Madison Brown

With Spring Party Weekend only a few weeks away, it is time to start preparing for the most insane weekend of your life.... get ready for a wild ride.
1.     DO YOUR HOMEWORK EARLY. Everybody says this, but really. Do your homework before the weekend. Even if this means sacrificing a night out the weekend prior, do it. We promise you will not regret it. The worst thing on SPW is to have a homework assignment looming over you the whole weekend, especially when all you want to do it go out and get CrUnK.
2.     STOCK UP. Taking shots at 8am before your classes takes a chunk out of the bottle. You want to make sure you have enough sauce to keep you hydrated when you’re busy fist pumping to le7els. Additionally, you’re going to want snacks on snacks on snacks so make your way to pchops and get some! And, for that wonderful hangover on Sunday (because you’ll be constantly wasted the rest of the weekend), grab some hater-ade for rapid relief.
3.     Make a bucket list for the weekend. We suggest jumping into/rafting on/anything to do with Taylor Lake. Not only will this hopefully cause a commotion, but you’ll be able to go swimming – awesome! Also, all you upperclassmen go back to your freshman year dorm room and make the current residents shot gun with you (this is especially fun when it is bright and early in the morning!). Whatever you do, make sure you do things you’ve never done before because it only makes the weekend more epic.

                  February can be a tough month for students at Colgate; tests and papers accumulate quickly, study abroad/summer plans need to be finalized and, perhaps worst of all, the sun seems to have vanished entirely. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that many students find themselves trapped in the “February Blues.” Here are a few tips to battle the stress and dreariness that February so often brings:
1)     Sports : Whether or not you are a varsity athlete, there are ample opportunities on campus to get involved in sports. Intermural sports are a great way to get fit with a group of friends. For more of a challenge, join a club sport! Club sports are fun not just because you get to meet a whole new group of people on campus who share your passion, but also because you get to meet students from other local colleges and universities during games. Exercise via intermural sports or club sports releases endorphins, which are hormones that are scientifically proven to make you feel good! If you are not athletically-inclined, make an effort to attend a Colgate athletic event at least once a week! Varsity games are very exciting, and will certainly help you take your mind off of any academic or social concern that has been making you anxious.
 

            For most people, winter break means finally have the chance to do, well, nothing at all. It is any college student’s dream to sleep the days away without having to think about homework, papers, or class. Students can relax, however, without ceasing to be productive. My suggestion for this winter break: use the time to do things that you might not have had the means to do during the course of the semester! Below are some of my suggestions for ways that students can fully maximize their break this year.
 
Update your resume: Regardless of your class year, you can use the ample time that winter break offers to edit and revise your resume. Add the activities you participated in, and the jobs you held, at school this past semester to your resume. If you are looking to cater your resume to a particular internship or job opportunity, you might want to consider reorganizing and reformatting your resume. Almost all colleges have ample resources that can guide you through this process.
 
Reach out to grandparents and/or other relatives: Many students are too swamped during the school year to contact relatives via snail mail, telephone, etc. Your relatives always adore hearing from you though, so why not take five minutes out of your break to send them a letter or give them a call? Debrief them on the classes you took this past semester, the clubs you are involved with on campus and what you are looking forward to next semester. Don’t forget to ask them how they are doing as well!
 

Early November is an extremely busy time for students. Classes are in full swing by this point, and teachers’ expectations are higher than ever. Many teachers also try to cram as much as possible into the span of the first few weeks of November to compensate for Thanksgiving and Winter Break. All of these factors plus friendship, boy, and family drama can lead to extreme stress, which is unhealthy not just for your brain, but also for your body. Follow these simple tips for stress management so you can actually relish these first few weeks in November:
 
1)    Exercise Regularly – Exercising is a fantastic way to let off some steam. Exercising is excellent for your muscles and is a great way to clear your head. Most people also report feeling more energized and refreshed after only half an hour of moderate exercise (biking, playing basketball, swimming, etc.)
 2)    Make time for yourself – In college, we rarely get time to ourselves. In being around others most of the time, we let ourselves get caught up in issues and fail to put things in perspective. Alone time is great for reflection and for simply getting away from it all.
 3)    Eat as healthily as possible – Although it is tempting to reach for those Snickers bars or brownies when you’re hungry, opt for a piece of fruit or hummus and vegetables instead. You’ll be glad you did! Eating sweet and salty junk food only makes you crave more, whereas protein rich health foods keep you full for longer.