Author: Samuel Farmer

How to Bond with College Roommates

Posted on August 18, 2015August 15, 2016 by Samuel Farmer

The start of the fall semester is starting soon, and for many college students this means new living situations and often new roommates. Although some may be living with friends, there are plenty of students and especially freshman who have yet to form a connection with their college roommates. Here are some ways to form and improve a relationship with a new college roommate.

Find a Commonality

The easiest way to bond with a new roommate is to find something that you have in common. Try broaching a variety of subjects to see where your tastes are similar and find something that you have the same opinion on or same interest in.

Go Somewhere Non-School Related With Them

If roommate relationships are restricted mostly to the dormitories, they may seem forced. If you expand your relationship with your roommate outside of the dorm and go somewhere together either by yourselves or in a group, the relationship will feel more genuine and likely become stronger.

Introduce Each Other to Preexisting or New Friends

Making friends with your roommate’s friends and them doing the same is an easy way to bond with someone. If they get along well with your friends then it is easier to include them in group activities and thus become better friends outside of the dorm or room.

Attend School Organized Events with Them

Universities make events for freshman and even upperclassman to get out and meet new people on campus. By going somewhere with your roommate you can get out and meet new people on campus, but have a familiar face there who can back you up if you need a confidence booster or help meeting new people.

Set Expectations for Behavior Within the Dorm

One of the hardest things about having roommates is that everyone has differing ideas of how duties should be spread and how each other should act in the context of the room. It is important to have an initial talk about what both parties expect so that there are no surprises down the line and you lessen the chance of someone being overly annoyed at a particular action or way of living.

How to Prepare to Study Abroad

Posted on July 31, 2015August 5, 2015 by Samuel Farmer

Studying abroad can be one of the best times in a student’s life. It gives you an opportunity to explore new places, try new foods, and experience new cultures. Many people see study abroad courses as trans-formative experiences that change the way that you view the world. However, there is much to think about and plan before getting up and moving to a different country for a semester, a year, or any extended time. Here are four important things to do and figure out before going abroad.

Prepare Proper Identification

When traveling to another country you will likely need a passport. If you do not already have one, obtaining one can be a semi long process. It is important to think ahead and get your passport sorted out before it is too late. It is important while overseas to keep your passport and identification stored in a safe place. Losing your ID or passport can create massive problems while abroad.

Sort Out Your Money

You will likely need a different currency when traveling abroad. It is necessary to either change your currency to the local one, or to find a credit or debit card that works overseas and has minimal charges that you can use. Airports tend to be an expensive place to exchange currency so seek out alternative places such as some banks.

Phone Plans

Figuring out a phone plan is important for study abroad programs, as using a domestic phone overseas can really run up your telephone bill. Different carriers have different options and it is important to look through each one and figure out which one is the most cost efficient and works the best for you.

Safety Protocol

It is important to be safe overseas as you will be in a place that is unfamiliar to you and will likely not have as much family and friends nearby to lean on if you need help. It is important to create a safety plan to ensure that you will be safe and able to enjoy your study abroad to the fullest!

Comment below with your study abroad tips and experiences!

Little Things Matter to a Girl

Posted on July 14, 2015January 21, 2016 by Samuel Farmer

The sweetest things you can do for a girl are the little things that let her know that she’s on your heart and on your mind. -Unknown

When forming a new relationship, there are many things that people are apt to learn about each other in the course of their conversation. Some of these things are trivial; little facts that add nothing to the relationship itself but still help to promote understanding of values and ways of thinking and doing. Other facts are pivotal and help to really create a strong relationship and strong connection. Many of these little things such as when someone’s birthday is or what things annoy people the most may seem quite obvious, but there are plenty of details that are important for a healthy relationship that may not be quite as obvious. When knowing how to make a girl happy in a relationship, there are an endless amount of facts and details that a guy should know. Here are four important little things to know about a girl in order to make sure you are able to make her happy.

Dessert Preference

When a woman is unhappy or in a bad mood, there are very few things that work better to pick them up than a good dessert. Even for those who are highly health conscious, a healthy and tasty dessert can change a mood quickly. It is important to know what kind of dessert a girl likes most and how to easily obtain said dessert. Don’t forget the specifics either. Simple chocolate is a fan favorite but everyone has different tastes and it is important to differentiate between milk, dark, and white. Some people love one type of chocolate but despise the other. Chocolate and desserts are not only great pickups, they are also great mood enhancers. Bringing a box of chocolates to the door for a date or night in may seem like a cliché, but it is cliché because it has been proven to work time after time. Chocolate has been proven to reduce stress, and also has many other lesser known health benefits.

