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Kayley Loveridge

Get More Greens in Your Diet

Getting more greens in your diet is difficult when we’re met with negatively charged comments like “hippie” or “rabbit” every time we eat a carrot. We’ve all seen the looks on people’s faces when someone (bravely) announces their veganism or documents their diet progress. These attitudes tend to make us feel guilty for our food choices and can ultimately trick us into reverting into our old habits. The social stigma around healthy eating can be damaging to our relationship with food.

While college-living doesn’t exactly promote a healthy lifestyle, getting more greens into your diet is actually super simple—and super cheap. Greens in your diet fuel your late night study sessions far more efficiently than the sugar-rich concoction of Red Bulls and Mars bars, without the dirty sugar crash at the end. Excellent, so where do we begin?

Which greens?

The next time you’re at the supermarket, pick up dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, cabbage and collard greens. These are packed full of vital vitamins A, C and K, plus minerals including iron and calcium.

Unfortunately, salad favorite Iceberg Lettuce pales in comparison to these in terms of nutritional value. It’s made mainly of water, so in the attempt to top up on valuable nutrients, replace this traditional salad base with mild-tasting superfood spinach, instead.

You might also enjoy: Four Basic Yoga Poses

 

What do they do?

Vitamin C, you’ll be pleased to know, helps the body to produce collagen, which is the compound that keeps skin elastic, healthy and youthful looking, while good iron intake contributes to higher energy levels.

Leafy greens are a prime source of folate which reduces the risk of memory loss. Folate also contributes to the brain’s production of serotonin—the “happy” compound in the brain—ultimately helping to stave off bouts of depression and anxiety.

The high fiber content of leafy greens also helps to lower the cholesterol we’re so frequently warned of working on, too.

And (as if you needed any more reason to get more greens into your diet) they are full of phytochemicals, like beta-carotene, that have been found to have disease preventative properties. Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD, a professor of nutrition at Andrews University, reported that a Swedish study found that eating three or more servings of leafy greens a week reduced the risk of stomach cancer.

 How to get more greens into your diet

One of the most common reasons students steer clear of greens is their strong, distinctive flavor. The good news is that you can include all of these greens into your diet without really tasting them at all.

Our favorite ways of getting greens into your diet include:

1. Drinking greens by throwing a generous handful of spinach into morning smoothies. We love frozen banana and spinach with almond milk and hemp seeds.

2. Wilting kale in lasagne sauce mix for an almost invisible nutrient fix

3. Chopping dark leaf cabbage into thin slices to add to hearty winter soup

4. Mixing any greens of choice into that morning omelette (protein AND essential vitamins in one!)

How do you like to get greens in your diet? Let College News know!

10 Best Books of 2016

On the tenth day of Christmas, CN gave to me, 10 best books of 2016!

As the year comes to a close and you finally have time to unwind and read for pleasure, College News brings you the gift of the best 10 books of 2016. From dramas to the downright surreal, you’d be mad not to pick up one of these reads.

1. When Breath Becomes Air—Paul Kalanithi

To begin our 10 best books of 2016 list, this thought-provoking biographic farewell memoir, published posthumously, is an insight into one dying surgeon’s thoughts on life and death. Kalanithi died at the age of 37 from metastatic lung cancer. Gripping throughout, this novel won the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Memoir and Autobiography.

2. The Girls—Emma Cline

Published in July 2016 and ranking high on our list, one of our best books of 2016 is The Girls, by American author Emma Cline. 14-year-old narrator Evie Boyd develops an obsession with an older girl who leads her down a dangerous path of sex, drugs and violence, getting caught up in a soon-to-be infamous cult.

3. Sweetbitter—Stephanie Danler

Danler’s Sweetbitter is a documentation of a year-in-the-life of protagonist, Tess, as she gets a job as a waitress at a famous New York restaurant. Her appetite for all things culinary grow as does her love for fellow waiter while she becomes emotionally attached to an older “mom” figure.

