I’m kind of a beer snob. I refuse to drink Coors Light, Miller Lite, and especially Bud Light. It tastes like water that something awful has been dropped in. I know, I know—how did I ever manage to get through college, right? I mean, I drink it during Beer Pong. But I don’t like it.

I do like to experiment with new beers, though. I really, really adore blueberry beer on a warm day (it’s totally refreshing, you should try it), pumpkin beer in the fall, Brooklyn Lager anytime.

While theres not a whole lot of things that go better together than pizza and beer, can you imagine drinking a pizza flavored beer? Sounds gross. But someone’s drinking it.

A husband and wife from Illinois decided to try a homemade brew after growing too many tomatoes in their garden. They mixed together the tomatoes, basil, oregano and some garlic into a puree, and added it as is into their own blended wheat—and voila! Mama Mia Pizza Beer. Read More »

College: Four years of fun. Four years of freedom. Four years of learning and enlightenment. And four years of all-nighters, Bible-sized textbooks, essays, tears, loneliness and sleep deprivation' only to lead to more college?

Such is the experience of an undergraduate looking to pursue a Master's degree and beyond. The question is: Is it worth it?

'When you're not exactly sure what you want to do with your life, to be able to get into an academic situation that's very career-oriented is comforting because you have some kind of direction now,' said Annie Cooke, 22, a graduate student in broadcast journalism at the University of Maryland at College Park.

Rumit Pancholi, 22, had a lot of direction in his life as a senior English major last year. He knew exactly what he wanted to do'keep studying poetry'so he followed his dreams and applied for the very prestigious Creative Writing Program at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. There were ten spots available total and only five in poetry.

And he got in.

He should be celebrating - basking in the glory of a few more years in school, hitting the bars nightly and spending his weekends in bed with candy bars and season one of 24. Yet, he is openly unhappy with his life as a grad student in a place far from his Maryland home.

'Everything is waning. I spend hours, days, weeks in my room/apartment, unhappy and disoriented, sleeping, eating sporadically, eating hurriedly, daydreaming, sighing, and cleaning. I don’t think I’d be a good househusband,' he wrote on a recent Facebook note.

Despite his occasional personal ranting, Pancholi listed several pros regarding the choice to pursue a Master's degree: the chance for students to build more intimate relationships with professors and even to play the role of the professor and teach younger students what they have learned.

He didn't offer any cons, saying, 'It depends on the program.'

But, for all of you seniors splitting your time between savoring your last minutes of freedom and wondering where you are going next, here are a few things to consider when grad school is on your mind:

Reasons to Go to Grad School:

1) You don't have to get a job and pay back loans from your undergrad years just yet.
2) You can make more money (assuming you can find a job after graduation).
3) You can get closer to professionals and experienced faculty.
4) You can still sorta live the life of a college student.
5) You can get teaching experience.
6) You can focus on a particular field and master it.
7) You can tell people you are a grad student and they will think you're smart. You need the graduate degree to get the job you are passionate about.

Reasons to Avoid Grad School:

1) It is often very expensive.
2) There is a lot more work than undergrad (and a lot more people doing it).
3) You may not have time to pursue other interests (like having fun).
4) Smaller programs can be very competitive.
5) The environment is stressful and emotionally draining at times.
6) Many fields value work experience over another academic degree.

Up next: The ins and outs of the GRE. Yikes!

It seemed as if everytime I turned around in college, someone would say, 'These are the best four years of your life.' At football games, I always got the 'enjoy it while it lasts' from the die-hard Husky alum (that is, of course, when I wasn't getting the 'flaunt it while you've still got it' from her husband). And after a year of post-college big city work experience, I can agree with all of my elderly advice givers.

When I first entered the real world, I looked saw endless opportunity and the chance to apply everything I had learned for sixteen years. Once I took off my rose colored glasses I discovered not only was I miserable that the best four years of my life had just ended, but I was in extreme denial. I was also anxious, irritable and lazy, all of which kept me from finding my dream job (or any job, for that matter).

The transition from college to life is the hardest most people have ever had to endure. Not only do we have to get up at the same time every day, but there are a whole slew of other adjustments we are forced to make. And they aren't pretty.

Responsibility Rears Its Ugly Head

Last year we were drinking 007's and now we are dealing with HMO's, PPO's and 401-K's. What is up with real world terminology? Immediately upon entering corporate life, we are supposed to be familiar with every type of insurance and other adult things that we have never even heard of. People are throwing insurance information at us, telling us to start saving for the future, and taking away half our paychecks for taxes.
How to Deal: I have dealt with my real world anxiety - and lack of adult lingo - by browsing Borders and the web for real world resources. Books such as Dummy's Guide to Work are a step in the right direction. It is also a good idea to sit down with the parents and sort through the piles of information you don't understand.

