How to Have a Summer Fling

During the carefree summer months, you may be thinking about an equally carefree, no-strings-attached relationship. With a "summer fling," you can enjoy all the fun activities of summer without the commitment of a serious relationship. Just remember that in the perfect summer fling, both of you should agree on a set end date for your relationship. If you want to have a summer fling, be sure to choose the right person and make the most of your short time together.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Choosing a Partner

1. Look for the perfect partner. Try to choose someone who isn't already attached to you. Avoid neighbors or friends because, since they'll be difficult to separate yourself from when the leaves start to turn. If you can, also avoid even just friends of friends. Look beyond your normal social group entirely. Good places to find a summer fling include the bar, the beach, a party, or even online (but be careful of catfishing). A good person for a summer fling is someone that's confident, energetic, and independent. That way, you can be sure to have a great time without letting them down rough.
   
   • If you're traveling for the summer, you will be in the best position possible to find a summer fling. You will be surrounded by people who will have never met a single person you know back home. You will also have a ready-made exit strategy: You're likely to be hundreds if not thousands of miles away from your summer lover come September.
   • If you're staying put, there are still plenty of options. Check out the dating scene in the nearest major city, beach town, or anywhere close but not too close to home. Be especially on the lookout for people who are just visiting for the summer.
   • If you're somewhere without a lot of people around, your best bet may be the Internet. Check dating websites and specifically look for people interested in casual relationships. Just be careful who you get involved with. It's best to make your first "date" in a familiar public place and possibly even bring a friend along.
2. Get to know your potential fling a little. Find out more about their personality and interests. Naturally, if they like the same things as you, that's great. More importantly, look for signs that they would like to have a casual relationship. If their personality type is one prone to spontaneous adventures, you may have found perfect fling material.
   
   • You may also choose to use a summer fling to explore romance outside your normal comfort zone. You won't be worried about the relationship's future, so go ahead and try someone whose interests and lifestyle don't mesh with your own. Try someone who isn't normally your "type."^[1]
3. Look for body language cues to see if your prospect is into you. A lot of communication is nonverbal. Look for the following in a potential partner that may clue you in to their interest:
   
   • They make and hold eye contact with you more than other people.
   • Their pupils dilate when the two of you talk.
   • They repeatedly touch you in a friendly way.
   • They are constantly fiddling with objects, especially when talking to you.
4. Be direct. While body language may clue you in initially, it's important to gauge each other's mutual interest as soon as possible. Remember that a summer fling has a much shorter timeline than a typical relationship. Don't take too long hoping that the other person will make the first move. Instead, be a little more forward than usual. Explain that you find them attractive and plan a date together.^[2] Some examples of what you might say once you've found the right person include:
   
   • "Hey, you seem really cool! I'm looking for someone to have fun with this summer. Are you interested?"
   • "I'm only going to be in town for a couple months, and I don't want to miss the chance to be with you," is a good line if you're traveling.
   • If your potential fling asks whether or not your offers to "hang out" are platonic, be honest. If they ask if something is a "date-date," don't be coy: "Yeah, it's a date-date. I think you're really cute and want to spend more time with you."
5. Be open about your intentions. Your partner should know you want a casual fling, not a serious relationship. Ideally, one or both of you will have a major transition at the end of the summer to make the break easier. This can be something like going back to (different) schools or traveling back home. If you continue seeing each other after the breakup, it will make for a tense, awkward relationship.
   
   • The best time to bring this up is when you're still flirting, before you've spent too much time together. Say something like: "This summer I just kind of want to have fun, you know? I'm not looking for anything serious."

[Edit]Enjoying Your Romance

1. Have the perfect summer. Try to do as many typical summer activities with each other as possible. Go swimming. Visit an amusement park. Hike a long, romantic trail. Book a cruise. Try to take advantage of the great weather and do as much outdoors as possible.
   
2. Stay safe. Any type of sexual activity comes with the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). With a brief, casual relationship like a summer fling with a relative stranger, this risk can be greater. At minimum, be sure you and/or your partner use a condom. Using lubricants will also help prevent condom breakage and reduce transmission risk. Ask your partner about their sexual history and most recent STD test. Keep your partner's safety in mind and be honest about any STD(s) you may have yourself. Above all, don't feel forced to do anything you don't want to do.
   
   • Remember that there is no way to prevent STDs completely. Keep in mind that sex, just like every other part of life, will always carry a risk.^[3]
3. Try to avoid falling in love. Remember that the best summer flings are no-strings-attached. Keep yourself from being stuck with emotional baggage from falling for someone you don't want a long-term relationship with. Is there anything that makes you swoon for a guy or girl? Some specific city or type of date that you think is just super romantic? Avoid that like the plague.
   
4. Take your temporary partner to fun group events. One great thing about a summer fling is that you'll have a "standing date" for all the fun activities you may not want to go to solo. Whether it's a barbecue or a concert, your partner will be there to make everything you do extra special.^[4]
   
   • Avoid bringing them to serious occasions or to meet your family. Remember that a fling should be low-pressure and without commitment. Do you really want to explain that to your parents?
   • What you call your temporary partner will depend on your culture. In places where short-term romances are the norm, there's nothing wrong with telling others that you two are a couple. Likewise, calling them your "boyfriend/girlfriend" is generally fine. In more conservative climates, however, it may be better to just refer to them as your "friend."
5. Go on a road trip.^[5] Head for a place neither of you has been before and make some fun memories together. When you're away from the stress of day-to-day life, you'll feel like you're having a mini-fling within a fling.
   
