Saturday, February 25, 2012

2012 About.com College Life Readers' Choice Awards: Best Website for Renting College Textbooks

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The 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards are annual awards, chosen by readers, that recognize the best of the best. Here on the College Life site, the awards are meant to recognize those services and resources that make college students' lives better -- or at least a little easier.

In particular, the Best Website for Renting College Textbooks award is meant to recognize the leader in online textbook rentals. As the option to rent college textbooks has become increasingly popular, the number of online vendors has also increased. And while renting college textbooks can save students some serious money, it can also be difficult to know which sites are the best priced, most reliable, and most trustworthy.

Voting will take place from February 22 through March 21, with winners announced March 30, 2012. To learn more about this program, visit the College Life Readers' Choice Awards main page or the About.com Readers' Choice FAQ page.

There are four finalists in this category. You can learn more about them or click on the nominee below to be taken to their website:

More Categories for the 2012 About.com College Life Readers' Choice Awards

See More Readers' Choice Awards from other About.com Guides


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Watching the Oscars This Weekend?

One of the highlights of your weekend might be the Oscars, which air Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. EST. After all, what's better than meeting up with friends at someone's house or apartment and gossiping Sunday night away (instead of doing your usual last-minute cramming and essay writing)?

If you are going to be attending -- or even throwing -- an Oscars party, make sure you've done enough in advance so the festivities don't fall flat. The articles below provide some great tips and tricks:


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2012 About.com College Life Readers' Choice Awards: Best Website for College Students, by College Students

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The 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards are annual awards, chosen by readers, that recognize the best of the best. Here on the College Life site, the awards are meant to recognize those services and resources that make college students' lives better -- or at least a little easier.

In particular, the Best Website for College Students, by College Students award is meant to recognize the great student work that is available online. Amidst everything else they have going on, some college students are able to make some truly kickin' sites that speak about the college experience, provide advice for their fellow students, or simply provide other information to make college life easier.

Voting will take place from February 22 through March 21, with winners announced March 30, 2012. To learn more about this program, visit the College Life Readers' Choice Awards main page or the About.com Readers' Choice FAQ page.

There are three finalists in this category. You can read more about them or click on the nominee below to be taken to their website:

More Categories for the 2012 About.com College Life Readers' Choice Awards

See More Readers' Choice Awards from other About.com Guides


View the original article here

2012 About.com College Life Readers' Choice Awards: Best Website for Buying College Textbooks

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The 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards are annual awards, chosen by readers, that recognize the best of the best. Here on the College Life site, the awards are meant to recognize those services and resources that make college students' lives better -- or at least a little easier.

In particular, the Best Website for Buying College Textbooks award aims to help students figure out which online textbook seller is the creme de la creme. Chosen by readers, the award will provide the winner with recognition as a leader in the online college textbook sales field while also providing students with a reader-chosen resource.

Voting will take place from February 22 through March 21, with winners announced March 30, 2012. To learn more about this program, visit the College Life Readers' Choice Awards main page or the About.com Readers' Choice FAQ page.

There are five finalists in this category. You can learn more about them or click on the nominee below to be taken to their website:

More Categories for the 2012 About.com College Life Readers' Choice Awards

See More Readers' Choice Awards from other About.com Guides


View the original article here

Readers' Choice Finalists Announced; Voting Now Open!

Woohoo! It is with much excitement that I announce that the 2012 About.com College Life Readers' Choice Awards finalists have been announced. The nomination phase closed last week and the votes have been tabulated. Drum roll, please ...

Best Website for College Students, by College Students finalists:

  • Her Campus
  • On Campus Sports
  • UVM Bored

Best Site for Renting College Textbooks finalists:

  • BookRenter
  • Chegg
  • College Book Renter
  • Neebo

Best Site for Buying College Textbooks finalists:

  • AbeBooks
  • Amazon
  • eCampus
  • Neebo
  • Textbooks.com

Best Book on Adjusting to College Life finalists:

  • 1001 Things Every College Student Needs to Know by Harry H. Harrison and Harry H. Harrison Jr.
  • Everything You Need to Know Before College by Matthew Paul Turner
  • How to Survive Your Freshman Year by Mark W. Bernstein, Yadin Kaufmann, Frances Northcutt, and Scott Silverman
  • The Naked Roommate by Harlan Cohen
  • Navigating Your Freshman Year by Students Helping Students

Voting will remain open until March 21. To vote for your favorites, simply click on the category links above. Happy voting!


