Amanda Bynes in the movie, Sydney White.
For the record, I know many girls who have joined sororities. Except for the one malicious and mean-spirited girl I ever had the displeasure of meeting, they were all very nice, intelligent and ambitious young women who are nothing like dingbats movies like to portray them as. With that being said, it’s a shame that the one or two idiots who happen to belong to sororities give them all a bad name.
For example, this particular e-mail that Gawker received is both disgusting and amusing. The long-winded and profanity laced tirade is courtesy of one particular Delta Gamma sorority board member executive at the University of Maryland. According to Gawker, the e-mail was sent to the entire chapter which was then forwarded to the site. It’s disgusting because how much this particular exec hated knowing that here girls were acting “weird” and how she was placing limitations on what her girls could and couldn’t do. On the other hand, as one Facebook friend described the writer, “it’s a female Ari Gold!” Obviously, I totally agree because this is totally what Vinnie Chase’s douchebag of a manager would sound like if he was a sorority girl.
Since going viral, the sorority’s current president e-mailed Gawker asking the news site to take down the e-mail or at the very least, remove the sorority and its brother fraternity’s names from the e-mail. The president reassured the news site that the e-mail “does not reflect our chapter’s values.” Gawker has not complied with either request.
Read the profanity-fuelled tirade with added highlights after the jump:
Between the sleep deprivation, the anxiety, and the feeling that your future career counts on you doing well on exams, it’s needless to say that exam time is tough.
Not to mention how distracting everything turns out to be. For example, a break to watch an episode of any TV show suddenly turns into a TV binge and POOF! Half the day is gone. During this time of the year, you want to do everything but study—especially since the end is near. Summer and freedom is at your finger tips and your motivation to do well has been long gone. (Let’s be honest, it’s disappeared around Reading Week, right?)
While there is nothing that will take away hating studying and the stress that comes with it, there are a couple of things that can make study sessions more efficient. Being productive is always nice especially when you feel more productive and have rightly earned that right to a break.
1) Listen to music
This may not help everyone, because sometimes some people get carry away with singing a long to the music and can’t concentrate on their notes. However, if music is playing at very low volume levels, it can help increase energy levels. Sometimes, listening to instrumental helps works better. I don’t suggest listening to catchy or upbeat music as study music should be slow and soothing. Think Ida Maria, Ingrid Michaelson or John Mayer.
2) Snacks
Chewing tends to help people focus, which is why snacking is a good idea when you’re studying (despite the fact it helped you gain that freshman 15). Maybe opt for healthier alternatives such as nut mix, fruit, or baked chips if you really want something salty.
3) Chew Gum
I can’t believe I’m already in my second semester at Suffolk University in Boston. I feel like I just graduated high school last week.
My living situation was crazy in the sense that I live in a suite with four other roommates and when you throw five girls who don’t know each other in one room together, there’s gonna be problems. Girls can be cruel and fight about anything. One of my roommates ended up moving out and another barely ever comes home. But I ended up becoming best friends with my other two roommates so everything worked out in the end.
I’ve learned a lot along the way and I hope some of my experiences can help prospective students, confused about where to go.
1. Figure out whether or not you are a commuting or a dorming type of student.
Dorming and going away to college isn’t for everyone. A lot of people like to commute to school from home because it is usually cheaper than paying for housing and because it also gives you more time to do other things at home like keeping a job.
Personally, I decided to give dorming a try because I was ready to live on my own for a while. And it does have its ups and downs sometimes but I’m loving it.
2. Get in your applications as soon as possible!
When I was applying for college, I got all my applications in really really early. And guess what? I got accepted into all of them. Sending in applications long before the deadline really does help.
3. Pick a school you know you’re gonna LOVE.
If you already know what you want to major in, that’s great! First look at schools that have great programs for your major. And then after that, that’s when you start looking for schools in the location you love, tuition, population, and all that fun stuff.
4. Surround yourself with people who are going to make you happy.
College is a fresh start and an opportunity to meet new people. Don’t become friends with certain people just because you want to be “cool.” Then you’ll just end up trying to impress your “friends” all the time when in reality, you should just be yourself around true friends.
5. Don’t buy your books in advance Read more…
Flooding at McGill University has gotten so extreme it’s literally picking people up off the ground and sweeping them away like they’re white water rafting. The flooding was caused by a burst in a reservoir near the University. One girl was swept away while trying to cross the street — thankfully she wasn’t hurt, but OUCH!
