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Top Tips for College: Part 1

1. Sleep. You won’t function nearly as well if you’re dead tired all the time. Instead of playing video games for another two hours, just go to bed.

2. DON’T BUY YOUR BOOKS AT THE BOOKSTORE! Always buy from Amazon, Chegg, or some other source. The bookstore is WAY overpriced, and never worth your time.

3. Try to make friends with someone in each class. Classwork is a lot less stressful if you have people you can discuss things with, or get notes from if you miss a day, or who can give you a head up about changes in assignments, etc.

4. Don’t buy those mesh garbage cans they sell in every campus bookstore. You won’t put a gab in it. You or someone will vomit in it. It will get EVERYWHERE.

5. Ever hear about those college grads that complain about not having a job after school? Internships. will. save. your. life. If you’re CS/Math/etc. and can’t find an internship: make your own!

6. Join some clubs on campus! Not only will you meet other students and make friends, but you are all united under the same interests!

7. Get to know your professors early on. As you get into your later years at school, a good professor connection can land you a research job and can be a great reference.

8. Go to class. Do the reading the day your get it. Start that paper today. GO TO CLASS.

9. You don’t have to drink to have a good time. Same goes for pot.

10. If you skated through high school without really learning how to study, manage your time, or do any real work, and you think you can do the same thing in college, you’re probably gonna be in for a very rude awakening

11. Find a toilet nobody knows about on campus; one thats clean, or has two-ply toiler paper. Find that magical toilet and tell nobody of its existence!

Start your year off right by also downloading QUAD (bit.ly/quadchat). Talk with fellow peers about school specific tips and advice to make this school year the best one yet!

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Dorm Life 101: How to Make the Most Out of Your Dorm Experience

Moving into your dorm for the first time can be an exhilarating, yet extremely, frightening time for anyone. For most of you, this will be the first time away from home, the comfort of your own room, and the necessity of your parent’s cooking. However, if you make the most of it, dorm life can be one of the best years of your life (besides turning 21 or moving into your own house or apartment). By following these five steps, you can ensure that dorm life will be much easier and more enjoyable!

1. Set Ground Rules

This may seem silly or unnecessary, but within the first week of move in, sit down with your roommate (who is most likely a complete stranger) and come up with a list of rules. From quiet hours, to when boys can be in the room, make sure to establish everything so that you don’t run into problems down the road. It’s also a good idea to keep these rules hung up somewhere in your room so you both have a constant reminder.

2. Stay Out of Trouble

Drinking or having a “party’ in your dorm room may seem like a good idea at the time, however, the consequences can be very brutal. At my college, if we are caught drinking or smoking in the dorms, it’s a one-strike policy and we are kicked out. The worst part? Our parents still have to pay for the dorm for the rest of the school year! Make friends with individuals off campus, and remember to party safe no matter where you are.

3. Come Prepared

Most people don’t realize that you’re basically moving into a blank and empty room. Check online or at Target for a list of dorm room essentials. Things like a first aid kit, power strip, stapler, and tape are often forgotten. While some may consider it embarrassing, it’s a great idea to have your parents move you in so you can hit up Walmart or Target for everything that you might have forgotten to grab before you left.

4. Budget Your Money

I was fortunate enough to receive a weekly allowance from my parents, and if that isn’t the case for you there are plenty of on-campus jobs that can help you earn some extra cash However, be careful how you spend it. Saving in college is way harder than you think, especially when laundry, school supplies, and alcohol get involved. Take advantage of your schools dining hall so you aren’t eating out all the time (trust me I know how gross dining hall food can be, but it’s worth it).

5. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Freshman year is supposed to be one of the bet years of your life. However, that won’t be the case if you’re stuck in your room with your door closed constantly. Keep your door open whenever you’re in it for the first couple of weeks, play some cool music, and wander the halls. Even pretend that you ran out of thumbtacks so you can go next door and meet your neighbors. Everyone is in the same boat as you so don’t feel intimidated to step out of your comfort zone and talk to new people. Ask them to go to the dining hall, the gym, or just hang out. The friends you make in college will be the same friends standing next to you on your wedding day.

Still nervous about move in day? Download QUAD and search for your college or dorm to connect with future students in the same boat as you. There is even a roommate finder!

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As you’re packing for your 1st or 3rd year at college, be sure to remember these key essentials so you can start your semester with ease...

