Map of Mall/Shoppes in the Lehigh Valley

View Malls/Shoppes in the Lehigh Valley in a larger map


This map is mainly for Lehigh University students. Sorry everyone else. Anyways, many Lehigh students talk about only one mall: Lehigh Valley. So, I'm assuming that it's the only one everyone knows about. So, I've included a list of other malls/shops that are just as good as Lehigh Valley. Students will be surprised at the number of places to shop in the area.

When pinning the malls/shops, I tried to get as much of a variety as possible. Many students know what all malls have. However, each place offer something different. Not every mall has the same stores as the others. But through my map, students will discover why it's not good to go to the same place for every shopping experience. Each mall/shoppe has its own unique feature. Whatever students are looking for, they can find at one of the spots on the map.

Sit in the Front of the Class

Last year, one of my professors paid more attention to students sitting in the first few rows. I happened to sit on the next-to-last row. It was frustrating to see the professor show favoritism. Then, I thought a minute. The students on the last few rows didn’t pay much attention to him. He had no choice but to favor those students. After noticing, I sat on the first row for the remainder of the semester. I felt important because the professor noticed me. He called on me to answer questions and directly asked if I understood the material.

Students, sit in the front of the class. There’s nothing nerdy about it. You don’t have to be a genius. Professors respect students who do so. It lets them know you care and want to learn. I make it a habit to sit close in all classes. I want my professors to know I’m in the class. They won’t know you if you sit further back. You’re just “another student in the class”.

Sitting in the front makes students pay attention. They can’t text or talk; unless you’re rude. They have no choice but to understand the subject. Generally, students who sit in the front have higher grades. They take good notes because they comprehend better and are more engaged in class discussions. It’s a mystery why many students fail to realize the benefits.

Many students would like to sit in the front but they’re scared. Their friends are likely in the same class and they want to fit in. Students feel they’ll get teased with names such as “nerd” and “teacher’s pet”. One time, a girl sat in the front. Immediately, her friend started ragging her. I commend the girl for ignoring the comments and remaining seated.

Students also fear being called on. They feel that professors have a tendency to ask students in the front more questions. Students should take that as an honor. Professors don’t exist to embarrass students. Their job is to make sure we understand what’s going on. If we don’t, their job is a failure. So, don’t take it personal when called on. View it as an opportunity to increase your understanding. I relish being called on. I may not always know the answer but I’m willing to give it a shot. When I sat further back, I felt out-of –order. I didn’t feel a part of the class or discussions.  I couldn’t stand that feeling; which is another reason I appreciate being called on.

So don’t hesitate to sit close. Make it a habit by starting now. Classes don’t have assigned seats. We’re not in kindergarten. If your friends tease you, ignore them or invite them to join you. If they don’t, let them talk. They’ll notice the effects when viewing your grade compared to theirs.

Don't Hesitate to Visit the Campus Doctor

At one point last semester, I suffered painful headaches. These were the worst headaches of my life. I thought they would depart like always. After a few days, they still lingered. My only choice was to visit the campus doctor. During the visit, we learned I was suffering from migraines. I thought: Migraines? I never had those before. Anyway, we also discovered the root of the problem. My allergy medicine caused me to become tired, which led to the headaches. I stopped taking the allergy medicine and began taking Ibuprofen (the doctor’s suggestion) for the headaches. Since then, there’s been no trace of migraines.

Students, don’t try to heal on your own. When you feel sick, visit your campus’ medical office. The doctors are just as qualified as your doctors back home. They’re here to help you. So what if they fail to cure you completely. The least they’ll do is provide you with medication. Their medication is likely a better treatment than what you have. If they don’t have a cure, they’ll refer you to better help. Either way, you’ll get assistance.

Flu seasons are the worst. Students inherit the flu and let it wear off. One of my friends had the flu a couple of weeks ago. He said he didn’t go to the nurse. I thought he was crazy. If I had the flu, I’d be in the doctor’s office once I came down with it. All students should have this mentality. It’s not good to let the flu linger and spread to others. Even if you don’t want medical treatment, do it for others. Students frequently come to class coughing and sneezing. Me being paranoid, I lose concentration because I’m focusing on ways to avoid catching whatever that person has. I’m pretty sure other students feel the same way.

