Lifestyle

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) sounds like a good idea on paper. It’s a reliable career path with some good earning potential and plenty of opportunities. But are you suited for this career? And, if so, how do you become a CPA?

Why Become a CPA?

When you pursue a career as an accountant, people – including friends, family members, professors, and colleagues – always ask the same question: Are you going to get your CPA license? But have you ever paused to consider why people reference the CPA route so often?

While the acronym sounds pretty slick, there’s more to becoming a CPA than being able to put those three letters next to your name at the top of a resume. Some of the benefits include:

• The money is hard to beat. A CPA typically makes 10-15 percent more per year than standard accountants (and many make considerably higher amounts).
• It’s hard to find a career that offers more job security and stability than a CPA. Employment of CPAs is supposed to increase rather dramatically over the next few years, and every medium-sized and large company needs one (or multiple) on staff.
• Most people think of CPAs as pencil pushers who sit in an office all day and look at spreadsheets, but there’s actually a lot of variety in the industry. Not only can you work for companies across many different fields, but there are also plenty of niches – including really interesting jobs like those found in forensic accounting.

At the end of the day, being a CPA sets you apart. It comes with prestige and respect – as well as the knowledge that you’re in the upper echelon of your profession. And with that sort of reputation and confidence, there are very few limitations on how you can proceed.

How to Become a CPA

“The board of accountancy requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting or some specific number of units in accounting,” Accountingverse explains. “The certification also requires that you complete and pass the CPA licensure exam. Candidates are required to pass each exam part with a grade not lower than 75%. Additional rules and conditions may be set by the board.”

Sounds simple enough, right? Well…not so fast. The CPA exam is extremely tough. Each year, more people fail than pass each of the exam’s four parts. If you want to become a CPA, you have to be diligent in your preparation and strategic in your execution.

1. Carve Out Plenty of Time to Study

Nothing takes the place of study time. This isn’t a high school science test that you can cram for the night before and pass with flying colors. If you want to stand a chance of passing, you need to really put in the time.

In all, you should be spending 90-120 hours preparing for each section of the exam. That’s a total of 360-480 hours. At 18 hours per week (two hours per workday and eight hours over the weekends), that means you need to spend five to six weeks per section.

2. Choose the Right Exam Prep Course

The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. There are CPA exam prep courses available online, and they’re extremely helpful. Not only do they have lots of good content, but they also help pace your studying.

The key is to choose the right exam prep course. While any course provider can rattle off a bunch of features and benefits of using their materials, you ultimately want to listen to the people who have taken these courses in the past. Look for exam prep services that provide customer testimonials and course reviews.

3. Practice Case-Based Simulation

The multiple-choice questions on the CPA exam are fairly straightforward. The most challenging aspect is the case-based simulation, where you’re required to replicate real-world situations. This accounts for 30 percent of the exam (and is the area where most people have trouble).

As you prepare for the exam, spend a lot of time working through case-based simulations. A good exam prep service will have an abundance of these scenarios in their curriculum.

Jumpstart Your Career

Nothing jumpstarts your career as an accountant quite like getting your CPA certification. But to do so, you need to start by passing the CPA exam. Hopefully, this article has provided you with some practical suggestions on how you can set yourself up for success.

Preparing for your first job interview can be intimidating. What questions will they ask? Is the company a good fit for you? What should you wear? Though that last question may seem comparatively mundane, you only get one first impression. Choosing a professional outfit can give you confidence and ensure your interviewer takes you seriously. It’s how you get your foot in the door.

Though most of us have a general grasp of interview dress – suits, blazers, no wrinkles – choosing accessories can be especially hard. While the right piece of jewelry can dress up a simple outfit so that it looks more professional, the wrong accessories can be distracting and detrimental to our presentation. Before you step out the doors, here’s what accessories will help you make your mark, and which to avoid.

Keep It Simple

The most important rule to keep in mind when choosing jewelry for an interview is that you should always keep it simple. This applies to both the number of items you wear and the types of items. Skip the giant earrings, piles of bracelets, and giant statement necklaces. And always keep Coco Chanel’s basic styling rule in line: “Once you’ve dressed, and before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.”