Power Strip

Calculator

Stapler

Duct Tape

Playing Cards

Index cards

Post it Notes

Headphones

Duffle Bag

Air freshener 

First Aid Kit

Flashlight

Coffee Maker

Bed Risers

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Top 10 College Party Themes: Part 1

1. CEOs and Office Hoes

A classy, formal attire party with a little provocativeness involved. In a way, this is the white collar pimps and hoes party.

Guy’s Attire: For CEOs and Office Hoes, guys need to dress in their nicest clothes. No CEO would show up for work in jeans and a t-shirt. You need to wear black dress pants, a tie, and an overcoat if you have one. The overcoat really is what sets you apart from the rest of the guys there. It shows you are the real CEO.

Girl’s Attire: Ladies need to dress classy but still show some skin. Girls have a lot more options on this one than the guys so be creative. You can be as risque as you are comfortable with. One option is to wear a fancy tank top with booty shorts. Another option is to wear a button up shirt with some buttons unbuttoned and a skirt. The last option is to wear a nice, short dress. You can also do any combo of these ideas. Have fun with it!

2. Black light /Highlighter Party

The black light party is a great way to get all you friends dancing together and having a good time. Make sure you get as many glow decorations as possible. You can even get beer pong cups that glow under the black light (the regular cups don’t glow). Allow your guests to get as creative as they want. Get out some highlighters and make it into a graffiti party. Everyone will be writing all over each other and once you get under the black light, you can see all the funny things people have written on you.

What to wear: Dress casually and wear something that has white in it to best glow under the black light. Think about what pieces of clothing would look the best under black light or has white patterns in the that will look awesome. Also wear something that you don’t mind getting ruined if the party turns into a graffiti party with everyone tagging each other with highlighter or glow paint. If you are feeling like having an even more wild party, then have your guests cover themselves with glow paint or laundry detergent to save some money.

3. ABC Party

Anything But Clothes. You can use anything from beer boxes to bubble wrap, feathers and candy wrappers! Find materials that can be wrapped around you easily, like a Twister board dress. Be creative and use your imagination. You can get away with wearing anything for this party, but if you want to stick out in the crowd you need to dress a little more risque. They typical last minute costumes usually use a black trash bag or some toilet paper, but if you like making things then this party is perfect for you. The key to this party is to wear something unique. Get creative, go all out, and it will be tons of fun!

4. Toga Party

Just have an extra bed sheet handy, and look up toga tying tutorials on YouTube if you’re having trouble! Add some gold jewelry, belts, or whatever to make your toga more stylish.

Guy’s Attire: This theme is a real easy one. All you need is some shorts and bed sheets or fabric from a local store. Take the sheet and wrap half the  sheet around your waist and tuck part of the sheet in your shorts to hold it in. Then take the rest of the sheet and bring it over your shoulder from the front, bring it down your back and tuck it in where you have already wrapped the sheets around your waist to hold it in place.

Girl’s Attire: Girls have a lot more options when it comes to a toga party. They can dress in a full bed sheet like the guys, but they can also choose to show off a little more skin and make a two part toga out of fabric. If you choose to make it out of a bed sheet, wrap the sheet around your chest and and waist and tuck it into some underclothes or keep it in place with a belt You also will need a few pins to keep everything in place so it doesn’t unwrap.

5. Decades Party

You can work with any decade, but the best decades to throw down with are the 20′s, 60′s and the 80′s. 

1920′s; The roaring twenties was a time where everyone was living large. The 1920′s was known for prohibition, gangsters, and jazz, so set the stage like a speakeasy bar or a jazz club. The guys should dress in suits and top hats. The girls should be wearing cocktail dresses or flappers. 

1960′s: The end of 1960′s through 1970′s was the hippie, psychedelic age. Have some bean bag chairs to for this groovy gathering. Light the room up with candles and put peace sign banners around the room. Have some lava lamps around the room or hang tie dye balloons around the room to brighten up the room. Play the 1970′s psychedelic music all night long to keep it in line with the theme. For dressing up, wear flower pants, John Lennon glasses, a peace sign medallion, and a hippie wig with tie dye shirt. 

1980′s: For the 1980′s theme party, guests have many options on what to dress up as. People can wear big hair and dress in jean jackets or the partygoer can wear flannel shirts and neon pants. Women can try the feathered hair style, while men can give a mohawk style to their hair. Play 80′s music all night long to keep with the theme.

