No matter what age we are, or how smart we think we are, we could always use a little tune-up brain wise.  Even the most intelligent person in the world doesn’t know everything.  Below are just a handful of ways to increase your brain power.

-Visit the Gym.  Working out has many benefits, but one benefit that is especially important is it helps build new brain cells. 

-Multitask.  When you have a packed to-do list, instead of doing a bunch of things at once, take on one task at a time and change them up every hour or so. “Switching from one project to the next will engage different areas of the brain, keeping you mentally alert,” said Gary Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Center on Aging and the Semel Institute Memory Research Center. 

-Stay Hydrated.  In a University of South Florida study, people who drank three or more 4-ounce glasses of fruit or vegetable juice each week were 76 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who drank less, and drinking eight glasses of water a day also does the brain as well as the body good. Your brain is 80 percent water, so if it is not hydrated, your neurons can’t perform properly.

-Neurobics.  These are brain exercises that involve performing typical activities in an different way. Most people have already heard about the neurological benefits of doing daily tasks with your non-dominant hand which increases willpower and focus. Doing things like this forces your brain to use parts that it isnt used to using.

One would assume that residing in a student living community means that you are safe from theft. However, you can’t adopt the “It will never happen to me” attitude because you never know when some malevolent individuals will attempt to break into your apartment and steal your beloved big screen TV or gaming system. Putting the following tips into practice will certainly assist you in protecting your valuables.

1. Always lock your front door - The front door is the gate to your kingdom, if you leave it unlocked, you are just asking for bandits to infiltrate your dwelling. Lock it up, even if you’re just going out to check your mail or take out the trash.

2. Get renters insurance - In the rare event that your valuables do get stolen; renters insurance will reimburse you with the dollar value of your goods. Whenever you purchase a high value item, be sure to take pictures of it and keep the receipts in order to make your claim process as smoothly as possible. Place Properties offers an excellent renters insurance plan which covers up to $4,000 in property, and for $10 a month, it’s perfect for a student’s budget.

3. Be Vigilant - If you see anything way out of the ordinary and/or suspicious activities going on in your community, report it to complex security or your local police department.

These three tips convey smart student living and will ultimately assist you in the long run. Take care, and enjoy your summer!