30.6.08

College Is Way More Than Higher Education

The first day of college begins with hopes and dreams of a new future. You walk around the college, drinking in the newness of a world unknown, where the buildings will become a second home to you as you release yourself into a variety of lectures.

Your first day is filled with trepidation as you imagine what college life will be like. Of course you have watched "Beverly Hills 90210" and "The College Years" and have seen the picture perfect episodes, describing a life of parties and fun times and you wonder what acquaintances you'll make and what extra-curricular activities at college you will be participating in.

The college buzzer rings signaling the start of the first information session and you join the herd of other college students fresh out of their last year of high school, looking around for just a glimpse of anyone you might know, somebody that you could talk to and perhaps enjoy your college days with, to no avail. The college information session begins and as it continues, you sink into your chair as they ramable off all the general stuff that you already knew, because you studied the college handbook as required before attending. You are thinking what all this college stuff is about. College is about the closing of one chapter of your life, and the beginning of another. It's a time of expanding and growing into adulthood. There is a lot of focus on the higher education aspects of attending college, and it's really much more than that.

College is a time to get to know who you are, and what you may want to do in your life. College gives you an opportunity to spread your wings, and learn about things which serve and support you in a "safe" environment. College is a time to network, and relationship with other people.

Some of the most important questions you can ask yourself is What do I like? What am I interested in? What subject do I lose myself in? There will be some required courses and those may not jazz you, but your major should be something that fits like a glove. If you are unsure, don't commit to any one course of direction until you have determined that. There is an abundance of college options, so take your time in choosing the one that best suits your needs. It will save you a lot of time and money and aggravation, in the long run!

The author has experienced the benefits of a college education. She credits her college years for building a solid foundation and rounding out her life. She is a successful entrepeneur and parent and is involved with her community.

By Meghan Semple


Accredited Online Universities - Getting Good Grades

Taking distance education courses requires more motivation and self discipline than traditional college classes. Being able to work at your own pace can result in you falling behind on your work, if you're not self directed. Organization is the most important factor for success in online studies.

Attend the orientation and any study sessions offered by the university, if at all possible. Instructors offer valuable information in these sessions. Utilize on campus resources such as the college library and computer lab. Many schools offer online resources, such as online libraries and tutoring for distance learning students. Take advantage of all resources your school has to offer to get the most out of your education.

Create a schedule with regular times for studying and stick to your schedule. If you are taking more than one class, get a large calendar. Listing all exam and assignment due dates on this calendar makes a great visual aid to help with time management. You can schedule how much time you will spend on each class based on this information. If you have a large paper due this week in one class and an exam next week in another, you can schedule your study time accordingly.

Jump right in and get started on the material. Many successful students get the books early and read the first few chapters before the class starts. If you can get a copy of the class syllabus early, do the first week's work before the class starts. You will be a week ahead of the game when class starts. Try to stay at least a week ahead, whenever possible. Being ahead gives you flexibility if something comes up during the semester to take you away from your work for a few days. If you can't get the syllabus, read a few chapters to familiarize yourself with the material.

Interact often with your instructor to get the most from the course. You can request that the instructor look at your schedule and give you feedback on your progress in the class. Schedule time to participate in online discussions or group projects your program offers. Some instructors require you to post replies on a message board as part of the course. You will be given points for this participation.

As you work your way through the course, follow the syllabus and study guide carefully. Complete all reading assignments and take complete notes on the material you read. Read each chapter when it is assigned. Don't skip the reading and try to catch up before the exam. Reading six chapters two days before the test will result in a lower grade. The same goes for studying. Don't try to study the night before an exam. Study and read a little bit each day for the best retention.

To do well in distance education courses, you must complete all assignments on time. If you have a hectic schedule, try to complete all papers and assignments early. You won't have to worry about something coming up the night before an assignment is due. Working late or having a sick child can throw you off schedule and cause your assignments to be late. Some instructors will give partial credit for late work, while others will give no credit. No instructors give full credit for late work in college.