I love how the people recording her are all like: “Should someone be helping her right now?”
By Jack Siebel, campus ambassador
A flying roller coaster with no track and exploding barrels… that’s basically what my first semester of college felt like. Although that might sound like it comes with bad connotations, it was one of the most open, creative and fun experiences I’ve ever had and it will forever hold a spot in my memory.
My classes, while challenging, helped me realize what I want in life and what I need to get there. My social life had depth and excitement and usually way too many activities for me to sleep. Your next semester will be vital; if not for delving into your major and social life, then for helping you realize where you really need to be.
Here are some ways to turn your college experience around this semester:
1. Do unto your roommate as you would have them do unto you. Remember, you sleep mere feet from them.
2. Do stupid things! I’m not endorsing crime or anything, but staying u playing video games the night of a test, or eating eleven of the cafeteria burgers that don’t really taste like meat? Those are the stupid things college kids do! So go out enjoy your stupidity while the repercussions are small.
3. Don’t be afraid to second guess yourself. If you don’t know exactly where you want to be or what you want to do, relax! More than half of the world is on the same page and no matter what you choose, it’s worth some time and thought.
4. If you’re not satisfied with your campus, think about transferring! If you find out cats make you pee yourself, then Hawaii is the wrong place to be!
5. Set up a system! Always have a system that alerts your roommate if you have a “guest” over and vice versa. That awkward moment where you someone’s genitals are burned in your mind every time you see them? That’s avoidable!
6. Find out how soon you have to choose a major and think about a gap year! I know way too many people who dropped out or transferred because they chose a major too fast and had to switch.
7. Considering doing an exchange to broaden your scope of the world. London anyone?
8. Be social! Everyone you see is looking for a friend just as much as you are; a friendly wave or ice breaker can create a bond that lasts for decades. Read more…
By Jack Siebel
During your college career, some things are bound to happen by fate, others by will and some still by three of your friends saying “come on bro!” until you surrender. No matter how it happens, embrace these moments because everyone goes through them and you’ll laugh about it one day.
Pull an all- nighter
I cannot stress to you how absolutely fantastic and horrible this is at the same time. You will laugh, you will cry, and you’ll most like dance, eat and sing. The all-nighter is a praised and holy tradition in collegiate society. As your eyes begin to droop and your hand slouches to the desk like a leaking beanbag, you will be enlightened by your brilliant plan. You’ll shout to the heavens, “I’m going to stay up all night!!” Remember that moment when you’re in English the following morning, groggy, smelly, late, confused and most of all thankful for the wondrous night before. To give you an example, the last time I pulled an all- nighter, three of my dearest friends and I sang the national anthem from the dorm roof at 4 am, then proceeded to reinvent “the robot.”
Go outside your comfort zone
This may seem simple but I promise you it’s one of the most difficult things you’ll do this year. To put it simply, do the opposite of whatever you want. If you’re an expert partier, skip the rave one night to see a play; if you’re a total bookworm, let loose and check out the tiki party you’ve been hearing so much about. It’s not about doing something you think you won’t like, it’s about trying something new. Hell, if you’re feeling especially risky, you can even try to dance! *Gasp!*
Do Something Extracurricular
My personal favorite is flag football, but seriously, if it sounds like even a little bit of fun, there’s a good chance it is! Not only are extracurricular activities fun, but you can almost always do them with friends. Also, have you SEEN the clubs you can join?! The University of Washington has a club dedicated to the art of making and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The University of Missouri has a slack lining team and Northwestern has a happiness club! There’s a billion ways you can get involved even if that means making your own! My personal mission is the “Coloring Books of America Club.”
Lock yourself out
I don’t care who you are or how organized you seem to be, you WILL lock yourself out at least once during your freshman year. You’ll be stranded in your towel as water drips from you like shame. Your knocks on the RA’s door will be the beating of your own heart as she giggles at your Buzz Lightyear towel or your supple supplies of girly shampoos as you try to explain that “you have a hair condition.” It’s a quick experience and will teach you a lesson, but it’s bound to happen at the most dreadful of times.
Procrastinate
You probably don’t want this experience, but it’s one you’ll most definitely have by the end of your first year. You’ll begin your homework with intentions of good grades and short nights. Then Facebook, Google, iTunes and the rest of the Internet will coerce you into a deep and sorrowful pit of lolcatz and mashups. Shortly after, your friend will pull you from the infernal trap of technology… and bring you to a “totally sick party man!” You’ll return to your room to be encountered by a barely-started paper due in less hours than there are pages you have to write. Good luck!
