#HashtagPanic

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Wooooo It's 2014!!

Happy New Year!

Be safe tonight! <3

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Happy (Late) Holidays!

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Snow?!

Hey Friendships! Does your Campus Suddenly look like this?!

((Purdue University, 9 Dec 2013, 9:30AM. Stewart Center))

Is this your first time in snow, of any volume? 

Have no fear for this is my second  time dealing with snow! Yea, I know, not great Credentials, but if this is your first time to be in a climate that allows for snow, suddenly basic things can seem a little...off-kilter, shall we say. So, in light of this weather development, we thought we'd offer some tips for snow-days. ~*~*~*~*~*~* TIPS*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Walking--Simple yea, but it matters! Depending on the efficiency of what, I call, the snow removal crew, there's probably slush, snow, and ice ALL OVER the ground. If stepped on incorrectly, falls, skids, and/or slips could result which would in turn, lead to that heart stopping moment of "Oh God, gonna die!" and general discomfort due to sudden cold/moist clothing and embarrassment (although, if you do fall, I hope you don't feel embarrassed bc, trust, EVERYONE has done it...also, if you have already fallen, I hope you're ok!).  So, what to do?  Ice--shuffle your feet across it as if you were iceskating (back and forth in medium length strides). Don't go to fast and keep as much weight on your feet as possible.  Sidewalk ledges/ramps--Re: ledges, approach fully and one foot at a time; leaping onto ledges is ill-advised. Re: ramps, inspect the surface and either shuffle slowly or walk without a foot-roll (don't roll your feet too much or you'll end up flying back).

Snow patches--you know, the snow that's just left on the side walk bc it's STUCK there. It's ice on the bottom and snow on top (pretty sure). For this and even all snow areas, you'll have to pick your feet up a bit more. So, short steps and knees have to work (not just a straightlegged gait). This will keep your weight centered and keep you more balanced. 

Crossing the street--how can I stress this...? OH GOD PLEASE DON'T THINK YOU CAN STILL RACE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. Maybe you can, maybe you're that good, but do you want to find out with a BUS coming at you?! I Hope not! (Better safe than sorry, friends!) 

You should probably get a hat Hands in pockets or holding something warm! LAYER YOUR CLOTHES--shirts, jackets, pants. If you don't have thermals or underarmor or anythings SPECIFIC to this kind of layering, there's ways around it. Running/cotton shorts under jeans make a HUGE impact; Tank/vest tops; multiple hoodies...(oh, idea, feel free to reblog this and post how you layer [also pictures!!])

Waterproof your canvas/fabric shoes Get shoes that allow for multi-weather wear

If your shoes are slick on the bottom (bc you're like me and wore off the tread, like, 3 months ago), be sure to take a moment to stomp the snow that's sure to accumulate while walking. 

One last thing you might need to give yourself extra time walking from Point A to Point B until the snow isn't so foreign to navigate (and again don't race traffic).

Good luck! And if you have any questions, feel free to stop by our Ask You totes got this!

-Emily

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AHHHHhhhhHHHHHHhhh?!

It must be Finals Week 2013

Good Luck to everyone facing exams, stress, or hardships this week. 

One day at a time, ask for any and all help when you can, don't neglect yourself too much--get through the test and (if you can!) take some time away from things. Grab a coffee, go for a run, sit for a while and watch a show and then go back to studying. 

[purdue-university]

Source

And just to add another Uni’s voice to the convo: You can also tell Prof B about your situation after your first day of class (“Sorry I was late. My last class is in [Building] and I’m still getting used to the distance. I will do my absolute best to be as close to on-time as possible). Most teachers, especially the ones who are familiar with the campus, will understand and, at the very least, they will cut you some slack the first couple of days, just until you’re used to the campus/crowd/have found a new route. 

I know universityofalabama personally (she’s great!) and she’ll make sure you won’t get in trouble or get lost c: Good luck, Anon!

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Reblogging from 2 blogs!

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"How should I know if I've gotten the right books?" "How will I know what books to buy?"

