Getting the Most Out of Summer Break

Summer break is upon us! That means it’s time to kick back and relax and forget everything you learned this semester. Right? Wrong! Get the most out of your summer vacay by getting involved! Put your best foot forward for your future. These tips from Hack College will help you get the most out of your summer vacation.


If there’s one thing you’re going to miss most of all once you graduate from college, it’s probably going to be your summers off. Even though plenty of us take classes or work, there’s nothing like having a nice three-month break from monotony every year, so you might as well take advantage of it while you have the chance.

There are plenty of different ways to spend your summer vacation, depending on what kind of summer person you are, so here are a few of the ways to make your summer valuable and more memorable!

Making Connections

We don’t really want to think about making connections and planning our future when we’ve got a three-month break from reality; but we should. We can take this opportunity to really shine in our jobs or just in relation to our various connections.

Professionals love eager undergraduates — mostly because college students provide bored professionals with an awesome ego boost. Finding somebody to give you an internship or to be your mentor can be the difference between McDonald’s and Merrill Lynch when you start searching for that first job. Take a little time to connect with your friends’ parents at BBQs, or with your professors at end-of-semester and summer events, and you might have a job before you graduate.

Related: LinkedIn for College Students: The Importance of a Professional Online Presence
Extracurricular Activities

There are no excuses for not working out during the summer. You don’t have 12-page papers and all-nighters. You have beautiful morning weather and plenty of time to nap. Now is the perfect time to join that Flag Football League, or the Half Marathon Training Group.

You can get a buddy to do it with you and then make plenty of friends along the way. It’s a great way to burn off some of those extra beers from the previous semester and a fun way to stay active!
Traveling the World

You see those people who had the extra cash to spend a semester in Europe or Spring Break in Mexico, but you know what? It’s possible for you too! Now is the time when you really want to get a few solid weeks of epic traveling in. It willteach you so much about yourself along the way.

If you want to take a week at Lake Havasu instead, go right ahead, but if you can swing the plane ticket, you should get as far away from your home country as possible and really experience life in another country. Grab friends for a two-week vacation in Southeast Asia, or join some sort of exchange or study abroad program in Europe. With student discounts and exchange programs, you’ll never get the opportunity to travel so cheaply again!

Volunteering

This can go hand-in-hand with the traveling, or you can do it in your own community on Saturday mornings, but volunteering is an excellent addition to your summer holiday. It might be an early weekend day here and there, or you might have to do some unpleasant work, but it will reward both your mind and your resume. We all spend time donating canned food during the holidays, but what about summer?

There are plenty of children and adults who need help all year, so grab Costco-sized cans of soup, fruit, or vegetables, and see if your local pantry could use some help this Saturday afternoon.
Catching Up

If you go to school far from your hometown, this might be a good time to decide which location you prefer. Some of us never return after leaving for college, while others spend every spare break with their high school friends.

Your summers are a good time to figure out where you might want to make connections and find a job after college. It’s also a good time to catch up with your oldest friends and introduce them to your newest ones!

Post Finals Week Packing Tips

Finals week means it will soon be time to head home for a lot of people. If you’re getting ready to pack your bags to go home, your biggest problem is probably figuring out how to fit everything into a few bags. Using these tips from Lifehack will help you utilize space and plan appropriately. Visit their website for more tips.


If you have any plans to travel over the next few months, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll be packing a suitcase or other travel case to take with you, unless you’re going to a naturist retreat or somesuch. Should your holiday plans include actually being clothed, then you can follow some of these steps to ensure that you pack everything you need.

Before you actually put anything into your suitcase, check what the weather’s going to be like at your destination of choice for the time of year that you’re heading over there, as this will give you a general idea about the clothes you should be packing. If you’re going to a tropical destination, naturally you’ll want to be prepared to dress for hot, sunny days and balmy nights, but you might also want to pack some warmer clothes for unexpected cooler, overcast days, or even rainy ones. Remember that wearing layers is optimal for any climate, as you can add more if you get cold, or take a layer or two off if you’re overheated.
Make a List

Try to plan ahead and sort out what you’ll be wearing for each day that you’re gone, and remember that the clothes you travel in count as one of the outfits. Choosing pieces that can mix and match is a smart idea, and be sure to add an extra pair or two of underwear/socks just in case.

Once you’ve sorted out exactly what you’re going to wear, write it all down on a sheet of paper (or type it up and print it out). As you pack each item, cross it off your list—this ensures that you won’t arrive at your hotel to discover that you’d forgotten to pack something vital.

