Blog Posts

Don’t Let The School Year Derail Your Fitness Goals-image

Heading back to school means buckling down and getting back to business. You don’t have as much free time to do the things that you want or even some things that you’re supposed to, like hitting the gym. It can be hard to remember to get to the gym or fitness center when you already have so much on your plate in the way of school work. Don’t let it fall by the wayside though! A healthy body can also lead to a happier and healthier mind. If you have trouble keeping up with workouts because they’re repetitive and tedious, you need something to keep your mind occupied while you work. Not all of us have the attention span to get up and go for a run. With classes, and jobs, and Twitter to think about, how could we possibly focus on a workout? You need something a little tougher then. Crossfit might be what you need to keep you on track. Crossfit is constantly changing exercises at a high intensity. You usually do it with a group of other people and that team of people could be what helps keep you focused on the task at hand: staying healthy. MoTown just so happens to have three crossfit gyms in the area: Mountaineer Crossfit, Crossfit Morgantown , and Crossfit Ridgeline . With programs specialized for each member and their fitness needs and goals, there’s no way you won’t find something for you. No matter your fitness level, there’s a program that you can complete. The team mindset of crossfit gyms makes for a motivating community of health focused individuals. If crossfit feels a little too high intensity for you, those gyms obviously aren’t for you. That’s okay! Pierpont Place has an amazing alternative to the high pressure crossfit gyms. Our state of the art fitness center has everything you need to make your workout your own. Whether you’re an experienced muscle head or a newbie to the gym, you can customize your own workout to fit your needs. Do you want to strengthen your muscles with free weights and machines? We’ve got that! Do you want to build your endurance on the treadmill? We have that too! Would you rather sit your butt on a stationary bike and watch Netflix on your tablet? We’ve definitely got those! Staying active doesn’t have to be a boring chore. There’s something for every fitness level and every attention span. Staying active is key to staying healthy. It’s important to find the time to get your body moving even if it’s just 30 minutes a couple of times a week. How do you find the time to stay active? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Things You ll Need-image

Whether you’re heading to college for the first time or the fourth time, going back to school is a rough time. Leaving all of your high school friends, your parents, your parents’ comfortable home; it’s not much fun! Pretty soon you’re going to start packing up your bags and belongings so you can cart it all back to good old WVU for the new school year. In your frantic scramble to pack up your things, you might forget some essentials. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! The Essentials It might seem obvious but don’t forget your phone charger! Your phone is your lifeline to your friends, parents, and any emergency numbers you might need. It’s your alarm clock, your calendar, your task list, even your calculator. Sure you can just purchase another phone charger but it’s easier to just remember to pack it. Sometimes, it’s hard to think past just getting all your stuff moved in, but you also have to consider storing it once you’re settled in. You might have spacious closets at Pierpont Place but you might still need some extra space. Grab some under the bed bins to keep your stuff out of sight and out of your way. Your apartment is going to get dirty. It happens whether you’re a messy person or a neat freak. Make sure you’ve packed enough cleaning supplies to keep your apartment nice and presentable. You want it to be tidy in the event your parents stop by! Don’t let your cleaning fall by the wayside. Extras Living with roommates is a struggle no matter how long you’ve been doing it. They’re noisy in the morning, they’re noisy in the afternoon, and they’re definitely noisy at night. Invest in a white noise machine or a white noise app on your phone to help drown out the racket. If you need a caffeine kick to get you going in the AM, you’re not alone. But you’re going to need to remember to pack a coffeemaker or a Keurig machine if you’re fancy. Having a fresh pot of coffee ready to go every morning will not only save your sanity but your wallet too! Stopping at the campus coffee shop every single day is not kind to your funds. What makes up your college packing list? Is there something you pack that seems odd but is actually really helpful? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!

