College Graduation: Determination over Duration

“I wanna go to college for the rest of my life,” the words of Asher Roth from his song I Love College. We get a lot of input about how wild or enjoyable college life can be from the different things we hear and see from the media. Say for example the introductory sentence, movies like Van Wilder and things like that. Although, how true can these claims be? Yes, life before college graduation can be a party but what if you’re actually falling behind because of it?

It is a struggle to keep up with classes while all you want to do is skip class and have fun with friends. During your days in college, that’s when you start to feel independent and rebellious. That’s not really much of a problem since everybody goes through that though some go through it later in life. The issue here is to counter that before it gets worse.

Most college students believe it’s too late for them. It shouldn’t be, because it never really is. What has happened in the past is a learning experience, most especially those mistakes you’ve done like wasting time getting drunk. As ridiculous as it may seem, committing faults in while in college is better – better than having to commit them after college graduation where stakes are higher.

While people believe that the ultimate goal of college is to graduate, that’s where they’re wrong. The whole point of going to school is to learn. College is no different. This is when you realize how to put things into order and apply the things you’ve previously learned, in real life. So no, it doesn’t matter how long you take to graduate college for as long as in the long run you understand and fix your mistakes, you’ll get there.

And, with the fact that you’re already screwing around surfing the net, allow us to help you out with certain advices that will keep you on track and keep you from sinking.

Writing on Chalkboard: Stockvault

Begin by asking yourself why you’re in college in the first place. Usually, our choices and goals are influenced by family and friends. Often times we get pushed into college without even being certain so we’re not really in the proper state of mind set when we start. But that’s okay. As previously stated, these things help us grow and now that you’re in the right mind to process all these, it’s time to ask yourself what you actually want to get from college.

By doing so, you can turn yourself around and set things straight. You get a better perspective of things thus giving you more reasons to set goals properly. Not only that, you get to understand yourself more – assess your capabilities and weakness and work your way around them.

Now that you can recognize your needs and wants for your life in college, build a routine. Building a routine allows you to manage your time better. This way you can allot time for your studies, socializing, and more importantly, sleep. Turning your college life around doesn’t mean you have to let go of things you like, things that make you happy. College isn’t punishment, for crying out loud. The stuff you hate and things you enjoy, when incorporated equally into your life, makes you a well-rounded person.

With an improved self-control, you can set higher standards for yourself. This may seem like asking for too much but you have to be aware that when you target a higher benchmark, if you do miss it, there’s a certainty you’re less likely to fail. If you aim for something greater, chances are you’d reach your primary goal which is the passing. Make sure you’re not any higher than your grade.

Other than that, don’t forget to take breaks. After all, you’re only human. Even machines need time to cool down – you do too. These breaks should be your time to recuperate and relax. There’s no point in being hard on yourself. Let’s face it; student’s that overwhelm themselves with studies and pushing themselves on the very edge of their limit tend to fail because of the stress they get themselves into. It’s only logical to give it a rest sometimes.

Finally, remember, college is supposed to be one of the greatest times in your life and students are bound to get distracted at some point but it’s never take the easy way out and flunk college graduation. Who knows, one day this’ll all be just a fond memory and it’ll be your turn to buy gifts for college graduates.

Author Bio:

This article is by Gabrielle Nicolette Roales, a recent graduate of Fine Arts major in Advertising Arts who now works with GradShop as a content writer. Gabrielle plans to take up a Master’s Degree in Psychology in the near future and aspires to motivate students to pursue their education.

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Getting Laptop Insurance in College is Essential

The college years are both an exciting and expensive time in a person's life. It is exciting because it is preparing a student to go out and make his/her mark on the world. It is expensive because tuition, books, room and board, and other living expenses for college students is enough to bankrupt a few third world countries.

To mitigate the financial damage that college inevitably causes, it is a good idea to protect oneself from any unexpected expenses. One good way to do that is by insuring essential devices like laptops.

Economics 101

The average financially prudent college student is already working hard to save a buck whenever possible. Eating cheap meals and walking instead of driving are common ways college students save money. Insuring a laptop is another example of good economic planning. For a comparatively small investment, a student can ensure that unfortunate circumstances will not mean a hefty financial loss down the road.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

It is widely known that the college years can be a bit "free-spirited". Friends and party seekers can and do often show up and behave a bit on the reckless side. Spilled beer, smoke, or even hot food can destroy a laptop. Without replacement insurance, a struggling student may end up incurring major debt to replace it.

Man of Steel

While Superman might be invulnerable to damage, laptops are not. Simply dropping a laptop could render it useless. Other potential causes of laptop destruction include getting stepped on, having something heavy dropped on it, or even being left in a too hot or too cold room for a long time.

Laptop Insurance Policy: Stockphoto

No Honor Among Thieves

Colleges can be, unfortunately, great places for thieves to operate. Many students can be distracted by all the business of college life and forget to take simple measures to protect property. A laptop left alone for only a few minutes can be stolen by a light-fingered larcenist who is in the right place at the right time.

Even the somewhat "safe" haven of a student's dorm room is not really as protected as one might wish. Roommates or people that roommates allow into a room may find the allure of a quick buck via a stolen laptop too hard to resist.

