Today Cosmopolitan Magazine is written to “help women achieve their personal and professional goals”, but (according to Wikipedia) the original 1886 publication had a family focus, transformed into a literary periodical and eventually became a women’s magazine in the late 1960s.

In the late 1800s, Paul Schlicht purportedly told his readers that the publication was a “first-class family magazine”. When owenership changed hands in the 1890s, Cosmo became a leader in the market for fiction, eventually offering a free correspondence school:

“No charge of any kind will be made to the student. All expenses for the present will be borne by the Cosmopolitan. No conditions, except a pledge of a given number of hours of study.”

Over 20,000 students signed up immediately! With such high demand Cosmo started asking students to contribute $20 a year.

In the 1950s Cosmo ran less fiction and circulation dropped as paperbacks and television became more popular. The magazine evolved into a special interest publication targeting a specialized audience – young women.

Today featured topics include: sex, relationships, beauty, fashion and health and for a limited time students can get a one-year subscription for only $15 at StudentMags.com (a discount provider on the Student Advantage program).

Starbucks FINALLY launches a truly free Wi-Fi program on July 1, 2010!

In 2008, Starbucks launched a “free” Wi-Fi program through AT&T, which actually required a value card (one-time $5 purchase) for two hours of access, plus $3.99 for each additional session of two consecutive hours. If you already had an AT&T device and/or account, consecutive hours were free, but activating your Starbucks value card (which of course opens the doors for advertising) has always been a requirement. Although I consider myself a fairly savvy mobile user, this has always been very frustrating to me. So, when I want Wi-Fi access and a cup of coffee, I have always gone elsewhere, often to a local (smaller budget) business that offers Wi-Fi service for FREE. No gimmicks. I like that!

Free Wi-Fi is also readily available at many other establishments like McDonald’s, which has added a wireless signal to 11,000 locations. This week Starbucks FINALLY announced a truly free service, the kind where you’ll be able to walk in and access Wi-Fi for as long as you want with the click of a button, which is scheduled to launch in early July. Here’s hoping this announcement lives up to its hype and Starbucks’ new offer comes with less restrictions and complications this summer.

Also, iPhone and iPad users will have exclusive access the Starbucks Digital Network this fall. According to the Associated Press, the program will give Starbucks Web surfers free access to paid sites like the Wall Street Journal, along with exclusive content and free downloads from other sites such as iTunes, The New York Times and Yahoo!.

Last week we asked you to guess the 10th most popular college poster. With 33% of the votes, you guessed: The Great Wave at Kanagawa , c.1829

With 22% of the votes, the runner up was: Endless Summer

With only 11% of the votes, the actual answer is: Monkey Thinker – Steez

Thanks for all the votes! Better luck on the guessing next time! Don’t forget: for a limited time, Cardholder get 20% OFF everything at AllPosters.com.

A few weeks ago my computer crashed and I lost everything: my music, pictures, reports, and special programs I had downloaded. At one point or another, you or someone you know has probably lost important information from a computer breakdown; maybe because of a virus or perhaps a glass of spilled water. Most companies and computer specialists cannot do anything to save a computer from spilled water except hope that it dries out and works again.

**Dramatization of REAL events. This could happen to YOU…

Here are a few ways you can use your Student Advantage Card to help save you time, money and tons of frustration by protecting your computer in advance:

Back up your hard drive. By saving all of your files on an external hard drive, you can rest assured knowing that all of your important files will be safe not matter what happens to your computer. For a limited time, Cardholders can save up to 40% on select Lenovo accessories. Trust me, it’s worth the investment and peace of mind.

Update your files regularly. Keep your computer protected and up to date with all of the latest software and virus protection. JourneyEd.com offers great deals on new software, plus Cardholders save $10 on every purchase of $99 or more. Cardholders can also get Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 for only $59.95!

Download files only from trusted sites. When you download a file from a web site, be sure you know the source. This comment may seem like common sense, but when ignored can have disastrous impacts on your computer.

And last, but not least, avoid spillage when possible!

You may have spent the last couple of summers (or semesters) working very hard to build a resume of experience. Unfortunately, as a lot of companies continue to cut back on costs job seeking is particularly challenging for recent graduates. This trend will likely continue over the next several years.