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DIY Dorm Decor: Wall Art

Get some washi tape in your favorite colors and patterns, and use it to put your favorite photos on the wall. As you tape up your photos, create fun and interesting frames! 

Keep your washi tape handy, it’s a perfect material to use for temporary wall paper. Pick the colors and patterns you enjoy the most, and arrange them into cool patterns across your boring walls! 

Cut out letters from your favorite magazines, tape it up on the wall, and frame it with some lights. Extra points for not so traditional christmas lights. 

If you don’t love huge cork boards, cut out shapes you like, and glue them on to a cardboard shape that is the same but slightly larger. Paint the cardboard shape and pin it up on to the wall! 

Find a free corner in your room and arrange your photos into a heart. No frames necessary :)

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College 101 for Out of State Students

So you're moving 400 miles away from your hometown to join a completely different state with people who pretty much speak a different language? How in the world are you going to fit in? It's really not that bad. All it takes is 3 easy steps.

1. Get to know the area

Find a friend. Your roommate is probably the first person that will come to mind who can show you around the area. Chances are if you are moving outside of your current state a lot will be different, from the restaurants to the shops - it will surely take a while to get used to. Getting comfortable with the surrounding area is the first step you should take when you land in your school’s state. 

2. Make as many friends as possible

You were probably really comfortable around your high school friends. You grew up with them, so it makes sense that you didn't have any trouble making friends or finding anyone to hang out with. College will be different. Let's face it, it takes time to develop friendships. Starting out by meeting as many people as possible will make college an easier transition.

3. Join a community

Become active at your school. Join clubs or organizations that are interesting to you. This will keep you busy and involved in stuff that matters, all while making you forget that you're in an unknown area.

Moving can be tough. Going to a school outside of your state is even tougher. But, you can make the most of it by following these three steps. Trust me, how hard can it be?

If you’re still looking to meet people from your school before you get there, be sure to download the app QUAD and search for your school, lots of people are already making friends with their incoming class :) 

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Music Festivals 101

With summer almost in full swing, and festival season picking up, we found it fitting to make a Music Festival 101 guide. From EDC to Country Summer Festival, there is sure to be something enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned vet or heading off to your first festival, there are a ton of must-knows to ensure the best experience possible.

1. Drop a Pin

If you’ve ever attended a music festival before, you know how insane the parking lots can get, and even if you’ve never attended, you likely have heard horror stories. Once you park, make sure that someone in your group with an iPhone drops a pin at your parking spot. When you leave the event, get walking directions to you pin and head straight to your car!

2. The Essentials

Items at festivals can be pricey so be sure to come prepared. Some essentials include, gum, chap stick and an empty water bottle. Double check that all of these items are unopened as well. Another good idea is to bring a portable phone charger so you don’t have to worry about a dead cell phone. That way you don’t end up sitting at an outlet and missing your favorite artist’s set.

3. Plan Your Day

Festivals can turn out to be very hectic if you don’t plan your day beforehand. Most events come out with set times a couple of days before the event starts. Use these to plan what sets you want to see and at what times you want to see them. However, always remember to save some time to check out new artists. You never know when you may end up finding you new favorite artist. Also when planning your day, take into account traffic to and from the venue, lines at the entrances, and the amount and location of water stations and bathrooms when trying to get to a set at a certain time.

4. Stay Hydrated

One of the many benefits and luxuries many festivals provide is free hydration stations. These stations allow you to bring empty Camelbaks and water bottle in order to keep hydrated throughout the day. Be sure to check and plan ahead of time to see whether or not the event you are attending has one.

5. Buddy System

Most festivals draw in crowds of over 10,000 individuals. When you first get to the event, or get your hands on the festival map, plan a meet up spot with friend just in case anyone gets separated from the group. However, if you do stray away from the pack don’t worry. There are plenty of awesome people at festivals to meet. As the saying goes, the people around you at festivals are just friends you haven’t met yet.

If you already know that you’ll be heading out to any festivals be sure to connect with us on QUAD. Download the app and search for the quad “MUSICFEST”. And even if you are unsure of your plans this summer, connect and meet up with individuals who share similar interests as you!