4. The Vegetarian—Han Kang

Set in South-Korea, a woman’s sudden conversion to vegetarianism after she has a violent and bloody dream, “The Vegetarian” is a tale of family disintegration. In her husband’s words she is, “completely unremarkable in every way”. She stabs herself in revolt after her father tries to force feed her pork and this sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Surprising and unexpected, this is a thriller not to miss as 2016 comes to a close.

5. What is not Yours is not Yours—Helen Oyeyemi

Heralded as “transcendent” by the New York Times Book Review, number five in our 10 best books of 2016 list is “What is not Yours is not Yours”, a collection of short stories. An exquisite series of prose that intertwine with each other as you read on, these tales refreshingly defy direction and expectation, confusing and defining a new realm of beauty. A must-have for the escapist.

6. The Lonely City—Olivia Laing

“The Lonely City” shortlisted for the 2016 Gordon Burn Prize. Another biography that’s made our best books of 2016 list, Laing’s novel explores what it means to be lonely after moving to New York City and finding herself experiencing profound loneliness. She deals with and explores this feeling by way of art. A profound read, one for those searching intrinsically for the meaning of being human.

7. The Underground Railroad—Colsen Whitehead

The tale of a woman slave coming into womanhood, Cora and a new arrival to the cotton plantation on which she works decide to take the terrifying risk and escape through the Underground Railroad. Faced with dangerous obstacles, will they free themselves from their nightmare? A troubling and unforgettable read.

8. Harry Potter and the Cursed child theatre play—Jack Thorne/J.K. Rowling

Of course we’d throw in a Harry Potter read for our best books of 2016 list! Different in style, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is actually the published version of the theatre play currently showing in London’s west end. Set in the future, Harry is an overworked employee at the Ministry of Magic, struggling with the inherited family legacy that he never chose. An obvious choice for Potter fans everywhere.

9. The Sellout—Paul Beatty

This satirical novel is the story of a young man and his isolated childhood; the novel challenges the United States constitution, the tenuous grapple of racial equality, a father-son relationship and the civil rights movement. Gripping at every turn, it’s no wonder The Sellout made number nine on our best books of 2016 list! 

10.  A Christmas Carol—Charles Dickens

And last but not least, although not published in 2016 (in fact published in 1843!), we thought “what is a ‘best books of 2016’ list in winter without a Christmas story to boot?” For number 10, we’ve chosen this beloved classic novel by Charles Dickens that tells the tale of a bitter old man whose lack of generosity gives him a reputation in his town. Met with the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future during the night of Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted with the sights of a bleak and lonely future if he doesn’t change his ways. A Christmas miracle is born when this notoriously beguiled man becomes the cheer of the town.

That’s our best books of 2016 list for you—was your favorite listed here?

Looking for entertainment? Read: Nine Best Christmas Movies

Eight Best Gifts for College Students

On the eighth day of Christmas, CN gave to me, eight gifts for college students!

When the Secret Santa tradition calls, we’ve got you with these fab gifts for college students!

The business student

If there’s any college student that “dresses to impress”, it’s the business student. Suits aren’t just for meetings; they’re swell classroom attire too, don’t you know? Simple yet great gifts for college students who study business are ties. Add a splash of color and personality to your pal’s wardrobe this holiday season for something that lasts year-round. Leather-bound organizers are a sophisticated accessory for remembering meeting and deadline dates—a great stocking-filler, too. For something personal, gift them with a business-card holder, embossed with their initials.

The foreign languages student

Guten tag, hola, bonjour! If you have spare cash in your wallet, then nothing can beat a trip to Europe, obviously (one can hope!). But for something a little less expensive, other stellar gifts for college students who study languages include a monthly magazine subscription written in their language of choice. Bring foreign language fun to the dorm and pepper their fridge with language magnets for sentence structure games to do before breakfast.

The literature student

Literature students will attest that books are not just for the study room but a place for escape; a place where imagination takes centre stage. The library is to the bookworm what a candy-shop is to children. Yes, books are read for “fun”, too! Gifts for college students who studies literature include limited-edition run of the works of their favorite poet for something sentimental. Or perhaps give their couch personality and buy—or make—cushion covers with printed quotes or depictions of their favorite characters (Harry Potter, anyone?)