Pride is one reason students don’t visit a doctor/nurse. They feel college is a chance to display independence. They figure they’ll be their own parent and treat whatever sickness they have on their own. Most students don’t even bring an Advil to school; so what makes them think they can cure themselves?

The doctor’s office is on campus. You don’t have to take a 20-minute drive to see him/her. If you feel like crap, that should motivate you to take the short walk to the office. It’s better to be safe than sorry. I learned that lesson during my last visit. If not for that visit, who knows what the unknown migraines could’ve lead to?

So, do yourselves a favor and get treatment. Suffering is not cool.

Eat your Fruits and Veggies

During my first two years of college, I avoided fruits and vegetables. I didn’t avoid them on purpose; they just never crossed my mind. My goal was to eat as much of the good food as possible. During dinner, I would eat meat, pasta, and rice. If I was still hungry, I would grab a burger. This was not the healthiest of meals. This year, my eating habits changed for some reason. I make it a habit to eat vegetables every day. To be honest, it makes me feel good about myself.

Students, eat your fruits and vegetables. I know you’re tired of hearing it because you’ve heard it your whole life. But reality is: they’re good for you. They contain the vitamins and nutrients we need. Walking around campus can be tiring. We have to carry heavy book bags from class-to-class; and walk up and down hills on a daily basis. My school sits on a mountain; so I feel your pain. This may sound crazy, but fruits and vegetables help you physically. I’ve noticed a change in my physical endurance. Last year, I’d get tired after one game of basketball. This year, I can play three games without feeling fatigued. Eating healthier plays a role in my increased energy level; and it will do the same for you.

Studies show that fruits and veggies reduce our risk of chronic diseases, notably heart failure. They also reduce the risk of strokes. This should motivate you to eat healthier considering the stress we go through on a daily basis. Eating healthy refreshes and allows you to think clearly. Fruits and veggies serve as internal cleansers. They help clean whatever junk we eat.

As expected, fruits and veggies help control our weight. This should motivate the students who worry about how much weight they’ve gained lately. Healthy eating helps alleviate these worries. They give you one less thing to worry about. We have too much to focus on academically to worry about our weight.

In general, eating healthy makes you feel good about yourself. At some point, observe the differences in how you feel after eating a salad as opposed to a burger and fries. After eating a burger, you feel guilty and fat. After eating a salad, you feel healthy. Fruits and veggies are an alternative of working out. Your schedule may not allow you to work out as much as you should. Eating healthy is one thing you can do to stay in shape.

So when you’re at the food court, put a few vegetables on your plate. If you feeling like eating more, grab a fruit. Eating fruits and veggies is no longer a choice. They are a need.

Don't Eat Alone

As I’m walking to the food court one day, I thought: man, another day eating by myself. I can’t take this anymore. I know I have a tendency to eat early but there’s got to be someone there I can sit with. My wishes were granted. My roommate and a girl I know happened to be eating at the same time. We sat together and had a good time. That experience made me enjoy dinner a lot more.

Students, get in the habit of eating with others. No matter when you eat, there will likely be someone you know eating as well. It doesn’t matter how close you are to the person; just sit with him/her.

Eating alone is not a good experience. I experienced this my first year in college. It didn’t bother me at first. The more I noticed I was in the minority, the eager I was to fix the problem. It was easier said than done. I’m not much of a social person; but I was able to come out of my comfort zone. To this day, whenever I see a familiar face, I sit with him/her. It causes me to take my time eating and develop people skills.

OK, let me get back on topic. Just use my experience as a lesson.

Conversations while eating are boundless. You can talk about anything from academics to personal life (don’t get too personal though). There’s been a few occasions where others told me too much while eating. In general, conversations mainly focus on academics. It’s good to discover that others have similar feelings regarding scholastics; most of the time, you find this out over dinner.

