Welcome to April, the month of “Bold Adventures”! This is the perfect time to embrace the spirit of adventure and take bold risks in your personal and professional life. As we enter the spring season, it’s a time of renewal and growth. This month is all about exploring new opportunities, taking risks, and embracing the unknown with a sense of excitement and anticipation. Whether it’s traveling to a new destination, starting a new project, or taking on a new challenge, this is the time to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the spirit of adventure. Don’t be afraid to take bold risks that will help you grow and expand your horizons.
So, join us in our mission to live boldly this April. Let’s embrace the power of adventure and take bold risks in our personal and professional lives. Let’s explore new opportunities and experiences and make the most of this exciting season of growth and renewal. This is the time to live life to the fullest and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Connect with the earth and explore its bold and flavorful bounty this April with the Earthy flavor profile. Challenge yourself to incorporate earthy ingredients like turmeric, cumin, thyme, or rosemary into your meals for a rich and robust flavor profile. Discover new and exciting ways to add depth and richness to your favorite recipes and embrace the natural flavors of the earth.
From1918to1937,AfricanAmericanssoughttotransformthesocietalview placeduponthemwiththeblossomingoftheircultureintheHarlem Renaissance.Embracingart,music,literature,andtheater,AfricanAmericans toredownthestereotypes.Theydistancedthemselvesfromvarious bourgeoisvaluesandtheshameofaspectsoftheirlivesthatreinforced discriminatorybeliefs.Throughhispoetry,LangstonHughesgaveaglimpse intothelivesofAfricanAmericans,highlightingthetrialsandtribulations they facedduringtheperiod.Hiswordshelpedpushessentialconversations and transformedhowpeoplesawAfricanAmericansintheliteraryspaceand beyond.
Followinghisparents’separationafterhisbirthintheearly1900s,Langston HugheswasraisedbyhismaternalgrandmotherinLawrence,Kansas,until shepassedawaywhenHugheswas12.HismotherrelocatedhimtoIllinois andClevelandfortheremainderofhischildhood.Hughesoftenfeltlonely whilegrowingup,makingreadinghisbestfriend.Fromhisloveofreading, hedevelopedaloveofwritingandbeganwritingpoetryinhighschool.
Ashemasteredhiscraft,hegainedinspirationfromAmericanpoetsCarl SandburgandWaltWhitman,whosecontentdetailedtheaverageAmerican experience.Upongraduating,HugheswroteTheNegroSpeaksofRivers,an odetothemilestonesandperseveranceofAfricanAmericansthusfar.The NAACPmagazine,TheCrisis,publishedthepoemin1921,whichgarnered himalotofattentionforshowcasingtheAfricanAmericanexperience differently.HiscareercontinuedtothriveashewenttoColumbiaUniversity inNewYork,wherehespentayearanddevelopedhisloveandattachment toHarlem,NewYork.
Throughhistimeinthecity,HughesbecameimmersedinHarlemculture, becomingoneofthemostimportantcontributorstotheblossomingof literatureandartduringtheHarlemRenaissance.Hepublishedhisfirst bookofpoetrycalledTheWearyBluesin1926,whereHughesusedvarious musicalrhythmstoconveythedifferentrealitiesofthelivesofpeople aroundhim.Oftencreditedasthe“fatherofjazzpoetry,”manyofhis poems areinfluencedbyorsoundlikejazzmusicbecauseofthephrases inspired bythegenre.
In1926,hereceivedascholarshiptoLincolnUniversityinPennsylvania, wherehehelpedlaunchFire!!Magazinethatbecameaveryinfluential publicationshowcasingtheliterarypiecesofthetime.Aftergraduatingin 1929,hepublishedNotWithoutLaughing,anovellooselybasedonhislife thattellsthestoryofthechallengesofAfricanAmericanlifeintheMidwest twogenerationsfollowingslaveryendingintheUnitedStates.
FollowingtheHarlemRenaissancein1930,Hughescontinuedtowrite poetry,focusingonracialjusticeandpolitics.Healsousedthistimeto travel throughouttheAmericanSouth,theSovietUnion,Haiti,andJapan, serving asanewspapercorrespondentduringtheSpanishCivilWarin1937. Asthe yearswenton,Hughesbecamedeeplyinvolvedintheatre,founding two theatrecompaniesinHarlemandLosAngeleswhilewritingtwo autobiographies,TheBigSeasandIWonderasIWander.
Hughescontinuedtoinfluenceliteraturewithhismanywritingsforthe next threedecades,beingoutspokenonthestrugglesintheAfrican American communityandhisobservationsoftheworld.Hepushedpast the stereotypesplaceduponAfricanAmericansduringthatperiod, showcasing theintelligence,creativity,andbrillianceinusall.Hughes’s workcontinues toliveontoday,remindingushowpowerfulandimpactful ourwordscan be.