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Sunday, February 19, 2012

College Graduation Checklist

Graduation is coming, and you most likely are dealing with ten million things at the same time. On top of trying to make sure you pass your last semester's classes, you probably have family visiting, friends you want to spend some time with, and countless logistics to deal with before you can actually leave, diploma in hand, as a college graduate.

This list is meant to make the college graduation process a little easier. After all, after four (or more!) years of hard work, sleepless nights, and a lot of dedication, you deserve a little break!

College Graduation Checklist

  • Return your cap and gown on time - These are expensive if you forget to return them when you're supposed to.

  • Leave a forwarding address with the campus mail center and the alumni center - Even if it's just your folks' or a friend's address as you sort things out, you don't want to lose your mail amidst your transition.

  • Make sure you don't have any charges in your residence hall or apartment before you check out - It's much easier to deal with this on move-out day than two months later when you get hit with a whopper of a bill. Stay an extra 20 minutes and have someone (an RA or landlord) sign something saying you won't be charged for anything unexpected.

  • Check in with the career center - Even if it just means getting a login and password so you can search their job databases later, utilizing their resources after graduation will be a lifesaver.

  • Complete an exit interview if you're on financial aid - Most students receiving financial aid will need to complete an exit interview before being allowed to graduate. This can often be done on your computer and involves reading information about when your payments will begin to be due, etc. But not completing it can prevent you from getting your diploma.

  • Make sure everything is cleared on your account in the financial aid and registrar's office - The last thing you need is to be about to start a new job or graduate school, only to learn that there's a problem with your college account that you need to fix. Make sure both offices have everything they need from you before you leave campus.

  • Check with the alumni office for deals on short-term insurance - From health insurance to car insurance, many alumni offices now offer programs to graduating seniors. Figure out what programs your school offers and what you're eligible for so that you don't have to spend too much time (or money!) searching for alternatives.

  • Get copies of all your loan (and other) papers - From your housing contract to your loan paperwork, get copies of everything you'll need down the road. This will be especially handy if there are any problems after you graduate.

  • Compile all your electronic files in one place - When your computer was acting cranky two months ago, you may have saved your amazing midterm paper on your roommate's computer. Gather together all of your important documents (that you might need for job applications, writing samples, or graduate school) in one place, like a jump drive or online storage site.

  • Grab a few copies of your transcript - You may think you won't need them, but you might also be surprised. New jobs, volunteer programs, and all kinds of folks may want to see your transcript after you graduate. Having a few with you will save you a lot of time, money, and trouble.

  • Update your address with anyone who sends you a bill - This can include your bank, your cell phone provider, your loan companies, and your credit card companies. You may be so busy moving and looking for a job that you won't realize you haven't received a phone bill for three months after you graduate -- at least until your service gets cut off.

  • Get contact information for your references - Knowing where your references will be over the next few months, as well as how to reach them, may make or break you in certain situations. Who wants to miss out on a great job simply because a reference was unreachable while doing research in France? A quick email, phone call, or office visit to ensure you have everyone's contact information is a smart idea.

  • Get contact information for your friends - People will be so busy on graduation day, and there will be so many people around, that getting contact information from your friends will be mission: impossible. While social networking sites are a great place to start, having an actual email and phone number is best.

  • Write thank-you notes - Sure, it may seem old-fashioned, but writing thank-you notes to those who helped you the most during your time on campus, to those who gave you graduation gifts, and to anyone else who helped you along the way is a kind gesture and a great way to make sure you leave college on a high note.

