Cities have bigger populations, bigger airports, and bigger nightlife, but that’s matched with bite-sized apartments and even tinier kitchens. While it’s easy to underestimate the power of the kitchenette, you can still make amazing meals.

With options all across the country (and beyond), take a break from campus this spring to build affordable housing, work with kids, or volunteer in myriad other capacities – no bikinis and sombreros required.

We know you've got your grades on point. But does your college get an A+ in environmental friendliness? More and more, students (and their parents) are looking beyond the basics of dorm life, class size, and academic cred when it comes to choosing their schools.

For those who like their colleges the way they like their unroasted coffee beans (that would be, ahem, green), these nine eco-friendly universities prove that it’s cool to care about your carbon footprint – and that getting elbow-deep in dirt and handy with a solar panel may just be your next core requirements.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions: Watching the game? Tuning into the Macy’s Parade? Eating so much you have to unbutton your pants before passing out on the dining room floor?

As much as we look forward to those old standbys, perhaps our favorite tradition of all is surprising our family members with all that we’ve picked up in the past few months. New tech? New skills? A new (shared) car? As long as it blows your family’s mind, it’s fair game.