Simple Measures

For the student looking to avoid all the distress that comes with being forced to buy a new laptop, follow a few simple rules. First, backup everything essential. While recovery experts can sometimes save files from a dead computer, if the computer is lost or stolen, those files are gone forever. Make sure that any important documents are stored somewhere other than the laptop hard drive.

Second, store the laptop somewhere secure. Leaving it on the floor, in the bathroom, or on the edge of a table are recipes for disaster. Set it somewhere that is protected from damage. Secure also means not leaving it alone where it could be stolen. For the sake of the laptop, assume that everybody is a potential crook.

Better Safe than Sorry

Finally, make sure that the laptop is insured. Even the most vigilant student will sometimes accidentally lose or break this most necessary of college gadgets. Make that small investment and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing an accident will not cost a fortune.


Desmond Kramer is a freelance writer based in Dayton, Ohio who contributes articles on a variety of topics including computers, gadgets, gadget insurance, cell phones, futuristic technology and other areas as well. Those with iPhones may want to check out the iphone5 insurance brand Protectyourbubble.com.

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Is College Worth the Expense?

When a former United States Secretary of Education questions the value of a College education, people take notice and start talking. This is exactly the question posed by William Bennett and David Wilezol in their new book, “Is College Worth It? A Former United States Secretary of Education and Liberal Arts Graduate Expose The Broken Promise of Higher Education. “

Bennett and Wilezol both agree that College is definitely worth it, but it’s not for everyone. The authors’ cite the cost of a quality education as well as the 50% unemployment rate for 2011 graduates. Similarly, Peter Thiel, one of the original investors of Facebook, believes that too many colleges are churning out more College graduates than our economy can handle.

The statistics are upsetting. A recent study showed that 45 percent of College graduates could not think or reason critically on complex issues. In addition, the study found that they did not learn any worthwhile writing skills in their first two years of their College education.

There is no doubt that the cost of  College education is a cause for concern. Students are burdened with heavy student loans and the default rate on these educational loans is greater than ever. And the cost of education rises every year. Cost of a college education is increased 1100% since 1978. Today, one out of ten students will graduate with a student loan of $40,000 or more.

So, how can parents and prospective College students make the best decision as to whether College is right for them and how can they best minimize College costs and maximize their employability at the end of their College career?

Students should make a firm commitment to attend class and complete their degree on time

The statistics of Student loan default rates and excessive Student loan amounts are skewed as a result of Students that do not take their college career seriously and have not given serious consideration to whether they should have started College in the first place. Twenty nine percent of all students who take on student loans eventually drop out. This percentage has grown 25% in the last decade.

Less than 40% of College students graduate in four years. Fifty three percent of all Students graduate in 6 years. The extra two years in College substantially increases students’ total student loan amounts. A commitment and schedule, on the student’s part, to graduate on time would not only decrease a student’s overall loan amount, but would also mean that the student has a higher likelihood of graduating college since they will be closer to their goal.

Choose a degree plan that will serve you well into the future

We live in a different world today. With technology and the internet changing our lives daily, students should consider where the world will be in 10-20 years in deciding on their degree plan. There was a time when a student could simply study liberal arts and she would be sure to find a job. Now, with an abundance of unemployed graduates, a student should give considerable thought to her career plan.

A highly thought out degree plan will also serve to lower a student’s overall cost of education. Switching majors while in college can add years to a student’s eventual graduation date.

College is a costly commitment. Treat it as one.

Similar to a house or car, a college education is a costly expense. And just as you have to maintain a house or car, students should make a similar commitment to put the extra effort into their college education. Student should take classes that not only will allow them to graduate but also to learn things that will help them in their later career and life.

Students should also regularly attend class. After all, they are paying for this privilege. Students who are only looking to get that degree at the end will, at best, only have that degree. Students who put their heart and soul into college will come out of college a well-rounded individual who will be sought after by future employers.

A College education is still very much a worthwhile goal in 2013 as long as both parents and students sit down and establish long term academic goals. Costs can very much be minimized utilizing these goals. And with these goals in place, a student will be an employable asset for the rest of her working career.

Kimberly Lawson. Kimberly Lawson is the director of marketing at www.Boostapal.com.  Boostapal is a website where teenagers earn money when their family does their everyday shopping online.

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The Importance Of the Arts

Some people might view taking Arts subjects at A Level as reducing their future employability, unless they’re focused on moving into a specific profession like dance, theatre, or art. Even with this focus, though, trying for an Arts education can be unstable in terms of whether you’ll be generally employable after you complete your studies. Why, then, does taking Arts subjects at A Level matter, and what sort of institutions should be targeted for taking them?

The status of Arts subjects at A level and GCSE has been under fire in recent years, with the now-shelved English Baccalaureate, or EBC, having planned to focus on core academic subjects, excluding more practical subjects like Drama or Art. While the EBC is no longer being used at GCSE, A Levelreforms are focusing on more final exams, less coursework, and increased emphasis on building employability through core A Levels across different disciplines.

The value of taking Arts subjects at A Level is also complicated by the perception that including them will damage your chances of competing for the best university places. In this context, combining more traditional subjects with Dance, Drama, Art, or Performing Arts could be seen as taking a ‘soft’ option, rather than trying to create the most prestigious collection of results to impress examiners.

