Tips for Successful Living »

It used to be that sending a student to college with a few rolls of quarters was an excellent way to prepare them for laundry duty. Well things have changed. Not so much with how to do your laundry...rather, the rolls of quarters won't get you very far (at least as far as your laundry is concerned). BU uses a OneCard system where vending dollars are credited to a student's ID card. Here's how it works:

1. Take your BU ID to a cash-to-card machine located in the Card Center or Monty's or go to the Husky Gold Website to add funds to your card.
2. Head to your laundry room and load your laundry into an open washer.
3. Find the washer number on the machine and go to the laundry controller unit.
4. Enter the washer number you just loaded and swipe your BU ID through the laundry controller unit. The machine will start up and your account will be debited.
5. Repeat the same process with the dryer.

Laundry Advice:

• Don't overload the machine. Even though you might be tempted to get every piece of clothing into one wash your laundry will remain laundry as it won't get very clean. Combine that with multiple spins in the dryer and you've actually made things worse. Save yourself some time and money and split your laundry into modest loads.
• Stay with your laundry. When you put clothes in the washer or dryer, stay in the area. Although it's not too common, from time to time clothes have been known to walk away. Most laundry rooms have study tables and chairs.
• Cold? Warm? Hot? Separate colors? Knit delicate? What? The old tried and true method for college students is keep all laundry together and wash it all in cold. It'll get the job done, though it may not be the best way.
• Actually do your laundry. Seems fairly obvious. But scores of students wait '...til they go home...' where appreciative families supposedly wait with open arms as truckloads of soiled clothing is dumped into the washroom. Don't be that student. Take responsibility for your clothes and wash them once a week - heck you can study while you do it. It's the ultimate in multi-tasking.

Perhaps you've heard of college students and their shower buckets. It's actually a highly functional tool that, while quite basic in appearance, provides great utility. Often, students arrive on campus unaware of the shower bucket requirement (it's one of those unwritten rules). As they venture out for their first shower, they quickly learn that carrying all the necessary supplies is simply not feasible. Enter the shower bucket. Some sort of carry-all device in which one puts his/her shower and hygiene supplies (shampoo, conditioner, soap, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste and on and on).

Now some of the more primitive buckets are just that: buckets. But beware of these because often they are intended for other purposes. As a result they lack the necessary drainage. If you purchase a true bucket, you'll need to be sure to poke some holes in the bottom so the water may exit. HINT: keep the holes smaller than your toothbrush.

Many mega-marts have gotten wise to the shower bucket phenomenon and now sell BASKETS: a wire mesh sculpted into a square or rectangle often equipped with a handle. Drainage is clearly not a problem.

Whichever route you choose, the shower bucket is an essential tool for every residence hall student.

You've probably heard the phrase "Freshman 15" or other similar caveats from those who've gone through the college experience. While some of this is based in myth, it is certainly true that your nutritional patterns may change once you reach college. Consider the following food favs among college students, in no particular order:

• Ramen noodles
• Easy mac
• Microwave popcorn
• Pizza
• Hot pockets

Notice how there are no "...green leafy vegetables" in that list? While there's plenty of these and other healthy choices available, students sometimes opt to microwave Ramen rather than down a stick of part skim string cheese.

Along with changes in your food choices comes changes in your eating and waking schedule. Whereas before you might have dinner at 5pm now you're thinking 9pm is more convenient. And then you might just add in a snack at 1am while you're studying.

As with most things in life, balance is critical. Making healthy food choices is important for your immune system, energy levels and overall sense of well being. There are lots of options on campus. Even if you choose to order from an off campus vendor, healthy choices can be made. Here's some more food for thought as you navigate college life:

Go to "The Rec" (Student Recreation Center)

"The Rec" is BU's fitness facility, housing cardio and weight lifting equipment along with basketball and racquetball courts. The Rec also has numerous fitness classes that all students may take (aerobics, step, yoga, etc). While it's certainly not necessary to train like an Olympian, daily physical activity (i.e. walking, running, basketball, nautilus etc) will increase your energy levels, help you wake up each day and assist you in balancing your overall nutrition (should you decide to have some late night pizza!).

Incorporate Healthy Choices Into Each Meal

Have a salad with lo-cal dressing as a regular part of your lunch and dinner. Always grab veggies with your entree. Drink skim or 1% mixed with a touch of chocolate milk for a tasty but still healthy drink. Do these sorts of things regularly so they become a part of your routine.

Partner Up!

It's always easier to go to the rec if you have someone to walk and workout with. Same with food choices - have someone who can help you and you can help them - with making regular healthy choices.

Set Goals

Even simple goals allow you to more readily focus your energies. Make sure your goals are something you can achieve and not some far off, intensely difficult target. Think small steps (like this week I'll go to the Rec on Monday, Wednesday, Friday; at breakfast each day this week I'll have a serving of fresh fruit). Regardless of your exact personal goals, you'll likely find that they assist in shaping how you approach each day.

Join an Intramural Team

There are scores of intramural teams and sports throughout the academic year. Maybe you played soccer in high school but didn't want to be a varsity player in college. But you do want to still be involved. Intramurals might be the way to go. Keep your eyes open for signs throughout campus for these opportunities. If you can't find a time to join, take the initiative and start one on your own!

Ask!

The student health center can advise you regarding healthy choices. The student rec center has personal trainers that you can schedule if you'd like an exercise plan developed just for you. The dining service has a staff nutritionist that you can speak with about healthy food choices or if you have special dietary needs. Consider taking a gym class that exposes you to new information (i.e. jogging/walking, exercise and you, fitness dance). Read and learn about health and wellness through articles and websites.