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19 Tips to Help you Navigate the Drinking World 

By Luke Strickler 

1. Make sure to call it “beer”, not “icky brown adult juice.”

2. If someone tells you to “take a shot”, that does not mean throw your drink into the nearest basketball hoop.

3. Although orange juice mixed with vodka is called a screwdriver, it is useless in virtually all maintenance work.

4. While you must be 21 years old to consume alcohol, all ages of alcohol are the same in the eyes of the law.

5. Binge drinking is not drinking while watching an entire series on Netflix, although both are just as sad.

6. The proof of a drink is the percent of alcohol in the beverage, not a deductive argument for a mathematical statement.

7. If you’d like ice in your drink, order it “on the rocks”. If you’d like rocks in your drink, ask for ice.  

8. There is a difference between red wine and white wine. One you drink on a fancy dinner date, the other you drink alone in the laundry room after a long day.

9. Drinking at night is just called “drinking”, during the day is “day drinking”, and during the morning is called “alcoholism.”

10. Even though it’s called “light beer”, it’s just as heavy as the rest.

11. When pumping the keg, it’s important to visualize the keg as your worst enemy, and then pump as payback for that time they poured milk in your backpack.

12. The term “white girl wasted” is not specific to any gender or race.

13. It is generally frowned upon to ask the host if you can have another drink by reenacting the famous scene from Oliver Twist.

14. Alcohol poisoning is technically the only poisoning you do to yourself.

15. The term “breaking the seal” applies to peeing after drinking, not to wrestling arctic marine mammals.

16. Although breaking a beer bottle on a table may look cool in the movies, it also looks cool in real life.

17. The only hallucination absinthe causes is that you didn’t waste a bunch of money on the drink.

18. A quick tip to tell if you’re drunk is if you start trying to use quick tips to tell if you’re drunk.

19. The best cure for a hangover is greasy food, water, and a lifestyle that satisfies you without the mind numbing effects drugs.

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The Do’s and Do Not’s of Summer Semester 

by Keegan Brandt

Can you smell it? The salty sting of the seawater, the heavenly barbeque drifting from everyone’s back yards. Summer is finally here! For most of us, anyways. If you are anything like me, your summer tranquility will be interrupted by the ever haunting smell of textbook paper and scantrons. Yippee.

We partake in this form torture for a number of reasons…

Some of us need to fix our previous semester mishaps (It happens, even to the best of us). Some of us realized that nuclear engineering isn’t our thing and have a lot to catch up on as a newly declared theatre major (#truestory). There’s always that one person taking summer classes because they can’t imagine having a summer with nothing to study (Oh, the horror! Just kidding, I might be that person). Whatever series of (un)fortunate events have landed you in a desk and not in a lawn chair soakin’ up some UV rays, just know that you are not alone, and we will get through this. This summer will be my 3rd and last summer semester. (Don’t ask). Being a seasoned summer warrior, I have learned a few things that have helped me over time. So my fellow school addicts, I leave you with these do’s and don’ts about how to get through this summer of studies in one piece.

Do take it seriously

I know this seems obvious, but I can’t tell you how many people fall into this mindset. Summer semesters are just as important as regular semesters. Some people think ‘oh, 8 hours, that’s nothing. Since summer semesters are shorter, 8 hours taken over the summer is about the same as taking 16 hours during a regular semester. Do take it seriously, it’s not a given. You have about the same amount of information to learn, but in half the time. Don’t think your professor will make it easier because its summer, this isn’t always the case.

Don’t fall behind

Falling behind during a summer semester is detrimental. Since summer is short, missing a day in summer semester is like missing days of a regular semester. Summer semester has no mercy. Avoid missing class. Keep up with your assignments. I advise to not take vacations unless you are prepared for the consequences. If you do take a vacation, try to miss as few days as possible. Go to the beach over the weekend instead of in the middle of the week. I know it’s miserable to have little or no vacation time, but is it worth not passing?

Do get study aids

For some taking summer classes, it’s a repeat of a pervious class. If you didn’t pass the class the first time, and you’re repeating it this summer, get help. There are many study tools readily available. Those (insert subject of choice here) for dummies books and similar works are actually helpful. Since summer is fast paced, the more material you have to your disposal, the better. You don’t have time to sit back and say ‘I’ll get it eventually.’ In my experience, there are tests about every two weeks. No time to have an epiphany and become the Organic Chemistry Guru. Understanding it from the beginning will make your time in summer classes easier and less stressful. Invest in some good study aids. You’ll thank yourself later.