Rings And Things

Most of the conversations about rings for interviews focus on whether engagement rings and wedding bands are appropriate. (Hint: they’re totally fine.) But what about other rings?

Skip the big cocktail rings and instead opt for a simple band or a small birthstone ring. Birthstones like August’s peridot gem or July’s ruby are also a great way to add a pop of color to your outfit without going over the top. Maybe they’ll even bring you luck – many people think wearing or carrying your birthstone can offer special protections.

Rock A Watch

Whether you’re a man or a woman, you can never go wrong wearing a watch to a job interview – as long as it’s not covered in gems or glitter. Watches show that you’re concerned about timeliness and responsibility, and will also keep you from continuously looking at your phone. Men can also compliment a watch with a pair of simple cufflinks.

Necklaces And Necklines

If you’re going to wear a necklace, there are a few rules you should follow. First, make sure you have a high neckline so that it doesn’t seem as though your necklace is drawing attention to your cleavage. This is unprofessional and can be perceived as flirting. You should also avoid chunky necklaces or large religious pendants. Instead, opt for a thin chain and small pendant or a thin strand of pearls.

Avoid Jangling And Dangling

Finally, when choosing accessories, skip distracting items like jangling bracelets that make noise when you move against something or large, ostentatious earrings. You want your credentials to speak for themselves, and noisy and dangling jewelry can take away from your presentation. If there’s any reason to keep your accessories to a minimum, it’s this – keep the focus on your abilities, not your appearance.

The finer details of what to wear when going on your first job interview depend on the type of job you’re interviewing for, but these rules will help you make a great first impression. So take off all those extra accessories and grab your resume. You’re ready to rock your first interview.

Most college students rent an apartment or house while attending school, usually with a roommate or two. The housing is often less than ideal, but it makes rent more affordable while you worry about mounting student debt and living expenses.

Finding a good apartment with a fair landlord isn’t easy. Landlords tend to be pretty selective when renting to college students, and rental properties surrounding college campuses are competitive. If you don’t move quickly, you’re likely to miss out on a good deal.

Learning the secrets is one of the best ways to get a good deal on your apartment. Here are some things landlords don’t want you to find out.

1. They’re making a lot of money on your rent.

The popularity of renting is increasing everywhere, but especially in college communities. Landlords can typically raise the rent on your property without ruffling too many feathers. The market is so competitive that incremental increases won’t stop the applications from coming in.

If you’re sharing the rent cost with three other people, the profits are even higher. Instead of charging one family $1,200 for a three bedroom unit, they charge each person $500, bringing their total to $1,500. And unless your contract stipulates differently, they can raise the rent on you at any time.

The best thing you can do is sign a contract that has your rent price locked in either until you move or for a lengthy period of time, such as two years.

2. The government regulates a lot of their processes.

Landlords will tell you things like no pets and no Section 8 housing vouchers. However, your local, state, or federal government might make a different mandate. If you present a doctor’s note stating that you need an emotional support animal, your landlord is legally obligated to allow it.

Research local government regulations surrounding rentals in your community. You might be surprised what you can do according to law, even if your landlord tells you no.

3. They often don’t know what they’re doing.

Although your landlord made you fill out a lengthy application with a background check and references, you don’t get to return the favor. In many cases, your landlord will be inexperienced at best, even though you have no way of knowing ahead of time.

Whether they’re renting until they can sell their house or they’re new investors without a clue, you’re stuck with this person as your landlord, even if they’re slow with repairs and don’t always adhere to rental laws.

Unfortunately, there’s very little government control over landlord affairs, which is how so many novice landlords get the job. However, you can discuss your options with an attorney or simply threaten to sue if they aren’t keeping their half of the bargain. No landlord wants a legal battle, so a well-founded threat often does the trick.

4. You have certain inviolate rights to your privacy.

It’s true that your apartment is the property of your landlord, which gives them certain rights to walk in at a given time. However, they are required by law to notify you within a reasonable amount of time before coming in.

Additionally, they cannot rifle through your things or take what’s yours. These privacy rights are founded by law no matter where you live.