However, an approach to A Levels that just selects the subjects that you think will get you a better University place or a better job can be short sighted if you end up struggling and ignoring your natural talents in the Arts. An Arts education can be beneficial in many ways, from allowing you express yourself and show initiative through projects, to engaging with cultural awareness and a critical approach to society. At the same time, not following through and getting a qualification in a subject you love can mean that you work for two years on difficult subjects without any guarantees of getting a better job from them.

The value of taking Arts subjects consequently comes down to whether you view A Levels as a means to an end, or as a chance to combine more pragmatic subjects for a potential career with the opportunity to broaden your mind and appreciate learning. There shouldn’t be an either/or approach to Arts, Humanities, or Sciences, and taking an A Level in a subject that you have talent in and are enthusiastic for can give you a more well rounded experience.

At the same time, though, it’s worth considering which kinds of schools can allow you to make the most of Arts subjects; you can improve the quality of an A Level in the Arts by participating in extra-curricular activities, from taking part in art shows to participating in plays and musical productions - doing so might inspire you towards continuing with Arts subjects at university, or to get a better insight into opportunities within a particular industry.

Author Bio

CJ is a blogger who mostly writes about the challenges of breaking into journalism and the media. She strongly believes in the value of Arts at A Level, and recommends that anyone looking to combine subjects and take extra-curricular activities look at Lansdowne Independent College in London.

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Essential Tools Every Student Writer Should Know and Have

         Being a writer is a difficult job, especially when you rely on your skills for a living. You must be able to convey your ideas and make sure to relate to them in a manner that readers can understand. At the same time, you also have to ensure that what you write is believable and based on facts and information. Otherwise, you will lose your credibility and no one would want to read your work.

            Fortunately, there are a lot of tools which writers can use. Although everything else still depends on your ideas and own style, these aids can help you make a quality output and assists in improving your work by making sure that the content is error free. Hence, here are 10 useful tools an experienced writer should consider looking into.

Plagiarism software

            With the wide-range of information available on the Internet, it’s no wonder how some people can lift a sentence or two on their papers and make those ideas as their own. In order to prevent being accused of plagiarism, then plagiarism checker Plagtracker is the ultimate tool to check any copyright issues. It has a unique checking algorithm that will immediately inform you if any of the sentences or

paragraphs is similar to other people’s work. Even if you did not copy anything while writing your content, there will be instances that your ideas are already conveyed by the other. Hence, it is better to make use of Plagtracker to make sure that nothing is duplicated. If you want further assistance, a minimal fee is required to purchase the program.

Visual Thesaurus

            Google doesn’t want you to keep repeating the same word all throughout your article. To avoid being penalized, then Visual Thesaurus is going to be your new best friend. It gives you the possible choice for every word typed, whether it is a noun or an adjective. To maximize this product, you need to pay for a subscription fee at a minimum price.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

            Typing, especially when you’ve been doing it all day, can be exhausting. Luckily, there’s a speech recognition software that allows you to talk and your computer will do the typing for you. Simply say the words and everything else will be translated directly on your computer screen, accurately. Hence, it saves you more time and energy which can help increase your productivity.

Scribe

            SEO is a very important tool in writing online. If you want to generate the right amount of traffic in your site, then Scribe is essential for you. It follows an online marketing trinity of content, social and search, making sure that all SEO-related areas taken into account by Google will be covered.

Xmarks

            It is an essential add-on that synchronizes all your passwords and bookmarks and at the same time, can be used for searching information, all for free. It will not help your writing career in a big way but it can contribute a lot as it saves you time which you can use to focus on your writing.

Dim Dim

            Through this web conferencing service, you are able to talk to your clients in real time while giving you an inexpensive way to share any documents in a secured network. However, it requires a payment of monthly subscription fee, which is still affordable.

Skype

            In order to maintain a strong writer-client relationship, then this software should be installed in your computer. Skype is the primary source of communication for most clients since it’s easier and more convenient to use with no fees required. 

Wridea

            Wridea promotes the idea of collaboration and brainstorming. You simply post an idea and categorize them in pages, ask your friends to give a feedback and encourage discussion and brainstorming among them, to make sure that your ideas get better. If you’re geared towards the creative aspect of writing, then this web service is for you.

MS Word Macros

            If you have a task that you do most of the time, then MS Word Macros can become handy. It creates a shortcut to a task that you repeatedly which can help you save some time and allows you to focus on more important tasks. You can even use this to organize your daily writing schedule.

Web SEO Analytics Tools

            Definitely a useful tool for every writer, the Web SEO Analytics has the most complete tools that will help you meet Google’s online content standards. It has everything you need – plagiarism checker, keyword, link and domain tools, even Web SEO Analysis.

            Although these tools can be useful, the important thing is to be able to provide an original and high quality content article that can attract readers all over the world. 

Sandra Miller is a freelance writer from Brooklyn. She always uses professional editing services help to make her writing perfect. 

