Finding ways to get closer to and protect the planet is something that’s mutually beneficial for college students and nature. Spending more time in wild spaces boosts your health but can also deepen your appreciation and motivation for stewardship. Similarly, adopting sustainable habits mitigates damage and gives you a sense of well-being. So, let’s look at a few great ways college students can connect with the planet.

Spending Time in Nature

One of the simplest ways you can connect with the planet as a college student is to spend more time in nature. It can be really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of urban life, particularly if you’re attending college in a city. Making a little effort to step out of the streets and into the wild can both boost your appreciation of the natural world and have vast mental and physical health benefits. 

Hiking is a great place to begin. Consider doing a little research into what trails are near your college. The website of your local parks and recreation department is usually a good resource. Look into the distances and terrains of each trail, so you can make plans for walks you can fit into an afternoon or spend a little longer on during the weekend. If you’re attending a university away from your hometown, this can also be a great way to learn a little more about the ecosystems of your new location.

If you’re feeling a little more ambitious, camping is a fantastic way to truly immerse yourself in nature. It gives you more time to do outdoor activities — like birdwatching, hiking, and fishing — alongside the opportunity to sleep under the stars surrounded by the sounds and smells of the environment.

It’s important to make preparations for camping depending on the season, to stay safe and get the most from the experience. In the summer, you can plan to visit areas that give you longer outdoor adventures. Though, you’ll need to make sure you pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and breathable fabrics. In winter, you might need to take a thermal heater or choose a place that has hot springs, such as Yellowstone.

Adopting Sustainable Fashion and Beauty

Making sustainable fashion and beauty choices can help you to cultivate a more positive connection to the planet. This begins with recognizing why it is ethically and environmentally responsible to avoid fast fashion. While the items fast fashion and beauty brands make may be affordable and plentiful, these companies often generate excessive waste and release significant emissions during production. Not to mention that many factories making the products offer poor pay and safety conditions to their workers.

Therefore, it’s important to pay close attention to where you buy your fashion and beauty products and how they’re made. When purchasing from a new brand, do some online research into their corporate sustainability measures. If they’re not fully transparent about their activities and the improvements they need to make, this can be a red flag. Be particularly wary of brands that “greenwash” by using marketing that makes them appear sustainable while providing no evidence to back their claims.

Wherever possible, purchase your clothing items second-hand. Thrift and consignment stores can be great sources of good quality fashion. You’ll also be extending the lifespan of garments, which minimizes the impact unnecessary waste has on the planet. You can experiment with your style without breaking the bank, too!

Joining Community Initiatives

It can be easy to feel powerless in the face of relentless environmental damage, but you’re not. Community initiatives are a great way to work with others on environmental projects that encourage ecological stewardship and make a genuine difference. These might be green organizations on your college campus or initiatives run by wider city, county, or state nonprofits.

Some activities you can engage in might include:

• Community clean-ups: Clean-up efforts are designed to undo or mitigate some of the damage of human activity. Some college campuses hold regular clean-up days to keep the local space waste free. But you can also make an impact by engaging in beach cleanup projects that address waste that harms animals and pollutes the oceans. Clean-ups in parks and forests are also vital for reducing human impact on natural habitats. 
• Environmental lobbying: Government agencies and businesses have a role to play in reducing environmental damage of industries. One way you could make a difference is to join a lobbying group that seeks to inform organizations about the damage industries do and put pressure on them to change. This can be targeted activism demanding big brands divest from fossil fuels. It could also be as simple as organized posting in brands’ social media comments sections requesting they reduce their plastic use.

There’s a lot of damage being done to the environment by humans and multiple ways to help address it. Yet, don’t feel as though you have the responsibility to fill every spare moment you have with activism and stewardship activities. That’s just a recipe for burnout, particularly as you’re also balancing your studies. Environmental action is a shared responsibility. Be realistic about what you can manage and engage in activities that fit in with your schedule, energy, and priorities. Even a little action makes a difference.

Conclusion

Connecting with the planet during your time at college is beneficial to you and the natural world around you. You can simply spend more time appreciating nature on camping trips, alongside engaging in environmental initiatives, among other measures. Importantly, talk about your activities and routines with others on your campus. Sharing practical and interesting actions may encourage others to engage, boosting the impact of your natural connection.

SEE ALSO: Elevate Your Campus Style With These 90s Fashion Trends

The post Three Ways College Students Can Connect with the Planet appeared first on College News.

Living with acne or other conditions might impact your quality of life and make you a little more hesitant to engage with those around you. The good news is that there are things you can do to achieve clearer skin. By adopting good skin care practices and other routines, you can make a real difference to your appearance and wellness.

Prioritize Hydration

Hydration is the foundation of any routine to achieve clear skin. First of all, drinking water helps your skin retain moisture and prevents it from becoming too dry or too oily. Hydration can also minimize some signs of aging skin. While this might seem less of a concern when you’re at college, one report found that 70% of Gen Zers are actually already using daily anti-aging serums. Starting regular hydration now can be a good healthy habit whether or not you’re currently using these products.

Alongside drinking plenty of water — preferably around 4-6 cups per day — you can also adopt effective moisturizing routines. If you have acne, an oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizer may help you achieve clearer skin. This is particularly important if you’re using other dermatological treatments that dry out your skin. Adopting moisturizers into your routine can help you to achieve more balanced and healthy skin.

