IMPRINT“An indelible,

distinguishing effect or inf luence.”

(noun)

C O N T E N T SFeatures

college PREP EXCLUSIVE! A Discussion

With Intern Queen & Author Lauren Berger

4 Things College Won’t Teach YouSenior Year Do’s & Don’ts

Welcome To The Greek Life Bonding On The Road

Are You A True Professional?

community REACHThe Power of Mentorship

Vested In VolunteeringMorehouse Men Make Their Mark

Community Spotlight

political SCOPE Civic Engagement:

Not Just Every Four Years

money MOVESTop 5 Money Mistakes

College Students Make

fashion BRIEFProper Cocktail Party Attire

The Art of Fabulous NailsTrendy Looks On Campus

health WISEHealthy Food Options & Easy Recipes For College Students

modern LIVINGDining Etiquette 101

Smart Holiday Gifting

tech DECKThe Social Media Craze:

Who Out-Ranks?

VOLUME 2 ● ISSUE 4

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CONTENTS ║ 5

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DECEMBER 2012 THE COLLEGE, COMMUNITY & POLITICS ISSUE!

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13EXCLUSIVE!

P. 28

Being Lauren BergerThe “Intern Queen” Discusses Her New Book, Life After College And How She’s Leaving Her Imprint

- Interview by N. Renee

EXCLUSIVE!

COLLEGE PREP ║ 19theiMPRiNT● theimprintmag.com

College Life On The Road: Keys To A Successful Road Trip

hether its fall break, an away football game or just a boring weekend, a road trip is a rite of passage of any college student. A chance to leave the books behind for a brief weekend and have some fun with friends is an excellent way to relieve some stress. When traveling around the country into unfamiliar territory it is important to keep a few things in mind.

First and foremost be sure to do researchonyourdes-na-on. Nothing is worse than traveling to an unfamiliar town and not knowing what to do or where to go. Imagine traveling to Oxford, Mississippi and not knowing about the Grove or traveling to Auburn, Alabama and not knowing what Toomer’s Corner is. It is important to have a game plan in place when traveling to new places.

OGen Hmes aGer high school friends diverge on collegiate paths and rarely get to see each other and aroadtripisanexcellentwaytoreconnect. Call up that buddy from high school and see how they’re doing.  Even if you don’t spend all weekend with them, someHmes a quick dinner or meeHng for drinks works wonders for your distant relaHonship.

These road trips are excellent ways to makenewfriendsinanewcity. Meet friends‐of‐friends because chances are you may have a lot in common with them. Who knows, that random girl at the bar could be a future girlfriend, or that guy at the tailgate could be a friend for life. MeeHng new people and expanding your social network has no downsides and can only help you.

Beingsafe on the road trip should be everyone in your group’s number one priority. Too many Hmes people end up in dangerous situaHons when in unfamiliar ciHes. Be sure to use a buddy system and keep track of everyone in your party at all Hmes. Nothing is worse than hearing a friend get mugged or having to go to the local police staHon to bail a friend out late at night. Traveling with groups makes it easy to avoid potenHally dangerous situaHons

Finally, always besuretodowhatthelocalsdo. Use your research and word of mouth to figure out where the best places to go are. For example, the local cuisine is almost always the best in town. There is no sense in eaHng at Burger King or Applebee’s all weekend when a hidden gem could be right under your nose. Restaurants such as the Varsity in Atlanta or Dreamland Barbeque in Tuscaloosa, Alabama are famous naHonwide for their unique tastes and local flavors. 

The road trip is a classic American event that every college student should partake in during their Hme at school. These kinds of trips allow for you to escape the monotony of class, tests and papers and finally cut loose and have a good Hme. Although college is about preparing for the future academically, becoming  cultured can take you a long way. ‐

By Jack McCallion //

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POLITICAL SCOPE ║ 25theiMPRiNT● theimprintmag.com

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: NOT JUST EVERY FOUR YEARS

So, how many of you remember sitting in your sixth grade social studies class learning about the many facets of government? If your class happened to be after lunch, you probably don’t remember much. But, I am sure you do remember cramming for the BIG test, barely passing and then dumping the information only to replace it with algebraic expressions. Well, here you are over a decade later making decisions for yourself to include who you decide to vote into office. Every four years we engage in a civic activity that is a cornerstone of American democracy - the election of a president along with a peaceful transition of power. The recent Presidential campaign, which resulted in the re-election of Barack Obama, saw over 120 million Americans cast their vote (this election also set a financial record with over $1 billion dollars being spent by the two presidential candidates!). Unfortunately however, many Americans will not engage in the political process again until the next presidential election four years down the road. While voting for a new president is without a doubt an important event that affects all Americans, as well as the world - it is only one component of our political system. As you learned years ago, there are three branches of government all of which are essential to maintaining a functional democratic society. Let’s take a look at our political system to see why it is especially important for young people to become active participants in this evolving process.

