5 Apps for Travel

Once upon a time, I wrote an article about 5 Apps You Need in Your Life. Some of those apps are now wholly unneeded (like the Light one, since iOS now includes a flashlight!), and I am obviously not the same person using my phone as I was almost two years ago. Since I'm living abroad and traveling quite frequently within Korea and without, I thought I'd list 5 of best apps for travel.

• A Banking App- This is excellent if you need to make quick transfers or want to quickly check your balance to make sure you're staying under budget. Most banks should have their own mobile app by now.
• VSCO Cam- I feel like a lot of instagrams I see use VSCO cam. It costs money, but it's worth it as it's the photo app I use and abuse. I first hard about from Love Taza.
• Viber- Again! Seriously, though, there's no better way to keep in touch with friends. Kakao Talk is great for Asian countries, but it's a very messy app for me. WhatsApp costs money, and not everyone as an iPhone to use iMessage. Hence, Viber is perfect! Their sticker game is also pretty strong.
• XE Currency- A quick and easy way to check to see how far your money goes wherever you travel.  
• Facebook (and its messenger app)- I know, Facebook sees like a necessary evil, and you should unplug while away. However, nothing connects us more, and having it on your phone can be an easy way to communicate. Also, it's a way to connect with friends when you least expect it! Like one of the guys that studied abroad at my university my freshman year is going to be in Bangkok the same time as us! Crazy, right?

Single for Valentine's Day

So, it's Valentine's Day, aka Single Awareness Day, and you're single. AKA no date. AKA no booty call possibilities. AKA no murky friends with benefits. You. are. single. Heck, you might not even have a pet fish to pretend is your significant other. Part of you wants to angrily stab heart shaped balloons right down the middle, and another part of you wants to sob into a empty box of chocolates that you consumed in a matter of minutes (even the flavors you hate). It sucks to be single on Valentine's Day. I get it. I've been single for twenty-two years without any slight hope for any V-Day surprise from any boy on the planet, and yet I still maintain that it is my absolute favorite holiday. One day my husband will surprise me with some delicious homemade dinner (salmon, *cough*), and we'll snuggle on the couch watching a romantic comedy that he won't cringe through too much.

Until that day comes however, I've been single for Valentine's Day long enough to know how to survive it and to even enjoy it. So here ya go,  a comprehensive guide to surviving being single on the day of love.

• Refuse to be bitter. Come on, don't be bitter! Don't roll your eyes when one of the girls in your office gets flowers. Don't spout inane facts about the day or go on about how it's a Hallmark holiday. Just accept that it's a mushy-gushy love day that even the most clueless guy can step it up for. Be happy for love or its many manifestations. 
• Buy yourself flowers. Send them to your desk if you really want to, but that seems more like you're pretending to have someone special. No, the day before go out to the flower shop or grocery store and just pick yourself up the prettiest flowers you see, and set them on a table to enjoy.
• Treat yourself to a little spa day. V-Day falls on a Saturday this year, so that means you'll have all day off. I'm not sure how popular it is for couples to do spa days on Valentine's Day, but try to book yourself a day of total relaxation--pedicure, manicure, massage, you name it. Splurge on yourself. If you can't, there's a trillion and ten ideas for DIY spa days at home.
• Make or order something absolutely delicious. Whether it's pizza or a new recipe you want to try, do it. Make a huge meal, pour yourself a glass of wine (or tea in my case!), sit down, and savor it. Maybe over a movie.
• Get together with other single friends. Only if those girls are fairly positive as well. There's nothing sadder than a bunch of bitter friends mulling over their perpetual aloneness on a love day. And you won't feel better afterwards either.
• Watch a movie. In your own home. Rent a movie, one that you've been dying to see or looks good, and kick back with some popcorn. If you want something romantic, I have the perfect list of movies to choose from. Or
• Read a book. Read a book, a magazine, whatever you want. Enjoy it. 

See? It's not so bad being single for Valentine's Day. I'm actually going to be on a huge, long travel day, moving from one location another!