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3 Soft Skills You ll Pick Up In College-image

As a West Virginia University student, you’re obviously here with the goal of learning something. Taking classes every day of the week isn’t just for show! Hopefully, you’ll leave college having enriched yourself and learned a couple of valuable skills that you’ll carry with you into the ‘real world’. However, there are some skills that you don’t necessarily learn from any particular class. A ‘soft skill’ isn’t knowing how to navigate an Excel spreadsheet or how to multiply by 3’s. They’re more personal skills that help you interact harmoniously with the people around you. You’ll pick up a few of them along the way but these are the ones that your future employers will find the most desirable. Time Management One of the most important skills that you’ll learn as a college student is how to manage your time efficiently. You might have fewer hours of class than you did in high school but the workload is heavier and much more intense. Even though your classes end at 1 and you have tons of free time, you have to learn how to spend that time in a productive way. Sure, you could take a nap and walk around looking for more Pokemon in PokemonGO. OR you could spend it doing homework, studying up for that big test, and getting a start on that paper that’s due in a month. If you need a little help keeping yourself on track, you can try using an app to keep your schedule in line. Evernote is like a portable notebook on your phone that syncs between all of your devices so you’re never without your updated list. If you prefer to go analog, the Bullet Journal is a great physical way to keep all of your to-do lists in one place. Stop, Collaborate, and Listen You’ve been primed for it since elementary school: working in groups. Everyone has a different method of getting things done (some don’t get things done at all) but the trick is learning how to meld those methods together to complete your task before the deadline strikes. When you need somewhere quiet and out of the way to work on your group projects, reserve Pierpont Place’s conference/study room . It’s better than waiting for a table in the library and it’s quieter. Leading the Pack While it’s really important to be able to function as a part of a group, it’s also really important that you have the ability to step forward and lead. Even though it can be daunting to have to separate yourself from your classmates and lay down the law, it’s something that employers look for in a potential candidate. Opportunities will present themselves, you just have to step up and take them. Go out for student leadership positions, join a student group, and take charge during group projects in class. Your chance to prove your leadership abilities will present itself, you just have to be ready to seize it! You’ll learn a lot in college from your professors but there are a lot of things that you’ll have to pick up on your own. What soft skills have you picked up in college so far?

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How to Make a Job Fair Work For You-image

Job fairs are nerve wracking. Walking into a room with what could be your future employer isn’t exactly the most relaxing prospect. However, for a lot of students it’s a necessity. When used to your advantage they become an amazing tool for future graduates looking for internships to get a leg up on the competition in the ‘real world’. Dress to Impress Just because it’s not a real interview doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress your best. Job fairs are basically a pre-interview. First impressions really do affect how a person view you and when it comes to an employer, the first impression could be everything. Make sure you’re polished and clean. Nothing repels a person quite like body odor! You don’t have to go all out in a full suit. Business casual usually suffices with khakis, a button-up, and a blazer or a skirt and blouse. Although if you opt for a suit, make sure it’s wrinkle free. Come Prepared Always make sure to have an up to date resume to hand out to any potential employers. They like to see someone who has themselves together. A resume is the place where you show off your past accomplishments and jobs. It does the bragging for you so you can explain in your own words why you’re the best fit for the job or internship. Utilize Pierpont’s 24-hour cyber lounge to get your resume in tip top shape so you have something to impress with. Leave a Lasting Impression It might seem a little silly to carry around business cards to hand out but it could help someone put a name to the face. Leave them with something to remember you by with a professional business card. Include your Twitter handle if it’s applicable and an email address where you can be contacted at. Also, include a link to your digital portfolio if applicable to your job field. The most important thing you can remember at a job or internship fair is to relax and be yourself. Not only do they want competent people, they also want personable folks. People who are easy to get along with and comfortable in their own skin. Don’t forget to smile! Do you have any advice for someone’s first job or internship fair? WVU’s first job fair of the year is on September 14th so you still have plenty of time to prepare yourself.