Explore your campus Read more…
Exam time is one of the most stressful periods of the year, but people forget it’s not just stressful for the students — it’s stressful for the professors as well. At the beginning of the semester, this class started out with 30 enrolled students. By the last month of school, only five people were showing up for class.
This video was taken on the last day of class before finals. Although there’s only one person present, the teacher was all like “the f*ck I care,” and lectured anyway. Right now, there’s only one dislike on the video and it’s being suggested it was from the one person who was duped into showing up.
By Jack Siebel
No matter where you go to school you’re destined to meet hundreds of people in your freshman year. Some will be lifelong friends and others will be hated enemies for the next four years. Either way, there are ten people you’re bound to meet no matter where you study.
Here’s your handbook to the herds of strange creatures you’ll encounter in your first 12 months.
1. The Stoner
The Druggie is your local stoner, crack head, roller and alcoholic. There’s many subspecies of the druggie but at least once during your freshman year you’ll meet your universities chieftain — the king pin of drug related activity. They do all the drugs you’ve heard of and a few you haven’t. For some reason, they seem to have no home and you always seem to spot them stumbling through the quad or leaning dazedly against walls all across the campus. The only constant they seems to have is their undying love for a lack of sobriety.
2. The Academic Angel
This is the guy or gal that is hammering their way to a ten year doctorate in brain surgery or intensive psychotherapy or some other doctorate that requires more years of school than it does time on the job. They’re usually pale from all the time they spend in the library and their knowledge of science and math far excels their knowledge of pop culture or sports. Respect this person, one day they’ll be your boss. That, or working at a dominoes to pay off their $200,000 debt.
3. The Buddy!
The buddy is the quintessential college man’s man. He knows everyone on campus and seems to have fewer enemies than Winnie the Pooh. You’ll never see him without a smile and a friend, and if you need something to do his coattails will take you there. He always apparates at parties right as excitement starts but leaves right before it fizzles out. You’ll never see him with homework but he always has his grades in shape. He’s basically perfect. Sure, he probably has some horrible secret in his past but until that surfaces, he’ll be one of the coolest guys you know!
4. The Dream Girl Read more…
Guys are simple creatures and if you know how to read them it’s very simple to tell when they have a crush on a girl. In this episode of Staff Members Talking Shit, Brittany, Kelly, Jordan, Casey and Dan give you all the information you need to know on men. If you’re wondering whether or not that guy in your math lecture is ever going to ask you out, hopefully this helps. Or it might make things worse. Either way, we tried.
Galen Simmons
We’re on the cusp of a new school year and once again I find myself wishing it didn’t have to be this way. Since my wishes rarely come true, the best I can do is try and smooth the transition into post-secondary hell for those misguidedly eager first-year faces.
I might not be able to convince you to start that 12-page essay a month before it’s due, or stop you from drinking at a floor-mate’s birthday party the night before your final exam; but I can teach you how to speak that incomprehensible college language your elders have already grasped.
So, as my insanely clever title dictates, let’s start with A.
A – All-nighter: A poorly planned decision to leave one’s entire project/presentation/essay/exam-prep until the night before it’s due. e.g. I started seeing dead relatives after my fifth all-nighter in a row.
B – Beer Pong: A classic drinking game that involves getting your opponent more drunk than he/she can get you. I think plastic cups and ping pong balls might be involved too, but my memory is hazy for some reason. e.g. Once we lost all the ping pong balls for beer pong so we decided to up the ante by using tennis balls and beer pitchers instead. [Photo: ipercival]
C – Cafe: Short for cafeteria, the cafe is where students are fed cheap, semi-nutritional food, made by ex-cons and foreign refugees. e.g. Last time I ate at the cafe, I found a shiv in my mashed potatoes.
D – Due Date: For many students, a very stressful 24 hours that could have been avoided through forethought and good planning. e.g. I started researching my essay the day before the due date.
E – Easy A: Read more…
If you haven’t already heard about “Gangnam Style,” you’re probably living under a rock. I think Psy’s viral video is going to erase all upcoming “Call Me Maybe” parodies in exchange for this. At the University of Oregon, the school’s duck mascot seems to be having the time of his life, partying on res and an eventful weekend up at the cottage. Really, how hard can it be, dancing like that in a costume (with webbed feet). Whoever is under there must be sweating.
But don’t worry, if you want to perfect your moves to the famous horse riding dance, we got you covered. Psy recently demonstrated the whole craze on a television show, so watch this tutorial closely. Remember, keep a serious face.
