The Current 2020

Oreintation 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 7 Student Life Using your money & meals wisely Whether you are a new Shark living on campus or a returnee, an essential part of residential life is your declining balance, often referred to as DB, and how it is spent. Every student living on NSU’s campus is required to purchase a specific meal plan that ranges in price depending on what dorm they are in. Students who live in The Commons or Leo Goodwin have a meal plan of $1,595, but students in Mako Hall, CLC, FFV and Rolling Hills have a meal plan of $450. Whether you have a lot or a little, here are some tips on utilizing your DB to the max. Don’t skip out on meals Starting with any student who lives in The Commons or Leo Goodwin, while your meal plan is by far the best on campus, it is also the most expensive. The biggest tip I have is to not be worried about eating. My first semester on campus, I was so concerned that I would run out of money on my meal plan that I skipped meals to make sure I had an excess of DB. However, with this meal plan, there is no need! Trust me, between the free food at club meetings or leftovers that you will stumble upon after events, while not impossible, it is difficult to run out of DB with this plan. Make your meals count If you are living in a dorm with a smaller meal plan and no cooking skills, do not fret. Make your meals count. Starbucks is expensive, there is no denying that. If you are hungry and want a sandwich during the day or lunch hour opt for one from Razor’s Reef over Starbucks. The large sized sandwich is not only the same price, but way too much for one meal; half that sandwich can easily be put in the fridge and saved for a later meal. Turn to one price dining Another way to make your meals count is in the one price dining. Go pay for the one price dining at the start of dinner time and bring all your books, laptop and anything else to keep you entertained. Then, simply stay in the pit. Study, eat when hungry, watch Netflix and alternate all night long. If you stay until closing, that is plenty to keep you satisfied all night. If you are not into staying in the pit and would rather go back to your dorm, be sure to make that to-go box worth its money. Stuff that box to the brim with all of your favorite food, grab some soup with a lid and extra utensils. If done correctly, you will have enough leftovers for the next day or so. Let Starbucks be your lifesaver If the end of the semester is around the corner and you have an excess of DB left over, I have a solution for you: Starbucks. Astudent’s DB cannot be used to buy Starbucks gift cards at the on-campus store, but it can be used to buy merchandise. Once that holiday line rolls out towards the end of the semester, feel free to get a head start on your holiday shopping and buy all your loved ones some elusive cups -- or if you are feeling nice and giving, buy a friend a coffee (especially for the upperclassmen or commuters). That small act can go a long way in this transitional time. Invest in cooking For those with kitchens in their dorm, I would recommend investing in enhancing your cooking skills. There are plenty of resources online to cook easy meals and work your way up. This is the perfect time to become a master chef, and then, the only DB you will have to spend is quick necessities or last minute ingredients at Outtakes. PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM F. SHABAN By: Rick Esner News Editor PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM F. MIRELES Senior, Flor Ana Mireles traveling back to FLL from visting family Traveling back to school-- the smart way Every year, students from all across the U.S. and over 100 different countries come to NSU for an educational experience like no other. And while the fall semester may still seem like a long way away, before you know it, it will be time to pack your bags, load up your car or catch the next flight to sunny South Florida. For those moving away from home for the first time, or even students coming back to NSU, traveling with all of your belongings, especially after a worldwide pandemic, can be intimidating. However, it doesn’t have to be. By following these useful tips and tricks, you can make your flight, or drive, to campus as stress free as possible. Make a list Before you travel to campus, making sure you have everything you need that is essential. From clothes, bedding, toiletries, appliances, technology and more, deciding what to bring and what not to bring can be overwhelming. To help ensure you don’t forget anything important, make a list with everything you need. You can separate it by category and mark off each item as you pack it. If you plan on flying, you may be limited in what you can bring from home, so consider making a separate list of items to buy once you get to Fort Lauderdale. This list can include cleaning supplies, toiletries, appliances, other large items and more that you may not be able to bring on a plane. If you are still struggling to decide what to pack for college, check out The Current’s packing list on page 8 for some great recommendations. Know your space Whether you plan on living in Goodwin or an apartment in Mako, make sure to consider where you are moving to before deciding what to bring. Some NSU residence halls have kitchens while others don’t and rooms in all buildings vary in sizes and accomodations. Be sure to check out NSU’s housing website to find out more information about where you are living before you pack up your belongings and move in. Read up on airline policies Nobody wants the stress of rummaging through bags in line at the airport or the extra hassle of having to pay for oversized baggage. To avoid any added stresses to your travels, make sure to read up on respective airline policies before you get to the airport. Most airlines have weight and bag size requirements, but the allowable sizes and weights vary from airline to airline. Some airlines may charge for checked bags while others may permit you to have one or two bags included in the price of your ticket. Knowing the bag restrictions and how much it will cost to travel with your bags in advance can save you some headache at the airport. Another helpful tip is to invest in a baggage scale. Bag scales are a cheap, quick and reliable way to measure how heavy your bags are before they weigh them at the airport. For those who don’t want to pay for overweight baggage, knowing beforehand can destress the nail-biting moment when they weigh your bags. Pack a bag with essentials Whether you have a long car ride ahead of you or a lengthy flight, having a bag packed with all your essentials can be a lifesaver. Pack a bag with everything you would need to get ready for the day or freshen up in the morning. This way, you won’t have to dig through all of your belongings to find your essentials. Many people also suggest packing an extra change of clothing in a bag, just in case your baggage is delayed or lost. This bag can also be a safe place to keep all of your valuables including your phone, laptop, other technologies as well as your boarding pass (if applicable), your wallet and any identification you may need during your travel. Stay clean and safe In light of the recent pandemic, making sure you stay healthy while you travel is of utmost importance. Remember to wash your hands frequently and especially after touching public spaces such as bathrooms or airplane seats. If you don’t have access to hand washing equipment, make sure to sanitize with hand sanitizer with at least a 60%concentration. Even after washing or sanitizing your hands, avoid touching your face. If you have any doubts about what precautions are the best to take, read up on the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations or the recommendations of the state and local officials in your area. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Traveling can be a stressful experience for anyone, but hopefully these few tips can take some of the pressure out of your move. We can’t wait to see you on campus in the Fall! By: Emma Heineman Features Editor “SETTING YOUR BOUNDARIES LETS THOSE AROUND YOU KNOW WHEN YOU NEED TIME TO RECHARGE AND PROCESS WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH ON YOUR OWN.”