Need book gift inspiration? Read: 10 Best Books of 2016

 

The science student

Curious about the world around them, the science student is bound by their desire to learn as much as they can about the universe they live in. Whether they’re into astronomy or neuroscience, there’s plenty of fun, science-themed gifts for the scientist of the group. DNA and molecule-themed jewelry is sold all over the internet, ranging from serotonin and dopamine through to chocolate and caffeine. Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time” is a wildly fascinating read and very easily accessible; a gift that will definitely be appreciated.

The music student

Famous writer Jack Kerouac once said, “The only truth is music”, and you can bet your music-loving friend feels the same way. Let them know you’re thinking about them this Christmas with a customized guitar pick; perfect whether they play guitar or just for a sweet keepsake. For something super personal, gifts for college students who practice music could include sheet music to their favorite song in a frame; cheap and effective, what’s not to love?

The art student

Who inspires your favorite artist to pick up a brush? Dali? Monet? Da Vinci? Replica prints are readily available and will brighten up any artist’s studio. These prints can be found in art galleries and boutique art shops all over the country at just a fraction of the actual painting’s cost and will be hugely appreciated gifts for college students who love art. The fantastic thing about buying for art students, is that the possibilities are, quite literally, endless. Go beyond the generic “pens and paper” idea and buy your secret Santa nominee an artist’s apron with pockets for their brushes. Etsy is your friend when it comes to artsy gifts; go for a quirky iPhone case accessory with a faux water color palette design.

The history student

Take the historian deep into the darkest depths of Paris’ catacombs—all from the comfort of their couch. The English-translated version of “Catacombs of Paris” by venerable author, Gilles Thomas, is a must-have for anyone interested in France’s rich history. Perhaps ancient Egypt is where their interests lie? The Rosetta Stone was a decree issued on behalf of King Ptolemy V in Memphis, Egypt in 196 BC. A Rosetta Stone designed USB stick is not only an excellent accessory, they’re also useful for all of those lengthy history papers!

Last but not least—gifts for college students studying math

There’s lots of gifts to choose from when buying for the mathematician of the bunch. A mug with a fiercely difficult algebra equations printed onto them make an obvious choice, while jewelry with the pi symbol make a great stocking filler for the ladies. Etsy is definitely your friend here.

Want other ways to give back this season? Read: Seven Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

Nine Best Christmas Movies

On the ninth day of Christmas, CN gave to me, nine best Christmas movies!

Cozying up in bed is one of our favorite feats of the holiday season, and doing so with these nine best Christmas movies lined up to fill your days is even better! For the lovers of all-things-Santa, get into the festive spirit with these old and new, sometimes cheesy, sometimes tear-jerking, always wonderful festive classics and have yourself a very merry Christmas!

1. Elf (2003)

On a mission to find his real father in big old New York City, an elf travels from Santa’s grotto in the North Pole to find things aren’t quite the same in the big apple. With the protagonist (Will Ferrell) reminding us to have fun and release our inner child from time to time, Elf makes our list as one of the nine best Christmas movies of all time.

2. Family Stone (2005)

This festive comedy drama is set in the Stone household, a family of liberals, who are host to their uptight guest (Sarah Jessica Parker) who jolts the family out of kilter. Fun viewing for the holidays, why not give this one a go?

3. The Holiday (2006)

Done with men, two women from America and the UK exchange households for the Christmas period to get some much-needed alone time. Little do they know that these man-free zones are exactly where they need to be to find the true love they never imagined to exist. This uplifting film is high on our list of the nine best Christmas movies—a definite must-watch.

4. Joyeux Noël (2005)

The infamous tale of the Christmas truce of Christmas Day in 1914, WW1 sets the scene for this powerful film. Starring Daniel Brühl and Diane Kruger, prepare to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas with our fourth best Christmas movie.

5. A Christmas Carol (1938)

Well, it’d be rude not to have this Dickensonian classic make our list of nine best Christmas movies, wouldn’t it? When Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future on Christmas eve, his sudden generous and kind behavior is nothing short of a miracle to all in his town.