Watch here:
Whatever gypsy magic my university used to match me up with my roommates worked, because we were all equally “quirky” in our own ways and went on to live with each other for another three years. We slowly developed a roster of bizarre inside jokes nobody understood and the engineers that lived below us came to accept there was nothing they could do to stop our impromptu 80s dance parties after nightfall.
Anyway, I’d gladly accept all our weird quirks over horrible roommates that leave greasy messes in the kitchen and slyly try to steal my food. One way to deal with inconsiderate roomies is to leave passive aggressive notes that gently remind them their roommate duties aren’t being fulfilled if they leave their empty water bottles on the living room table for you to clean up.
While I wouldn’t say it’s the ideal way to deal with such situations (maybe try an adult conversation?) passive aggressive notes are certainly fun to read.
Don’t be chronically messy
Pick up your mess
Don’t sleep in someone else’s bed Read more…
Colours VS. Patterns
Sadly, getting back into the routine of classes is around the corner, and if you’re already there,we feel for you. On the bright side, going back to school comes with back to school shopping. You can still feel like you’re walking on sunshine with these fashionable backpacks. Which would you choose? [teenjournal]
Bring your non-existant boyfriends to school with you
Is it just me, or having these star-studded notebooks would actually give me the motivation to do my homework? Not only are they totally cute to carry around (and I wouldn’t be embarrassed about it), you can just doze off and stare at their pretty faces during a boring lecture.
Decorating your dorm
Sometimes when you’re off to college, you don’t actually get the living accommodations you thought you’d have. In the end, you have to make the best of it. I really like how this girl has all her necessities (desk, bed, fridge) as well as organizing bins to save space and clutter. You can never go wrong with bringing along pics of friends & family to feel more at home. [tarynxoox]
DIY Nails Read more…
Knitted Frog Slippers, $8 , Forever 21
Make sure to bring cozy slippers for late night or early runs to the common area. These adorable knit slippers from Forever 21 are comfortable and will keep your roommates smiling.
Lavender Satchels, $6, Etsy
These lavender satchels will keep your room smelling fresh and clean. Keep them near your laundry hamper during heavy study weeks so your room won’t smell stale. These ones include natural essential oils and will ward off moths.
Wonder Woman Pillow, $30, Etsy
You’ll score extra points with this knit Wonder Woman pillow. It’s geek chic. If anyone comes into your room and doesn’t like it, be wary.
Cloud Duvet Cover, $89, Urban Outfitters Read more…
As a relatively new university graduate, I can say that every horrendous point about stress in this college promo video is absolutely FACTUAL. But why would you highlight stress in a six minute promo video for a college? That’s not going to make any student want to enroll in your school.
This video, which was uploaded to OberlinCollege‘s YouTube page, is a communication disaster. It’s likely meant to be a realistic/gritty look at all the hard work students are responsible for but it doesn’t really show the fun/social side of university.
Oberlin College? Sounds like a hoot.
‘Harry Potter’ star Emma Watson is enrolling at Oxford University, reports CTV.
After quitting Brown University in April, the actress will now study English at the prestigious British university in October.
Watson said she found it difficult trying to juggle filming, modelling and studying at Brown.
“Recently I’ve had so much to juggle that being a student AND fulfilling my other commitments has become a little impossible,” says Brown. ”I’ve decided to take a bit of time off to completely finish my work on ‘Harry Potter’ and to focus on my other projects.”
Now that she has a little more free time since ‘Potter’ filming is done, Brown can focus more on her studies. Since she has lived in Oxfordshire practically her whole life, she will probably find it much easier to attend Oxford as well.
Watson said she underestimated how famous she was at Brown, saying “I was in denial. I wanted to pretend I wasn’t as famous as I was. I was trying to seek out normality, but I kind of have to accept who I am, the position I’m in and what happened.”
Good for her for sticking with school, though. I can imagine how difficult it must be with a full-time career, but she seems smart enough to pull it off.
The University of Florida is apparently furious that one of their students partied on camera with the ‘Jersey Shore’ crew. The officials who run the study abroad program in Italy, where the show is being filmed, have reportedly given their student an ultimatum; stay away from the cast or be expelled.
The University of Florida sent out an email to students participating in their study abroad program in Italy, stating that “any student who does agree to participate in the filming of the show, or who signs a waiver or legal agreement of any sort with MTV, will be dismissed from the program immediately.”
