Have you seen the new Texas Tech University ad campaign yet. Maybe you have seen it in your apartment while relaxing at ULofts. Check out the video below and visit Texas Tech University for more information.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
College Senior Survival Tips
Posted by ULofts Apartments on 9:25 AM
Are you a college senior? Congratulations on making it this far! You
may think the hard work is over, but you still have a whole year that
could determine your future. Check out these ten things to avoid as a
college senior. You can learn more at Campus Explorer.
1. Skipping Classes
Choosing to skip classes could mean missing valuable information for upcoming tests. And don’t forget to think ahead to university classes: Information you’ll need for your major in your college program may be covered during a high school lecture you miss.2. Thinking Second Semester Grades Don't Count
Many universities look at your second semester grades, so keep that GPA up and keep taking those AP/IB and honors classes. Admissions departments at many colleges and universities have been known to rescind the acceptance letters of students who drop their tough classes or let their GPA sink dramatically due to senior slump.3. Falling for “Senioritis”
A bit of restlessness during your senior year is to be expected, but don’t let yourself lose motivation, procrastinate or slack off completely. Letting yourself get physically or emotionally run down can ruin your senior year and make you less prepared for getting a college degree.4. Getting Too Overwhelmed
Senior year means juggling everything from the prom and parties to college essays and AP tests. You’ll get through it all if you take a step back and prioritize your time: Make lists and timelines to keep track of all of your deadlines and make sure you get it all done.5. Confusing Your Priorities
Planning for college doesn’t mean you can forget about your current obligations. In class, that means making sure your transcript is full of good grades in all of your subjects, not just the ones you think are easier or more relevant to your intended degree. Outside of class, that means not dropping your extracurricular activities or work if those activities will benefit you financially or personally.6. Forgetting to Study
Keep up on your assignments, even after a tough week. While you’re taking time off, there’s another student going for your spot at the schools you’re applying to who isn’t. When you feel less motivated to study, remind yourself that every good grade gets you closer to finding a college that offers a great program in the major you want. Keep your eyes on the prize!7. Mismanaging Your Time
Be realistic about your current workload. While you know how long it takes you to write a paper or study for a test under normal conditions, all the pressures of senior year could make you work more slowly or give you more distractions. To stay on top of your assignments, calculate how long you think something will take you, and then double it. Triple it, if time allows. That way you’ll have ample time to get your work done even if something comes up for the colleges you’re applying to.8. Daydreaming About Your Future Too Much
Your mind now might be wandering, thinking around about degrees, majors, MBA programs, possible careers, study abroad and many other things. These are all exciting future possibilities, but don't forget the here and now. Devoting too much time daydreaming when you have homework and reading to do could seriously curtail those future plans.9. Blowing Off “Less Important” Work
Don’t be fooled by the idea that a second paper or a midterm quiz doesn't make that much of a difference. Everything counts. Even if something is only worth ten percent of your grade, take it seriously. That extra ten percent might be what pushes you into a college slot over the next applicant.10. Failing to Use Available Resources
Teachers know about all the challenges you’re facing during this busy time, and many of them are nice enough to offer extra help during the second half of senior year. This help can be in the form of extra office hours, a review of topics covered, study guides, sample exams, or other tools to help you improve your grade. Take advantage of them.Wednesday, September 11, 2013
5 Tips for Every College Student
Posted by ULofts Apartments on 10:37 AM
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| Image from The Atlantic. |
1. Budget wisely
“It is crucial to discuss the importance of budgeting while attending college with your teen. Nowadays, college is expensive and they should not go around aimlessly spending money, especially if loans are involved. Having your teen get a summer job can be a great start (or even a part-time job at school), as they may learn to enjoy new skills that they are able to add on their resume. If they are planning to live on campus, either in or out of state, it would be wise to purchase
a meal plan, as it would be less strenuous both on your teen and your budget.” 2. Sharpen time management skills
“While attending college, time management is key. Your teen may feel overwhelmed with so many things to do on and off campus that may include socializing with friends, juggling assignments and making sure to attend club meetings — the options are endless! While it is important than they take part in all of the above, they must remember to set their priorities straight. As many of us know, college is one of the best times of your life, but there will be time to make room for the things they have always dreamed of doing.”
3. Network with others
“ Networking is an essential skill your teen must get accustomed to while at college. Networking with others once they have chosen a school is a great step to knowing the ‘ins and outs’ of the school as well as choosing to stay informed about opportunities. Networking will also give your teen the opportunity to learn from others and not just their friends and family. While they do network with friends and family on a daily basis, it is important to inform them to network with others while at work, too. It never hurts to carry around a business card or even their resume — they’ll never know who they’ll meet over the summer or in class!”
