The Seven Deadly Sins of College

     I've only been attending college for two semesters now, but after lots of observation and plenty of mistakes made, I've compiled a list of no-no's. Here are seven things to steer clear of during your final years of schooling--the seven deadly sins of college!

Sloth
     I'll finished that essay... tomorrow. I'll wake up early for class... next time. I'll study for the test... after one more episode of COPS. Does this sound like you? If so, get off your butt and get busy! With all the freedom you're given in college, it's easy to slack off. I've done it. You're no longer trapped behind a chicken-wire fence like you were in high school. Nobody is going to chase after you if you leave, and nobody is going to hold your hand and remind you to finish your homework. Since nobody is telling you what to do anymore, it's pretty tempting to fall behind and enjoy your newfound freedom a little TOO much. The best way to avoid sloth is to never start it. Don't skip any classes, because one turns into one-too-many. Don't put off your homework, because one night turns into waiting 'till the night before. Fight the laziness!

Greed
     For some students, college is all about the ca$h m0n3y. (Sorry about that.) Their main goal consists of earning a degree that will get them the highest-paying career possible, whether they actually enjoy what they're doing or not. To me, that seems all wrong. I understand it, sure! College prepares you for a job, which you'll use to support yourself. But don't make your college career revolve around money. Pick a major that you'll actually enjoy. I chose Journalism--not because it would make me the most money (to be honest, I'll probably end up struggling for a few years) but because I love to write. I'm not sitting here typing up this blog entry for school, and I'm not getting paid. I'm writing this because it makes me happy. Writing is my passion. Don't choose your major with greed as your main motivation. Choose something you will genuinely enjoy doing your entire life.

Lust
     I'm just gonna be blunt here--college is FULL of gorgeous dudes. Yes, when you're on a campus with thousands upon thousands of students, a good percentage of them are bound to be good-looking. However, only a small percentage of those good-looking guys are actually non-douchebag dating material. College is a time to have fun, so don't waste your golden years chasing after some idiot frat boy or dealing with heartbreak after heartbreak. Keep it light, and if you do happen to find that one person who keeps your flame lit for more than just one evening, take the risk. That being said, there is nothing wrong with dating and flirting around in your college years... Just remember to protect your heart and your body. Also, remember that nobody likes a whore.

Gluttony
     Luckily, my school is pretty good when it comes to healthy food and snacks. We've got little shops all across campus selling grape cups, fruit salads, healthy soup, smoothies, vitamin water, you name it. However, things get a lil' scary once you venture further back into the store. Rows and rows of candy bars, ten different brands of greasy chips, hot cheetos, donuts, and nachos with that nasty, neon orange cheese. We even have a make-your-own milkshake machine, no joke! When it comes to staying healthy during college, all you have to do is make good decisions. Don't just reach for the nearest bag of chips--stand there for a minute or two and decide which brand has less fat/sugar/evil chemicals in it. Grab a fruit salad instead of a hot pocket. Steer clear of the campus fast food joints. All it takes is a conscious effort.

Anger
     "Ugh, I hate this teacher!" or "I hate this class!" or even "I hate this entire college!" are just a few of the remarks I've heard classmates say this past year. I may have been guilty as well. Next time a teacher assigns you a crappy essay or 50 pages of reading, keep calm. You are in college for a reason, and that reason is to actually learn something. You aren't forking over tons of cash to the school system so you can skip class and skate by doing as little work as possible, are you? A degree won't mean anything if you never actually learn about the subject. So instead of getting frustrated with that huge Sociology paper due tomorrow, just buck up and get it done. After all, nobody is forcing you to stay in school--learn how to handle it or get up and leave!

Envy
     In my opinion, a little competition is a good thing. It gives you that little itch to work harder and become a better student. However, never let jealousy take the wheel... It will steer you in a bad, bad direction. They key to avoiding envy is not to be better than everybody else, but rather to be happy with yourself the way you are. If you like yourself as a person, accept that you're not perfect and know that you're trying the best you can to succeed, there is no need to be jealous of anybody else. Be yourself, because you are the only YOU there is. Nobody likes a copy-cat or a person who is uncomfortable in their own skin. Never be afraid to be your weird, lovely, amazing self.