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Spring Break Guide

Spring Break can be one of the highlights of your spring semester -- if not your entire college experience. But with so many options, how's a college student to pick how to spend his or her time?

In this guide, you'll find information no matter what your situation. Not sure where to even start? Already have ideas but aren't sure how to pay for your plans? Have a general idea of what you want to do but need to finalize the specifics? Find all you need to know in the guide below.

I Don't Even Know Where to Start

Not sure where to start, but know you want to do something? Look over these 10 suggestions to get a general idea of what you think you'll want to do -- and then head back here to fine-tune your plans.

I Need to Get Off Campus -- ASAP

Need to get away? Not sure where to go? Check out these ideas of good locales for college Spring Break excursions.

I'd Like to Focus on Having Fun and Doing Good

Want to treat yourself to an enjoyable Spring Break while helping others in the process? Think about volunteering during your time off from class.

I Need to Focus on My Academics

Need to focus on your academics? Thinking about pursuing graduate school? Spring Break can be a great time to get ahead on both.

I Just Need to Relax!

Interested in doing ... well, nothing over your Spring Break? Letting yourself rest, relax and rewind just may be the best way to spend your Spring Break.

No Matter What I Do, I Need to Save Money

Just because Spring Break is coming up doesn't mean your budget is ready. Making your hard-earned dollars stretch a little further during your break just may make a good idea into a great experience.


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Last Day to Nominate Your Faves for a Readers' Choice Award!

Today is the last day to nominate your favorites for a 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Award! With all that college students have to do and manage, isn't it worth a tiny bit of your time to show some love to those who have made your college life easier?

This year's College Life categories include:

(Want to know a little more about the Readers' Choice Awards before nominating? You can find out more about the About.com RCAs in general or learn more about the specific College Life awards, too.)

Finalists will be announced on February 22; voting will take place between February 22 and March 21; winners will be announced on March 30.

Happy nominating!


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Are You Getting the College Life Newsletter?

This might be your first semester in college -- or it might be your last. Either way, you probably know that you need all the help you can get.

Every Monday, I send out the About.com College Life newsletter. It contains the latest and greatest to make your college life easier. Topics can range from reminders about upcoming FAFSA deadlines (hint, hint) to dealing with roommate drama to how to spend your summer wisely (and enjoyably). The best part? Signing up is free and only takes a second!


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Campus Highlight: Vermont Student Environmental Program at the University of Vermont

(Each Monday during the academic year, I feature a "Campus Highlight": a unique, interesting, and noteworthy student organization, program, or initiative that demonstrates the amazing things college students do each and every day across the country.)

For this week's Campus Highlight, I'm featuring the Vermont Student Environmental Program (VSTEP) at the University of Vermont. Founded in 1988 and currently operating as a non-profit, private foundation run by students, VSTEP "is an organization of concerned individuals dedicated to coordinating environmental activities on Vermont campuses and throughout the general public." One of their more notable accomplishments has been to end the sale of bottled water on campus, which will go into effect in January of 2013. The university issued a press release that describes in more detail the way(s) VSTEP helped to implement such an important policy change.

As the press release notes, although VSTEP was able to reduce the amount of bottled water that was purchased on the campus, in 2010 alone approximately 235,000 bottles were sold. Congratulations to the students of VSTEP for their efforts in making such a drastic reduction in the amount of waste coming from one campus -- and for showing the rest of the country what solid student leadership looks like!


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Spring Break Ideas

Ten Easy Spring Break Ideasc 2008 Kelci Lynn licensed to About.com, Inc.

Not sure what to do for your Spring Break? It may be your first year at school; it may be your last. No matter what your situation, these ten ideas will provide you with some options that may be just what you need this time of year.


1. Relax at School

When classes are in session, you are constantly on the go. Use this time to just relax and do nothing while still on campus. If your situation allows, don't let yourself do any homework for the whole week. Watch movies, sleep in, and just rejuvenate and relax before you head into the last part of the Spring semester. (There may be more ways than you think to relax while at school.)