*As a side note: always, always have an extra set of clothes in your carry-on luggage. Always. You never know when/if your luggage will be misplaced, and you don’t want to be stuck in your traveling clothes until the rest of it shows up. Keep your personal medication (along with a prescription letter from your doctor, if need be) in your carry-on as well, along with your toothbrush, passport/wallet, etc.

List Apps You Can Choose: The Complete Guide to List and To-Do Apps
Bottoms First

Shoes and heavy/bulky items such as hairdryers and extra handbags should be placed at the bottom of your luggage. If it’s a piece you’ll be carrying, the heaviest bits should be right next to the hinge that attaches the lid, while if it’s a luggage piece on wheels, the bulky bits should be right at the bottom, above the wheels.

Your shoes, boots, and packed purses are ideal spots to carry smaller items within: tuck jewellery, socks, gloves, belts, extra glasses, etc. into these to maximize space. Once the heavy bits have been places where you like them, use the spaced in between them for small items like socks, underwear, rolled-up bathing suits, etc.

Storage Hacks for Small Spaces

Living in an apartment can be difficult when it comes to storage. There are far fewer places to keep things resulting in clutter that crowds your space making it feel even smaller than it already is. These tips from Apartment Therapy will help keep the clutter at bay in apartments not endowed with spaciousness.

If you look at a lot of New York apartment listings (which often include photos of the previous occupants' stuff, because brokers are hot to get those places on the market), you'll notice that a lot of small apartments look... cluttered. Really, really cluttered. Of course clutter is a challenge for anyone who lives in a house and owns things, but it's an especial challenge for tiny apartment dwellers.

Have less stuff (purge, purge, purge).

This first point is kind of obvious but it's worth stating again: half of the battle against clutter is just having less stuff to begin with. If you've been living in your small space for a while, a big purge may be in order. If you're just moving in and feeling a little overwhelmed about what to keep and what to toss, start by making room for the things that are most important to you, and then fit everything else in. The things that don't find homes may be good candidates for the Goodwill pile.

Have a space for everything.

The old mantra 'a place for everything, and everything in its place' is more important than ever in a small space, because if something doesn't have a place, its place is going to be a countertop or tabletop or a floor, and in a small apartment, once you have a few things on the floor the whole place starts to feel a little cluttered. Small spaces aren't very forgiving in that way. If you're feeling panicky because your apartment just doesn't have that many places, and you don't have room for extra furniture, consider some of these sneaky storage spots.

Have more spaces than you think you need.

The problem with clutter is that it tends to expand, slowly, sneakily, so you need to go on the offensive. Besides just having a space for everything, it's smart to also have a few extra spaces, for the things that somehow just don't have a god place. I have a half-empty underbed box, and another tupperware box that functions as my 'junk drawer'. This way, if something is floating around it's easy to quickly tuck it away, without reorganizing my whole apartment.

Use the walls.

Wall-hung organizers and shelves are your new best friends. If you own something and it exists in three-dimensional space, you can probably store or hang it on the wall somehow. Don't forget to look for storage space above other things — you can hang shelves or cabinets above dressers and desks, and pot rails above sinks or countertops.

Embrace opacity.

Sure, storing things in clear boxes looks cute in that Container Store ad where everything in the apartment is inexplicably the same color. But you are a real human being, and even if everything you own is incredibly beautiful it probably doesn't look all that great jumbled up together. In order to avoid looking at that melange all day, you need opacity. Like drawers, cabinets with doors, not-clear boxes. Pretty stuff can be in open storage, but everything else gets tucked away.

Stop clutter before it starts.

Like I said, clutter tends to expand in a space, but the way it gets there isn't at all mysterious: it comes in through the front door, like you do. Creating a landing strip near the front door is a great way to control cutter right where it starts. You can do this even without a dedicated entryway, and it doesn't need to take up a lot of space. Check out Maxwell's tips for creating a landing strip here.

Let yourself cheat (a little).

Actually, you know what? I'm going to say that outsourcing a little bit of your storage isn't even cheating, because I write tons of 'how we make this tiny apartment work' type posts, and lots of people admit to doing this. If you have something that you don't want to get rid of but only plan on using once or twice a year, like a tent or a Christmas tree or a ball gown, consider putting it in storage. You may be surprised at how affordable it is. And don't just think of it as paying to store your stuff: by getting rid of things that take up a lot of space, you're actually expanding the square footage of your apartment. Worth it.