5. This rental might be illegal.

You might consider checking the zoning laws of a potential residence before signing the lease. Zoning laws may prohibit residential or rental properties in a certain part of town, and if your landlord has ignored or is unaware of those laws, you could be living somewhere illegally.

While you won’t get in trouble if your landlord is discovered, you will have to move. Moving in the middle of a stressful semester at school is hardly worth the risk.

6. You can get your full deposit back as long as you meet the terms of your lease agreement.

Most renters are used to having a portion of their deposit deducted when they move out, and many landlords will take some of your deposit, even if they have no cause. However, you’re required by law to get your full deposit back if you don’t violate the lease. Usually, all you have to do is leave it clean and undamaged, and you’ll see the full check.

Furthermore, there are laws regulating the amount, and once in hand, the deposit is protected. It must go into a special account where it can’t be touched until you move out.

Unfortunately, some landlords ignore this rule, and you don’t always get your full deposit back as a result. If you’re concerned about it, ask your landlord what he does with your deposit before handing it over.

An informed tenant is more likely to get a good deal on their housing. Keep these secrets in mind as you go house hunting next semester!

Living in a dorm room is part of the quintessential college experience. It’s your first taste of living outside of your parent’s home and gives you a chance to taste freedom on a whole new level. You get the opportunity to live with another person your age, share the same experiences, set your own ground rules, and come and go when you please.

For all of the good that comes with living in your own space, being in a dorm room also has some responsibility attached to it. If you aren’t careful and proactive, bugs and pests will move in and call it home as well.

4 Tips for a Bug-Free Dorm Room

If you think about it, dorms aren’t the cleanest. Housing hundreds of young adults in close proximity for years at a time doesn’t exactly spell out sanitary. Apart from new construction, most dorms also have some issues – including problems that allow bugs and critters to find their way inside. Combine that with a lack of overall cleanliness from residents and you have a recipe for disaster.

The good news is that you do have some control over the state of your own room. If you and your roommate get on the same page, you should be able to keep bugs out and enjoy a clean, safe living environment. Here are some of the steps you’ll need to take:

1. Investigate Before Unpacking

“The best time to wage war on an intrusion is before it even starts,” blogger Cherise Threewitt advises. “As soon as you arrive in your new room, you should look carefully for any signs of a bug or rodent infestation. You’ll be able to see everything without any obstructions, and if there are any problems, they can be taken care of before bugs get a chance to nest in your stuff.”

This also pushes the responsibility for dealing with the bug infestation onto the dorm supervisor. You haven’t even moved in, so it isn’t your problem. They’ll either need to deal with it or put you in a new room.

2. Keep the Room Clean

Bugs like messes. Whether it’s leftover food, half-empty cans of soda, dirty clothes, or overflowing trash cans, clutter gives bugs something to hide in. Preventing trash and clutter from building up in your dorm room eliminates these opportunities and gives pests fewer places to call home. Your mother may not be around to remind you, but keep your room clean.

3. Think About What You Bring In

What are you bringing into your dorm room? While it’s nice to spruce up your room with some furniture and decorations, be wary of hauling in anything that could present an increased risk of an infestation. For example, thrift store furniture can be a good deal, but there’s typically a reason someone gave it away. Could it have bed bugs or other pests inside? Take extra precautions to make sure you aren’t unknowingly bringing bugs inside.

4. Deal With Pests ASAP

As soon as you notice that you have a bug problem, do something about it. Here are some suggestions for common pests:

• Ants: Get rid of all food and clean up any substances that may be attracting them. Next, put out ant traps. These traps will actually attract the ants and they’ll carry the deadly poison inside back to the colony.
• Moths: In some areas of the country, moths can be a big problem. If you notice a presence of them in your dorm room, invest in some non-toxic clothes moth traps and place them near the problem area. It’ll take a few weeks, but this should correct the problem.
• Bed Bugs: If you see signs of a bed bug infestation, don’t try to handle it on your own. Immediately contact your dorm supervisor to handle the problem.