The question sneaks up on me every semester.

Don't let this one stress you out too badly; sometimes you just can't be sure until the first week. Most schools' websites will have an area that will post the textbooks for a given course.

However, depending on your university, you may want to check your Course registry (you know, the place where you go to get the CRN's [Course Registration Numbers] in order to add a course to your schedule), very often, they will also list the professors' names. Once you get a name you can easily get an e-mail address.

E-mail your professors' and ask them what Text books and/or supplementary texts you will require. If you've found an earlier edition, ask them if that's ok, ask them if you can use E-Textbooks and the like. 

I did this recently and my Poli-Sci prof emailed me back "To the Precocious go the Joy" (!!!) and he sent me the links on Amazon (Speaking of, both amazon and chegg are my preferred TB shipping sites). 

Never be afraid to ask; you'll save yourself some gray hairs and a lot of worrying time and you'll be all set for you first days!

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Packing Pro-Tip 1

Concerning Boxes:

Depending on how much stuff you have or will be bringing, you'll probably be needing boxes (if not, we'll have tips for other forms of packing in a bit).

Since you shouldn't ever WANT to pay to used cardboard, some places to check for boxes would be small clothing stores, grocery stores (usually, you have to go early morning), general stores...Remember, if you're not sure, just ask bc the worst they will do is say "no". 

But the best place for boxes is your local liquor/alcohol distributor. I know from experience that they are more than happy to get rid of the boxes AND 85% of the boxes are all the same size, making packing your car/trailer a very easy game of tetris. 

Hope this helped and don't panic c:

If you have any questions regarding this post or what you'd like to see, visit our ask

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Incoming freshmen, this week is for you

Packing, moving, moving in posts to follow and we will be here to answer any all questions or concerns you may have. 

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Very General Packing post

A very general list that can be amended in anyway you'd like :) Here is another packing post from universityofalabama.tumblr.com http://universityofalabama.tumblr.com/post/56271691729/packing-masterpost SUPER DUPER IMPORTANT THINGS Identification (License [DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE], passport, Birth certificate, Soc Sec Card) Wallet/Cards

Flashdrive Backup Flashdrive Headphones Backup Headphones

Hangers (if you know you have a closet)

Umbrella (You might need 2, one to always have with you and a really good one)

Backpack! (Good brands: Jansport, Swiss Gear, High Sierra, Yesstyle.com)

Sheets (Twin or Twin XL)

Bedspread and extra blankets

  Clothes: Bring What You Will Wear; Consider Climate

Blazer (You will need a blazer), Trousers/Slacks, Nice shirts--Bc Interviews, bc possible inductions, bc meetings, conferences; a go-to outfit for anything where jeans would be frowned upon.

For those of you who will find occasions to wear dresses: Cover your bases--a formal dress, an interview dress, a dress to impress! (Something that looks nice on you!)

Jeans

Shorts

Rain Boots or waterproof shoes (bc O M G it will rain so much and you will have to go out in it)

Tops, whatever you like (no--or few--rules about dress code in college)

Pajamas

Sweatpants/Yoga pants

Tights/Leggings

Ties (more than 1! Please, readers who wear ties, do not have pre-tied ties...)

Jackets/Coats (Be aware of state’s highs and lows): Buy a size bigger for layering, eating, and air bubble insulation (Pro-tip: don’t throw a wet jacket anywhere but a drying rack or a dryer!)

Athletic clothes (whether you will be at the gym or not)

Not really clothes but Clothes, adjacent: Shoes (they will fall apart! Casual, dress, tennis shoes...oh, shower shoes)

Jewelry

Watch (suggested but not required) Scarves Hats

  School Stuff: Think about what you like to use

College ruled things

Folders, Multiple subject notebooks, pronged folders, accordion folders

Graph pads/graph paper

Portable notepads

Pens you like

Pencils you like

Planner/Agenda/Calendar/System of sticky notes

Stapler/Staples

Paper clips

Scientific Calculator (Pro Tip: Look for graphing calc apps or websites like wolframalpha.com)

Alligator clips

Highlighters or colored pens

Know where to find: envelopes, manilla envelopes, stamps, whiteout etc.

