Ask Chloe

How do I deal with my boyfriend thinking he is more important than school work?

Sincerely,

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

I would first look at the bright side of this situation; your boyfriend loves spending time with you and that is something to have gratitude for. Try suggesting your boyfriend study and do homework with you. Studying with your partner can both give you time to focus on what you need to get done but will also show him spending time with him is important . I know it is easy to get sidetracked so try studying somewhere quiet, like the library, where you both must focus. If they decline the offer, sit them down and let them know that his mindset is bothering you. Communications professor Shannon Hokanson says, “There’s a communication theory about this—it’s called relational dialectics, and it reminds us that tensions between conflicting needs are a normal part of all interpersonal relationships.” After talking it over, schedule days and times dedicated to homework and then days and times to hang out with your partner. My biggest piece of advice to you is to never lose sight of what is important in your current life. At this moment you are a college student, which means your work is put on a pedestal. If you guys can succeed in getting work done together you ultimately will grow a healthy balance of work and play which you can take with you in the future of your relationship.

Good Luck,

Chloe

If you would like to be featured in the “Ask Chloe” section, you can submit your question to s1106449@monmouth.edu.

Will You Be My Valentine?

Valentine’s Day: You either love it or you hate it, but no matter which side you fall on, it’s hard to escape the holiday without giving a gift.

With social media, holidays like Valentine’s Day, provide added pressure to give and get an Instagram worthy present that will make all your followers jealous.

This Valentine’s Day be the gift giver that everyone is talking about.

Not to worry though, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to give the perfect gift when you could easily make something that can come from the heart (which is what Valentine’s Day is all about).

Here are some DIY Valentine’s gifts that you can give to your special someone or friends to make their February 14 the best one yet.

Write a letter.

This Valentine’s Day, take the time to sit down and think of why you love your partner or friends and write them a heartfelt letter.

This is not only meaningful, but it is something that won’t expire or go out of style.

This idea is perfect for those in long distance relationships or those who do not get to spend the day together. You can mail the letter, which will leave you both feeling like you landed in a 1980’s movie. We all love those.

Bake cookies.

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Understand the Benefits of Yoga

The unavoidable, yet mighty increase of yoga is something that has been blooming the past few months.

With a peaceful activity that we may all attempt to imitate, it may not be as successful as we had hoped. Even if you are not good at yoga, you can practice self-care. The trending topic of Twitter threads, Instagram posts, and articles may influence us to practice yoga.

Many people say that the benefits seem to change lives for the better. 

But, what exactly are those benefits? Where do I even start? You do not have to be a professional in order to practice yoga.

In the process, you may even realize that yoga isn’t about a series of steps written in a certain order and it is not something that demands a certain amount of time.

Start by sitting on a mat and stretching your legs, hold the pose for however long you need and close your eyes.

While your eyes are closed you might find yourself thinking of things such as homework, your future, laundry, and more.

You may even try to figure out what will happen in season 8 of your favorite show; but then, nothing at all.

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Ask Chloe 01-30-19

I feel like my girlfriend is more into social media and her phone than me. She even looks at it when we’re around family or out on a date night. What do you think I could say to her, or do, to take her attention off of her phone without making her mad?

Sincerely,

Anonymous

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How to Maintain New Year's Resolutions 101

With the new year finally here, people are trying to keep up with their resolutions. A new year can mean that you pick a resolution; this acts as a goal for the upcoming year. It may be something you want to improve on or something you would like to change. We all know the stereotypical resolution of ‘working out more’ or ‘eating healthier,’ but the real question is: how to maintain this resolution.

No matter what your resolution is, it is important to be determined and go after your goals. One thing in particular that can be noticed about New Year’s resolutions is people tend to create a resolution that is much too big to keep up with. There is no judgment with starting your resolution small and then slowly working towards a bigger goal.

Aaron Furgason, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor for the Department of Communication gave his input on the topic. Furgason stated that the key is “Willpower. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. The resolution must be something that at your core you want to change or accomplish. If a true will is present, then it is easy. If not, good luck keeping that resolution.”

It is important to have a resolution that means something to you so you are more inclined to work towards it. Remembering that you are not perfect and are most likely going to slip up when it comes to maintaining your resolution is important.

Do not hold yourself to an impossible standard and remember that you are human. No matter what situation you are in surrounding yourself with a support system is a huge help.

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Winter Workout Tips

Working out during the winter can be very challenging when it is really cold outside and all you want to do is lay in bed.

