It's official, America is in a recession.  But the recession isn't all bad (just mostly bad).  Here are a few ways college kids can take advantage of these hard economic times:

1. Cheap gas prices: Too bad all of the money that you made working over the summer went straight to the pumps.
2. Meal plans: If the second Great Depression starts tomorrow, at least you know that your meals are already set for the next few months (then maybe you would actually finish your meal plans for once).
3. It's free to go to the library: Which is good since all we will be doing until finals are over is cramming.
4. PJ: Aristocrat/Burnetts and Hawaiian Punch always tasted good together because they were cheap. Will they taste even better now that we are officially in a recession?
5. Free food: It's all over college campuses, you just have to know where to look for it. (UNC students: free vegetarian food in the upper quad every Thursday, I hear it's pretty good).
6. College Bowl Games on TV: Because who can afford to go to an actual Bowl game? (and who would want to when their school blew its chance at a BCS Bowl game? Maybe next year, UNC football).
7. Cheap Housing: When you're in college, it is okay to live in a sh*thole (as long as you throw parties).
8. No job to worry about: At least we don't have to worry about getting laid off (and it's too soon to worry about our futures anyway...right?).
9. Selling textbooks: It's always nice to get a little bit of cash back at the end of the semester, even if it is tempting to burn that organic chem book.
10. The college bubble effect: When stressed by the economic problems of the real world, retreat to your college bubble.  What can harm you when you're in that safe zone?