2. Relax Somewhere Tropical

Swaying palm trees. The sound of the ocean. Frozen drinks with umbrellas in them. The smell of suntan lotion and the feeling of sand between your toes. Need I say more? (Except, perhaps, to note that you can find discounted airfare for students to make that sunshine feel even better!)

3. Take a Road Trip

Is your roommate driving home for Spring Break? Can you catch a ride with him or her, and hang out for a few days? Does your friend need a way to get home, and you need somewhere to go? Hit the road and, with the time you have off, take the long way.

4. Volunteer Locally

Think about the last time you volunteered. Didn't it make you feel 100% better and rejuvenated? Find somewhere to volunteer over your Spring Break. If the city your school is in is different than your hometown, this can be a great way to get to know (and give back to!) your adopted new community.

5. Volunteer Internationally

Lots of programs are now available for college students to volunteer internationally during their spring breaks. Check with your Student Activities office, your campus volunteer center, or local organizations for ways to spend your Spring Break volunteering abroad.

6. Catch up, Catch up

Catch up on your homework. Catch up on your sleep. Catch up on your "life chores," like balancing your bank account, updating your resume, and doing your laundry. Think of how great you'll feel when you're not stressed for time and your life is all in order once classes begin again!

7. Visit Home

There's nothing wrong with just wanting to head home to see your folks, do your laundry, and eat some good, home-cooked meals. Besides, when is the last time you woke up to the smell of someone cooking breakfast?

8. Meet Non-College Friends Somewhere

Your best friend from high school went to one coast for college, you went to the other. Arrange to catch up in person and meet somewhere in the middle, preferably in a city neither of you has been to before.

9. Take a Trip by Yourself

You're surrounded by people while at school. Why not hop on a bus, plane, or train and head somewhere alone? Go check out museums on your own time, eat where and what you want to eat, and stay where you want to. It might be the first time in a long time that you haven't had to share a room with anyone.

10. Bring the Vacation to You

Short on funds? Time? Both? Trying to stick to a budget? Treat yourself (and your friends!) to a mini-vacation in your room or apartment. Buy string-up palm tree lights, some leis, and music from any tropical locale. Find something, anything, coconut scented and let it permeate your room. Wear summer clothes, invite people over, and let the vacation begin!


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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Going Greek: Is It Right for You?

On some campuses, bids come out this week (or at least around this time). So how can you tell if going Greek is right for you?

While there are a ton of decisions to make about joining a fraternity or sorority, it's important to answer one basic question: Is Joining a Fraternity/Sorority Right for Me? Once that's answered, you'll be better able to make choices about which house is right for you, if you should consider living in your Greek house next year, etc.

Good luck!


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Staying Healthy in the Residence Halls

It may be urban legend, it may be 100% true: Living in the residence halls often means you and all your fellow hall mates get sick at the exact same time. Once a bug hits the place, everyone seems to suffer.

As CNN reported earlier this week, a nasty outbreak of the stomach flu (I'll spare you the details) at Rider College (New Jersey) sent around 40 students to the hospital. So what can you do to make sure you stay as healthy as possible?

, the About.com Guide to Cold and Flu has a great article on how to avoid getting the cold and flu that is definitely worth a quick read. Because wouldn't you rather spend 30 seconds reading an article and staying healthy than spend several days getting sick in your res. hall bathroom? Ugh!


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College Road Trip Ideas

Thinking about taking a college road trip? Not sure where to start? One of the best things about road trips is their flexibility. Your road trip will be what you make of it -- so set a goal in advance. (And don't forget to pack a camera other than the one in your phone!)

College Road Trip Ideas

Plan a sports-themed trip. Into baseball, football, or basketball? Plan a trip to visit some of the most famous parks. Find out what the options are for taking a tour of the ballpark and if there are any special games going on while you're in town.

Plan a food-themed trip. Love soul food? Interested in finding the best vegan fare out there? Want to visit the best seafood places? Plan a trip that focuses around classic American cuisine and get ready to eat your heart out. (Think creatively about this one, too: several college students at Birmingham-Southern College earned credit for taking a road trip and studying southern barbecue.)

