Are you passionate about film? Well, Amtrak^® is pulling out all the stops in search of the most creative, innovative student movie makers in Illinois.

Submit your video for a chance to win (2) roundtrip tickets on Amtrak, plus either a Sony HDV camcorder, iPad, Flip Mino or equipment accessories.

• Win prizes worth over $3,000
• Expose your talent to industry experts
• The winner’s video will be showcased on National Train Day in Chicago

How to Enter

• Submit an original train-related video
• Complete entry form
• Upload video by March 18, 2010

Heading home? Returning to school? Visiting your friends? Planning a Spring Break? Amtrak makes it easier than ever to get together! Don’t forget, students SAVE 15% on Rail Fares each time you travel with a Student Advantage Card!

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) programs (also know as Alternative Break) are becoming a trend at the nation’s colleges and universities, enabling students to dedicate their spring break to community service projects. These programs help facilitate transportation to destinations that desperately need assistance from volunteers. Students work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, and in issue areas such as education, hunger, disabilities, animal rescue and the environment.

As a coordinator for the ASB program at Boston University I work with 77 other student leaders and over 300 volunteers to plan over 30 trips this year. The trip that I am leading this Spring will be working with Project Open Hand, an organization that provides meal and nutrition services to people suffering from chronic illnesses. We leave tomorrow morning for Atlanta and I cannot wait to work with and support the Atlanta community!

Service trips can make a huge impact on your life, trust me, I have gone on six. Through the Alternative Spring Break program at BU, I’ve made friends, had fun, explored a new city and helped people in need. I suggest that anyone who is interested do some research and learn about the opportunities that their school offers. Some of the colleges and universities offering Alternative Spring Break include:

• American University
• Colorado University
• Georgetown University (CSJ)
• Mercyhurst College (The Office of Service Learning)
• Suffolk University (S.O.U.L.S.)
• Trinity University
• UMASS Amherst (UMass Civic Interfaith Alliance)
• University of North Alabama
• University of Vermont
• And many, many more…

Many fellow college students will be making a difference in the world and their communities. What are you up to this Spring Break?

I just finished reading the blog post “Top 10 Books College Students Are Reading” by Lynn O’Shaughnessy, the author of the College Solution, a blog about all things college and worth checking out! It is comforting to know that “I don’t read that much outside of class” didn’t show up on this list, and it is unsurprising that Dan Brown’s ‘The Lost Symbol’ (see carbon copy of the Da Vinci Code), ‘Dear John’ by Nicholas Sparks and Stephenie Meyer ‘s ‘Eclipse’ made the list. Though O’Shaughnessy begrudgingly proclaims “you won’t find any heavy literature on this list”, it is good to know that students are reading. This is a debate an aspiring literary scholar and close friend of mine have from time to time. He believes it is pointless to read books that have no intrinsic intellectual value, while I believe it’s not what you read, but keeping the habit of reading that is most beneficial.

Just as eating well and exercising are essential to proper physical development, reading is an essential part of mental development, and isn’t that what college is all about? So, whether you’re reading ‘War and Peace’ or the ‘Twilight’ series, keep on reading!

Here is the Top 10:

1. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

2. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

3. Nightlight: A Parody by the staff of The Harvard Lampoon

4. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

5. Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

6. Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan

7. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

8. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

9. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

10. Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin

* Survey conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education

As a busy college student, it can be difficult to give back to others in need; you are busy with school work and have a limited income. Fortunately, one of Student Advantage’s partners, Ralph Lauren Rugby, along with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has your solution.

On January 12th, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, devastating the nation. This earthquake destroyed property, leaving countless Haitians without food or shelter. It has also caused severe injury and even death to many Haitians.

Here’s how you can help. Rugby is selling “To Haiti With Love” t-shirts. 100% of the proceeds  go to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund to provide relief and recovery for suffering Haitians. Although the Student Advantage discount does not apply, the shirts are only $25 dollars with free shipping. They are super cute and you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you did something good for the world. You can be sure that I will be buying one tonight!

Every year what I look forward to most in my second semester of college is spring break. As a graduating senior, I’ve done spring break in Europe, the Bahamas, and here in the states. I now consider myself an expert on doing spring break on a budget; in fact, I have been able to save a lot of money using my Student Advantage Discount Card.

For those of you planning your next, last or first spring break, I have the following pieces of advice to pass on:

Book early. The earlier you book your hotel, flight or resort packages the more you will save, not to mention the stress relief you get once you’ve finished planning. I always book at least a month ahead of time and I try to get as many friends to book with me; more people mean more discounts. Plus, Cardholders get 10% OFF with Topdeck Travel!

Pack light. This was a lesson that I learned the hard way when I was backpacking through Europe and was charged a ridiculous fee on a discount airline to check just one bag! I suggest buying the appropriate luggage for whatever your travel needs beforehand. Check out the eBags Blog for some great deals and travel tips! Cardholders get an extra 10% OFF plus FREE shipping! Plus, collaborate with friends. If you are traveling in a group, not everyone has to bring one shampoo bottle.

Share food. I saved a ton of money by buying groceries at a local supermarket instead of eating out every night. If your hotel doesn’t have a large refrigerator an easy option that I always stick with is the classic PB&J.

Rent a car. This year, my friends and I plan on renting a car at our destination. This is a cheaper and more convenient way for us to get around rather than paying for taxis every day. If you have a Student Advantage Card, you can save with Alamo Rent A Car, Dollar Rent A Car and National Car Rental.

Your destination for student life tips, college news, brand alerts and other useful insights.

Many of our writers are recent graduates and current college students. We will be posting content frequently on subjects that are relevant to you as a student, new deals and discounts from popular national brands and more! Student Advantage helps you save money AND find the tips you need to survive college.

If you’re not a Cardholder, sign up for discounts now. Look for our spring fasion promotion launch coming soon!