The three branches of government: Execu5ve, Legisla5ve and Judicial

The ExecuHve Branch of government is headed by the President of the United States who is also the Commander‐In‐Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Vice President and 15 Cabinet level execuHve department heads appointed by the President also are part of the ExecuHve Branch. The President is the poliHcal leader of the country and interacts with Congress to carry out and enforce the laws of the country.

The main funcHon of the LegislaHve Branch is to create and write bills, which aGer being passed, are then enforced throughout the land. It is made up of 2 Houses: the Senate which has 100 members ‐ 2 from each state and the House of RepresentaHves which has 435 members with the number of RepresentaHves determined by the populaHon of each state, respecHvely. The term for a Senator is six years and for a RepresentaHve ‐ two years.  

The Judicial Branch of government deals with enforcing the laws that are legislated by Congress. The highest and most powerful court in the land is the Supreme Court which is made of nine JusHces. The head of the court is the Chief JusHce and all of the JusHces are nominated by the President and if confirmed, serve for life. There is also the U.S. Federal Court System which consists of the 12 regional circuits for the Court of Appeals, the District Courts and the Bankruptcy Courts.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 101 Refresher Course

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By Vern Clarke //

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COCKTAIL chic !Somepeoplearelostwhenitcomestohowtodressforcertainoccasions.SomeHmes things can get confusing between semi‐formal, business/dress casual and cocktail aare.  For college students and young career professionals, cocktail parHes are usually a prime opportunity to mingle with your peers and grow your network. A cocktail party is most definitely an evening event, in an upscale venue. Most Hmes dinner is not served, but there will most likely be a bar and light hors d’oeuvres staHons placed around the party space. Here are a few Hps that budding professionals can use to help prepare for a cocktail gathering.  

LADIES:Adressisanabsolutemust! The dress should be short, no longer than knee length. This is when having that “licle black dress” is essenHal. A black dress provides a simple canvas that can be adapted to any scenario. The best way to decide what shoes to wear is based on the occasion. If the cocktail party is announcing a friend’s engagement, the heel can be as high and fancy as desired, but for a holiday cocktail party at the office, it’s probably wiser to wear a more sensible shoe ‐ cute, but not too high or snazzy. As for the jewelry, this is the perfect Hme to bring out your statement piece. A bold necklace or earrings is sure to do the trick. Luckily, women have the luxury of being able to wear almost anything extra feminine and look stunning. For ladies who don’t have that special black dress, a curve hugging skirt (not too Hght) paired with an eye‐catching blouse and matching accessories will definitely come alive with a dazzling clutch. 

GUYS:Cocktailpar-esaretheperfect-metochannelyourinnerJamesBond.Dark colored suits are the best choice for men’s aare. Black is always the go‐to, but navy blue and charcoal grey should never been eliminated from your opHons. A He isn’t necessary for a cocktail party; guys can relax a bit with neck bucon undone.  Unlike the ladies, men usually don’t have nearly the amount of shoes women do, so chances are there are only one or two choices in that department. Lucky for guys, having one brown pair and one black pair of dress shoes is all you really need to accommodate any suit. In colder weather, guys can wear a bright colored v‐neck sweater underneath their sports coat to add versaHlity to their look. For those who don’t have suits or sports coats, Chino pants and a nice bucon down will surely suffice. 

