By Katy Krieger

Spring Break is right around the corner and many people want to return next term revived and ready to rumble! In honor of this idea, I have put together a list of ways to restyle your life.

Fashion week showed that slicked back hairstyles are on trend for all genders so give this look a try by polishing up your locks. Also, try lightening your hair color for something new (the honey hues will add some warmth and golden tones will pop out after being drab during winter)

Invest in some brightly colored kicks to draw attention to your feet as you hike around campus- might I suggest a personal favorite of mine which are TOMS http://www.toms.com/

Add some drama to your living quarters with a graphic new rug or chair (psssttt IKEA trip anyone?)

Download new and free apps on your smartphone to organize your life because there are some great ones out there that go beyond the simple calendar or alarm

Take inspiration from Beyoncé and go vegan/vegetarian for a while to add some new foods into your life and cut down on your environmental footprint

Join a social media challenge that fits what part of your life you want to change- personally I join the fashion challenges on Instagram that give you a new direction each day to take your style in such as stripes one day and an old world glamour look the next

Stretch it out, no seriously I mean literally stretch it out because we can get tight and wound up all day so giving our bodies a chance to reset itself is a very easy way to balance everything

Commit to an item or two on your bucket list so that you can really feel like you are starting the term off by accomplishing some wonderful things (bonus points if you get others to check off their lists as well)

Donate some of your old clothes or textiles, give a few hours to a local group serving the community or help a neighbor with their spring cleaning so that your change reaches more than just you

I hope these tips can help you reboot things and as you do remember the following, “Keep it Simple”!

By Katy Krieger

As we finish up the term it is often a time to relax our shoulders a bit or want to shrug off final projects and exams. DON’T GIVE IN! Many of you started the term strong and that’s how you should all end it. Here are some tried and true tips to finishing up your courses before heading off to Spring Break.

Try reorganizing, rearranging or redecorating your room or living arrangements: Often times we get stuck looking at the same things over and over again and it can be not only a nice change but also a new way to gain perspective.

Make meals ahead of time and stockpile your freezer: Aim to make a bigger meal that will last you through dead week or finals weeks (try veggie lasagna or a crockpot meal) because we often spend time during the week planning and preparing meals that could be put towards studying or we let our healthy eating go and replace it with fast food which is not good for your brain to run on.

Dress it up: Looking good can relate to feeling better or more positive about your environment so instead of grabbing sweats all week try to put in a few more minutes with your wardrobe and add some pizzazz to your look (plus all those compliments will put a smile on that stressed out face).

Plan mini breaks: If we go strong all the time we will find ourselves run down and tired so make sure you schedule in some free time for your brain to reset itself.

Keep up the exercise: Always stay on track with working out or being active because it will greatly improve your mood and you’ll be motivated to rock your exams and your yoga class.

Make a playlist: Music can really set your mind up in a particular place so identify (1) what you are doing like studying biology versus writing a history paper and (2) a genre, artist or band that fits what you want.

Work on a variety of projects not  just one: Don’t just focus on one subject for hours on end but instead work piece by piece through your assignments prioritizing what is due first or what final comes early in the week.

Know your resources: Office hours are still available, form a study group or pair up with someone in class to work, visit the writing center or a tutor for an extra set of eyes on a paper and definitely access the free events/lectures/CAPS/puppies in the quad/pancake breakfasts on campus.

Good luck to everyone on your final weeks of winter term and whatever you do make sure you finish how you started STRONG!

By David Nauss

This past term, as part of the requirements to graduate from Oregon State with a degree in Political Science, I have been interning at the State Capitol for Senator Brian Boquist of Dallas. This internship has been an amazing experience and I am going to tell you all a little bit about how I got the internship, what I have been doing and lastly some advice for those reading who are looking for an internship.

I had been applying to many different law firms looking for an internship but nothing was very successful. I had received a few interviews but did not receive any offers so I decided to broaden my search. At about this time as well, I became very good friends and roommates with one of Senator Boquist’s sons. He helped me make the connection with Senator Boquist. Last term (fall) I emailed the Senator and we worked out a schedule. I started working at the Capitol at beginning of winter term.

At the Capitol I have been doing a little bit of everything. The first few weeks I was working mostly with the Republican Caucus office. This is because the short legislative session had not started so the Senator did not have a lot of work for me to do. The Caucus office had me helping to write a memo to be sent out to the Republican Caucus on some bills and I did some organizational work for the Caucus. Once the legislative session started Senator Boquist has been giving me various jobs. One of my main jobs is to respond to constituent emails. At first this seems to be a dull task but it is actually quite interesting. I get to see what people are thinking about bills and then must find a way to respond to them in a positive way without telling them how the Senator actually will vote on the bill, even if I know he will vote in the opposite way the person wants. I also perform a lot of research. There are over a hundred bills going through this short legislative session, therefore the Senators do not always know what exactly the details are on every bill. For this reason, I research bills to find their content, the impact they could have on the state and where the bill is in the legislative process, meaning is the bill on the House side or the Senate side, is it in committee or out of committee. Lastly I do any administrative business that needs to be taken care of such as printing or making packets of information on bills. Overall my internship is very diverse and exciting. There is always something to do or a problem to solve.

If you are looking for an internship here are some suggestions I have. First, Have a broad search. Be open to doing various things. Look at government agencies and organizations, non-profits and private sector internships. The skills you learn in one can be used in all areas. Secondly, Work the connections you have. Ask friends, family, professors and your advisor for any opportunities they may know of. They may be of great help in finding an internship, they were for me. Thirdly, Use other OSU resources as well to find internships look at list serves and Beaver Job Net.  Some excellent opportunities pop up on those types of emails or websites. Lastly when you do get that internship make sure to dive into the experience. Go in with an open mind and willing to learn because if you put effort into the internship you will learn many useful skills.

Good luck on your internship search and future internships.