It’s also important to pay attention to how water quality can affect your health. In addition to triggering headaches and behavioral symptoms, water pollution can lead to skin irritation. This isn’t just about the water you drink, but also where you swim or bathe. Harmful algae blooms (HABs) and other cyanotoxins might affect your skin health and clarity. Therefore, it’s important to research the water quality in your area and avoid sources that may be subject to contaminants. You might also find it useful to invest in water filtration and purification in your dorm or other residence.

Consider Your Holistic Well-Being

Try to avoid the mistake of thinking that skin care is only about doing things connected directly to dermatology. There are various parts of your lifestyle and the environment that can affect how healthy your skin is. Instead, by taking care of your wider well-being, you’re likely to have a more holistically positive effect.

Let’s start with your diet. The good hydration we mentioned before is essential, of course. The foods you eat can make a difference. Cutting down on junk foods is good because these items can influence your organ health, which in turn influences your hormone balance. It is your hormones that most directly lead to issues like acne. In addition to minimizing junk, it’s wise to adopt a balanced diet that includes items that reduce inflammation. Turmeric, probiotics, and foods that contain zinc and vitamins A, D, and E are recognized to be good for acne in particular.

Additionally, your mental wellness plays a role in your holistic and skin health, too. College can be a really stressful experience. While stress isn’t a direct cause of conditions like acne, it can trigger the production of hormones like cortisol. In turn, these hormones can overstimulate oil glands, leading to clogged pores and skin conditions. Therefore, it’s wise — on a number of levels — to adopt stress management practices into your daily routine. This may involve meditation and mindfulness, regular exercise, and even just talking to your friends when things get a little too difficult.

Collaborate with a Dermatologist

Daily hydration routines and holistic wellness are good foundations for clear skin. But in some circumstances, professional medical guidance may be an effective tool for creating a plan to address the underlying causes of skin complaints.

So, how do you know when it’s time to consult a dermatologist for your acne? Signs of a severe issue — such as having numerous papules and pustules or they’re in unusual places, like armpits — may warrant a visit. This is because such conditions can be difficult to treat with over-the-counter remedies. If your acne is painful or affecting your self-esteem, this can also be reason enough to seek professional guidance. 

Working with a dermatologist isn’t just positive because they can provide access to more robust medications or antibiotics. They also spend time exploring what could be the root causes of your skin condition. Importantly, they’ll collaborate with you on creating a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs and specific skin type, empowering you to embark on your college experience with clearer skin and greater confidence.

Conclusion

Getting clearer skin takes some focus and discipline, but it’s certainly achievable. It involves committing to regular hydration, alongside taking a holistic approach to your wellness, among other actions. Remember, though, that the condition of your skin isn’t the be-all and end-all of your self-worth. You have many qualities and unique perspectives that contribute to what’s great about you. By cultivating these alongside taking care of your health, you can give yourself the confidence boost that may make your college experience more positive.

SEE ALSO: Spring Into Action: How to Organize a Campus Clean-Up Day

The post The College Student’s Guide to Clear Skin appeared first on College News.

Unfortunately, when violence has been done unto protestors, the response from police has been described by officials as “limited and delayed.” This is a serious issue, as protestors at campuses like UCLA faced threats including “fireworks, a scooter, water bottles, and tear gas”.

While you should always feel safe to express your First Amendment rights, the escalation of tensions means that you should exercise some caution, too. This will keep you safe and ensure you can engage in lively debates without jeopardizing your health or the health of those around you.

First Aid and Safety

Things can become fractious quickly during a protest. Tensions are particularly prone to spiraling out of control when two or more groups of protestors meet, which may cause violence to break out. While almost all recent protests have been peaceful, it is better to err on the side of caution and prepare yourself to perform first aid if called upon.

While you should refrain from bringing any sharp objects to a protest, you may want to pack essential items like band-aids, gauze, and antiseptic wipes. This can help you clean and bandage wounds that are bleeding due to violence.

You should also keep an eye out for less obvious injuries like concussions. Learning how to spot the signs of a concussion can help you draw attention to a person who is in need of help. This is particularly important if counter-protestors are throwing water bottles into the crowd or police officers are using excessive force to tackle students during a protest. Recognizing a concussion can ensure that the person who has been injured receives help as soon as it is available.

If violence does break out near you, it is best to leave the area rather than engage in conflict. This can be challenging in the heat of the moment, as you’ll naturally want to rally alongside the folks you are protesting with. Instead, focus your efforts on getting people to safety and providing care to those who may have been targeted by violence.

Keeping Cool

Most on-campus protests occur during the summer. In some states, that means you’ll be facing temperatures over 90F. This can become dangerous quickly if you are not properly hydrated or are standing in direct sunlight for hours at a time.

If you’re part of an organizing committee, keep your fellow activists cool by planning to parade through a shaded area. This reduces the risk of sunstroke and will keep folks cooler throughout the warmer parts of the day. You can also hand out DIY ice packs made from ingredients that stay cooler for longer than water alone, including:

• Soap-based ice packs
• Gel ice
• Rice Packs
• Ice sponges

These handmade ice packs are cheap and will help folks cool off during the warmer months. DIY packs like rice bags can also serve an important function should anyone need an ice pack following an injury while protesting.

State Law

While your First Amendment rights are inalienable, some states make it more difficult for students to protest freely. This means you’ll need to conduct some research before you take to the streets on or around your campus. Failing to abide by the law may put you in conflict with the police and result in injury or arrest.

