Question Dear Life & Style, I’ve noticed lately how many people around me suffer from low self esteem. Reasons for their lack of confidence range from being single, struggling financially, or not doing well in school. I want to help them realize that they are good people with a lot going on in their life. They should be proud of what they have instead of dwell on what they don’t. Any ideas to help me boost their self-assurance? -Confidence Booster… Read more

California State University, Northridge has been recognized as a “commuter school” for years. Most of us drag ourselves into our vehicles, onto the bus or, if we are lucky, onto a bike just to pedal down the street. However, 23-year-old Brandy Dodd drives to and from San Diego to Northridge three times a week, rain or shine. Imagine leaving at 11 a.m. to make a 3:30 p.m. class, attending the lecture, and then spending hours on the road for the… Read more

Boo! It’s that terrifying time of year again, where haunted happenings and eerie events are in high demand, and I’ve got just the petrifying places to be this year. With such spooky suggestions, you won’t have a moment to spare. Get ready for alarming atmospheres full of wicked wonders and terror. First up, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. Featuring six sinister mazes, including themes like Saw, Friday the 13th, and House of 1000 Corpses, you’re sure to have some… Read more

My advice first and foremost would be, not to hook up with fellow dorm mates. I’ve made such a mistake and have ended up in a an awkward situation. That being said, I know we’re all human and sometimes desire comes between self-control and will power. So, if you had an intimate encounter with someone in your dorm and now you’re either: (A) attached beyond reasonable doubt or (B) desperately hoping to dodge the dude or damsel.  You better hope… Read more

The California Supreme Court is reviewing a lawsuit challenging AB 540, a state law that allows an estimated 25,000 undocumented students to receive in-state tuition. And I say “hallelujah.” The L.A. Times reported in-state tuition can be $19,000 lower than fees charged to out-of-state students annually. Undocumented students are not even legal residents of the United States, let alone California. So how can undocumented students receive such financial aid while U.S. citizens empty their bank accounts? To even consider the… Read more

Question: Dear Life & Style, I just “broke up” with my best friend. I know it was for the best, but we’ve known each other for the majority of our childhoods. I feel sad and confused, like a piece of me is missing. How do I get over my best friend without my best friend? –Best friends for-never Answer: It sounds like you’ve got a case of the breakup blues. And I know first hand what you’re going through. I… Read more

Sorry to say, but this generation is accustomed to instant gratification. Thanks to iPhones, iTunes and the internet, you don’t have to work very hard to get what you want, when you want it. This means people are having a tougher time achieving their aspirations because goal attainment is no walk in the park. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, stop procrastinating, quit smoking or get good grades, you have to realize none of these things are a click away…. Read more

HELPING: L.A. County Beach Clean-up Volunteers Sept. 25 marked the 21st annual Coastal-Cleanup Day in L.A. The L.A. Times reported a record 14,131 volunteers helped clear our waves of waste. At 65 different sites, 50 tons of trash was removed. Things like crack pipes, a full goat hide, fishing line, a lawn chair, lead sinkers, and plastic utensils were pulled out of the ocean and onto the shore to be sorted and recycled. A big thanks to those volunteers who participated in… Read more

Question: Dear Life & Style, I guess I’m not the typical crazy partying college student. I’m not much of a drinker, and I’m constantly getting made fun of. I can’t be the only one in this predicament. How can I avoid the peer pressure from my friends and still maintain my social life? — Total Abstainer Answer: When the majority of us imagine what our college years should consist of, we see fun, friends, and frequent parties. It’s only natural… Read more