Listen to Advisors

June 15th, 2010

Chris, a  community college student, had problems with his Spanish class. Loads of new words and fast-paced studying environment did not seem to work well with him. Even though Chris was about to graduate, he had to stay at school for another semester in order to complete Spanish II as well. To make things worse, he failed Spanish I, so he would have to take it over. It was then when Chris found out that he could take Philosophy as exempt from foreign language, as he studied Spanish in high school. As a result, he has to stay at school for another semester just to take Philosophy. Could he avoid such a situation and can you?

Luckily enough, every school has academic advisement. Don’t wait that they will go around looking for you to tell you what classes you have to take or how many credits you need to graduate. On the contrary, you should find and consult them. If you do so, you will be able to plan your graduation semesters before.

Academic advisors know more about classes, schedules and requirements more than you do. They can tell you what course may be easier to take, what class may match your interests and which one is not necessary for you. They also help you make a convenient schedule, organize your time properly and make the best academic choices. If you decide to change your major at one point, your academic advisor will inform you what courses match your new major and which ones will be counted as electives.

If academic advisement is so helpful, why don’t students use it to their advantage? Well, in most cases, they don’t think about it until they face problems. Then they get upset and complain that “no one told” them. Another issue is the lack of time. Why waste time one can use to study in the library or go out with a group of friends? The truth is, however, that an appointment that takes no more than 30 minutes may save you the whole semester and some cash, as it could have been in Chris’ situation.

Thus, if you decide to be provident and get some advisement, the first thing you need to do is to find out who your advisors are and how to meet them. Remember that your advisor may not be available in the times you are, so plan it beforehand. Find out if you are required to make an appointment or may just stop by the office.

As your time matters as well as theirs, prepare some questions for the meeting. Make sure you find out what courses are necessary for your degree and which are electives. It is a good idea to take college and department requirements first because sometimes they will not fit into your schedule some time later. Even though it may be sad that an elective course you like does not fit, you can always replace it with something else, maybe even more interesting. You cannot do the same with a required class.

Find out what classes have pre-requisites and make sure you take them before. Classes that consist of two parts need at least two semesters. And face it: you may fail one of them and may have to take it over. Do not postpone your graduation because of one course, give these “long,” two-semester courses priority.

If you are planning to transfer to another school, ask your advisor what classes will be taken by the institution you are transfering to. If you pay for the course and do the work, why not get credit for it? Every credited course is a huge step towards your successful graduation, so don’t  wander around and choose a straight path.

And finally, make sure you know at all times how many credits and what classes you have left to graduate. If you need to meet your advisor again, don’t be shy: that’s what they are there for.  As a famous saying claims, “Only educated are free,” so be educated about your school load and do not neglect advisors’ help.

Ekaterina Lalo

Check out my blog at www.nycvalues.blogspot.com

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Making Ordinary Extraordinary

June 15th, 2010

It’s Saturday night and after hours of debate you and your friends have finally decided that tonight you’re going out on the town. You’re in New York City after all, the most amazing and exciting city in the world, and if you don’t soak it up, well, you’d just be wasting the precious moments you have left. The problem is that once you’re finally ready, no one can decide what to do. A movie seems boring, you know that party is going to be lame after ten minutes, and before you know it almost two hours have gone by and you haven’t left your living room. This has happened to me more times than I can count and sometimes the best way to avoid this trap is to….are you ready for it?….to do what you’ve always been doing, BUT with a twist.

Making the ordinary extraordinary is nothing new, but certainly something that we all forget to do. It’s a fantastic way to spice up any dull day and keep activities fresh. There are so many ways to go with putting twists on things, so I’ll give you two of my favorite now and re-blog from time to time on some fun ordinary to extraordinary ideas.

I Scream For (Twenty Scoops Of) Ice Cream:

Getting ice cream is nothing new (in fact, for many of us it’s our dinner), but you can make this routine snack one worth remembering.

One of the first great nights in college actually began with the above problem. Some friends and I were talking about what to do and no one could agree on anything. In the end we decided to venture out to Ben & Jerry’s for a very typical ice cream stop, but we had no idea how much fun we would have. Reading over the menu in the store, the word “Vermonster” happened to catch my eye. I inquired the ice cream scoop attendant about this strange ice cream flavor and she explained that it was not a new flavor at all, but rather a twenty-scoop sundae with hot fudge, bananas, cookies, brownies, and every topping in the store. Well there were ten people there so we thought “Why not?” and proceeded to have the most decadent ice cream feast I’ve ever had. Granted, our stomachs hurt a little the next day, though this Vermonster was definitely a beast worth conquering.

