The hashtag #collegeproblems is probably one of the most popular on Twitter, and it is definitely common among my classmates. Anything from professors with nearly incomprehensible accents to complaints about community bathrooms is fair game for tweeting, but I am always surprised by how many “problems” can be better categorized as inconveniences with very doable solutions. [gate] Even more surprising is ...

Welcome to 2013, everyone! It's looking bright and cheery from my standpoint and – Hey! Wait! It's January, isn't it? Well, then it's about time for that FAFSA form. Now to me, that word incites a bit of fear because it just sounds so official, so important, and so future-ruining. But there's no need to worry! Because you are now entering ...

When deciding to purchase textbooks for next semester, you have a couple of options: [gate] 1. Buying books online For most students, purchasing textbooks online is their primary option at the start of a new semester. The most popular website to buy and sell textbooks is Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/ ). When searching for a book on sites such as Amazon, here are ...

As college students across the nation lock themselves in their dorm rooms and curl up in bed with a spoon and a jar of Nutella in preparation for final exams, many of them will realize they are in over their heads. [gate] After all, there is a difference between stressing over an important final because there is a lot of information ...

There are millions of students in the world who are considering going to college and what it means for their future. Some of them, myself included, are going above and beyond, pushing their boundaries to make their college résumés look as impressive as possible. However, there are many people, teens and adults alike, that look at those people with bewilderment, as ...

Many college students have a small budget for purchasing gifts. What can you do to get your loved ones gifts they will love, while remaining economical? [gate] The holiday season probably snuck up on you this year. Busy with classes, studying, and a part-time job or internship, you may not have gotten around to doing any shopping. Here are some ideas ...

For those who are about to take finals, we salute you. The few weeks between Thanksgiving break and the heavenly month-long winter break seem to be some of the most stressful of the college school year. [gate] The eight days I spent at home for Thanksgiving was the longest period of time I had been there since summer, and, as much ...

Tick tock. That’s all I hear as I push in my applications for college. Tick tock. The clock’s ticking as I type in yet again, my first name, last name, address, alternative address, birthdate and phone number. What am I going to do with my life? [gate] I have an idea, but the most terrifying thing, is that I won’t in ...

I have always wanted to have my own talk show, so I'm just going to pretend that I have one right now. Hello faithful audience and at-home viewers! Welcome to The Alison Show! Today we are going to be discussing a serious topic, one that will give you great life experiences, impressive things to put on your college application, wonderful essay ...

In Overachievers Anonymous, I wrote about what to do and ways to help if you are taking on a lot of things to fill up that college résumé to the brim, but after taking some time to reflect, I realized that an overload of work isn't the only thing that we have to worry about and that stresses us out, it ...

With the reelection of President Barack Obama--to the ire of many, and the rejoice of others--he has promised to roll back tuition at many colleges, by working with congress, increase funding for federal student aid, and strengthen community colleges. Obama has declared higher education a “necessity”, and plans to work to make it a reality for everyone. He also declared that ...

When school first begins in the fall, everyone is excited. A new semester, quarter, or term brings about feelings of a fresh start, or new beginning. Most students feel highly motivated to pass their classes with all A’s. That 4.0 grade point average looks within reach. As time goes on, however, some of that motivation begins to wane. Perhaps you didn't ...

I have never been the most social person. In fact, I’m decidedly introverted: I prefer being with a few close friends than being at a large gathering, I don’t feel 100% comfortable getting to know new people, and the way I relax and recharge is by just hanging out by myself and reading, going to the gym, or catching up on ...

Applying to colleges can be quite the juggling act; you are torn between senioritis and an astonishing amount of homework, commitments to your social life and family obligations, work, sports, extracurriculars, and the favorite among high school (and even more so college) students: sleep. [gate] On top of all those things, there is also so much that you have to consider ...

Ahh, hello, midterm break! It’s finally time to set the homework aside and unwind. During this brief respite from my freshman year, I've done some reflecting on my first two months of college life, and have had a few realizations I'd like to share. [gate] Long car rides by yourself aren't necessarily awful. I live about three and a half hours ...

There is nothing that so cements in the mind how amazing an experience college is as one's first steps onto a college campus. As brochures and scheduled tours would have us believe, the university is at all times a dynamic place, and in a lot of ways that’s very true. But viewing a college entirely through the lens the university represents ...

Writing a resume doesn't have to be a painful process. The sole purpose of a resume is to show an employer that you have both the necessary skills and the experience to satisfactorily perform the tasks they are hiring for. Tons of advice on how to write a resume can be found online. There are many different resume layouts you can ...

Four college applications, three scholarship essays, two college visits, one student. It’s about that time when everyone starts to seriously think of eloping with that bizarre kid down the street and gambling with fate, but take two steps back and it slowly seems like you’d better steer clear. But, sometimes, taking those two vital steps back takes a lot of extra ...

In my short year-and-a-quarter of college so far, I have had to grow up. A lot. It has been terrifying and empowering and everything in between, and I have swung from bitter frustration to unbelievable gratefulness for the opportunities and challenges that have forced me to become more adult, despite my commitment to staying young at heart. With the new freshmen ...

Ah, senior year. It has finally arrived! Prom, senior banquet, commencement, graduation, senior portraits, the sheer excitement! With the laurels we seniors are resting on. The actual bulk of senior year--is dull in comparison. After all, we've been sitting in these very classrooms for the past four years, not counting intermediate school, elementary school, pre-school. A lot of school. Nearly 13 ...