Advice from Sparkly Dolphin

Graphic by Dani Ramirez

Written by Sparkly Dolphin

What to do over summer?
May 15, 2026
Hey Dolphins, as we wrap up the semester, we can start looking forward to summer and all the fun things you can do! Summer is a great opportunity to try new things and take time for yourself. Take advantage of this summer and do not let it fly by. Whether you have plans established yet or not, it is never too late to get some ideas and put some plans into motion.

This summer you could take some time to focus more on yourself. Focus on rebranding and trying new things. This can look like a new skincare routine, a new style or simply putting more time towards yourself.

Over the summer take advantage of the nice weather. This summer you could try going out on more walks or runs around your neighborhood to help keep you in shape and even help increase your productivity.

Last but not least, go out and have fun. You should hang out with your friends and be outside more. Make this summer count and take advantage of the extra free time that allows you the chance to connect more with others and do more. Make memories, take risks and make this summer count!

How to bag a baddie at CI
May 8, 2026
What even is a baddie? Urban dictionary defines one as, “A female who can hold her own and take care of herself. She is very pretty, and independent.”

Generally speaking, when bagging, the environment plays a crucial role. Hanging out in places like the library, going to club meetings, or really any outing with people increases your chances of meeting different people. Social media is also a powerful tool. You can even use social media as an outlet to reach out and connect with a witty joke or punchline that captures the attention of your desired baddie. It is most important to acknowledge that attracting such a partner requires a level of confidence, intentionality and understanding.

How do I deal with the stress of Finals?
April 24, 2026
Finals can be stressful, but managing that stress in ways that support studying and restore balance is essential. Several campus spaces offer quiet places to work or relax. Ekhos Cafe, located on the first floor of the Student Union, hosts Late Night Eats from 8 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The event features games, coloring and music, providing a place to unwind with friends. The third floor of the Broome Library offers indoor and outdoor study areas, often with a steady breeze, making it a suitable environment for studying or taking a break. Students seeking additional support can visit Counseling and Psychological Services in Bell Tower East or Disability Accommodations and Student Services in Arroyo Hall. Both provide resources and spaces for students who need assistance or someone to talk to.

Taking breaks, getting a snack and setting small, manageable deadlines can help students stay on track. Falling behind can make finals more challenging, but with support and consistent effort, students can successfully navigate the exam period.

How do I get my friends to talk in person about an issue?
March 13, 2026
This is a great question. Confrontation is something most of us try our best to avoid, but sometimes that is the only solution to problems. It is better to face something than continue letting it happen and get worse over time. Since these are your friends, you should feel comfortable enough to bring up the fact that you have been wanting your friends to all have a conversation. A great tip I have is to mention the topic but avoid any form of accusations towards others, as this can cause people to get defensive. Remember to keep your cool and remain in a respectful tone. A lot of times we worry about things, but once we do them they are not as bad as we thought they would be. Remember to be brave and respectful.

What will happen if I miss two weeks or a month worth of school and school work??
March 6, 2026
This is a very interesting what if scenario. Realistically I am sure this occurs to some due to personal or health related reasons getting in the way. While missing two weeks is not ideal, it is interesting to explore the possibilities of what to do if this does happen. It is most likely no matter your major and workload you will be behind the curriculum one way or another. Most importantly, let your professors know of your absence as they can help you navigate the best way to stay on track or give you alternate assignments. Now this is not good as it can cause you to be overwhelmed but if you make it work you make it work. If you genuinely “lock in” at least a couple days after this you might be able to catch up. It is important to think about not just completing the assignments but understanding the content so you can do well on the exams. Cramming for exams is not as easy and effective as cramming to finish multiple assignments. Hopefully you never find yourself in this position but if worse comes to worse you could at least have an idea of what to do and possibly plan ahead.

Is there a way to summon a ghost?
February 27, 2026
That is a great question, and you have come to the right dolphin! I actually have some experience in this area. I will share three different techniques with you here, but it is important to note that different cultures around the world have their own ways of summoning ghosts. By no means are the techniques that I am going to share the only ways to summon ghosts. One final disclaimer is to be careful. By summoning ghosts, you are tapping into a spiritual world that science does not fully understand. Use extreme caution in your ghostly adventures. 

