Archive for the ‘Housing’ Category

The 10 Best College Dorms in the Country

GSU In most dorm rooms, there’s barely enough space to move between your bed and the door. The Huffington Post, though, has just posted the 10 best college dorms in the country.  These are not your average college dorms. These are super dorms, complete with kitchens, copious amounts of square feet and common spaces fit for a king, or studying.  Do you think these awesome college dorm rooms also come with an awesome college roommate who doesn’t steal your stuff?

Here are the 10 best college dorms in country:

1. La Salle University, St. Basil Court

2. Winona State University, Lucas

3. Villanova University, Farley Hall

4. Georgia State University, University Commons

5. Mississippi State University, Hurst Hall

6. Villanova University, Welsh Hall

7. James Madison University, Gifford Hall

8. The College of New Jersey, Eickhoff Hall

9. Kennesaw State University, University Village Suites

10. Saint Joseph’s University, Borgia Hall

Would you choose a college for a dorm?

The Top Ten College Dining Halls

StOlafCollegeCollege food will probably never be up there with the five-star restaurants owned by Top Chef alumni, but some colleges are workng to bring students all the food groups in much healthier, better and yummier ways.

Now you can say “goodbye” to bland burgers, soggy french fries, and that inexplicable soupy thing you swear has been stewing at the end of the cafeteria line since you moved into your dorm room–at least at these colleges. Here is part of hercampus.com’s list of the top ten college dining halls:

#1 University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles)

UCLA’s campus features three all-you-care-to-eat residential restaurants, as well as four quick-service, café-style ones. “Each restaurant or dining hall has a theme, so you can pretty much get any type of cuisine you’d like on campus,” says senior Ellie Cerovski Darriau. “There’s a lot of variety within each place, as well.” Café 1919 serves up paninis, gourmet pizzas and gelato, while the My Pizza online ordering service offers pizza and wings pick-up until midnight—perfect for a study sesh snack or preparation for a night out. And if you’re vegan, you’re in luck: UCLA won in “large U.S. school” category for Most Vegan-Friendly College 2010.

#2 St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minn.)

Locavores and organic lovers have a field day—literally—at St. Olaf. As with other schools on the list, St. Olaf’s student-run organic farm provides the herbs and vegetables. Whenever possible at St. Olaf’s, though, the meat and poultry is antibiotic- and growth hormone-free, apples are stocked from a nearby orchard, and dairy products are supplied by a collective of Midwestern, family-owned farms.  Plus: “We have a great dessert section—I mean five-star, classy, delicious,” says sophomore Juan-Ita Effiom.

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5 Ways to Network and Make Friends in College

college-friendsIf you’re a high school senior, you have less than a semester left of school and your highly anticipated start of college is on the horizon.  After spending 4 years in high school, you might want to prep yourself for the changes you’ll experience going away to college.  And one of the biggest changes is making new friends.

This post from the Uloop blog gives college students 5 easy ways to network and make friends in college:

Switch It Up
Although it is very easy to be a part of the same organizations that you have been a part of for your entire life, it is more beneficial to branch out to various organizations that have different backgrounds, connections, and client bases than your own. For example, even if you are not politically driven it may be rather prudent to join Young Republicans, Campus Democrats, etc. Or on the flip-side, if you have been a part of a politically affiliated organization for a long time, then maybe you should switch it up and join the Adventure Club or Fencing Club. By doing this, your face and name gain recognition across demographics.

Approach the Unfamiliar
Oftentimes people get so wrapped up in their own lives that they forget that there are six billion other people on the planet. Yes, friendships are amazing, especially the lifelong ones. However, someone that you have known since pre-school will not vanish if you do not hang out with them for a couple days. Be approachable and approach those that you don’t know. For example, if someone is wearing a shirt that says “Combat Airsoft” you may feign interest in order to spark a conversation which could lead to a friendship. No one ever got anywhere by staying in their shell, and neither should you.

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5 Easy Ways to Keep Your College Roommate Happy and Make Your University Experience All the Better

roommates530

Probably the last thing on your mind while you’re searching for and applying to colleges is who your roommate will eventually be.  But, the reality is that after the admissions process,  in most situations, you’ll have to live with a stranger your freshman year in a college dorm room.

Whether you wind up becoming best friends with your roommate or cordial acquaintances, here is some advice from ULOOP.com on how to maintain a good relationship with your college roommate:

Do have roommate nights. Grab a bowl of popcorn, sit on the couch, or your extra long twin bed, and put in a chick-flick. My roommates and I always have Gossip Girl Mondays. Having these nights keeps your bond strong; it’s an easy way to break away from some of the stress of school, especially when it’s midterm week and you don’t say a word to your roommate because you’re cramming for your Chemistry test.

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