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Story of Education - Student's Perspective

--> Hello my name is Matt and I am about to share my TRUE story of education

Childhood – Concept of Education

Since my early days of schooling, I was never into education like most of the kids. I tried my best to avoid studying, as much as possible, and spent time playing games. This is because of an obvious reason, that I found games more attractive and enjoyable. At this stage, I never thought of the advantages of education, and I think I wasn’t even told about that. All I was told by my parents is to socialize, enjoy with friends and teachers in your class. To sum up, it never makes sense to go to school till the 8^th grade.

High School 

Things have started to make sense but the world is not easy to conquer! You have to sacrifice a lot to make sure you stood good in class; you have to be very strict with schedule, life, and plans. However, this stage has almost the same intentions as childhood but with a bit of a knowledge that education is going to play a vital role in life!

Normal Concept of Teenagers about Education - College Life

This age seems to be more sensitive because:
·       Students are not that much in control of parents
·       Life seems to be more beautiful than ever
·       Your friends / social circle is very influential for you
·       And the most important point, students try to earn! Which is good for them and parents but it comes up with a whole new package. I personally think that the more you are exposed to jobs, the more you have the potential to get away with education.

Every student is not sharp, intelligent, and has the ability to maintain balance. I have a few friends who always wanted to earn more (I wish if they wanted to Learn more), and they did against the cost of their education for a specific time frame. But when I was done with the engineering degree I was earning far better than all those who didn’t pursue their education or is some cases hardly done with an associate degree to start earning as soon as possible. All of them were looking for a short term plan!
                                                                                         

Student’s Concept about Education

Even at college and university life, students were not able to understand the importance of education. For me, education is just to have a better career, and this reason is good enough to pursue for my engineering program!

What Actually Education is?

Education is not only about what degree you have. I have a strong believe that education gives you “vision” which is priceless. My parents used to tell me all the time that education will make you a man of honors and respect. This never makes sense for me. Now when I realize that education has actually makes me think like a sensible person. It not only makes you learn a skill and pursue a successful career, in fact it lets you make sensible decisions in life. The more you use your brain the better it will have thinking ability. Education is such a great things that it always reflects in you (from you work, family, decision, and analytical skills!) Also, that doesn’t matter which career path you have selected, the more you learn, and the better will be you!

The above mentioned point is the top most benefit of education; this is the difference that even differentiates between a proper four year bachelor graduate and vocational degree holder, which concentrates on a specific skill set. The purpose of wide range of courses in a bachelor degree is to create a coating of education on students.

Engineers, doctors and other professions that require four year degree program has a strong reason. I have done software engineering and during my span of four year degree program, I studied forty courses (5 per semesters), among those 40 courses, only 25% courses (10 courses) ever specifically related to software engineering. Why? Why I don’t just go for those specific 10 courses and get an engineering degree? This is because engineers and other four year degree program holders are respected more, not just because they have a specific skill set from specific courses BUT they have more analytical and mental capabilities, which is achieved thorough the continuer years of effort!

In short, you have to pay to get something, and what you pay for education is not even close of what actually you get! It’s priceless!!!

About Author:
Ronnie Williams is a staff writer for AskForEducation.Com, offers information on accredited online schools. You can follow Ronnie on twitter @askforedu.

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Expanding Your Horizons and Experiences for College

There are many ways you can prepare for college. However, the best piece of advice anyone can give you is to expand your horizons while you're still in high school. You give your college applications a boost by participating extracurricular activities, including world travel, volunteering and internships. Recruiters love applicants who have firsthand knowledge, life experiences and a resume filled with responsible activities.

Travel

International travel can make a world of difference on your college application. World travel helps you gain knowledge of other cultures and languages. This knowledge cannot be taught in a classroom and can only be learned through getting that stamp on your passport. World travel shows you're willing to step out of your comfort zone, that you're curious and that you have the initiative to experience new things.

If you want to take your overseas experience to the next level, volunteer abroad. Turning your world travel into a volunteering experience will further expand your appreciation of new cultures and will have college recruiters putting your application at the top of the pile.

Volunteering

A recent addition to high school curriculums is the requirement that students complete a certain amount of volunteer hours. Not all high schools require it, but it's becoming common for students to dedicate some volunteer hours. Volunteering in the community or overseas can help you gain knowledge and experience that shows college recruiters you are a go-getter. There are many different

types of volunteer opportunities you can sign up for while still in high school, including summer camps, local sports programs, animal shelters and overseas training programs.

Internships

Having work experience through an internship will give you a boost in the competitive race to college acceptance. By working as an intern, you'll be able to put your classroom knowledge to work while gaining work experience in your desired field of study. High school internships are available in a variety of job fields, including communications, education, electronics, engineering and nursing. Many times, your high school will be able to help you find internship opportunities. They may even have internship programs already established with local businesses. Not only does the internship look good on your college application, you'll also be able to decide before entering college if it's the right career path for you. Plus, you already have your foot in the door and have great work references for when you do graduate college.

College recruiters look for well-rounded students with more than just classroom knowledge. Getting a little bit of each of these extracurricular activities may help you get the edge you need. Sit down and talk with your guidance counselor to discuss the different ways you can participate in these activities and find out which ones are best suited for you. Get involved wherever you can. Life experiences are just as important as a solid education. Achieving both before entering college is something that will stick with you for the rest of your life. In addition to the impressive achievements you'll list on your college applications, you'll have the benefit of doing good work.

