5 Books to Read Over the Break

By: Anna Martin

Winter break is approaching which means we are so much closer to letting go of the stress and pressure from this semester. It’s also a good time to catch up on any books that you’ve been wanting to read, but haven't gotten to. Today I am sharing a few self-help/business books that are on my bookshelf that I think you should read too. So get ready to fill your mugs with hot cocoa and get comfortable. Happy reading!

The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson

I feel this is a staple that everyone should read at least once. This book is for people who are looking for self-help, but who want to get right to the point. There’s no extra fluff telling you what to do and what not to do. It teaches you to stop worrying so much and to start focusing on what’s true and important to you. It also teaches you to stop looking for happiness and to start finding happiness with what’s in front of you.

Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht

“Land Your Dream Job, Kill it in Your Career, Rock Social Media” is the book's motto, and that’s exactly what this book is about. If you’re interested in learning how to build your personal brand (or make it better) and how to shine in your career this book has you covered. Aliza takes you through her career journey with insider secrets and relatable content. I would say this is a must-read for Women in Business.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

This book is all about the Law of Attraction and using it to achieve health, happiness, success, and other things. Although it may not be everyone’s cup of tea as it may be controversial, if you find this sort of thing intriguing, it’s definitely worth the read. Stories from actual people are included to help convince you if you’re still skeptical about manifestation. This book is very eye-opening as it encourages people to focus on what they really want in life so that they can live their best life. 

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Another must-read business book that should be on your shelf is this one. This book helps you climb up the ladder in your career in just 3 simple strategies: 6 ways to make people like you, 12 ways to win people to your way of thinking, and 9 ways to change people without evoking resentment. It also helps guide you to make any situation work for you, whether it be good or bad. I feel this is a staple that every person in business should have.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

If you’ve recently found that you’re self-limiting from things that are making you happy, then this book is for you. This book teaches you to let go of your sufferings and helps you to experience freedom, happiness, and love from a new perspective. Whether you’re the type of person who’s always fighting with yourself or if you just need help opening your mindset, you need to add this to your shelf.

The Benefits of Taking a Break

By: Lauren Hughes

Technology plays a significant role in our everyday lives. Consider how frequently you pick up your phone to check a text message, Snapchat, or Instagram notification. Constantly checking our phones has become a habit; our attention spans are becoming increasingly shorter because of this. Loud phone notifications can be disruptive during class, study time, and time spent hanging with friends. It can even negatively impact your sleep routine. According to eMarketer, “The average US adult spends just over 3.5 hours per day on their phone” (Zalani, 2021). Using our phones is convenient, enjoyable, and allows us to connect with others. However, we could all benefit from taking a break from technology every once in a while.

I was inspired to limit the amount of time I spend on my phone after listening to the TedTalk: “A Simple Strategy to Reclaim Your Time”. This talk was given by Ashley Whillans, a Harvard Business School Professor who describes herself as a “Happiness Researcher”. Whillans discusses the concept of “time poverty”, which is when people feel as though there are not enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks on their to-do list (0:32). One of the main reasons American’s experience time poverty is due to excessive cell phone usage. As Whillans explains, “Our iPhones, tablets, and laptops create “time confetti”, fragmenting our leisure into small distracted minutes of time that are easily squandered and lost” (1:25). She goes on to list simple steps that can be taken to reclaim our time. Following these steps will likely result in an increase in overall happiness and satisfaction in life. 

In order to become “time rich” Whillans suggests that individuals spend at least 30 minutes a day engaged in activities that promote happiness (7:40). Some examples of activities I engage in include:

• Going for a walk: A short walk in nature, around the neighborhood, or even across campus allows time for self-reflection. I often choose not to bring my phone with me on walks, to eliminate the urge to check my notifications.

• Reading a book: I find that time spent reading feels more productive and beneficial than aimlessly scrolling through my social media feed.

• Spending quality time with friends: When meeting friends for dinner, I make a conscious effort to put my phone down. This allows me to be present in the moment, and truly engage with friends in conversation.