   • Unless another couple or some friends tag along, save the road trip for the tail end of summer. You want to make sure your partner is completely trustworthy before traveling with them.

[Edit]Moving On

1. Plan your exit strategy. When you've decided to bring your summer fling to an end, you generally have two options you can take:
   
   • The Honest Route: Ideally, both you and your partner are aware of the impending split. This stops any potential awkwardness dead in its tracks. After all, you had an agreement from the get-go. Just tell them the date you'll be leaving town or otherwise want to end the relationship. Then pack your bags (even just metaphorically) and move on to the next chapter in your life.
   • The Covert Route: If you can't bring yourself to be brutally honest, start planning your escape at least a week before you want to split. Figure out a good reason to break up, whether it's a surprise trip to study abroad or having to go back home to take care of your family. You could also just tell them that the relationship just isn't "working out" for you, even though they are a great person. The actual breakup should be clean and simple. Be sure to do the adult thing and break up in person, not over text or instant messaging. If you have trouble working up the nerve, remember that it's just a summer fling. Hopefully you chose a partner who can handle it.
2. End the summer fling on a good note. Reassure the person that the ending is for the best. You may want to use typical breakup phrases here to help them. Keep the break clean in order to avoid either of you holding onto the relationship. Make it clear that the summer fling has officially ended.
   
3. Stay together if you both feel like it could be something more.^[6] Sometimes you may find yourself falling in love with a summer fling despite your best efforts. If the two of you won't be "long distance" at the end of summer, consider keeping the relationship going. Even though they may have agreed on an end date in the beginning, your partner may share your feelings.^[7]
   

[Edit]Tips

• Choose a partner who is looking for the same thing you are.
• You won't be with your fling forever, so make sure you get the most bang for your buck. At the same time, don't feel pressured into doing anything you don't want to simply because you have time on your hands.
• Don't choose people who you already know. This decision will come back to haunt you later. You don't want to ruin a friendship because of a fling. Date as far away from your usual social circle as possible.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Enjoy Summer Vacation
• Have a Fun Spring Break

[Edit]Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dating, check out our in-depth with [v162131_b01].

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/a5153/how-to-find-casual-summer-fling/
2. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/a3232/how-to-find-a-summer-fling
3. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001949.htm
4. ↑ http://www.thedatereport.com/dating/being-single/8-reasons-you-should-have-a-summer-fling/
5. ↑ http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/blogs/smitten/2013/08/things-to-do-with-your-summer
6. ↑ [v162131_b01]. 26 April 2023.
7. ↑ http://www.thedatereport.com/dating/being-single/8-reasons-you-should-have-a-summer-fling/

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How to Breathe Better

1. REDIRECTBreathe

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How to Make Banana Bread

Homemade banana bread tastes superb - now you can make it at home yourself. This compilation of recipes offers you various ways to make banana bread. Why not try them all and discover your favorite?

[Edit]Ingredients

[Edit]Banana Bread Loaf

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2⅓ cups mashed overripe bananas
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon banana flavoring
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

[Edit]Thin Banana Bread

• 2 or 3 bananas
• 5 tablespoon butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence/extract
• 4 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon

[Edit]Old Bananas Banana Bread

• 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 1½ cups sugar
• ½ cup butter (1 stick)
• 1½ cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Banana Bread Loaf

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF/175ºC. Lightly grease a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
   
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
   
   
3. Mix together the brown sugar and butter in a separate large bowl until you achieve a creamy texture.
   
   
4. Stir the eggs and mashed bananas into the butter/sugar mixture until well blended.
   
   
5. Add the banana mixture, vanilla extract, and banana flavoring into the flour mixture. Stir just to moisten.
   
   
6. Pour batter into loaf pan. Remember to leave room in the pan for the bread to rise as it bakes.
   
   
7. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes (depending on your oven type time may vary), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
   
   
8. Let the bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack or plate.
   
   
9. Serve by itself or with any topping you like.
   
   

[Edit]Thin Banana Bread

1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC/325ºF.
   
2. Peel the bananas and mash them up into a pulp.
   
   
3. Add the melted butter and combine.
   
   
4. Add the vanilla essence/extract and combine.
   
   
5. Add the baking powder and combine.
   
   
6. Add the sugar and combine.
   
   
7. Add half of the flour and combine. Once that's well mixed, add in the other half of the flour and combine.
   
   
8. Take a square baking tin/pan and line it with the left-over melted butter (there will be some left over in the bowl), then put the mixture in, spreading evenly.
   
   
9. Put the batter into the oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Check to see if it's done.
   
   
10. If it's not done cooking, put it back in the oven for another 5 minutes. Keep doing this until cooked. If it is done cooking, bring bread out of the oven and take it out of the baking tin and put on a plate/cooking rack/tray.
    