Pride
     To be completely honest, I don't really consider pride as a "sin." I just don't think having pride is all that terrible. If you're good at painting, why not hang your work on the walls for all to see? If you've just gotten accepted into your dream school, why not shout it from the rooftops? As long as you don't let yourself get out of control or brag to put down others, what is so wrong about taking pride in yourself and all that you do? Flaunt it if you got it!

Halloween Costumes: Sexy vs. Skanky

     Oh, Halloween... That one day of the year where dressing like a
complete tramp is 100% acceptable. Right? Uh, no. Just because every female within a 50-mile radius is walking around in her underwear doesn't make it any less trashy! I remember the days when people actually put thought into their Halloween outfits. Wearing costumes that are genuinely scary, like wart-nosed witches and blood soaked bats seem to be a thing of the past. Nobody cares about the scary anymore, it's all about the slutty. Even the cute & clever costumes seem to be swirling down the drain and are being replaced with knee high fishnets and spandex booty shorts. Well, ladies, there's nothing wrong with channeling your inner sexy side, but be warned! There's a fine line between looking sexy and looking skanky. Luckily, I'm here to help you walk that line... And look damn cute while you're doing it!

    Being Creative: Sexy! Yes, ladies, you CAN be sexy on Halloween night without dressing up like a Playboy bunny! Adding a little originality to your costume is always a plus. It can take your outfit from that "same ol' slutty sailor suit" to a creative, smokin' hot costume that nobody's ever seen before. You want to step out in getup people will remember for years to come. You want that "wow" factor. You want people to envy your costume itself, not just how amazing your boobs looked in it. An old neighbor of mine once strapped loads of cotton all over his body, dipped his entire top half in red dye, and went to a Halloween party cleverly disguised as a bloody tampon. It might not have been the hottest outfit of the night, but was it memorable? Um, hell yes!

Heidi Klum always does Halloween right!

    Being Cliché: Skanky! Anyone can be a "sexy nurse." A "sexy pirate." A "sexy bumblebee." I don't even know why that last one exists, but that's besides the point. You might think you look cute in your two-sizes-too-small cop uniform, but so do the other 300 girls wearing the exact same thing. Halloween slut clones are running rampant in the streets- now that is something to be afraid of! Being a clone is boring and unoriginal. Even making the tiniest changes to your outfit, like becoming a dead sailor or a sexy zombie nurse instead, will earn you major points. Halloween is not just another excuse to dress like a skank. It's not "let's role play our sexual fantasies in public" day, either. It's freakin' Halloween! Ditch that stupid french maid outfit that half the world already has hanging in their closet and show some originality!

    Sense of Humor: Sexy! There's nothing sexier than a fine looking lady with a sense of humor. Double whammy! Funny costumes bring life & energy to the room. They're excellent conversation starters, and you can show off how clever you are while showing off your fabulous figure as well! Who says funny can't be sexy? If you're stumped, here are some cute costume ideas... You can show up to a Halloween party in an elegant gown, pearls, and even fancy white gloves with a sign around your neck reading, "Apology." You're a formal apology! Or, you could try wearing a sports hat, sports jersey, and sign that says "Go Ceilings!" (Ceiling fan. Get it?) They're super cheesy of course, but that's part of the fun. You've got to be willing to poke some fun at yourself, and the ability to do that is sexy in itself. When you add some funny to your look, you'll get hands clapping in applause instead of hands feeling up your dress!

    Showing T&A: Skanky! It's the age old rule of showing skin, and I'm sure you all know it! Let me be blatant here and refresh your memory anyways: Tits or ass. Pick one. If you're wearing a low cut top and letting your ta-tas shine in all their glory, cover up your legs with some cute tights or leggings. If you're rocking those booty shorts and showing off your lovely legs, cover up the boobs a little. Just because it's Halloween doesn't mean every single female body part needs to come out and play! Wear costumes that flatter your shape, hug your curves and show off just the right amount of skin. Leaving certain things to the imagination is key. Create some mystery. Remember, there's a fine line between sexy and skanky... So have some respect for yourself (and others) by not crossing it!

Here's to looking sexy, staying classy, and keeping Halloween the way it should be!

10 Benefits of Waking Up Early

     Waking up early in the morning one of the best habits you can develop. It's an essential key for productivity & overall well-being. If you aren't already an early riser, it's never too late to change! Discover the benefits of gaining a couple extra hours each day. You'll never go back, I guarantee it! For today's 10 Things Thursday, I'll be sharing some benefits, common misconceptions, and lovely things about early rising. Enjoy, then see for yourself!