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Pierpont Place The Missing Piece to Your College Puzzle-image

Your college apartment is an important piece to your college puzzle. It becomes your home for 4 or maybe more years. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it should certainly fit your needs and personality. Pierpont Place has your best interests in mind and has everything you’ll need to have a great time throughout your college career. Pierpont is in close proximity to a number of great restaurants and shops. You’ll never have to worry about what you’re going to have for dinner: there are so many great options! Japanese food? Try Ogawa Sushi or Hibachi Japanese Steak House . Bar food? The Boston Beanery is where you’ll find that. Need a kick in the butt to get moving in the morning? Starbucks , Dunkin Donuts and Kenyan Cafe are here to help. All of these restaurants and shops are under 5 minutes away and most are within walking distance from Pierpont Place Apartments. For the 21 and over crowd, there are a couple of bars nearby that will serve as an outlet when you’re stressed and a place to relax and unwind. Mario’s Fishbowl serves up goblets full of tasty alcoholic beverages that will knock you on you butt. Make sure you fill up on some of their great food options before partaking in a Fishbowl. All the fun things around Pierpont Place are probably enough to make you want to move in immediately but wait until you hear about the actual apartments. Every resident has access to a 24-hour study lounge and a computer lab for those late night cram sessions. Our state of the art fitness center will help you blow off steam after a long day of classes and tests. Get your summer glow before jetting off to your summer vacay destination by hopping in one of our tanning beds. Our clubhouse has tons of entertainment including a billiards table and a tech center. Sounds like a great place to watch games or have a watch party for your favorite TV shows. You’ll feel right at home at Pierpont Place, maybe even more comfortable than at home! We have easy access to PRT (Personal Rapid Transit), so if you are running a little late, you can get there in a flash. Pierpont Place is also within walking distance to campus so you never have to worry about missing your classes. The apartments themselves are no less than spectacular. With 24-hour maintenance, the moment something breaks, we’ll be on it! Leaky faucet, clogged toilet, wonky blinds; we’ll take care of it. Every 2 or 3 bedroom apartment is newly remodeled and fully furnished. We take the trouble out of trying to lug in all of your furniture. It’s already there for you. Each roommate has individual control of their own heat and AC so if your roommate is a polar bear, you can keep your own room toasty warm. You’ll feel right at home from the moment you move into Pierpont Place Apartments. We do our best to make sure you’re comfortable and we want you to be happy staying with us. Whether you’re kicking back watching a game in the clubhouse, letting off steam in the fitness center, or lounging in your living room you’ll enjoy your time here with us at Pierpont Place Apartments.

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Parade Your Patriotism 4th of July Weekend-image

Summer has finally arrived and that means it’s almost time for the biggest summer holiday in the United States: the Fourth of July or Independence Day. It’s the perfect excuse to gather your friends and family, head outdoors, and fire up the grill. No doubt there will be parades and more fireworks than you have time to see. Here’s what’s happening this weekend for Independence Day: Old-Fashioned Fourth of July in the Park From Saturday all the way through Monday the 4th, there will be an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July in the Park. Join up with the rest of the community for a patriotic celebration in Terra Alta Park. Munch on delicious foods while you work through a craft project at one of the many booths. Catch a performance from talented artists like Cody Wickline from the Voice and make sure you don’t miss out on the tractor show! If you’ve got a good arm and great aim you can try your hand at the dunk tank. Even if you only attend one day of the festivities, it’s still a great primer to get you ready for the holiday. Terra Alta Park is an hour drive away from Pierpont Place Apartments so give yourself some travel time. An Indepen-dance Day Concert Disregarding our corny joke, you’ll want to be there for the spectacular show happening at the Triple S Harley Davidson Pavilion in Westover, just 10 minute from us in Morgantown. See performers .38 Special and Old Southern Moonshine Revival rock your socks off with their musical stylings. The show is free for all! Parade Your Pride It’s not the Fourth of July without a parade! Luckily for us, Morgantown has one of their own! Arrive early at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Pavilion for a special performance by the Morgantown Municipal Band under the direction of C.B. Wilson. At 5p the parade kicks off at Willey Street and continues down towards Foundry Street. After the parade, make sure to head back to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Pavilion to see the rest of the acts. Desert Highway, an Eagles cover band will be performing as well as Wildwood Band. But make sure you stick around for the grand finale at 10p: a fireworks display! You can’t go through the 4th without catching a fireworks show. Don’t miss out on these fun opportunities to get together with loved ones and celebrate the country we live in. What are your plans for the holiday weekend? Is there something we missed? Share it with us on Facebook and Twitter.

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