Favorite Feel-Good Movie

When we as humans are unhappy or in a bad mood, it goes without saying that surrounding ourselves with our favorite things can do a lot to enhance our moods. Our favorite movies are a great thing to watch when in a mad mood or when in a tough place. However, it is important to pick a positive movie to watch in these situations. Your girlfriend’s favorite movie might very well be Old Yeller, but it is highly unlikely that watching this while depressed will cheer her up. Try to seek out a favorite of hers that is positive and uplifting. A feel good or a comedy is usually a good choice.

Favorite Meal

As pointed out in the previous points, surrounding someone with their favorite stuff can raise their mood and make them happier. It is very important to know a girls favorite meal. Making her favorite meal for her when she is depressed or sad shows her that you care about her happiness and want to help her out of whatever funk she may be in. Making her favorite meal for a romantic night in is also a great idea. If you can get her favorite meal down to the most minute detail and accompany it with her favorite dessert or snack, you have a good chance at making her happier and improving her mood.

Favorite Flowers

Girls love receiving flowers. Plain and simple. Classic roses are usually a safe bet, along with colorful bouquets and arrangements. However, remembering what her favorite flower is and showing up with them is a very romantic gesture that shows that you listen when she talks and that you care about making her happy. Being slightly knowledgeable about flowers is also something that also can surprise girls as most tend to assume men have no idea about flowers.

Although these little things may seem non-important in the scale of things, it is often the little things that matter the most and can do the most towards making a woman happy.

Choosing the Best Summer Hat

Posted on June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 by Samuel Farmer

It’s summertime and the sun is out and shining. There are plenty of ways to protect yourself from the sun, but at the end of the day there is no better creation to protect your face from damaging UV rays than a hat. There are a bunch of different kinds and styles to choose from. Some are ageless and work in many settings, whereas others are only appropriate in specific settings.

While it is important to prevent burns and cover your face properly, it is also instrumental to have the right kind of hat to compliment your style and surroundings. Here are the main types of summer hats, along with when each should and can be used.

The Baseball Hat

The classic baseball hat is what most think of. The design is simple. It protects your face from the sun and can be worn effortlessly with a multitude of outfits. Different types of baseball hats can be used based on the social setting and location. Different styles can also be used to compliment one’s own personal style, with styles such as snap-backs gaining prominence as of recently. Baseball hats also give you the chance to show support for certain teams or brands.

The Sombrero

Mexican sombrero hats are much more present in the country as they are designed to protect the face and neck from long days in the field under the hot summer sun. Although sombreros are not typically worn for fashion reasons, they have a highly functional use. These hats should be avoided in non-countryside settings as they are not commonplace in urbanized settings and are usually not necessary for these kinds of settings.

The Cowboy Hat

The Cowboy hat is highly prevalent in the southern United States and mostly in the great state of Texas. The hat is particularly associated with ranch workers in the southern and Western U.S. The cowboy hat’s wide brim protects the face much like the sombrero without protruding as much from the base of the hat. However, it does not shadow the neck like a sombrero would. Beside being used for a functional reason, the cowboy hat is used frequently by those who dress in a cowboy style. Combined with cowboy boots, wrangler jeans, and a plaid or plain tee shirt, the cowboy hat can complete the cowboy style that is popular in Texas and some of the southwestern states.

The Bucket Hat

The Bucket hat, also known as a fisherman hat, is primarily used by fisherman as the name dictates. The hat has head wear design with a wide and downwards sloping brim, with occasional ventilation holes on the side. The hat was introduced as a fashion statement in the 60’s and has seen a revival as of late, especially among middle school children in the United States. Although the hat has some shade advantages over a common baseball hat, it is mostly used as a fashion accessory and is associated with today’s “hipster” scene. The bucket hats origins go way back as well, with many famous icons having sported the style at one point in their careers.

The Straw Hat

The Straw hat has a wide brim and provides some shade from the sun. It is made of lighter materials than most hats, and this helps to keep the head cool. However, the straw is not always woven tightly, so it is possible for UV radiation to get through the holes in the hat and create burns. This hat is most commonly worn while gardening or at the beach.