Get Ahead of the Game

You can’t let a minor bug problem become a major catastrophe. As soon as you detect the presence of bugs, be on the lookout for more. If you discover – as is often the case – that the bug isn’t there in isolation, you’ll want to take proactive measures to address the problem at the source. The sooner you do this, the better your results will be.

After two or four long years of hard work, you’ve finally walked the walk and earned your diploma. You now have an opportunity to spread your wings and test your capacity to succeed, something that every college graduate has to go through before determining their career.

This is not a rite of passage that should be taken lightly. You have time to make your final decisions, but putter around. Consider a few important things after your diploma is in hand.

1. Send Gratitude

You know better than anyone how difficult it was to get to graduation. The countless hours of study, late nights, and exams take a lot of dedication and time on your part.

However, don’t forget the many people who helped you get there. Your parents or guardians, supportive relatives, friends, spouses, and others have probably been by your side the whole way. Think of a way to show your gratitude for everything they helped you accomplish.

2. Weigh Your Options

The next step immediately following graduation is to decide the next step. Most people have two options: get a job or seek further education. What you decide depends on your situation.

Perhaps you’re struggling with student debt, and you can’t prolong payments any longer. Or perhaps you’re burned out from school and need a break. Or maybe you want to pursue a master’s degree program that requires a few years of professional experience first. In these situations, finding a job and banking some money might be best.

If you’re seeking a higher earning potential or a career that requires further education, having a master’s degree is your next step. Most people don’t want to prolong their education unless they have to, so you might want to get it done. Weigh these two options and consider carefully before making your final decision.

3. Take a Gap Year

Some college graduates with a little flexibility and adequate money decide to take a gap year rather than working or furthering their education. Typically, a gap year is a break from school or your career used to explore your options. Most use the time to explore other cultures and/or workforces and travel.

If you’re really undecided about what you want to do, or you’re simply burnt out from school, a gap year can be an excellent third option. You’ll need adequate savings or a free place to stay before pursuing this route.

4. Save Some Money

If at all possible, use the time following college to build your savings. Did you know that nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults have less than $1000 in savings? Half of that number have no savings at all.

Having a little cash on hand will make several aspects of post-college life much easier. You’ll have the beginnings of a down payment for a home, an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, a start for retirement, and money saved for future education.

Saving money when you’re in debt from school and starting your career is not always the easiest, but you can develop a few spending and budgeting habits to make up the difference.

5. Take Grown Up Steps

When you’re finally done with school, it’s time to let go of some of your more childish habits. You’re entering the world of professionals, and your personal life should reflect that. Consider taking some of the following steps:

• Clean out your closet and purchase professional wear
• Memorize your social security number
• Get a gym membership
• Get a professional email address (non-school related)
• Update your social media accounts to be more professional

6. Start Your Own Business

Many post-college graduates are sickened by the idea of working in a corporate atmosphere. They’d prefer to be their own bosses, which means becoming a business owner.

Think outside the box when starting your business. You’re at somewhat of a disadvantage because you haven’t spent much time in the professional world. Try to find an undiscovered or underpopulated niche and fill it with your great idea.

Self-employment is an honorable goal, but it’s not for everyone. Some find that it’s difficult to stay motivated and keep up with the competition. If this is you, it’s not too late to pursue a career elsewhere.

7. Travel

Once you take a job, it becomes infinitely more difficult to travel, so take this time after graduation to see the world. Explore different cultures, see businesses in action, meet new people, and fill your cup with personal experiences.

Traveling can open your eyes to new opportunities and possibilities that you hadn’t yet considered. If your future is undecided, this can be a great step to get you where you want to be.

One of the most difficult parts of the transition to college coursework is making a plan to study efficiently. Once you decide on a handful of college options, and start thinking about a major, your next step should be rearranging your lifestyle to be conducive to studying; after all, it’s recommended that you spend two hours studying each week for every one credit hour of coursework you’re taking. And if you can’t find the right time or place to spend those hours, it might take you even longer to absorb the information you need.

Fortunately, there are several options for studying space available.