An Ohio State University National Student Financial Wellness study found that 72 percent of college students experience financial distress with the fear of being unable to pay their tuition and monthly expenses. In the last ten years, according to Best Colleges.com, on average, “between 2010 and 2020, tuition and fees rose by 20 percent.” The increase in fees and other expenses can lead to a decline in mental health, leading to depression, irritability, and restlessness. Building a solid financial foundation is imperative to prevent additional stress and ensure a pathway to success.
Establishing an excellent financial foundation gives you a positive and healthy financial situation. College comes with many expenses outside the initial tuition and fees, therefore, monitoring how much you spend throughout the semester is essential. There are many ways to manage and save money while in college, and we at Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality are here to help! Here are six ways you can begin to build a robust financial foundation.
There are many ways to learn to save money, the first step is always to create a manageable budget. Budgeting allows you to develop a sound financial plan to keep track of your spending to ensure you are spending within your means. You can start by noting how much money you have and what you may need to buy, including toiletry items, snacks, food, and school supplies. It can be hard to stick to a budget, however, to stay on top of it, you can adjust where you need to and take expenses out to make room for more important things. Mastering budgeting will help you after college as you will be met with more responsibilities.
Though college can be difficult, it also comes with many perks that some do not know about. Many companies and businesses offer discounts for college students to enjoy. There are many ways to save money as a student, from music streaming services to local companies, theme parks, museums, restaurants, and grocery stores. To access these discounts in stores, ask the cashier if they offer student discounts and then show your college identification card to verify you are a student. Utilizing these discounts will help you save a lot of money throughout your college career, so be sure to ask about them while you are on the go!
As of 2022, the Federal Reserve found that roughly 43.5 million Americans have student loan debt, with each borrower owing an average of about $37,000. With the number of students accumulating debt growing, it is important to research other options for funding your college career. Scholarships and grants are a great way to help pay your tuition as it includes money you do not have to pay back. You can find scholarships on your campus through financial aid, the alumni association, and through various organizations and departments. The key to finding scholarships and grants is being proactive and continuously inquiring about them. You can also find scholarships from multiple companies and fellowships programs as they look for new scholars each semester. Be sure to look up the company and speak to a financial advisor at your school before applying for a scholarship outside of school to ensure legitimacy. The more scholarships you obtain, the less college debt you will accrue.
According to the Education Data Initiative, in 2023, the average food cost per month of a college student will be over $600, with students spending about $400 a month eating off campus. Though it may not seem important, having a meal plan will cut down costs and any excessive spending on food. At Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality, we understand that many students get meal plans based on how often they are on campus, therefore, we offer plans for on-campus and commuter students. With our various dining and retail locations, there is food to fit a variety of diets and needs.
Textbook costs can become a significant stressor in college due to high prices and the necessity for it in some courses. The average textbook book costs about $105 and can be up to $600 for one course. Education Data Initiative found that the average student pays between $339 and $600 per semester for books and school supplies. Therefore, it is suggested that alternative options for textbooks be looked into. Before buying new textbooks, inquire about rental options for them at your bookstore or online versions of them. There are always ways to save money on supplies, therefore, always ask for other purchasing options.
It is easy to get wrapped up in the world of subscription services. Sometimes, we subscribe to so many services that they can be hard to keep up with. Be sure to check your monthly bank statements through the mail or on mobile banking applications to see your recurring expenses. If it is a subscription service you no longer use or is too expensive, cancel it. You will be surprised how much you can save monthly by canceling unwanted subscriptions.
Social media has become a favorite pastime for many as we continue to dive deeper into the technology age. With new technology, such as virtual reality, on the rise and social media sites like TikTok, where new trends are developed, many have been experiencing life from their screens. As spring break approaches, we at Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality want to encourage everyone to maximize their break by trading screen time for outside experiences.
DataReportal.com found that the typical internet user spends almost 2.5 hours each day on various social media platforms, with TikTok and YouTube currently having high usage data over other platforms in 2024. Worldwide, people spend 720 billion minutes daily using social media platforms, aimlessly scrolling, and engaging in content. The growing usage of social media has made many develop an internet addiction, with The University of Michigan finding in 2023 an estimated “210 million people worldwide” and California State University reporting an estimated “33 million Americans are addicted to social media compared to the average person.”
While it can be entertaining to scroll on our devices, much of life is worth experiencing in person. Therefore, try to take time away from your device this spring break. Here are some reasons why you should disconnect this spring break.