Little Ways to Create a Calm Home

I feel like describing a "calm home" is different for everyone. Some people like minimalism, some people like a cozier vibe. I, personally, love keeping my decor personal, color schemes as close to white as possible, and keeping my apartment as clean as I can. I always love to add cozier attributes as well, like a huge carpet over hardwood (or imitation hardwood in my apartment's case...). At the end of the day, my idea of a calm home is one that doesn't stress me out after a day of work or extended travel (nothing is worse than having to clean after vacation). Each of these tips is a small, inexpensive way, to bring a little calm to your living space, whether it is a full sized house or a small studio apartment.

• Light Candles. I use lavender, but pick what ever scent you like. Lighting candles adds a pleasant scent as well as a little bit of warmth. You could also use incense.
• Have that One Blanket. It should be the kind of blanket you basically live in at home (and hey, snuggies count!). It's so soft, you could easily fall asleep cocooned in it. It's the blanket you go to lounging on the couch or wrap around yourself when you have to go to the fridge.
• Drink a Cup of Tea. Any tea, any way you like. I love a good cup of black tea with a splash of milk and two spoonfuls of sugar. Nothing beats that first sip of a steaming hot cup of tea.
• Listen to a Calm Playlist. Go to 8tracks and type in "chill" or "jazz" or "romantic." I have a "Writer" playlist with all sorts of calm songs to play in the background. It just adds to the ambiance.
• Keep Your Place Clean. Just get rid of all the clutter--extra receipts, papers, trash. Put away clothes, wash dishes, wipe off tabletops. Don't you think a clean place lets the energy and air flow through it better?
• Let Light In. If you can, buy lighter colored curtains (white, gauzy), or just simply open up your curtains to allow sunlight in. If for whatever reason, you have an apartment with poor lighting or that brick wall effect (where you open the window, and it's a brick wall), create better lighting with lamps covered in a sheer fabric.
• Keep Your Apartment Warm. A cold apartment is miserable, keep it a comfortable temperature so you can walk around in yoga pants and a loose top. Heating, a heat lamp, whatever you gotta do. 
• Buy Flowers or Plants. Buy any sort of plants you love (succulents, maybe?), and spread them around your space. Greenery adds life to your apartment, and even the most minimalist people can do with a plant.
• Create a Space for Stretching. Whether it's your carpet or a small section in the corner, carve out a space to stretch and meditate. Even if it's just for a song, sitting there with your eyes closed is incredibly calming. Creating a space specifically for it will be a little reminder to just sit down and breathe. 
• Minimize the Electronic Visuals. Try to keep all the wires and electronics to a minimum. There are a ton of clever ways to hide them on Pinterest. 

What do you think? Do you have any ways you keep a calm home? 

Image Source

How to Beat the Cold

The cold sucks. I usually run for hibernation, shower more infrequently because wet hair is the worst, and usually gain a few pounds of winter weight. I also revert to wearing the same few things over and over again for their sheer warmth and comfort (oversized sweatshirt, knit sweaters, leggings, thick socks). This year, though, my first in adulthood, I've devised a few things to keep the cold from getting to me. I refuse to gain weight, hide in my apartment, or let the months go by without doing anything. Here are some of my tips and trick on how to beat the cold:

• Stay Hydrated. Yes, hot coffee, chocolate, and a steaming cup of tea are lovely things to have on a wintry day, but they're not particularly hydrating. Make sure you're still getting enough water during these months. We all know how much better a hydrated person feels than one who isn't. If you have to stand over your kitchen sink in the morning to down 8 ounces of water, do it.
• Keep Up on Your Hygiene. Don't let your hair get filthy and throw it up in a bun. Don't let your skin become totally dry and flaky. Don't let your nails peel and chip away. Don't let the bottom of your feet look like a map of dried out rivers. Do whatever you do to make yourself feel refreshed.
• Keep Your Place Clean. For that matter don't let your place turn into a mess of piled up laundry and thrown over jackets. Keep it clean and simple. Don't you think energy moves a little better in cleared out spaces? 
• Walk Outside. If you're feeling particularly lazy, heave yourself off your couch or bed, put on your boots and take a quick walk around the neighborhood. Get your blood moving. Confront the cold that's keeping you locked inside. Try to turn it from something unpleasant to something energizing as you take brisk steps. The walk can be as little as ten minutes, and you can run into your apartment the moment that time is up, or it can be nice and long. Up to you.
• Socialize. Don't go days without really talking to anyone outside of work or passing by. Ask people to watch a movie or meet up for dinner/lunch. That ten minute walk won't be so bad once you're laughing over Pad Thai or BBQ. And you'll enjoy the walk back once you've stuffed yourself. If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, invite them over and do active couple things (whatever they may be).
• Listen to Happy Music. I'm not saying don't listen to chill music, but if you're feeling particularly lethargic, put on some dancin' jams to get yourself a little more energized. Better still if they remind you of summer. Jay Park's "So Good," anyone?

"People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy."- Anton Chekhov

• Say "Yes." If someone invites you to do something, say yes even if you're tired and don't want to. My fun New Year's night out in Gwangju? I almost didn't go because I was going to lounge about. Instead I went, I danced, and I ate delicious Mexican food. Even if you only go for a bit, say yes. 
• Get Out of Town. Drive to a new town and do something. I took a bus to Daegu just to force myself to get moving. Enjoy the new place, walk around a bit, window shop. Just the process of having to get yourself ready for a day out helps keep you moving.
• Eat Healthier. Listen, I enjoy ordering pizza as much as anyone who loves cheese, but I know eating that everyday will have me lazing about in bed faster than a sleeping pill. Fruits, vegetables, you know the deal. Eat 'em however you like, and get your body fueled with the good stuff. 
• Indulge. Get a pedicure, take a bath, splurge on a massage. When you're feel particularly achy and tired and cold, indulge yourself someway, somehow. Even if it's venturing out to get a piece of delicious chocolate or, in my case, a goguma pastry, do it. You'll savor it even more.
• Layer Smartly. Nothing sucks more than feeling like you're stuffed into your winter coat with multiple layers, and you still feel cold. When buying you clothes, think about how thick the material is. Three paper thin shirts don't do nearly as much as one thick sweater, right? Cheap yoga pants don't do nearly as much work as a nice pair of ponte knite leggings. Layer smartly so you wear less but still feel warm. 
• Add on the Accessories. Gloves, scarves, head wear. You have no idea how much warmer you'll be with them.
• Don't Forget Downtime, Though. Trust me, I'm not asking you to become Mary Freakin' Sunshine. Don't feel bad if you want a down day of eating pizza, watching movies by yourself, and chugging tea by the liter. Just don't let it be an everyday habit. 

What do you think? I think I'm doing pretty well not letting this winter get the best of me so far, so let me know how these tips go for you!

A PicMonkey Guide: The Layout

So here's the deal. Photoshop is expensive, like really, really expensive. It's nice and fancy, and everyone who's a big deal blogger obviously uses it for photo editing, and it makes things look super nice. However, the money I'd spend on Photoshop is money I'd prefer to put towards other purchases at the moment (though buying it is on my 101 list). In the meantime what have I been using?

Greatest invention ever. Do you remember when everyone was using Picnik and making all those cheesy texts on pictures? Well, it closed down and directed traffic towards PicMonkey, and I've been using it since to edit my pictures. Unless I'm posting things on my phone (in which case, that's a whole other article), PicMonkey is my main squeeze. It's great for basic editing, design, and more. Pretty much every picture on here has been through PicMonkey, including my header, my sidebar picture, my about page picture and more. I'll be going through a series on how to use PicMonkey and some of my tricks. 