Set the festive mood with: Three Ways to use Lighting this Christmas with John DeCosmo

 

6. Polar Express (2004)

This stunning animation follows a group of children who board a mysterious train and have their beliefs in Santa Clause confirmed. Tom Hanks stars as the voice of several characters in this venerable film, including the conductor, narrator and Santa Claus. Get comfy and revel in this Christmas tale.

7. Home Alone (1990)

Making number seven in our best Christmas movies is this annual must-watch; a heartwarming drama about a boy who is left behind during Christmas while his family go on vacation. The untimate kids fantasy, Kevim can eat and do whatever he likes, but finds himself the protector of the house, inventing traps for a pair of doofus burglars.

8. The Chronicals of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Did you ever read this book as a child? This screen adaptation takes its protagonists, four siblings, into a fantasy world through the wardrobe of a spare bedroom. They must save Narnia from the evil White Queen and its perpetual winter. This dazzling interpretation of the much-loved literature classic holds a special place in our best Christmas movies list.

9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

A quintessential Christmas movie, Kris Kringle, a department store Santa, claims he is actually the real Santa Claus after all. Subject to abuse and disbelief, he must prove himself to New York City and a young girl who has lost the true meaning of Christmas in this perennial classic.

Did any of your favorite Christmas movies make our list? Tell us what we’re missing out on!

You might also enjoy: Seven Best Films to Watch on a Rainy Day

Trivium Release Rare Demo "The Storm" Weeks Before Ab Initio Reissue

Trivium are set to release a reissue of their debut, Ember to Inferno: Ab Initio on Dec. 7. The album itself would not only pavd a new sound in the metal scene, it would also set a precedence for the musical direction the band would take in the future. Teasing diehard fans across the globe, they’ve released a rare demo of the track “The Storm” to whet their appetites. College News talks to vocalist, Matt Heafy, about the track and the story behind this rerelease.

College News: Hi Matt! Trivium has just released instant-grat track “The Storm” from Ember to Inferno: Ab Initio; a very rare, early demo—why this track?
Matt Heafy:
Ab Initio is Latin for “”From The Beginning””. This compilation release is meant to bring listeners back to the very beginnings of Trivium up until the moments before Ascendancy was released. The first piece we released was “”Pillars of Serpents””, one that diehard old-school fans certainly will be familiar with. But with “”The Storm””, it was only available on the Blue Album—our local, unsigned album that is very rare—one that we recorded in 2002/2003. I felt this track would be quite an eye-opener to people unfamiliar with our early years.

CN: Where did the inspiration for “The Storm” come from? I get a sense of Shogun here!
MH:
You nailed it on the head! Since I’ve been revisiting each of the releases included on Ab Initio, I can absolutely see how “”The Storm”” is the blueprint and foreshadowing for what Trivium would be doing in the future with an album or a song like “”Shogun””. I am very happy to see the early days were such an appropriate indicator for what Trivium would be forever.

CN: What’s the thought process behind the decision to reissue Ember to Inferno: Ab Initio?
MH:
Ember to Inferno, when initially released, was almost unavailable anywhere due to not having proper distribution worldwide. When Lifeforce fixed its distribution, the album was then locatable, but soon the deal expired and I inherited the rights to the album back. I knew that I wanted to wait till just the right time to have Ember back out, but with unreleased material surrounding it that would show people the evolution of Trivium’s early years.

CN: Never heard-before tracks will be issued alongside Ember to Inferno—what can you tell us about these?
MH:
The Red Album is a three song album we tracked when I was about 15 years old, back in 2001. Even with these three classic, unheard-before songs, you can see the initial blueprint for what Trivium would be doing for the rest of its career. The Blue Album is a pretty damn good sounding “”demo”” that we did to sell locally at shows we would play while still unsigned. The four tracks on Blue that reappear on Ember I actually feel sound better on Blue than even Ember. The Yellow Album is the three-song demo that got Trivium signed to Roadrunner after Roadrunner expressed initial interest through hearing Ember to Inferno. 

