Eating healthy on a budget

Listed below are 5 easy steps to eating healthy on a budget.

1. Plan ahead- before heading to the grocery store, plan your meals for the week. Invest in meals like stews, casseroles, or stir-fries, which can be portioned out and stretched throughout the duration of the week.
2. Buy in bulk- It is much cheaper to buy foods in bulk. stores such as Costco, Bj's, or Sams club can help to stretch your dollar.
3. Compare and Contract- Locating the "unit price" of on shelf items make it easy to compare and contrast different brands as well as different sizes.
4. Buy in Season- Buying fruits and vegetables in season can lower the cost and add to the freshness of your meal. Also if you are not planning to eat them right away, buy some that still need time to ripen.
5. Eating out- Restaurants can be very pricey. if you are going to eat out, save money by getting the early bird special. 2 for 1 deals are great, and stick to water instead of pricey cocktails and sugary beverages.

Career Fair

As you may know, today was Albertus Magnus College first ever career fair. The event ran until 3pm, and was filled with several great companies/organizations. Career fairs are designed to provide job seekers a way to explore career opportunities within a variety of companies at one location.

To assist others in preparing for college fairs, here are 5 tips that can help you make the most out of a career fair:

#1 - PRIORITIZEFind out what companies are going to be attending prior to the day of the career fair and identify and prioritize the top companies that you definitely want to visit.

#2 - RESEARCHSpend a little time researching these companies; the more you know the better. Use the Internet, library, etc. Employers love talking to candidates who are familiar with their company and business.  It also makes you look smart. Candidates who are knowledgeable about a company come across as intelligent and interested.

#3 - YOUR RESUMECreate and/or refine your resume and bring many, many clean, crisp copies to handout.  This is very important!

#4 - APPROACHCreate a one-minute introduction that summarizes your skills, goals, experience, etc.   Practice this until you are comfortable using this as your opening. The  career fair will present many mini interviews and you need to be prepared for this.  Anticipate interview questions and practice your responses.

#5 - APPEARANCEDress professionally - don't wear shorts and sandals.  Use good judgment in what you wear and project professionalism.  Bring a nice folder to carry your resumes and a notepad and pen for taking notes.

good luck all!

Driving Safely

I know that the weather has been fluctuating, and it has become harder to drive safely in these conditions. But don't fret there are some simple precautions you can take to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries.

This winter season, before you get into a vehicle; take a little extra time to make sure everything is in good condition and operating correctly.

-Are the windshield and side windows clear?

-Do the windshield wipers work?

-Are the blades in good condition?

-Can you see in all the mirrors?

-Are the headlights clean enough to allow for proper visibility?

-Do the tail and the brake lights work?

-Do the emergency lights work?

-Does the defroster work or is there so much on the dash that the defroster couldn’t possibly -work?

-Do the tires have good tread and adequate air pressure?

-Are the brakes working properly?

-Is there more than a quarter tank of gas?

-Do you have emergency or repair equipment in the vehicle, including flashlights, flares, fire extinguishers, and chains where applicable?

Review all of the above listed things before winter drives. Remember also to reduce driving speed on wet, muddy, oily, or icy roads and be especially alert for pedestrians and animals. It will make your driving experience easier and safer. Winter is inevitable and nothing can be done to avoid it. But preventive maintenance and extra caution can be important factors in accident prevention.

Gangster Films

Scarface: The Shame of The Nation

As an assignment for a course called Gangster Films I had to watch the movie Scarface: The Shame of The Nation. Now I have never had a big interest in gangster films. This is due to the lack of appeal for violence, and low moral code found within the films. So why am I taking this course? Insight into the "other side" fascinates me. 

The main concept or theme can be found within the first minute of the movie, and its impact can still be seen from day to day life now, even 82 years post production. 

So here it goes...

"This picture is an indictment of gang rule in America and of the callous indifference of the government to this constantly increasing menace to our safety and liberty. Every incident in this picture is the reproduction of an actual occurrence, and the purpose of this is to demand of the government: 'What are you going to do about it?' The government is your government. What are you going to do about it?"

Contrary to what we might believe, each of us have an impact on our society.  Do your part. Make your voice heard. Make the difference!

Getting back into the swing of things....

I don't know about you, but I am having a little trouble getting back into the swing of things. As a college student and a part-time worker my schedule does get a little hectic. Below i've listed a few tips on how to get your mojo back.

1. Look to your advisor for help: Always have one advisor that you trust, and meet with them at least once a month per semester. Make sure they are aware of your goals and discuss all your options.

2. Think with the end in mind:  Enjoy your experience! You came back because you wanted to be more important in the workforce, have more knowledge to advance in your field, or because it was something you always dreamed of achieving for personal satisfaction.

3. They are here to help: Professors, faculty and staff members will be more than happy to help you if you sincerely express a need for their assistance and advice. These are people who have been with the institution for some time and understand the rules and regulations. We all find comfort in a great support system.

4. Manage your anxiety: No matter how hard you've studied, tests can be stressful. There are lots of ways to manage your anxiety, assuming you're prepared, of course, which is the first way to reduce test stress. Resist the urge to cram right up to test time. Your brain will function more clearly if you:

• Arrive early and relaxed

• Trust yourself

• Take your time

• Read the instructions carefully

• Answer the questions you know easily first, and then

• Go back and work on the harder ones

x

Tonight in New Haven!

Tonight at 6:30, the New Haven String Quartet will be preforming at 116 Crown Street, New Haven.  There will also be an exhibit of photos by Kathleen Cei, a local artist. I encourage all to get out and enjoy the New Haven night life. See you there!

For more information you can call 1(203)777-3116

Welcome Back

As of yesterday, January 14th, the Albertus Magnus College campus has been filled with young smiling faces. Today, January 15th, is the start of classes for the spiny semester. A bitter sweet moment for students like me. This is the start of my last semester here at AMC, but i guarantee this will not be the last for me. I am excited to embark on a new adventure, and am grateful for the support of the Albertus Magnus community.

I'll talk to you soon!