Express Your Inner Tourist

Tourists. Those picture taking, I Love NY t-shirt wearing, Double Decker bus riding tourists. NYC just wouldn’t be the same without them and deep down in your heart you know you love ‘em. Well why not do what yo’uve always been doing and invoke that inner tourist and enjoy yourself!

Recently, my roommate and I were doing work in our kitchen on a Monday night when a friend of ours stopped by to say hi. We made a joke about why she wasn’t dressed up for a Monday night and she commented sarcastically, “Oh I’m sorry, I was just about to put on my gown.” Well she might have thought that was clever, but my roommate and I looked at each other and thought it was brilliant. We gave ourselves another thirty minutes to study, put our books away, and got dressed in our sauve-iest (there’s really no better fake word to describe it) attire and went out to the nearest dive bar. It was drizzling and a little chilly, but nothing could have stopped us. On the way there one of us had the brilliant idea to play tourist. But not just any tourist. We were going full on British-bloke with a visa and a degree from Oxford tourist. So with our tuxedos and suits in check we proceeded to discourse in the best British accents we could fake (which, truth be told, were not that bloody great). We ended up talking with two girls for an hour, who actually believed we were from England (don’t ask me why), and having an amazing time.

So the next time you’re faced with a ‘what-to-do’ conundrum remember that it’s all about putting the spin on the old and adding the extra to the ordinary.

Let me know what “ordinary” fun you get into!

-Roni Tessler

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More Time – Less Money

June 14th, 2010

Did you know that unlimited metrocards save you a lot of money? No matter how hard it is to part with $89 for a monthly subway pass, get it and you will save on every trip. Moreover, a monthly card saves you more than a weekly one: the longer the time, the less you pay for each trip.
As a college student, you have to commute to school 4-5 days a week. Besides that, you meet your friends, shop for books, food and clothes and use subway or bus if you need to see a doctor or an academic advisor. All this may give you, at least, two trips a day six days a week, keeping in mind that you may stay at home studying or just relaxing one day a week. Thus, you will spend, at least, $27 a week if one trip is $2.25. As $27 is the price for a weekly metrocard, you do not lose anything if you purchase it. On the contrary, you may go wherever you want as many times as you wish.
If you are now running to a closest vending machine seduced by this convenience, stop! If you buy an unlimited metrocard for two weeks, you will save $3 extra, as it is $51 only. Finally, you save $19 if you buy an “expensive” monthly pass.
Even though unlimited metrocards are very convenient and save money, many people prefer to buy regular cards, as they are afraid to lose the “expensive” one. Did you know, however, that while a regular card is treated like cash, meaning that losing or finding it is like losing or finding money, an unlimited metrocard is insured? The only thing you have to do is to purchase it with a credit or debit card from any MTA vending machine. If you do so, you can report your loss, and you get a refund for each remaining day. Price for the card is divided by the number of total days, so you do not lose anything. Be aware, though, that you can report the loss only twice a year; the first time for free, and the second timea $5 fee applies.
These cards are especially convenient for visitors, those who want to see as much as possible in a limited amount of time. And also, for people who like to feel free of limits, a monthly metrocard is like a bottomless wallet always filled in with money for transportation.

Ekaterina Lalo

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Let’s Dance: NYPL for the Performing Arts

June 11th, 2010

My favorite library in NYC is the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, no contest. I was there today picking up an obscure dance book for some summer reading (fun, right?), and was reminded of just how great this place is. Not only does it have the most extensive library of dance books, periodicals, photos, and videos, but it also celebrates the arts in an important way. This library is not your standard collection of resources – it contains information on all types of performance art, and also has installations and events to celebrate the artists found within the vast collections of books and other resources in this library.

When you enter from the Lincoln Center Plaza entrance (which is almost completely done with construction, and looks GORGEOUS, by the way), straight ahead you will see a room that is home to changing displays. I have seen a display of Cunningham costumes, a musical celebration, and many other exhibits here. Currently, it is under construction, but it’s always worth poking a head in to see what is being showcased – you might learn something, and there will certainly be something to look at or listen to.

If you enter from the Amsterdam Avenue entrance across from La Guardia High School, you’ll walk in and see another small exhibition center to your right and a theater to your left. Two years ago, one of my teachers curated an event on the Dance Theatre of Harlem. In the room to the right we got to see video of past performances, examples of costumes and documents, and posters of the dancers both past and present. As part of this exhibit, I also attended a panel discussion in the auditorium across the hall and got to listen to Arthur Mitchell, one of the creators of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, talk about his experience in the dance world. Obviously, the exhibit has since changed – they change every couple of weeks, and the latest exhibits can be found here.

