Do you know those weeks where nothing goes your way, your stressing out, and it seems like 24 hours a day isn’t enough time to do everything?! Cause I’ve been having that week for the last 10 days.. So I’ve decided that I should figure out some tips to help me get through this rough patch in the semester.

1. Make a To Do List, this way you know what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by. I love the huge desk calenders so that I can see everything thing a once.
2. SLEEP! Even if you don’t feel as though you have the time to sleep, do it! It is the best way for your body to re-energize and get ready for the next day.
3. Stay Positive! Yea, studying can suck sometimes but think about how awesome it will be to finish the exam and be done with studying. Or think about happy things like summer, ice cream, iced coffee, and your friends.
4. Laugh (: It has been proven to reduce tension, improves blood flow and the health of your heart. So rent a movie or hang out with James Ham (he loves making people laugh).
5. Most importantly breath. Lets face it: if we don’t breath, we won’t be able to do anything because we will die. But seriously, just talk a minute to breath and calm down. Remind yourself that you are totally awesome and everything will work out fine.

Hopefully you get through your exams without pulling out too much hair. And when in doubt, listen to Send Me on My Way by Rusted Root it always puts me in a good mood!

Your stressed out nerd,
Meg

EVERYONE enjoys naps.  If you are reading this and you are like “HEY JAMES, THAT’S A LIE, I HATE NAPS”. Well then you good sir (or madam) ARE LYING. Sleep has to be one of the greatest things ever to a college student.  I mean come on, we are put in lecture halls for 4 hours at a time, or we have a billion credits a semester, and it gets to the point where eating becomes “optional”.  Any time you can get sleep is the greats time of your life.  Even if its on for a few minutes.  But how much sleep is healthy for a night? It has been said 8-10, but I have also heard 7-9.  Lets just say 8-10 because those are even numbers, and this way you can get away with an extra hour of sleep.  ANY MORE THAN THIS ISN’T A GOOD THING. Too much sleep can lead to grogginess, and being very tired even though you slept for 12 hours.  But you learned that in third grade.  The real question is: “How long should one nap for?”.  The time that a lot of people recommend is actually 5-10 minutes.  Which doesn’t seem like that long a time, but a 10 minute nap can make you feel more refreshed.  Studies also show that you can get away with making it a 20 minute nap, but anything more than that, and you will just feel groggy and wish you never took the nap to begin with!

Sweet Dreams!

~J..a…m..e……s……..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I know this week was draining for me and I’m sure it was draining for others as well, so here are a few comics that might make you laugh today!

Enjoy!

~James

Sitting here trying to figure out what to write about, I came up with nothing. So I’m just going to give you world news updates:

How do you feel about monopoly? Have you played the new electronic version, with no cash but you have a debt card. I played the new version and my mind was so confused….just wait for it…. there’s this 10 inch COMPUTER in the center of the board, that roles the die, picks your chance/community chest card, and holds your cash. Are future?? Where is the fun in it that way….

Would you drink???

 

That’s right the world has created lobster flavored ice cream…

Last for all you Justin Bieber fans…they have FINALLY made the Biebertini

Don’t worry their is no Alcohol in it

Thats all for now ~STEF

•      Plan a weekend get away with your friends. Getting out of your environment can really reduce your stress level.
•      Get together with some people you haven’t seen in a while. Make plans to visit your family or grab lunch with a pal from last semester that you haven’t seen around.
•      Do something for yourself. If you like dancing, go crazy in your room. If you like shopping, head to the mall for a window-shopping session.  If you like movies, treat yourself to a movie and your favorite snack.
•      Have dessert. I wouldn’t recommend in every meal, but every once in a while…indulge yourself in something sweet.
• Listen to a power playlist of feel good music. Here’s my feel good songs.
•  P!nk’s Raise Your Glass > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjVNlG5cZyQ
• Chris Brown’s Yeah 3X > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mC2ixOAivA
• N*Sync’s Tearin Up My Heart > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0lv5llZaS8
• Destiny Child’s Say My Name > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQgd6MccwZc
• Flo Rida’s Club Can’t Handle Me Right Now > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgM3r8xKfGE
• Bruno Mars’ Just the Way You Are > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhCEhWiKXk

• Try autogenic relaxation. This is a technique where you use visual imagery and body awareness to reduce your stress. You can repeat  words or suggestions to help you relax. Imagine some place you find peaceful and then focus on your breathing.
•  Try progressive muscle relaxation. This technique is when you tense up your muscles one at a time and release them one at a time. This causes you to become aware of muscle tension and relaxation. 
• Try visualization. Sit or lie somewhere peaceful and close your eyes. Imagine yourself in a very calm, peaceful setting and let yourself feel all of the sensations of this place. If your visualizing a beach, feel the sand, hear the waves, smell the salt water. Bring yourself to a calm visual and take a journey.

• Head to your Resident Advisor or ask an Orientation Ambassador if they can help you out.
• Go to the Counseling Center to talk to someone about your stress. 
• They are located on South Campus, McGauvran Student Center, 3rd Floor across from Health Services. You can walk in to make an appointment or call  978-934-4331. They’re open weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm.
• Head to the Rec Center to blow off some steam.
• Talk to your advisor if your course load in over-bearing.
• Join a club to start doing something you love.

Do you know how to ski or snowboard?! I never really learned how because I’m afraid of the ski lifts (I had a horrible experience, it’s painful to talk about). But I think I am ready to giving that ski lift a second chance and learn how to ski. But I have a feeling some of you UMass Lowell people don’t know how to ski either so I have a brilliant idea, let’s hit the slopes! Nashoba Valley is only 20 minutes away which makes it the perfect places for a day skiing trip. Nashoba Valley has different rates depending on when you want to go, if you go all day during the week it is $36 and on the weekend it is $46. Not a skier or snowboarder but still want to go enjoy the snow, try tubing! It is one of my favorite things to do in the winter and a 2-hour pass is only $25! So study this week so you can head to Nashoba Valley this weekend for a study break and some fun!

Your future Olympic skier,
Meg! 

Hey guys!!!!!!

Did you guys know that the school recently bought the St.Joseph Hospital down the street from east campus. The 6 building was purchased for 6.3 million. The St. Joseph Hospital now called University Crossing will be connecting, North, East, South, and Downtown Lowell.  There are a number of different plans on what will be located in this building: police station, student services and activities, classrooms, faculty offices, food, court, and of course student housing….Alot of things are changing on campus…just wait and see..

~Stef