    
11. Wait 5 to 7 minutes for bread to cool down, then serve.
    
    

[Edit]Old Bananas Banana Bread

This method works best with older, browned bananas.

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/175ºC. Grease or line a tube pan.
   
   
2. Cream the butter and sugar.
   
   
3. Add eggs and milk. Alternate with the flour, beating well.
   
   
4. Add the vanilla and mashed bananas.
   
   
5. Transfer the batter to the prepared tube pan.
   
   
6. Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour.
   
   
7. Remove when cooked. Test with a toothpick before releasing the cake.
   
   
8. Add a topping if wished––this is optional. Serve warm or cold.
   
   

[Edit]Additions and Substitutions

1. Get creative and add a ½ cup of nuts, sultanas, raisins or ¼ cup of chocolate chips.
   
   
2. Shortening also works well for greasing the pan.^[1]
   
   
3. While most basic banana bread recipes call for white granulated sugar, you can swap it for brown sugar and create a moister, denser texture.
   
   
4. You can use other liquids in your banana bread besides milk. Buttermilk, almond milk, and soy milk would all work well, but you could also substitute sour cream or yogurt for a tangier, moister bread.
   
   
5. For a spicier bread, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg.
   
   
6. Walnuts and pecans are ideal nuts to add to banana bread. It helps to toast them before adding them to the batter, though.
   
   
7. If you're a fan of chocolate, mix in milk, semisweet, or dark chocolate pieces. Keep in mind that regular sized chocolate chips often sink to the bottom of the bread, so use mini chips instead for more even distribution. Grated chocolate is another option.
   
   
8. Give your banana bread some tropical flavor by adding dried pineapple or shredded coconut.
   
   
9. If you want to make your banana bread a little healthier, you can swap half the white flour with whole grain flour.
   
   
10. Finished.
    

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• To check bread is ready, take a skewer and carefully push it down to the bottom of the tin, right in the center. If it's cooked, the skewer will come out clean. If it's not cooked, the skewer will have some of the mixtures on it.
• If you prefer to make individual servings of the banana bread, you can substitute a muffin pan for the loaf pan. Line the individual cups with paper liners instead of greasing them. If you’re making muffins instead of a loaf, pour the batter into the cups of the muffin tin so they’re ¾ full.
• If you prefer a smooth consistency for your bread, mash the bananas in a separate bowl until they’re completely lump-free and then add them to the batter. You can also use a stand or hand mixer to combine the bananas with the rest of the batter for a smoother bread.
• If you’re worried about getting the bread out of the pan at the end of baking, line the pan with parchment paper before greasing it. Make sure the paper is long enough that there’s some excess to hang over the sides for you to grab and lift the bread out. Don’t forget to grease the paper with cooking spray or butter, though.
• Save bananas - when a banana gets too mushy to eat, put it in the freezer; the skin will turn black. Take it out about half an hour before you start the bread; when it's time to add the bananas, peel it (it will be almost liquid) and dump it directly into the mixing pan. Quick, easy and a good way to use up old bananas!
• You’ll know that it’s time to take it out of the oven when the top is a golden brown and the sides begin to pull away from the pan.
• Before you preheat the oven, place an oven rack so it rests in the lower third of the oven for the best baking results.
• If you want the banana flavor to be more subtle in your bread, try decreasing the number of bananas. Two or three may be all you want.
• It’s best to crack the eggs into a separate bowl and beat them lightly before adding them to the butter and sugar.
• The riper your bananas are, the better. That means that your bananas should be yellow but evenly covered with brown freckles and just a bit too soft for eating. If you want your bread to have an even stronger banana flavor and a denser texture, though, you can let the bananas ripen even longer -- wait until the skins are brown and the fruit is beginning to fall apart.^[2]
• If you want to bake a loaf of bread and your bananas aren’t ripe yet, help the process along by placing the unpeeled bananas on a cookie sheet and baking them at 250℉/120℃ degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Let them cool before peeling them and using them in your bread.^[3]
• It’s best to mix the dry ingredients into the wet batter in batches so you can ensure that everything is fully mixed together. Add about half of the dry ingredients and combine completely before adding the rest and mixing again.
• If you’re stirring the dry ingredients into the batter by hand, it’s best to use a spatula instead of a whisk.
• The banana bread recipe multiples well, so consider doubling or tripling the ingredients and making extra loaves for freezing.

[Edit]Warnings

• Avoid cutting the bread right after it comes out of the oven as it will most likely tear.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

• Masher or fork for bananas
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing implement
• Cake pan (tube pan for method 3)
• Oven mitt
• Toothpick or skewer for testing doneness
• Wire cooling rack

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Peel a Banana
• Make a Quick Homemade Bread

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/relationships/how-to-respect-other-peoples-boundaries
2. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/relationships/how-to-respect-other-peoples-boundaries
3. ↑ http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/ultimate-banana-bread-recipe-article

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How to Make Water Taste Better

We all know we should drink more water, but that can be hard if you don't like the taste. Plain water can seem a little boring! Fortunately, it's really easy to add flavor without adding processed sugar—there are lots of natural ingredients that make water taste better. If you're ready for flavorful refreshment, pour yourself a big glass of water and read on.

