Finals are almost over and summer break is just around the bend!  Need some extra money or can’t possibly fit all those textbooks from this semester’s classes in your car to take home? Here are some alternatives to taking the books home to toss into the attic and collect dust.

If money is no object, and helping those in need is important to you, you can look into donating your textbooks. A good place to start is to check out your state’s website to see if they offer any textbook recycling or donation programs. Both New York and California offer a list of places to donate textbooks.  If you got the textbook as a steal but couldn’t read much of chapters 8-12, that book may be better off in retirement then being donated. Donated books should be in good condition or better.

Selling textbooks is a very popular option among college students.  At ValoreBooks.com, two options are available for selling textbooks. One is to register as a marketplace seller, where easy-to-understand prompts help you list a book to sell to fellow college students. The other option is the Sell Back Program, where you can sell the books to ValoreBooks directly. Just enter the book’s ISBN number, select your book’s condition (the most popular used book condition is “good”) and see what the current price is! You are given a quote on the spot.  Next, ship your books to the ValoreBooks.com warehouse using the free, prepaid shipping label. Once your item(s) are checked in to the warehouse, you will receive your payment in the form of a check within about 10 business days.

The sell back program is a great way for you to turn your used textbooks into cash just in time for summer vacation! Now what will you do with the extra cash?

Say goodbye to old man winter. And forget about the winter blues or wearing dark drab colors along with minimal makeup. Spring is in the air and it is definitely time for a fashion makeover. Take a look at the young women and men on the college campus nearby and discover new spring fashion trends that really rock! So, what are the hottest spring fashion trends on college campuses? Check out the following!

Colored Skinny Jeans – Forget the mom jeans. Skinny jeans are a hot new trend for college women. These pencil thin jeans are perfect for those with a slim figure. Those with a bold fashion sense might opt to try the more daring colors like hot pink, orange, aqua. And it is fun to dress the skinny jeans up with a plaid jacket and silk blouse or dress them down by pairing them with a plain white tank top.

Animal Prints – Animal prints are a growing spring fashion trend on college campuses. Make it a bold statement by wearing an animal print dress, jacket, or pants. Animal print accessories are also making big fashion waves. Try an animal print cell phone cover, eyeglass case, or tote.

Mini Dresses – Mini dresses worn over skinny jeans are in and making a definite fashion statement this spring. The best part is these dresses carry over to the summer; just remove the skinny jeans.

Tank Tops – Tank tops are a definite spring fashion trend on college campuses. Basic colors like white, black, blue, gray, and navy, are very popular. They look fabulous layered under a jacket, and worn with those skinny jeans. Stay away from those spandex tank tops or the tank tops with clingy fabric. The cotton tank tops look the best, are affordable and easy to maintain.

Guys-don’t worry we didn’t forget about you!

Have a class presentation coming up? Dig out your grey, navy or black suit and pair it with a pastel colored shirt for spring.

Bold Colored Boat Shoes- Ok, this isn’t new; the boat shoe is a staple to the male college student wardrobe. This spring though, why not add some color? Royal blue and emerald green are great options.

What are the most popular fashion trends for spring on your campus?

We have already introduced the first of a five part series highlighting what we think are the best jobs for college students. This week, we provide you with five more jobs to consider! What do you think of the jobs on this list?

 20. Car Wash Attendant: Get paid to get tan; or hypothermia if you live in the Northeast!  But seriously, if you don’t mind getting a little dirty detailing or drying off cars, you can make pretty decent money off of tips.  These jobs are usually part time and accommodating with your school schedule as well.

19. Handy (Wo)Man: If you can’t find a job, make your own! Ever mowed a lawn? Painted a fence? Shoveled some snow? Why not start a small business by yourself or with some friends? Create a website, post some fliers, get some referrals and viola’!  Ok, it’s not THAT easy, but if you are reliable, do good work, and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, your small business could grow.  If you want to be an entrepreneur, it’s never too early to start.

 18. Executive Assistant:  Are you the one in your group of friends who is always making plans for the rest of the group? An assistant to a professional might be the perfect job for you because it requires organizational, coordination and follow up skills. If you land an executive assistant job, this is also a great networking opportunity. Think about it for a second. If your dream career is in marketing, proving yourself as the CMO’s personal assistant could help open doors and build industry connections for the future.

 17. Waiter/Waitress: Who wants to serve food to rude guests after a long day of classes? Those who like to make a lot of money do. Good service is hard to come by these days and those who can manage to serve with a smile should make around 15-20% per table.  At a moderately priced restaurant, that’s enough for books and rent with enough left over for the things you actually want to spend money on.  Additionally, restaurants are usually accommodating with your school schedule, so you can work around your classes and inter-semester breaks.