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Pointers for Underprepared College Students

Many academically successfully students find themselves in a tough quagmire following graduation from high school: though they’ve managed to attain top grades, they haven’t adequately prepared themselves for the difficult, relatively structureless environment of college. During high school, their teachers took a personal interest and the time to talk to them if their work was below par; their parents regularly checked up on them to make sure that they comprehended and finished their homework; the tests and essays they were assigned were not nearly as hard as those at the college level; and they usually know all of the students in each class they have. Academic life tends to be grand for these students; however, they will have a much harder path to travel once they reach the post secondary education level.

In college they will not easily find friends and their teachers will not pamper them by coming around the classroom to see how they are doing on their assignments or plead with them to catch up on their work. It is totally up to them to take the initiative to have academic success now because they are adults who are paying for their own education. They can experience a fabulous social life and academic success by heeding the pointers discussed below.

Attendance

It is vital for them to take class attendance seriously. By attending all of their classes, they will avoid having their final grade reduced, hear information that might appear as questions on their exams and have an easier time understanding their textbooks. It is imperative for them to always come to class on time to avoid missing key information, interrupting the class and getting expelled.

Responsibility and Diligence

They must take responsibility for their own success and do what it takes to be great students. They must take notes because they are likely to forget most of what the professor says if they do not. They can make the most of the note taking process by using a tape recorder during the class lectures, sharing notes with their classmates and using shorthand, a method of note taking that involves abbreviating key words while writing them down. It is also up to students to be diligent while they are on the campus. It is crucial for them to ask the professors questions about any course material that confuses them. They must also take advantage of the extra help that is offered to them by visiting their professors during their scheduled office hours and attending the student labs. The labs provide tutors for subjects such as math and writing.

Getting a head start on writing term papers

The students will have many term papers to write until they graduate. Once they are assigned a term paper, they should begin writing it as soon as possible. By doing it now instead of starting toward the deadline, they will have more time to write the paper well and make all of the necessary edits, while reducing their anxiety. Also, they should show the teacher what they have written for their rough draft in order to see if they are on the right track.

Studying properly

It is also essential for them to study well. They can achieve this by using repetition as they read their notes and textbooks; being in a study group; and focusing most heavily on the first few sentences of each paragraph and reading each chapter summary in their textbooks. Developing solid study skills is critically important for these students because, unlike at the high school level, they are without constant adult support and supervision.

Social Aspect

In order to develop friendships in college, the students must make an attempt to become friends with their classmates and exchange telephone numbers; they must take the initiative in social settings to a greater extent than was expected at the secondary school level. For academically successful but under-prepared students, social connections should be tempered so as to reinforce and support academic success; these students should learn to independently develop novel social connections, but also keep their focus on academics to a substantial extent.

Terrence Harrisburg frequently contributes commentary and articles on education, educational policy, online learning and other related topics; for those who may be interested in online learning check http://www.onlineschool.com/online-schools/ for more information.

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College Essentials

In all the excitement of preparing for heading off to school, certain items can be lost or forgotten along the way.  Arriving to school only to find yourself without these things might not be the kiss of death for your college career, but they can put you at a disadvantage when you’re trying to start off on the right foot.  This can make for a little more aggravation and distraction during a time when you want to be focused on starting your college career. 

Campus Map/Schedule

A campus map can be more valuable than you might imagine.  Even on a smaller campus, getting the layout of the campus itself, and where your classes are located on that campus, can take some time.  Having a map can save you time wandering about aimlessly or having to stop and asked for directions.

And until you get your schedule down and where your classes are located, it can be a good idea to carry a print out of your class schedule along with you as well.  Since you likely won’t be attending your classes on a daily basis, instead having them spaced out on a Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday type schedule, it might take longer to make them a part of your routine.  Carrying your class schedule with you, tucked safely away in something you regularly take with you to campus, can help protect against brain freezes when you just can’t seem to remember which class comes after Psych. 101 or where it was located.

Student ID

A student ID can be a valuable item to have with you for a number of reasons when you hit campus.  From swiping it for treats at campus food services, to getting discounts at movies or venues on campus or around town and gaining entry to various student facilities, your student ID can be your ticket to a variety of options and discounts aimed directly at students.

Credit Cards/Banking Information

While your tuition and possibly room and board might be prepaid through your particular educational institution, this doesn’t mean you still might not need credit cards, a checking account and a little spending cash.  Arriving to school only to find you have no way to pay for incidentals such as books, extra student fees, supplies, and miscellaneous items such as toiletries, food, and entertainment, could put you in a bit of a bind. 

Having your financial information with you and available when arriving to campus can help you set up a bank account, move money between home accounts and your campus location or whatever might make managing the financial aspects of your student life a little easier.

Computer

These days, having a computer at school is almost a necessity.  While you’re likely to find computer labs on campus, having your own personal computer or laptop came make writing reports, doing research, maintaining contacts with professors, classmates, friends and family much simpler.  You might also find that many of your classes will put assignments, notes, syllabi, and grades up online, and having access to such items at a moment’s notice when in your dorm room, apartment or out and about on campus by way of a laptop, can be quite convenient.