[Edit]Things You Should Know

• Infuse your water with fruit, cucumbers, or herbs to make your water taste better. Chill the flavored water for 2 hours before you drink it.
• Pour in a splash of fruit juice, tea, or vegetable juice to quickly flavor your water.
• Squeeze a little citrus juice into a glass of carbonated water if you're trying to cut back on your soda intake.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Citrus

1. Toss a slice or wedge of citrus into your water to add a bright tangy taste. While a squeeze of lemon is a classic way to improve the taste of water, limes, oranges, and grapefruit are also tasty!^[1] Float the fruit in your water for a subtle taste or squeeze a few wedges of citrus into your glass for a stronger flavor.^[2]
   
   • If you float wedges or slices of citrus in a large pitcher of water, take the citrus out after 4 hours—any longer than this and the rinds can make the water taste bitter.

[Edit]Berries

1. Add fresh or frozen berries if you want to sweeten your water. Use a small handful of berries for each glass. Try raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or blueberries. To help the water infuse with the berries, use the big handle of a spoon to lightly mash them in the bottom of your glass before you add the water.^[3]
   
   • Pro tip—if you want to float whole berries in your glass, put them into your cup first. Then, drop in ice cubes and fill the glass with water. The ice stops the berries from floating up and into your mouth when you drink.

[Edit]Exotic fruit or melons

1. Slice up fruit like mangos, papayas, and watermelon for a unique sweet taste. Adding exotic fruit to water is a great way to try new fruits and flavors—slice up star fruit, kiwi, or kumquats and add them to a pitcher of water, or reach for juicy melons like honeydew and watermelon. Not only will they add tons of flavor to your water, but they'll look gorgeous too!^[4]
   
   • For flavored-water inspiration, walk through the produce section at the grocery store and see what catches your eye. Cherries? Dragon fruit? Pomegranates?

[Edit]Cucumbers

1. Create your own spa water with refreshing slices of cucumber. Peel the cucumber if you want a stronger flavor. Then, drop the slices into your water and chill the water in the fridge until it's infused with the cucumber flavor—the longer you chill it, the stronger the taste will be.^[5]
   
   • Add a few sprigs of fresh mint or a wedge of lemon to complete this spa-like drink.

[Edit]Fresh herbs

1. Muddle mint, basil, or sage in your glass to add an herbal flavor. Put the herbs in the bottom of your glass and smash them gently with the handle of a large wooden spoon.^[6] The water quickly picks up the unique taste of the fresh herbs. To make custom-flavored water, pair fresh fruit with fresh herbs and experiment to find your favorite flavor combinations.^[7]
   
   • For example, try strawberry-basil water, watermelon-mint water, or lemon-thyme water.
   • If you don't want a strong herbal flavor, put the loose herbs into a tea infuser and drop it into the water instead of muddling the herbs first.

[Edit]Juice or tea

1. Add a splash of your favorite juice or tea to make a lightly-flavored drink. If you're trying to cut calories and don't want to drink a full glass of juice or soda, add just a little juice or cold tea to a glass of plain or carbonated water. Think of your lightly-fruity drink as a refreshing spritzer!^[8]Image:Choose-Healthy-Juices-Step-4.jpg
   
   • Try apple juice, grape juice, orange juice, or fruit cocktail for sweetness, or add green, black, or herbal tea to add a delicate taste to your water.
   • Use tomato juice or vegetable juice if you prefer a slightly savory drink. You could even add slices of fresh tomatoes—a great source of lycopene.^[9]

[Edit]Fruit and vegetable peels

1. Put your kitchen scraps to use if you don't want to use whole produce. Save your fruit and vegetable scraps when you prepare meals and add them to a pitcher of water. For instance, toss cucumber ends and herb stems into a glass of water, or put apple peels, lemon rinds, and strawberry tops into another glass. Let the water chill for 2 hours in the fridge to absorb the flavor.^[10]
   
   • Since peels and skins can accumulate pesticides, reach for organic produce to use in your water.
   • Store your fruit- or vegetable-infused water for 2 to 3 days in the fridge. You can keep adding water during that time, but discard the produce after 3 days because it will lose its flavor and texture.

[Edit]Seltzer or sparkling water

1. Switch to drinking fizzy water if you like the taste of carbonated beverages. Sometimes, just having carbonated water is enough to make it more interesting to drink. It's also easier than ever to find naturally-flavored seltzer water that doesn't contain added sweeteners, so you still get flavor without all the sugar.^[11]
   
   • In addition to seltzer water, try mineral water, club soda, or tonic water.

[Edit]Water flavor enhancers

1. Dissolve a low-calorie flavor enhancer in water for instant flavor. If you don't have time to cut produce and infuse it in water, you've still got options! Low-calorie water enhancers come in liquid or powder form. You simply mix a few drops or the powder packet into cold water and enjoy.^[12]
   
   • Most water flavor enhancers are sweetened with artificial sweeteners like sucralose. If you're trying to avoid artificial sweeteners, look for natural sweeteners like cane sugar or stevia in the ingredients list.