Beware: Pollen Counts on the Rise

At least 17.7 million adults suffer from seasonal allergies in the United States. Even though the weather is blooming beautifully, it can be miserable for those with allergies. Keep an eye on the pollen count when you leave the house in the morning if you are affected by them. For more, head to WSB Radio’s website.

April is a great time to be in Georgia, unless you suffer from allergies.

The weather is great, but with the nice weather come pollen counts in the thousands.

Dr. Kevin Schaffer with the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic tells WSB "The primary contributing factors are all trees right now."

Thursday's pollen count of more than 6,000 was the highest in almost two years, and one of the five highest ever recorded in Atlanta. Friday's pollen count fell to 4,482.

Schaffer says the curb at his office was so yellow it looked like someone painted the word "sick" on the side of the curb.

What's his advice for people who are miserable?

Dr. Schaffer says there are some simple things you can do. "If you're really miserable, limit your time outdoors."

If you do have to be outside, he says when you come in take a shower and put on different clothes. Also, keep your windows and doors shut. Also, think about your pets. They can bring pollen in on their fur and their paws.

Dr. Schaffer says "People can get some very good medications on their own right now." Nasal sprays that used to be prescription only are now available over the counter.

If none of this works, he says you should see a doctor.

Why does this pollen season seem worse than others? Dr. Schaffer says it's anybodies guess, but he says he believes "We've had great weather conditions to set us up for a really hefty pollen season."

What Dr. Schaffer says is "shocking" to him is that after our pollen counts hit 5,000 and then came back down after recent rains, they shot back up over 6,000, which he says we "rarely" see.

The bad news is the misery won't end anytime soon. Dr. Schaffer says "The month of April is going to be pretty rough." He says typically we have about a full month where pollen counts hover around a thousand.

Once the tree pollens settle down, we're not done yet. He says the grasses will peak in May.

Experience the Streets of Atlanta Without Traffic

Have you ever wanted to know what the streets of Atlanta would look like without cars? This weekend you can. This Sunday take a stroll or a bike ride down the 3.5 miles cordoned off from traffic, covering Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, Lee Street, White Street and Peeples Street. For more information head to Atlanta In Town.
Atlanta Streets Alive is back for a third year and will kick off on April 19 with a return to the West End. The 3.5 mile route – encompassing Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, Lee Street, White Street and Peeples Street – will be closed to cars and vehicles giving pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers free rein to explore the historic district.

“There will be a slightly modified route this year highlighting Lee Street,” said Rebecca Serna Woiderski, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, which organizes Atlanta Streets Alive each year. “There’s going to be a pop-up bike lane near the West End MARTA station and we’re also working with the senior center in the neighborhood to encourage more participation.”

Woiderski said last year’s West End event brought out 16,000 and many more were expected for 2015.

“The community was very excited and has so much pride in the neighborhood and Atlanta University Center,” Woiderski stated. “They want to show off what they call home and all the hidden gems West End has to offer.”
The West End route is also conveniently along the Atlanta BeltLine trail and visitors are encouraged to use and explore it to take part in Atlanta Streets Alive.

Along with the open streets, there will be food, entertainment, informational booths and activities for all ages along the route. Visitors will also have a chance to visit local businesses and historic sites, like the Wren’s Nest, and parks on the route, including Gordon White Park, Howell Park and Adair Park.

Woiderski is also looking ahead to the fall when two more events are planned: The popular Highland Avenue route (which brought out a record 106,000 last year) on Sept. 27 and Peachtree Street on Nov. 1. “We decided to move the Peachtree route to November because we got rained on the last two times we held it in May,” Woiderski commented.

Since Atlanta Streets Alive began in 2010, Woiderski said it’s been satisfying to see how its become such a popular and anticipated annual event. “We’ve tapped into this vein in the city and showing people they have options beyond their cars,” she said. “It also demonstrates how much demand there is for safe, bikable, livable streets.”

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition was a big supporter of the recently-passed infrastructure bond referendum, which promises money for more bike lanes. Woiderski is also excited about the Bike Share program coming later this year, which will see more than 500 rentable bikes positioned around the city.

Woiderski said plans are in the works to take Atlanta Streets Alive to new neighborhoods in 2016, including the northwest side of the city and Lakewood. “Our goal is to eventually do Atlanta Streets Alive monthly when there is good weather,” she said.

