Finals Week Is Here Again

a person in a white wig and the words "HAPPY FINALS WEEK: AND MAY THE GRADES BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR!"

If all those Buzzfeed articles, and tumblr memes weren’t proof enough, finals week is fast approaching.

That’s where you now go “yes the term is almost over!” before freaking out on if you’ll pass or not.

Here are some steps to prepare you for the stressful weeks.

1. Plan your schedule: Spend a few minutes writing down everything you need to do. Time has a tendency to slip away during finals week, so plan and keep track of it the best you can. Just because you’ve been able to pull an all nighter study session before, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to do it again.

2. Eat well and get exercise: When you’re short on time, it’s easy to forget both of these two things. A good breakfast, a respectable lunch, sensible snacks, and a smart dinner, can go a long way. Even a 20-minute walk around campus, can do wonders for your physical and mental health.

3. Keep up with your work: If you attend class regularly, keep up with readings, and take notes conscientiously. Doing so can make studying a relatively pain free process.

4. Make sure to get plenty of sleep: Sleep is often the time when we completely synthesize information, especially topics we’ve covered in the couple of hours before bedtime. You want to be as fresh as possible, and able to fully engage your working memory when the time to take your exam comes.

Black Friday

shoppers running into a store under an opening gate on Black Friday

Black Friday is here!!! Whether you’re interested in electronics, clothes, or appliances, all will receive a heavy discount.

There are some that are against it, especially when sales now start the day of Thanksgiving. Those people believe we should be at home, celebrating with family, and not bothering about selfish wants.

I’ll admit, I have participated in Black Friday. Yes, I stood in line for a good two hours for that 150 dollar 49 inch TV, along with a PS4.

I mean come on!!! Some of these deals are just too good to resist! I for one believe you can do both. You can enjoy thanksgiving dinner with your family…after you buy items that you’ve wanted all year long. Its a win/win situation in my book.

But let’s keep our dignity folks. No shoving, screaming, or hair pulling. You don’t wanna wind up on YouTube under “Crazy Black Friday Fight”

Subway Wi-fi!

an excited woman using her phone in the subway

Bored while waiting for the train underground? Wish you could send a text, check your email, or roam the internet?

Well, it looks like your dream might becoming true….depending on where you are of course. While not available everywhere, some train stations are offering Wi-fi.

The MTA has expanded their Wi-Fi service to 21 underground stations in the Bronx, and 16 additional Manhattan stations.

Officials with the MTA and technology company Transit Wireless, announced the expanded service at the 161st Street-Yankee Stadium station on Thursday. It’s one of the stations that now have Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi and cellphone service were already available at dozens of stations, mainly in Manhattan.

Your area still doesnt gave service? Well don’t worry, cause service is scheduled to be available in all underground stations by 2017!

Cuny Students Fight Back

a flyer that says "#MILLION STUDENT MARCH: JOIN THE MARCH JOIN THE MOVEMENT" over red fists

Do you ever think Cuny tuition is too high? Are you having a difficult time paying your fees? Do you think tuition should be free? Well if you do, you aren’t alone!

Students and faculty in 115 locations, took part in the Million Student March this past Thursday. The purpose of the march was to seek tuition-free college educations, cancellation of all student debt, and $15 hourly wage for campus employers. “We expect this to be a long struggle,” said James Hoff, English professor at Borough of Manhattan Communication College, and organizer of the CCNY group. He says that more than 40 million Americans are holding $1.2 trillion in student debt, and one in four borrowers has difficulties in paying off the loans.

The movement, which was widely organized on social media, used the hashtag #Million Student March. This was the second highest trending topic in the United States on Twitter by 5 p.m. on Thursday. Photos and videos posted on Twitter, where #MillionStudentMarch was trending worldwide, showed marches involving dozens to hundreds of demonstrators at schools not just in NY, but including Texas State, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Depaul University in Chicago.

Dealing with mounting student loan debt has been a focus for candidates vying for the White House in 2016. Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders, who has vowed to make tuition free at public universities and colleges, and has pledged to cut interest rates for student loans, tweeted in support of the movement on Thursday afternoon. His rival Hillary Clinton has said she would increase access to tuition grants, let graduates refinance loans at lower interest rates, and streamline income-based repayment plans.

Obama has promised to make all community Colleges free, and while I would hope it would apply to 4 year schools as well, I’m not so certain it can be done.

Bye bye Cosby

two gold coins with a red "DENIED" stamp over both

The trustees of the City University of New York, will take back an honorary doctorate granted to Bill Cosby in 1995, by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

“We’re saying that had we known then what we know now, we would not recommend that Mr. Cosby receive this honorary title,” college president Jeremy Travis said on Monday.

Travis said the action was  warranted due to the claims against Cosby.

“We now know of … women … who have claimed that he took advantage of their relationship, often aided, according to them, by various substances added to drinks,” Travis said. “In at least one instance now, he acknowledged that he engaged in this practice of taking advantage of women and doing so with the aid of, in this case, Qualuudes.”