[Edit]Cinnamon

1. Add a cinnamon stick for a delicately spiced drink. For mildly-flavored cinnamon water, simply drop a cinnamon stick into your glass and chill the water overnight. If you'd like a spicier taste, add 1 stick of cinnamon per of water to a pot on the stove and bring it to a simmer. Then, cool the cinnamon water and serve it over ice.^[13]
   
   • Cinnamon contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so you can feel good about adding it to your cup.^[14]

[Edit]Juice ice cubes

1. Make ice cubes using juice to slowly flavor the water as they melt. Pour fruit juice into an empty ice cube tray and freeze it until it's solid. Then, pop a few juice cubes into your glass and add water. As the juice cubes melt, they'll slowly sweeten your drink.^[15]
   
   • If you like the look of berries or fruit floating in your glass of water, fill an ice cube tray with water or juice and add a few fresh berries like blueberries or strawberry slices. Then, stick them in the freezer until you're ready to drink some water.

[Edit]Filtration

1. Use a filtration system to filter your tap water for improved taste. If you dislike the taste of the water coming out of your tap, attach a filtration system to the faucet or pour water into a pitcher fitted with a filter.^[16] You'll be surprised at how much better your water tastes from doing this simple step!^[17]
   
   • If it's unsafe for you to drink your tap water or you don't have a filtration system, fill a pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil for 1 full minute. Then, cool the water before you drink it.^[18]

[Edit]Minerals and powdered greens

1. Stir in trace mineral drops or powdered greens for added nutrients. If you like the alkaline flavor of tonic water, you might enjoy adding a few drops of trace mineral drops to your drink. If you're trying to include more greens in your diet, drink them! Stir in powdered greens to enjoy another source of vitamins and minerals!^[19]
   
   • If you have a hard time getting powdered greens to dissolve in the water, blend it briefly.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Muddle your ingredients to release more of their flavor into the water.
• Use cold or room temperature filtered water since hot water will ruin the ingredients you're adding.

[Edit]Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of water, check out our in-depth with [v162243_b01].

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ [v162243_b01]. 27 October 2022.
2. ↑ https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/nutrition/hydration-and-healthier-beverages
3. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html
4. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/fresh-ideas-for-making-infused-water/
5. ↑ https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/parenting/parenting-articles/get-kids-to-drink-water/
6. ↑ [v162243_b01]. 27 October 2022.
7. ↑ https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/nutrition/hydration-and-healthier-beverages
8. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html
9. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/simple-summer-drink-ideas/
10. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-tap-water-taste-better-article
11. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-sparkling-water-healthy/
12. ↑ https://youtu.be/gAExeknCz7g?t=21
13. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/try-this-cinnam-162828
14. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-cinnamon/
15. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/cool-idea-fruit-juice-ice-cube-123279
16. ↑ [v162243_b01]. 27 October 2022.
17. ↑ https://builderbaron.com/improve-tap-water-taste/
18. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/drinking-water-advisories/boil-water-advisory.html
19. ↑ https://builderbaron.com/improve-tap-water-taste/

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How to Succeed in College

College is a time unlike any other in your life. You have gained independence, you are in a new place, and your adult life is gradually staring you in the face. You have choices to make, and you know it. There is no secret recipe for succeeding in college; everyone does it differently, in a style all their own. Most students in college, who succeed however, share certain characteristics.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Studying

1. Avoid procrastinating. College academics in the first term will be particularly difficult because it is material that you have never seen before. Plus, you are facing much higher expectations, especially that you are the one responsible for your motivation and success. Unlike high school, college expects you to build your education from the bottom up, rather than regurgitating whatever facts a teacher feeds you. This means much more work than you are used to.
   
   • Give yourself incentives to study in advance. Don't cash your paycheck until you're finished with that term paper. Celebrate with friends after you've taken the test. Treat yourself to something you've been wanting after you finish your studying goals.
   • Choose your priorities. It is not possible to fit in all the same social, academic, employment, and logistical responsibilities in college that you did in high school. Be realistic about how much time is required to meet your academic obligations and how much you can devote to social activities.
2. Get passionate about something. Take a moment to reflect on what you enjoy doing and studying, and what you're genuinely interested in. What are your goals? What are your plans? College is another step on the ladder to the rest of your life. What do you want to do after college, and how will college prepare you for that next step?
   
3. Work on your general education. Most colleges require a broad range of classes in the beginning, often referred to as "general education" or "distribution" requirements. Even if you've already declared your major and know what you want to study, the distribution requirements build critical skills such as written and oral communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Keep your mind open and look for ways to apply these skills within your major.
   
   • Another reason to take advantage of this broad range of classes in college is that you're likely to change careers over your lifetime, and even a class or two can make an impact in know-how and understanding. Anecdotally, you are likely to be in a different field at the end of your career than the one in which you started. ^[1]
4. Learn to separate gossip from genuine information. Learn to use observations and evidence to form your own opinions. Attend special events and seminars on campus. Join clubs for students in your major or program. Read a reliable news site every day. You are your own person, and you owe it to yourself to form your own opinions about things.
   
5. Talk to your professors. A big mistake college students make is never forming a relationship with their professors. Forming a relationship with professors can help make your education richer and your network bigger.
   