     1. Coffee. This is my favorite motivation for waking up early. A hot cup of flavored coffee (Hazelnut is wonderful!) can turn a cold, dark morning into a warm heaven! Instead of heading to your local Starbucks every morning, make your coffee at home and save tons of money. I use Nescafé Clásico instant coffee- A few spoonfuls, some hot water, a little creamer and you're good to go!

     2. Peace. Morning time is one of the most peaceful times of day. When the rest of the world is still asleep, only the gentle noise of birds singing fills the air. No honking cars, no screaming children, no soccer balls. Just you, your cup of coffee, and your peace of mind. This rarely ever happens, so do as Depeche Mode says and Enjoy the Silence!

     3. Energy. It's a common misconception that the longer you sleep in, the more energy you'll have for the day. It would make sense, but don't be fooled! More sleep does not necessarily mean more energy! Hitting snooze over & over again will never work! Take it from a girl who was late for school almost every day of Junior High- When you wake up in the morning, really wake up. Force yourself to get out of that warm, tempting bed and splash some water on your face. Whether you wake up at 4AM or at 9AM, you will still be sleepy. So just wake up and go.

     4. Head start. You'd be shocked by how many things you can actually get done before 10AM! Make a to-do list for the day, and I guarantee that you'll crunch through half of it while the ordinary you would still be dreaming away. Once you've got everything done in the morning time, what do you worry about for the rest of the day? That's right, absolutely nothing.

     5. Sunrise. We all know what the sunset looks like, but have you ever really seen the sunrise? It's a whole new atmosphere, a whole new feeling. Watching the sunrise can be a romantic and magical thing. Grab a blanket, find a way to get up on the roof without decapitating yourself, and enjoy the show.

     6. Beauty. Yes, ladies... Not only will you have more time to perfect your hair & makeup, but waking up early brings a world of other benefits to the way you look. Waking up at 11AM, skipping breakfast, and not having enough time to wash your hair can take a major toll on your mood. Congratulations, you're now sleepy, hungry and dirty-haired! The girl who wakes up early is a smart one. Say goodbye to pillow marks, bed-head and smeared eyeliner for good. You might even have enough time to curl your hair or create a fancy updo, like a waterfall braid. Why the heck not?

     7. Good day. Do you like to feel rushed, frazzled and sleepy as you fly out the front door late for work? Or would you rather be rested, relaxed and ready for the day? Unless you're some sort of masochist, most people would choose the second option. The way our morning turns out often sets the mood for the rest of the entire day, and becoming an early riser can dramatically change the way you go about your life. You can get everything done before noon and walk out the door cool, calm and collected. Oh yeah, baby!

     8. Breakfast. Warm pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and crispy bacon taste way better when enjoyed while watching the sun come up. Not only that, but you don't have to rush- You have time to cook your breakfast right. No more grabbing a stale pop tart as you run out the door, or skipping breakfast altogether. You might even gain enough extra hours in the day to take a special trip to a breakfast café once a week! Woohoo!

     9. Exercise. An extra couple of hours in the morning leaves plenty of time for a jog, a quick bike ride or an at-home yoga session. Saving your hardcore abs workout for the end of the day often gets put aside for more important things like homework, cooking, and just plain being too exhausted. Exercise in the morning so you can cross it off your to-do list and get on with your day!

     10. Morning sex. Just kidding, unless you're into that type of thing.

Bonus Round: How to Wake Up Early!

     We all know how beneficial waking up at an early hour can be, but how do we get there? Here are three of my tried-and-true methods.

     1. When you wake up, stretch as you lay in bed. Stretch each part of your body one by one, slowly and carefully. Stretching wakes up your muscles and gives your brain a boost, just enough to help you get out of bed!

     2. Set your alarm clock for the morning, and place it on a high shelf or an out-of-reach nightstand. This age old trick really does work. It forces you to get out of bed and walk to the alarm clock in order to shut off the annoying beeps. Well, look at that- You're already standing up and out of bed! There's no turning back now!

     3. Have something to look forward to. Nothing gets you out of bed faster than the excitement of having something to wake up to. Remember how early you sprung out of bed as a kid on Christmas morning? Well, why can't every morning be that way? Start a new job or project that will get you going.