Cell Phone/Call Book

A cell phone can be a useful tool while at school.  Not only can you contact friends and family this way, but you may have access to the Internet and a variety of applications that could be useful in your studies.  And while a cell phone can make life easier, it may not be a bad idea to keep a written record of your contacts and their numbers in the event that you lose or misplace a phone or its memory is somehow wiped out, costing you time and effort to replace your lost information.

BIO

This article was written by Todd Garner for the team at All American Colleges

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only.  The author is not an educational professional or academic advisor.  Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is solely at the reader’s discretion.

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Going to College: Leave This Stuff at Home

When you are leaving home for the first time to go to college, you'll find that there are a number of things that you need to bring. Most college pack lists tell you to bring things like lamps, wastebaskets, laundry baskets and blankets, but they do not mention what not to bring. The last thing you want to worry about when you are thinking about your first semester is having too many things cluttering your dorm room. However, what exactly should you leave at home? 

Clothes  

You will not need as many clothes as you think that you do. For the most part, a college dorm room only has so much closet space, and this is often shared with a roommate. If you're lucky, you might have a chest of drawers next to your closet; in some cases, you only have the chest of drawers. College is a busy time, and chances are good that you will be throwing on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt every morning. Make sure that you have plenty of mix and match staples, and throw in one nice outfit for special occasions. Pack only seasonal clothing; you can leave summer clothes in a bin at your parents' house, and switch out your wardrobe after the semester is over.

Extra Sheets 

Having extra sheets is just something that leads to more laundry and more random things to get thrown around the room. It might be convenient when you're home, but when in college, try to wash and re-use the same set of sheets. This might mean doing laundry more often, but you'll be glad you have the extra storage space in your room.

Cooking Supplies 

You are not going to have much time for cooking in college unless you are living off campus. When you are living in the dorm, you will likely have access to a microwave in the dining hall. A mini-fridge is nice for a number of different snacks, but that should be the extent of it. Leave things like coffee makers and popcorn poppers at home. They will take up space and you will not have the time to use them. In many cases, these things are also banned by your dorm; be sure to check a list of banned materials before you waste time packing anything you might have to take home later.

Printer 

A printer can make things more convenient for you, but you do not necessarily need one. Printers take up a lot of space on your desk, and they can be quite bulky to transport. Most colleges and universities will give you a chance to print your papers in the computer labs. You'll find that having a USB flash drive around can make a big difference--keep papers stored on this instead, and print them in public facilities.

Ironing Board and Iron 

There are a few students who need to make sure that they have an iron and an ironing board. If you are going to be going to law school, where the professors demand professional dress from the students, or if you are going to a professional job or internship, then by all means bring along an ironing board and an iron. Otherwise, make sure that you leave it at home!

Stuffed Animals 

Stuffed animals are nice, but they can get in the way when you are moving. If you do want to bring along a stuffed companion, make sure that you just choose one or two. Bringing along an entire collection is something that is going to feel very crowded in your room.

Books

Perhaps there are some books that you would like to bring for leisure reading between classes, but most of the time, your time--and space--will be consumed by textbooks and folders of assignments. An alternative solution is to purchase an e-reader; other than that, opt to bring a maximum of three books from your personal collection to the dorms. Another possible option is to combine your collection with your roommate. Doing these will lessen the clutter and help you organize the limited living space that is your dorm room much better.

When you are going away to college for the first time, there might be a lot of things on your mind. Take a few moments to consider what you should bring and what you can easily leave behind. With so little space available, make the most of what you've got!

Author's Bio:
Obsessed with efficiency, Linda Wheaton is a college senior based in Seattle, regularly scours the Internet for new organizational tips for the home. She relies on Stita Taxi to efficiently navigate her way around Seattle.

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Finishing College Ahead of the Rest

The college atmosphere is a very competitive one, but it is possible to come out among the very best if you’re willing to put in some hard work and real effort. As Edison famously said, genius is 99% perspiration, so if you want to make a real impact you have to be prepared to do the work.

It goes without saying, of course, that you should do your very best to make good grades in college. Making good grades isn’t as hard as you might think either. Make sure that you attend every class, only missing when it is completely unavoidable. If you must miss a class, immediately get the notes from another responsible student—look for someone who pays attention and frequently raises his or her hand to answer questions in class or to contribute to the classroom discussion. You should also pay attention and take careful notes in every class yourself. Avoid overloading yourself or taking too many hours each semester, so that you can give each class your all. Also be sure to choose your coursework with the help of a college counselor or advisor so that you don’t end up taking classes that you don’t need. College courses are becoming increasingly expensive in America and so it’s best to avoid taking extraneous classes which won’t contribute to your degree; only enroll in an extraneous class if it’s an absolute must.

Planning your time wisely is incredibly important as well. These days, most college students are overloaded with responsibility. Many of them hold down jobs, raise families, and do a million other things in addition to carrying their heavy school load. Map out time each day to get your homework done and, when you have a big test or project coming up, start preparing early! Most professors will provide the dates for tests and major projects well ahead of time, so if you ever find yourself with free time on your hands, you can work ahead. Though it can be tempting to goof off and while you should give yourself some “you time,” you should ideally be working on something every day in addition to attending your classes. Time management is one of the more critical skills for building a successful and rewarding adult life, and there’s no better place to put it to use than on a college campus.

