Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The rest of the world is busy making New Year’s promises they can’t even dream of keeping. But what makes setting new goals seem impossible to achieve or maintain? Dr. Wilfred Farquharson, a licensed clinical psychologist, says sticking to New Year’s resolutions can seem hard to do because sometimes our goals are not realistic or we don’t have the right support system.

“It is important to write your goals down with an appropriate plan to achieve them while surrounding yourself with like-minded people in order to keep these goals [relevant],” he suggests.

Writing your goals down and keeping like-minded people in your entourage are not bad ideas; if you want to stop drinking, it’s not a good idea to keep keg lovers close to you. Writing on sticky pads that you need to study on average two hours longer every night and placing them where you can see just might be the key to getting that grade-point average to the level you’d like it to be. Just make sure your plan matches the goal you want to attain.

Dr. Farquharson says there’s nothing wrong with setting high goals, no one should be limiting themselves, but the key to sticking with it and attaining actual results is to be persistent. Just because you decide to eat only two cookies a week, don’t altogether give up if you find yourself eating four.

“[You] don’t have to altogether [trash] your goals if you don’t achieve them overnight,” he says. If you spend too much time surfing Facebook, set time limits for yourself. Google Chrome can help.

So if you’ve decided you want to be more of a help around the house during winter-break, don’t let it seem like a daunting, impossible goal; make up your mind that even if your parents drive you nuts or your freedom is being encroached, make it a personal promise that you’ll return to campus brand-new and ready to accomplish even more trying tasks!

The post Making and Keeping New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on The Campus Companion.

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It’s that time of year again; Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas,” can be heard in constant replay on stations everywhere. Between finals and trying to make it to break in one piece, you’ve realized your significant other is still on your holiday shopping list. While it might seem normal to panic, don’t let the pressure of trying to get that “perfect” gift ruin the reason for the season.

First consider your budget as a student. Times are tough, and nobody will understand that more than your boyfriend or girlfriend. Even in this economy, there are a few ways you can keep the love alive without feeling like a total cheap-skate. Below are three gift ideas you may want to try should you feel funds are running low.

Gift Idea #1: Create a Photo Collage

Create a photo collage as a keepsake on all the things you’ve done with each other so that when you’re apart, you have something to hold onto and maybe be able to add to in the future! While getting each other Ipads or the latest tickets to a Kanye-Jay Z  show might seem like ideal Christmas gifts, sometimes it’s all about bringing it back to basics and showing the one you love that price holds no value when it comes to how much you care!

Gift Idea #2: Write Each Other Love Letters

Since men are from Mars and women from Venus, it would be interesting to see what your beau or gal comes up with when it comes to their sentiment toward you. Let the words flow, but if all else fails, start with “Roses are red, Violets are blue, There’s no greater Christmas, than the one I’m spending with you.” No worries you can send me my royalties later!

Gift Idea #3: Create Musical Playlists of Each Other

Music can be an excellent way to express how you feel about each other. Make a lover’s mix to put into action when you meet, or maybe it can be a soundtrack to your romance so far.  There’s nothing like being able to reminisce on where you were and what mountains you may have climbed together. By putting together your favorite songs that define your relationship, you’ll be able to share something that’ll always keep the love burning and not your pockets!

The post Keeping It Simple: Holiday Shopping For The One You Love appeared first on The Campus Companion.

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Having been away for awhile, I’ve begun to take notice of some markedly interesting things that I never paid attention to during my late teens and early twenties. For instance, our ability to communicate with one another, or the lack thereof.

Although technology, texting and Facebook existed during my first go ‘round, it seems as though people have become hyper-consumers of all things electronic, and being able to verbally communicate with those around you has become a thing of the past.

Case- in-point:

[sws_blockquote align="" alignment="" cite="" quotestyles="style02"] A professor calls for a ten-minute recess and instead of people making way to the restrooms or conversing about the latest pop-culture shenanigans, there is almost robotic like procession of everyone reaching into bags and pockets for cell phones and laptops, followed by an eerie silence and the constant “tick-tock” of fingertips text-messaging and typing Facebook status updates. [/sws_blockquote]

“Ten-minute class break?….What are you all doing?” I wondered. It strangely felt like I was the only one who didn’t know the drill, almost unaware of the new technology dependent social norm at an academic institution. Do we, as students, not talk to each other face-to face anymore and did we, somewhere along the line, forget about walking through hallways and lecture halls between classes?

