Forever Yogurt

1. Veggie Chips

Believe me…I know how tempting a bag of Doritos is when you're panicking over exams. I'm always so mesmerized by the texture and over-saturation of nacho cheese-flavored chips that I forget how awful they make me feel afterword. Veggie chips are an alternative that are light and guilt-free. Once you get that first crunch, there's no turning back.

2. The Original Cliff Bar

These protein bars are packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins to give you energy for your all-nighter. They may be small on the outside, but they'll make your stomach satisfied without feeling too full so that you don't binge on bad snacks. And with 20 different flavors, you can find the right amount of sweet, salty, or fruity taste for your late-night fix. If you need an extra boost, look for flavors with caffeine in them like Cool Mint Chocolate or Peanut Toffee Buzz.

A Diet Coke and Cool Mint Chocolate Cliff Bar: My ultimate vice.

3. Hot tea

If you're worried about caffeine keeping you up even when you're ready for bed, tea is an awesome substitution that will keep you awake and rejuvenated without being jittery. Treat yourself to a nice bag or tin of your favorite premium tea, or if you're up to trying something new, buy a sampler pack of tea bags so you can try a new flavor every night.

4. Greek yogurt with granola

This is a great choice for early morning studiers with a tight budget. A cup of Greek yogurt usually costs $1 or less at Jewel or Trader Joe's, and a box of granola will last you quite a while. Mix the two together for a great breakfast full of good stuff to wake you up and prepare you to take on the day. 

5. Froyo

Along those same lines, froyo is a killer pick-me-up. Of course I look biased because I work for a frozen yogurt chain, but it seriously keeps me energized. Froyo is the best substitute for ice cream cravers and is full of vitamins, probiotics, and other good stuff. And if you get to choose as many different flavors and toppings as you want, who could possibly pass that up?!

Even in the cold of "Chiberia," I treated myself to froyo during Finals last winter.

6. Dried fruit

If you're looking to eat something healthy that doesn't feel like you're trying to eat something healthy, this is the snack for you. Dried fruit has the crunch and chewiness of junk food without the extra sugar or fat. It's also an awesome way to give your not-so-favorite fruit a second chance. I, for example, have never been a huge fan of mushy bananas, but I could eat banana chips from Trader Joes nonstop.

7. Animal crackers

This is one of the most filling, low-guilt snacks you can have. With only a few grams of fat, animal crackers are a savory solution for a sweet tooth isn’t packed with sugar. And let’s face it...they’re just too cute to pass up.

8. Oatmeal with peanut butter

I firmly believe that peanut butter can save your life if you’re having a mental break down over all the things you have to do. Add a spoonful to a warm bowl of oatmeal to keep your tummy happy all night. Trust me, you’ll feel a lot better afterword. 

For even more deliciousness, add fresh strawberries to your oats. Mmmm!

9. Fla-Vor-Ice

The juicy freeze pops you loved as a kid are perfect to munch on during Finals Week. They're sweet, refreshing, and full of flavor, so you'll keep motivated while studying. Fla-Vor-Ice is also the best food for a stressed subconscious. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you can chomp down on the ice or gnaw on the plastic wrapping without worrying that you'll hurt your teeth.

10. Pretzel M&Ms

Ok, so you’re really desperate for chocolate. If you’re seeking a healthier option from the commercial candy aisle, pretzel M&Ms are the way to go. They’ll give you just the amount of chocolate taste you crave, and because they’re filled with pretzels instead of more chocolate, they have a much lower fat content. And if you’re studying for a math test, you can use them for simple addition and subtraction.

11. Orange dreamsicle smoothie

For a delicious drink with a boost of Vitamin C, mix 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of orange juice, and 3 scoops of orange sherbet in a blender for a creamy beverage to sip on. A cool alternative to that chunky pint of Ben and Jerry’s. 

12. Sunflower seeds

Enjoying some fresh air while studying? Sunflower seeds are a perfect pick for when you’re studying outside at your favorite park or garden. They’ll also remind you of summer and how close you are to it. Hang in there, kid. You’re almost there.