Key Factors to Consider

These are the main things you’re looking for in a studying space:

• Privacy is one of the most important factors in your study environment. You don’t want people bothering or interrupting you during your work.
• As much as you might think you like ambient noise, the truth is, most of us study better when there’s little to no noise. It’s virtually impossible to find a space with no noise at all, so look to locations with minimal outside noise, and use headphones to block out the rest.
• Depending on what you’re working on, you may need ample table space to spread out your books, notes, and other materials. This isn’t possible in some cramped environments.
• There’s evidence to suggest that ample lighting can improve memory and retention in classrooms; therefore, it’s better if you have a space that’s well-lit. You’ll be able to read and see your materials better, and possibly remember more of what you’re studying.
• This is usually a matter of personal preference, but you should also consider a space with resources you could use to facilitate better studying, such as books, coffee, and snacks.
• Obviously, you’ll want a space that’s easily accessible to you. That might mean close in proximity, or cheap (or preferably, free) to use.

Ideas for Private Studying Space

So what can you use to study?

1. The library. Libraries are a standby for studying for a reason. They’re quiet, they’re well-lit, they have reasonable open hours, and they’re filled with books and computers. If you’re in a library on campus, you’ll probably also find tables and workstations where you can set up and study efficiently. You may also be able to meet other students here, and combine your efforts to improve both of your retention.
2. A home office or basement. If you’re living at home, or off campus, you may also be able to utilize a home office space for your work—so long as it isn’t in an area of the home with heavy foot traffic, and doesn’t have many distractions, such as a TV. A basement can work equally well; it will be quieter, but you may need to provide additional lighting.
3. A shed. Though unconventional, studying in a shed may work out well, so long as you have the space for it. Since it’s away from the house, you’ll have a quieter place to do your studying, and as long as you install the right lighting and a good desk, you could study productively for hours. Best of all, sheds are relatively inexpensive, so it’s likely more cost-efficient to add a shed to your property than to install a new home office.
4. The outdoors. If you enjoy the outdoors, you could also study in the park, so long as there’s good weather. The natural light will be a perfect tool to help you read, the fresh air will make you more relaxed, and the only noises you’ll have to contend with are the wildlife around you. The biggest problem here is usually space; there aren’t typically desks in parks, and the wind may blow your notes away from you.
5. A café. Cafes are another popular studying destination. They’re well-lit, they offer plenty of studying space, and there’s an endless reservoir of coffee to keep you focused. The biggest downside with cafes is the level of noise you’ll have to put up with.
6. An unused classroom. Once you’re on campus, you can look around for an unused classroom to catch up on studying before or after class. These areas are well-lit, and custom-designed to facilitate learning, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better.
7. A bookstore. Bookstores offer many of the same advantages as libraries and cafes—especially if there’s a built-in café for your caffeinating pleasure. You’ll probably have a harder time finding a bookstore to study in than a library or café, however, so this one is dependent on your surroundings.

The “perfect” studying space doesn’t exist, so no matter which options you choose, you’ll have to deal with at least some disadvantages. Finding the strengths and weaknesses that best suit your studying style is one of the best approaches you can take here, so experiment with different locations until you find one or two that fit your needs.

As much as people would love to follow through with finishing their studies after enrolling in college, unfortunately, many people drop out.  This can be not only disappointing for their family and friends, but also for themselves.

While the reasons vary from person to person, usually it comes down to the same common circumstances.  Here are some of the biggest reasons why people drop out of college

Too Much Partying

Most people have heard about the epic parties that occur in college. This environment can be full of temptation and parties which are difficult to say no to.  While it’s certainly understandable why you’d want to have memorable experiences in college, it’s important to keep yourself in check. Too much partying leads to getting distracted from what you’re really there for, which is getting an education for your future.

In addition to distracting you from your studies, there are plenty of other drawbacks which have a negative impact on your life.  Heavy partying can lead to health problems and even getting into an accident.  It’s not worth the risk in the long run.

Social Pressure

Even though school is about getting an education, sometimes it can involve a lot more than simply arriving every day and learning.  There are all sorts of people that you have to interact with on a daily basis.

