For millennia, yogis and yogini’s have been collectively chanting, sweating and bending themselves into pretzels not only to flex their muscles, massage their minds and reinvigorate their souls, but also to offer the benefits of their practice for the betterment of all beings. Alas, modern man—in his infinite wisdom—has come to center his world around the computer. This means many a wonderful thing: the ability to Skype with international friends, online shopping and e-learning.
It’s important, though, to recognize our bodies’ need for movement. When we don’t move, we not only lose flexibility and slump our shoulders, but we also inhibit our circulation. This blocked blood flow, blocks the flow of prana (life force) or qi (“chee”) as it’s called in Chinese medicine. Blockages equals a plethora of ailments—lack of lymph drainage, lethargy, excess muscular/emotional tension amongst others.
But what to do—you’re working toward your degree, working in an office—there’s no escape. There is Yoga. Yoga, done on the mat, at the beach, or at your desk can provide a compensatory series of stretches and strength balancing postures to help re-balance the computer-weary body. The ancient practice, born in India, has fantastic physical benefits for the mind, body and spirit: the whole kit and caboodle. Yoga coordinates breath with movement as it asks you to release and surrender rather than strive and “do”. To bring yoga to the computer-bound, we’ve polled the yoga community and compiled experts’ suggestions for alleviating the elearner’s common cramps and preventing potential complaints.
Lindsey Lewis, My Yoga Online
Lindsey Lewis, the Wellness Program Coordinator at My Yoga Online provides a comprehensive guide to surviving the study slump. In her essential guide to desk-yoga Lindsey writes:
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Take seven minutes for yourself to practice these simple stretches targeting muscle tension and fatigue caused by sitting at a desk. It’s best to remove glasses, shoes, and socks for these stretches, if you can. Make sure you stay balanced: do these exercises on both sides. Also, breathe deep. See if you can match your movement to your breath.
- Cross one leg over the other, thigh on top of thigh, or—if you can—ankle on top of knee. Inhale and extend tall through the crown of your head; exhale fold forward, hinging from your hips and drawing your belly button in and up so your core stays supportive and strong.
To release the neck Lindsey says:
"Think about drawing a figure eight with the crown of your head. As you exhale, drop your chin towards your chest; keep exhaling as you draw your chin towards your right shoulder and drop your head back only as far as feels comfortable for you. Inhaling, drop your chin back towards your chest, and then roll it towards your left shoulder, behind you, and back towards your chest. Repeat 10 times."
Read the whole guide here, along with other yoga, Pilates, meditation, dance and health tip videos.
Rachel, the Suburban Yogini
Rachel, the Suburban Yogini, also shares tips for those confined to the computer:
- Head and shoulder circles – rotate the shoulders a few times in each direction, working with the rhythm of the breath, role the head slowly in semi circles (ear to shoulder – chin to chest – other ear to other shoulder and back again) a few times.
- Stretch the arms out to the sides and up interlocking the fingers and pushing the palms up towards the ceiling. On an exhale, keeping both sitting bones on your chair, stretch over to the right. Inhale back to centre and exhale to the left. Repeat twice more to each side and then release the arms down.
- Take the right hand onto the left side of your chair and the left hand on to the back of your chair and twist to the left on an exhale. Hold for 5 breaths and release. Repeat to the other side.
- Hold on to the back of your chair at about waist height. Open the chest and roll the shoulders back and down. Bring the focus to the heart centre and breathe. Take at least 5 breaths here.
- Exhale and fold forward, abdomen on your thighs, release the head and neck and allow the lower back to release. Stay here for about 5 breaths (if colleagues are looking at you in a peculiar fashion you can always pretend you’ve dropped something on the floor!)
Lexi, Lexi Yoga
Lexi, of the health/yoga blog Lexi Yoga, comments that:
"When spending a lot of time studying or working in front of a computer, there is a tendency to hunch your back, and ruin your posture. It's important to take breaks to stretch your spine to avoid back pains and improve your posture. Having a strong back can help prevent any future aches and pains. I recommend a series of yoga postures that should be practiced daily. Yoga can also improve blood circulation throughout your body, which is needed for students or individuals who sit for long periods of time."
