I am a tad embarrassed to admit that my impact on the environment, for the betterment of the world, has been quite minimal. I always seem to be briefly inspired to change my habits whenever I see a photo posted by Leonardo Dicaprio of endangered Tigers on twitter, but that is nothing to brag about. It's time to change my ignorant ways of daily life with some small steps to help salvage and preserve our beautiful planet that has given me so much. These few changes are so easy and minimal to make throughout one's daily routine, but the affects they will have on the environment is monumental.

1. Unplug and Turn Off

On hectic mornings it's understandable that turning off your straightener and shutting off the lights before leaving for class may slip your mind, but try to be more conscious. Remembering to reduce electrical use will not only help the environment, but your electric bill as well!

2. Ask for a Mug at the Coffee Shop During Study Breaks

Asking your favorite coffee shop to serve your coffee in a mug makes your latte look super cute, cozy, and Instagram-worthy. More importantly, avoiding the waste of paper cups so often will help reduce the impact you make on the environment.

3. Set up a Small Recycling Center in your Apartment

The thought of recycling always sounds great, but can also seem exhausting at first. Start off small...set up a small, designated area in your apartment where you set aside plastic and paper to send to the recycling centers around town. A lot of campuses and towns have lots of drop-off centers, which facilitates the process even further. Chances are your roommates will quickly get on board, as well!

4. Carpool to the Grocery Store

Going to the grocery store isn't the most exciting activity to take part in on campus, so taking the bus with friends or all riding in the same car will make it more fun and environmentally healthy!

5. Never Leave Home without a Reusable Water Bottle

Carrying around a reusable water bottle is good for the environment, as well as your wallet. Water stations are located all around campus, which will save you time and money when you want to grab a quick drink between classes.

6. Plan an Educational Movie Night with Friends

Need some inspiration to take care of our beautiful planet? Netflix is loaded with educationally entertaining documentaries, like Planet Earth and Life, that focus on nature and how precious life on earth is. Learning more about our planet will surely help nudge you to be a bit more environmentally friendly!