The Wide Brimmed Hat

The wide brimmed hat is mostly worn by women and provides strong protection from the sun. Its wide reach allows maximum cover of the skin and provides a cool alternative to a heavier hat. Some wide brimmed hats also can be made in sun resistant materials, providing further protection from the sun. Wide brim hats can be fashionable, while also preventing skin cancer by preventing damaging UV rays.

Everyone has a different style when it comes to head wear, but one thing is for sure; Hats can be a great way to not only protect you from the sun, but to compliment an outfit or fashion as well!

Comment below to share what summer hat works best for you.

How to Have the Perfect Barbecue

Posted on June 11, 2015June 30, 2015 by Samuel Farmer

Summer is upon us and the sun is out and shining–well most of the time anyways. There are so many great ways to enjoy summer and having a barbecue is one of the best. If you like delicious food, music, and enjoying the company of your friends on a beautiful sunny day, then a summer barbecue is the perfect option. Here are some important things to do to ensure you have the best barbecue possible.

Plan Ahead With the Weather

Nothing can ruin a barbecue more than the pouring rain. Soggy meat and muddy clothes can spoil a fun day quickly, so check ahead with the weather to try and select a day that is clear and sunny. Sometimes you will just get unlucky and the weather will do its best to ruin your day, but if you plan ahead you can usually avoid having a barbecue on a rainy miserable day.

Make a Fun Summertime Playlist

Upbeat music can really do a lot to boost your mood, so it is imperative to have a good selection of music to dance and sing to, or just enjoy in the background. Try to find a genre or selection of songs that are well known and positive. Summer themed songs can help enhance the experience as well. Be careful about selecting specific genres if you have a group with a variety of different tastes. When in doubt, it’s hard to go wrong with classic rock songs, as they tend to be universally more known. Some examples of bands that would work well on a barbecue playlist are The Beach Boys, as well as Queen and Journey.

Invite a Close Group of Friends

Barbecues can be extremely fun, so make sure to get a good group of people who you like to be around and who are happy to be there. This doesn’t mean excluding people who may not necessarily fit in with everyone or who may be a little shyer. Barbecues are a great way to introduce friends to other friends who they may not know, as it is a relaxing setting in which people are generally upbeat and happy.

Stay Hydrated and Bring Refreshing Drinks

It is important to have plenty of liquids available in the hot summer sun, so bring plenty of refreshing drinks. Fruity drinks such as fruit juices and sodas are tasty beverages to bring to the event. For the 21+ crowd, cold beer as well as wine can be a nice treat to help one relax on a cold summer day. Consult local drinking laws if you are in public areas to ensure that you are drinking legally. It is also a good idea to bring water as it is refreshing and good for you to drink. A cooler is also a good idea to keep in mind to keep your drinks cold.

Bring Something To Do As A Group

Barbecues can be fantastic events to just relax, sit around, and talk, but there are many other things that can be done at them. Bringing card or board games can be a good relaxing way to enjoy each others company, as well as bringing balls or other items. A soccer ball to kick around or a Frisbee to throw are very common barbecue items and can help to keep those who don’t like to remain sedentary having fun.

Bring Lots of Tasty Food

Ah, the best part of the barbecue: Food. The food at a barbecue may be the most important factor and is what a lot of people look forward to the most. The traditional barbecue foods are hot dogs, hamburgers and watermelon, which are all excellent choices that you cannot go wrong with. Remember though that there are many other options as well. Pulled pork and brisket are a little harder to make but can be twice as delicious if made right. There are also plenty of barbecue sides available that you can bring such as sweet corn, potato salad, and baked beans. It is also a nice idea to bring a dessert that people can enjoy. Homemade brownies or cookies are a delicious idea, but you also can’t go wrong with something cold on a hot summer day, like ice cream or popsicles. It is also very important to not forget condiments! Although some people may like their burgers or hot dogs plain, it can often be that extra bit of mustard, ketchup, or barbecue sauce that really helps to put the food over the edge.

If you follow all these steps, you will have a fantastic barbecue and have a wonderful day eating good food, enjoying some good music, and enjoying the company of friends and/or family!