1. Try stand-up comedy.

The stage can be a scary place, especially if you consider yourself an introvert. Yet there is a surprising comfort that comes with being on stage alone with just yourself and a microphone. Sounds like a lot of pressure, I know. I was shaking in my boots the first time I tried my hand at stand-up almost a year and a half ago. But comedy is often as simple as just talking about your day or your family or your favorite pizza joint. Plus, comedians are some of the most supportive people you’ll ever meet. If you’re new to stand-up, try a smaller, low-key open mic to start. (If you live in Chicago, check out the one on Saturday nights at The Second City Training Center.) You might be a natural performer and not even know it!

So what's the deal with airline food, huh?!

2. Volunteer.

Giving your time to a good cause can make a huge difference in someone’s life, including yours. Not only can you spend your day doing something you really care about, but you can also develop great life skills while you’re at it. Volunteering teaches you communication and interpersonal skills, and it makes you a more globally-active citizen, too. Plus, it’s a really rewarding experience that also looks awesome on a job resume.

3. Teach yourself a new hobby.

When I was twelve, I begged my parents for an electric guitar for my birthday, even though I had never picked one up in my life and didn’t have money to take lessons. When I finally got one, I spent hours in my room with music books teaching myself how to play chords and transpose notes. Though I’m no Jimi Hendrix, the experience showed me that I can be my own teacher and that I can rely on myself to go after my own dreams. Don’t be afraid to try something new by yourself. Even if you have to ask for help along the way, you’ll feel really accomplished with a lot of practice and hard work.

(If you’re looking for a new hobby to try, go back to #1.)

  4. Apply for your dream job.

Whether you’re finishing your last few years of school, fresh in the industry, or a seasoned veteran, too many people downplay themselves and think they can’t get a position at their dream workplace. And let’s face it: rejection is really hard. But if you want it, you have to get it. Believe that you are good enough; emphasize the qualities that make you unique, and convince them that they need to hire you. Even if they say “no” now, that doesn’t automatically mean they’ll say “no” later when you have even more experience to back you up. And hey, even if you’re making Starbucks runs to start, you’re still making the connections you need to work your way up to the top.

  5. Conquer your biggest fear. In steps.

Ok, I’ll admit...I still have yet to conquer my overwhelming, somewhat irrational fear of deep water. Scuba diving is on my Bucket List of things that I want to accomplish before I turn 25. But I’ve taken some small and much-needed steps to take to prepare myself for that day. Going into underground dolphin tanks at zoos used to make me nervous, but it’s something I’ve been able to get past. I also tried snorkeling in some shallow reefs in the Pacific Ocean on spring break this year, and I actually really enjoyed it! When it comes to facing your fears, you don’t have to take the big leap right away (literally if you’re afraid of heights). Gradually gaining comfort with the things you’re afraid of can really help you to conquer them completely one day. Slow and steady, nice and easy.

Jump right in...the water's fine!

  6. Give that “icky” food another chance.

The “I tried it once, and I know I don’t like it” rule is only applicable if it’s in recent conscious memory. Just because you hated broccoli when you were six doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll hate it when you’re 22 (and when it’s smothered in melted cheese, who could pass it up?). Try out a new recipe that blends your "yucky" food with ingredients that you enjoy. And even if you still don’t like it now, there’s no harm in saying that you tried.

  7. Wear a piece of clothing that accentuates your least favorite body part.

You’ve only got one skin to live in, and you know it better than anyone else ever will. Why waste time (and fabric) trying to cover up the parts that you don’t like? My mother always told me, “There’s always someone out there who has what you want, but there’s always someone out there who wants what you have.” I’m sure there are people who wish they could have my thick thighs, and there is no way I’ll let insecurity keep me from wearing a sundress in the summertime. Dare yourself to something the flatters a part of you that you’re not too fond of. Wear a sleeveless shirt if you hate your arms, or try a high-waisted bikini if you’ve got a bit of a belly. Small steps can lead to big, positive change in your body image.