Festival Season is In Bloom

The weather forecast looks pretty promising this weekend. Why not take the opportunity to check out some of these festivals taking place in the area over the next few days? Delicious dishes, parades and fun activities await you! Head to AJC.com for more.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival. April 10-12. Free. Backyard Barbecue & Brews: $25-$35. Piedmont Park, 1320 Monroe Drive N.E., Atlanta. dogwood.org.

Sheep to Shawl. 10:30 a.m. April 11. $11-$16.50; ages 3 and younger free. Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W. 404-814-4000, www.atlantahistorycenter.com.

Hapeville Spring Festival. 11 a.m. April 11; parade 10:15 a.m. Tom E. Morris Sports Complex, 3415 Claire Drive, Hapeville. www.hapeville.org.

Hogs And Hops Festival 2015. 1 p.m. April 11; VIP entry noon. $55; $45 in advance. VIP $85; $75 in advance. The Masquerade, 695 North Ave., Atlanta.www.hogsandhopsatlanta.com.

Festival on Ponce. Artist market, music, food, children’s area. April 11-12. Free. Olmstead Linear Park, 1451 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta. festivalonponce.com.

Atlanta Blooms. 300,000 bulbs explode with glorious hues of pink, yellow, purple and red. That’s 44,000 more bulbs than last year. Peak times vary and are expected to last through April. atlantabg.org.

Caboose Days. 10 a.m. April 11-12. Included with museum admission ($5-$8). Southeastern Railway Museum, 3595 Peachtree Road, Duluth. 770-476-2013,www.srmduluth.org.

Acworth Art Fest. April 11-12. Acworth Arts Festival, Acworth.acworthartfest.splashfestivals.com.

Repticon Atlanta Reptile & Exotic Animal Show. April 11-12. $5-$12. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.www.repticon.com/atlanta.

Day of Holocaust Remembrance (Yom HaShoah) at the Besser Holocaust Memorial. 3:30 p.m. April 12. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta. www.atlantajcc.org.

5 of Georgia's Top Restaurants

Looking for a new eatery that fits your tastes? USA Today compiled a list of the 10 best restaurants in the state of Georgia. They already have our mouths watering just thinking about them. Here are 5 of them to get your taste buds tingling. 

1. Greenwoods: Opened in 1986, this Roswell restaurant is a temple of traditional southern food, taking pride in using local produce and serving an entirely homemade menu. Mains include meatloaf, chicken pot pie, pork chop and fried chicken, but no visit to the south would be complete without ordering a veggie plate and Greenwoods is the place to do it. You'll have to choose between seasonal selections and collard greens, black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes and cheese grits. Save room for one of Greenwood's legendary from-scratch pies – we suggest the apple.

2. JCT Kitchen: This is the place to go for sophisticated southern cuisine. You'll find the usual suspects (fried chicken and shrimp n' grits) punched up with artisan ingredients and skillful preparation. The menu also has its share of surprises such as the lamb banh mi or a fried oyster po' boy. If they run out of fried chicken, and it does happen, try the fresh North Georgia trout with brussels sprouts, bacon, apple and onion soubise, with parsley and lemon – it's a fan favorite.

3. Tomo: Atlanta's not-so-secret sushi treasure is Tomo Naito, who honed his skills at Nobu in Las Vegas. Named one of the Best New Sushi Restaurants in American by Bon Appetit, Tomo's pristine provender is the best in the city. Chef Naito serves up wickedly delicious offerings including a Japanese snapper nuta with scallion and sweet mustard-spiced miso or lobster cake with yuzu aioli. Don't overlook his impressive collection of Japanese whiskey and Shochu drinks.

4. Heirloom BBQ: The South knows barbecue and debates rage over where to find the best, but most agree that Heirloom's quality meats and vegetables are tops in the city. Chefs Jiyeon Lee, a former music star in her native South Korea, and Cody Taylor weave together the best of southern heritage cuisine with a Korean twist. Together they create perfectly smoked, tender meat paired with a range of sauces (we like the Hotlanta and Korean spicy) and fresh vegetable sides.

5. Taqueria del Sol: This Atlanta-only taco franchise has a bit of a food truck vibe. The setup is simple: Get in line, order, take a seat and wait briefly. Cold beer, good margaritas and righteous tacos that highlight southern, Mexican and >southwestern cuisines make this a no-brainer for cheap, fast, and easy chow. Daily specials are always worth trying and other best bets include the Memphis taco (chopped smoked pork with a spicy jalapeño coleslaw and tequila BBQ sauce) or the fried fish taco with poblano tartar sauce and pickled jalapeños.’

To read the rest of the list go to USA Today.