Don’t overwork yourself

Summer: the time of beach parties and working 3 doubles in a row at the local diner. Not for we summer troopers. Many students use their summers to work. This is difficult when you have classes. A happy median I have found is to find a job on campus. You’ll be amazed how much studying you can do. Campus is always quiet during the summer. If you have a commitment to a job off campus, establish with your manager that you have classes and make sure they will honor the times that you have class. It is always a good idea to ask for at least one day off that you can dedicate entirely to your studies. You’ll have the rest of your life to work.

Do have fun

It’s summer! Get excited! Just because you have classes doesn’t mean the world has ended! Study trajectories poolside; read over your newest script while tanning; memorize terminology at the park; review notes on the beach. The possibilities are endless. You don’t need to confine yourself to your desk hunched over your books 24/7. Reward yourself for acing a test and go out with your friends one night! They’ll be glad to know you’re still alive.Good luck! And may the curve be ever in your favor!

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5 Must Attend Summer Music Festivals

As an avid music festival attendee, I seemingly go from paycheck to paycheck thriving off the high these festivals give. From new artists to finally seeing your favorite musician live, there is something unique and irreplaceable about these events. With summer now approaching, I complied a list of 5 must-attend festivals, no matter what part of the country you’re in.

Electric Daisy Carnival 

Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nevada

(photo: Fest 300)

EDCLV  is presented by the fascinating team at Insomniac and is leading the world in electronic dance music festivals. With a boasting lineup including Kaskade, Calvin Harris, Bassnectar and more, there is sure to be something for everyone. EDC pairs outstanding artists with production that is hard to compare to any other festival in the world. From immaculate firework shows to wandering clowns, EDC is sure to not disappoint. While EDCLV has already sold out, VIP tickets are still available, and there are plenty of individuals selling tickets at face value. June 19th-21st

Paradiso Festival 

The Gorge Amphitheater, Washington

(photo: Wavo)

If you have ever seen the movie 21 and Over, a slight sense of jealously probably overwhelms your body as the main characters dance the night away at a music festival with one of the most awesome views you have ever seen. That view, is the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington, which is also home to Paradiso Festival. Unlike many other festivals, Paradiso is also a camping festival, creating more intimate vibes than other festivals. Huge names from Skrillex to Armin Van Buuren will hit the stage over the two-day festival. June 26th-27th

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 

Manchester, Tennessee

(photo: post grad problems)

Manchester, Tennessee will soon become home to thousands of festival attendees and some extraordinary headliners. Considered to be more than just a music festival, Bonnaroo offers a wide variety of activities including art cars, costume parades, and more. There is even a comedy theatre on site with huge comedians on the roster. Musical talent includes a diverse array of artists such as Billy Joel, Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Deadmau5 and more. General Admission tickets are still available at a remarkably low price for 4-days of music, fun, and more. June 11th-14th

Governor’s Ball 

Randall’s Island, NYC

(photo: go green ride)

If you’re stuck on the East Coast this summer, be sure not to worry as the annual Governors Ball is approaching! Located at Randall’s Island Park NYC, provides a beautiful backdrop for this historic festival. With both 3-day and single day tickets available, and a massive lineup including Drake, Lana Del Rey, and Chromeo, this festival is the best way to kick off Summer 2015. There is also a Silent Disco, at the festival, so grab a pair of headphones and be sure to get down at this fun and hilarious event. June 5th-7th

Outside Lands 

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

(photo: onlythebeat)

Outside Lands is one of San Francisco’s most favorable events of the year. In August, thousands will gather together for what is much more than just a music festival. Outside Lands incorporates music, food, wine, beer, art, and comedy into one of my favorite festivals of all time. They also have a strong platform of sustainability (because who doesn’t love a greener Earth?). Located in the heart of San Francisco, Outside Lands brings individuals of all walks of life together to experience one of the best festivals to date. Headliners include The Black Keys, Elton John, Sam Smith and more, making sure there is something for everyone. There are also massive amounts of food vendors as well as a plethora of brewery’s and wineries. August 7th-9th

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Coming Home From College: Expectations vs. Reality

Expectation: No more class schedules or homework tying you down. Time to do whatever you want, whenever.