Research shows that eating with others causes students to eat healthier. Students have a tendency to consume more fruits and vegetables. This is true because it applies to me. One time, I ate chicken wings and fries. The person I sat with ate a healthier meal. Yeah, I felt guilty; but I still enjoyed my wings. However, it made me think twice about my food consummation during future social interactions. I now say: since he/she is eating vegetables, let me put a couple on my plate.

Anyways, don’t put too much into the study. I was just throwing it out there.

Eating with others will benefit in the future. Many job interviews take place over lunch. So why not practice now? Company meetings also take place over lunch. It’s time to learn how to conduct yourself. Employers don’t want to hire slobs. My uncle always tells me about proper etiquette while eating. I’m glad he stayed on me because I’m reaping the benefits. I can eat in front of others without wondering what I’m doing wrong.

So when you’re at the food court, sit with someone, especially if that person is alone. Chances are they want company. Just because someone sits by their self doesn’t mean they’re happy about it. And, don’t be nervous if you see a familiar face eating with others you don’t know. This scenario helps you make friends. The more people you meet, the more people you have to eat with.

Talk to your Advisors

Last year, I had the opportunity to speak with my advisor. During the meeting, he outlined all the major courses I needed to take to graduate on time. He also told me exactly when I should take them. I still follow that outline and appreciate my advisor taking the time to organize it.

Students, talk to your advisors. Find out what you need to do in order to graduate on time. It would suck to scramble around during your senior year trying to figure out how you’re going to catch up on credits. It can be avoided by taking the time to see what courses you should be taking.

Students tend to get lackadaisical regarding their progress toward graduation. They assume they know it all and don’t need help in deciding their class schedule. It hurts me to see students in school for an extra semester.

Advisors not only help academically. They also assist in researching employment opportunities. Once again, don’t think you have to find a job on your own. Advisors have more connections than you think. You have to take advantage.

Most advisors have gone to college. They have experienced everything we go through on a daily basis. They’ve had their share of ups and downs, both academically and socially. Their college experience means they have solutions to many of our problems. More than likely, their solutions are better than ours.

Advisors are parents away from home. They keep us on track and make sure we’re doing what we have to do; like our biological parents do for us at home. I approach my advisor like a parent. I worry a lot when it comes to academics. I’m constantly thinking about whether I’m doing what needs to be done. That’s when I go to my advisor. After meeting with my advisor, I feel relieved of whatever was stressing me. I’m not saying you have to go to your advisor all the time. At least go once a semester. You never know what may change regarding your school’s policies; but your advisor knows. It would suck to be thinking one thing when your advisor knows the truth.

Advisors are approachable. It’s their responsibility to assist students and they don’t mind doing so. Whatever questions you have, they will answer without a problem. And if they don’t have the answer, they’ll refer you to someone who does; so it’s a win-win situation. Stop trying to figure everything on your own; because more than likely you never will.

Be Aware of Deadlines

For a two-day stretch, I got lazy. Yeah, you know how that goes. I spent the early part of the week preparing for a test and burnt out a little bit.  I should’ve waited a few more days to burn out. I forgot about a project and paper that were due in the upcoming days. As expected, I spent the next two days stressing over the assignments.

Students, be aware of deadlines. Don’t allow yourself to be in the same position I was. It is stressful trying to get assignments done at the last minute, especially the ones with major impacts on your grade.

The most important thing is to pace yourself. After learning about an assignment, don’t brush it off because it’s not due until weeks later. Gradually, work on it. The earlier you start, the better you’ll feel about the assignment. And don’t make the mistake of working on the assignment too early so you can get it out the way. In reality, you’re rushing through it.

Regularly checking your syllabus also helps. When students receive a syllabus, they tend to ignore it after the first day of class. I always check my syllabus for due dates and other important information (i.e., how much an assignment is worth). It keeps me on track and reminds me to take an assignment seriously.

In keeping up with deadlines, you should ask yourself: “Is there anything due today?” or “What should I be doing today to help with the assignment due next week?” This requires stopping for a moment to think. Always reflect on what your professors say in class.

Being aware of deadlines extends past the academic realm. It also includes the internship process, joining clubs, and many other aspects. Everything involves a deadline. Waiting until the last minute to complete a job application decreases your chances of acquiring the job. The employer will say: this person likes to procrastinate; and will likely procrastinate on the job. The sooner you get the application done, the better.

