spring semester Archives

17 03, 2022

The Joy of March Madness
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The Joy of March Madness

college students, sports, spring break, spring semester

The Joy of March Madness

By Baylor Team|2022-03-17T12:13:47-05:00March 17th, 2022|college students, sports, spring break, spring semester|Comments Off on The Joy of March Madness

While over 350 teams were eligible to win the NCAA tournament at the beginning of the season, the pool has now been narrowed down to 64 as March Madness is upon us. This is an exciting time for fans of schools that have been included in the tournaments, as upsets and Cinderella stories are commonplace. Luckily for us at Campus Crates, we have multiple schools represented in the NCAA tournament, and 1 in the NIT tournament.

Baylor

Coming in at the first seed is Baylor, where Campus Crates was first started. Baylor is a heavy favorite against Norfolk State on Thursday and with a win, will take on the winner of Marquette and UNC Saturday. After winning the tournament last year, Baylor fans obviously have high hopes for their team coming into this year and many of us at Campus Crates share that same sentiment.

University of Texas at Austin

Another Big 12 powerhouse that Campus Crates serves is the University of Texas. Coming in at the 6th seed, Texas will face a tough test early against Virginia Tech, still riding high off of their ACC Championship victory over Duke. While Texas is the slight favorite going into this game, many expect an exciting performance from both teams. With a win over Virginia Tech, Texas would likely face Purdue. While Texas certainly has a tough road ahead of them going into the tournament, if they play the way they have in the regular season, anything is possible.

TCU

TCU is also represented in the tournament and is a school that some believe could be a potential Cinderella story. TCU ended their season on a somewhat high note, beating UT in the Big 12 tournament and staying competitive against Kansas. In the first round, TCU will be taking on Seton Hall in what is likely to be a very competitive game. With a win they would likely face Arizona who is the first seed. While TCU also has a tough road ahead of them, they played well towards the end of the season and should certainly not be counted out.

SMU

Lastly, SMU will be a part of the NIT tournament. While it does not garner as much attention as the NCAA tournament, some big names are still involved, such as Texas A&M and Oklahoma. SMU enters the tournament as the first seed and will play Nicholls State first. Many teams still take the NIT tournament very seriously and SMU is a legitimate contender to win.

With four of our markets represented in March Madness, many members of the Campus Crates team are extremely excited to root for their respective schools and watch all of the madness unfold.

3 03, 2022

Recharging during the Break
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Recharging during the Break

college students, spring break, spring semester

Recharging during the Break

By Baylor Team|2022-03-03T16:25:36-06:00March 3rd, 2022|college students, spring break, spring semester|Comments Off on Recharging during the Break

Spring. Break.

The two words that get every college student’s attention in the second semester.

In the middle of the semester students often find themselves tired and burnt out. The end of the semester seems so far away and their battery is running low. And that’s when Spring Break comes at the perfect time. The chance to relax and have a week full of endless possibilities causes everyone to be buzzing about their Spring Break plans when it’s approaching. Some people go off on trips to get a change of scenery while others go and seek the comforts of home.

For me I am looking forward to going back home to see my family and my dogs. Being at home allows me to unwind and relax. The comforts of home helps me to recharge for the last part of the semester because it gives me a chance to slow down from the weekly grind of classes and homework. Also, being at home gives me time to reflect on how my semester has gone and how I am working towards my personal goals.

For others, going on trips they recharge by venturing out of their college bubble looking for fun. Some might go to the beach or some might hit the mountains for a ski trip. These experiences create great memories for lots of people that they will always look back on. These trips help people to recharge by being around the people they care about without having to worry about any of the worries from school.

Regardless of what one chooses to do during Spring Break it is important to allow oneself to rest and recharge so that they can finish strong!

24 01, 2022

Restarting New Year’s Resolutions
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Restarting New Year’s Resolutions

college students, college tips, spring semester

Restarting New Year’s Resolutions

By Baylor Team|2022-01-24T17:59:05-06:00January 24th, 2022|college students, college tips, spring semester|Comments Off on Restarting New Year’s Resolutions

The start of the New Year marks an exciting time for everyone. Whether you’re a believer in goals or resolutions, most people are hopeful of what the new year may bring. However bold we might be coming out of the holiday season into the fresh unknown, it can certainly be hard to follow through on those goals.

Studies as of 2016 show that only 9 percent of Americans who set New Year’s resolutions feel that they achieve them. Out of the Americans who set resolutions, a disproportionate number have given up within the first month or even weeks of the New Year. For college students, this can be even more difficult once classes start up and free time begins to dissipate. If that’s the case, it’s likely that a great number of us (myself included) have already given up their resolutions?

Essential tips to restart your New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Narrow the focus on your most important goals

If you’re anything like me, I aimed far and wide in 2022. Surely, since self-improvement goals all have a positive impact, the more the merrier, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t typically the case. The more goals you have, the less likely you are able to follow through. It may make sense to reevaluate your goals for this year in light of what you’ve found to be more critical to your personal fulfillment and development.