Research state law before joining a protest and stay up to date with recent events in your area. This is particularly important if you live in a state like Texas. In recent weeks, Gov. Greg Abbot has called for arrests on campus and for students who join pro-Palestine protests to be expelled. If you do see someone being wrongfully arrested, avoid the temptation to intervene. Instead, take down key details like:

• Identifying information like officer’s names and badge numbers
• Recent events leading up to the arrest
• Record the arrest as evidence in the future

These steps keep you safe and can be used to push back against any false accusations. You’ll also want to stay up-to-date with your state’s anti-boycott law before engaging in a protest like a boycott. Despite concerns that these types of laws violate civil liberties, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas have opposed the Combating BDS (boycotts, divestment, and sanctions) Act in Congress and maintain controversial anti-BDS laws. This may mean that your livelihood could be at risk if you support calls for divestment.

Conclusion

Using your voice is a key component of being an engaged, politically conscious citizen. However, you need to exercise some caution if you want to stay safe and maintain the safety of your peers. Learn a few first aid skills before attending your next protest and conduct some research before joining a rally or parade. This will help you avoid potential conflict and keep you safe while you express your First Amendment rights.

SEE ALSO: Essential Life Skills Every College Student Should Master

The post Navigating Student Activism: Health and Safety First appeared first on College News.

Working closely with your student support services can help you learn how to manage stress and lead a lifestyle that suits your needs, too. Counselors and educators have advised plenty of students in a similar situation to you in the past and will be keen to help you become your best self while at university.

You can also develop some crucial soft skills while taking college credits. Developing soft skills like time management and teamwork will help you in life after university, and will ensure that you’re able to achieve the grades that you’re aiming for.

Employment

Financial management is a must-have skill, regardless of your major or future career moves. Being able to keep a clear budget, manage your cash flow, and file your taxes properly will alleviate your financial stress and help you make the most of your earnings.

It goes without saying that the easiest way to improve your financial situation is to get a job that meets your salary needs. However, this can be easier said than done while you’re pursuing a degree. Rather than taking the first minimum wage gig you get offered, use the web to find a job online today by:

• Work with advisors to update and improve your resume,
• Freshen up your LinkedIn profile to reflect course progress and achievements,
• Use keyword searches to narrow down prospective roles,
• Build a website that functions as an online portfolio for your work,
• Keep applying at a consistent rate; rejection is normal and finding a good gig can be a job in itself!

When starting your search, stick to the “big players” in the recruiting world like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Simplify Jobs. These job sites will host most of the opportunities in your area and will help you find employers that align with your needs and expectations.

You should also use career fairs to find prospective employers. This is particularly important if you’re studying in a field that regularly offers work placements to current students. Taking on a voluntary or low-paid position while in college can boost your long-term financial prospects and help you hit the ground running when you graduate.

Networking

The best time to start expanding your professional network is while you’re a college student. You’ll get to know instructors, advisors, mentors, former students, and alumni who can offer insightful professional connections and guidance. Accept networking opportunities and employment fairs, and remember to utilise sites like LinkedIn to maintain connections. It’s incredible how helpful your peer network can be to discover job openings and initiatives that you might not otherwise be aware of.

Budgeting

Unless you’re able to find gainful employment while in college, you are probably taking on debt to get through college. This can feel stressful at first but, with the right financial management plan, you should be able to repay your student loan within the next 21 years.

Despite the advice of out-of-touch business moguls, skipping avocado toast and lattes will not help you leave college debt-free. However, that doesn’t mean you should overlook budgeting altogether. Instead, find ways to stay on budget while leading the kind of lifestyle that you enjoy.

For example, if you have a passion for fashion, you may want to spend more of your cash on thrifted items, rather than new garments. This may sound like flippant advice if you’re racking up tens of thousands of dollars in loans but, over the course of a four-year degree, thrifting can help you save thousands of dollars. You can start thrifting like a pro today by:

• Clearing out your budget to earn in-store credit and rewards;
• Searching with intention and creating a style board to keep you on track;
• Customizing clothes that aren’t quite right — particularly if they’re on sale at a great price;
• Visiting specialist stores for the items you actually want.

Thrifting is just one example of how you can stay on budget while leading a lifestyle that suits you. You can apply these insights to other areas of your life, too, such as buying used items like pre-owned video games, low-mileage used cars, and exercise equipment that is no longer being used.

Research skills

One of the most important things you learn in college is how to do research effectively. You’ll become an expert at locating trustworthy sources, assessing data, and combining your conclusions into a cogent argument. To be a great decision-maker in the business and in life, you need to have these research skills.

Critical Thinking

One of the most important things you will learn in college is how to think critically. It’s the capacity to evaluate data and reach well-informed conclusions. Complex concepts must frequently be dissected in college education, which fosters the development of strong critical thinking skills that are useful in both the workplace and daily life. Not only is this worthwhile and enjoyable, but strong critical thinking abilities have been linked to improved long-term health.

Communication Skills

Whether it’s giving presentations, writing essays, or participating in group projects, college is all about effective communication. You’ll learn to articulate your ideas clearly, listen actively, and collaborate with diverse groups of people. These communication skills are crucial for building strong personal and professional relationships. Again, evidence shows that higher communication skills are associated with a huge range of benefits like problem solving and higher self-esteem. 

Adaptability

You’ll have to swiftly adjust to new chances and problems that you’ll encounter in college. You’ll gain flexibility and resilience that will help you in new social situations and huge changes. In the dynamic work market of today, this versatility is a great advantage.