  8. Forgive an old wound.

Still bitter about your last break-up? Still angry about that big fight with your BFF? Still bicker with your parents about things that happened when you were in high school? It’s natural. We’re all human...We love deeply but break easily, and we’re never quick to let pain go. If you’ve hurt someone, there’s no harm in calling them to say hello or taking them out for coffee. An apology might be late, but it’s almost always accepted. If you yourself are still being affected by an open wound that never got full closure, there’s no time like now to let it all go. Maybe you’re still waiting for that hug you never got or that “I’m sorry” that was never said, and you might honestly be waiting for it forever. But if you can make peace with the situation and within yourself, you can forgive without apology and still be happy. Life moves on and people carry forward. You can, too.

Right when we landed in Honolulu, staff members from the airport greeted us with a big, “Aloha!” and two beautiful flower leis. The weather was so warm and beautiful, we didn’t even need jackets!

After unpacking our things at our rental beach house in Kailua (that’s on the east side of the island), we headed straight for the beach in downtown Waikiki. The ocean was as turquoise as we had hoped. Frida and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the shore as we listened to live music. We even got to see a couple get married on the beach! (Hmm, maybe this is a sign that I should pop the question to Frida soon...)

Frida and I spent almost every day on the water enjoying the sights. We spent one afternoon kayaking out to Kailua Beach, a small island right by our beach house, where we got to rock climb and wade in tide pools. We also got to snorkel there are see some great undersea life -- fish, octopi, crabs, even a sea turtle! And of course, we couldn’t go to Hawaii without learning how to ride the waves. Frida and I took surf lessons at Big Wave Dave’s in Waikiki. She actually did really well for her first time! Oh, me? I uh...I did fine, too...I only fell once or twice.

Oahu was also a fantastic cultural experience for Frida and I. Over the weekend, we visited the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie to see their luau show Hā: Breath of Life. We learned about a variety of traditions from native citizens of Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, and Tonga, and we even got to see some amazing fire dancers show off their skills. Japan also has a huge influence in Hawaii. We had sushi almost every night during our stay, and we always got fresh-cooked rice as a side with all of our meals. On our last day, we visited the Moanalua Gardens, a historic public park filled with monkeypod trees and streams of koi fish. The trees there were huuuuge!

What we loved the most about Hawaii was our chance to meet new people and make connections with other cultures. Being surrounded by people from all different places with different background was inspiring -- We loved learning about different ways that people live all over the world. I was fascinated by the signatures in the guest book at our beach house. Our hostess, Diana, has had visitors from everywhere!

Frida and I were so, so sad to leave after our week-long vacation on the island. Everybody we met was so friendly and welcoming, and the sights were just beautiful. It was nice to have a sweet little getaway to somewhere tropical to escape the rain and snow. For now, we say goodbye to Hawaii, but I know that we’ll be back again someday!

You will nearly get hit by a CTA bus turning a corner at least once. If you think right turns are hard, imagine doing one in a 40-foot-long bus loaded with people (60-feet if you’re an articulated bus). CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) drivers often have to cut corners and run their tires across the sidewalk. Needless to say, it’s dangerous, so if you see a bus about to turn as you’re waiting to meet your friends outside of Starbucks, take a few steps back for your own safety.

You will encounter the same homeless people using the same elevator speech over and over again. The summer before my freshman year of college, there was a man on the Orange Line who presented himself as “Jerry* the Ex-Convict.” He was looking for money to fund a 30-day CTA pass so he can travel in and out of the Loop while looking for a job. About four months ago, I saw him again riding the train using the exact same speech he used almost three years ago. Man, Jerry, you’ve gotta change your act. Like in any urban metropolis, you will see the occasional scammer trying to reel your pretty pennies in. But fear not, city-dweller...there are plenty of non-profits that accept donations and volunteers to help the less fortunate. Check out The Greater Chicago Food Depository or The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless to find out how you can help a great cause. *Name has been changed

You will take advantage of any and all free food opportunities. There was a line wrapped around the corner for free Panda bowls when a new Panda Express opened on State and Congress last year. Food can get kind of pricey in the city, and the word “free” can turn a sweet old woman into an aggressive hyena. Free samples at Garret Popcorn? Refills, please!