CN: Ember to Inferno really put Trivium on the map as far as metal is concerned, and really inspired a new genre that would set a precedent in the alternative scene. Tell us about the creative process behind this album?
MH:
The secret to Ember’s writing was that we just made exactly what we wanted to hear. We didn’t think within the confines of appeasing or displeasing anyone; we had no fans so we just made the music we wanted to listen to. I allow myself to be inspired by everything—and Ember is obviously influenced by so much more than just one genre or a small handful of bands. 

CN: Would you ever play the whole album through in a future tour? Are you writing any new material at the moment and what can we expect from Trivium in the future?
MH:
I doubt we would play JUST Ember from start to finish, but we absolutely always have several Ember songs ready to go for a tour. Whether playing one or two in a set list, we have quite a bit of the tracks ready to go at all times. Right now, the only plan for Trivium is the upcoming European tour at the beginning of next year.

You’ll also enjoy: Megadeth Close Dystopia Tour

Two Alternatives to Christmas Pudding

On the second day of Christmas, CN gave to me, two alternatives to Christmas pudding!

The flaming alcohol-soaked pudding may be a spectacular centre-of-the-table event in families across the country, but we’d wager that there’s more of you who dislike the traditional Christmas pudding than would care to admit. For our second day of Christmas treat, we’ve got two alternatives to the traditional Christmas pudding and recipes to go along with it. Impress the family come Christmas break and get in that all-important Christmas table vote. We should warn you that these delectable alternatives to the traditional Christmas pudding are calorific (but delicious!) and while we’ve encouraged your healthy living this past year, if you can’t indulge during the holidays, when can you?

Mini chocolate Christmas pudding

Not quite ready to completely alter the Christmas aesthetic of the dinner table? Our twist on BBC Goodfood’s chocolate pudding dressed in traditional Christmas pudding clothing is the perfect deceit.

What you’ll need
100g chopped dark chocolate
100g butter
150g soft brown sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
50g plain flour
Icing sugar
Cherry compote

How to do it
Melt the dark chocolate and butter in a bowl over boiling water and stir until smooth. Once fully melted, set the bowl aside for 15 minutes and allow it to cool down.

Mix sugar and eggs into the mixture one at a time, add the flour and then the vanilla extract before separating into 12 cake holders.

Bake the mini alternatives to Christmas pudding in the oven for around 10-12 minutes to ensure the inside remains squidgy and chocolatey.

Mix the icing sugar with water until the consistency is thick and pour over the puddings for a traditional aesthetic. Top with cherry compote for the perfect finish!

For more inspiration, visit: BBC Goodfood

You might also enjoy: 11 Ways to Celebrate Christmas 

 

Ice-Cream pudding with frozen fruits

This scrumptious delight is a colorful and adventurous alternative to the traditional Christmas pudding. Inspired by the Smiling Chef (Brendon), the non-conventional ice-cream pudding is topped with frozen fruits in a range of festive colors in-keeping with the traditional theme. Excite your guest’s palates with our fruity ice-cream pudding with frozen fruits.

What you need
A freezer-safe bowl and cling-film
1 liter of vanilla ice-cream (Brendon suggests to use whole-fat ice-cream as low-fat tends to have a lot of air pumped inside—meaning less ice-cream in your pudding after melting!)
125 grams of frozen strawberries (Brendan uses blueberries and raspberries)
125 grams of frozen kiwis
125 grams of crumbled chocolate brownie
100 grams of milk, dark or white chocolate (whatever you prefer)
Edible glitter (it’s Christmas, after all!)

We’d suggest prepping this ice-cream pudding the night before the big event to leave plenty of time for other festivities.

How to do it
Pull ice-cream out of the freezer for 15 minutes to allow it to soften.

Line the freezer-safe bowl with the cling film.

Pour softened ice-cream into the bowl along with crushed chocolate brownie and mix; press down with a spoon afterwards to make the mixture compact.

Leave in freezer and remove the next morning.

Drizzle the melted chocolate of your choice onto the inverted cake and pile on the frozen fruits.

Add some edible glitter for that festive aesthetic and you have the perfect alternative to traditional Christmas pudding!

To see what the Smiling Chef is cooking up this Christmas, visit: Cooking with The Smiling Chef

What are your favorite alternatives to the Christmas Pudding?