The email also warned the students that any action deemed potentially embarrassing to the school “will not be tolerated.” The school threatened to contact the student’s parental units to inform them why the school would be kicking them out of the program.
TMZ spoke with Janine Sikes, UF Director of Public Affairs, who said, “Generally speaking, students may participate in activities outside their Study Abroad program as long as they meet the academic and living requirements of that program.”
I mean, if the show doesn’t mention the university at all, why does it matter? I could understand if they didn’t want the cast and crew on their campus, but what students do on their own time is none of their business.
On the plus side, though, this is probably the closest that Snookie, The Situation or DJ Pauly D will ever get to being connected with academics.
Canada’s best online textbook exchange service just got a lot easier to use. BooksForSchool.ca, a free online textbook exchange service for post-secondary students, has just relaunched it’s web site with a brand new design and easier to use features.
Benefits include:
- 100% FREE service for students across Canada
- Connecting buyers and sellers who want to exchange or sell used textbooks
- Streamlined interface
Concerned over the high cost of education, rising tuitions, living expenses and onerous textbook fees, student developers were motivated to find creative ways to manage the accumulating student debt load. As a result of much research and hard work by student developers, students across the nation now have an efficient system to save money and time through use of the free online textbook exchange service.
Vancouver-based band Hedley performed yesterday at the University of British Columbia.
Their home turf concert is part of the MTV The Leak Live tour, a series of free concerts across Canada promoting Hedley’s upcoming album, “Famous Last Words,” which will be released October 30. For those unable to attend, their first single, “She’s So Sorry,” can be heard on Hedley’s official MySpace page.
“Famous Last Words” is Hedley’s sophomore offering, following their 2005 self-titled album which earned the band platinum status, five hit singles, two Juno nominations, and the Much Music Video Award for Best Pop Video.
Charismatic and nudity-prone frontman Jacob Hoggard is confident about the new album, which was produced by former Treble Charger frontman Greig Nori. As Hoggard told MTV, “The main difference between this album and the last, was the amount of blood, sweat and tears that we put into this recording.”
Check out the rest of Hedley’s free tour at these locations:
Tomorrow: The SAIT Hangar in Calgary, AB at 12 p.m.
Friday: The UWO Talbot Bowl in London, ON at 7:30 p.m.
October 2: The Dalhousie Quad in Halifax, NS at 7 p.m.
October 4: The Concordia Loyola Downtown Campus in Montreal, QC at 5 p.m.
October 11: The Masonic Temple in Toronto, ON at 5 p.m.
Free Online Service Helps Ease Post-Secondary Expenses
January 9, 2006 – Toronto, Ont.- BooksForSchool.ca, a free online resource for Canadian post-secondary school students to buy, sell and trade their post-secondary textbooks, announced today that collectively, members of the online book swap web site have saved over $10,000. BooksForSchool.ca helps reduce the costs of post-secondary textbooks by creating an online community of buyers and sellers for post-secondary textbooks.
An online textbook exchange service is a web site that facilities the direct exchange of post-secondary textbooks between students. Members may buy, sell or exchange their new & used textbooks without surcharges.
“I have been a member of BooksForSchool.ca since last September.?, says Max Zubrick, ?Since then I have sold 3 textbooks, providing me with a return well above what the Ryerson book store was willing to give me to buy my books back. I also bought 2 textbooks that I needed for my courses. On one of them, booksforschool.ca saved me over 50% off the book store price!.”
BooksForSchool.ca matches students with others across Canada who have the textbooks they need. Website tools automatically inform students by email when a required textbook becomes available. BooksForSchool.ca is completely free to buy, sell or trade textbooks so students can retain much more of their initial investment when selling their textbooks online.
?When we created BooksForSchool.ca we wanted to build a place where textbooks could be bought and sold by students for less than the cost at University book stores? says co-founder Paul Levine, ?Collectively the founders of BooksForSchool.ca have saved almost $700. This is a small fraction of the total savings realized by other students all across Canada.?
Founded in 2003, BooksForSchool.ca pioneered the country wide online textbook exchange service in Canada. In 2005, BooksForSchool.ca combined textbook swapping with social networking, enabling students to decrease their expenses and make it easier to buy and sell new and used textbooks. Today, BooksForSchool.ca has grown into Canada?s largest online textbook exchange service for post secondary students.
BooksForSchool.ca is a completely free service for university and college
students. The BooksForSchool.ca web site can be accessed by visiting:
http://www.booksforschool.ca.