 16. Youth Recreation Coach/Referee: If you’re a big kid who misses youth t-ball, this may be the perfect job for you. As a youth coach you will facilitate fitness based classes for kids. You will create, organize and implement lesson plans for youth and teach them the basic skills needed for sports such as soccer, swimming and t-ball.  As a referee, you will moderate recreational leagues. These jobs normally take place on Saturday and Sunday mornings. So long as you can drag yourself out of bed, these jobs are fun and rewarding.

On April 22, millions of people all around the globe will celebrate Earth Day. The day will commemorate the battle against global warming, oil spills, polluting factories, the extinction of wildlife, and the push for clean energy.

Earth Day, which was first observed in 1970, was created to make it clear to America’s leaders in Washington, D.C. that the American people were concerned about the future of the earth. Earth Day immediately increased awareness about environmental issues, and continues to do so to this day. Twenty million Americans participated in the first Earth Day, and by 1990 that number had jumped to over 200 million people in over 100 countries. By the turn of the millennium, new issues had been brought to the forefront, including global warming. April 22, 2000, brought together nearly a billion people in 184 countries to continue the fight to preserve our planet.

People who want to take part in Earth Day commemorations can do so in a number of ways. Events are easy to find and attend on Earth Day. Nearly every college in the United States will have something planned on that day to allow students to participate. Events include everything from rallies to door-to-door awareness campaigns to simple recycling pushes.

There are also many ways for you to participate on Earth Day, and to lend a hand to the environmental effort, from the comfort of your own home. Earth Day is the perfect time to discover small ways that we can help simply by making minor changes in our everyday lives.

For example, many people waste gallons of water every morning when they brush their teeth by leaving the faucet running the entire time. By turning the faucet off while you brush your teeth, you will save up to 10 gallons of water.

Another common and easy way for you to celebrate Earth Day is to replace all of the regular incandescent light bulbs in your house or dorm room with compact fluorescent bulbs. Not only is this better for the environment, but it saves money in the long run.

Earth Day is also a great time to check the temperature setting on your refrigerator. If it is set below 40 degrees, then you are wasting energy. Along the same lines, check your freezer. Any setting below 0 degrees is a waste of energy.

Finally, many people use Earth Day as an opportunity to commute to work or school without polluting. Taking the bus or riding a bike instead of driving will help reduce air pollution and also save on fuel costs.

What are you doing this Earth Day? What is the best way for college students to participate?

With the competitive nature of the job market today, students are expected to graduate not only with a degree and good grades, but also with relevant work experience. Steady employment throughout college, even if it’s part-time, looks good to future employers because it shows that you are reliable, motivated and have mastered the art of time management.  Below is the first of a five part series that explores the 25  best jobs for college students.  The jobs found on this list will build both your character and your resume, while helping you pay for tuition too.

25. Computer lab tech assistant: If you are a fan of getting paid to do your homework and study, this could be a great gig for you throughout college. Computer lab techs on college campuses help students’ trouble shoot basic tech issues, ensure equipment is being used properly by lab users, and are responsible for opening and closing the lab. In between helping people print last minute assignments and repeatedly yelling “no food or drinks in the lab,” you should have plenty of time to tackle more important tasks, like your homework.

24. Golf Caddy/Starter: A caddy not only carries a player’s bag, but they also offer advice and moral support. A starter directs the flow of play and ensures that golfers progress through their rounds in a timely and appropriate manner. This is a great job for golf enthusiasts and is also a great networking opportunity for college students since many local business people golf both on the weekends and during business hours. Besides having a chance to meet and talk to people in the business community, discounts or free golf rounds are usually offered.

23. Resident Advisor: Calling all future administrators and counselors; this is the job you should want to have. While these gigs are competitive and hard to come by, skills you will gain as an RA are highly transferable. A resident advisor lives where he/she works. RA’s are responsible for building a positive community, assisting residents with personal and academic issues, upholding university policy and serving as a liaison between the school and the students. A common perk of the job is free or reduced living costs as well as an hourly rate.

22. Writer/Blogger: With the trend moving towards virtual workplaces, and the importance of web content for digital marketing purposes, you may be able to find work as a freelance writer or blogger for a company or industry blog. Many companies pay per blog post, and if your work is good, you can find continuous work with the company. If you are interested in a specific area, why not start your own blog? The blog also serves as a live resume for future employers. Essentially, a blog is a peak into how you write, think, and what is important to you as an individual and a professional.

21. Promotional Spokesperson: Promotional spokespeople are well paid and have the opportunity to work during sporting events, concerts and festivals. Promotional companies usually look for “go-getter” types who aren’t afraid to talk to people about a certain brand, product or event that they are trying to sell. If this describes you, this is a great opportunity to improve your communication, marketing and customer service skills, all while earning a great pay and having fun.

Do you agree with the jobs on this list? Let us know what you think is the best way to make money in college by leaving a comment below. All comments received by 11:59 pm PST on April 30th will be entered for a chance to win an iPod Nano. The winner will be announced and notified by May 7th, 2010.