As if these exhibits weren’t enough, there are also performances constantly happening at this library. Weekly concerts, movie showings, and speakers are all common events. And in addition to these being educational and truly well-done events – they’re FREE!! I’ve always loved libraries, but one complete with performances and exhibits really takes the cake.

So head over to the Performance Arts library, located at 40 Lincoln Plaza (65th Street, by Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues) and check out the exhibits, performances, and books. And if there’s no upcoming events that pique your interest? Consider going into the research archives and watching a historic performance. I’ve spent entire days there watching their footage of William Forsythe‘s choreography – it’s not the same as seeing it live, but at least it’s free and accessible!

-Meghan Q

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Secrets of Commuting

June 11th, 2010

image credit: cyclinglondononline.wordpress.com

If you are lucky enough, you will find an apartment near your college and a job near your apartment. What if you are not lucky enough? Then you will have to get a bicycle or learn how to use a subway.

Getting a bike is an appealing, but not a great idea. First of all, you may not have enough space to keep it. Secondly, you cannot use it when it is raining. In New York City it usually rains heavily, from an early morning until night, so there will be days when your bike will be a useless decoration, not to mention winter time with all this snow around.

Moving to New York City, you have to familiarize yourself with its subway system and bus routes. While a car is a necessity in rural areas, it costs an arm and a leg to maintain it here. Parking is expensive, especially in Manhattan, which adds up to gasoline and insurance costs. Hence, if public transportation is the best option, how do you use it effectively?

One of the things you need to do is planning your trip beforehand. Take a free subway map in any booth within a station. Find out what is the best way to get to your destination. Keep in mind that transfers within stations are free, but before you get off, make sure that transfer is available.

Once you plan you trip to an unknown area, you should go online and check whether there are some changes in schedule, as it usually happens every day. Routes are changed because of construction, some stations are closed, trains are going express where they are supposed to run local and what not.

By the way, local and express trains can be seen on a map as well. Notice that some trains skip certain stops and make sure you will not miss yours.

A mobile device with GPS may be a helpful tool. You just have to put in start and end point, and your cell phone will plan the trip for you. But keep in mind that this innovative technology is not perfect and cannot predict everything.

Following these simple advices, you should never be lost in the city. If you happen to, in spite of everything, do not be shy to ask a station attender or another rider. People in New York City seem distant and indifferent, but in reality, they are very helpful and attentive.

Ekaterina Lalo

Check out my blog at www.nycvalues.blogspot.com

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Interning in NYC: Tips for Writing Your Cover Letter

June 7th, 2010

One of the most crucial components of the internship application process is your cover letter. Essentially, the contents of this letter provide potential employers with their first impression of you, prompting them to read your resume and decide if they want to call you for an in-person interview. Thus, it is extremely important that your cover letter represent you in the best possible light. While writing your cover letter, remember these points:

1. Write individual letters for each company. Standardized form letters not only lack creativity, but also imply a lack of interest in the position to the person reading it. Taking the time to write individualized letters shows the reader that you possess a sincere interest in the company and the position that you are applying for, which presents you as the better candidate.

2. Research the company. Make sure you know the basics of the position and the company that you are applying to, and be sure to add some of your findings into your cover letter (i.e. as reasons why you want to work there, why you admire the company, how you can help fulfill the company mission, etc.) Again, this helps to convey your personal interest in the organization and will help you land an interview.

3. Support any claims you make with specific examples. This is your time to brag about your accomplishments and show the reader why you would be an excellent addition to their team. So if you say in your cover letter that that you excel in the classroom, be sure to tell them about how high your GPA is or about your two years on the Dean’s List.

4. Use a professional tone and proofread your letter. You want to your future employers to think that you are serious about work and that you are capable of behaving properly in a professional environment. Making jokes or having any grammatical/spelling errors shows them that you do not care about making a good impression.

For more info and tips, here’s a useful website that I found while I was writing my cover letters. It not only gives you more information and tips, but also provides you with examples of good cover letters and other business correspondence, such as thank-you letters and networking letters. So have fun writing your way to an interview!

-Christina Brower

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Interning in NYC: Tips to Aid You in Your Search

June 7th, 2010

Landing a full-time job after graduation has gotten a whole lot tougher these days due to the present state of the economy. Jobs are few and far between and the competition for them has grown especially fierce, which is why obtaining an internship has become an important priority for most students these days. However, the competition for intern positions is just as ferocious. So how can you maximize your chances of surviving in such a cut-throat environment? Here are some things that I learned to do when searching for an internship:

1. Start your search early! For example, if you’re looking for a summer internship position, start looking for open positions in late January/early February and continue until late April/early May. You will be surprised how many positions are available when your search spans a couple of months.