Reality: After months of independence, you now have parents again. This means that the c-word will be mentioned: curfew. “What the heck, Mom? I am an independent adult now,” you argue. “My house, my rules,” she will respond. And that’s where it ends because you cannot claim independence for going out and dependence for all forms of food (be honest, you still have no idea how to cook anything that is not microwaveable). If your parents do not care anymore because “college”, then all you have to worry about is awkward, late night drunken encounters with them.

Home People

Expectation: Looking back at old photos on Facebook as a form of procrastination during finals week (someone will bump old photos of you, which will lead to a spiral of stalking your high school self), you start to feel really nostalgic. Immediately, you start texting your home crew for the first time in weeks to make plans for when you are all home.

Reality: Usually, the excitement of seeing old friends last a few weeks as all of them slowly trickle back home. You eagerly meet up with everyone and catch up on the juicy details of everyone’s new college lives. Then, after about a month, you remember how home people are the people you were really just friends with because you had no other options. It isn’t that you don’t love them, but you have changed into a different person who’s past year of experiences were spent with other people who you now relate to more. Missing your college buddies immensely, you start stalking photos from your past year at college and recall all the fun you were having. Suddenly, you remember why you left home in the first place.

House Parties

Expectation: Now that we are all professional party people from spending our free time during the year downing screwdrivers and cheap beers, home parties should be more fun and less weird right?

Reality: Wrong, just plain wrong. House parties when you return home are still just as lame as they were in high school. Who will be the designated driver? Where is the free booze? Why is there no legitimate DJ? When do we leave the house for the bar? Oh right, we don’t, this house party is not the pre game, it’s the actual and only game.

Endless Summer Fun

Expectation: During finals week, you stare longingly out the window, dreaming of sun bathing by the pool with music blasting and a cool drink in your hand. Summer means exploring, going to the beach, bonfires, and hanging out.

Reality: During the summer you will continue to stare longingly out the window as you work your summer job all day making the minimum wage to support your excessive social habits come fall semester. Goodbye dreams of pool lounging, hello babysitting, waitressing, and serving ice cream to people who actually get to enjoy their summer. If you do not have a job, then you will probably sleep half of the day and watch Netflix, neglecting to look out your...

Hot Body

Expectation: You think that your body will be banging with six-pack abs, toned arms, and a sun kissed tan. I mean you went to the gym sometimes, which should be enough.

Reality: “Sometimes” actually means never and now you look like Mrs. Puff from SpongeBob. Bikini season? No thanks; I would rather retreat to Bikini Bottom

These are the differences we forget every homecoming. Sure, there are perks to be home, like seeing your dog, catching up with family, and getting to eat real meals. However, once you are home, you are willing to give that all up again just to reunite with college friends and your hectic lifestyle. After another long year of school, you will rebuild your expectations of home only to have them shot down again when you return for the summer to find that everything is exactly the same as it was when you were in high school, except for you.

Written by Shannon Nichols 

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QUAD House Rules

QUAD is a growing, open community made up of thousands of individuals and provocative voices. With any community, there are a set of guidelines that everybody must abide by. QUAD is no exception.

If you do any of the following things, you’ll be banned from the community.  And because QUAD has become so important to your social life, you’re not going to let that happen. The QUAD house rules are:

NO stalking, threatening, harassing, or intimidating

NO sexually gratuitous or abusive messages (this includes porn and nudity)

NO excessively violent, threatening, or abusive messages

NO hateful language targeting race/ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexuality, or appearance

NO unlawful, fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive information

NO promoting illicit/illegal drugs

NO spam or excessive, repetitive commenting on someone else’s quad

NO trolling or deliberately disrupting the community experience

NO uploading files that contain viruses or programs that could damage the operation of other people’s phones or computers

Make QUAD a fun and safe space for everyone by following these guidelines yourself, and by flagging any users that break any of the house rules.  Respect for the opinions of others, no matter how goofy, misguided or infuriating they are, is a part of the QUAD culture. Help us keep QUAD a happy community!  

Don’t have QUAD yet? Download it HERE

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2015 Senior Year Bucket List

Everybody's telling you, these next three months will go by quicker than a blink of an eye. Friends you've been with for the past four years will move on to their new colleges, and you to yours. So how do you make these last months together count? A bucket list of course! 

1. Take a Photo Everyday

Document your adventures. Make a commitment to take a photograph everyday for the rest of the school year. Once it's over, you'll have plenty of pictures to hang on your dorm room walls!