Though being on social media can often brighten our days with laughter and joy, we must be careful with how we spend our time online. An increase in social media usage has been connected to the rise in anxiety and depression, according to Piedmont primary care physician Saju Mathew, M.D. The anxiety from social media can come from numerous things, including seeing a plethora of negative news and comments, the constant comparison to others, and the need to keep up with online trends. We are all unique, and embracing that daily is essential. Take this time during your break to relax your mind and rejuvenate yourself to tackle the remainder of the semester.
From the forests to rivers and oceans, they all provide us with the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water to grow our crops. Because of mass social media consumption, many people have less motivation to participate in outdoor activities, according to ScienceDirect.com. On social media, we are exposed to the beauties of nature, making people less inclined to experience it in person. However, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published in 2013 that “interaction with nature can increase self-esteem and mood, reduce anger, and improve general psychological well-being with positive effects on emotion and behavior.” Be sure to walk around the neighborhood or find a local park and enjoy nature’s beauty.
Internet usage has pros and cons, as it can be a great tool to help increase productivity. However, when poorly managed, technology can be a big distraction, leading to less work being done. While on your break, monitor your screen time to ensure you are not letting the day pass you by. Balancing your time online can help you properly divide your time between enjoying your break and indulging in social media.
Our technological devices emit blue light, part of the visible spectrum or what the human eye can see. According to WebMD.com, this light messes with your sleep cycle and signals your brain to wake up when it should be winding down. Scrolling to social media or on your electronic devices before bedtime or at night frequently can result in trouble falling asleep and waking up earlier, suppressing melatonin. This hormone promotes sleepiness in the body. The best part of spring break is catching up on much-needed sleep to recharge, therefore, be sure to use the time before bed away from your devices or reduce screen time to allow your body to relax correctly before falling asleep.
Time can escape us while we are on the internet. Once we see and engage in content, many social media platforms are programmed to show similar content on our timelines. This can lead us into a cycle of constantly scrolling and spending hours on end online. Taking time away from the internet will give you more free time for your relationships and activities, such as your friendships, family, hobbies, and developing new skills.
While being away from home for about eight months out of the year, college can quickly become a second home. To ensure comfort, many students decorate their dorms and attach their personalities to their rooms by adding stick-and-peel wallpaper, rugs, lamps, posters, lights, and so much more. Plants are an excellent addition to your dorm décor, however, with the hustle and bustle of college, they may be a little challenging to keep up with. If you are looking for easygoing plants to add to your room, succulents are perfect.
Succulents are a group of drought-resistant plants with leaves, stems, or roots that become thick and fleshy as they store water in their tissue. Because they store water in their leaves and stems, these plants are low maintenance, as they usually only need watering when the soil is dry. Most succulents thrive better in planting pots with drainage holes or watering them by placing the plant in a holding tray and watering it at the bottom. Be sure not to overwater your succulents and keep the area clean to avoid potential pests.
Aside from adding to your décor, succulents can help cleanse the air in your room as they are known to purify the air, leading to a better night’s sleep. These plants also can help reduce stress, as a study published by the Journal of Physiological Anthropology in 2015 found that “simply looking at a plant reduces both psychological and physiological stress in young adults.”
If you are looking for succulents to add to your dorm room décor, Campus Dining by Thompson Hospitality is here to help! Here are ten succulents for your dorm room décor.
Need some good luck and positivity throughout the semester? Look no further than the Lucky Bamboo! Though it is not a bamboo plant, with the leaves removed, it resembles bamboo. Be sure to keep the Lucky Bamboo in bright sunlight, though it can tolerate low light and water every few weeks. This plant can also be grown in water, however, change the water weekly to ensure the plant stays healthy.
You might see this succulent rosette shape and think it is a regular flower, however, it is a great houseplant. Found in shades of green, blue-green, red, and hints of pink, this plant is perfect for brightening your dorm room décor. Be sure to keep this plant in direct sunlight and water the plant every few weeks when the soil is completely dry.
Known for their spiky green leaves with white ridges, these plants are perfect for your windowsill. Do not be alarmed if you do not see immediate progress, as these succulents are slow to grow. Great for beginners, these plants only need bright sunlight and watering every 12 days.
The Black Rose Aeonium, a beautiful, almost black, and burgundy rosette-shaped succulent, will turn heads in your dorm room. Needing bright light and watering one to two days a week, you will love the look of these plants in your dorm.
Native to South Africa, this succulent grows stocky with thick stems and glossy leaves. To keep a Jade Plant happy for a long time, it is essential to water it once the soil is completely dried out and keep it in indirect sunlight for four to six hours to be sure the leaves do not dry out the plant.