Here is a video of Melanie demonstrating some yoga postures to strengthen your back and give your body a nice stretch.
Emma, The Joy Of Yoga
Emma, blogger at The Joy of Yoga elaborates on the core problem:
"The real issue for people who sit at the computer for hours every day, and believe me I count myself in there, is that it's basically one long forward bend. Actually, most everything we do during the course of a normal day is a forward bend. Tying our shoes, washing the dishes, folding the laundry... all these things require a forward bend at the stomach or hips (usually the stomach). The best thing you can do to help your body, and restart your brain, is to do a small, gentle back-bend."
Here’s her solution:
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Scoot all the way forward in your seat (a hard seat is better).
- Take both hands, fingers facing forward behind your sitting bones.
- Pushing your stomach as far forward as you can, inhale and try and drop your head back to rest on the top of the chair. You might not to able to reach, but the idea is to open your chest as much as possible.
- Hold for 5-10 breaths. As you come back to a normal seated position, exhale. If this hurts your neck, you can drop your chin towards you chest, and just focus on pushing the chest forward and up.
Paul McCartney, The Beatles
Regarding eye strain, leave it to one of modern music’s greatest bards to school you in how to preserve your eye-sight. Needing no introduction: Paul McCartney on “eye yoga”.
Rachel, The Capricious Yogini
Rachel, the Capricious Yogi, provides a good rule of thumb for balancing the stagnancy of sitting with sufficient stretching:
"For every hour that you sit at the computer, you should move and stretch for at least 10 minutes. When you stay in one position too long your muscles shorten, which leads to stiffness and bad circulation. By getting up and moving around, you undo the stiffness, encourage blood flow to the muscles, and give your eyes a rest."
Rachel elaborates on her favorite asanas to throw off the desk-blues:
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Standing Forward Fold: Stand with feet hips distance and fold from the waist, try not to lock the knees. Relax the neck and allow the hands to dangle towards the floor. Close your eyes and focus on each inhalation and exhalation allowing gravity to pull you closer towards the floor. Stay here and breathe for about 2 minutes. Standing in a simple forward fold will stretch the hamstrings, release tension in the low back, and bring fresh blood and oxygen to the brain.
- Shoulder Opener (the anti-computer hunch): Either standing or sitting, take hands behind the back, interlace fingers working towards a fist. Keep rotating the shoulders back towards one another to open across the chest. Begin to lift the hands away from the back to feel a deeper stretch in the shoulders. Inhale and exhale slowly while continuing to stretch and open. Stay here for about 5-10 rounds of breath.
Lisa B. Minn, The Pragmatic Yogi
Lisa B. Minn, the lady behind The Pragmatic Yogi, concurs that:
"The number one thing that people working all day at a computer can do is to back away from the computer, squeeze the shoulder blades back/inhale, exhale/relax. Repeat 3-5 times. Most importantly, they should do this very often. Ideally, every 20 minutes but at LEAST every hour. Set a timer to chime as a reminder and eventually it will become an automatic habit. This exercise often works very well for physical therapy patients with neck and shoulder pain […] I'm sure it would work even better to make it a habit before any pain sets in."
Roseanne, It's All Yoga Baby
Roseanne at It’s All Yoga Baby offers another tip for opening the shoulders/arms, the Eagle Arms:
"Stretch your arms in front of you, then cross one over the other. Bend your elbows and wrap your forearms around each other, until your palms touch (or, come close to touching). This opens the shoulders, stretches the forearms, and prevents repetitive strain injuries. Simple shoulder neck rolls are great to do also."
Joni, The Accidental Yogist
Joni at The Accidental Yogist interviewed L.A. teacher, Steven Espinosa, about desk-yoga. Her post offers some innovative tips including:
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Reach over your head with your right hand and hold your left ear. Use your right hand to gently bend your head to the right. Feel the stretch along the left side of your neck. Hold and breathe. Repeat on the other side.
- Clasp your hands and place them on top of your head. Try to get your elbows to point as far back as you can. While pushing down with your hands, push up with your head. This should give both your neck and your shoulders a nice stretch. Hold; release.
Release more tension here at her full post.