Anyways, let’s shift back to the academic segment. Completing an assignment the night before it’s due is not a good feeling. For one, you feel ashamed for putting yourself in that position. You’ll also stress over how good or bad the assignment came out. This goes back to the point I made about feeling good regarding an assignment. If you complete a little bit every day, it takes the pressure off and makes you feel accomplished. You’ll say: wow, I put everything I had into this assignment without having to rush through it.

Experience Off-Campus a little bit

Those two days off-campus did wonders for me. I felt refreshed and didn’t feel as homesick. Students, because you’re away at school doesn’t mean you have to stay on campus. Take a few hours and leave campus. Sometimes we need a change of scenery. Seeing the same buildings and people everyday can get annoying.

All students get homesick at some point. Students from afar have it the worst. They’re miles away from home with no way to get back unless they scrape some money. Then there are students who have family issues. And don’t forget the students who can’t go home because they can’t concentrate. All of these factors combine to make college feel like jail.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Depending on where you go to school, there’s plenty to do off-campus. There’s the mall, local bar, and a variety of restaurants.

There’s no rule stating you have to remain in your room. You don’t have to eat at the food court every meal. You don’t have to study at the library. With these non-rules in mind, enjoy life. See what your college city has to offer. You’d be surprised at the stuff you find. I’m constantly discovering new things about the surrounding area.

Yes, money can be an issue. Things are expensive today. But everything doesn’t cost. You don’t have to pay to walk around the mall. You don’t have to pay to walk around the city. Everything doesn’t revolve around money. Stop thinking you need money to do everything.

It’s not always about having fun. Sometimes you need to know what’s around you. There are places around campus that are off-limits and you should be aware of them. Don’t believe me? Read points 13 and 14.

And don’t think you have to travel alone. Gather some friends and go the local carnival or mall. It’s good to travel in packs because don’t forget: You’re not at home.

If you’re not doing much this weekend, take a trip off-campus. Who’s stopping you?

Take a Nap

This semester, I start classes at 7:55 two days a week. Bummer. That means I have to be up by 7. Bummer. Even though I finish classes at noon, I’m exhausted by then.

How do I cure my tiredness? You guessed right. By taking a nap. A person is never too old to take a nap. I nap whenever I get a chance. All college students should take naps when given the opportunity.

Studies show that naps increase memory, improve moods, and reduce stress levels among others. The afternoon is tough on many students; especially those who go to bed late. I don’t understand why students stay up half the night knowing they have to wake early. Hopefully, they make up for the loss hours of sleep. If they don’t, it’s time to start.

I’ve had some rough afternoons in college. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll make it without passing out. And, I’m not being sarcastic. Naps allow me to finish my day strong. It improves my concentration and motivation to complete assignments.

Naps don’t have to be long. Five-minute naps are constant for me. I don’t need a two-hour nap to help finish the day. Speaking of long naps, they’re not a necessity. Studies show: the longer the nap, the longer you’ll be up at night. And the later the nap, the later you’ll stay up. I learned these lessons yesterday. I decided to nap late in the afternoon. As a result, I only got five hours of sleep. As expected, I’m paying for it. But you better believe I’m going to sleep soon.

Try to take naps as early as possible. Homework and the gym can wait. Don’t rush through everything so you can go to sleep. You’ll make things tougher. Taking a nap first will improve your performance academically and socially (i.e., working out). It’s a good feeling to take a nap, have a positive work out, and then complete your homework.

Taking naps create a positive cycle. They allow students to give their best doing school work and exercising. As a result, they feel accomplishment effects.

Taking late naps will develop a pattern of staying up late. It’s better to establish a good sleeping pattern. I’d rather sleep at night for seven hours than be up half the night because of a late nap.

Staying up late also causes lack of focus in class. How can you concentrate on your professor’s lesson after doing work all night? Good for the students who can because I know I couldn’t.

Anyways, don’t hesitate to take a nap. There’s nothing wrong with it. Don’t listen to all the bull about “naps being for babies.” It’s tough to fight tiredness; but you don’t have to.