[Tips & Tricks] Money Talk

Back in March I wrote up a little post about Student Loans. Well, my friends, my grace period has officially ended, I'm employed full-time, and I'm living on my own.* Without divulging my own specific income and expenses, I wanna talk a little about money. It's not really something you think about in college. It was a small worry in the back of my head, and I rolled my eyes every time tuition increased or how most campus jobs started at minimum wage and maybe peaked at $10 at the most. However, big things, like loans and utilities and phone bills, didn't cross my path.

So, here's how I, whose mother is genuinely worried my retail habits will put me in credit card debt for the rest of eternity someday, have managed to budget myself and prepare for this day of Repayment.**

Getting Into Coffee

Link

So, I thought I hated coffee until about this year. I loved the smell and the look, but every time I tried a sip, I wanted to gag. Then, my little made me take a sip of her iced latte (from Dunkin, of course) at the beginning of this senior year, and all of a sudden I'm a bit of an addict. I still don't like hot coffee (I'd rather just have tea!), but over the past year I've been discovering coffee and its spin-offs through experimenting and constant trips to Dunkin or Starbucks or even McDonald's in a pinch! I thought I'd use this post as a bit of a guide for coffee newbies since there's so many fancy terms and such! Keep in mind, I'm basing this all off of the iced versions since they're still all I prefer!

T E R M S:

• Coffee- The most simplest of all, I suppose. Coffee obviously comes from coffee beans and is brewed in pots or in pods in a Keurig. It also comes in instant forms, which I drank if I needed some in my apartment! There's a difference between brewed and drip, but I'm honestly not sure of it. I couldn't even tell you which you get when you order it. However, brewed is typically 80-135 mg of caffeine in about 7 oz while drip is 115-175 mg. 
• Espresso- Espresso is made by forcing boiling (or nearly boiling) water through finely ground coffee beans (according to Wikipedia ;)). It's more concentrated than regular coffee as it's about 100 mg of caffeine in 1.5-2 oz.  
• Cappuccino- Since iced cappuccinos really aren't a thing (they "exist," but read this article), I don't know much about them. However, they are basically espresso + hot milk + steamed milk foam.
• Latte- Or caffe latte. The hot version is made with espresso and steamed milk, the iced version is made with espresso and chilled milk then placed over ice. In the latte's case, it is milk added to espresso.
• Macchiato- Like the latte, except the espresso is added to the milk. I don't know that I've tried too many macchiatos. The coffee flavor is stronger in the latte, so if you're totally accustomed to coffee tastes yet, I'd go with this first.
• Mocha- Mochas are like lattes except that there is chocolate added to the drink in the form of sweet ocoa powder. In the winter when I was absolutely freezing and the thought of something iced made me cry, I'd get mochas from McDonald's. 
• Americano- Americanos are made by adding hot water to espresso. I learned from Eat Your Kimchi that it came about because Americans in Europe would ask for water to be added to their "coffees" because they found the espresso too strong on its own. Iced is made with cold water instead of hot. It is also a lower calorie option!
• Frappuccino/Coolatta- Frapp at Starbucks, Coolatta at Dunkin. They are made with coffee blended in ice and topped with whipped cream. Usually, they come with other ingredients (like my favorite--the mocha frappuccino!). These are definitely more "treat" than "coffee," which I learned the hard way.... i.e. less energy and more weight gain. 

T I P S:

• Experiment! If you're shy about it, here's what I usually get: iced caramel or vanilla coffee with skim milk and no sugar, iced americano with skim milk (I add a little sugar on my own), or iced caramel latte with skim. I just tried the americano today, and it's actually quite good!
• Make it at home on your own: When I was at school, I used to make iced coffee in my big's Keurig or from instant coffee in my kitchen (which does not taste that great, in retrospect). All I did was put in one of the K-cups (there's so many to choose from!), add milk and sugar, and then dump the mixture in a cup with ice. I did it in the dining hall as well! It tastes much better to make it hot then put it over ice then try to put it on ice to begin with.
• Don't drink every day. I try not to! I don't want to get caffeine headaches, so I try to only drink it when I'm low on energy. And I only get a frapp if I'm treating myself. 

