♥ ♥ Cat Pylant ♥ ♥
A whirlwind of thoughts5 Easy Ways to Save Money in College (As seen on Internqueen.com)
This fall I am an intern and campus ambassador for Internqueen.com, and the CEO, Lauren Berger asked me to write a blog to fellow college students. This is what I came up with:
It’s not a secret that college kids are not made of money. Aside from the rising cost of tuition, going completely bankrupt buying books every semester and scrounging for loose coins in the couch never seems to add up to be enough dough!
So what is a college student to do in order to get some extra money? A lot of people would say, “Get a job!” but sometimes that may not even be an option to a student taking a full course load along with trying to manage an internship on the side. So the student finds his or herself right back where they started: What should I do?
I currently manage school, extracurricular activities, and an internship. Unfortunately there is not one easy sure shot way to land extra spending cash, but I have come up with some options to cut a few corners here and there in order to keep a few dollars in your bank:
1. BECOME A COUPON COLLECTOR! Usually on every business’s website they have a place to enter your email to sign up for newsletters and coupons. If you’re really against e-mails then do it the old fashion way, thumb through the local newspaper for coupons, or search for coupon websites online.
2. STOP EATING OUT SO MUCH! College students love to go out to eat; it’s easy and social! Personally, I am guilty of doing this a couple times per week. If this is really depleting your spending resources (like mine), try going to lunch instead of dinner. Usually the prices are less, but the portions are also smaller. When it comes to ordering a beverage, go for the FREE option, Water. If plain water is too bland, ask for a slice of lemon or lime for taste. Cutting a few bucks out of the check for ordering water accumulates! Also if you usually go home with a doggie bag at the end of the meal, try sharing! If you are someone with a bottomless stomach, check out “All you can eat,” nights at restaurants.
3. FIND THE DEALS! No college student enjoys being stuck at home while his or her friends are out having a good time. When choosing where to go out for the night, do some research. I like to check out places that have specials or discount prices for students. Be sure to pull out that ID at most college area establishments because it could mean some real savings!
4. RENT YOUR TEXTBOOKS! This is a recently new option for college students, and it is a GREAT one. I did it this semester for the first time and needless to say I did not feel the need to cry when getting my books! There are numerous websites (Ex:http://www.Bookrenter.com) that offer this alternative. This service can save a student hundreds of dollars a semester!
5. KNOW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA! With the huge craze of social media, I found businesses are using these popular sites to promote themselves. Check out the deal of the day on sites like Groupon.com, “Like” a place on Facebook for free products, or follow your favorite places on Twitter for instant updates on special prices, you can find a way to save!
So unless you are extremely lucky enough to win the lottery, or a miracle happens and tuition prices go down and books are free, hopefully my 5 easy steps can help you not die on the vine while just trying to live your everyday college life!
The Role of Social Media in Public Relations
It is no secret to society that social media is taking the professional world by storm. A company without social media websites is almost unheard of today. With hundreds of millions of users falling fast for the addictive sites, companies are taking full advantage of the free press.
As a student obtaining my major in PR, I have to stop and ask myself, “What is the role of social media in public relations?”
After doing some research over this topic I sat down and thought about everything I had read. And unfortunately all it left me with was another question: “What role doesn’t social media play?”
It may seem like a ludicrous question, but really it seems like social media is the next “Superman” in the eyes of public relations practitioners, or any professional.
For the first time, social media is quickly helping companies communicate and relate to their publics directly. In an article written by the Hartford Business, it talked about the reality of the newspaper business and how it is are starting to close down and newspaper companies are drastically cutting back on staff. And a great point in the paper in result of this unfortunate situation is PR practitioners can now use the social media sites to get their information out to the publics. It is a way to fill the “void” of the newspaper.
Aside from saving the day from the demise of newspapers, social media has created a quick and convenient medium for communication between companies and their publics. With just the click of a mouse a consumer can voice his or her opinion and issues with a company or product instantly. With that new privilege, companies can also respond and receive feedback faster than ever.
With no limit on age with these sites, social media has allowed public relation practitioners to target and be in contact with people of all ages. In a Blog I read over this topic, it further explained the advantages of social media and PR by stating:
“PR professionals are using social media in a lot of ways to either supplement or add-on to existing PR strategies. The most successful PR pros focus on creating active relationships and truly engaging with their customers (or constituents) to have a real conversation.It isn’t about just putting a PR pitch on Twitter or Facebook, it’s about using the platforms in ways that help clients to connect.”
So, there you have it. Social media is constantly evolving and creating copious amounts of new ideas and stages for PR practitioners to integrate into their profession. The last question I am left with is, “What’s next?”
Lady GaGa’s Dangerous Doe-Eye Fashion Statement.