Display your OWN school colors

One day on campus, I saw a girl wearing a Bucknell hoodie. Bucknell? Isn’t that our school’s rival?

The same day, I saw someone with a Florida Gators hoodie.

OK, what’s going on? We attend Lehigh, not any of these schools. Why are they wearing other schools’ apparel?

The point here folks: If you want a school’s name on your chest, let it be your own school. Don’t disrespect your campus community by wearing another school’s attire. It’s disrespectful to your peers, student-athletes, and alumni. 

Don’t be an oddball. If you can’t showcase your school’s attire, don’t showcase another’s. Your school’s admissions staff wasn’t obligated to accept you. They accepted you because they felt you belonged where you are. So, be grateful and take pride in that. You should be honored to be accepted into your college. Showcasing another school’s attire is not a way to show appreciation.

I appreciate it. I would never put on a rival’s attire; whether I’m on campus or not. That’s saying I would rather attend another school.

And I don’t want to hear the bull about fashion. I don’t care if a Florida Gators’ hoodie matches with your jeans. I don’t care if a Kansas Jayhawks’ shirt matches with your hat. Find something else to wear.

It urks me to see students disrespect their school. Let’s use my school as an example. Half of the campus will wear brown attire. All of a sudden, you see someone sporting a Duke t-shirt. It makes me want to slap the person. I would feel out-of-order; no matter how fly I look.

I know some schools’ colors may not be as flashy as others. I get teased all the time about my school’s colors. I refuse to let it bother me. I’ll wear my school’s colors any day; and be proud to wear it. Why? Because they took a chance on me. I didn’t get accepted into every school I applied to. Wearing the colors is the least I could do in showing appreciation.

Another thing that annoys me: Oddballs walk around like there’s nothing wrong. They think it’s ok to wear another school’s colors.

Colleges should be allowed to punish students who do this. That would be something, wouldn’t it?

Imagine students receiving a fine for being an oddball. That’s one way to diminish the problem.

Folks, don’t make this harder than what it is. When you’re close to putting on another school’s attire, think for a moment. Think about your school’s athletes who give everything they have to win games. Think about the alumni who provide scholarships to help you attend school.

If you take a moment and think, you’ll gain a new perspective on the situation.

Support Your Team

Earlier this year, I went to a basketball game on campus. Fortunately, the team won. The team’s victory had nothing to do with the crowd; that’s for sure. And it’s disappointing.

Students are the reason many college teams dominate at home. Not at my school though. It disappoints me to see the arena or stadium half-full.

OK, I’ll stop lying. The arena barely approaches half-capacity. I’m used to seeing it that way. It doesn’t upset me as much as before.

Anyways, get out and support your team. This is directed at students at all universities. If there’s a home game on campus, take advantage of it. Your team needs you.

Students complain so much about how bad their teams are. They fail to realize their lack of support plays a role in that. I could understand if students had to pay to attend a game. But, they don’t.

There’s no excuse for students not to attend a game. Yeah, I understand the academic load can be tough to handle. But it’s not like that all the time. Student-athletes find ways to balance. Why can’t you?

When teams come out of the tunnel and see a half-empty building, it damages their psyche. They can’t get the adrenaline going because there’s not much of a crowd. If there’s no adrenaline, there’s no motivation to win the game.

It’s a shame for athletes to prepare so much for a game and not be rewarded. They love to see the student section packed and rowdy.

I had a chance to watch a few college games on Saturday. I took a moment to observe the crowd. And I thought: man, why can’t all crowds be like that? College athletics would be a blast.

For students to only attend games with significance ticks me off. It’s disrespectful to the team. Why attend when the team is doing well? Where not attend at the beginning of the season?

Students claim to have so much pride in their school, but they fail to show it. Attending an athletic event is a good way to show it.

Students must look forward to games as much as parties. Not only look forward to them, but get excited.

View athletic events as freedom from the academic hassles. That’s how I view them. When I attend games, it’s a chance to clear my mind. I have no choice but to focus on the game. I certainly can’t do school work in an arena.