Plan to visit places near your home or school. You don't have to drive far to have a road trip be a success. Find some amazing places in your state, grab an atlas, and hit the road.

Plan a trip around your interests. Are you and your friends really interested in American history? The dynamics of border towns? Particular figures in American literature? Cities with a strong history of supporting the gay or civil rights movements? With a little research and a little geek chic, you can have a fun and interesting Spring Break.

Plan a pick-up-you-friends themed trip. Have several high school friends scattered around the state? Plan a trip to pick them all up over several days, ultimately arriving in a city of everyone's choosing. Enjoy the time catching up without having to worry about everyone's travel plans.


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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Campus Highlight: Malcolm Burnley at Brown University

(Each Monday during the academic year, I feature a "Campus Highlight": a unique, interesting, and noteworthy student organization, program, or initiative that demonstrates the amazing things college students do each and every day across the country.)

Although I usually highlight a student group or organization, this week I'm choosing to highlight one particular student: Malcolm Burnley at Brown University. His major accomplishment? He recently uncovered a long-forgotten speech by Malcolm X in his university archives. How's that for coming up with something new and exciting while doing research?!

As I've long complained about on this blog, college students often get a bad deal in the mass media. But Mr. Burnley's discovery has been picked up by several major media outlets, including MSNBC and The Huffington Post. Congrats, Mr. Burnley, not only on your discovery but for showing the amazing things college students do!


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Friday, February 10, 2012

Keep an Eye on Your Student Loan Interest Rates

As President Obama mentioned in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, the interest rates on student loans are set to double this summer unless Congress takes action to keep rates at their current level.

This means, for example, that the Stafford loan you signed for last year was at 3.4%; the one you sign for this year will be at 6.8%. Let's imagine that last year (2011-2012), you took out a $10,000 loan at 3.4%. And this year (2012-2103), you take out another loan -- but this time at 6.8%. Here's the difference:

  • $10,000, repaid over 10 years, at 3.4% interest = $11,810 total loan amount = $1,810 in interest
  • $10,000, repaid over 10 years, at 6.8% interest = $13,809 total loan amount = $3,809 in interest

So ... what are your options if the interest rates go back up? Well, first and foremost, make sure you know the 5 basics of your financial aid package. After that, make sure you're informed about what exactly you're signing when it comes to your award letter. And lastly, make sure you know the email address of your local Congressperson so you can contact them about how important it is to keep interest rates where they are!


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College Plagiarism

Plagiarism -- the act of passing off someone else's work as your own, no matter where you found it -- is pretty common on college campuses. If one of your professors or an administrator realizes what you've done, you may be charged with plagiarism and put through some kind of campus judicial system.

1. Figure out what the process is. Do you have a hearing? Are you supposed to write a letter explaining your side of the story? Does your professor simply want to see you? Or could you be placed on academic probation? Figure out what you're supposed to do and by when -- and then make sure it gets done.

2. Make sure you understand the charges. You may have received a strongly worded letter accusing you of plagiarism, and yet you're not totally clear on what exactly it is you're being accused of. Talk with whoever sent you the letter or your professor about the specifics of your case. Either way, make sure you're crystal clear on what you're being charged with and what your options are.

3. Make sure you understand the consequences. In your mind, you may have been up late, writing your paper, and absentmindedly cut and pasted something from your research that you forgot to cite. In your professor's mind, however, you may have not taken the assignment very seriously, showed disrespect to him or her and your fellow classmates, and acted in a way that is unacceptable at the college level. What is not very serious to you may indeed be very serious to someone else. Make sure you understand what the consequence are, therefore, before you are unpleasantly surprised at how your sticky situation just got a lot worse.

4. Respect and participate in the process. You may not think the plagiarism charge is a big deal, so you toss the letter aside and forget about it. Unfortunately, however, plagiarism charges can be serious business. Respect and participate in the process so that you can explain your situation and reach a resolution.