Lady GaGa never fails to draw the attention of a crowd. Whether it is a dramatic performance or a shock value outfit, GaGa never fails to be center of attention.
But can all of these “Fashion” risks and publicity stunts start a dangerous trend? You better believe it.
In her recent “Bad Romance” music video Gaga is appeared to have big eyes. Actually big eyes is an understatement..HUGE eyes! And the controversial part of this is this look is attracting the attention of teens all over.
The “Gaga” over this issue is teens are now buying illegal contacts that are not properly fitted to the eye which results in infections and permanent damage to the cornea.
First off..who in their right mind really wants to look like that? Even Lady Gaga who is a wacko when it comes to fashion did not even truly fall victim to this trend. FYI to all the Gaga crazed teens: She was digitally altered. Not even Gaga is insane enough to risk going blind in order to look like a bug. Maybe I am just crazy, but i know for one thing..My poker face will forever have regular eyes…Eat your heart out circle lense wearers!
The Little Things
As the years go by I want to remember
Remember the earthy smell that engulfs me
as I run barefoot through the fresh-cut grass
Remember the gentle kiss of the butterfly
delicately placed on the tip of my finger
Remember the sentimental moments that are felt
when I open a letter from a loved one
to feel the rose color in my cheeks
as if their handwriting was as intimate as their touch
Remember the lullaby my father used to hum
as I layed in bed and dreamt of infinitive possibilities
dreamt of how one day I will be beautiful like my mother
Remember I may, for I will never forget the little things
the smells that come back to me from time to time
the second glimpse in a mirror to catch a familiar face
and the song that takes me back to a moment in time
These memories are the things I will remember
when life gets tough and the infinitives seem impossible
these are the things I am thankful for
these are the things in life I will forever cherish..
The little things♥
I wrote this poem in the past for a creative writing class. I decided to post it on my blog because this past weekend I spent the holiday with my family and friends. I could not be any less passionate that it is the little things that make people happy. I wanted to post this incase some people may get a chance to read it and maybe it will result in a smile when they think about the little things that have inspired them or think about the things they cherish. People get so caught up in stress these days it is nice to take a moment and think about all of the little things that can maybe create a minute of peacefulness in a hectic day.
Dance party
Jersey Shore TV review
In my journalism class we had to pick a show we had never seen before and write a review about it. Doing everything in my power thus far not to give into the Jersey Shore hype…I decided to finally check it out. Needless to say I should have stuck to my guns.
Thanks to the new MTV apocalypse know as “Jersey Shore;” fist pumps and blowouts are unfortunately becoming as widespread as the common cold.
After viewing an episode of “Jersey Shore,” one will easily be able to identify why this show has stirred up a lot of controversy. “Jersey Shore” is based on negative stereotypes and bad behaviors of a subset of Italian-Americans that call themselves “Guido’s”.
As awful and mind numbing as this show is, it is impressive how much trash they can cram into one episode. It appears nothing is off limits to this group of eight individuals. Hooking up with various strangers, cursing like sailors and living by their ritual “GTL,” which stands for gym, tanning and laundry, is all in a days work for these fame seekers.
If this garbage is what society thinks is good television, then I need to thrown mine out the window. Watching people wear next to nothing to go out to night clubs to cheat on their significant others and pounding their fists on the floor and in the air is not what I call entertaining. I feel embarrassed for these people just by watching them on the show.
“Jersey Shore” is a disgrace. I can’t fathom any reason to watch another episode of individuals who go by the self-given nicknames: Jwoww, Snooki, and The Situation.
An episode I viewed started off with a late start to the day due to a long night of “pounding the beat”. Once the hangovers were cured, the “Guido’s and Guidettes,” had a savvy business day at the boardwalk t-shirt shop. After this day of hard work these characters earned themselves a night at the classy Karma establishment. With a few good beats and a couple cups of “Ron-Ron” juice, the cast members claim that the evening will, “Come to life.”
One may be wondering what exactly is “Ron-Ron” juice? Well, lucky for me after watching an episode, I too now know the recipe that will make my night come to life. It’s a concoction made up by a cast member that includes Stolichnaya vodka, watermelon juice, cherries, and cranberry juice with ice. Clearly a cup of pink liquid is the perfect accesory to the guy’s blowouts and designer clothing.
So if one wants to look at “juiced” and tanned guys, or watch girls the color of oompa loompas talk on a wooden duck phone for thirty minutes of the day, this show is the perfect candidate! If MTV’s intentions were to give Italians who reside in Jersey Shore a bad reputation, then they completely succeeded.
Getting Started
Whew! Finally figured this website out. I will be posting writings and blogs on here shortly once I have my site set up how I would like..So just hang tight! Also just getting started on Twitter and Linkedin so feel free to find me on those websites.
♥ ♥ Cat Pylant ♥ ♥ 
