years focusing on sleep and the lack thereof have helped us learn more than ever before about how the amount of sleep we get can affect our bodies in all sorts of positive and negative ways.

The following are just of few of the many scientifically proven areas a good night’s rest can impact your life.

A good night’s rest can help:

1. Improve Your Academics

Researchers at Ghent University and KU Leuven took a surveyed 621 students about the quality of their sleep.

The study found that, “students who increased their night’s sleep from six to seven hours were rewarded with an average increase of 1.7 points (on a scale of 20) for each exam. Of course, it goes without saying that the optimal sleep time varies for each individual.”

In a nutshell? “All else equal, students who generally got a good night’s sleep performed better on exams,” says Dr. Stijn Baert (Ghent University).

2. Spike Your Creativity

According to researchers at both Harvard University and Boston College, during sleep "people seem to strengthen the emotional components of a memory during sleep, which may help spur the creative process," as reported on Health.com.

So, before you embark on a creative project, refresh with a full night's rest. Perhaps your next project could be the next breakthrough in artistic vision - it may be all you need to discover your potential Picasso.

3. Improve Your Memory

A 2014 research study found that sleep can help improve one’s memory.

It’s no secret that your mind functions best on a good night’s rest. But, as you sleep, your mind also allows you to review and recap what you’ve learn in order to better retain it for the future.
So, whether you’re trying to memorize for an exam or just would like to remember a great experience for years to come, sleep is on your side.

4. Clear Your Mind (Quite Literally)

According to A National Institutes of Health study released in 2013, a good night’s rest allows the brain to flush out toxins during sleep.

Other studies have linked such toxins to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. When studied, the toxins disappeared faster when asleep than when awake, suggesting that toxins are released during the sleep cycle. This find absolutely highlights the importance of sleep in maintaining a healthy body – as it’s necessary for the body to perform significant bodily functions, clearing out brain toxicity just being named as one example.

5. Improve Your Health

WebMD detailed a study where researchers put sleep to the test by monitoring people's sleep habits and then exposing them to a cold virus.

"People who got seven hours of sleep a night or less were almost three times as likely to get sick as the people who got at least eight hours of sleep a night."

Another new sleep study released in September 2014 from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine links healthy sleep duration (7-8 hours per night) to less sick time from work.

Results from the study found that “the risk of an extended absence from work due to sickness rose sharply among those who reported sleeping less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours per night.”

Adversely, the research reported findings that supported, “insomnia-related symptoms, early morning awakenings, feeling more tired than others, and using sleeping pills also were consistently associated with a significant increase in workdays lost due to sickness.”

6. Reduce Your Risk of Depression

According to the Academy of Sleep Medicine, as well as countless other research studies, found significant links between lack of sleep and risk for major depression.

In fact, “Results suggest sleeping six hours or less per night increases the risk for major depression, which in turn increases the risk for decreased sleep among adolescents.”

Within the report, American Academy of Sleep Medicine President Dr. M. Safwan Badr states, ““Healthy sleep is a necessity for physical, mental and emotional well-being.”

And that’s not all – the duration and timing of your sleep schedules can also become associated with your thoughts, whether positive or negative, according to a 2014 Cognitive Therapy and Research Study.

The study reveals that, “higher levels of repetitive negative thinking (RNT; a perseverative and abstract focus on negative aspects of one’s experience) are associated with reduced sleep duration.” Translation: you sleep less; you’re more likely to focus on the negative.

Additionally, “Individuals who endorsed a preference for later sleep and activity times also reported more RNT.” Translation: you go to bed late, you’re also more likely to focus on the negative.

“These findings suggest that RNT may be uniquely related to both sleep duration and timing.” Translation: You go to bed late and don’t sleep for very long, you’re especially linked to the risk factors.

7. Improve Athletic Abilities

We may not all be professional athletes, nor will we ever become them. But, just knowing that your body can have increased athletic ability with a little more shut-eye? That’s worth listening.

In November 2014, Stanford researcher Cheri D. Mah set out to answer the question, “If an athlete gets more sleep than his or her competitors, will that lead to an edge?” Interestingly enough, until Mah, no researcher had ever set out to do a study to see if increased sleep would impact the performance of competitive athletes.

Mah begin working with the Cardinal men’s basketball team, tracking the players’ normal schedules – sleeping an average of 6.5 hours a night. She also tracked their normal athletic performances in different categories on their regular schedules.

After data was collected, Mah instructed the players to sleep as much as possible per night (with the goal of ten hours per night) for the next five to seven weeks. (Wrist sensors tracked their actual sleep time had changed from 6.5 hours per night to around 8.5 hours per night.)

“By the end of the extra-sleep period, players had improved their free throw shooting by 11.4 percent and their three-point shooting by 13.7 percent. There was an improvement of 0.7 seconds on the 282-foot sprint drill—every single player on the team was quicker than before the study had started. A 13-percent performance enhancement is the sort of gain that one associates with drugs or years of training—not simply making sure to get tons of sleep.”

