by Brittany Perskin

Starting college is a very exciting time, but it also brings many changes. One of the biggest adjustments can be moving from your spacious, cozy bedroom into a small, empty dorm—not the best trade. However, there’s a positive side! This is your chance to start from scratch, call out your inner designers and create the dorm room of your dreams. Here are a few tips, and several great finds, that should make decorating fun and easy and leave you with a room you can’t wait to show off to your new friends.

Bedding

Since the walls are usually white and the furniture’s wooden, the bed’s going to be the focal point of your room. Start off by selecting a comforter you love, and the rest will follow. Most dorm beds are extra-long twins, so choose sheets and bedding that fit. You should also try a mattress pad. College mattresses are far from plush, so anything to boost comfort is a great investment. Finally, take advantage of pillows. They’re wonderful decorations that can add bursts of color and style (in addition to comfort) and can be swapped from year-to-year without breaking the bank.

Favorite finds:

- PB Teen lets you design your entire bed online. You even have the option of viewing two beds at once, so you and your roommate can select your own styles and still make sure they look great together. Click here to start your own design.

- From funky to girly to chic, Urban Outfitters has all types of decorative pillows that will leave your bed feeling cozy and looking beautiful.

Walls

The walls of your dorm room are usually white, bare and begging for attention. Use these areas to hang photos of friends and family, magazine spreads, posters, album covers and even your own artwork. These decorations can transform a dorm room into your room by expressing who you are and keeping your loved ones close to your heart. On a side note, be careful that your decorations don’t rip-up the walls, because you’ll be responsible for any damage left behind at the end of the year. Use decals, sticky tack and tape that can be easily removed.

Favorite finds:

- Wall Pops! are perfect for your walls, as they’re effortless to put up, take down and rearrange when you’re in the mood. They’re available in a variety of styles from simple shapes to intricate designs to dry-erase versions that can be used as message boards or calendars.

- Spell out your name or initials with these adorable Wire Wall Letters from PB Teen. They’ll give your walls a personal touch while providing a place to hang your favorite pictures and greeting cards.

Organization

Organization is key for a successful dorm room experience. The most important advice to remember is that everything needs a place. You’ll have a lot of stuff and not enough space, but if you plan ahead and invest in extra storage, your belongings will be manageable and your room will remain in order. Also, don’t forget that you can store with style by choosing boxes with decorative fabric and colored drawers that tie into your room’s theme.

Favorite finds:

- Like-It Modular Drawers from The Container Store are definitely a must-have. They max out on efficiency since they’re offered in five different sizes and can be paired with Like-It Modular Bins and Baskets. Click here to create the storage combination that’s perfect for your belongings and space.

- Also from The Container Store are fabric storage boxes that are useful for smaller items and guaranteed to give your room a touch of elegance.

The Extra Essentials

Now that you’ve taken care of the basics, you can focus on additional touches that make your dorm room come to life. Depending on the specifics of your room, you may be able to fit additional furniture, a rug to cushion a hard floor or curtains to cover too-bright windows or open closets. Call the Housing Office at your school to learn about your room and get a jump-start on designing before it’s time to move in.

Favorite finds:

- Check out Urban Outfitters’ collection of fun, trendy rugs. They’re all fabulous, but this Mixed Media Shag Rug is definitely a must-have.

- These Zebra Hang-A-Round Chairs from PB Teen are cute, comfy and compact enough to fit nicely in your room.

Do you ever find yourself saying, “There’s nothing I can do to change the world”? Well, if so, get ready to bite your tongue, because we have proof that one person can make a difference. Sick of the way women let their inner bully’s beat up on their self-esteem, 24-year-old Caitlin Boyle wrote a note on a Post-It reminding herself that, “You are beautiful!” and then left it on the mirror of a public restroom.

What resulted was a global movement of positive thinking as women all over began to leave their own notes of encouragement for strangers who might need to be reminded of their total awesomeness. In Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-It Note at a Time, published earlier this month, Caitlin’s brought all those beautiful messages to the public. Check out what this do-gooder had to say about self-esteem, how to create change and the power of the Post-It.

AC: How did you come up with the idea for Operation Beautiful?

Caitlin Boyle: I was having a very stressful day and wanted to do something nice for a stranger to lift my own spirits. I wrote, “You are beautiful” on a Post-It and put it on a public bathroom mirror. Then, I took a picture of the note and blogged about the experience on my personal blog, www.HealthyTippingPoint.com. The concept quickly went viral and the rest is beautiful history!

AC: When did you know this could be something that could change the way women look at themselves?

Caitlin: I began receiving emails from women that began with, “I found a note and I feel like it changed my life…” These powerful messages convinced me that one small note really could make a big difference!

AC: Why do you think it’s been so effective?