Saving The World'One Daydream at a Time

Unlike your ever-changing college schedule, working means you are now dealing with the same monotonous routine everyday. Spend enough time doing the same thing and you will begin to feel stifled. Personally, I sometimes become anxious that I am missing out on life altering opportunities. There are days when I stare out of my 29th floor corporate window wondering if I am missing out not taking a year off to study the jungles of Brazil, or to teach English in Korea.
How To Deal: I think the best way to ease the anxiety is to talk to your peers. Most of them are in the same place you are. It is also important to remind yourself that your current job - even if you loathe it ' is just the first step of many and you will not be in that position forever. If all else fails, do something crazy; travel, teach in a foreign country, or join the Peace Corps.

Where is the Phone-a -Best Friend Option?

Knowing my friends are spread across the country has also been a difficult adjustment. I find myself doing things alone ' things I used to drag my three best friends to when I was still at school. As much as I value my independence, I often find myself wondering, 'What would it be like if they were here?'
How to Deal: To keep up with each other, when we do not have anything planned for a month or two, my friends and I are all on an email chain. Nothing brightens my day more then when I get a bubble (thank you, Microsoft Outlook) on my screen that says 'Can you believe '' slept with '.??', a silly quote, or just a plain old I miss you from one of my friends. (Blogs are another good idea because it allows you to see what is going on in your friends' lives.) Whenever we are together, we make sure to plan the next trip so we know when we will be able to see each other again.

Van Wilder Does Not Really Exist

For a long time, I felt that I was missing out at whatever was happening at school, no matter how much fun I was having on my own. That ended when I paid a visit for our annual spring weekend. After being cooped up playing beer bong for 6 hours with drunken freshman I realized what I was not missing: drunken freshmen.
How to Deal: Yes, your new life is not like college. Get over it. Life will never be like that again and as hard as that is to swallow, accepting it will allow you to appreciate what life after college has to offer: independence, happy hour, and high quality beer.

I was - and sometimes still am - scared. That is a part of growing up. At times I want nothing more than to swap my overpriced martini for a night of goofing off with my best friends. If I was still doing that, however, I would not have time to save Darfur, visit Manhattan Museums, or contribute to society. The last sixteen years have been one big path and as clich' as it is, we need to get all Robert Frost and create our own.

Are there two sweeter words in the English language than those uttered at the proposal of a 'happy hour?' The very mention of the words brings a thirst to the mouth that can only be quenched with out-of-office bonding and stimulating conversation with co-workers that doesn't revolve around purchase orders and shipment statuses.

However for a newly christened office worker fresh out of a bachelor's program, the happy hour can resemble a minefield more than a relaxing five o'clock event. The possibility to commit an embarrassing or job threatening faux pas is as close as that third or fourth gin and tonic that just seem like a good idea at the time.

The most important thing any new worker invited along for the company's weekly drinking excursion needs to remember is: YOU ARE NOT OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

I repeat: YOU ARE NOT OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Your friends know you. They know you are an asshole or that you say stupid things when you've had a few too many and, because they are your friends, they can forgive your trespasses as you forgive theirs. Co-workers and your superiors at the office may not be so forgiving. Looking down the blouse of your hot office manager or telling a vulgar chauvinistic joke could lead to any multitude of awkward situations, namely sensitivity training.

Moderation is the key. Afterall, anyone who knows you well knows that excessive drinking leads to story time, like that great story about your first threesome (sound effects and all).

Avoid your Kryptonite: If you know there is a certain liquor that leads to trouble, don't drink it. It is best to stick with a drink that is tried and true and one that isn't normally accompanied with the ever hard to explain vomiting in the bathroom or worse, on your cubicle neighbor's pants.

Take it slow: If you feel like you are starting to get a little too drunk for your own good, slow down. There is no shame in making up a lie about training for a marathon or feeding orphans in the morning. Not only will this keep you safe, but, BONUS, it will definitely get you more points around the office than a drunken make-out session with the bearded mail lady.

Basically, stay on your guard. You may think you can handle the relaxed atmosphere of the Happy Hour scene, but you can't. Even college's greatest drinkers have been known to crash and burn (rug burn, that is) at their first office adventure. So, either stick to these rules or nurse a glass of water all night. Or, of course, grab your boss's ass, take a body shot off of your secretary, and move back home with your parents and a framed restraining order to hang over your bed.

Looking for that first apartment after college graduation is a big moment. There are so many exciting possibilities and even more hindrances. Not knowing what you’re looking for can make the process exhausting and seem pointless. But, with the right research and proper understanding of what to look for, anyone can find an apartment with confidence.