Good luck! Hope this was a good introductory to coffee.

[Tips & Tricks] Student Loans

So today I had my student loan exit counseling (just another reminder that graduation is creeping up around the corner), and I started to learn a lot about Student Loans that I probably should have paid more attention to when I was signing off on them. However, I was not unprepared, I'm just simply now a lot more well informed of my loans (and what I have to pay back). And, now that I'm nearing graduation and wishing I had paid more attention and paid back even a little of my loans ahead of time, here is my extensive blog post outlining what you ought to know about student loans and tips to make it a little less stressful when graduation hits you. So first, basics.

DEFINITIONS:

• Stafford Subsidized Loan- This is one of those government loans you probably had to accept at the beginning of each semester. The government will cover the interest on these loans as long as you are still fully enrolled in a university. They will start collecting interest at about 3.86%.
• Stafford Unsubsidized Loan- This government loan is another one you probably had to accept at the beginning of each semester as well. The government does not cover the interest rate of these loans. During my time, the interest rate accrued was at 6.8%, however most recently it was lowered to 3.86%. So yes, right now, I have accrued over two thousand dollars in interest.
• Private Loan- This loan is not through the government, but through a private company. My last year of college, I took a loan out with Sallie Mae. You definitely ought to remember going through this since you had to fill out the online work and have someone co-sign it for you. Sallie Mae's disadvantage compared to government loans is its higher interest rate at about 8%. 

[Tips & Tricks] On Hair...

It's been a while since I did a Tips & Tricks post. Honestly, I haven't had much to share! However, with my recent obsession with hair (especially after the VS Fashion Show; Lindsay is my favorite Angel based on her hair alone), I feel like I've picked up some valuable tips along the way. From swimming for over a decade and trying to combat the chemicals that my poor locks have endured to forever being obsessed with looking up various tutorials, I have collected a number of tips to help with most hair. So, here's a starter on some unique-ish tips on this filamentious biomaterial of ours.

(sea of shoes)

1. For better, longer lasting curls, start in the shower. So, I don't know about you, but doing the whole "day old hair" in order to have a better base for curling hair doesn't work for me. I get greasy roots so fast, not to mention dry shampoo doesn't really help my dandruff problem. I did however read somewhere (probably Marie Claire) that if you want a better base for curling your hair, condition first them shampoo. Since shampoo will get any left over conditioner that might cling to your hair even after you've rinsed. I've done this a few times, and it works! It's better than not conditioning at all (which for my dry ends, is always necessary) and the day old hair trick.

2. Mix your products. I don't just mean switching up your products after each bottle is finished--which is normally recommended--, but I mean when you actually use your shampoo or conditioner. I need Head & Shoulders for my dry scalp, but if I only use H&S, it'll make my hair greasy. So, I get the really cheap clarifying shampoo and put a little of each in at the same time, and it works like a charm. I get clarifying and moisturizing!

3. Yes, kitchen products can work wonders. Olive oil is a great conditioning treatment. Put hair in a ponytail and put olive oil all along it, sleep on a towel, and then wash out in the morning. Baking soda is great at clarifying when mixed with shampoo. Mayonnaise, ketch-up---all are great.

4. Dry hair at the roots first. If you're worried about frizz or you want your hair to dry faster, start at the roots. Before even brushing it, lift up your hair at the roots and aim the blow dryer there. I swear it works like a charm every time.

5. Obviously, don't condition your roots. Not matter what your hair/skin type is, it just frankly doesn't need it.

6. Give your bangs some volume. This took me years to figure out. My hair is pretty straight, so bangs fall flat quite easily. I learned from seeing my friend do it. She'd take a Velcro roller and put it under her bangs while they were drying. It gives volume without turning it into a cheesy curl.

7. Be kind to your hair. Between dying, swimming like me, and all the heat products in between, it's easy to forget that you've gotta be nice to your hair. If you want to the shine and bounce, you've gotta be nice to it. 