Get dressed for dinner: Holiday Fancy Dress

Four Basic Yoga Poses

On the fourth day of Christmas, CN gave to me, four basic yoga poses!

These cold months can play havoc with our muscles and they do nothing to inspire our workout routine, “why on earth would we want to practice basic yoga poses?” I hear you say. “We’d rather curl up under the covers with a hot water bottle, thank you very much.”

Yoga can help relieve stress after months of exam preparation, it calms the mind, body and soul and can be done right from the comfort of your own home. Committing to a yoga practice can be hugely beneficial. It is suggested that regular practice in yoga is advantageous for those with high blood-pressure, those who suffer from depression and for the relief of migraines, aches and pains. All great reasons for you to get on the mat!

In my quest to keep you warm, I’ve compiled four of my favorite basic yoga poses to release tension and keep muscles warm this winter. Combined, these poses make for a great mini yoga flow that can be mixed up with variations to set you up for the upcoming festivities. Still not convinced? Give these four basic yoga poses a try!

Basic yoga poses to try at home

 

Downward Dog
Adho mukha svanasana (better known as downward dog) is excellent for stretching and strengthening the shoulders and legs. This basic pose is a transitory pose and will come up in every yoga class at least once.

If you need any extra reason to give this a go, Rebecca Tung, MD, a dermatologist at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago says, “The added blood flow to your face and brain, combined with the requisite focus on your practice, add a boost in terms of a youthful dewy afterglow and calmer overall expression.” (Yay!)

Stretch arms up towards the ceiling and hold here for a few breaths. Roll the arms and spine down until your hands are touching the floor. Step one foot back at a time, hip-width apart, until you find yourself in a “V” shape, bum in the air. Ensure that the spine and legs are straight and push heels back onto the mat as much as possible, holding here for a few breaths.

To flow into the following basic yoga pose, lower and straighten your back into (the dreaded) plank pose before dropping your chest onto the mat.

Upward facing dog
This basic yoga pose’s traditional Sanskrit name is Urdhva Mukha Svanasana and is especially good for strengthening the arms and back and opening the chest—great for those who sit hunched over desks all day.

Moving from downward dog, root the tops of the feet into the mat, push your body up with your arms, keeping them straight. Push the chest out and lift so that your legs are floating above the mat. Hold for several breaths allowing your body to sink into this great backbend.

Mermaid Pose
The mermaid pose is as majestic as it sounds. This powerful basic yoga pose is traditionally called Eka Pada Rajakapotasana and it’s terrific for strengthening the core and lower back and expanding and creating space throughout the front of the body.

Remember when I told you that downward dog is a transitory pose? To get into mermaid pose from upward facing dog, tuck your toes under and push your hips up and back into downward dog.

Lift your right leg up and back then pull it between your hands bending deeply at the knee. Rest the top of your left leg onto the mat, straight and stretched back. Breathe here for a moment then bend the left leg upwards holding with your left hand.

Slide the left foot up inside the left arm until it finds a place in the elbow crease. Raise your right arm and reach for the left until your hands are holding in a bind. Release the bind and the left leg after a few breaths, push back into downward dog and repeat the motion with your right leg!

Chair pose
Chair pose—or Utkatasana—is a pose that focuses on strengthening the thigh muscles and stimulates the diaphragm, heart and abdominal organs.

To get into this basic yoga pose (you guessed it) push your hips up and back into the final downward dog of this sequence. Step your feet forward towards your hands and stand tall reaching your arms to the ceiling above your head.

Keeping your arms stretched above your head, bend your knees until into a right angle, keeping your back straight and hold here for a few breaths. Pull your hands down into prayer and twist your torso to the left and then right, looking up over your shoulder for a powerful spine-twist variation which will strengthen the back.

These four basic yoga poses will have a great impact on your blood flow, increasing alertness and feelings of energy if practiced regularly —perfect for the busy holiday season!

You might also enjoy: Winter Workout Routine

College Textbooks Make Way for College Tutor!