If you have completed an internship with a company (and you’ve made a good impression), the company’s hiring managers may look upon your candidacy for a permanent position more favorably than others, taking the stress out of navigating through the current job market. Being proactive (planning to take the leap!) is one of the most important steps toward converting an internship into a full-time gig. Here are some additional tips from CareerRookie.com:

• Treat your internship like an extended job interview… because it is. Arrive on time, beat (or at the very least meet) deadlines and consistently deliver strong work.
• Seek out challenges. Employers want employees who show initiative and a desire to learn and develop. The majority of employers (59%) are more likely to permanently hire a college intern who asks for more responsibilities.

If you’ve already completed your internship, send a thank-you note to each individual you worked with at the company. Acknowledge what you learned from them and how they directly contributed to your success. Then seek out opportunities to reconnect, especially with the human resource and hiring managers. This can be as simple as sending a request to meet for lunch, or attending industry related events or networking groups where the hiring managers will have a presence.

Even if you’re not a graduating senior, use your internship as a springboard to launch your career and push for a part-time position until graduation. You never know! Hiring managers at the company (and their peers) have already had the opportunity to observe your strengths as an intern. At Student Advantage, three (3) of the last five (5) new hires were formerly interns or temps in our office.

Checkout more job seeking tips like these, plus some graduation deals for EVERYONE at Student Advantage today.

Regularly volunteering as a college student sounds great right? It does, until you realize how many other responsibilities you have. There are midterms, jobs, problem sets, readings, friends, finals and other activities already keeping you pretty busy. Volunteering gets pushed to the sidelines. It happens to the best of us… But, I bet you have ONE morning or ONE afternoon to spare for volunteering, especially if someone already found a service opportunity for you. That’s where Day of Service comes in.

Day of Service is a school sponsored program that allows students to volunteer for just one day. Generally, colleges connect large groups of students with different organizations throughout the community for the day. Many colleges actually organize their Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to celebrate his memory and legacy.

The Boston University Day of Service was last Saturday. At BU this day is organized by the Alumni Association and the Community Service Center and it’s HUGE. There are volunteer sites throughout Boston and THE WORLD (including Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, Madrid, London and many major US cities). Last Saturday, I worked with The Food Project in Boston, planting and cultivating vegetables to help hunger relief and sustainability projects.

Youth working in one of the urban gardens (courtesy of The Food Project)

Some other schools with day of service programs:

• American University ~ February
• Carnegie Mellon ~ February
• Georgetown University ~ September
• Georgia Perimeter College ~ February
• Marquette University ~ early April
• Southern Connecticut State University ~ September
• Suffolk University ~ early April
• Trinity College “Do It Day” ~ Fall Semester
• UMASS Amherst “Service Month” ~ April
• University of Colorado ~ April 24, 2010
• University of Missouri-Kansas City ~ September
• University of San Diego ~ February
• University of Vermont ~ February

Participating in Day of Service is a great way to give back to your community without making a huge commitment. It’s a fantastic experience, and although it may be too late to participate this year, I hope you’ll consider volunteering with your school in the future.

At the age of 18 you can fly, rent a hotel and go on vacation by yourself. Unless you are traveling to a major city, however, it’s not as easy to get around once you’ve actually arrived at your destination. Fortunately, you are allowed to rent a car at the age of 21. Though it may be more expensive, you’ll be able to enjoy the major sites and get to where you need to be with little hassle.

Why are the rules more strict? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers under the age of 25 get into more traffic accidents than older drivers. There is more risk for the companies to rent to younger drivers, so they charge more to cover that risk.

Card Rental Requirements

To rent a car, everyone needs a valid driver’s license and insurance. You can purchase insurance through an agency just for the rental and some major credit cards will cover this for you. The car rental company can also check your driving history to make sure you’re a safe driver. Besides that, all you will need is a credit card.

Renting a Luxury Vehicle

Many car rental companies will not allow younger drivers to rent expensive luxury cars with the higher probability of accidents. Fortunately, you can still rent very nice, non-luxury, cars.