This cactus-like plant, typically grown in hot and dry climates, is a great house plant with various benefits. If taken care of properly, Aloe Vera can live up to 12 years. Be sure to keep it in direct sunlight and water the soil every few weeks when it feels totally dry. Inside the plant is a clear gel containing 99 percent water and amino acids, lipids, sterols, vitamins, and glucomannans called mucilaginous juice. This gel has many healing properties, such as soothing minor and first-degree burns.
Looking for a way to spice up your shelves in your room? The String of Pearls may be the succulent for you, and it is best presented when the tiny beads are draped over a table or shelves! This plant thrives in bright sunlight but can tolerate indirect sunlight for a short time. It needs watering every few weeks when the soil feels dry to ensure longevity.
Burro’s Tail succulent is another fantastic plant to add to drape off your bookshelves and desk. This plant only needs partial sunlight for at least four hours a day, as direct full sunlight will turn the leaves pale green or yellow. Because this plant is drought-resistant, check the soil often to prevent overwatering it. As your plant matures, water your succulent once every 14 days.
Though the name may frighten you, this plant may be one of the easier succulents to care for. This strong and beautiful plant can thrive independently, requiring low to high sunlight and watering every few weeks when the soil dries. When taken care of properly, this plant can live for decades with little care.
With its unique green and white pattern, this eye-catching plant is a great talking piece for your dorm room. What looks rare and exotic is common in garden centers and store sections. This is a beginner-friendly succulent as it only needs bright indirect sunlight near a window and watering when the soil is dried.
• 1/2 cup Orange Juice, 100%
• 1/4 cup Mustard, Dijon
• 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 cup Vinegar, Balsamic
• 2 cup 3 Shredded Red Cabbage
• 1 qt Kale, Fresh, Chopped
• 1/3 cup Sunflower Seeds, Unsalted, Roasted
• 1 cup Onions, Red, Fresh, 1/8” Sliced
• 1/2 cup Red Bell Peppers, Fresh, 1/4” Strips
•
1. Whisk together mustard, orange juice, vinegar, and pepper in a small bowl.
2. Combine kale, cabbage, onion, peppers, and sunflower seeds in a large bowl.
3. Pour dressing over kale mixture and toss to coat.
4. Chill before serving.
The earth is getting hotter by the day, polar ice caps are melting, storms are becoming more severe, species are becoming extinct, sea levels are rising, and much more due to climate change. According to Climate.gov, 2023 was the warmest year in global records, above the 20th-century average of 57.0 degrees Fahrenheit compared to 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit in 1850. The ten warmest years are said to have occurred in the last decade, from 2014-2023. What is different since the 1850s is the increase of greenhouse gas emissions blanketing the earth and trapping the sun’s heat, leading to global warming and climate change. Though scientists are worried about the potentially irreversible effects of climate change, there are many things we can do to lessen the temperatures, allowing the earth to heal from the current damage of greenhouse gasses. It all starts with the food we eat.
Reducing our carbon footprint will help heal the earth. Our carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that we and our actions generate. This can include the trucks and cars we drive, the boxes we ship, the products we manufacture, and the food we eat.
Food is part of our everyday life as we need the nutrients to survive. However, we often do not think about the process it takes for the food we eat to get to us. The process typically includes the growth, processing, transportation, distribution, preparation, consumption, and the waste of our foods. Within each of these steps, greenhouse gases are emitted into the air, adding to the overheating of the earth. “About a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food,” according to UnitedNations.org.
To reduce your carbon footprint, you can change your diet to include food items with fewer emissions than others and monitor what you put on your plate. Here are three key ways to reduce your carbon footprint with your food choices.
Eating less beef is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint, as it Is the most polluting food you can eat. The United Nations found that the methane from cattle’s digestive process contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Other animal products and meats also contribute to the emissions despite having a lesser effect than beef. Trading butter for margarine on average “reduces your emissions by one-third,” reported by MyEmission.green.
Another way to help towards a solution is by ensuring you are eating food in season. When foods are grown out of season, farmers must artificially create suitable environments to grow them correctly. This can lead to more energy being used to produce and transport these items, increasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the air.
Globally, as of 2023, around 13 percent of all food produced is lost between harvest and retail, and 17 percent is wasted in household, food production, and food service. Food waste can decrease food security and availability, impacting the striking cost of food products. Furthermore, food waste leads to overcrowding of landfills, causing increased methane emitted into the atmosphere. With the variety of foods in our dining halls, there is food for everyone to enjoy, no matter your dietary preference. This adds a personalization of the dining hall experience, allowing you to take what you want to eat instead of settling for items you may not like, causing food waste. Be sure to explore what is on the menu via your campus dining website, accessible by the Popl QR codes around the dining hall, to see what is being served so you can make an informed decision.
April is National Garden Month
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Daniela-Gabrielle Smallwood, Vice President of Marketing and Programming
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