In the old days, carrying multiple thick and heavy textbooks in our rucksacks was close to breaking our backs. Money is a prime cause for concern for around 70 percent of college students in America. The cost of textbooks puts a strain on the finances of students, so isn’t it more financially viable to use e-text books, instead? Luckily for us and students for generations to come, the modern world relies on the use of highly accessible technology. Technology has changed the way we connect with each other, the way we socialize, the way we buy, and perhaps more significantly, the way we learn. Amelox brings you College Tutor, an online learning experience that acts as a supplement for studying.

Using the latest e-learning technology in the classroom breaks the traditional, passive model of learning into an interactive, engaging and encouraging one. The truth is, e-learning prepares the student for their career with the use of technology which has become integral in the workplace and the management of daily tasks.

Studies have shown that students tend to respond less favorably to traditional methods of study, including reading the text five times and highlighting paragraphs in textbooks. In fact, did you know that both methods have been cited as an ineffective way to study? Professor Dunlovsky, of Kent State University, published a study in Psychological Science. The study found that students who highlighted relevant paragraphs in a textbook actually only focused on one module point at a time, instead of integrating the information they learn into a “larger whole.” This hinders their entire understanding of the study material. The study also found that the recall of the material was low, around 25 percent.

This is where e-learning and Amelox’s impressive online program, College Tutor, comes in. Founded in 1989, Amelox’s reputation in the e-textbook industry is rising fast, proving time and time again its effectiveness for the success of the students who use it. Using College Tutor helps to ensure an optimum learning experience when using the included Universal Study Guide for effective learning.

Using a singular device with a program that is designed to engage its student, the College Tutor significantly reduces the risks of bad study habits and the number of expensive books one has to buy. The College Tutor is self-directed and low in price with no annoying extra-cost surprises. Written by knowledgeable professionals, College Tutor promises a 90 percent pass rate. Like carrying a personal tutor with you at all times, the program explores a range of topics for the student and academic alike to choose from. The College Tutor textbooks can be either supplementary, tutoring, or replace printed editions.

Covering a range of comprehensive subjects, College Tutor consistently updates and integrates new modules into their offerings to help ensure efficient learning. For students, it covers subjects for high school and college preparatory subjects, including calculus, biology, chemistry, and American history. Furthermore, College Tutor also covers career and license preparation subjects such as psychiatric mental health nursing, medical terminology, and real estate agent and broker license preparation.

An interactive e-learning experience, Amelox’s College Tutor is a must-have supplement to studying and a successful career. Flexible in nature, the program focuses on the end-goal as opposed to how much time it takes the student to get there. Learning at a pace beyond personal comfort is potentially detrimental to the learning experience and this program eliminates that when you follow the instructions in the Study Guide. College Tutor offers an invaluable try-before-you-buy experience that allows the user to try the product for free and then decide how this can help ace those difficult exams.
With a focus on quality, Amelox works closely with its programmers to ensure bug-free programs for convenient and trustworthy use. Amelox ensures its content is approved by such bodies as the federal states Common Core Standards (CCSS) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

So the next time you think about picking up that highlighter, or when you think that reading the text five times does the trick, or when you’re about to go buy those expensive heavy textbooks, think twice and go for Amelox’s College Tutor and take advantage of the competitively priced e-books!

Click here and learn more about Amelox and College Tutor. 

You may also enjoy: What to Do After Graduation

Get Confident with BakBlade

With school now in full swing, it’s time to look and feel your very best with BaKblade. You’ve tanned all summer and spent time working hard in the gym. You’ve worked all your life for that spot on the college team as an athlete. You are looking pretty good, if you must say so yourself! You are excited to finally have the freedom that you have been waiting for since you just moved into your new dorm and are ready to start off your college experience right. It’s that time that you and the guys have been looking forward to: it’s time to throw your very first fraternity party. Sorority girls, cheerleaders and the football team will be attending, the guests are beginning to arrive to your party and excitement is definitely in the air. 