Caitlin: I think it’s so effective because if you find a note, it’s unexpected and surprising.  To know that a stranger wants you to see yourself in a more positive way can really make the negative thoughts stop. When posting the notes, I think people are really writing the messages to themselves. And it’s impossible not to be positive when you’re flooding yourself with positive messages!

AC: What’s been your favorite PostIt message? Why?

Caitlin: My favorite story is Vit’s. Vit was a teenager in Canada and was in a treatment center for severe anorexia. Her doctors were concerned that it was eventually going to kill her. She slipped into the bathroom to throw up and found an Operation Beautiful note on the stall. The simple message, “You are good enough the way you are,” made her pause and reconsider her destructive behavior. She followed up with me a few months later and said she was out of the hospital and healthier than ever. Vit knew a stranger had posted the note, but she felt like the timing was a message from God.

AC: Did you have any idea this project would become so big?

Caitlin: I really didn’t! I just wanted to do something nice for a stranger. I never thought that it would go viral like this—but I’m so glad it did!

AC: What message do you hope this sends to people?

Caitliln: I hope people realize that being beautiful is about being balanced, healthy and happy. It’s not just about what you look like, it’s about how you treat yourself.

AC: What do you think are the biggest put-downs that we attribute to ourselves and what are the realities?

Caitlin: The biggest mistake we make is beating ourselves up for not looking like models or celebrities. Ninety-nine percent of the images in magazines are photo-shopped in some way. It’s time we stop emulating or striving for a type of perfection that doesn’t even exist in the real world. It’s OK to look human!

AC: How can young people change the negative ways they look at themselves?

Caitlin: If you have a negative thought, replace it with a positive, realistic one.  Consciously correct yourself if you engage in “Fat Talk.” Posting Operation Beautiful notes can also help to lift your spirits!

AC: How can one person make a difference?

Caitlin: A little kindness goes a long way—you never know the impact one little note or kind word will have on another person. It can literally change their lives.

AC: How has your life changed because of Operation Beautiful?

Caitlin: Running the site and writing the book has made me a more gracious, accepting person. There are so many different, wonderful and amazing women out there with great stories. There is truly beauty in all of us.

For more on Caitlin and Operation Beautiful, visit her today at OperationBeautiful.com

Summer’s coming to an end which means school’s just beginning. Take advantage of your last few weeks of freedom and do all the summer activities that you’ll miss when the cold weather arrives. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

-       One last road trip: Take a drive with friends to a place you’ve always wanted to go to. This will be a memorable end to your summer.

-       One last beach getaway: Pack a picnic lunch, slather on the sunscreen and hit the shore. You’ll be yearning for that salty smell, warm sand and sound of the waves crashing once the cold temperatures set in.

-       Hit up an outdoor concert: Take advantage of the nice weather by listening to your favorite music out in the open air, under the stars.

-       Have a picnic in the park: Pack your lunch, a blanket and your friends and lay out in your local park. Enjoy the scenery and people-watch for entertainment.

-       Take lots of pictures: You’ll like seeing old photos of you and your friends enjoying the beautiful weather when summer seems so far away.

-       Go rollerblading, ride a bike or take a walk: When the winter months arrive, you’ll long for the time you could go out without a huge jacket on, do one of these activities outside while you still can.

-       Get the most out of your sundresses, sunglasses, sunhats and flip flops: These summer must-haves will be packed away soon. Wear these items before you have to pack them up until next year.

-       See all the summer blockbusters: There are so many good movies out. Summer always brings box-office hits, so see a matinee on a weekday to save money and enjoy them on the big screen with a friend or go solo. Or try it Grease-style at the drive-in with your sweetie.

-       Take one last trip to your local amusement park: Hit all the awesome rides before they close for the season.

-       Go to a fair in a nearby town: Take a ride on the ferris wheel, eat goodies like blueberries, cantaloupe and other summer fruits, or indulge in some treats like cotton candy, funnel cake and ice cream.

-       Go tubing: A lazy tube ride down the river is a great adventure you can share with the people close to you. Or even as a team bonding trip.

-       Go hiking with friends: Get in that last workout outside before you’re stuck in an indoor gym all winter.

-       Camp out: Having a camp out with your friends is a great way to reminisce on the past summer months before school starts. Whether you set up your tent in your backyard, the woods or your living room, s’mores are a must!

-       Sleep in one last time: Wake up as late as you want to. Before you know it, that alarm will be going off every weekday for school, and you can only hit snooze so many times.

-       Throw a BBQ bash: Barbeques are a summer necessity, so have one last shin-dig with everyone you know!

-       Get a back-to-school makeover: Indulge in a mani, pedi or even a new hairstyle and head to homeroom in style.