Affordable Date Ideas

Posted on May 27, 2015February 11, 2016 by Samuel Farmer

Dining out at nice restaurants and attending musical events are good date ideas when you are looking to impress someone that you like. However, doing this on the regular can also put a very heavy strain on one’s wallet. Going on fancy dates can show that you care about someone and that you want to make them happy with romantic gestures, however, the total can quickly add up. This is especially true for college students who often do not have the luxury of extra spending money to be thrown in wads at three-star restaurants. Just because you do not have the cash to go out to a fancy dinner every week doesn’t mean that you still can’t impress your date. While it is fun to go out to upscale restaurants frequently, sometimes the budget just doesn’t allow for it.

If you need ideas for dating on a budget, look no further as I will be providing you with some options that will let you have fun without breaking the budget.

Take a Walk or Hike

Although it may seem simple, just walking around with someone can be a great way to get to know them better. When choosing a spot to walk around, look for an area that is interesting or has aesthetic advantages. Find a place filled with culture! If you have the option, a big city is the perfect setting for a nice walk, as well as a pretty park or neighborhood. Nature walks and hikes are also a good option for those who live in close vicinity to a forest or other nature-filled area. Walking is great for you as well, as being outdoors can significantly improve your health and even lower stress. Reduced stress level can make it easier to relax and enjoy the date. Now that’s killing two birds with one stone!

Get Dessert

You may have heard people say that diamonds are the way to a girl’s heart. I would disagree, dessert is! Ice cream and frozen yogurt are always good choices, but you can’t go wrong with cake or pastries too. When seeking out dessert places, try looking for local patisseries and hidden gems. There is nothing wrong with going the classic Ben & Jerry’s route, but sometimes it can be fun to try somewhere new. It’s also commonly known that dessert improves your mood, so you are more likely to enjoy being with another person because you equate spending time with them with happier feelings. Carbohydrate-rich foods like desserts cause your brain to produce serotonin and tryptophan — chemicals that can promote your emotional well-being and thus make you a happier person

Have a Picnic

Having a picnic in a park or pretty area is a great idea for a date. It is a setting that encourages conversation and creates an atmosphere of relaxation for both parties. As far as food for a picnic, you can’t go wrong with a classic sandwich and chips combination. Bringing a bottle of wine with glasses adds a little romance to the outing and can make it feel more like a date than just lunch (if you are 21+ of course). Once again, you can’t go wrong with dessert as bringing something chocolaty or rich will end the picnic in just the right way! A picnic is a great option as it can work at nearly any time of the day. You can have a lunchtime picnic and revel in the sunlight, or set up for a dinner picnic and enjoy the sunset and the night stars.

Attend a Sports Game

Although tickets to certain games can be extremely pricey, there are often ways to get cheap tickets for a variety of different sporting events. Try taking advantage of student ticket deals as many colleges have deals worked out that will allow you to get into events and games for greatly reduced prices. Sports games are a great way to get to know someone that you may not be completely comfortable with, as you have the chance to sit and talk, with a decreased threat of awkward silence and a conversation topic (the event) already lined up for addressing. Sports events also offer a great opportunity for group dates which may benefit some individuals looking to strengthen relationships, but not quite sure how to do so. Some individuals may be nervous or uncomfortable on initial date and adding another couple or friends to the date may help to ease nervousness.

Visit a Museum

Although some museums can be quite expensive and really put a dent in your wallet, colleges also do their best to make art available to students by offering student deals that make museums either much cheaper or free! Some museums will offer free admission to students within the local area while others will host student nights. Visiting a museum is a great way to get to know someone as you can learn what they value and how they think by finding out their opinions and views on art. Although museums can make great date spots, it is also important not to get too caught up in the actual art and to allow yourself to talk to your date and get to know them rather than just the art you came to see. Remember, you are there for the date; not just the art.

There are many other options when dating on a budget that can be both romantic and fun. One great tip is to try something new together as this can bring added excitement to the table. Take advantage of student deals on events and museums as these can prove to be strong dates that don’t break the bank. The most important thing when planning a date is to choose something that you can both enjoy. Although some ideas may seem like great date ideas to you, people have different tastes and your date may not be enthralled by the idea of going to a baseball game or walking around a neighborhood. When planning, be creative and thoughtful and you can easily find a great idea for a date that will not empty your pockets.

What’s your favorite budget-friendly date idea? Comment below!

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