Time Management

Time flies by when you’re in college. One moment, you’re entering the classroom for your first freshman 101 class, the next you’re walking out on stage as a graduate. The semesters are almost certain to fly by, meaning that making the most of your remaining time in school is crucial. You can improve your time management skills while in college by:

• Using a priority matrix to focus your efforts on the most important tasks;
• Breaking up your to-do list to avoid procrastination;
• Joining a study group to become more accountable;
• Saying “no” to social events that will jeopardize your responsibilities;
• Decluttering your space and calendar to improve mental focus.

These steps will streamline your day and help you focus on the most important tasks. If you’re still struggling to keep up with expectations, consider utilizing time management techniques like Pomodoro timers. This can give you a mental boost and help you get through that last paper before spring break.

Conclusion

College is the perfect time to master skills like time management and budgeting. You’ve got plenty of support services around you and can reach out to trusted counselors if you struggle to balance the books. Consider looking for a job that can increase your income and reduce your debt while in college, too. This will minimize your financial stress and put you in a great position to hit the ground running when you graduate.

SEE ALSO: Spring Into Action: How to Organize a Campus Clean-Up Day

The post Essential Life Skills Every College Student Should Master appeared first on College News.

Firstly, a clean-up is an exercise in social and environmental responsibility, recognizing that those who contribute to negative impact should also contribute to addressing it. It’s also a great community initiative, offering a diverse student body to come together and do some good. We’re going to run through some of the considerations when creating an effective clean-up event.

The Planning Phase to clean up

The first thing to recognize is that a successful campus clean-up day is not something you can improvise. By taking some time to plan in advance, you can maximize the positive impact you and your fellow students can have. Not to mention that planning prevents you from overlooking important considerations and potential resources.

Organizing a community event is challenging, but there are some key areas to focus your planning on that can boost your success. Some of these include:

Creating a Budget

A clean-up event requires a range of resources depending on your approach. These might include trash bags, litter pickers, perhaps even snacks for volunteers. Establishing what your budget is helps you to prioritize your expenditures and also identify where you might need to seek external sponsorship or donations. You can keep this organized with a clear spreadsheet of resources and expected expenses.

Choosing a Space

Selecting a venue is essential for your campus clean-up. You may want to focus the clean-up itself on specific in-need areas, such as enhancing the green spaces. Even if your efforts are dedicated to the entire campus, you’ll need to select a meeting space that hosts the kick-off and houses your resources. Think about the size you’ll need for the number of people involved and how to achieve accessibility for students living with disabilities.

Encouraging Volunteers and Partners For The Big Clean Up

Any kind of campus clean-up should be a group effort. This means you’ll need to seek out volunteers and partners and convince them to be a part of your event. It’s not always easy, but there are a few approaches that can help, including the following.

Identifying Your Stakeholders

You need to have a good idea of who you need to be involved with your campus clean-up and why they might want to be a part of it. The most obvious is fellow students. Make a list of which demographics you’re targeting, whether it’s the general student body or people from specific faculties. You might also need administrators to support your efforts, financially or otherwise. Get a clear idea of why they should get involved and what you want from them, so you can make relevant presentations.

Communicating Your Intentions

If you want people to get involved, they need to actually know it’s happening. Craft some compelling materials that communicate about the clean-up project, when it is, and why you’re doing it. This might include posters around campus, announcements in emails, and social media posts. Keep these as simple as possible, though. The aim is to engage people quickly and give them a reason to care.

Giving Them an Incentive

Having a cleaner and more environmentally friendly campus should be incentive enough to get people to join in. Nevertheless, it’s worth considering what you can do to make the event more attractive. One option to make the clean-up more fun is to host a sustainable spring outdoor party. Create a welcoming and festive atmosphere with upcycled decorations. Wherever possible, serve fresh fruits and vegetables, alongside spring-themed cocktails and mocktails. You can even have craft activities using some of the materials gathered during the clean-up.

Execution on the Day

The tasks leading up to the clean-up is just the beginning of the work. To execute your event effectively and efficiently, you’ll also need some solid organization on the day itself.

Just before the event begins, you could set up stations throughout the campus. For instance, provide sections to drop off filled trash sacks and collect new ones. There can also be designated areas to check gardening equipment in and out if your clean-up includes green spaces. If you’re on a sustainable campus, having clear signposts to composting and recycling stations is also wise. Make sure there are stations for water and other refreshments, too.

Another focus during execution is safety. When volunteers arrive, talk through a few key safety points with everyone. If there is dangerous equipment—like ride-on floor buffers and lawnmowers—ensure those using these tools have sufficient training and safety guidance. As it’s spring, it can also be a good idea to provide everyone with access to sunscreen throughout the day.

From here, it’s often useful to divide your volunteers into groups. This allows you to ensure the right people are tackling different areas of the campus clean-up, particularly if some tasks require specific skills. Importantly, encourage a sense of camaraderie among each of the groups. Ensure volunteers are paired with compatible personalities where possible. You can even provide a sense of friendly competition by offering prizes based on results or the creativity displayed during each team’s activities.

Conclusion

A campus clean-up day is a positive contribution to the community and the ecological well-being of your college. This involves some clear planning, followed by good communication, and careful execution. It’s also worth keeping a good record of the steps you took to produce the clean-up and the challenges you faced along the way. Your documentation can prove to be a great resource to future students arranging clean-ups that keep the campus green for years to come.

SEE ALSO: What Are the Pros and Cons of Driving Your Car to Campus?