As a result, the research findings strongly suggest that most athletes – professional or otherwise - would perform much better with more sleep.

Read more about Mah’s Sleep Study with the Cardinals.

8. Beautify and/or Slow Down the Aging Process

A lack of sleep can enhance dark circles, puffy eyes and releases a stress hormone called cortisol, which can eventually break down skin collagen, which is a protein that keeps skin looking smooth and elastic. The best way to avoid any of this from happening? You guessed it. Sleeping.

Sleep experts also say that, "during deep sleep, growth hormones are released, which helps in increasing our muscle mass, thickens our skin and strengthens our bones as we grow old and promotes our growth when we were young," according to an article on Before It's News.

And that amazing protein, collagen? You know, the one that keeps skin looking young? Scientists have found that collagen's formation is highly dependent on a sequence of biochemical events which take place during a night of restful, deep sleep.

9. Help Avoid Weight Gain and/or Obesity

A research study at the University of Pennsylvania set out to examine the effects of sleep restriction on weight gain, faily caloric intake and meal timing.

In short, the study determined that the restriction of sleep promotes weight gain.

As the study stated, “Chronically sleep-restricted adults with late bedtimes may be more susceptible to weight gain due to greater daily caloric intake and the consumption of calories during late-night hours.”

Other University of Pennsylvania research studies published between 1996-2011 found, over several studies that fewer than six hours of sleep per night is potentially linked to the provoking of hormonal changes in one’s body, which are linked to obesity.

These changes include: an increase in a hunger-stimulating hormone called ghrelin, a increases in insulin sensitivity - which is a risk factor for diabetes - and decreases in leptin, a hormone that is necessary for energy, balance and food intake – all of which impacts the body’s ability for proper weight regulation.

The National Sleep Foundation also reports that "people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to have bigger appetites due to the fact that their leptin levels (leptin is an appetite-regulating hormone) fall, promoting appetite increase."

That means, you may think you just have a big appetite, but there are underlying hormonal factors causing it. So, the more you sleep, it seems, the easier it may be to maintain a healthy weight. Who knew?

10. Increase Your Life Expectancy

Using statistics backed by a Penn State study, Time Magazine reported that short sleeps (or even unusually long sleepers) die younger than those who get normal amounts of sleep.

In fact, the study found that “insomniac men who slept less than 6 hours per day were four times more likely to die than those who got a full night’s rest. The study even adjusted for other medical conditions that affect sleep (and death rates), such as obesity, alcohol and depression. Of note, sleep deprivation did not affect women’s mortality,” according the Time Magazine article.

Although, Health.com reports that, according to a 2010 study, "women ages 50 to 79, more deaths occurred in women who got less than five hours or more than six and a half hours of sleep per night."

As a student, perhaps restructuring your entire sleep schedule isn’t always a feasible option at this point.

However, here’s a compromise we’d like to propose: why not consider shutting off the television, closing out your social media accounts or whatever else you do as a pre-bedtime ritual? Just an extra hour of sleep per night could make a huge difference in your world!

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You Can Have It All: Balancing Work and Graduate School

Want to go to graduate school but don’t want to leave your current full-time job?

What if you could have it both ways?

Many students do. One of the pros to doing both at the same time is still receiving a steady income, while the cons add up to little social life and a rigorous schedule. But it can be done by following a few simple principles.

Just Say No

One of the toughest parts about balancing school and work is giving up your social life. Though you don’t have to completely shirk family and friends for two or three years, you do need to be a little more strategic about when you see them.

Opt for lunches with friends during the work week and save family visits for fall, winter and spring breaks at school. Friends and family will understand, especially if you let them know before you enroll that you won’t have as much time to devote to dinners, drinks and visits home.

Think Financially

More often than not, employers will offer employees in graduate school tuition assistance. Talk to your boss as well as human resources about financial help – or even footing the entire bill.

Also check to see if your employer provides financial planning help for employees balancing work and school. They may have helpful strategies on paying for school without forfeiting your 401(K).

Use Your Time at Work Wisely

As you work and attend school, look for ways in which the two connect. Sometimes, you’ll be able to use your work time in order to complete school assignments. In fact, some companies will let you work on your thesis during work hours – as long as it benefits the company. With that strategy, you’ll actually be getting paid to do your homework. Not bad, right?

Take Care of Yourself

Finally, don’t forget about the most important part of balancing work and school: you. Working full-time and attending school at nights and on weekends can be very strenuous, especially if you’re not taking care of yourself. In addition to eating well-balanced meals, get the amount of sleep you need to function fully.

Use your PTO days at work wisely, opting to take two days off around midterms and finals rather than a week in paradise with your friends.

If the strain is too much, consider a lighter class load. It may take a little longer to graduate, but your sanity and health are priority number one.

Going to graduate school can help propel you in the workplace, creating both professional and financial benefits. All it costs is a few years of hard work, motivation and prioritizing. You’ll find, like most graduate students do, that the time flies and the payoff is huge.

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