As classes wind down and you get ready to go on winter break, consider trying one of these activities in lieu of spending time on your phone. 

As college students with busy schedules, we often get caught up in the day-to-day activities and wonder where all our time went. Although smartphones are a great resource, sometimes they work to our detriment, causing us to be constantly distracted. Becoming aware of how frequently we use our devices is the first step to changing our habits. Using simple strategies such as putting your phone on silent mode while studying, setting time limits on social media, or engaging in one of the above activities will allow you to reclaim your time, and increase overall productivity and happiness.

Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/C36WaLcHpEY

How Fast Fashion is Ruining Us

By: Ayesha Devani

Hasan Minhaj, in an episode of his Patriot Act, sheds light on the fact that the average American buys 68 new pieces of clothing in a year. Just this past Friday, we witnessed yet another Black Friday; the Friday of Thanksgiving that traditionally indicates the beginning of Christmas shopping. Especially as teenagers, myself included, Black Friday is the best opportunity to catch up on fashion trends at a lower cost. As shoppers, fast fashion is everything we need. Cheaper, trendier, and convenient fashion is what we have collectively chosen for ourselves resulting in the exponential increase in the popularity of brands like Shein, Boohoo, Fashion Nova, and Zara. Sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday actively promote engagement with fast fashion brands, but what is this engagement really doing to us and our environment?

Let’s begin with what fast fashion really is. As fashion trends rapidly change, companies have adopted a design, manufacturing, and marketing model that makes use of rather low-quality material to produce inexpensive garments. This method has allowed brands to be on top of every trend, every season, and every loophole there is in the fashion industry. As consumers, we get affordable and trendy looks. Why would we not engage in a deal like that? In order to maximize profits and retain brand image, companies only give us one side of the fast fashion coin. However, the flip side is what we should be talking about. The use of toxic chemicals, synthetic fabrics, and harmful dyes is what makes the production of these clothing items affordable. 11 million tons of clothing is known out to be thrown into the environment in the United States. Full of various toxic elements, these garments fail to break down. Instead, they begin releasing these harmful toxins into the environment. The very same environment that gives life to us. Chemicals like these are known to result in several human illnesses including threatening types of cancer alongside various respiratory illnesses. These toxins further seep into our waters impacting not only human life but marine life too. How do we still continue to promote these brands?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are mediums that allow us to actively engage in this vicious cycle. In the year 2020, holiday sales were predicted to increase from 8.5% to 10.5%. On an individual basis, this might seem insignificant. It is only truly significant when we consider nationwide spending. Spending that continues to peak over the years. Cyber Monday, a rather convenient method of shopping, involves shipping that is said to be responsible for over three percent of global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. In turn, this worsens the quality of air disturbing our ecosystem and feeding into the cycle of pollution.

As teenagers, we subconsciously practice and promote fast fashion. Post reading about the impacts of these companies, we may feel that our role is insignificant. However, it’s not just about discouraging fast fashion. It’s about promoting ethical fashion culture. Ethical and sustainable fashion, despite being less popular, is practiced. All it needs from consumers like us, is recognition. By recognizing and validating brands that practice sustainability, we are moving a step towards eradicating this cycle that will one day destroy us.

Sources:
https://www.sustainably-chic.com/blog/fast-fashion-brands-to-avoid

https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion

https://www.npr.org/2021/11/26/1059427267/retail-sales-surged-this-black-friday-though-the-days-impact-is-diluted

https://www.epa.gov/international-cooperation/reducing-air-pollution-international-transportation

Holiday Wish List Inspiration

By: Molly Bowe

It’s just about the time of year our parents ask us for our Holiday Wish Lists, however, this year in particular I am struggling to come up with ideas! Below are some ideas that are the perfect things college students should ask for!! 