The post Spring Into Action: How to Organize a Campus Clean-Up Day appeared first on College News.

Having a mentor along the way can make a big difference. A mentor relationship can boost your confidence, teach you what you need to know about your field of interest, and potentially help you network with the right people.

But, how can you find a mentor that fits your needs, and what can you do to foster a healthy and productive relationship with them? It’s easier than you might think to form a connection with someone willing to help.

What are the 3 C’s of mentorship?

The foundation of mentoring is firmly based on the three Cs: connection, communication, and collaboration. Every one of these components is extremely important for fostering a vibrant and influential mentor-mentee connection. Connection is more than just a passing acquaintance.

What to Look for in a Mentor

Mentors are there to help you through any kind of transition. You might benefit from finding one at the start of your college career to help with the transition from high school. Or, you might want to form a relationship with one as you near the end of your collegiate career and start thinking about your future. But, not all mentors are created equally.

First, you have to decide what kind of mentorship you’re looking for as you move through college. Do you want someone who is an expert in your field of interest? Someone who cheers you on no matter what you’re doing? Or, are you looking for someone to keep you grounded so you don’t let the stress of your collegiate career and the future take you off track?

As you start your search, write down your professional goals. Creating a career plan now, no matter where you are in your college career, can make it easier to determine the type of mentor you need and want. Your career plan should include:

• Short- and long-term goals
• A self-assessment
• Research and exploration
• Skill development
• Networking
• Personal branding
• A long-term vision

A mentor can help you with all of these things, so you feel more confident in the career you’re interested in.

It’s also important to make sure you choose a mentor with the right qualities. You want to form a relationship with someone who is invested in you and your future. They need to be a good listener, respectful of your needs, and empathetic while also being a go-getter. You might need to “shop around” for a bit before deciding on the right person to help you.

Sources for Mentorship

Once you know the kind of mentor you’re looking for, how can you find the right person? Start with networking. It’s a good skill to have before you step out into the real world, and you can use it to find the right mentor, even if they’re halfway across the world. Get involved with online networking through social media or online discussion groups. Push your online presence and don’t hesitate to put yourself out there, especially on sites like LinkedIn, to let people know what you’re looking for.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to reach out if you’re involved in global networking. While it’s important to be mindful of people’s time, it never hurts to send a quick message to a potential mentor asking if they’d like to chat about their industry. A question can serve as a conversational hook, and help you get your foot in the door when it comes to building a digital relationship.

If you’re more interested in getting to know a mentor in person, look no further than the resources your college offers. Talk to academic advisors. They might already have connections to people who would be a great fit. Or, check out your school’s alumni association for notable individuals who have gone into similar career paths. You can also join clubs, volunteer, or get involved with various campus activities. You never know who you’ll meet and how they might completely change your life and your future.

Leveraging Your Relationship

Once you’ve found a mentor who you think will be a good fit, put in the necessary work to foster a healthy and professional relationship with them.

The best thing you can do is ensure you’re always keeping the lines of communication open with them. Don’t hesitate to keep them aware of your goals, as well as your wants and needs. But, be flexible. They might offer constructive feedback, and you need to be willing to hear it without looking at it as criticism. Your mentor is there to help you grow, and that often means changing the way you originally planned on doing things.

As long as you and your mentor maintain mutual respect for each other, your relationship should naturally flourish. Your goal should be to have the same mentor(s) for a long period of time, until you’ve reached the goals you’ve set out for yourself. That helps to ensure you build a strong, trusting relationship that helps you achieve those goals. It’s never too early or too late to start your mentorship search, so don’t hesitate to use some of the suggestions here to get started.

SEE ALSO: Unconventional Learning Experiences for College Students That Enhance Tech Education

The post From Classroom to Career: How College Students Can Find and Leverage Mentor Relationships appeared first on College News.

The result of this is that it’s vital to seek out a more in-depth technological education. Yet, taking on another degree to do this is not always practical. One solution is to seek out unconventional learning experiences that enhance your tech skill set. This may be to gain nuanced abilities related to your tech major, or to develop knowledge that can help you in other fields, like business or the arts.

Let’s take a look at a few ways you can take the road less traveled to boost your relationship with tech.

Hackathons

Traditional college environments can often be focused on theory and classroom learning. Yet, you may find that you get more out of your education when you’re in a more dynamic and collaborative situation. Perhaps you need to be surrounded by peers engaging in interesting activities or even a little competition. This is where hackathons can be useful additions to your college curriculum.

Hackathons are events that give groups of enthusiastic programmers the opportunity to create, test, or improve software platforms. It’s an engineering challenge, at its heart, with teams usually given around 48 hours to develop an innovative new product or seek out weaknesses in a system. For those with interests and skills in programming, this can be a fun challenge, a chance to learn from more experienced experts and connect with both peers and potential employers.

Some hackathons are arranged by software companies, while others are led by organizations that promote tech learning. It may be the case that your college IT department will keep a list of local events.There are also various websites — such as Devpost and Major League Hacking — that allow you to search for online and in-person hackathons.

You can gain a more nuanced understanding of how development occurs in the real world and how people with diverse skill sets contribute to the final product. Not to mention that you can better understand what weaknesses and bugs are common in software, enabling you to find innovative and practical ways to address such issues that aren’t always covered in your degree course alone.