2. Submit your application ASAP! Some students are under the impression that if they are one of the last applications that employers see that they will have a better chance of being remembered. This, however, is not the case. Applying hours before the midnight deadline can make you look like a procrastinator. In the work place, deadlines are extremely important, and most employers want someone who is timely with their work. So once the application period begins, submit your resume and cover letter as soon as possible to avoid being a part of the last minute rush.

3. Apply to as many positions as you can! I know this can be a long, tedious process, but believe me it is absolutely necessary. This spring, I applied to over thirty companies, and only received about five calls/e-mails for an interview. So put yourself out there to as many people as possible. It will make your chances of actually landing a position more probable.

4. Make use of your resources on campus! Most colleges and universities have a career services department, which provides students with resources, such as resume critiques, mock interviews, company tours, and weekly e-mails with new internship/job opportunities, to aid students in their searches. These people are trained professionals who have helped many students go from the classroom to the office and can help you become a better candidate for employment or put you in contact with the right people.

5. Utilize internet search engines! In addition to MonsterTrak and Craigslist, there are many sites available that are devoted to finding internships in a particular field. Just Google it and see what comes up. For example, after doing a Google search, I found a website called BookJobs.com, which was wholly devoted to internship/job opportunities in the book publishing industry and which is where I found the most openings.

-Christina Brower

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The Northside Festival

June 7th, 2010

Along with barbecues, beach parties, and baseball games, summer brings along with it an enormous heaping of music festivals. Later on this week in Tennessee, music acts like Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, and Jay-Z will be playing at Bonnaroo. In July, the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago is boasting Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem, and Pavement as headliners. Come August, also in Chicago, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, as well as The Strokes will play what will probably be amazing sets at the gargantuan Lollapalooza. I, personally, would love to pack up and hit up all of these festivals, and more, if not for the fact that I just recently overdrew from my bank account. I simply cannot afford it.

So what is a guy with a current balance of -$2.58 supposed to do? Thankfully, The L Magazine has my back. From June 24 – 27 Brooklyn will be graced with the Northside Festival. In its second year, the festival is dedicated to independent musicians and filmmakers who have a history within the borough. The lineup, which is as eclectic as Brooklyn itself, is featuring some relatively prominent acts such as Islands and Wavves, but the main drawing point is the multitude of lesser-known acts, which are sure to find some new fans at the festival.

I’m mainly looking forward to seeing one of my favorite bands of all time, Les Savy Fav, play yet another hilariously raucous set filled with catchy post-punk riffs and costume changes. Yes, costume changes. Also playing is Titus Andronicus, whose latest album, The Monitor, is so good that I cannot stop listening to it or recommending it to everyone for the past two months since I’ve heard it.

Unlike those other festivals I mentioned, tickets to the Northside Festival aren’t offensively ridiculous. If you’re over 21, $50 can get you a badge which will get you into all of the shows playing as a part of the festival on a first-come/first-serve basis. These badges will also net you some sweet discounts with local food and drink sellers. If you’re not over 21, or you don’t want to go to every show, you can pick and choose and buy individual tickets at the different venues. Ticket prices range from $10 to $18. I think even I can manage that.

Thanks, Brooklyn. You’ve shown me, yet again, that even though I could go somewhere else, why should I?

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Let’s Dance: Battery Park

June 6th, 2010

In an attempt to finance my admission to real performances, for the past year I have been working at the Statue of Liberty (yes, it’s both cool and terrible at the same time). While I’m still waiting on my paycheck so I can see a real performance and write about that, I do have some exciting free things for you to check out.

In order to get to Liberty Island, I have to board the ferry in Battery Park. I can’t attest to what goes on all day long in the park, since I refuse to go there on my off days, but I can tell you that after 5 or 6 p.m. (when we get off the last boat from the island), there’s always something going on. On any given day that doesn’t involve storms, there are people waiting to sell you handbags, draw you a picture, or pass out Obama condoms. Additionally, there are usually some musicians playing tin drums, big guys holding snakes that you can take pictures with (although this makes me scream and run away – no big deal), and the occasional breakdancing show.

Particularly over the summer, there’s always a crowd in Battery Park. My favorite part of these festivities is certainly the breakdancing – although the shows don’t often last long and they aren’t the best shows I’ve ever seen, it’s worth stopping and clapping for a few minutes. Usually when I get off the boat (by Castle Clinton in the park, which is closer to the 6 train rather than the South Ferry subway station) there is a group in red performing. They bust out flips, yell until you clap, and although sometimes disorganized are at least good for a laugh.