   • Go to office hours with the intent of improving your mastery of the course material, and not just to "show your face" in an attempt to suck up, change a grade, or appear more dedicated. Office hours are your opportunity for extra help with ideas and methodologies with which you are having trouble. Arrive prepared with specific questions. Bring your class notes and your textbook. Ask specific questions about the concepts where you need help. Professors will not repeat an entire lecture that you missed. Professors want to help you, but always remember that you are responsible for your motivation and success.
   • Look for a mentor. A mentor can be a professor or staff member who can dispense advice specific to your goals. Start with the professors in the department of your major. There is usually a program advisor who can help you choose classes make recommendations for graduate school. However, do not expect a mentor to secure a job for you after you have graduated.
6. Form good study habits. Everyone studies in a different way. Having a television or music in the background is a bad idea. Some people like to study alone. Some people like studying in groups. Find out what habits work best for you. Ask yourself and answer these questions:
   
   • How much time does it take an idea to stick for you? Do you need weeks before the light bulb goes off, or days?
   • What kind of a learner are you? Keep in mind that while you may have a preferred way of learning things, this does not excuse you from engaging with other teaching and learning styles. ^[2] Are you:
     • An auditory learner? Do you learn by hearing something? You would rather have an idea explained aloud than reading in.
     • A visual learner? Do you learn by seeing something? You would rather learn by looking at graphs, reading, or watching a demonstration.
     • A kinesthetic learner? Do you learn by touching something? You would rather build whatever you're reading about, and see it in action.
   • What time of the day do you work best? Do you bust out a lot of work in the morning, or are you a night owl?
7. Set an academic goal for yourself. If you don't set any academic goal, you might leave college wondering whether you tried enough. Your academic goal doesn't have to be the same as someone else's goal. Try to be realistic about it when you set it; balance it out with other personal goals you may have.^[3] Getting through college isn't always about getting a 4.0 or graduating summa cum laude. It's about doing the best you're capable of, given your resources.
   

[Edit]Socializing

1. Establish as many friendships as possible. If you're at a bigger school, you may find the sheer number of new people a bit intimidating. That's okay. Everyone feels that way at first. Get past the intimidation of the numbers and you'll find dozens, if not hundreds, of people that you get with and learn from. Many people look back on their college years with good memories, often because of the friendships that they made.
   
2. Get involved in clubs, traditions, and events. College events are lot different from the compulsory events you might have done in high school. Because no one is forced to participate, the people who are there enjoy being there on their own. It's no secret the real draw of clubs and events is the social aspect.^[4] You'll probably meet a lot of people with similar interests, a few people you don't get along with, and a few people with absolutely amazing backgrounds. C'est la vie: it's a cross-section of life.
   
   • Take the time to do clubs and events outside your immediate social circle. It's fine to invite your best friends to participate in your club's activities. But what if bringing your friends along means that you wouldn't have met another potential friend? Try to meet as many interesting people as possible during your time in college. Don't make friendship an exclusive right shared only by you and your inner circle.
3. Go to parties. Be yourself and get in the mood for meeting new people. However, be smart and be cautious. Go with friends and use the buddy system. Be your friend's keeper. Keep an eye on your friend and see if s/he's drinking too much, and ask your friend to keep an eye on you also. Never leave your friend alone, impaired, or in an unsafe or unfamiliar environment.
   
   • Be a gracious party-goer. Don't litter bottles around someone's room, make a mess in someone's kitchen, or use someone's bed without their permission. Bring cups or soda, or if you're old enough, beer or wine. It's never bad being the person that the host takes a liking to because they're generous and well-mannered.
   • Be careful about drugs. Know which drugs are likely to harm you and which drugs are milder. (Alcohol and marijuana in moderation aren't likely to put you in the emergency room, but cocaine, meth, hallucinogens, and painkillers can all be potentially fatal, especially if you mix them with each other or with alcohol.) Some students find that college is a time to experiment with drugs, but follow your conscience. Don't do anything you're not comfortable doing. In addition, remember that you never know for sure what's in a particular drug.
4. Engage in safe sex, if you choose to be active. Many college-bound freshmen are still alarmingly ignorant about sex. In college, people like to brag about sex. The truth is that college students have sex at a much lower rate than their braggadocio might suggest. One study found that a majority of participants had 1 or fewer sexual partner over the course of a year. Another survey found that 59% of students reported having no sexual partners in the last 30 days.
   
   • Always use protection. Whether you're a guy or a girl, always keep a condom on you if you're sexually active. If used correctly, a condom is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy.^[5] Don't agree on sex unless you or your partner uses protection. Contracting HIV, herpes, or another STI is as easy as having unprotected sex one time. And unlike your excitement, which will fade with time, an STI like herpes won't go away.^[6]
   • Understand that alcohol severely impairs your judgment and decision-making skills. Even a small amount of alcohol will decrease your inhibitions, meaning that you'll find it easier to justify having sex with someone you might not have if you were sober.^[7] Understand this before you start drinking.
   • Get straight on the myths about sex. Let's debunk some of the myths about sex:
     • "The birth control pill protects me from STIs." Myth. Birth control will not protect you from STIs like HIV/AIDS.^[8]
     • "I can't get pregnant if I'm on my period." Myth. You can absolutely get pregnant when you're on your period.
     • "I can't get pregnant if I'm a virgin and it's my first time having sex." Myth. Unfortunately, this is false. You still have a 5% chance of getting pregnant.
     • "The birth control pill is effective the first day you start taking it." Myth. It can take up to a month for the birth control pill to become effective.
5. Never eat alone. (Actually, if you feel like it, eating alone doesn't have to be a bad thing.) Taken from the name of a book by Keith Ferrazzi, the idea is that networking, or making connections that might jumpstart your career at a later date, can be made easy and doesn't have to be a bad thing. Make the most of your opportunities while you're in college. Turn time in the mess hall into a rewarding lesson in personal development.
   