Citizen Science Projects

Another unconventional learning approach for tech students is to get hands-on field experience. This involves interacting with tools in ways that reflect the practical — rather than theoretical — application of STEM knowledge. Certainly, seeking industry internships can be useful. However, you may discover it’s more enriching to pursue some outdoor activities that technology enthusiasts find engaging. Flying drones, exploring nature with observation apps, and storm-watching are great options. You can also find these activities can be more meaningful and educational if you combine them with citizen science projects.

Some options here could include:

• Coastal surveys: Drones are a fantastic tool to map coastlines and gain a better understanding of current environmental conditions and degradation. They’re agile, can cover long distances, and have onboard sensors that gather data. As a result, there are citizen science coastal surveying projects that provide participants with training on piloting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and guidance on how to capture information that can then create 3D maps for reference and further exploration.
• Biodiversity observation: One of the most common ways in which technology and citizen science are combined is in biodiversity observation. Projects see participants explore outdoor environments and take photographs of plants, wildlife, and insects in specific locations. They then use apps to identify species and provide researchers with data that highlights changes in migration or the health of the ecosystem.

As a college student, you’re often in a good position to engage with citizen science projects. Many are run directly by universities, so reaching out to your professors is a good way to start looking for a project you’ll find interesting. You can also use sites — such as SciStarter — that connect volunteers with projects.

Online Certifications

Heading to in-person classes as part of a structured curriculum is the conventional approach to getting qualifications. But there are also less traditional tech approaches. The increasing number of accredited short online tech courses can augment your degree with advanced skills. Importantly, many providers use e-learning technology to make the curriculum more tailored to individual learners with personalized materials and delivery methods, including virtual reality (VR).

Some tech-related certifications you might focus on include the following.

Web design

Many careers—particularly if you plan to start your own business— benefit from knowing the basics of web design. Yet this isn’t a common part of degree courses. Taking an online course in web design helps you to gain expert-level skills in programming languages such as HTML and CSS. You can also learn the principles of user experience (UX) that empower you to formulate design strategies in your projects to make interfaces more accessible and engaging.

Cybersecurity

There are few industries that don’t experience cybersecurity threats. Cybercrime is even a risk while you’re a student. Taking cybersecurity courses provides you with skills to effectively safeguard against and respond to hacking and other issues. Indeed, having this knowledge can see you command higher salaries when you move into the workplace. The average salary for information technology (IT) security specialists—including those with Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) qualifications—is around $107,023.

Conclusion

Unconventional tech learning experiences can augment your degree with valuable skills. This can range from the competitive landscape of hackathons to online courses you can take in your spare time. It is vital to be mindful of the potential for burnout. Try to avoid taking on experiences that you can’t realistically fit into your schedule. While tech is fascinating and important, your mental wellness should always be a priority.

SEE ALSO: From Lecture Halls to Stonehenge: Enriching Your History Studies with Real-World Exploration

The post Unconventional Learning Experiences for College Students That Enhance Tech Education appeared first on College News.

Why Career Resilience is So Important Right Now

According to underemployment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, Current Population Survey, and O*NET, recent college grads are more likely to be underemployed than the entirety of college graduates aged 22 to 65. This means that most young professionals right out of college are accepting jobs for which they are overqualified or that don’t require a four-year degree.

This is most often born out of necessity. Underemployment, according to Investopedia, happens when job seekers are forced to settle for a job that doesn’t let them use their complete skill set. These jobs are often low-paying, as well. There are many reasons why this can happen, including:

• Recessions;
• Industry-specific financial crises;
• Company-specific financial crises;
• Automation of certain jobs;
• Structural issues in organizations;
• Mismatches in job openings and needed skill level.

Although discrimination based on age isn’t allowed during the hiring process, employers may stereotype recent college grads as unprepared for the professional world. The generational differences between upper management in most companies and recent college graduates cannot be overlooked. While a lack of real-world experience can be a legitimate reason to not hire someone younger, there are times when employers overlook valuable skills that recent grads may have.

College students have the difficult task of choosing a career path to stick to for at least four years. When faced with impending discrimination, financial uncertainty, and tech advancements that change industry demand upon graduation, this can be daunting. Navigating adulthood is difficult enough without having to worry about finding a job that appreciates your education and furthers your career. Luckily, there are ways to safeguard your future by building a resilient career path.

Enhance Flexibility in Thinking and Behavior

Before anything else, you should work on adapting the way you think about your future. A cookie-cutter roadmap to success sounds great, but it doesn’t often work that way. While you can be hopeful for your dream job, you should still prepare for some bumps in the road. That way, you’ll be ready for anything.

For example, you could plan to pursue IT education. Keeping an open mind during the process can help you stay flexible and pivot to a different focus if needed. This pivot should happen to facilitate a more reliable career for yourself in the future, and it can only happen if you remain adaptable.

Identify Future Career Trends and Opportunities

With the ability to pivot in mind, you should keep an eye on career trends. It’s impossible to predict exact demand, but you can get an idea of how certain industries are growing and changing. Look for articles about up-and-coming jobs in the industry you’re interested in — or even new industries that are popping up.

For instance, the renewable energy sector is undergoing rapid growth currently. To get ahead of the curve, you can identify career possibilities in renewable energy that are in their infancy. Some examples include wind turbine technicians, solar photovoltaic installers, and green building architects. Further, think of the key roles this budding sector will need to flourish such as:

• Data scientists;
• Electrical engineers;
• Software engineers;
• Chemical engineers.