The dreaded back hair

This is a new and exciting time and you want everything to be perfect. You’re about to go outside, you want one last look at yourself, flexing in the mirror turning from front to back and you see the unsightly thick hair all over your back. “OMG, this is not happening to me right now!” First impressions are everything and you don’t want to be “that guy” that reminds the girls of their furry pet back at home or the big stuffed bear sitting on their dorm bed. There’s no need to worry, this little problem can be taken care of quickly and in the privacy of your own bathroom with BaKblade. You’ve got this!

BaKblade is the product for you

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Trivium Share Early Demo “The Storm” from Ember to Inferno: Ab Initio Reissue

Trivium are set to release a reissue of their debut, Ember to Inferno: Ab Initio on Dec. 2 via Cooking Vinyl. First released in 2003, the album itself would not only pave a new sound in the metal scene, it would also set a precedence for the musical direction the band would take in the future. Teasing die hard fans across the globe, they’ve released a rare demo of track “The Storm” to whet their appetites (see below). College News talks to vocalist, Matt Heafy, about the track and the story behind this rerelease. 

C​ollege​ News: Hi Matt! Trivium has just released instant-grat track “The Storm” from Ember to Inferno: Ab Initio;  a very rare, early demo—why this track?

Matt Heafy: Ab Initio is Latin for “From The Beginning”. This compilation release is meant to bring listeners back to the very beginnings of Trivium up until the moments before Ascendancy was released. The first piece we released was “Pillars of Serpents”, one that die hard old-school fans certainly will be familiar with. But with “The Storm”, it was only available on the Blue Album—our local, unsigned album that is very rare—one that we recorded in 2002/2003. I felt this track would be quite an eye-opener to people unfamiliar with our early years. 

“I am very happy to see the early days were such an appropriate indicator for what Trivium would be forever.”— Matt Heafy

 

CN: Where did the inspiration for “The Storm” come from? I get a sense of Shogun here!

MH: You nailed it on the head! Since I’ve been revisiting each of the releases included on Ab Initio, I can absolutely see how “The Storm” is the blueprint and foreshadowing for what Trivium would be doing in the future with an album or a song like “Shogun”. I am very happy to see the early days were such an appropriate indicator for what Trivium would be forever. 

CN: What’s the thought process behind the decision to reissue Ember to Inferno: Ab Initio?

MH: Ember to Inferno, when initially released, was almost unavailable anywhere due to not having proper distribution worldwide. When Lifeforce fixed its distribution, the album was then locatable, but soon the deal expired and I inherited the rights to the album back. I knew that I wanted to wait till just the right time to have Ember back out, but with unreleased material surrounding it that would show people the evolution of Trivium’s early years. 

CN: Never heard-before tracks will be issued alongside Ember to Inferno—what can you tell us about these?

MH: The Red Album is a three song album we tracked when I was about 15 years old, back in 2001. Even with these three classic, unheard-before songs, you can see the initial blueprint for what Trivium would be doing for the rest of its career. The Blue Album is a pretty damn good sounding “demo” that we did to sell locally at shows we would play while still unsigned. The four tracks on Blue that reappear on Ember I actually feel sound better on Blue than even Ember. The Yellow Album is the three-song demo that got Trivium signed to Roadrunner after Roadrunner expressed initial interest through hearing Ember to Inferno.  

“I allow myself to be inspired by everything”—Matt Heafy 

 

CN: Ember to Inferno really put Trivium on the map as far as metal is concerned, and really inspired a new genre that would set a precedent in the alternative scene. Tell us about the creative process behind this album?

MH: The secret to Ember’s writing was that we just made exactly what we wanted to hear. We didn’t think within the confines of appeasing or displeasing anyone; we had no fans so we just made the music we wanted to listen to. I allow myself to be inspired by everything—and Ember is obviously influenced by so much more than just one genre or a small handful of bands.  

CN: Would you ever play the whole album through in a future tour? Are you writing any new material at the moment and what can we expect from Trivium in the future?

MH: I doubt we would play JUST Ember from start to finish, but we absolutely always have several Ember songs ready to go for a tour. Whether playing one or two in a set list, we have quite a bit of the tracks ready to go at all times. Right now, the only plan for Trivium is the upcoming European tour at the beginning of next year.  

Listen to “The Storm” here: 

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