[Tips & Tricks] 5 Apps You Need in Your Life

I have a lot of apps on my iPhone (let's be honest, Apple is taking over the world in that area!). I try to stray away from having too many games because it's way too easy to get caught up in playing them (Clash of Clans, anyone?), and you might complain about my generation's addiction to their cells, but there are a lot of apps that I find extremely helpful in day to day use. And I'm not just talking about Instagram, Twitter, etc apps either! These are just functional ones that I like and are free (because we all know I like my free stuff).

1. Google Chrome

Google Chrome is my internet browser of choice, and all the new things they've add over the past few years have only made me more Google-dependent. I like Chrome because you can now sign on to it anywhere and essentially have the browser you have on your home computer. Meaning if you leave up a page on your laptop, you can access it immediately on your phone app. I hide my Safari app now and have Chrome as my internet browser.

2. Viber

With Viber you can call and text for free using internet connections. Aka as long as you can connect (via 3G or Wi-Fi), you can call you friend over in London for free. I had What's App while I was abroad, but it was hard because it a) costs money, so not a lot of my friends would get it and b) you can only text with it. I have Viber now, and I know I can keep in touch with my graduated and foreign friends who are out and about in the world! Also the customized background option is pretty neat.

3. RunKeeper

Okay, even though I barely run, this app is great for me. It uses GPS to track you on your runs, and what I like is that it updates you every five minutes on how far you've gone and your average pace. You can also put things in manually, like an elliptical workout or whatnot. It also gives you calories burned based on the weight you enter in in the beginning.

4. Light

It works as a flashlight! For me it's great when I'm in bed, and I can use it to read. I'm a lazy person, so once I'm in bed, I have zero desire to get back out in order to turn off my light. Also it's good for, I guess, getting lost in sewers and other dangerous activities in the dark!

5. Royal Farms/McDonalds/Coupon-esque Apps

People. Free. Things. RoFo offers a free coffee as soon as you add the app. I don't know about Micky D's because I'm trying to stay away, but any chains like this that offer apps, get 'em! Free/discounted stuff is great.

What are you must-have apps?

[Tips & Tricks] Staying Involved

Look. I get it. I barely survived this semester with my GPA still intact (that's being overdramatic, but ya know). The last thing anyone wants to do is try and use their brains to function any more than necessary. Summer is for long days laying out at the beach, covered in Coppertone or Hawaiian Tropic sunblock, feet sunken down in the muddy sand and cooled by the icy waters-- there may be a book or a magazine involved, but rest assured said book is light and cheesy and the magazine is more images than words. It's heaven for three months of the year when the library becomes a distant horror, checking Web Advisor happens never, and Zimbra is checked maybe once a week.

But the world doesn't take summer breaks. And it keeps spinning, and you really should have some idea of what's going on. Your brain deserves a break, but don't let it fry completely. I'm not saying you should be dragging the Post down to the beach instead of Cosmopolitan, and I don't think the news should be on in the background all the time. What I'm saying is find some ways to stay involved. Know what's going on in the world. Here are some of the ways in which I'm hoping to keep my mental abilities fresh even as a I try and relax a little or even balance an internship and job.

source

1. Utilize Social Media. Twitter is my favorite. If you don't have an account get one. You don't need to tell your friends; you don't need to get caught up in following drama, etc. You just need to make one and follow these accounts:

• Associated Press (@AP)
• CNN (@cnnbrk)
• Wall Street Journal (@WSJ)
• Other sources of news, like Fox that you'd watch on TV 
• Just google the name plus twitter and it will pop up!

As a bonus I also follow these on my Twitter because they tweet about issues in which I'm interested:

• Half The Sky Movement (@Half)
• Korean Economist Institute (@KoreaEconInst)
• Korean Real Time (@KoreaRealTime)
• Liberty in North Korea (@LibertyinNK)
• U.S. Embassy Seoul (@usembassyseoul)
• Levo League (@levoleague)

source

2. Read Good Books. I'm not saying you need to throw out those trashy beach reads. I'm saying, try to read one or two really good books this summer. Even if you don't like reading, everyone has time for it. Whether it's a long time spent on the toilet (don't lie, you know you have those days) or thirty minutes before bedtime, everyone has time to fit in reading a few pages a day. 