One thing you should do to get adjusted to the cold weather is to try and push yourself to do a quick warm up inside first.

 This can be beneficial because when you then go outside, you will already be warmed up and ready to go.

Two junior health studies students that work as personal trainers on campus gave their input.

Mike Kraft said, “As the weather starts to get colder and colder, it is important to warm up before working out to help prevent any injuries when working out.” Many people do not think that something as small as this can cause an injury, but it is something that can be easily avoided.

Joe Chiusano, another personal trainer, gave some advice. Chiusano said, “Most people don’t realize but if you go for a run outdoors in the winter you can actually face the risk of overheating. When it’s cold you immediately think to put on layers of clothes to get warm and then go out for your run.”

The problem is, once you start running your body temperature rises.

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Shop Savy: Holiday Guide

Shopping during the holidays can be stressful, especially if you have a large family.

For those of us who do not brave the stores on Black Friday and miss Cyber Monday, it can be a last-minute dash to find the best deals for gifts.

Luckily, the Interne, as well as some department stores, hold secret discounts that only the most determined shoppers will find out about.

Around the holiday season, it is important to compare prices.

When comparing prices, make sure you are looking at the same exact item on all sites. To make sure you are identifying the correct product, Thomas Cullen, a junior graphic design student said, “Compare model numbers of the item to make sure you are going to get exactly what you are looking for.”

 Many companies sell dupes or their own versions of popular gifts, so it can be easy to fall into that trap.

If you are not sure how to find the best discount codes downloading a browsing feature, such as Honey, can help you.

Honey is a free discount code finder that automatically applies to your total at the check-out.

An Adjunct professor of computer and information technology Matt Marino recommends price matching as well. Marino said, “Utilize apps or online resources to compare prices or find deals.”

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Dress for Success

Waking up for an 8:30 after a long night of studying and homework is hard enough; on top of that putting a nice outfit together can be even harder.

As college students, it is the last thing we want to do but in the long run, this can be helpful in many ways.

Putting together a nice outfit for class, instead of throwing on leggings and a t-shirt, will benefit you.

You never know what opportunities will come up; you never know who you are going to meet or bump into.

In the college atmosphere, there are so many connections that can be made. A first impression can be unforgettable, so important to make a good one.

By always dressing in a professional manner you are prepared for any type of situation.

There are so many opportunities that can come up in your average day of school that you would never have thought of.

Wearing a nice outfit in your day-to-day life can help you stand out from the crowd. Standing out from the crowd gives you a step ahead when it comes to an opportunity that could have an impact on your future.

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Inexpensive Gift Ideas

It’s that time of year again. You have to buy a gift for everyone, putting your bank account into a state of emergency.

Fortunately, it doesn’t always have to be like that because there are plenty of tips and tricks that will help you save this holiday season, but also make sure you show up to secret Santa with the best gifts.

Speaking of secret Santa that is a great start for gift giving. If you have a huge group of friends and feel obligated to buy something for everyone…don’t.

It is more convenient because by doing this, you only have to buy for one person and there will, of course, be a spending limit. It is such a fun and great activity.

Secret Santa is a perfect way to get out of spending too much money on too many people.

When asked where to shop for inexpensive gifts, Yazmin Belhadj, a junior political science student, said, “Two words: Five Below… They have such a variety of things and everything’s under $5. You can get someone a stuffed animal and some of their favorite candy and call it a day!”

Another great inexpensive gift you can’t go wrong with would be candles. Bath & Body Works candles are great and there is a scent for everyone.

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Long Distance: The Survival Guide

The phone rings and your eyes light up with excitement because it is your long-distance love.

Understandably, not everyone gets this excited for phone calls, but for you, it is a time to connect and close the distance.

As those of you know who are in a long-distance relationship (or have long-distance friendships), it is rewarding but difficult to navigate at times.

As the saying goes, distance means so little when someone means so much. Kim Fleming, an Adjunct professor in the communication department said, “Distance does not change what makes relationships thrive, and that is self-disclosure.

Even partners that are living with a distance between them can share a piece of themselves.”

She continued, “Talk about things ranging from what you ate for breakfast to the hardships you experience. Especially with distance between partners, even the mundane details might create a sense of closeness.

When we share with our partners we create a level of intimacy. That is what makes partners feel connected.”

Do not make the mistake of falling into a funk of wishing and hoping your significant other will magically appear, instead make the most of your time.

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