You will go to Lake Michigan more than you think. I can’t tell you how many time I’ve told myself, “I’m not going to the beach today. It’s going to be too crowded” and ended up going. Lake Michigan is surprisingly hard to resist, even on a steamy day loaded with tweenagers and tourists. If you don’t like crowds, look for some less popular beaches like 12th Street or Ohio Street. I also find walking to the lake in the winter and spring relaxing -- It’s a nice, peaceful place to write, draw, or just let your mind wander. 

You will drive downtown. I tried to avoid it for almost 5 years, but a wrong turn from the suburbs onto the Dan Ryan led me straight into the Loop at the end of last summer. Honestly? It wasn’t bad at all! As much as you might resist, you will one day end up in a circumstance where you will have to cruise on Lakeshore Drive and sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Stevenson. Just trust yourself and your instincts, pay attention to the road, and only use your horn if you need it. 

You will still treat deep dish pizza as a luxury. For non-Chicagoans, a gooey, cheesy, loaded stuffed pie is the holy grail of pizzas. And even for us natives, it’s still held high on our hometown pedestal. Chicago-style pizza is a treat to everyone. We reward ourselves with Girodano’s after a long week of work and unwind at Lou Malnati’s after a matinee show at the Chicago Theatre. No matter where you’re from or how long you’ve been here, you will always worship The Deep Dish.

You will be told on several occasions that the _____ Side is “bad.” Regardless of where you live, you will constantly be told by your peers that one side of the city is more dangerous than the other. I, for instance, grew up on the Sout’side (yes, that’s how we spell it) and was always warned that it was dangerous to be north of Watertower. Yet when I moved to the South Loop, everyone told me that the Sout’side was the bad place to be in (though I will defend it ‘til the day I die). There’s good and bad anywhere you go in the city. Just watch yourself and travel in a group when you go to a new neighborhood.

You will roll your eyes when your friends come to town and ask to go to the Sears Tower and The Bean. There was a time in all of our lives where a giant antennae building and huge, abstract-shaped mirror was appealing to us. But honestly, seeing it once is enough. The architecture and design of Chicago’s buildings and sculptures are monumental and really, really cool. But when they become a part of your backyard, they lose a bit of their spark, just like your neighbor’s pet Chihuahua. Take your friends and your great aunt Susan when they come to visit. They’ll appreciate it for the moment, and chances are, they won’t ask to go back after the first time. 

Your best nights will be spent at late-night stage productions at hole-in-the-wall theatres. Chicago is one of our country’s biggest theatre outlets, and it’s the birthplace of improvisation and comedy. Every night all over the city, you can find affordable theatre shows -- most of them for $20 or less -- to catch your eye and keep you entertained. Some of my most memorable nights from college so far have been those seeing Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind at the Neo Futurarium with friends and telling jokes at pH Theatre’s Wednesday Phree-for-All Open Mic. Theatre is the perfect industry to make connections, whether you’re a performer, an enthusiast, or both. Go enjoy yourself and some good people.

You will rarely find yourself uninspired or unmotivated. Chicago is a wonderland of art, culture, color, and life. Everything and everybody is fast-paced, but not to a point that you’ll trip over yourself or fall behind. As dull as the city can get sometimes (which is mainly due to the weather), you will find new beauty in it every single day. This is what fuels all of us to do what we love -- to create, to inspire, and to grow. No matter what you do or what side of the brain you think on, Chicago will open your mind in way you never could have imagined. You will appreciate culture and diversity of others, and you will crave a deeper understanding of the universe. You will make great things while you’re here, and that inspiration will never go away.