[Edit]Maintaining Your Health, Safety and Finances

1. Eat healthy, exercise, and get enough rest. All three seem to be on the shortlist for things college students do least. If you want to succeed in college, however, and learn how to balance work, play, and a thousand different things in between, you'll need to start getting serious about your health.
   
   • The optimal diet for a college student is the same as it is for everyone else: eat lean meat or protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and stay away from sodas, candy, simple carbohydrates, and saturated fats.^[9] Not only will you feel better, but you'll also be in better shape to avoid the infamous freshman 15.
   • Exercise is a miracle drug, except that it's not really a drug. Exercise helps us burn fat, build muscle, lower cholesterol, ease stress, and sleep better.^[10] Join an intramural sports team, do laps in the gym pool, or simply take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you do nothing else, try to get in 30 minutes of walking a day.
   • Get enough sleep. One of the best ways to maximize academic performance on tests is getting a good night's sleep.^[11] In fact, students who pull all nighters, students with sleep disorders, and students who routinely stay up late on weeknights all perform worse in college than students who get regular, comfortable, lasting sleep.^[11]
2. Visit the university health center. The university health center will have all sorts of information about staying healthy on campus, in addition to housing the university's best doctors. Take advantage of the free amenities your health center offers: free vaccines, condoms, and counseling are among the most common.
   
3. Use the safety department, if your college has one. Many colleges and universities will have a public safety department that looks after the safety of the university population. Public safety officers will routinely:
   
   • Escort you to your home or dorm if you feel unsafe.
   • Give you valuable safety tips about living in your area (especially applicable in an urban setting).
   • Investigate crimes that happen on campus. If you've been a victim of a crime, especially robbery, rape, coercion, or assault, please notify the campus security and/or local police.
4. Budget out your expenses. College is a time when kids start behaving like grown-ups. Part of being a grown-up is having a budget. To make a budget, take an inventory of the money you'll have during any given month. Look at your past expenses, and budget out how much you'll allow yourself to spend during that month. The expenses should not exceed the amount of money you have. A sample budget might look like this:
   
   • Total amount of income per month: $1300.
     • Housing: $600
     • Food: $250
     • Books and school supplies: $100
     • Gas: $200
     • Discretionary spending: $150
5. Apply for financial aid. Apply for federal student aid, or FAFSA^[12] before going to college, and check back routinely for new financial aid opportunities. Check with your college's student aid department to find out if you apply for any financial aid or merit-based scholarships. There's a lot of financial aid floating around out there if you know how to find it.
   
6. Look for work-study opportunities. Your college or university needs employees to function, and it probably knows that giving its students a chance to work is a winning bet. Check with your school about work-study opportunities. Much of the time, you'll get paid to do a mindless, nominal task like man the library entrance. This should also give you opportunities to study while you earn a paycheck.
   
   • Other times, the college or university will pay you to perform research with a teacher or department. This is where having a mentor (see above) becomes important. Letters of reference are necessary to convince the department that you are a qualified candidate for the research position. Such positions are extremely competitive, require an excellent academic background and strong letters of reference, and require a great deal of work.
7. Save money, wherever possible. If you're getting a scholarship or financial aid, or your parents are helping you out with expenses, try as much as possible to save money while you're still in college. After you leave college and become the arbiter of your own life, you'll have to start paying bills. Those bills will be a lot easier to pay if you stored away a little nest egg while you were still in college. Other reasons to save money in college:
   
   • Study abroad costs money. Lots of it. If you want to study in Florence, Italy or Shanghai, China, or virtually anywhere else, it's going to cost you a pretty penny. There are scholarships and aid, but you can't always count on them.
   • Student loans take time to pay off. If you're like most college students, you'll have a lot of loans to pay off once you leave college. Getting them (and the interest payments) paid off can play a huge part in what your budget looks like after you graduate.