Speaking of ghosts… If you have not seen them already, check out The CI View’s “Is CI Haunted” series: Part One, Part Two, and, new for today, Part Three!

The first and simplest method is the knocking method. Go to a location that you believe might be haunted and say out loud, “I am going to start asking yes or no questions. If there is anyone here with me right now, I want you to knock once for yes and twice for no.” If there are any ghosts around, you might be able to communicate with them using this method. 

If you want to go a little further in your ghostly communication, you can use a ouija board (pronounced wee-jee). There are two parts to a ouija board: the board itself, and the planchette. The board has letters A-Z on it, yes and no, as well as the numbers 0-9. The planchette is a wooden pointer that ghosts can move across the board to spell answers to your questions. In order to use a ouija board, first you need to gather some friends. Using a ouija board alone could be risky. Place the planchette on top of the ouija board and have everyone in your group place two fingers on it. When you ask questions to the ghosts, they will be able to channel through you and your friends, and the planchette will move across the board to spell out answers. 

For even more advanced spirit communication, you can try conducting a séance. For this method, you will have to find someone who is a psychic medium. During a séance, you and your friends will join with the psychic medium in sitting around a table, usually in a dimly lit room. During a séance, the psychic medium will be able to channel spirits of the dead for direct communication. 

How am I supposed to live my life after learning about the Epstein Files?
February 20, 2026
This is an extremely important question. It is completely understandable if information from the Epstein files feels all-encompassing, like you can not get it out of your mind no matter how hard you try. Some of the revelations are truly disturbing. But it is important to take a step back, and remember to take care of yourself. Focus on what you can control in your own life. Staying informed is important, but not at the cost of your own mental health. For more tips, check out this article from The CI View about Mental health in uncertain times. 

Ways to celebrate Valentines Day
February 13, 2026
Happy Valentine’s day! A special day to highlight and give a little bit of extra love to the world. At times it may feel like Valentines might just be a day for couples, but it is also a day where singleness can be celebrated as well. After all, being single definitely has its perks! So with the holiday fast approaching it is best to leave the pressure of finding a date in time and lean more into the other fun ways to spend the day. Some fun popular activities are hanging out with loved ones like friends, to remind you of how special you are to others around you. You can go out to a fancy dinner or brunch with friends and still dress your best for the occasion. You can also do other activities that may seem reserved to couples but are totally available for you to participate in as well. You can still get flowers for yourself and arrange them nicely in a cute space. Valentine’s Day is also a great day to get crafty and make treats or trinkets for yourself or others. Every day is a day to share love so why not share it a little extra on Valentine’s Day?

How do I make my resume stand out?
February 6, 2026
Here are some tips to make your resume stand out

• Make your resume one page only. This guarantees that you do not overload your resume with too much information. It keeps things simple and clear to read.
• Keep your information recent and update it as soon as possible.
• Include your contact information towards the top of your resume for employers to quickly see and contact you.
• Add a list of skills for employers to quickly see what it is that makes you unique from others.

For more tips check out the CI’s Career Center located in Bell Tower!

How to start off the semester strong
January 30, 2026
A new semester is a new fresh start for new beginnings. Here are some tips that can help you be successful. Create an online calendar and add any work and class schedules. Seeing your actual work load in time slots really helps you realize how much you have to get done. It is also helpful for reminders for upcoming tasks or deadlines. Using calendars helps you manage your time better by knowing where your time is being spent and allowing you to plan accordingly. Many calendar apps also have customization features where you can color code and add your own preferences throughout. Another great tip to be successful is to start the semester off with a good sleep schedule. Sleep is so important to maximize your effort and energy throughout the day. It is ideal to aim for eight to ten hours of sleep per night to feel well rested and ready for your day. The CDC claims getting enough sleep can help reduce stress and improve mood. Another great tip is to take advantage of syllabus week and really have a clear idea of the workload your classes will provide. This ensures that some classes might have less workload so you can plan to provide more time for a busier or more difficult class. Last but not least, it is important to hold balance within yourself, which means still taking care of yourself. Having balance can look like handling your priorities and still making time for yourself to take a break and have fun. Allow yourself to have breaks to reduce burnout and give yourself grace when encountering difficult times.