This isn’t the first honor taken away from Cosby, since these claims have come out. And I’m sure it won’t be the last. Cosby himself has not been charged yet, and some have said that since he has not been charged, none of his achievements should be taken away.

Hmmm not sure I agree with those people.

Happy Halloween

an illustration of a scary castle

Tomorrow is Halloween!!! Time for trick-or-treater’s, dressing up, horror movies (check out Hocus Pocus), and to be scared out of your mind.

Not sure what to do? Well here are some haunted houses you may want to check out if you have time.

1. Headless Horseman in Kingston, New York features a haunted hayride, corn maze and 10 haunted houses. It’s been ranked America’s #1 attraction by Hauntworld.

2. BLOOD MANOR returns with a depraved appetite for gore and a twisted thirst for blood, in the same creepy location, 542 West 27th Street (between 10th & 11th Ave). With louder screams, scarier dreams and more thrills for each moment in its fun filled darkness, BLOOD MANOR makes your nightmares come to life.

3. Times Scare is New York City’s only year round haunted attraction. This state of the art haunted house has been built in the same rooms which years ago were stalked by one of the east coast’s most notorious killers. A killer who claimed a victim in the very venue! Now, if you dare, groups are taken on a one of a kind tour through this cutting edge haunted experience that is guaranteed to scare even the bravest of visitors… possibly to death!

So be safe, enjoy, and try not to eat to much candy!!!

Donald Trump For President……?

Donald Trump making an angry face

When Donald Trump first announced he was running for president, many people, myself included, laughed it off as some joke. No one really believed that he stood a chance. Well, it looks like us doubters may soon have to eat our words.

Twenty-two percent of Caucus Republicans said Trump has a 50-50 shot at becoming the Republican nominee; the same percentage said he has a 30 percent chance at winning. The rest of the respondents were divided, with the majority saying his odds are still less than 50 percent. But more than 8-in-10 GOP respondents said those are better odds than they gave Trump a month ago.

Can you imagine a world where Trump is president? Honestly, the thought alone scares me. Whats more horrifying is the fact he is being supported by so many people. How can a man that has put down numerous cultures and women, actually be doing so well? What does this say about these people?

If by some chance Trump is elected president, then Canada here I come!

The Job Search

Graduating soon? Scared you won’t be able to find a job? Well there’s hope for those wanting to land a job after graduation.
The demand for people with bachelor degree’s appear to be growing. In fact, according to a new survey released this month from Michigan State University, the labor market for college graduates hasn’t been this good since 1999.
“There are lot’s of good opportunities out there,” says Phil Gardner, director of Michigan State’s College Employment Research Institute, which conducted the study, Recruiting Trends 2015-2016.
The annual survey on hiring trends found that companies say they are hiring 8% to 18% more college graduates this year over 2014-2015. The most significant increases were for students with bachelor’s degrees in the finance, government, nonprofit, education, and scientific services sectors, it reports.
I think finding a job is the number one thing all graduates worry about. Especially with our current economy. So hopefully this can put you all at some ease as you get out there and begin your job search.

But First…Let Me Take a Selfie

Instagram and twitter are filled with them. Filled with what you ask? Selfies!! Selfies have become so addicting, that there was even a song written about them. But now, it appears taking a selfie, can reward you in a cash reward.

There is now actually such a thing as a Selfie Scholarship! Curious? Well the scholarship is for New York City students, and you could win $500. How? Well, all you have to do is take a selfie, representing your borough in the most interesting way.

HOW TO ENTER:

Create an Account on http://nyccollegeline.org/scholarships/2015-selfie-scholarship-contest

Submit an original Instagram sized selfie responding to the following prompt: What place in your borough best represents you?

One winner will be chosen from each borough!

Hurricane Joaquin Is Coming!

a screenshot of Hurricane Joaquin on a weather map

Its been almost 3 years since Hurricane Sandy hit. 3 years since many lost their homes, power, and many other valuable items. Ever since Sandy, we’ve all been hoping and praying that NY is never hit with such an event ever again.

Now say hello to Hurricane Joaquin! The hurricane that’s being called the new Sandy. Touching down in the Bahamas this past week, it left a huge devastation in its path. It was so big, that the forecast feared that it would hit NY next.

Well you New Yorkers can rest easy…for now at least. Anyone dreading a repeat of Hurricane Sandy can breathe a little easier, since Joaquin is now expected to spin away from the East Coast.

The storm, which weakened to a Category 3 hurricane Friday night, is likely to turn out to sea after hammering the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Even our mayor made a statement. “”We’re going to wait, obviously, for a while to be able to see more information, but at this moment the news is good,” De Blasio said.

But while the news may look good for now, I don’t think we should take any chances. Stock up, remain indoors, and border up. I for one won’t relax until I know this storm has officially passed.