5. Figure out what you've learned so that it doesn't happen again. Plagiarism charges in college can be dealt with lightly (essay rewrite) or severely (expulsion). Consequently, learn from your mistake so that you can prevent getting yourself into a similar situation again. Having a misunderstanding about plagiarism, after all, can only happen once. The next time you receive a letter, folks are much less likely to be understanding since you've already been through the system. Learn what you can and move forward toward your ultimate goal: your diploma (earned by you and your own work, of course!).


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Campus Highlight: University of Hawai'i at Manoa

(Each Monday during the academic year, I feature a "Campus Highlight": a unique, interesting, and noteworthy student organization, program, or initiative that demonstrates the amazing things college students do each and every day across the country.)

For this week's Campus Highlight, I'm featuring the University of Hawai'i at Manoa for their "The Genteel Sabai" performance. The show features Randai, "a folk dance-drama form of entertainment originating in West Sumatra and performed by the Minangkabau ethnic group of that region" that "is rarely seen outside of Indonesia." In fact, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa is "the only university program in the West to offer Randai performances." Awesome!

You don't have to be at the UHM campus to learn more. You can find out about Randai folk dance from their web page or do a little research yourself. Either way, I wanted to send some props to everyone involved in the performance for bringing something new, educational, and downright interesting to their campus. Keep up the great work!


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Partner Gifts that Are More Than Just Flowers

When it comes to Valentine's Day, your anniversary, birthdays, or any other special occasion that you and your romantic partner celebrate, giving flowers often seems like a safe bet. But what if you want something more ... exciting? After all, anyone can give flowers but not everyone can give a meaningful, personalized gift.

7 Partner Gifts that Are More Than Flowers

1. Breakfast and a movie. Why spend a small fortune on dinner and a movie when you can have just as much fun doing breakfast and a movie? Since saving money is especially important for college students, this option can be a fun way to approach a traditional date. If you both are feeling particularly brave, you can even wear your pajamas out.

2. Brunch and something physical. Getting out and doing something physical, like a hike, always leaves people feeling refreshed, recharged, and rejuvenated. Take your partner out to a nice brunch (even if it's just at a coffee shop near campus) and head for the great outdoors. You'll get exercise, some quiet time together, and an adrenalin boost. What's not to like?

3. Something low in cost but high in entertainment. While flowers are, of course, nice, they are also incredibly expensive (especially around Valentine's Day). And since most college students are short on funds, finding an alternative becomes even more important. Consider doing something that you both love -- like attending a poetry slam or going to an art museum -- that is low in cost but high in entertainment value. Added bonus: You'll have time to enjoy the show as well as each other's company, in contrast to a movie where you aren't supposed to talk much.

4. Buy a book by your partner's favorite author or poet or on a topic he or she is passionate about. Your Art History significant other may just love a certain painter; your Botany partner may love books that discuss the plant world in a format other than her traditional textbooks. Find a book that explores someone or something he or she is passionate about for a great, personalized gift that's sure to be a hit.

5. Volunteer together at a charity or organization that matters to one of you. Seriously, who doesn't feel good after volunteering? It may not sound like a traditional, romantic date, but grabbing a bit to eat before or after volunteering somewhere can leave you both buzzing with warm fuzzies. You'll feel good about the work you did, the people you met, the cause you helped, and the time you got to spend together.

6. Give your partner several small gifts throughout the day. A gift like flowers has a huge impact -- once. In contrast, surprise your significant other with several small gifts throughout the day. (For example, you could bring coffee and a muffin to their residence hall room as a kind of breakfast in bed, and then later surprise them with a book in the afternoon and a nice bottle of wine in the evening.) Because honestly, who doesn't like being showered with gifts all day? Remember, too, that they don't have to be expensive to be nice.

7. Gift something that blends your school with something you know about your partner's personality. Is your girlfriend always cold? Consider buying her a sweatshirt and some gloves from her campus bookstore. Is your boyfriend really into mountain biking? Get something school-spirited for his bike from a bike shop near campus. You'll give your partner something that reminds him or her of you throughout the year while also showing that you know and respect all the things that make your partner your partner.


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