I used to think that if someone slowed the bustling traffic of class goers eager to make it to the next one on time, it must have been due to a stubbed toe or perhaps a charlie horse prompted by moving too fast in an attempt to keep up with foot traffic. But alas I have learned this is no longer the standard, in fact: if someone has their head slightly bent down and is slowing down in front of you, there is an urgent text message being sent out or received.

So just be patient, the “texter” will eventually come to and remember there’s an eager flow of people behind them.

I know I can’t be the only one feeling the craze….or maybe I am.   Either way, it’d be nice to know what you other students think. Are we really that obsessed?

Comment your opinions below!

Photo: bigburpsx3

The post The “Head Down” Age appeared first on The Campus Companion.

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I’d been in Binghamton for two weeks, having survived the craziness that was preparation for Hurricane Irene in New York City. I thought the worst was over, and all that I had left to do was get through my five classes.

…Then came Tropical Storm Lee.

On the morning of September 8th, 2011, I woke up to what sounded like a faucet that had been left running, and then to the shrieking of my housemate who had discovered something worse…  non-stop rain had flooded our area and we were left without power.

My initial reaction: sheer shock. What was supposed to be a relaxing day off from a University that doesn’t believe in days off, even in blizzard- like weather, had basically turned into pure mayhem.

After the panic and frustration wore off, we realized we were completely unprepared to cope without electricity. Thus began a trip to the local Wal-Mart.

Apparently, everyone had already gotten the memo because it looked like the place had been raided. Luckily, we were able to get a few essentials that helped us get by until the electricity came back on.

Here’s what you’ll need to survive should you one day find yourself in an off-campus apartment, three hours from your real home and without electricity for four days:

CANDLES

Although you do have to be careful not to set fire to your place, candles can help light the way. Our place turned into a mix between an aromatic garden and a lover’s den with all the Glade candles we had to burn.

MATCHES

Obviously the above won’t work without these guys. Make sure to have no shortage of them or you’ll really find yourself in the dark.

FLASHLIGHTS

This is also helpful when you’re walking down dark hallways, entering and exiting your place of residence. Unfortunately, we had to learn the hard way that candle flames can’t withstand doors being open and shut.

PLASTIC CUPS & PLASTIC GARBAGE PAILS / CANS

Before confusion takes over, beware these two very simple items can help with the bathing process, especially when all you’re left with is freezing cold water. Boil some water and pour into the garbage cans. Mix in some cold water and voila!, you’ve got some bathe-able water to keep from stinking. Hopefully common sense told you the plastic cups are for water- scooping purposes. (Baby wipes also work well for a quick freshening up, too.)

IPOD AND CHARGER

Thankfully my housemate was more technologically prepared than I was. Music can do wonders for an irritated, bored, frantic and internet-less soul.

SNACKS AND NON-PERISHABLE FOOD

I wish someone had warned me not to spend $60 on groceries the night before Tropical Storm Lee hit, but after getting rid of the meats, milk and eggs, everything else became fair game. Trust me, nothing is worse than being bored in the dark and hungry. Just don’t go overboard or you won’t recognize yourself when the lights come on.

SENSE OF HUMOR

Thank goodness for the Dollar General Store workers who allowed us to recharge our batteries and read magazines to pass the time.

LAST BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST – PATIENCE!

If I didn’t have any before this trying event, better believe I’ve got plenty now. There’s nothing like sitting in the dark for days to make you reflect on your entire life.

CONCLUSIONS

While I can’t say this experience was the greatest, it definitely made me appreciate the things we so often take for granted. One in particular: being able to pee with the lights on. Seriously.

The post How I Survived the Binghamton Blackout (Not the Drunken Kind) appeared first on The Campus Companion.

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