-       Grab a new wardrobe: Buy new clothes and accessories to start off the school year right. Treat yourself!

-       Clean out your closet: You’re going to have to make room for all your new purchases, so start clearing out while you have the extra time.

by Joey Beebe, Cheer New York

I didn’t begin my life as a cheerleader and I certainly never thought I would get paid to be one, but that just goes to show how unexpected life can be.

I was a dancer, gymnast and runner in high school, which turned out to be the right combination of skills I needed to eventually become a cheerleader. One summer, my gymnastics coach invited me to go to cheerleading camp with her team as an assistant coach. I had a lot of catching up to do (I didn’t know a high-V from a Hurdler) but I caught on quickly. As it turned out, the skills I developed from other sports helped pave the way to my role as a lifelong cheerleader. In college, I tumbled for the basketball cheer team. But because I was so busy with my studies and other campus activities, I had to resign from the squad after my first year. I thought this was the end of my cheer career.

Fast-forward 10 years, when I moved to New York City to seek fame and glory. I was unemployed and trying to find ways to occupy my days, when one day I went to a tumbling class. The instructor pulled me aside to tell me about an organization called Cheer New York. I wasn’t that interested, but when I later saw a flyer at a local restaurant advertising their upcoming tryouts, I decided to give it a shot. When I showed up at the audition, my skills were rusty, but adequate. I figured I’d get in shape, gain a larger group of friends, and have something to fill up my spare time. What I didn’t count on was that joining this organization would make a difference in not only my own life, but in countless others’ lives as well.

Cheer New York is a charity organization whose goal is to improve the lives of people in New York City. We raise money by cheerleading, collecting donations and putting our profits into a fund that’s awarded to a local charity. We’ve awarded monetary gifts to organizations like Haven of Hope, the NYC Alzheimer’s Association, the Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation and others. Twice a year, after a team nomination and vote, we rotate the charities that we support. Currently we’re working to raise money for Sylvia’s Place, a shelter for teens at the Metropolitan Community Church of New York. In addition to raising money for charities, we also participate in various community events like the YAI Central Park Challenge, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the NYC ING Marathon, and the NYC Gay Pride Parades.

To me, having a cheerleading team that raises money for charity is the greatest idea ever! The people involved are not only stellar athletes, but they also care about the community and making our city a better place to live in. Our squad relies on each other for strength and skill not only for stunting and dancing, but also for creativity and commitment to our cause.

I remember how exciting it was when I was cheering at basketball games in college. The game was tied, the athletes were struggling to chalk up a win for the fans, who were on their feet, urging their team on, and then there was us—the cheerleaders—who were leading the cheers and getting the crowd united to show support for our team. The excitement and gratification when the buzzer sounded with our team two points ahead, surfing on a wave of cheers from the fans all the way to their victory, is an unbelievable feeling. I’m proud to say that I feel that same sense of accomplishment when our team presents a check to an organization that will use our donation to make a significant change in people’s lives.

What does your squad do to better your community? Share your story in the comment box below.

By Brittany Perskin

There are many high schools across the country with athletic teams but no cheer squad. Can you imagine? The students don’t know what they’re missing. Or do they? If you attend one of these cheer-less schools and want to show your spirit on the sidelines, look no further. Here’s your guide to starting a squad at your school.

Find a supportive staff member. It’s important to have assistance and support from a faculty member. This teacher doesn’t have to be a former cheerleader, just someone who thinks a cheer squad would be a great addition to the school. So, ask around! Share your idea with teachers and staff, and see who’s interested in becoming your moderator. (Just make sure that they get certified or brings on a trained coach/instructor before you try any stunts or tumbling.)

Spread the word. You can’t have a cheer squad without cheerleaders! Talk to your friends about joining and ask your teachers to make an announcement after class. You can even start a petition and collect signatures from students to show that there’s a high demand for a squad.

Set up a meeting with the administration (principal or vice principal) and pitch your idea. They’re in charge of running the school and will need to approve it before you can move forward. Have a parent or staff member accompany you to the meeting—the school may be more receptive with an adult present.

The outcome is out of your control once you’ve pleaded your case, but if the school approves your request, you’re almost there—but not quite.

* If your school considers the cheer squad a sport, congrats! Most of your work is done. The school will handle the hiring of a coach who should take over from there.

* If your school considers the cheer squad a club, you may need to find an advisor to moderate it.

After you’ve been given the OK from your school, hold tryouts to determine who will make the team. Then, as soon as possible, the team should start fundraising for cheer necessities like: matching uniforms, pom pons, cheer shoes and bows.

Once your team is cleared, formed, and accessorized you’ll be ready to pick up those poms in no time!

**REMEMBER: Your coach/advisor MUST get safety training.