Car Rental Laws by State

In New York and Michigan, the rules are less strict. At the age of 18 you can rent a car! The fees are typically much higher, but if you split them with your friends or get a discount, you’ll still be able to travel on a budget.

Renting a Car on a Budget

Car rental companies typically charge high fees to young travelers. These fees can add up quickly, but fortunately Student Advantage offers discounts with three national car rental companies: Dollar Rent a Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car. With a Student Advantage^® Discount Card, college students can save up to 25% on can rentals and enjoy traveling on a budget!

Spring is finally arriving and brings some fun fashion trends your everyone! Here are some of this seasons hottest styles and easy ways to incorporate them in your wardrobe without spending a fortune!

Neutral Tones:
Looking for a clean look this spring? Add some neutral colors to your current collection. They will play off existing prints or bright colors you probably already own. For men a sleek modern look is always great to layer. For women, grabbing a sweater that has some versatility like rolling up the sleeves can be like adding more than one look to your collection.

Metallics:
A great way to add some pop to your fashion this season! Add some metallic. A little trim on a shirt adds a trendy accent. Another easy way to add a punch of metallic, make your shoes shine!

Feathers:
There is something extra fun about adding feathers to your outfit. Accessorize, add them to your hair and be creative for a subtle look. Want something more “over the top”? Step it up by incorporating feathers into your actual garment. (Even a play on fabric can give the appearance of feathers.) Popular feather placements this season: skirts, around the neckline and shoulders. Think you can pull off the Brandon Flowers look?

Leisure suits:
We first saw the leisure suit in fashion during the 1970s. It’s back and with an updated twist! Check out this seasons shirt-like jacket and matching trousers. What better way for guys to go from day to night?!

Utilitarian:
The utilitarian look is designed as simplistic, but still fashionable. This style tends to be loose fitting (but not baggy!) and single colored. Adding a jacket to your look is a great way add lines and a fresh take on this style. Both women and men can find some sleek jackets to accessorize.

Still looking for some seasonal styles that wont break the bank? Check out our Spring Fashion Discounts for EVERYone!

Calling all college students! You just got back from spring break and the last thing you want to do is fill out a boring census questionnaire, right? Besides, you live on campus, your parents live in a different state or county, you plan to move after college and you figure you’re counted on your parents questionnaire anyway…right?

Well, this year the U.S. Census Bureau is making a concerted effort to obtain a more accurate count of existing college students. Why? So your school can receive its share of political representation, government funding, tuition grants and loan programs, which directly affect you.

Census figures also help establish fair-market rents (for off-campus housing), ensure proper and fair-lending practices (for student loans) and influence decisions about where to locate new stores, restaurants, offices, health-care facilities and other businesses (near campus!). By filling out the census, you will also help your school’s local community get funding to support services like public transportation and recreational programs. Sounds good, right? So what are you waiting for? We decided to dispel a few myths and help get you motivated…

Census Myth #1

As a college student, I can be counted on my parent’s questionnaire.

The census counts people where they live and sleep throughout most of the year. Parents should not include college students on their forms. Residence halls, dorms, fraternities and sororities are considered “group quarters” by the census bureau. Many campuses will make arrangements to deliver individual questionnaires to students living in those facilities. Students who live in off-campus apartments and rooms will receive a census form in the mail.

Census Myth #2

As an international student, I should not fill out a U.S. Census questionnaire.

The census is a count of everyone living in the United States, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Even though the state or county of your school might not be your voting residence, legal residence or permanent residence, all students living within the U.S. should be counted. However, U.S. students living and studying abroad on April 1 should not be counted.

Census Myth #3

Local taxes will go down if I don’t fill out the census.

Local taxes will not necessarily change if you don’t fill out your census form. However, government funding may be diverted to a different community.

So, get counted! Census information is private and confidential and cannot be used for any other purpose or shared with federal, state or local agencies. More information also is available from the Census Bureau’s by calling (800) 923-8282 or visiting http://2010.census.gov/.

It takes only a few minutes to comply! Most forms, the “short” forms, ask only seven questions. Besides, We Can’t Move Forward Until You Mail It Back.