How to prepare for the holidays
November 14, 2025
The holidays can bring stress to people for a lot of different reasons. The busy planning, scheduling and demand can be a lot to handle in a short amount of time. It is best to start off with a budget since the Holiday season is when people often spend a lot of money. You want to make sure you know where your money is going. You should set some money aside and separate it just for certain things like, food, presents or traveling expenses if needed. For Thanksgiving holiday it is important to take into consideration all the different cooking tasks. Thanksgiving may also require you to plan out your travels accordingly or prepare for guests. What I find most helpful is writing very specific steps out on paper to actually see the workload. This helps hold me accountable for the work I have to actually do and in what steps I have to do it in. A good tip to remember when preparing a huge feast is to work with others. It not only makes it easier to get done, but also much more fun to cook and prepare a big meal with others. A tradition I have liked to do is doing my Christmas shopping with a friend. It makes it less stressful and a lot of the time my friends have given good advice on whether to buy a certain gift over another. Last thing I like to do is also remember to treat myself. Some sales are too good to pass on so set some money aside for something that you have been waiting to get for yourself. As always, do not stress. The Holidays are a time of joy and rest so remember to have fun as well and do things that are good for you.

Second guessing getting your Flu Shot due to fear? Here are some tips on how to calm down and help with your fear of needles.
November 7, 2025
It is important to stay protected this winter season. While a flu shot can be scary, it is important to stay protected and make the most out of this season. No one likes to get sick, sit out, or infect others. What makes the flu shot convenient is how fast the process is. While a flu shot can be uncomfortable, the pain level is low and almost not bad at all. It happens so fast that it is over before you even know it. The benefits outweigh the negative moments. You may have discomfort in your arm, but the key is to relax your arm and then move it around as soon as you get the shot. The stiffer your arm is, the more it will be sore later. My best tip is go for it. It is better to have a small moment of discomfort than to suffer worse later on.

How do you make a last minute Halloween costume?
October 31, 2025
Dollar Tree is the best solution when it comes to something quick and cheap, but if you really need to create your own costume, your closet is the best place to start. With camo being trendy and in season, a deer or animal hunter could be a good simple costume look that would be comfortable and stylish. If you go for a more street style you could also be a rapper from the early 2000s. A simple white sheet could make for a fun ghost costume. Any sort of animal ears or headband can make for a cute spooky outfit as well. You can never go wrong with a skeleton makeup look, which just requires some black eyeliner, eyeshadow and tedious concentration. If you are looking to get more crafty, you can always sew felt pieces and do a group costume like M&M’s, Skittles or other candies. As always, your Halloween costume should be creative and fun to you.

How do you first notice when a guy gives red flags?
October 10, 2025
You can not really notice anyone’s red flags until you take some time to get to know them. It takes time to really get to know more about a person, which is why it’s important not to rush anything. In order to notice someone’s red flags you also must first remind yourself of your set standards and morals. What is right or wrong for you personally? By having your own standards you will not allow yourself to settle for anything you would not otherwise want in your life. After having a clear identifier of what you do or do not allow or support, red flags about anyone will be more clear to see. It is important to get to know yourself, it will make it easier for you to better notice the type of people you want in your life. Always remember: Never settle for less than you deserve.

Ask yourself, why do you want a relationship?
October 3, 2025
Is it so you have someone to hang out with? If you can not enjoy your own company how do you expect someone else to be able to? The reality is you won’t be able to give to others what you can’t give yourself. If you are unable to enjoy spending time by yourself, how do you expect someone else to appreciate your company? It does not make sense to rely on the dependency of others to be able to have happiness in your life. It’s interesting and a bit funny to hear people say, they want someone to be able to go to the pumpkin patch with, or go to the movies with. Why? There is no difference in going with someone or not. If you are limiting yourself to experiences because the way you pictured them is not the reality, you are only hurting yourself further. You can not have more if you are not grateful for what you already have.  Another big factor often forgotten about relationships is that you attract what you are. A lot of times people’s partners are a reflection of their self worth. Of course it would be ideal to date a person with great qualities and traits, but we should ask ourselves do we also possess those qualities within ourselves? Afterall being with someone should be more than having a person you can spend time with, it should be about enhancing and bettering each other’s lives. How do you both strengthen each other’s weaknesses? “We accept the love we think we deserve” a quote from the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky gives anyone a moment to reflect and think about the love we give and receive from others. After all love comes in many forms, the smallest act of kindness could be the only love someone receives.