Meagan Templeton-Lynch

In college, as in life, some things are unavoidable: tuition, essays, bad-for-you food…and roommates. Unless you live at home while going to school, from the time you enter the higher education world until you leave it (and probably beyond that), you will be coping with people in your personal space – sharing a bathroom, the kitchen and the TV. In the land of shared space, problems arise frequently – and if you never deal with them, they have the potential to ruin any relationship. Use these tips from experts and real college girls on getting along with your roommate – whether your roomie is a random assignment or your best friend.

What to Do From the Get-Go
A new school year (often) comes with a new living situation – if you’re a new freshman this might be your first time sharing your space with another person—not to mention sharing a bathroom with many more people—or you might be an upperclassman who has just moved off campus with friends into an apartment or house. Either way, it’s best to set up ground rules with your roommate(s) to ensure that everyone stays happy and you don’t end up like these HC girls!

Communicate
If you’re living in the dorms, your RA may force you and your roommate to sign a contract concerning things from what to do during a disagreement to how to handle chores, boys in the room, and study/sleep schedules. If you live off campus and aren’t being encouraged to sign a roommate contract, a verbal discussion is a good idea.

Ever wondered how some people can text faster than they can even speak a word of the same message? For some texting is second-nature, and this SMS guru has the skills to lead you into a fast-paced texting world.

Why Text Faster?
It may seem that rapid texting is not one of the essential life skills that should be practiced and revered. I, however, beg to differ. We are the youth of the information age - we get everything from news updates to television and movies, to a post of what our best friend from kindergarten is doing, instantly through the Internet. Specifically, right to our cell phones. We have the ability to access anyone, anywhere, from a pocket-sized device. We are so used to having everything we need at our fingertips, we have come to expect any tidbit of information we may want instantaneously. With this philosophy in mind, texting was born. We can chat with our friends or argue with our moms without ever having to say a word, and that is a beautiful thing—after all, who likes dropping everything to ask your roommate if she turned off the coffee pot? Texting allows communication in places where talking is impossible—class (a personal favorite), a quiet doctor’s office, or a loud concert.

“I would want to become a faster texter because it would just be much more efficient,” said HC team member Hannah Orenstein. “Texting is a great way to keep up with friends, but it gets annoying to have to type everything out and then wait for the other person to type out their message. If I could type faster, I would definitely enjoy it more!”

You have landed the perfect summer internship. You rocked the interview, got selected above a ton of applicants, and you’re on top of the world and on the road to success.
Right?

Well, hopefully. Getting the position may seem like the hardest part (you spent hours perfecting your cover letter and résumé, and practiced interview answers in your mirror every night…needless to say, the job is well deserved), but you can’t stop there. You have to continually make a good impression on your superiors, especially the ones with the power to give you a good review or recommendation letter – because that means they have the power to dish you a bad one, too.

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: What Employers Say You Should NEVER Do

Be Negative
Having a negative attitude is a major problem when you’re an intern. Your employers want to know that you care about the work you’re doing, are ready to learn, and are excited about interning for them. Dr. Randall Hansen, founder and president of Quintessential Career says to avoid:

“So, what's your minor?” 
This line doesn't crop up too often and in fact sounds—if possible—cheesier than being asked what your major is. You know that your major is important: it gives you the skills for your future career, and it's what employers look at. But what is the real value in having a minor? Can it hurt you if you don't have one? We found out.

What can declaring a minor do for you?
Depending on your college and chosen major, you may be required to choose a minor. If your school doesn’t explicitly call for you to have a minor (some programs may want you to just have a certain number of credits outside your major, or choose some other alternative), it may still be right for you. Luckily, if you choose wisely you can make your minor work for you!

Explore something new!
“My minor in school was photography, and I chose to do it simply because I always loved taking pictures and wanted to learn more,” said HC Style Editor Elyssa Goodman, Carnegie Mellon ‘10. “I discovered while I was taking classes that I really loved it!”

If you have a subject you'd LOVE to explore, college is the perfect time to take a few music or literature classes, learn about pop culture or fashion, or anything else! A minor can be a great way to do this. Rather than just having a few classes under your belt, you can officially “declare” and have your minor added onto your degree when you graduate. Gary Miller, from university career services at UNC - Chapel Hill, said he believes that enjoyment of the subject is the #1 reason to choose a specific minor.