Know your habits and think about organizational tools (baskets, canisters, boxes)

Bath:

Hand Towels

Body towels or terry cloth robe (avoid microfiber like the plague!)

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash

Scrubbie

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Face wash/scrub

Face and body lotions (preferably with SPF 15 or 30)

Cotton balls/pads

Q-tips

Hair brush/comb

Deodorant

Bandaids

Razors/Nair

Bathroom rugs (if necessary)

Toilet Paper (if necessary)

Feminine products

Glasses case

Contact things (cases, solutions, backups)

Perfume/cologne

Condoms/other forms of contraceptives

“Grooming kit” (You know the manicure/pedicure sets you always seem to get as stocking stuffers? They’re great for college! They include tweezers, nail clippers, file, scissors)

If your room does not have a private bath:

Shower caddy (Flexible mesh is preferable to solid plastic)

Shower shoes

Room:

Cups for various things (No need to buy, colleges will give you a lot of free stuff...mostly cups)

Various medications

Vitamins (preferably the gummy kind!)

Bring a fan (desk) Shoe hanger Vacuum or broom Hamper

Detergent

Fabric Softener sheets

Wrinkle releaser

Air Freshener

Lysol

Clorox Wipes

Germ X

Windex Wipes

Rugs (Try to use multiple bathroom rugs--they’re water resiliant, slip proof, and super soft!)

Light source(s) (lava lamp, night light, fairy lights...)

Shelves (try to make your own!)

Wall adhesive for decorations

Trash cans (suggested but not required bc your room may already be waste recepitcally furnished)

Trash bags (if you have a small trash can, recycle your shopping bags! [Pro Tip: keep recycled bags in old kleenex boxes!)

3M Hooks

Kleenexes

Ziplock Bags (Pro-tip: Place your phone in one when it rains and you won’t have to worry)

Wall Calendar

Batteries

Purse/day bag

Pocket brush

Make-up

Tape (Scotch and duct varieties)

Food (and food things): Know whether or not you will have access to a kitchen, microwave, oven, and fridge

Cutlery, plates, bowls (plastic or non, depends on how you feel about washing and transporting)

Mug

Travel mug/thermis

Dish detergent and scrubber

Can opener

Box Cereal Fruit cups

Trail mix

Raisins or other dried fruit

Real fruit (you don’t have to keep a bin or anything but you can keep apples, bananas, and oranges out of a fridge with no ill effects!)

Vanilla wafers

Peanut butter/nutella/biscoff (which is like nutella but free of allergens)

Granola (bars)

Popcorn

Yogurt

Crackers

Gum/mints

Soups

Cookies

Candy (Pro-tip: hide your sweets from yourself as to not mindlessly eat)

Coffee, tea, coffee and tea things (a kettle, a maker, a press, etc)

Sugar (for above)

(Pro tip: if you find that you will eat in the room a lot, buy bread and sandwich things. However, don’t feel that you NEED all or really any of these foods. Know your habits and be flexible.)

Electronic: Check Res Hall policies for what you can and can’t have in dorm Power Strip

CORDS (phone, computer, printer, ethernet[or breakdown and buy a router], ereader, ipod/mp3, etc.)

Printer--check to see if Res Hall/nearby computer lab has available printers and if school includes a printer allowance; if not, personal printers are very helpful but be aware of ink prices.

Lamp (preferably mobile and gooseneck) Blowdryer, flat iron/curling iron

Pro tip: You don’t need a TV. You probably won’t have time to watch it. If you have time, there are plenty of available internet sources...or even use it as an excuse to make friends (plan a movie night or a tv night).

[universityofalabama]

Packing - a survey

I have a post in the works about what to pack for college. Are y’all thinking about that yet? Am I too far ahead of the game? When would you like to see such a post?

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When Should I Start Applying?

I have gotten this question from a few folks:  Note: read tutorial Left to right c:

First things first: Check your perspective college's site.