By critically thinking about how tech and industry advancements will affect jobs, you can plan your education to fit future demand. Regardless of what is predicted to be popular in the future, make sure you are staying true to your interests. If you’re interested in tech, apply that to growing industries like renewable energy to make sure you have not only a resilient career but a rewarding one.

Create Strong Networks

Since employers may not trust the professionalism and qualifications of recent college graduates, it’s wise to work on establishing your place in the industry early. Set yourself apart from the pack of other new grads by having a preexisting network in your chosen field. This will future-proof your education and career planning by giving you contacts in several areas.

You can reach out to them if one sector is particularly booming, and you could potentially have an “in” from that connection. Plus, building strong, professional networks helps you work on both your technical and soft skills. Learning how to collaborate and communicate efficiently will prove to potential employers that you have what it takes, even though you just graduated.

Develop In-Demand Skills

Aside from learning how to navigate professional communication, you should also widen your skill set. Having a specification in your major will help you remain marketable to that particular niche, but you should have skills in a wide variety of areas just in case that niche falls through or you need to pivot. Broadening your education can enhance your employability as well as prepare you for continued education later in your career.

Try adding on a minor or some classes in areas that are predicted to be particularly in demand. Even if they don’t particularly go with your current focus, you will still have that foot in the door if the occasion arises and you need to switch lanes. Further, you will be more marketable when these skills, like tech skills, are integrated into positions that may not have previously required them.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Above all, make sure your career path aligns with your interests and passions. Sprinkle in networking and cross-learning in other fields to broaden your horizons and expand your chances of landing a great job post-graduation. It is possible, so keep your head high and mind open throughout the process.

SEE ALSO: Business Degrees and Contracts: Exploring Your Career Options

The post Building a Resilient Career Path: Strategies for College Students Facing an Uncertain Job Market appeared first on College News.

Getting some sun, connecting with nature, and having a relaxing place to study or nap outside of your bedroom can really make all the difference. Let’s examine some of the best ways to transform your new outdoor space into a mini oasis for you and your roommates.

Picking the Right Furniture

Since outdoor space is likely limited at your off-campus rental, the furniture you use should be multi-functional. Choose seating that doubles as storage and can seat multiple people. Many outdoor sectional sofas have storage under the cushions and take up much less space than using multiple chairs. You can also place convertible tables on your balcony or patio that can be extended or shortened depending on how many guests you have. This is great for outdoor study sessions that turn into dinners.

Including stackable chairs can be helpful to reserve space, especially if you’re prone to having large gatherings. Since they are also easily transportable, you can quickly bring them inside should a big storm arrive.

Other fun furniture options to consider are:

• A porch swing;
• A portable fire pit;
• A bar table with bottle storage.

When purchasing furniture, be sure to choose items that are weather-resistant. Since rain is inevitable, you’ll want furniture that can dry quickly and isn’t easily damaged. Consider purchasing a tarp as well in case you’d like to add some extra protection.

Choosing the Decor

The decor you choose should also be functional while adding life to your outdoor space. Lighting is a simple yet impactful way to jazz up a backyard or balcony. Hanging lanterns are a chic and bohemian choice that adds a sprinkle of whimsy to small balconies. As an eco-friendly option, you can also line your fence, walkway, or garden space with a collection of solar lights. Consider footlights to softly illuminate the ground at night, which adds a pinch of warmth without disturbing your neighbors.

Flowers, plants, and small gardens also liven up a bare outdoor space. Small veggie garden boxes and ornamental gardens add freshness and beauty while giving you a fun weekend hobby to attend to. Opt for easy-to-grow plants that don’t take up much room, such as herbs, peonies, or coneflowers.

Zones with Purpose

Zoning is a crucial component of optimizing your outdoor space. One way to do this is by adding a pergola to your patio space, which can double as a means of shelter from rain. Pergolas are also great for balconies as well. Consider adding a small patch of faux grass to add dimension under the pergola if you only have a balcony and not a backyard.

You can also create specific spaces for lounging, eating, and studying. Think about keeping the area under the pergola for studying, since shade is required for viewing your laptop and is necessary for extended work sessions. Place lounging furniture and accessories, such as a hammock, over a place in the yard that is naturally shielded by trees.

Plants and gardens can also help you create these zones. Adding a planter with a trellis can separate your lounging and dining areas. This is also quite easy to dismantle when moving. Using freestanding box hedges can also visually aid in creating specific backyard zones.

Things to Keep in Mind

Styling a beautiful space for you and your roommates is essential, but there are factors you should keep in mind while decorating your new home.

Budget

Since many college students choose to move frequently, it is important to stick to a strict budget when outfitting your new outdoor space. Try searching online marketplaces for secondhand items or visiting your local thrift store. If you’re purchasing new items, consider getting low-cost furniture and decor that can be easily resold if you decide to move and cannot take them with you. Be sure to discuss with your roommates how everything will be divided and paid for before getting anything for your balcony, backyard, or patio.

Renovation Capacity

Many apartments will not allow you to perform significant work on your space during your lease. However, if you are renting a house, the property owner may be a bit more flexible. If you are thinking about tackling a renovation project for your long-term rental, it should make sense for the duration of your stay and your free time.

Beware of addressing any projects that require electrical work as well. You should generally avoid DIY electrical work, as you may not be able to do renovations that are up to inspection codes and may end up creating additional fire hazards. Always consult your property manager if you come across any electrical hazards during your stay.