Sara, Do Restorative Yoga
At the end of the day, after you’ve sat, studied and hopefully stretched—one is pretty cooked (some might even say burnt). Even if one’s about to bop in to bed, it’s important to restore the body/blood flow so the body can nurture itself while sleeping. Sara of Do Restorative Yoga provides an awesome suggestion for reinvigorating a sedentary body. Sara says:
"Take a break from [your] studies to go upside down by taking the pose 'Legs-on-a-Chair.' This will help relieve stress, get rid of neck and back pain and it will help send any fluids that are stuck in the legs and ankles back to the heart to be recycled."
Check out the full article for specific instructions on Sara's adapted shoulder stand.
Holly Westergren
Finally, the playful Holly Westergren (aka H. West) comments on both the physical and spiritual consequences of desk confinement:
"This next generation has lost the art of relating to others simply because they are always hooked up to some kind of virtual reality. So, the first thing I would tell your audience is to take more breaks from the computer and get out into the world, connect to real people."
"About computer hunchback—your spine is your lifeline, people. And if you sit for hours at a computer, slaving away at your studies, feeding your mind but ignoring your body, something's gotta give and that something is usually your back. To keep the back healthy while you're in super stressed out study-mode try these exercises:"
- Neck Rolls and Self- Massage:
Drop your chin to your chest and slowly roll your head towards your right shoulder. Drop your chin back to your chest then slowly roll your head to the left shoulder. Continue to make half-circles with the neck, breathing slowly. When you're through, take a moment to massage your neck yourself. You don't need to wait for someone else to do it! Use your fingers to knead away the tension in the upper back and to improve circulation to this tense area.
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Shoulder Stretch: Sitting up tall in a chair with your feet on the ground, raise your right hand above your head, bend your elbow and reach the right hand down your back. Now take your left hand and reach it around your back and try to get both hands to interlock. If they don't reach, don't worry, just try your best. Draw your belly into towards your spine and sit up nice and straight. Keep your chin parallel to the floor. Take ten deep breaths here, breathing in through your nose and out through your nose, with a closed mouth. Switch sides. You will feel an opening in the chest as well as great stretch and relief for the shoulders.
- Put Your Books On Your Head:
No, really. Try it. There is no better way to find balance and proper postural alignment than to try this old trick. At the very least, it will make you laugh at yourself, which will relax you and remind you not to take whatever your doing so seriously that you miss out on life, laughter, and joy.
- Close Your Eyes, Sit, and Breathe:
You know those moments when you want to throw your laptop in the ocean and pull your hair out? Even 5 minutes of sitting still and concentrating on your breath can do wonders for the nervous system and overall mood. Take a moment to put everything you are worrying about in perspective. Give thanks for all the blessings in your life. Feel peace in your heart. Breathe.
Breathing Techniques
Indeed, if nothing else breathe. As with many things in this world, we only do as much as we need to in order to survive—which means we use about 30 percent of our actual breath capacity. Yoga abounds in specific types of breath work which each facilitate different benefits. The 2 forms below are the most accessible forms of yogic breathing:
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Kalabati: Also known as “breath of fire” (fierce, right?) this breath renovates, cleans out and totally energizes everything. After inhaling and exhaling completely, inhale half way. From there, begin releasing short, sharp exhales through the nose alone. As you do so, allow the inhale to become passive. The punctuated exhales, via the nose, are supported deep from the pelvic floor with diaphragmatic support. Close your eyes, imagine all the toxins fleeing your system, the endorphins releasing. A couple rounds, faithfully attending to the details, and you just might incur yourself a natural high…of sorts.
- Alternate nostril breathing: This breathing can prove really calming as it balances energy by balancing the body’s right and left sides. There are fancy finger mudras one can use if she wishes to be super-yogini, but at the end of a long day, it’s just important to rejuvenate the lungs. Simply close off the right nostril, inhale for 4 to 8 counts through the left, close off the left (so that the breath is retained for, ideally, however many counts you inhaled for), than exhale through the right. Repeat this cycle, on the opposite side, by inhaling through the right. Continue for as many cycles as bring you peace—trying to strive for a minimum of 5.