Photo from Webshots.com: http://image44.webshots.com/45/3/97/41/373839741sNjkGC_ph.jpg

This place isn’t so exciting over the winter (although once it’s snowy and there are no performers left you are free to make epic snowmen) – but in the summer, there’s a lot going on.

The biggest snowman I ever made was this winter in Battery Park!

In addition to these informal street performers, Battery Park also holds some concerts and other events. This Saturday there was a science exhibit, and last summer there was a Rilo Kiley concert (that I had to miss!), among others. I’ve even seen the Paul Taylor II company perform for free on a makeshift stage in the park.

If you don’t want to chance it and head down to the park to enjoy some rays and the random entertainment, you can find schedules for the larger events on the Battery Conservancy website. Different organizations use the space, and a wide variety of things go on there. The best part? It’s free!!

-Meghan Q

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Make New Friends and Keep the Old: Looking Back

June 3rd, 2010

On February 20th 2007, I turned 17.  In New Jersey, when a person turns 17, and if they have fulfilled all of the requirements, he or she is eligible for their license.  Well, I got mine – along with my first car (a 1990 Buick LeSabre, navy blue).  I was so in love with my car, and had so many plans for it…my parents had already gotten me a really awesome sound system to get installed, and I couldn’t wait to drive it down the shore for the first time.

Fast forward to March 4th 2007.  In New Jersey, high school juniors have to go take the HSPA, High School Proficiency Assessment.  The HSPA spans four days, and lasts about three hours each day.  March 4th was the first day for my class, and I wore my favorite tee shirt and most comfortable pair of “lounge” pants, and flip flops.  By the time the day was over, I was ready to get home and relax.  So of course no more than hour after I had gotten home, I got a call that I needed to go to my best friend’s house for an emergency band meeting.  Not exactly excited to get there, I nevertheless got in my LeSabre and started down my street for the easy two mile drive.  This is where things get fuzzy, because not halfway down my street I, for some reason, swerved, then over corrected, and ended up driving straight into the side of a house.

The first thing I did when I woke up, having passed out for probably a minute or two, was call my dad (not 911, of course, because that would have made sense).   I then texted my friend something along the lines of “I was just in an accident on my street.”  The friend I texted, my best at the time, got to me in record time, before my father and the ambulance he called on his way from the office.  Now imagine, I’m sitting there in my own blood, cradling my broken wrist; I didn’t know it at the time, but the front of my car was crushed all the way to the windshield , which was also cracked from my face meeting it (and that’s why they tell us to wear seatbelts).  After checking on me, my friend took it upon herself to knock on the door to make sure no one was inside and injured, ignoring the danger she could have been in from the now structurally unsafe house.  That being done, she came over the passenger side, which I had somehow slid too, procured napkins from somewhere and did her best to wipe the blood from eyes and mouth – she did all of this before any other help arrived, but checked first to make sure help was going to arrive at some point.  Now, you may wonder why I bring this story up.

I think about it sometimes, about her wiping blood from my face and staying with me until I left in the ambulance.  I think about it because just a little over a year after my accident, we were suddenly no longer friends.  I wonder how we could be so close, and care so much about each other, and how that could just end.  It’s horrible how the fact is that friends, no matter how close they are, can just grow apart.  It started with a fight that probably wasn’t even that bad, and then radio silence.  BOOM, no more friendship.  We still talk occasionally, and when I’m in town we’ve gotten coffee before, but there’s nowhere near, and never will be again, the closeness we used to share.

On the other side of that, there’s the friend who made the half hour drive to visit me in the hospital each of the five days I was there after the accident.  She brought me movies and real food, and even washed my hair for me after about three days of me living with the blood, glass, and vomit that was by then crusted into it.  Of course, with my broken nose I didn’t even notice how rank I was, so the hair washing was more for everyone else’s benefit, but that’s not the point.  I’ve known her for twelve years now, I believe; she actually was my babysitter when I was younger, fun fact.  Our relationship is probably more like sisters than friends, and we can go from laughing hysterically together to me wanting to punch her in the face.

I just wonder why that friendship is different from the other one.  There’s no denying that Friend B and I have had probably over a million fights, radio silence included, yet we’ve always remained friends.  I’ve questioned in another blog on whether or not some people are just more important in our lives, and I didn’t want to think that I could rate my friends like that.  But I guess somewhere inside I do, because the simple fact is that one of those friendships is over, and the other is just as strong as ever.

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