There can be social pressure and challenges which can present themselves in this kind of environment which some people simply aren’t cut out for.  Try as they may to tune out social pressures, sometimes it can become so overwhelming for some students that they lose interest in going to school altogether.

Lack Of Interest In Their Studies

Even though someone may have all the intentions in the world of doing their best in school, ultimately if their heart isn’t in it, they won’t last long. It can be extremely hard to try to focus and put your best effort into something which you have little to no passion for.

When you are truly invested in a subject you are enthusiastic about doing the work and showing up every day.  Even you don’t feel excited about your area of study then you may want to rethink your career path.

Not Enough Money

Unfortunately, not everyone can qualify for a scholarship or grant.  Some people simply don’t have the funds to be able to pay for their education.

When the price of school gets to the point where they can’t afford to eat or pay their rent they start to reconsider their path and opt to drop out altogether.  

Rather than letting yourself get to this point, consider applying for all the scholarships and grants that you can.  You may be surprised to find that you qualify for more than you think!

College is an amazing chapter in life to have the experience of writing. Things change drastically. Parents are no longer there to lay down the law. You begin to pay your own bills and make your own way in the world. You also find out it’s not as easy as your parents made it look.

Be that as it may, the larger role of going off to college is the schooling itself. This isn’t Kansas anymore. It’s not high school either. Waiting until the last minute and skipping unwanted assignments, here, could mean the loss of a career-changing degree.

If you have chosen to major in Accounting, it could mean that you give up on a much simpler path to a lucrative career. We’re not saying that being an accountant is for dummies. Math is quite a challenge for a lot of people, especially as Common Core takes over, but if you will invest time in the simple tips below, you could enjoy an easier path to a well-set life.

Study

This could be applied to any major. Studying is the number one thing that will get you through every test. The problem is, no one seems to have the time. Understandably, as a young adult, you may now work a full-time job to pay for college, have frat or sorority responsibilities, attend church services, and need time with your friends.

That’s beside classes, but that’s just life. You will have to find a way to schedule a time to study. If it makes it easier, you can even combine some things. For example, meet your friends at a local cafe and hang out over some mocha and deli sandwiches while crunching numbers for the final exam. You could even memorize accounting formulas while you are grocery shopping.

Sleep It Off

Ok. So, you are now well acquainted with the overloaded schedule you just signed up for. Where does sleep fall in? As young adults with this new found freedom, it will be incredibly tempting to skimp on the sleep. There is just so much to do.

Between homework and working a job, alone, you will have many full days already. With that said, who goes to college and doesn’t spend time hanging out with friends?! It’s true. You need the outlet, but you will need the sleep more. Sleep will help you regulate your moods, which will help fuel your motivation to keep pressing forward with your classes.

It makes focusing on what assets and liabilities are a whole lot easier. It also helps you keep up with the huge packed day-to-day schedule you have without forgetting any of it. Not to mention, sleep is necessary for overall health. If you miss too many classes because you are sick, you are bound to have difficulties passing the course.

Go to Class

That brings us to the last tip. Go to class! An accounting degree is a generally simple degree to earn, but only if you attend the classes. If you don’t know the difference between diversification and insolvency, it’s pretty difficult to present yourself as the man or woman for the job in the future. Not to mention, pass the exam.

There are times when we just can’t help but be absent. Sometimes, we are just too sick. Sometimes, we might have a boss who refuses to work with our schedule that day. Partying too hard the night before and sleeping off a hangover doesn’t count. (Just in case you were wondering.) In these cases, it’s recommended that you copy a classmate’s notes.

However, remember that there may be details that your classmate didn’t deem as important as you might have. Being present in the actual class just makes more sense and makes things ten times easier.  

An Accounting Degree is an amazing opportunity to continue a love affair with numbers for the rest of your life. Follow these simple tips above and the path to bliss will be much easier, too.

Head lice is just not a popular topic, but it’s something we have to discuss eventually. A college campus is a miniature self-contained city. The population per square mile of campus in some schools is greater than some of the biggest towns in the U.S.

With that said, that means there are a lot of heads in close proximity to each other. If you remember elementary school at all, you know that a head lice breakout is very frustrating, to say the least.