2. Have a Bonfire

It's warm, it's fun, and you can have s'mores...need we say more?

3. Go on a Picnic

Pack your favorite treats and head out to somewhere beautiful. Lay down your blanket and enjoy tasty foodies with friends.

4. Watch a Meteor Shower

Grab some hot cocoa and some friends, or you lover. On April 23rd, you can see "Lyrid." if you miss it, on May 6th you may be able to catch Eta Aquariid, but there will be strong moonlight that may impair visibility.

5. Leave a Note in a Library Book

Leave a note in a library book for the unsuspecting reader. Proceed to wonder if anybody ever reads it throughout your years of college. 

6. Organize an Epic Senior Prank

If you need some inspiration, here are 15 Senior Prank Ideas .

7. Do Something Nice, for the teachers you like

After all that they've taught you, do something nice for them. They'll appreciate it and it will make you feel awesome :)

8. Sunset-Sunrise Party

The party starts when the sun goes down, and yep, you guessed it, keep it going until the sun comes up.

9. Take a Hike

Explore a place you've never been before. Pick a beautiful day, leave your phone at home, and get out into the great outdoors. 

10. Make a Memory Jar 

Write down all of your memories and put them in a memory jar! Bring it with you to college, and pull out a memory whenever you're missing your friends.

So what are you waiting for? Jump into a quad with your friends and start planning! Not on QUAD yet? It's available in the app store for iOS and Android! On mobile? Download here

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15 Senior Prank Ideas for the Class of 2015

As one of the main slogans for the Class of 2015 is, "We'll make h15story" we've compiled a list of 15 senior pranks that will let your class go down in the history books.

1. Bring your pet to school day.

Since you won't be able to bring them with you to college, and you'll miss them so very much...

2. Nap time.

Organize a nap-in, in which you leave class at a given time and proceed to cozy up with each other in the hallways for a long nap...it's been a long 4 years after all.

3. Sound the alarms!

No, not the fire alarms! Have everybody bring in an alarm clock and set it to the same time, place them in your lockers.

4. High School For Sale.

Place a "for sale" sign on the front lawn of your school. Extra points for posting it to craigslist...furnishings included.

5. The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened. Beware.

Either in a public location or in the bathrooms, make it clear that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Proceed to do other creepy Chamber of Secrets-Esque things. 

6. Post-it.

Place post-it notes on every surface of your principal's office. If getting into their office proves to be difficult, their car is acceptable as well. 

7. Bubbles Everywhere.

This prank only works if your school has a fountain, but if you do...your work is almost done! All you have to do is pour a box of laundry detergent in, and voila! 

8. Where should we sit...?

Disorganize the desks & chairs in a way that makes it impossible for any learning to occur in each classroom. Another option is to setup an outdoor school...

9. Wet Feet.

Fill up thousands of dixie cups with a little bit of water...place them in the hallways, include "Class of 2015" in upside down cups of a different color. Win.

10.  Car Maze!

Get to school early and park your cars sporadically. If your class is hyper organized, design a maze people need to drive through or spell out "Class of 2015" with your cars.

11. Trade Classes with another school.

Send your senior class to a neighboring school and have their seniors attend classes at your school for the day, see what happens.

12. All Aboard!

Have everybody get on the bus with a note from their parents at one person's house. Reinforcement buses will be needed.

13. It's a wrap.

Hand a pair of scissors to each teacher and say, "that's a wrap!" They'll soon discover they need the scissors to remove the saran wrap off of their cars.

14. Senior Snow Day!

Plow big piles of snow in the front entrance of each building, and watch as students and faculty arrive to school confused. 

15. A parting gift.

On the day of your graduation, have everybody bring an object from a pre-decided category (example: fruit, marbles, puzzle pieces) have each student pass it to the headmaster as they receive their diploma. He will have a difficult time figuring out what to do with said gifts.

So, now you may have an idea for your prank, but you're going to have to organize it :) Download QUAD & create a quad for your HS...add your classmates, and start planning!