Use this blog as motivation to attend a game. Give a shot. It won’t hurt you. Gather your friends and go together. The more people in attendance, the better.

Talk to your Professors

A few years ago, something told me to talk to my professor. It’s a good thing I did. Through the conversation, I discovered I wasn’t doing as well as I thought. That conversation helped me earn a solid grade.

If not for that discussion, who knows what could have happened?

College students, take a page out of my book. Talk to your professors. Stop viewing them as enemies and build a relationship with them. Their goal is to help you. Professors seem bad because you choose to have that point-of-view.

Whether you’re doing well or bad in a class, talk to your professor. It can even be a friendly conversation. When you talk to a professor, you see another side to him/her. During class lectures, you see their seriousness. During a personal conversation, you see a lighter side. They talk calmer, they smile, and even crack jokes. That’s what I’ve realized through my conversations with them.

I’ve made a habit to talk to all my professors. I don’t hesitate to go to them after class and find out what’s expected. My strategy has helped me remain calm during class. I view it as “breaking the ice.”

Many students fail classes because they don’t realize how bad they’re doing. They fall behind and don’t bother to ask for help. I’m too much of a worrier to sit back without knowing how I’m doing in a class. I’m constantly thinking of ways to do better. No matter how hard I think, I’ll never know unless I talk to my professor.

Also, take advantage of office hours. I don’t care if you stay for 10 minutes; just go. Show professors you care. Professors love students who make an effort.

Don’t think going to office hours means you’re “slow”. If you need extra help, it’s ok. That’s what office hours are for. Attempting to get through a problem on your own can backfire. Stop trying to teach yourself the material because it won’t work. That’s why you’re the student. You must humble yourself.

Attending office hours plays a crucial role in my success. I ask all the questions I need. You think I care if the professor gets annoyed?

I was talking before about how you view professors. Start viewing them as your best friends. They have the knowledge you need to succeed. And, stop being hard on them. It’s not easy talking in front of numerous students.

Viewing professors positively is key in talking to them. Once you make the conscious decision to do so, classes will go smoother. Guaranteed.

Dress Warm

About a week and a half ago, my friends and I went to a basketball game. One of my friends chose an interesting way to brave the low temperatures. He wore a hoodie. Hid mind told him he didn’t need a heavier coat.

As expected, he paid for that decision; and he’s still paying for it. He’s currently fighting flu-like symptoms.

The lesson here folks: Be smart when it comes to dressing for the cold. This weather is nothing to play around with.

Every day, I see tons of students walking around campus with hoodies and no hat. How could anyone be so brave in these temperatures?

I take no chances in the winter. I make sure to wear a heavy coat and hat every day. As much as I dress warm, I still catch about five colds per winter. I’m still trying to figure that out.

I wonder about students’ frames of mind during the winter. Do they think nothing will happen to them? Do they feel their skin is tough enough?

I would love to find the answers to these questions.

Anyways, check the weather in the morning. After checking, dress according to the weather. I can’t tell you exactly what to put on. Common sense should tell you that. If the temperature is 25 degrees, don’t go outside without a hat.  Don’t choose a cold day to show everyone your school spirit. Put on a decent sized coat.

Folks, I know it’s hard to let the summer go. But it’ll be back. Winter’s only here temporarily. What’s so hard about wearing a jacket for two months out the year?

People’s refusal to dress warm is the main reason the flu spreads during this time of year. So, start considering others when choosing how to dress.

The decision to dress warm not only benefits presently, but also in the future. I don’t mean to sound like a doctor right now, but I have to. The accumulated cold in your bones can lead to arthritis. No one wants to be arthritic. Arthritis makes lives miserable. I’ve seen it terrorize my grandmother. My grandmother’s pain is one of the reasons I dress properly.

So think about the future when you dress before going out. Envision yourself playing with your grandkids in the backyard or playing golf without health problems. I constantly think about these things.

Ok, let’s get back to the present.

Folks, life is not all about looking good and feeling comfortable. People fail to realize that. The desires to look good and feel comfortable during the winter are two reasons people dress improperly. I’ll take health over both of these any day. I wish more people had my mentality.