To top it off, they are very easily spread and most of the time you don’t know you have a problem until it’s spread through your entire family. College is no different, but there are a few things you can do to cut down your chances of meeting this unwanted parasite. Below are the top three.

Keep Your Clothing Separate

While in college, you will probably share your living quarters with one or two roommates. Sometimes more. As with any living arrangement, there will be routine rules and boundaries for everyone to respect.

One of them should be to make sure that each person has their own hamper for dirty clothes and their own dresser for clean clothes. Any clothing that you need to hang up should be separate from others, as well.

The reason for this is to reduce the chance that head lice will spread throughout your dorm should one of you come home with it. Keeping your clothing separate from everyone else’s will make sure pests don’t have access to you via a new outfit.  

Sharing Isn’t Always a Good Idea

This tip will mostly concern the ladies in college. Men, in general, don’t usually share brushes, combs, and headgear, but it won’t hurt to pay attention. Headgear includes hats, scarves, hoodies, pillows, headphones, hair accessories, and anything else that comes in contact with your head.

Also, make sure to stay away from head-to-head contact. This goes for the girly group selfies and the romantic kisses under the stars. Ladies and gentlemen, if your significant other picks up head lice, it’s really not the end of the world, but you may want to reconsider going in for that goodnight smooch.

Exercise Caution at the Gym

While you are young and full of vigor, visiting the gym either to workout on a regular basis with the girls or catch a game of paddle ball or basketball with the guys seems to be the thing to do in college.

It’s definitely not a bad habit to get into. With that said, the gym is not a place that most people think of contracting head lice. While it might be a less common option, it’s still a very viable possibility. In order to keep yourself lice free, we suggest bringing your own towel and having a personal locker in which to store your clothes and other belongings.

Simply using an open locker each visit leaves you open to the possibility that that used the locker before you had head lice and leaving your things in there afterward could leave you open to the pest.  

While head lice are an annoying parasite no bigger than an ant, they can cause problems that seem as big as the Titanic. Follow the tips above and greatly reduce your chances of ever having to deal with them.

If you’ve always wanted to have your own pet but couldn’t convince your parents to let you have one while still living at home, coming to college may be the perfect time for you to get experience caring for a pet of your own. However, just because you can get a pet now doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. So to help you make the best decision both for yourself and for your potential pet, here are three tips for caring for a pet while in college.

Make Sure You Have The Time To Spare

Before you go to the shelter or pet store to pick out a pet to adopt, it’s important that you really think about whether you have the time to spend on a pet. Many college students lead very busy lives. Not only do they have classes, but many also work or have busy social lives. According to Briana Trusty, a contributor to HerCampus.com, high-maintenance pets like cats and dogs need to be checked in on and cared for a lot during the day. If they don’t get the care or attention they need, they could act out. Smaller pets don’t require as much attention and time investment, but still need to be cared for adequately. So if you have very little time to spare, now might not be the best time to bring a pet into your life.

Set Up A Routine

Once you have a pet, setting up a routine that you’ll follow together can help make your lives a whole lot easier. According to Sophia Camaya, a contributor to TheOdysseyOnline.com, getting your pet, especially a dog or cat, onto a schedule or routine can help make their days much easier to manage with an owner being gone most of the day. Also, if you stick to your routines, you won’t have to worry too much about whether you’ll be able to make it home at a certain time for a feeding or to let your pet out since it’s already set into your routine. And if you’re not sure what a routine for a pet might look like, you can find a lot of examples online that you can then tweak for your individual needs.

Use Your Trial Period Wisely

When you choose to buy or adopt a pet, you can often be given a trial period where you are allowed to take the pet home to see if you’re a good match. During this time, Marcie Lucia, a contributor to College Magazine, recommends that you be honest about how the demands and needs of your pet will affect your daily life. If you come to find that having a pet right now just isn’t going to work for you, don’t feel bad about taking advantage of that trial period to give the pet back. It will be much better for both of you to have the time and attention you need in order to have a happy and healthy life.

If you’re considering getting a pet while in college, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you make the best decision for you and your future pet family.