Final Thoughts
Implementing all of the above, at once, is Herculean and not necessary. If you do get around to it all: A+--your gold star will ship out shortly. For the rest of us mortals, pick and choose what appeals to you, start there and be with that. Steal away from the computer for at least 7 minutes to decompress and soon it won’t be enough—you’ll be a full-fledged yoga-addict. Yes, you’re online degree is critical to your career, but you are critical to…you!...to living fully. So shanti (peace) and Namaste (the light in me honors the light in you)—and now (sigh) back to the computer.
eCollegeFinder.org helps you find degrees from accredited online colleges to start a new career or improve your current job. Search eCollegeFinder.org today and find the right online degree for you!
Alexander Pope quipped, 'to err is human'. This is true—but getting more specific it seems 'to procrastinate is human.'
Perhaps you are procrastination pro. Perhaps you may still be something of a novice. No matter the level, students on campuses and in online colleges will eventually fall prey to procrastination's grimy grip. Whether it's spring fever, March Madness or simply being spread too thin, things WILL and DO come up. And sadly, school work gets pushed aside. Until…
BOOM! Less than 24 hours before a major due date or exam. Oh man, actual work needs to happen.
After a short, intense full-out-freak-out, you begin crunching out pages, biting your nails on one hand while going over the rosary with the other…
But that's not efficient use of your limited time. Your online degree awaits—but not before you prove yourself. So here are a few strategies for helping you meet the deadline while also greeting the next day as a partially-functioning human being—if not yourself:
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Caffeine: Obvious. You are pushing your human capabilities and will need to call in the reinforcements. There are even options for those who eschew coffee—tea (black or green) provides both caffeine and antioxidants. If fizz and sugar is your thing, sodas like Surge or Mountain Dew can fuel the fire. For the health nut, Kombucha tea provides energy and vitality without the caffeine—and it's naturally evanescent! Sa-weet!
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B-vitamins: Especially b-12, these babies really (and naturally) keep the energy UP! You can buy a b-vitamin complex (perhaps pop a few more than normal) or take b-12 capsules (either would be available at most drug stores, health food stores or apothecaries). You could also just down a Monster drink which, along with another powerful, natural stimulant ginseng, provides lots of vitamin B to keep your eyes open and in the game.
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Music: This can help or hinder. Personally, I lose myself in the music and within minutes am prancing about, wasting precious time before I realize I've just performed, solo, the entire first act of Wicked: the Musical. Others, though, find music invigorating; the rhythm helps them fall into a similar, productive patter. Don't say I didn't warn you.
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Book Stand: Don't underestimate this folding piece of metal. Not only highly transportable, but for around 5 bucks, you can get your text properly and efficiently propped up to not only prevent neck strain but to also facilitate typing should you need to quote from it. It also makes studying in a variety of positions—say sprawled on your leopard carpet—more accessible. We do warn, however, against remaining too long in a vertical position: you may be apt to fall asleep.
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Move: Sleep, generally speaking, equals stillness. Remain still for too long, you fall asleep. So when you feel the lids a droopin', get up and move! Do some down-dogs in the library, somersault on some carpeting, dance or just let out a really hearty scream. Not only are you releasing tension, you're releasing endorphins and serotonin into your body which helps you crusade all night long onto victory.
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Sticky tabs: Not only do they look totally super sweet, they are also functional. Quickly locate quotes, diagrams to review, or hugely important terms in bold-face you may need to memorize. It's milliseconds you're saving, but by not having to search for the page you save something and get that much closer to being DONE.
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Shower: We are not talking a leisurely sauna session in which you jam through the best of Aretha Franklin. Leave that for the victory celebration. Keep the temperature hot to relax nerves and muscles or bitingly cold to jolt you up and back into focus. Enrolled in an online college, you may not have to physically go to class the next day, but rest assured, those around you (wherever you are the next morning) will much appreciate the effort. You'll also feel good. And when you feel good, you work better. See how it all adds up?
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Single THAN double space: If you're writing a paper, boost your mood and sense of productivity by starting your paper single-spaced. Once you've fluffed out somewhere around half of the length requirements (at least 2 pages), highlight the text, select double space and BAM! You are OH so much closer to meeting the length requirement. Finish up by telling them what you already told them, perhaps throw in any neglected essential facts…and get to bed.