And when I say read, I don't mean mindlessly roam through a book like one would do with beach reads. I mean take a pencil with you and dive in--underline some quotes, circle some important page numbers. It's something I'm still teaching myself to do right now, but it's so worth it later on when you're discussing the book and trying to remember this fantastic scene on this specific page number somewhere in the 300 page book. It doesn't even need to be classic literature. I'm currently reading Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi. 

source

3. Be a Nerd, Get Ahead. This is easier said than done. As an English major, I can pretty much guess what kind of books will be in my Shakespeare class, so it's not too much of a stretch. But if you have the opportunity to get ahead on work for the next semester, whether it's doing thesis work, reading a book ahead of time, etc, then do it. 

That's mostly what I have for now. Obviously you can substitute  While I'll always advocate for reading, you can always watch a documentary or something that gets you thinking. Do something intellectual that interests you, random research, extensive reading, etc. Just stay involved, don't turn too much to mush no matter how tempting baking in the sun might be.

Tips to Survive Finals Week

Okay, so I know some lucky college students are already done and over with it, some seniors even graduated, but finals week is young here at my college. Everyone goes a little insane: wearing the same yoga pants a few days in a row is acceptable, the library is the hottest place on campus, and there may or  may not be an emotional breakdown or two. I personally have four papers due by the end of the week and a cumulative ecology exam on Wednesday. Not to mention I have a few more internship applications to complete... I'm ready to burn all my books, curl up in my bed, and call it a day.

But, obviously, life must go on, and even though my dreams of becoming a bohemian writer (or I guess they're calling it hipster these days) is still there, I must complete college with good grades. As an Asian (even an adopted one), A's are acceptable, B's are Bad, and anything below that is just failing. So, even though I will never have as hellish a finals week as science majors, here are my tips to surviving this awful, awful week:

1. Work out! If you already have a regular schedule, stick to it no matter what. If you don't, START. It doesn't have to be long--thirty minutes on the elliptical and a 15 minute shower and back to studying.  Just make sure you're breaking a sweat. It seriously helps with concentration and relieving stress--I promise that's not just a thing to say.

2. EAT Healthily-- Try and make sure your DH meals are filled with veggie goodness. I'm not kidding when I say healthy people have more energy.

3. Don't forget to indulge a little though. Come on, if there's one week that calls for a little extra serving of ice cream or one more cookie, this week is it. Don't go overboard, but don't feel bad about a little extra sugar.

4. GET SLEEP. For the love of all that is holy, cramming in two semesters worth of notes in a night isn't going to be effective in the least bit.

5. Make To-Do Lists. At the beginning of each day, make a to-do list of what you must do. Today, for example, I wrote on my whiteboard:

• Finish at least half of my Spanish paper
• Write out Guide for Ecology Exam
• Finish Intern Applications
• Start on Business paper
• Work on bibliography for Spanish paper

6. Keep organized: Even taking time to clean up all your folders and throw out anything unnecessary works. I also like to try and clean my room (though right now it's a mess). A cluttered room=a cluttered mind.

7. Get rid of your social media sites! I made my big change the password to my Facebook so I wouldn't go on it until after this week is over. As much as I want to look at pictures from formal and whatnot, I must resist the urge. I should probably do the same for others...

8. Dress comfortably. But try to not look like a total slob. I always feel a little more energetic when I at least look somewhat nice--even if it's for a day in the library. Everyone has comfortable clothes that aren't jeans. Maybe if you're in yoga pants, wear cute top or something to balance it. Just make sure you're not trying to focus too much on your outfit--use that brain for more important things this week!

That's all I have got for now. Anyone else have any interesting tips? Good luck to all, and may the odds be ever in your favor!