Be the “style” of the party. By Cydney Nunn //

These few Hps will come in handy when determining what and what not to wear to events throughout the year. Always remember, when you look good, you feel good… and that’s when the magic happens. ‐

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HEALTH WISE32 ║theiMPRiNT● theimprintmag.com

ollege is a place of great opportunity for you to gain sundry new experiences and relaHonships. While you’re busy networking, studying, hanging out, and making the most of your college days, you may not think much about what you’re using as energy to fuel your producHvity. However, being counterproducHve about your diet while being producHve about 

your daily happenings is the quickest way to say “goodbye” to your wellness. Though it’s typically more convenient to grab a value meal at the local McDonald’s instead of cooking at the dorm (or wherever you call home), your wallet and body will beg to differ. OGenHmes, many college students who do cook don’t venture much outside of the infamous ramen noodles or frozen dinners, which are not good choices. Consuming empty calories and/or too much cholesterol, fat and sugar (main ingredients in most popular food brands) can lead to various body aches, diseases and cancers. Common myths: healthy foods costs too much, takes too much to prepare, and it never fully saHsfies your appeHte. The truth: you can eat healthy regularly without breaking the bank using quick, yet filling recipes. Thus, I have come up with three easy meal alternaHves under $10 each that will keep you full of nourishment and your wallet full of moolah!

HEALTHY RECIPES & FOOD OPTIONS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Meal1(Breakfast):Oatmeal

Oatmeal may seem boring; however it can be made deliciously with a few extra ingredients. Oatmeal is inexpensive, lowers cholesterol, decreases risks of heart disease, and takes less than 10 minutes to make. There is no reason not to at least give it a try. Beware that instant, flavored oatmeal is a definite no‐go. The sugar content is ridiculously high, leading to a sugar rush followed by a crash/burn‐out and starving stomach just an hour later. If you’re not a breakfast person, definitely consider oatmeal a vital way to start your day. All you need is ¾ of a cup, and you’ll be good to go! For protein, add crushed walnuts or almonds. Sweeten with a tablespoon of raw sugar or maple syrup and dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries or banana chips.

Meal2(Lunch):Sub&Salad

Instead of grabbing a greasy burger from a fast food joint or paying unnecessarily for a sub that you can make at home, create your own custom sandwich in your own kitchen to save Hme and money. Eat your vegetables on the side or pile them on the sandwich to get your essenHal servings of green.

What you’ll need:

Italian bread (sold by the bakery/deli area in most grocery stores)

A few slices of turkey or roast beef

½ tomato, sliced

Romaine lecuce or spinach

1 avocado, sliced

A few slices of red onion

Sliced olives

Mayo (fat free is best)

Italian dressing or vinaigrece 

Simply assemble your sandwich. Of course, if you ever need to subsHtute something to fit your palece ‐ feel free to do so, as long as it is equally nutriHous. Tip: If you prefer, make the romaine lecuce into a side salad by adding the tomato, red onion, and olives. Top with dressing and dig in!

Meal3(Dinner):WildCard

You don’t always have to prepare the meal yourself; explore your local market! The deli and cold bar secHons tend to have delicious, reasonable items that require licle or no prep from you. Depending on where you live and what market you frequent, a hot bar with an array of warm, savory foods (like vegetable soup) is available as well. Be sure to consider porHon sizes and nutriHonal value, as always.

As you can see, making becer dietary choices is extremely easy. You may not be ready to cut out all sugar or all saturated fats, and that is not a terrible thing. Just make a conscious effort to eat healthier. Even if you start small, (maybe instead of fries, get some fresh fruit or a garden salad) know that you are trying while jump starHng a healthier lifestyle. Remember to love your body and nurture it because you only get one! ‐

C

Tiffany L. Myer contributed to this article.

It’s holiday shopping season! And unless you’re a squirrelly person who buys items throughout the year and stores them away for the gift-giving season, you’re probably excited to take advantage of the various sales going on. Being able to buy gifts for family, friends and those nearest and dearest (even yourself) is a warming feeling, but the decline in Black Friday participants and revenue is a sure sign that not everyone is believing the assurance that there are wonderful deals everywhere right now. I’m sure there are many reasons for this occurrence - the main one being “conscious spending”. Many people just don’t see the so-called “sales” as bargains, so I came up with a few ideas for affordable, alternative and maybe more thoughtful gift ideas that will please your loved ones (and wallet).

A Handmade Card. As cheesy as handmade cards may seem, they let the recipient know that you were actually thinking about them enough to use your time and creativity to make something meaningful. Check Etsy, craft blogs, and stores for inspiration if you want to get fancy. (Pinterest has amazing DIY card-decorating ideas). And for a bonus, add a $5 or $10 gift card to the person’s favorite restaurant or store.