Some colleges will have a banner advertising applications but for others: Often times the front page will have an Admissions tab. Follow it When you follow it, you will see a Current Applicants/Applying/New Applicants tab, follow it too :). The 3rd and hopefully final page will show you either a timeline or will right out tell you when you can/should begin applying.

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Just a Disclaimer

Even though we are currently focusing on college things, please feel free to ask spontaneous questions :)

-One of the Emilys

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Questions College Students Should be Asking

Everyone has questions about starting college: What are the rooms like? Who will my roommate be? What about parties?!...However, as important as those questions are, we have made a list of some of the questions we wished we had had the forethought to ask prior to applying. So, during your research of universities, try to get these questions answered and keep checking the blog for advice and tips! (Good luck! The Emilys)

What Resource centers exist? How established are they? What is their presence on campus?

Is there an Undecided program? What is it like?

How much does it cost to do laundry? Where can one do laundry?

What’s the campus layout like? Is it a circle, an oval; is there definite separation between academic and non-academic campus?

How many buildings comply to ADA (American Disability Act) standards?

How many buildings have Unisex bathrooms?

How many libraries are there? Where are they? What are they for? How is WiFi and 3G strength?

What are midterm and finals weeks like?

What is the general attitude toward academia?

How close is campus to a city/more urban area/a place of consumerism?

Is there heavy reliance on public transport or is the campus heavily populated with cars?

How are the walk-ways/sidewalks?

Is there a place to go to get away from Life?

How accessible is information from the library?

How close is the public library?

What does your meal plan cover?

Where can you use dining dollars (or money that is given but not designated for use in the dining courts)?

Who can I actually talk to on campus (are counselors, advisors, professors, and/or RAs accessible)?

I need advice/info about Jobs/Money/Financial Aid...

What is grade inflation and when was the last time your school had one?

Where are the Greek Houses in relation to campus?

What are rush and pledge weeks like?

Can I join a sorority/fraternity after my first year? How does that work?

How many ways am I able to get between buildings?

How much internet/bandwidth do I get?

Is internet available in my dorm room? Where is internet available on campus?

How many outlets are in the room?

Is it worth having a fridge and/or other kitchen appliances in the rooms?

Is my Res Hall easily accessible?

What are/Where are the big meeting places?

Is it easy to start a club?

What are the math courses like?

What’s the difference between Honors and Regular courses?

Where can I find information about my major?

How proportional are the courses (is the college heavier in certain areas of study)?

How spaced out (time wise) should my classes be?

What can I do if I don’t like my time slot/class time?

How expensive are materials for a class?

How do I acquire tickets to the sportsball/other events on campus?

Where can I find a list of electives?

How does credit-by-examination work? (AP, CLEP, ACT/SAT etc.)

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Let’s be honest, this is a weird time in the year. For some of you, you have been accepted to a university, have registered for classes, met your advisor, and have collected whole new plate of problems (that we will address soon, I promise). However, for some others, you are just starting; soon, you will pull up your ideal college(s)’ page(s), search for several minutes, and begin the tedious process of research and application. In the next several posts, we will bring you a checklist of questions for your college, tutorials featuring the different types of applications, and weekly tips and advice for your application process.

If you have anything in particular you'd like to see, please submit it to our ask!

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Welcome to Hashtag Panic

Hi! How are you doing? Panicking, you say? Well, have no fear, you have come to the right place! As something that started out as a way to survive an AP Physics course, Hashtag Panic (HTP, or #panic) has evolved into a (hopeful) one stop shop for all your #panic moments!

Starting college application (or maybe just college)? Need to know how to impress someone with food? Need to know how to handle your first/another research paper? Taking calculus?* Prom coming up? Someone's creeping on you? Did you get volunteered to take on a leadership role in a club?  No worries, take a deep breath; all these and more will attempted to be answered in due time.  Do you have a concern not mentioned above? Submit it in our ask!

Don't Panic <3

-HTP *while we can't actually do your calculus, we may be able to send you to another resource or even help with basic concepts...no promises on class specific questions (yet!)