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SLEEP: Seems counter intuitive to pulling an all-nighter, but let's be real, you won't ace the test or write the A paper if you're a sleepless zombie expending all her energy on the act of staying awake. Try and give yourself at least a 2 hour break to rest your mind and body. You'll actually test better—because if it isn't in there by a certain point, 2 more hours of jamming it in, when you're barely functioning, won't force it there. Being quasi-clear minded and able to form coherent sentences, though, might help you stay afloat. You can also take a cat nap for an hour or two and wake up extra early to polish your paper or memorize those last few terms with a fresh mind.
Overall, use the all-nighter as a last resort. True, we sometimes work better under pressure, but often times we sell ourselves short (and stress out majorly in the process!). One thing's for sure: as an e-learner you have more flexibility to tailor your schedule and due dates to suit the many things in your life—and still procrastinate accordingly.
eCollegeFinder.org helps you find accredited degrees from online colleges to start a new career or improve your current job. Search eCollegeFinder today and find the right online degree for you!
Celebrities are commonly known for their achievements on the big screen, on stage or on the field. Very few are known for their academic achievements. To help recognize their success in the classroom, here’s a list of celebrities that have completed a masters degree in no particular order.
Peter Weller
Roman and Renaissance Art, Syracuse University
Part man. Part robot. All student. Yes, Robocop (or Peter Weller) earned a graduate degree in Roman and Renaissance Art. Whether he used human side or cyborg side to earn the degree remains a mystery.
Dexter Holland
Molecular Biology, University of Southern California
The Offspring's front man spent his time screaming vocals for the established punk rock band while earning a graduate degree. Holland was a candidate for a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, but chose his band over his shot at becoming a doctor. Though he never quite completed the highest level of his field of study, Holland’s combination of musical fame and an advanced degree is something to be proud of.
Rowan Atkinson
Electrical Engineering, Oxford University
Who would have thought that Mr. Bean used his bean for more than his zany antics as a comedic star? Yes, Atkinson finished what many celebrities never even start: an advanced degree in engineering. His success with comedy began when he joined the Experimental Theatre Club at Oxford. Atkinson managed to finish his degree and create the unforgettable comic identity known as Mr. Bean.
Monica Lewinsky
Social Psychology, London School of Economics
It’s too easy to get the jokes started for Lewinsky and most of us already know her claim to fame. So we’ll let her slide this time and give her credit for completing a graduate degree.
Sigourney Weaver
Fine Arts, Yale University
The queen of aliens, ghouls and freaks, Sigourney Weaver is one educated sci-fi actress. True that many celebrities in Hollywood were at one time were enrolled in a Fine Arts program, not all finish their degrees; let alone complete a master’s degree program.
Lisa Leslie
Business Administration, University of Phoenix
Leslie, a retired WNBA superstar, has compiled an incredible list of achievements: three- time MVP, four-time Olympic gold medal winner, and the first female to ever dunk in a WNBA game. Perhaps her biggest slam came when she completed an online degree, earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Shaquille O’Neal
Business Administration, University of Phoenix
Can Shaq and Leslie be any more alike? They dominated the center position in each of their respected leagues; they brought the city of Los Angeles multiple basketball championship titles; they earned an online masters degree in business from the same university. Looks like Shaq can back up his nickname as “The Big Aristotle.”
David Duchovny
English Literature, Yale University
If you’ve seen his recent work on Showtime’s hit series, Californication, you’ll understand why he is perfect for the show. Some of you may think he plays this role so well because of his stints in rehab for sexual addiction – but we were referring to his role as a writer and novelist. That’s because off the big screen, Duchovny earned a master’s degree in English Literature from Yale University. Duchovny may be known for his addiction, but his academic success in literature should hardly be ignored.
Dolph Lundgren
Chemical Engineering, University of Sydney
Does anyone else find it odd that Dolph Lundgren has appeared in two separate blog posts this month? We knew he could throw a mean punch, we just found out he’s quite the musical entertainer, and now this: Dolph Lundgren earned a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Throw in the fact that he speaks more than five languages, I think it’s safe to say that Lundgren is an 'Ivan’ of all trades.