You also have to make sure that you’ve chosen the right major for you. If you find that you don’t enjoy or aren’t interested in any of your core classes, then you’ve got a problem on your hands. While everyone will take a few classes they aren’t crazy about, you should find some enjoyment in your core area of study. If you are unhappy, talk to your college counselor about what your options are. He or she may even be able to offer you testing and other options for discovering your skills. Remember that it is never too late to change majors if you discover that you do not have either the requisite skill level or interest; after all, it is far better to change to a better direction than proceed down a path which you are clearly ill-equipped to succeed in.

If you are happy with your major and intend to use it in your future career endeavors, know that it’s never too early to start pursuing relevant internships. Internships may be paid, unpaid, or sometimes even taken for college credit. In any case, they help you to gain important experience that can enable you to get a job over someone else, and they give you the opportunity to meet important connections in your field, connections that could lead to employment later on down the road, either directly or indirectly. Your college counselor can give you more information on internships, and if you have a career center on campus, it will generally have information as well. You can even be proactive and find internships yourself by searching online or contacting companies or individuals you are interested in working with and learning from directly.  The more control you take of your education now, the more control you’ll have over your future later.

Byline
This article was composed by Roy McClure for the team at newschoolarch.edu; click here to learn more about their master of science in architecture degree program.

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Getting Through College: Help When You Need It

College is designed to be difficult and challenging for students of all skill levels to get through. It is the ultimate academic challenge, which is supposed to push you to the limits. Although you have the capability to get through any subject in college, it may seem particularly difficult to pull off by yourself. Luckily, you have the option of hiring a tutor to help you with any difficult subjects that you are having a hard time with.

Hiring a Tutor

Many people don't like the idea of hiring a tutor because they are unsure of how the process works. Some people simply do not like admitting that they need help with something, so they just struggle through it instead. If you are willing to admit that you need help, you've won a big part of the battle. At that point, you can hire someone to provide some assistance who actually knows what they're doing. Much of the effort comes from simply putting in the hours of studying.

The first thing that you will need to do is locate a tutor. There are tutoring services that you could contract with, depending on where you are located. This is the simplest option, because all you need to do is call them and inform them of what you need help with. A tutor that specializes, or has experience, in that subject will be assigned, and that's all you have to do.

The other option is to search for an independent tutor. On many campuses, there are bulletin boards in common areas and in lobbies of dorms. Tutors often put their contact information on these bulletin boards. You can also check classified ads on Craigslist or in the newspaper to find people who are offering tutoring services. If possible, going through word-of-mouth referrals from friends and colleagues is a much more reliable way to go.

When you contact independent tutors, you will need to discuss how much they charge (per hour or per session), and how much help they can offer you. It is important to go over everything on the front end of the conversation. Tell them exactly what you need to accomplish and let them tell you if they can help you get there. For example, if you need meet official testing requirements for mathematical curriculum competency, let them know that now. Clearly stating your desired result will help prevent you and the tutor from wasting valuable time and money.

What to Expect

Once you make the decision and head to your first meeting, it's helpful to know what you're in for. Standard tutoring involves identifying specific problems and obstacles in a subject; it's not just another class session. You can really pinpoint certain issues that are troubling you. While this may be tedious, it is a vital step to the process.

For instance, in a calculus setting, you don't need to relearn everything that was taught in the lecture, but rather you can keep notes in class on what has really been difficult, and have the tutor teach you that particular topic. This is a great way to overcome specific issues without having the entire lesson plan hold you back.

Tutoring usually involves reviewing and going over problems and area of difficulty. Fortunately, you have someone assessing you one-on-one and you're free to ask questions, get feedback, and really dive into areas of difficulty with the benefits of having someone there every step of the way. No more 300 to 1 student-teacher ratios or distractions; only what you need. 

It also helps to know beforehand what kinds of methods you learn the best with. Knowing if you need things explained to you ("audio" learning), or seeing things written out ("visual" learning) or simply doing the work yourself ("tactile" learning). You're paying good money for a tutor; might as well make sure it's the best fit, and you get your money's worth.

Summary and Benefits

Overall, hiring a tutor can be a great way to get the assistance that you need. Don't just allow yourself to struggle through a tough semester alone. Exams and assignments can be executed correctly the first time around, rather than needing remedial classes or pulling all-nighters. With additional one-on-one assistance, the time needed to fully learn a subject may be less than most think. Utilizing any helpful resources and being proactive in one's time in college will help save time and stress in the future. Investing time and effort to successfully complete college on the first time around will be more than worth it in the end. Who has the time to repeat a whole college curriculum?

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The Top 5 Necesseties for Your Dorm Room

So, you are finally going off to college. It's an exciting time, but it's also a scary time. How can you be sure that you'll have absolutely everything that you need? In addition to that, how can you bring some of the comforts of home with you to make your transition to college life easier? The first years of college also involve pinching pennies. Making the extra money from your loans, work studies or part time job work for you are important. What can you bring to college to help you to save money? Here are the top 5 things you need for your dorm room in order to improve your college experience.