2. Re-define your goal

After starting a new goal, you may find that the target was a little off. That’s not to say that one month represents your full year potential! However, some of our initial goals may not be realistic given our history or current situation. For example, if you aimed to workout 6 times per week this year but find it won’t be possible with your course-load, it may make sense to aim for 4 or 5 times per week. There is no shame in altering your goals to be more achievable.

3. Break down your goal for the next month

If you’ve had trouble maintaining focus on a year-long goal, it may be better to set more short-term goals. These goals may ultimately point toward a long-term goal, and are often easier to maintain. If you’re hoping to become a morning person in 2022, it will be a lot easier to set a goal of waking up 30 minutes earlier in February than you did in January, and so on. This can be much less scary than jumping straight into the deep end of the pool!

4. Give yourself a little grace

It can be easy to go hard on yourself after you feel like you fell flat on your New Year’s resolutions. At the same time, remember that it’s meant to be a positive impact, and you may not always succeed. If you mess up on a goal or underperform one week, that doesn’t mean you need to wait until next year to start over. To remain persistent in your goals, remember to give yourself grace when you slip up. You can’t change who you are overnight, but you can certainly get 1% better each day.

Regardless if you are still pursuing or restarting a resolution this New Year, I hope these tips are an encouragement! Best of luck to all students in their spring semester and broader 2022 goals.

10 03, 2021

8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student
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8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

college students, college tips

8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

By Aly Hashim|2021-03-12T00:24:58-06:00March 10th, 2021|college students, college tips|Comments Off on 8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

College is a time for self-discovery and venturing out into new areas. As we progress through this journey, we are constantly juggling to maintain our academic pursuits along with a social life. With so much on our plates, we often forget to seek out new experiences that bring us joy. As college students, it is imperative to pick up new hobbies that we find pleasure in and those that give us a sense of purpose.

8 Hobbies to Pick Up as a Student

1. Cooking

By always being on such a tight schedule, we turn to quick meals and fast food for convenience. Cooking is a fun and useful hobby to learn. Cooking regularly may also help you stay more health-conscious and enjoy discovering new and versatile recipes.

2. Art

Many of us are often discouraged at the fact that we can’t create beautiful pieces like Picasso or Van Gogh, so we don’t even give art a chance. However, you don’t need to create picture-perfect art to have fun or even express yourself! Art is such a broad category, meaning you can experiment with anything, including drawing, painting, photography, scrapbooking, and more.

3. Investing

As college students, we’re preparing for the real world and all of the financial obligations we may face after graduating. Learning the basics behind investing can ease the burden for our future selves. Beginning to invest in your future is always a great start. Not to mention it can be a great way to make extra cash and become more aware of current events that impact the financial markets.

4. Volunteering

We are all thankful to be part of different communities which provide a strong foundation. If you’re looking for ways to give back, volunteering is a great hobby to pick up. Not only can this be an enjoyable activity to do with your friends, but this can also help you internalize important life skills such as empathy, adaptability, and leadership.

5. Learning a New Language

Although English is the most widely spoken language, learning another language can be extremely useful. It can help you connect with individuals that come from different backgrounds, advance your professional career, and appreciate other cultures you haven’t previously been exposed to. There are always free resources you can find online to assist you in pursuing this hobby!

6. Learning a New Instrument

By knowing how to play an instrument, you have an amazing way to connect with others and express yourself. This hobby gives you the chance to enhance your cognitive ability, relieve your stress, and even increase your creativity! With this, you will also feel proud and confident in your abilities.

7. Working Out

As many of us know, physical activity is vital to improve your health and reduce your chances of different diseases. Working out can be the perfect way to engage in physical activity. You will notice more appealing results in both your figure and strength. At the end of the day, it will also increase your quality of life.

8. Gardening

This hobby is one that’s both empowering and therapeutic. You will notice that as you spend more and more time gardening, your mood will get boosted and stress will be alleviated. You will also have a greater sense of accomplishment when you notice that your hard work and dedication produce desirable results.

24 02, 2021

The Snow Break
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The Snow Break

college students, spring break

The Snow Break

By Jenna Frisby|2021-03-09T04:37:28-06:00February 24th, 2021|college students, spring break|Comments Off on The Snow Break

Texas experienced one of the most unprecedented winter storms last week. Counties across the state lost water and electricity, leaving countless families with busted pipes and other severe damages. The hardest thing for college students – no WiFi.

In light of the negative things the weather brought, there was a silver lining for students. Many universities had taken away spring break in order to condense the academic calendar for the semester. The weather provided a spontaneous “snow break”, and for many, a much-needed break at that.

Since the roads were iced over, students were forced to create their own fun indoors. It often felt like we were on an episode of Survivor, forced to ration our food and water, constantly on edge that we could lose power any minute. Being trapped in the house with nowhere to escape is never a fun feeling.