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7 Tips to Help You Choose the Right School

When you've got options, choosing a school can be tough. Some of us grow up knowing exactly where we want to go, but most of us have to weigh the pros and cons, and seriously consider each school. Here's a list of things to help you make the big decision:

1. Visit Campus. 

You can read about a school all you want, but it's incredibly important to actually go and experience the culture and vibe. Some students get an immediate "this is where I belong" feeling, but many don't. Pay attention to whether students acknowledge and welcome you and each other with smiles, or if it's a more segregated and clique-y campus. Hang out in the library, or student union, to get a better sense of the social environment.

2. Sit In On Classes

While college is about having fun, you're also going to be taking classes there, so it's important you find an environment that nurtures how you learn. Some students like big lecture halls, and some like more intimate discussion-based classes. Try sitting in a couple of freshman-level classes to see what they will be like!

3. Think About Extracurriculars

All colleges have a vast list of extracurriculars, but it's important to make sure that your campus has what you're interested in. Do you want a school that rallies around sports? Are you interested in Greek Life? These types of extracurriculars have an impact on the entire campus social life, so you want to find a place that does or doesn't have what will make you happiest.

4. What Kind of Campus Structure?

Do you want a small closed campus, or a big campus spread throughout the city? Do you want a school where most people live on campus, or where students have their own apartments off campus? Will you eat at a dining hall, or need to cook for yourself? Smaller schools with on-campus housing are a lot easier to find parties and meet new people, but off-campus housing can give you a sense of independence and choice.

5. Where Is It?

Look into what's around campus and what there is to do. Each campus will have dorms to party in and student unions to hang in, but if you're someone who needs a lot to do off-campus, then you'll want to find a school closer to a city. If you like to spend your weekends outside hiking, or skiing, or just exploring, this is also important to remember. Will you need a car to get to these places, or does the school have shuttles? Your school will be your home, so it's important to know what you can do around it!

6. Talk to Current Students!

As intimidating as it might be to walk up to a college student and ask them what they like and don't like about their campus, this information will be the most genuine and important you can get. These students aren't admissions officers trying to sell the school to you, and they'll be more honest with you. Ask them about their classes, the social scene, sports, what there is to do, and anything else you want. The more you ask, the better your perception of the school will be, and the easier it will be to make a choice!

7. Use Online Tools to Get a Feel for the Right College

There are tools on the web that can help narrow down the school for you! Here are some great sites you should try: College Board, Unigo, LinkedIn. If you want some more insight, say hi to your potential future classmates on QUAD and join their 2018 and 2019 groups! Maybe you'll even meet your roommate!

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The 25 Stages of Senior Year of High School

Congrats Seniors 2015! You're almost done with high school and off to the next adventure. Here's a recap of what's happened and a preview of what's yet to come...

1. I run dis 

2. I rule this school

3. Nothing is cooler than me

4. Classes are dumb

5. Really everything seems dumb

6. Oh wait. College applications

7. What if I don't get in!?

8. STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS

9. WORRYING TO DEATH

10. ACCEPTED!!!!!!

11. I run dis 

12. I rule the world

13. COLLEGE HERE I COME

14. Insert intense senioritis

15. Uuuughhh classes...

16. SENIOR PROM YUUUUUP

17. Overwhelming nostalgic sadness

18. Consider staying with high school sweetheart forever

19. LOL YEAH RIGHT

20. Panic attack about not seeing friends

21. Stoked to not see everyone else

22. Panic attack about moving out of the house

23. Intense joy about moving out of the house

24. Total mixed feelings about the entire ordeal

25. What a freakin' ride

Don't forget to download the QUAD app and find your college's Class of 2019 group to make friends before school starts in the fall!

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Make Your Group's Halloween the Best Yet

Halloween is approaching quickly, and if you haven't planned anything, here's a list of ways you can do to make this year's Halloween unforgettable.

1. Group Costumes

Everything's more fun with a group, so get your buddies together and show up Halloween parties in style. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Mario Kart

Troll Dolls

Social Media

Tetris

Scrabble pieces

SHARK WEEK!!!

2. Activities!!

If you're looking for more than a costume party, try some of these other ideas to celebrate the time of year:

Scary Movie Marathon

Corn Maze

Haunted House

Pumpkin Carving

** We're hosting a pumpkin carving contest!! Click here for more details **

3. No Tricks Just Treats

Nothing better than some spooky snacks to make your Halloween incredible and your friends' tummies happy. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Candy Apples (How to here)

Cookie Cemetary (How to here)

Crazy Carrots (How to here)

Spooky Cupcakes (How to here)