Art Garfunkel
Mathematics, Columbia University
Garfunkel spent most of his career playing second fiddle to Paul Simon, but he has the edge when it comes to education. His master’s in Mathematics is one degree up on his singing, songwriting partner. There should be no troubled water under this bridge.
eCollegeFinder.org helps you find degrees from online colleges to start a new career or improve your current job. Search eCollegeFinder today and find the right online degre for you!
Last week we brought you the Top Ten Athletes to Have as a College Professor. Now let's take a look at the other end of the spectrum: the worst athletes to teach in the classroom. We'd like to extend a special thanks to all the contributors that emailed us and voted for many of the athletes that made the list. This was a tough group to compile and we apologize for leaving out worthy candidates. To enhance the entertainment factor, we're leaving out the obvious OJ Simpson suggestion (although it is now officially noted).
10. John Madden
Sure, he has had years of success playing football, coaching football and broadcasting football. He's even got a video game named after him. But have you ever really listened to Madden talk? Sometimes his commentating is as mind boggling as a foreign language. His rants take him so far off topic you would never get through a lecture. You would, however, get a detailed board diagram with plenty of arrows and connections that resemble the crop circles from the movie Signs.
9. Chris Webber
Who wants a professor that can't handle simple math: 0 time outs remaining – 1 time out called = how many time outs?
8. Sean Avery
Anyone interested in public speaking should stay far away from Sean Avery. His distasteful comments about ex-girlfriends may produce some laughs with your barroom buddies, but it landed him a suspension from the NHL in 2008. Avery also has a rule named after him for waving his hand in front of Martin Brodeur's face in an attempt to block the goalie's view of play. According to past teammates, he lacks respect and accountability. Sorry Avery, but all of these shenanigans put you on the list.
7. Pete Rose
To be honest we love Charlie Hustle and really believe he could teach many valuable lessons in an academic setting. However, he admittedly bet on baseball and pleaded guilty to two charges of tax evasion. Could you imagine Rose as a statistic or finance professor? He could potentially breed the finest up-and-coming white collar criminals. He probably can't teach you how to bake a cake, but he could certainly teach you how to cook the books.
6. Michael Vick
A vet student's worst nightmare.
5. Tonya Harding
Ms. Harding's attack on Nancy Kerrigan showed the ultimate lack of sportsmanship and disregard for human compassion. Plus, she didn't have the guts to attack Kerrigan herself, but rather hired someone else to do the deed. Harding may teach you how to beat out the competition, but not in the way most people find appropriate.
4. Tiger Woods
Nobody likes a cheater.
3. Plaxico Burress (with his Teaching Assistant, Gilbert Arenas)
Teachers, like athletes, have an immense impact on how students behave and view the world we live in. So when you shoot yourself with a gun or hold a weapon to a teammate, you have no business acting as a role model. Come on, Cheddar Plax, you've got kids too!
2. Barry Bonds
With one of the most controversial careers in all of sports history, Barry Bonds holds the ultimate baseball statistic but the permanent stigma of a fraud. Bonds' bush-league admittance of steroid use is equivalent to blaming a broken lamp on a dog that can't defend itself. He may be able to beat the system, but that's nothing we'd want him to teach in the classroom.
1. Mike Tyson
Iron Mike rounds out the list and it probably comes as no surprise he has been crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of worst teacher-athletes. From the sexual assaults and prison time to the ear-biting incident versus Evander Holyfield, "The Baddest Man on the Planet" is the antithesis of a scholarly role model. On top of all that, his declaration of bankruptcy in 2003 proves his inability to manage money and a career. And even after all of this, we haven't hit on the biggest reason for his inability to guide our students: His lack of grammar skills. Sure, you can probably find some typos or mistakes in this list but do they even compare? In closing, we'd like to offer some Tyson quotes that provide further support for our position on his unique literary style and his overall character:
"I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force. It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm."
"I guess I'm gonna fade into Bolivian."
"I feel like sometimes that I was not meant for this society."
"He was trying to scrutinize with my brain."
"I paid a worker at New York's zoo to re-open it just for me and Robin. When we got to the gorilla cage there was 1 big silverback gorilla there just bullying all the other gorillas. They were so powerful but their eyes were like an innocent infant. I offered the attendant $10,000 to open the cage and let me smash that silverback's snotbox! He declined."
eCoeCollegeFinder.org helps you find accredited degrees from online colleges to start a new career or improve your current job. Search eCollegeFinder today and find the right online degree for you!