[Edit]Tips

• Remember who you are, what you are doing, and why you are doing it.
• Do the problems at the end of each chapter, get a solutions manual to help you when you are stuck, but only if your university honor code allows it, otherwise a solutions manual is cheating and grounds for suspension or expulsion.
• If you're having trouble understanding, ask for help! Ask your professor or a tutor to help you.
• Make your goal to learn the material, not to get a grade. Professors are far more likely to write strong letters of reference for students who focus on building their knowledge and skills, regardless of the grade earned in class. It is very difficult for a professor to write a good letter for a student who slacks off (fails to attend class, surfs the internet during class, does poorly on exams) and then blames everyone else for a poor grade.
• If you are an easily sidetracked person, find ways to minimize distractions to optimize learning ability.
• Try to sit in a place where you are comfortable during class. Usually it is easier to stay focused when sitting up front.
• Stay healthy by doing five things:
  • Eat healthy
  • Exercise
  • Relax
  • Be optimistic
  • Smile and Laugh
  • Get enough sleep
• Read ahead. If you know the professor is going to cover a certain section, try to read about it ahead of time. This way, you will have a more thorough understanding and can ask questions in class.
• Do not rely on late night study sessions or cramming. Such actions do not work.
• Buy books online or from fellow classmates who have taken the course to save at least $200 a quarter/semester on textbooks you might only study once.
• Cramming and procrastination only work for a select few, who are innately equipped to handle the pressure of completing tasks at the last minute to a fair degree of quality. If you aren't able to deal with these demands, don't risk it.
• Be realistic about what you are able to in college. The entire experience is about learning how to balance your time, meet your obligations, gain maturity, and take responsibility for your actions.
• Use old exams as study guides, but only as a guide. You need to fundamentally understand the material. Exams will not ask the same questions, word for word the same as in an old exam or in a study guide. After the exam, review the questions that you got wrong and make sure you can answer them correctly. The professor obviously thought it was important enough to test you on - and you may see it again on another exam.
• Not many students do this, but it is recommended that for every hour you are in class, you should spend two or three hours studying for that class. You may not need to do this for every class, but you should try to do this for the first few weeks of the semester and if you are doing well, slowly reduce how much time you study for that class.
• If your school allows you to live on campus and you can afford it, live on campus. You will be able to study much longer in an academic environment, you will have easy access to tutors and professors, and you will go through the many benefits of living on campus during college.

[Edit]Warnings

• Do not be afraid to make a few mistakes or take risks; just remember to learn from them.
• The best course of action, but perhaps not the safest one, is to learn for yourself what you wish to know about your strengths and weaknesses.
• Everyone is different, and therefore no specific strategy will work across the board due to the variations from person to person.
• The steps and tips toward making your first year in college a successful one are based on overarching, basic, and general principles that are constructed for ease of application. They are based on pure observation and first-hand experimentation; do not perceive these tips as pedagogical or idealistic admonishments meant to restrict your freewill to choice of action.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

The following is a list of basic, essential things you might want to bring for your first year in college. Some things may have been left out that you would find absolutely crucial, so do not take this list as complete or literal as it certainly is not limited. Also, there is no particular order of importance, because each item more or less contributes to your preparedness.

• Office materials (paper, printer ink, pens, pencil, calculator, stapler, etc.)
• At least two sets of bedding (pillow cases, sheets)
• Enough clothes to last at least two weeks and at most three weeks
• An organizing container, perhaps one of those plastic drawer sets
• Entertainment. Bring hobby materials, sports equipment, books you enjoy, movies and/or other things your enjoy.
• A computer (depending on your level of usage for it, some people will want an incredibly fast machine, but most use their computers for general program applications and word processing) A laptop computer is highly recommended, because it allows for portability when going home and increases one's ability to type up lecture notes. Also, professors often talk incredibly fast so typing notes most definitely trumps writing them out. Plus, times new roman is probably neater than your handwriting!
• Reliable printer + accompanying black ink cartridges (you don't really need color ink much)
• Mini fridge (great for cooling water, juice, milk, fruit, etc.)
• Microwave (not that important, but comes in handy once in a while.)
• Collapsible boxes or storage bins (great for bringing things back and forth from home, and also comes in handy when you move out of your dorm at the end of the year)
• Water! You will get incredibly thirsty in your room and should have some readily available water reserves at hand. A filter would satisfy this requirement, but some might prefer bottled spring water. Depends on what you like.
• Snacks - Snacks are great for those late nights studying, or at times in which you have to skip a meal. Granola bars have done wonders.
• Cold/Flu Medicine - Face it, you will get sick at least once or twice while at school, and having medicine ready will only work to your advantage!
• Toiletries (toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, scrubber, as many towels as you can bring so you don't have to do laundry as often)
• Carrying case for toiletries (not very necessary unless your room is far from the common baths and you are not provided with some cubby space to place your items)
• Laundry detergent
• A reusable plastic bottle container to transport water or coffee
• Money

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Nap
• Be Smart
• Work and Study at the Same Time
• Get Into MIT
• Succeed in College

[Edit]Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about succeeding in college, check out our in-depth with [v162302_b01].

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/resource/top-advantages-of-general-education-requirements-in-college
2. ↑ https://www.wgu.edu/blog/learnings-about-learning-styles2201.html
3. ↑ [v162302_b01]. 19 January 2023.
4. ↑ [v162302_b01]. 19 January 2023.
5. ↑ https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/sexual-health/a2209/condoms-contraception/#
6. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
7. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm
8. ↑ https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/daily/sex/birth-control.asp
9. ↑ https://au.reachout.com/articles/foods-that-help-our-brain-study
10. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/benefitsofexercise.html
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=659
12. ↑ https://studentaid.gov/

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