LONG WINTER JACKET 

Going to school in New England, a winter jacket is a must. Preferably a long winter jacket that reaches just above knees for optimal warmth. A big puffer definitely suffices as well! North Face, LL.Bean, Calvin Klein, Columbia are all affordable options for extra winter warmth! 

ATHLETIC SNEAKERS 

My personal favorite shoe to walk around campus and go to the gym are the Nike 270 air max. Providing the ultimate comfort any sneaker has ever given me, they are very lightweight. Much support when climbing those hills and running those stairs to get to class, or running on the treadmill. Although on the higher price point for a sneaker, over $100, they are worthwhile and don’t get dirty easily! 

FITNESS WATCH 

The investment into an Apple Watch or FitBit is one worthwhile. Providing inspiration to close all daily activity rings, the Apple Watch serves as a motivator to stay fit in college. It’s hard to believe but just the simple walking to class across campus provides exercise and activity to your day that a fitness watch can track! Great source of motivation to stay fit and healthy while at school! 

MINI UGGS 

The cutest and comfiest winter trend, the mini uggs are great to pair with leggings or joggers for the cold winter days. Providing ultimate comfort and warmth, while also being cozy is the best feeling in the winter. Although pricey for boots, they're worth the investment for the comfort that they provide. 

TREE HUT SUGAR SCRUB 

Available in many stores including Target, Tree Hut scrub adds to your daily shower. Leaving the skin feeling lucious, it helps with healing the skin after the cold winter air. Definitely affordable and a great idea for giving a gift as well! 

OLAPLEX HAIR TREATMENT 

Although on the pricier point when it comes to hair products, olaplex hair treatment completely resolves any hair issues due to damage. Bleaching my hair blonde multiple times of the year, Olaplex has been the product I swear by in order to maintain strength and healthiness to my hair.

Recharging Over Thanksgiving Break

By: Julia Leroux

Our Women in Business Vice President, Lara Pereira, recently held a meeting that discussed a very relevant topic to us all: burnout. Lara did an excellent job explaining what burnout is, and she gave techniques on how she overcomes it. I’m sure we’ve all been feeling overwhelmed and stressed from the first semester back to in-person classes, and this Thanksgiving break will give us all some time to recharge our bodies and minds for the last few weeks of school.

Spend time with loved ones

Many of us, including myself, have transitioned back to living on campus or in off-campus housing from living at home for a whole year. This Thanksgiving break I plan on spending time with my family and friends that I have not seen due to being back in Amherst full-time. Those quick phone calls or FaceTimes home do not compare to being in your own living room or kitchen and conversing with family face-to-face. Being with family can bring a sense of comfort and allow one to focus on family time rather than classes. 

Make a schedule

Although some professors do assign work over Thanksgiving break, it is important not to stress yourself out over assignments or group projects with upcoming due dates. I found that making a schedule and allotting a time frame for each assignment can allow yourself to work on those items, but it also limits spending too much time on school. Carving out time for school is important as it will prevent one from getting behind on work during the week, but it also encourages time for other enjoyable activities while home.

Get some sleep

Most of us spend our weeknights studying for exams, completing assignments and homework, or working at our jobs; and we spend our weekends out with friends until 2 am. Now we have the opportunity to finally get some sleep and allow our bodies to recover from all the late nights. I know we have been told all our lives to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night, but I never realized how effective this fact would be on our bodies. Getting plenty of sleep will not only help us recharge our bodies, but it also has a positive impact on our mental health. Also, nothing beats sleeping in your own bed while home for Thanksgiving.

Do what makes you happy

Finally, while you are home for Thanksgiving break, you should do whatever will make you happy and help relieve any stress that you have been having. Because we have been so focused with school and completing assignments, we do not always have time for activities that we like. Now is the perfect opportunity to catch up on any shows, read a good book, or simply listen to Taylor Swift’s album to relax. Having you-time can greatly increase your serotonin and help recharge your body and mind.

I hope everyone has a safe, healthy Thanksgiving break; and hopefully you will recharge your bodies and minds for the last few weeks of classes and finals!