Also, tread lightly when it comes to adding outdoor fixtures or appliances. If you’re going to be renting the space throughout your college career and you drive an electric vehicle, for example, it’s tempting to add a charging station. At the average home’s electricity rate of $0.16 per kilowatt hour, you’re looking at a cost of $16 to charge the car. This will save you money when you’re driving to school. It doesn’t hurt to ask the homeowner — a charging station could add value to the home as well.

Your Neighbors

Even if you’re moving into a neighborhood that primarily consists of other students, you should always be considerate of other residents. Many living situations can require you to share an outdoor space with other tenants. Before making any significant changes, update your neighbors and be sure they are comfortable with the alterations. This is especially relevant if you plan on adding a garden space, as folks can have specific allergies that can prevent you from growing certain plants.

Transforming your new outdoor area into a small luxurious space can be easy with a bit of imagination and collaboration. Decorating your backyard and balcony can be a fun bonding opportunity with your new roommates. It can also make a huge difference in turning your new space from a mere short-term rental to a comfortable, temporary home.

SEE ALSO: Tips to Build Your Professional Network as a Student

The post Transforming College Rentals: Innovative Solutions for Outdoor Space appeared first on College News.

Some of the most dangerous college towns, known for high crime rates, include:

• Lincoln, Nebraska (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
• Nashville, Tennessee (Vanderbilt University)
• Boston, Massachusetts (Boston College)
• Chapel Hill, North Carolina (University of North Carolina)

These campuses and surrounding areas have a higher percentage of violent attacks and assaults, which can be extremely unnerving to students planning on attending.

Thankfully, there are actionable measures students and college officials alike can take to improve safety in college towns. From crime prevention to infrastructure enhancements, it’s possible to create safer spaces for students, faculty, and everyone involved in a college community.

College Infrastructure Improvements

College campuses often do well in urban areas because those cities have a lot to provide students. Many college towns are ripe with places to eat, shop, and have a good time. But, because many young adults in these areas are experiencing urban living for the first time, tailored safety measures and infrastructure improvements can make a big difference.

Simple city upgrades can help to reduce crime rates, and utilizing technology is a great way to improve safety. Smart street lights, for example, have been shown to deter crime and improve safety in cities. These lights can be equipped with internet-connected cameras, loudspeakers, and data transmitters. Not only will the lights themselves deter things like assaults and theft, but if a crime does occur, the data collected from the lights will make it much harder for the perpetrator to get away with it.

Smart city technology is perfect for college communities. This kind of technology can help with:

• Evacuations and warnings
• Traffic monitoring
• Sound detection
• Situational awareness

Most college campuses want their students to take advantage of the surrounding urban area. It’s important for universities to work with cities and local governments to create safe spaces that utilize technology and security to make sure everyone feels comfortable when navigating an urban community, especially for the first time.

Traffic Safety On Campus

College towns are known for having dense pedestrian and cycling traffic. They also often have diverse public transportation options, a booming nightlife scene, and could potentially be part of a city where rush hour traffic causes backups every day. Add young, inexperienced urban drivers into the mix, and more stringent safety regulations become an obvious need.

Let’s start by focusing on the pedestrian issue. Foot traffic is a predominant way of traveling around college campuses. While there are plenty of benefits to that, it can be problematic when a college community is made up of a complex roadway network. Distractions in these networks are a big problem.

Pedestrians might feel like they’re OK to talk on the phone, eat on the run, or simply not pay attention while they’re walking or cycling. It can increase the risk of getting hit by a vehicle or heading out into oncoming traffic. If drivers are distracted, as well, they run the risk of getting into an accident or injuring someone.

Some of the best ways to improve traffic safety in college towns include:

• Identifying specific danger areas (including campus hubs and high-traffic intersections)
• Creating larger crosswalks
• Improving signage
• Adding physical barriers

As new technologies continue to emerge, safety regulations become even more important. Autonomous vehicles aren’t just an idea of the future anymore — cars with self-driving features are entering the market, and autonomous vehicle safety is paramount.

While there are many benefits to self-driving vehicles, there is currently not enough data to determine how safe they really are. While most of today’s car crashes are due to human error, that might change as more autonomous vehicles hit the road. Busy urban areas like college communities need to have policy frameworks in place to improve safety, especially as self-driving vehicles hit the road.

Keeping Yourself Safe At College

So, what can you do as a student to stay safe in a college town? First, make sure you know how to appropriately navigate your campus and the surrounding area. Consider the places where you’ll be spending the most time and think of them as your “home base” when you’re at school or within the community.

Get to know the area on your own time, and consider bringing some friends along while you do. Learning about your community together will help to form relationships and will make it easier to familiarize yourself with locations and landmarks you can all enjoy.

It’s also important to get comfortable with public transportation. Being able to hop on a bus, train, or in a taxi quickly can keep you from having to walk back to campus on your own. While public transportation can seem intimidating at first, it’s a fast and easy way to get from one place to another safely.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do, whether you’re hanging out in your dorm or exploring your community, is to pay attention to your surroundings. Be aware of potential threats, which campus security officers are on duty, and who’s around when you’re walking to your car or back to campus. Trust your gut instincts, and be vigilant about protecting yourself no matter where you’re going.

College should be one of the most exciting and eye-opening experiences of your life, but that doesn’t mean safety goes out the window. Keep these ideas in mind to protect yourself and encourage your college town to become a safer, more secure community for students.

SEE ALSO: Emergency Preparedness 101: A College Student’s Ultimate Guide

The post Is Your College Town Safe? Building a Safer Community for Students appeared first on College News.