1. Computer-  It doesn't have to be a laptop, it doesn't have to be fancy and it doesn't have to run the latest video games, but it does have to be able to boot up, search the Internet with reasonable efficiency and handle word processing software. Going to the library every time you have to write a paper gets annoying really quickly. Doing your homework will require some element of Internet research on a regular basis, so quick access to the Internet is really necessary for a college student in this day and age. Having a computer is extremely helpful, but can be made even more so by the addition of one peripheral, which brings us to our next item.

2. Printer- Whether it is laserjet, inkjet, old or new, a printer for your dorm room can save you not only the hassle of having to use school printers and wait in lines at the computer lab, but also the cost incurred every time you have to print out a few pages for an assignment. The occasional cost of buying paper or replacing cartridges as necessary is likely less than you will spend per year on printing at the computer lab, and is worth the convenience of knowing that the killer essay you worked on til 2 am is ready to go for your 8 am class.

3. Cell Phone- Chances are pretty good that you already have one of these, but if you don't, it's something to consider. If you are not on a cell phone plan with your parents, ask if you can be. It will allow you to keep in touch with them and with friends at home or away. If not, most major providers offer prepaid phone options which allow you to pay for your phone with cash per month and simply cut off service before allowing overages. If you are going to go on a traditional plan, however, make sure you know the limits of the plan. Don't stick mom and dad with a 500 dollar phone bill!

4. Mini Fridge- You might get stuck arguing with your parents on this one, but the convenience of having a small fridge for drinks not only keeps you from wandering around late at night looking for a cold drink, but it also saves you from paying ridiculous soda machine prices. Stocking your fridge with a case of water from the store is much cheaper than hitting up the soda machine. It can also be used to store healthy snacks for after hours.

5. Closet Organizer- Let's face it. You don't want to wake up more than ten minutes before class. Neither do most college students. For this reason alone, having an organizer for your closet that allows you to find socks, shoes, accessories and other things easily and quickly is a huge help. It also allows you to keep your belongings separate from those of your roommate, preventing unnecessary arguments. You will finally stop losing your stuff, and potentially learn some elements of organization.
This article was composed by Ty Whitworth for the team at Santa Fe University; be sure to view their degree options, including their famous creative writing degree option.

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How Helpful are College Rankings?

Every year, reports are released that rank colleges according to a multitude of factors and qualities.  US News & World Report, which publishes one of the most important and widely read of these rankings, charges almost 35 dollars for their yearly college ranking report, and prospective college students (and parents of prospective college students, of course) snap them up in huge volumes.  After all, the choice of which college to attend is one of—if not the—biggest decisions high school students have had to face in their lives up to that point.  It certainly, then, would help to have a scientific study and assessment of all the colleges out there, wouldn’t it? Most would say yes.

More and more people, however, are starting to voice a dissenting opinion.  What are their arguments?  Why would someone think that these reports are either unhelpful or possibly even detrimental?  Here are a few of the reasons that those who think this way are giving.

1. It’s a Publishing Racket

Many who find college rankings to be less useful that publicized believe that newspapers and magazines like the US News & World Report have simply engineered a need in order to sell their publication.  By hiding a lack of real-world utility behind a veneer of “scientific” processes and seemingly rigorous, methodological research, these critics believe, publications have found a way to make their product seem and feel necessary to the college search process—when in reality it provides very little actual benefit.  On this opinion, publishers of college rankings reports are simply preying upon the stress and anxiety of parents and students in order to sell copies of their publications.

2. It Isn’t Trustworthy

One of the more surprising facts about the college rankings process, for most people, is that many colleges—knowing how seriously parents and students take these reports—have been shown to falsify the data given to publishers in order to make their college’s rank rise.  Most recently, Claremont McKenna—an elite, upper echelon school in California—admitted to supply falsified data for the reports for just this very reason.  What is most disconcerting about this fact is that this scandal reaches the highest ranks, that even the very best schools are engaging in this deceit. If even these schools can’t be trusted, the argument goes, how can the rankings be relied upon as an accurate source of information for students and parents to base their decisions on?

3. The Subjectivity Problem

Another issue raised is simple, but represents a real problem: these publications do their best to present their rankings as “objective” and “scientific,” but in reality there is much that is subjective in the comparison between schools—especially schools in similar quality strata.  Is Princeton really better than Yale?  Can data decide this?  Proponents of this argument make the case that these types of decisions can’t be shown objectively; in reality, these schools—as close as they are in quality—are better for some types of people and not others.

Lastly—and this is more of a philosophical difference than an argument—those who find college rankings less useful than purported often say that the whole idea of ranking colleges in the first place has the harmful effect of creating the illusion that college choice should be decided by which college is best overall, instead of which college is best for you.  Their logic works as follows: Columbia College may be ranked as one of the best art schools in the nation, but if you’re from Arkansas and there’s a solid art school that fits you better and is closer to home, it means it’s probably a better choice for you—college rankings be…well, you know.

Otter Boone writes for concorde.edu; be sure to visit them to learn about their medical assistant school degree programs.

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