As
the last days of summer slowly come to an end, people everywhere are gearing up
for the fall semester of school. Whether you’re enrolled in classes online,
moving into a new apartment, or settling in at an on-campus college, check out these
unique back-to-school gifts that will surely help anyone feel more at home.
1. Twirl
& Scoop, Unite!
It’s
no secret that many college-aged students opt for quick, delicious meals like
Ramen’s Cup-o-Noodles. However, this delicious, almost-instant meal can be
tricky to enjoy: do you twirl with a fork or do you scoop with a spoon? Why not
both? Try eating this slimy yet satisfying meal easily with a stainless-steel
spork. The spoon-like scoop plus
tines of the fork make twirling and sipping this delicious snack even easier!
2.
Maximum Chill, Miniature Size
If
you’re prone to all-nighters full of endless energy drinks, can’t open your
eyes without a Starbucks double shot, or find yourself having frequent
must-have-Ben-and-Jerry’s cravings, you’re the perfect recipient of a mini
fridge/freezer. These compact units are ideal for any room and can be easily
stored under lofted beds or discretely underneath desks. Also, you can control
the settings to either keep leftover pizza warm, or chill ‘soda’ and other
beverages.
3.
Shoot ‘em Up: Toy Marshmallow Shooter
You’re
never too old for toys. In fact, what’s better than a toy and a snack at the same time? This fantastic toy Marshmallow Shooter
combines play time and snack time with its rapid-fire marshmallow shooting
capabilities. The Shooter can easily fit up to 25 mini-marshmallows, or 20 foam
cubes. Whether you’d like to give unsuspecting friends a treat or hone your
aiming skills, the Marshmallow Shooter is the perfect, tasty gift!
4.
A Foreman for Everyone
If
your student is like most college-aged kids, their diet most likely consists of
soda, late night take-out and other unhealthy, yet quick options. Give the gift
of a lean, mean, grilling machine like this George Forman Grill. The Forman
line of portable grills is guaranteed to reduce the fat on most products, and
offers the added convenience of non-stick cooking. It’s small, portable and so easy
to use; it’s perfect for anyone, and cooks just about anything from sandwiches
to veggies.
5. It’s Electric!
A
cell phone charger, computer power cord, iHome and desk fan are just some of
the appliances the average student has plugged in at any one time. In order to
avoid shorting out appliances and potentially losing the unsaved draft of those
last minute ten-page papers, invest in this
expandable power strip. The strip, which provides 6 sockets, can
expand and contract, and has the
ability to fit those annoying three-pronged plugs.
6. Building Blocks
If
your one of the millions of people with an iPod, you’ve probably purchased a white
speaker system with changeable faceplates. Want something different? Even if
you aren’t a Lego or Linking Logs devotee, these retro iPod block speakers are compact,
sturdy and colorful. With these speakers, you’ll no longer worry about mixing
up whose speakers are whose.
7. Conformity is the Spice of
Life
When
your mother told you being different was good, she lied. Well, no, she didn’t.
Being different is great, especially when it comes to decorating your room.
Motivational posters are ubiquitous and a thing of the past. Purchase an
atypical poster like
Conformity to decorate your walls; it’s a guaranteed conversation
piece and potential hide-the-hole-in-the-wall cover.
8. Say ‘So Long’ to the Sniff
Test
We’ve
all been there, done that: it’s early morning, your laundry is in heaps, and
you can’t distinguish between your clean and dirty piles, so you sniff your
clothes to determine its wear-ability. With these "Wash" and "Wear" laundry
bags, you’ll not only stay organized, but also, no longer have to suffer
through Psych 101 wearing last Saturday night’s shirt (again) by accident.
9.
Delivery, Please
Does
this mantra sound familiar: “If it’s not delivery, it’s not for me”? Then check
out this handy take-out menu organizer. With enough space for 60 delivery
menus, plus tabs for quick searches, this binder is ideal for the stay-at-home
diner. This organizer also comes with a tip sheet, so you’ll never over or
under-tip again.