Stationary. Small things like pencils, pens, memo pads and stamps make great, affordable gifts that can definitely be useful for that business-oriented and/or crafty someone you know. A personalized matching set would be perfect!

Everyday Items. People definitely want a gift that they will enjoy by actually USING it. Don’t waste your money on gadgets that lose their zest after a couple of uses. Instead, take note of what your intended gift recipient may use every day and may never have enough of. Examples: workout accessories (water bottle, headband, socks), craft supplies, tool belt/tools, travel accessories and office supplies.

Snacks. Everyone eats to survive, so how can you go wrong buying a friend his or her favorite snacks in a gift basket? You could even get a dollar store basket and customize it yourself with candies, fruits, or whatever they fancy. This can be really creative and rewarding for your impressed friend (who may even share the goodies with you!)

The most special part of holiday gifting is showing appreciation for one another. Whether your budget is small or hefty, you can easily make a caring gesture towards loved ones. So remember to cherish what you have and whom you have in your life because relationships are more important than material posessions. Happy Holidays!

-Tiffany L. Myer

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Holiday GiftingS M A R T

L I F E , L O V E & OT H E R S T U F Fhe makes your heart beat faster and your inhibitions drop. And then comes the dreaded line that is fatal to any budding romantic relationship: "Let's just be friends?" Your love interest treats you as just one of the guys

while you want to take your relationship to a more romantic and committed level. So you have had enough of just being friends and taking it slow and want to know how to progress from being a friend to being more. To begin with, stop thinking like 'just a friend' and get ready to take control of the situation. It is time to work on an action plan that will help the relationship get charged and decide its fate. This is now a 'do or die' situation, so either you find out if there is a chance of a relationship or if it’s time to simply move on.

Turn On The CharmAs 'friends' you usually avoid too much physical contact and it is time to put an end to that. You feel that you are meant for each other; if only you could make mad, passionate love to your 'friend' and ensure that they see the relationship as it should be. However, like all good things - take it slow. Make physical contact while you chat and catch up with each other. Hold his/her hand or tuck a stray hair strand in place. Physical contact is the primary criterion that distinguishes a friend from a sweetheart or lover. Position your body in a manner that shows that all your attention is on your 'friend'. Make eye contact and hold it for a few seconds and then linger on his/her or her mouth. Maintain a distance that doesn't seem too aggressive but just enough to let you have the upper hand. Let him or her want to kiss you the way you want to and then let the moment cast its enchanted spell. It is time to make clear the desire you feel.

Stop Treating Them As A PalIrrespective of the "Let's be friends?" stance, stop treating your sweetheart as just one of your friends. Do you find yourself spending snatches of time together during the morning or afternoon hours? Well, avoid meeting only during the day but make certain that you spend time during the evenings and

even later. This is a more romantic and intimate time and adds magic to your efforts.

C ontrol The SituationDecide how you want to handle the situation and start calling the shots. Friends create a comfort zone while lovers excite and challenge. So get the adrenaline shooting and get out of the no-good friendly comfort zone. Choose situations and activities that challenge your would-be partner. There is nothing like sharing a new experience that brings two people together, so plan some time away from your usual routines. A weekend spent skiing, camping or white water rafting can open up your 'friend' to the real nature of your relationship. Also physical exertion is bound to lead to some sparks and sizzle.

No Talk of FriendsThe more you talk of other members of the opposite sex whom you are just friends with, the more it will seem natural for your love interest to see you as just a friend. To be taken as more than a pal, you need to behave the same way.

Keep The MysteryLet them do most of the talking. So that you don't give away all your secrets, you need a few cards up your sleeve to dazzle and delight. A romantic relationship at its start is fuelled by the excitement of discovering each other. So if you know each other inside out, there really isn't anything left to explore. Don't be the friend that he or she comes to unload the day's tension. However, if this is the situation, handle it with concern and affection of a lover and not a friend. Massaging his/her shoulders of the day's weariness is a sure shot way to get the message across.

You need to send subtle and sometimes blatant messages that you are ready to move from 'just friends' to 'more than friends' - you don't want to be the buddy in the background as your sweetie walks into the sunset with someone else. -

Source: eRomance.com

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