Before You Go:

Contrary to popular belief, the quest for the perfect living space starts long before you hit the streets with an over-charging leasing agent. The first thing to consider when looking for an apartment is how long you are going to live in this space. This question will determine what kind of lease you need: Most leases entail at least a one-year commitment. So if this is too long for you, consider a sublet or a month-to-month lease. Next, avoid renter’s remorse by realistically thinking about how much space you need. Note: There is a large difference between need and want. You may want an apartment with a living room large enough for a beer pong tourney, but do you need it? This also goes for amenities. Can you really afford (or need) a private roof-top terrace on that executive assistant salary?
The next thing to consider is roommates. Do you want em? Do you need em? Living with a roommate is much cheaper than living alone. Not only can you get a bigger space for your money, but you can share expenses like cable and furniture. Ask friends if they know of anyone who is looking for a roommate or apartment. If they don’t know anyone, check out websites like roommates.com or craigslist.com. These are great sites to find someone to find an apartment with, or someone with an apartment looking to fill a room. Just be careful: make sure you meet these people before making any promises. We all know there are a lot of weirdo's out there!

Once you're done researching roommates, research and explore different neighborhoods. What kind of environment you want to live in? A neighborhood with many young families? Or hot young professionals? You can ask around, but when making a big decision like where to live, it is best to really feel an area out yourself. Also be sure to investigate the rents in that area, which will obviously be a deciding factor in whether you can live there.

On the Road:

Now you (and possibly your awesome new craigslist.com roommate) are ready to begin viewing apartments. Make appointments with brokers and check out listings online (local newspaper or the amazing craigslist.com) in order to find out what is available, then get ready to run. When preparing to go and see apartments, pack a bag: bring your checkbook, two recent bank statements, last year’s tax return (first page and the signature page) two recent pay stubs, letter of employment, letter of reference from a previous landlord or their contact information, tape measurer, camera and notebook. Seem excessive? It's not. In some cities, apartment units can be snatched up in one day, even one hour. You have to be ready to sign a lease on the spot, so the more prepared you are, the better your chances.

When viewing a model apartment, keep a look out for any imperfections. Not inspecting an apartment before moving in can result in serious safety hazards. There are various things to keep in mind before signing that lease:
' Always insist on seeing the actual apartment, occupied or not.
' When taking the walk-through of the apartment, check for new paint, clean-looking and -smelling rugs and wall holes.
' Appliances should be working and clean.
' Electrical outlets outlets and fans should be running and not loose. (Loose electrical outlets are fire hazards.)
' Inspect all water outlets for leaks. Make sure the water temperature isn't too hot or too cold, the pressure is good, the drains do not stop up and toilets flush properly.
If you find any problems with the apartment, make sure to report them to the leasing/management office as soon as possible.

Security is the most important thing when apartment-hunting. You can't make an apartment a home if you don't feel safe. Verify that the apartment's security is approved to meet local standards to deter forced entry. Each window should have at least two types of locks, and main doors should have deadbolts and peep holes. Regarding outdoor security, corridors and walkways should be adequately lit. Check to see that fire extinguishers are charged and accessible and that fire alarms are installed and tested. Once you're done asking about the apartment's security, check crime reports from police for the apartment's area. (Note: If you are in a city like New York where you have to decide on the spot, you may not be able to go to such lengths. But, if you check out the neighborhood in advance, you will have a good idea of how safe it is.)

Take It!

Once you find the apartment you love, you must sign the lease. Do some online research into tenants’ rights, what should be included in a lease, and anything else you may need to know (these are different in every state). Make sure to read the whole thing and even pass it along to your parents to give it a once-over; you don't want any surprises down the road. Dot your 'I's' and cross your 'T's' and then head out to the bar for a celebratory cocktail!

After graduating from college, a couple of girls were hardly ready to enter the adult working world. There was more education to be had ' and fun. And where else but in Europe?

Before I entered the permanence of a full-time job, I knew I had to get fresh perspective on my life ' and enjoy my freedom. Being cooped up in the little world of college can leave you a bit out of touch with reality. I needed to take myself out of my comfort zone in order to see what I was capable of on my own. What could be more unfamiliar than another continent? So my friend Kerri and I planned our trip and left the good old U.S.

June 28, 2005
12:00 a.m. London

I'm finally here, beginning the month-long trek through Europe! Kerri and I are sitting on our beds in a room full of guys. Staying in hostels is humbling, to say the least. Be prepared to run into weirdos.

