How to extend your summer
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    Evanston: such a tease. We arrive on campus just in time to catch the dappled sunlight on the sidewalks and tropical blue of Lake Michigan glimmering beyond the sand and sailboats, all the while knowing that bitter cold and a healthy coating of ice are waiting just around the seasonal-corner to pounce on our lovely town. But avail ye not of hope: even though this Monday marked the official first day of fall, there are plenty of ways to keep that summer lovin’ feeling in your life.

    Drinks

    A tasty mango daiquiri can add some sugar to your fake summer. Photo by rian0306 on Flickr, licensed under the Creative Commons.

    Ignore the chilly weather, turn up the heater in your apartment and keep chugging your favorite summer drinks. Light, summery drinks aren’t limited to June, July and August: instead of Irish Coffees and Peppermint Schnapps, mix a mojito or daiquiri. The flashback to warmer days will help you forget the misery that awaits outside.

    Blue Bombshell
    Lemonade-flavored drinks go out of style once the summer days disappear. For a refreshing taste combined with enough Red Bull to keep you awake through your boring Presidential Debate Drinking Game pre-game, make this tasty blueberry-flavored drink.

    2 parts Red Bull
    1 part blueberry-flavored vodka
    1 part lemonade

    Mango Daiquiri
    It may be chilly outside, but daiquiris are a time-honored favorite. Mask the flavor of rum with tasty mango chunks, which will bring back the sweet smell of summers past.

    .5 part orange liqueur
    2 parts dark rum
    6 parts mango chunks
    3 parts sweet and sour mix
    Combine ingredients in blender.

    Kokomojito
    Kevin Ethridge, the bartender and manager at Bar Louie, recommends this summery mojito with pineapple juice.

    Muddle mint leaves, fresh limes and pineapple slices
    Add ice and pineapple juice
    Combine with pineapple-flavored rum (Ethridge recommends Cruzan)
    Shake ingredients and add soda water

    Sex

    True but unfortunate fact: People are less likely to have sex in winter. When the oppressive shadow of Seasonal Affective Disorder shines down upon you, chances are solid you’ll eat more, go out less, and yes, have sex less. Good news! Sex makes you happy. Or more specifically: semen makes you happy. So sure, you could wait out the season cramped in your dorm room, staring out the window at the grey clouds and hoping Mr. (or Mrs.) Right comes strolling into the room. But you could also step outside your comfort zone and hunt down Mr. Right For Now. Don’t let the dreary weather get you down: recall the carefree, breezy summer attitude and worry about having fun, not the future. In the end, making the effort will make you happier.

    Your attitude shouldn’t be the only thing bringing back memories of summer flings past. Skip the stereotypical fall dates (ice-skating, pumpkin painting, movies, watching television shows in your dorm) and make an effort to bring the sun inside. Make a picnic and spread a blanket on your living room floor. Throw on your swimsuit (underneath a heavy coat, of course) and make your way to SPAC for open swimming hours.

    Already in a relationship? The drudgery of the colder months can quickly cause a good relationship to ice over – which explains why January is National Break-Up Month. It’s natural to fall into a routine, but make an effort to keep the relationship fresh.

    Health

    Fall brings a multitude of nasty diseases. Without the proper protection, you may find yourself awash in a sea of acute viral nasopharyngitis and influenza. With chilly air meaning less impetus to hike all the way to SPAC, your immune system is already running on empty. Megan Campbell, university dietitian, says that even moderate daily activity boosts your immune system by increasing the number of disease-fighting cells. Exercise fights fall fat, boosts your mood and fights disease–so if you can’t make the hike to a gym three times a week as recommended, at least walk to the frat quad instead of taking the shuttle.

    Every student should take a daily multivitamin, which “acts as insurance, making sure that you get the vitamins and minerals that you cannot get from food,” particularly if their diet is imbalanced, Campbell said. If you have special dietary requirements, such as lactose intolerance or vegetarianism, you may need more of certain vitamins. To find out exactly which vitamins you should be taking, Campbell recommends visiting a dietitian or doctor.

    Food

    Host a tailgate party in your room. Even if you don’t attend the actual game—not everyone appreciates football—fire up the grill, open the Tostitos and stock your fridge with beer for a party that would make George Foreman proud. Speaking of Mr. Foreman—his grills are (ahem) banned in university housing, but apartment-dwellers can toast up fall with a cheap portable grill, available for as little as $20 on Craigslist, or an indoor grill.

    Invite a few friends over, deck yourselves in purple and cheer on the Wildcats. Football not your sport? Northwestern participates in several fall sports whose games are under-attended, including squash, water polo, fencing and men’s soccer.

    Unfortunately, popular fruits such as strawberries, melons and peaches are no longer in season. Fruits are a generous source of vitamins in the summer, but don’t allow your intake of nutrient-rich foods to drop. Campbell recommends increasing your intake of pumpkin, squash, kale, pomegranate juice and apples, which all provide a variety of nutrients that can keep your immune system stable. Feel free to take this as an excuse to load up on pumpkin pie.

    Fashion

    Layer your summer clothes to survive the winter. Photo by Helga Lobster Stew on Flickr, licensed under the Creative Commons.

    Your closet may be a colorful menagerie of colors, designs and sounds at the beginning of the year, but as the fall quarter begins the desire to dress up and accessorize—particularly for class—diminishes. But there’s evidence out there that taking the time to look nice can offset a bad mood. According to the London College of Fashion, taking some time to throw on some makeup can lift your spirits.

    When the days are darker, harsher and colder, Seasonal Affective Disorder can seem an oppressive force. Your first line of defense should not be succumbing to slum; wear jeans and a nice top to class instead of pajamas and Uggs. If taking the time to do your makeup can amplify your mood, don’t hesitate to set aside an extra fifteen minutes to match your shirt and shoes.

    Color matters. Colors can drastically affect your mood. Psychologists have discovered that certain colors can affects mood, which is a study you can definitely apply to your daily life. Yellow is generally considered a cheerful color; red a passionate one. Dressing in bright colors can cheer you up, and potentially even affect the mood of those around you.

    To keep feeling summery year-round, don’t toss out your sleeveless dresses and shorts as soon as the temperature hits 60. Matched with a dark pair of tights or a cool cardigan, your summer wardrobe can be worn year-round. Add these stunning staples to your closet to achieve year-round chic: boots, slick jackets, long-sleeved tees, thin coats, cardigans and lots of pairs of tights.

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