4. Utilize school resources
“Make sure your teen educates themselves on which clubs or organizations they’d be willing to join. Getting involved on campus is a great way to stay active and interact with other students and professors while enriching your college life. The career center is often a place that students take for granted while attending college. The career center is a key place for your teen to familiarize with, as they provide help for students who are interested in internships or students who are interested in polishing up their resumes and cover letters.”
5. Organization is key
“Unlike high school, college is not about set dates and assignments. A lot of the times, classes will not be in the same building and are set at different times. Your teen should realize this when they attend orientation and are making their schedules. If your teen is interested in extracurricular activities or keeping a part-time job while at school, it is important to stay organized. Getting organized can start off by having them do small things at first, like keeping their rooms cleaned or making sure they are responsible enough by assigning them to run ‘adult’ errands. Using a planner is probably the best way to make sure assignments are handed in on time, meetings are scheduled and attended, study sessions are filled in or even to jot down the days they are working (which can help your teen find time to relax and hang out with friends on campus). A whiteboard to write to-do lists for them to view is beneficial as well!”
Thursday, September 5, 2013
5 Make and Freeze Dinners
Posted by ULofts Apartments on 7:59 AM
Sometimes there's just no extra time to cook up a complicated meal,
so having ones already prepared to eat can be incredibly convenient in a
pinch. Check out "5 Great Meals to Make Ahead and Freeze" to make sure
that you'll always have something to chow down on even if you're in a
time pinch.
Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/5-great-meals-to-make-ahead-and-freeze-193994
Soups
While I grew up eating canned soup, that’s not been the case for my
kids. The canned variety is generally oversalted, oversweetened, and
overpriced. Since it’s so easy to make my own, there’s really no reason
not to.
I regularly prepare our favorite soups, sometimes two or three
varieties at a time, and freeze them in family- and individually-sized
portions. It’s super easy to grab a few different pints of soup from the
freezer for a quick lunch or supper. They pack well to work as well to
reheat in the microwave.
Soups are great to pack on vacation, send to college with your child,
or fill the freezer of a new mom or aging parent. Soup is good food.
Particularly if you make it ahead of time and stash it in the freezer.
Favorite recipes:
Casseroles
Casseroles are an ultimate comfort food. It speaks my husband’s love
language to pull a pan of enchiladas out of the oven. For my kids, it’s
my famous Chicken Pot Pie or Lawnmower Taco. It’s even easier to treat
their tastebuds when I’ve made a bulk batch of these and stashed them in
the deep freeze.
Consider your favorite lasagna, enchilada, quiche, egg bake, or other
casserole. Next time you prep it, make two (or more) and freeze the
extras. It really doesn't take that much more time, but you'll reap the
rewards later.
Favorite recipes:
Marinated or Cooked Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breast is one of the most economical
proteins here on the West Coast where it’s regularly less than $2/pound.
I snatch up big flats of chicken and do one of two things: I package
trimmed breast fillets with marinade in a ziptop freezer bag, or I cook
it up by poaching or grilling and then I freeze the cooked results.
The fruit of my labor is an easy, ready-to go protein. I can thaw the
marinated chicken in the fridge overnight and have it ready to throw on
the grill at dinnertime. I can thaw the cooked chicken and toss it into
salads, stir it into soups, or tuck it into sandwiches.
Favorite recipes:
Taco and Burrito Fillings
We’ve always been big taco and burrito fans, so it makes sense to
keep the fillings on hand for quick and easy suppers. By cooking up bulk
batches of seasoned taco meat, pinto beans, or carnitas, I’ve got the
makings of many a great dinner. Since these items are already cooked, I
can quickly thaw and reheat, lay out tortillas, taco shells, chips, rice
or even fried potatoes, and an array of toppings, and dinner is served
before I can make a run for the border.
Favorite recipes:
Apple Pie
Apple pie is a meal, right? Well, at our house it is, at least on the
first day of school when I serve apple pie for breakfast. While it may
not be your typical "meal," it sure is nice to have a stash of pies in
the freezer.
Every fall, I prep as many pies as I can and store them in our big
freezer. This allows me to surprise my family with a fresh-baked pie on
cold fall evenings. It takes the load off my Thanksgiving Day prep work
since I only need to slide them into the oven on Wednesday night. And it
brings a comfort and a touch of sweetness to savor the flavors of fall
throughout the cold winter months.
Favorite recipes:
When I’ve got my freezer stocked with these five of my favorite
things, all’s right with the world. I can surprise my family with their
favorite foods. I can pull a quick dinner off in less time than it would
take me to find my car keys and latch some car seats. I can rest a
little easier, knowing that if other plans don’t go my way, at least
dinner will.
Check out Jessica's book on freezer meals
Visit Jessica's family cooking blog:
(Images: Jessica Fisher)
Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/5-great-meals-to-make-ahead-and-freeze-193994