Arriving in London, however, was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. First of all, as our plane was beginning its decent with a horrific thunderstorm raging, it was struck by lightening. Apparently, the pilot thought it was a good idea to fly directly into the chaos instead of around it, putting us all in harm's way. At first, I was calm and a bit worried, but the continued shuttering and rocking through the air made me question whether this would be my last living memory. Kerri and I clutched each other's hands, praying we would make it out alive. After an hour of circling the wretched cracks of thunder and treacherous bolts of lighting, we landed safely.

But the drama was far from over. We collected our backpacks and made our way outside where it began to pour, buckets and buckets of rain. Walking to our hostel was not an option. Luckily, we were able to hail a taxi, whose driver brought us safely to our destination without overcharging us.

Once we settled in, Kerri and I looked at each other and said, 'This trip is not going to be easy.' The moral of the story: visiting other countries is no-walk-in-the-park. Disasters are likely to occur, but getting through them is a personal achievement in itself.

June 29, 2005
Still in London

Today was our first day out exploring the lovely city of London. Over breakfast, we met Jake, a 25-year-old from Texas just finishing up his backpacking trip through Europe. We decided that he should come along as we walked all over the city. The three of us must have walked eight miles or so through parks ' Hyde Park and Green Park. We watched the famous changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, but got bored quickly; it's overrated. However, I like that I'm able to tell people I saw it.

As we really dug into the city, I absolutely loved it. The streets are narrow and charming, and the architecture is so ancient and beautifully detailed. London is such an old city. Most of the buildings have been standing for centuries and centuries. Yet when it came down to the stores, it reminded me of a more beautiful version of New York City.

We stopped for lunch in a tiny pub. It wasn't touristy at all ' which really allowed me to see British culture first hand: how the restaurant staff interacted with one another and the customers. I ate a sandwich and tried a popular beer drink called a shandy. It's a mixture of beer and lemonade. Let's just say it was an interesting experience, but I'm still sticking with the regular beer beverage.

After a long day of sight-seeing, we decided to call it quits and rest up for dinner. Kerri and I asked one of the hostel managers to recommend a fun place near by where we could eat and also have a good time. He recommended a restaurant and bar called Harlem. It was a small, dimly lit place, the tables only inches apart. We nearly bumped elbows with the people sitting beside us. Throughout the night we sat chatting, sipping on beers and watched the British surrounding us. I felt like we fit in. We weren't tourists; we were part of it all.

'I don't speak at as many colleges as I wish I could,' admits Al Franken, just a few hours after taping his radio show for Air America (conveniently titled The Al Franken Show). Maybe it's because the left-wing maverick is kind of busy these days. He's speaking at congressional forums on media bias; hosting and writing a radio show, as well as its companion TV show on the Sundance Channel; writing bestselling books (a new one, as yet untitled, is due this fall); and exploring the possibility of running in the 2008 Senate race. But the Minnesota native did have time to talk to CO-ED about his college days and how to truly make a political difference … both at your school and in the world.

CO-ED: When did your focus shift more to politics from comedy?
AL FRANKEN: I think it's helpful to be funny because people process things better when it's funny. I've always been a satirist, and political comedy's been a big part of the comedy I did. So it's not such a departure for me. Doing talk radio has done that to me, because I have a mission to push back against right-wing talk radio and against the administration.

I heard, as a student, you were actually rejected by the Harvard Lampoon.
They didn't get my humor. They were a bad group that year. The Lampoon alternately is good or bad. And, sometimes it gets sort of incestuous, and I think that year it kind of was.

What do you think of student activism these days?
It depends on the campus. I just went to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where they're incredibly active. They had, like, an 85 percent turnout for me.

Do you speak at more conservative universities?
I spoke at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, fairly recently. I did LSU recently, too; that's a fairly conservative school. I was very well received, and there were some protesters, but they were really actually quite well behaved. I think when people hear me talk, they kind of get embarrassed that they're there protesting. They really don't know me; they've just heard what the right-wing nuts say about me.

Fox News gets a lot of viewers who aren't conservative. Is that a goal for you, to capture the non-partisan?
That's obviously a goal, and I do get e-mail from people like that. It's also gratifying to hear from people who were conservative and then started listening or watching the show and you've changed their mind a little bit.

What advice do you have for students wanting to get more involved?
That's easy ' you just have to do it. I mean, on certain campuses it's easier than others, but you can organize something. You can organize around any kind of issue that interests you. You can organize around helping people in Africa who have AIDS. One of our TV producers was a student at Harvard who organized a nationwide student AIDS group that helped pressure Coca-Cola into honoring a pledge it made that to provide the AIDS-drug cocktail for all its employees. And these students I was talking about in Duluth? They're in a group called MPIRG. They know how to organize. People should write them and say: 'How do you organize?' It's that simple.