I was fascinated by the reactions of students who grew up in Texas to the snow and ice. Being from Virginia, I’m used to one or two of these storms a year. I certainly never expected to experience this kind of cold weather in Texas.

Over the course of the week we were stuck inside, my roommates and I binged over 20 different movies, played games, cooked Pinterest recipes with ingredients we could find around the house, and checked Doordash every few hours to see if they were delivering; spoiler alert, they weren’t. Nevertheless, the time at home created an even stronger bond among my roommates as we went through something so unprecedented together. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

If you thought 2020 was the year of unexpected events, apparently 2021 has more in store for us. Although last week wasn’t the warm and tropical spring break I imagined, it was certainly more memorable. After this impromptu snow break, my new saying is to “expect the unexpected”, and I think that sums up life right now.

11 02, 2021

Starting the Semester Off Right
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Starting the Semester Off Right

college students, college tips

Starting the Semester Off Right

By Aly Hashim|2021-08-03T04:33:54-05:00February 11th, 2021|college students, college tips|Comments Off on Starting the Semester Off Right

Winter break is always a great time for relaxation after the fall semester. Many of us had the chance to reconnect with friends and family, celebrate the holidays, and ultimately reflect on this past year. Although 2020 was not at all what anyone had expected, we all had opportunities to grow and develop. Cheers to the next chapter in our lives – and for college students that means a great spring semester.

Top 7 tips to start the semester off right:

1. Use a Planner

As college students, many of us are constantly overwhelmed with the number of assignments, projects, tests, and club meetings we have in any single week. The truth is we’re never too cool for a planner! At the beginning of each week, write down all of your obligations to ensure that you stay organized and don’t forget any deadlines.

2. Meal Prep

In college, FOMO is real and time is of the essence. The last thing you want to do is attempt to cook when you’re buried in homework. Therefore, meal prep can be a great strategy to stay cost-efficient and eat healthily. Move away from microwavable meals and fast food, and prepare your meals ahead of time to stay fit, save money, and increase productivity.

3. Exercise

Although we often prioritize academic deadlines and social obligations to stimulate our mental health, some of us forget to take care of our physical health. Strive to take care of yourself physically by lifting weights, doing yoga, or just simply taking a brisk walk outside between classes. You will find that if you include physical activity in your daily routine, you will be healthier, happier, and more productive.

4. Get to Know your Professors

Something that many of us often ignore is striving to get to know our professors. However, your professors are your professors for a reason; each one of them has a diverse set of backgrounds and life experiences. Attend their office hours or schedule a one-on-one meeting with them. It is your job to take advantage of this resource and seek advice that you can instill into your academic and professional journey.

5. Unplug your Virtual Self

Zoom fatigue is an exhausting issue. From constantly watching lectures on your laptop to checking social media, a lot of us don’t get a break from technology. Technology is an important part of our everyday lives, but it’s easy to forget that there is a life outside of our virtual screens. Take some time out of your busy schedule to catch up with a friend, play a sport, or take a relaxing hike. It can be a great stress-reliever!

6. Start Building your Resume

Creating or updating a resume may not seem like a priority if you’re not actively looking for a job, but taking the early initiative in your professional journey can be extremely beneficial. Academics are of great concern, of course. However, equally important is what you do outside of the classroom! Building your resume and networking are great ways to take the first step in your future career.

7. Have Fun!

The last but certainly not least important tip we want to offer you is to truly enjoy your time as a college student. College is the time to figure out who you are and where you feel you belong. Create new bonds, join organizations, and take advantage of the social atmosphere that college fosters. Many people look back at their college experiences as transformative, and now is your time to start creating those lifelong memories!

29 01, 2021

Winter Break Recap
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Winter Break Recap

college students, winter break

Winter Break Recap

By Jenna Frisby|2021-08-03T04:36:35-05:00January 29th, 2021|college students, winter break|Comments Off on Winter Break Recap

The holidays are always one of the most cherished times of the year. Elementary and college students alike look forward to a break from the stress that the school year entails. Winter break is a time to spend with family, binge a Netflix show, or sleep in until noon without consequences. What could be better?

However, this year’s winter break looked a little bit different. With the pandemic more prevalent than ever, communities limited business hours and encouraged residents to stay home. Travel restrictions forced many families to celebrate the holidays apart and alter long-standing family traditions.

A time of year usually centered around visiting elderly relatives required out of the box thinking. This resulted in holiday gatherings on Zoom and outdoor visits in the freezing weather. Christmas Eve church services were watched online by many in living rooms without a choir to drown out your off-key singing.

With all of this unprecedented change in the world, it has allowed me to reflect on the things that remain steadfast. As college students return to campus and adjust back to class schedules, we have an optimal opportunity to reset. Therefore, we can all strive to focus less on the negatives from 2020 and maintain a positive mindset when tackling the year ahead!