Corinne Wittig
Staff Writer
We think we know everything, especially at this age. We are in college after all. We don’t spend long hours in the library, and attend lectures to not boast that claim. But the book The Indispensable Book of Practical Life Skills is a 400-page life guide that could quiet any twenty-something year old that might think they have it all figured out. Below are five helpful tips from this epic book.
For students who can write a mean midterm paper, but struggles in the kitchen:
1. No matter how strong you might be, there is always that one jar of food you just can’t get open. Worry no more, because The Indispensable Book of Practical Life Skills has got you covered. All you’ll need is a spoon, dish towel, rubber bands and rubber gloves. First, tap the jar with a spoon to break the vacuum seal. If this doesn’t work, move to option two; wrap the towel around the lid and twist. Still no luck? Place the rubber bands around the jar and hold while wear the rubber gloves. One hand should have a firm grip around the jar itself, and the other around the lid. Twist the hand on the jar clockwise and the hand on the lid counterclockwise. If all else fails, run the jar lid under hot water as it increases the radius of the lid. It will make the lid larger and easier to maneuver.
For all of us who will eventually stop eating Kaufman food and start hosting dinner parties:
2. Eventually, all of us will graduate and enter the real world. With that territory, comes the infamous and sometimes dreadful dinner party. Whether it be for business or pleasure, whether you are hosting or attending, knowing how to set the table is a skill that can set you apart from the rest. You will need a tablecloth, napkins, bread plates, butter knives, dinner plates, salad plates or soup bowls, water glasses, glasses for alcoholic beverages, salad or fish forks as well as knives, dinner forks and knives, soup or melon spoons, and dessert spoons. Often times, when first learning how to set a table it is easiest to go off of a diagram of a table setting (See picture). However, knowing more than just placement makes all the difference. Napkins can be placed and folded in various different places. For instance, it can be set at the side, on the plate, or inside one of the glasses; this part of a table setting is all about preference. Once the meal has begun, make sure to place your napkin on your lap. Seeing a multitude of glasses in front of you at the table can always be a bit confusing. Just remember the water glass is on the left, then to the right is the red wine glass, the white wine glass and finally, the liqueur glass. The tablecloth used at an event, regardless of how formal or casual it might be, should always be clean and ironed. Having a middle crease in your table cloth will ensure a perfectly straight table cloth. The position of silverware is always tricky because it depends on the menu. Some tips to keep in mind are working from the outside in when contemplating what fork to pick up. When setting the cutlery be sure to place it about a ½ inch away from the plate and each other. In addition, place forks to the left and knives to the right. Dinner plates should be centered and under any soup bowl or salad plate. The bread plate should be placed in the upper left hand corner; which creates the helpful acronym BMW, or bread plate, meal plate, water glasses.
For those who could use a brain boost, especially after week five:
3. It doesn’t hurt to exercise your body, just like it doesn’t hurt to exercise your brain. If you want to be certain you are on top of your game there are multiple ways to help guarantee this. First, use your brain. The more you use your brain the more in shape it gets. Second, repeat information. If you are trying to remember a telephone number or piece of information saying it out loud will help you better recall the information at a later date. Third of all, think visually. If you want to remember content for a test, try to relate the answers to a silly picture you created in your mind. Lastly, use the mnemonics. Learning an order or list of things can be difficult. Create a weird phrase that will help you remember this order. A perfect example of this is, PEMDAS or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. Do these brain work outs and put in time at the library. Week five should be afraid of you!
For the woman who packs too much, the man who packs too little, or anyone who has yet to master the art of successful packing:
4. You might not travel often now, but as each school year passes we creep closer towards an adult life that is full of adventure and business trips. Therefore, knowing how to travel light is something you can benefit from. First and foremost, know what you’re packing for. For example, if you know you are going to be attending events that expect more formal attire, ditch the sweat pants and pack only your business clothes. Next, you’ll want to lay out all you plan to take next to your suitcase. Pack the heaviest items that you know will not break (like shoes) at the bottom of the suitcase. Then, put the heaviest clothing items like jeans or sweaters on top of the shoes or heavier items. After, fill in with any article of clothing you don’t mind rolling. You can also do this with toiletries that are small and sealed in plastic baggies. Finally, don’t forget to place some sort of bright ribbon or luggage tag to help you always identify your baggage. Don’t forget, you usually never need those “just in case items.”
For the directionally challenged:
5. Relying on technology is easy. After all, the concept of having a smart phone, computer, or built in navigation system is centered on the idea of convenience for the consumer. But sometimes we find ourselves with a dead phone or no internet service. Thus, knowing something like how to find north and south using an analog watch can come in handy especially in the case of an emergency. Simply place your watch in your hand horizontally. After, line the hour hand with the sun. As a result, the line that is between this hand and midday is pointing south. In addition, keep in mind that the sun rises in the east, sets in the west, and is due south around noon.
If you read through this list and found yourself wanting to learn more, have no fear because the “The Indispensable Book of Practical Life Skills” by Nic Compton, David Martin, Kim Davies, and Sara Rose can be found on www.amazon.com.