10.
Dolla, Dolla Bill, Ya'll
This
gift hardly needs explaining: students, parents, kids…everyone loves, wants and
needs money. But when students are focusing on their schoolwork and rarely have
time for a part-time or weekend job, their spending is limited. So, when in
doubt, offer to donate some dough on behalf of their studious cause. If you’re
concerned about where cash will go, give gift cards to local pizzerias, the
school bookstore, or a favorite clothing shop.
Are
there more gifts you’d like to see on this list? Add a comment and let us know
what you think!
Former Vice President Al Gore is urging Americans to abandon the use of electricity generated by fossil fuels within the next decade and rely solely upon "
environmentally friendly sources of power, or risk losing their national security as well as their creature comforts." Gore recently gave a speech at an energy conference that reiterated the issues of Global Warming and Greenhouse emissions he made in his Oscar-winning documentary
An Inconvenient Truth as well as the potential risks national security faces should we continue using electricity as opposed to natural energy sources. His work to stop Global Warming, the former VP has also won a Nobel Prize.
As gasoline prices inch closer and closer to five dollars per gallon, you don’t need a
degree in economics to see that the problem of Global Warming is on the forefront of everything these days: the current presidential campaigns, film and television, and most importantly, our minds. Though many are urging us to make the switch to hybrid cars and other energy-saving solutions, they can be costly and time consuming.
StopGlobalWarming.org offers a list of energy-saving tips that are inexpensive and easy to adjust to. So, if you’re not quite ready to convert your car to run on surplus wine like Prince Charles, follow some of the tips listed below and do your part to help end Global Warming.
1. Unplug un-used electronics. Even when your stereo system is turned off, it still uses energy. By unplugging electronics, you can save over 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and over $250 per year!
2. Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, making the air safe for us to breathe. Planting a tree can save up to 2,000 pounds of C02 each year.
3. Stop using plastic. According to StopGlobalWarming.org, approximately 2.5 million individual plastic bottles are thrown out every hour. Switching to reusable drinking containers is much more economical.
4. Let the breeze dry your clothes. Air drying your clothing during warm seasons can save you $75 dollars each year as well as saving the earth 700 lbs of C02.
5. Cut back on meat. The average American’s meat-loving diet adds close to 1.5 tons of greenhouse gases per year to the atmosphere, a lot more than the average vegetarian’s meat-free diet. Eliminate meat and dairy products from your personal nutritional regime at least one day a week and reduce the amount of gasses ruining the atmosphere.
It's no surprise that Americans all over the national are feeling the effects of prices at the pump. What many didn't expect was the sudden increase in
enrollment in online programs. A recent study shows that more and more college students who live off-campus and commute are moving toward distance learning in order to save money. For some schools, student enrollment has
increased by 50% or 100% compared to even just last year.
Summer heat can be hard to handle, especially with energy bills rising and skyrocketing prices of gas and groceries. There’s no need to worry about blasting the air conditioning this summer with these simple solutions to surviving the sweltering temperatures.
1. Do it the old fashioned way. Your grandparents survived their younger years without air conditioning, so can you! Take a note out of their books and open the windows. Fresh air will circulate through the rooms of your home, bringing in the breezes.
2. Have a cold one: Make a picnic of chilled foods and sit in the shade to enjoy. Line the bottom of a cooler with ice packs and fill the remaining space with sorbet, fruit salad, and cold drinks.
3. No goggles required. Too busy for the beach or pool? Take a cool shower or bath after work – it’s relaxing, saves on hot water and beats having to drive to the ocean or community pool for a dip.
4. Pass the popcorn, please! Go to the movies! With all of the summer movies coming out this month, why not sneak off to a darkened movie theater for a few hours. Grab your MilkDuds and popcorn and kick back in a chilly theater and watch this season’s coolest super heroes tear up the big screen.
We've all seen the Saturday Night Live skit regarding Bessie the Cow and methane. Researchers from Buenos Aires are conducting a similar study involving the amount of methane
released from cow burps and their effect on the environment. Of the 10 cows studied, researchers found that an average cow weighing 1,210 lb could produce 800 to 1,000 liters (28 to 35 cubic feet) of emissions each day!