By Katie Robbins


Online College Programs - How to Apply

The first step to getting your online degree is to apply to colleges. Research several colleges offering the degree program you need. Once you have decided on a school, you are ready to begin the application process. While the requirements may vary slightly, most colleges have similar processes. You will need to fill out an application, either online or on paper. Check with the university for application deadlines. Just about all schools charge an application fee; these fees are usually small.

You will need to include any supporting documentation required by the school where you are applying. You will find this information included with the application. All schools require original transcripts from all schools previously attended. This will include both high school and college transcripts. A few schools look for college preparatory courses in high school. Send your requests early to allow enough time for transcripts to arrive at the college. Some schools will require SAT test scores and immunization records as well.

You will have to meet the admission requirements of the college you will be attending. The requirements vary by school and in some cases can be different based on your major. Be sure to check with the university to determine the requirements. Many schools have a minimum SAT score requirement for admission, although some waive this for some programs or for non traditional students. Non traditional students are defined as older students who have been out of high school for at least five years and have work experience. Students transferring from other institutions are in this category as well.

Many schools require students pass placement tests prior to registering for classes. These tests usually have English, math and writing components. This is to determine if potential students have the reading, writing and math skills necessary to succeed in college. If you don't pass one of the placement tests, you may be required to take remedial courses prior to starting your degree; this is not unusual for people returning to school after many years. Graduate programs will usually require additional testing, such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

When you apply to the school, you can also apply for financial aid. Talk to a representative about programs available to students in the form of financial aid and scholarships. Start the process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete the application even if you don't think you will qualify for federal aid. Most other student loan programs use the same application. To be able to accept federal financial aid, the school must be regionally accredited. Accreditation is a voluntary process and matters mainly for financial aid and transferring credit to other universities. Check with an admissions counselor if you're not sure about accreditation.

Once you have completed all applications and testing, you will find out if you have been accepted into the program. Once you have been accepted, you will be eligible to register for classes and begin the journey toward your college degree. The admissions counselor at your university can assist you in scheduling your courses. There is often an order in which classes should be taken. Once you have registered, you pay for your classes, get your books and attend orientation, if required.

By Katie Robbins


Outstanding Business Professors at WVU, Part 3

Students appreciate teachers that can show them how the material they teach can be applied to the real world.

Dr. Richard Riley, an accounting professor at West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics, goes beyond relating his material to the real world for his students.

He puts them in it.

Graduate students that enroll in Riley's Accounting and Business Consultation course run a complex simulated business, compete with their classmates, sell a portion of the company to venture capital investors and prepare and deliver a performance report to those same VC investors.

"There is a certain element of pride involved in that program," Riley said. "The fact students are in competition with their classmates and have to deal with real world people give them extra incentive to embrace the activity."

"My background is well suited towards students maximizing their potential once they graduate," Riley said. He entered the academic world in 1998 after nine years of professional experience as a CPA and CFO. "I try to make a very strong connection between what I am doing in the classroom and what they will be doing when they graduate in the real world." He also incorporates simulated real world-like activities in his fraud and forensic classes.

Riley became motivated to teach after realizing that students often graduate with plenty of knowledge, but little experience in putting that knowledge to work in the classroom.

"I always focus on students getting hands-on experiences in my classes," Riley said. "The more I can get students' assignments to emulate what they'll be doing in the real world, the better off they will be for themselves and their employer."

Because of his blackboard-to-boardroom approach to teaching, Riley was awarded Outstanding Faculty Member by Beta Alpha Psi in 2000 and in the fall of 2005, he will be awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the College of B&E.

"Students are going through many life experiences as undergrads or grad students," Riley said. "With so many things going on besides my class, I need to make sure they are prepared when they go to the real world. Students will understand everything I have taught them once they get out there, but providing for that connection is my most important job."

By Jonathan


All About Grants for College Students

Grants are a type of student aid that is awarded by the government. Grants for college students do not have to be repaid.

Grants are based upon financial need, as calculated by the federal aid program. The first step in applying for government grants is by completing the FAFSA.

Of course every student and parent would rather receive grants instead of loans, since they do not have to be repaid. So the student hopes to see a grant award when the results are returned from the application.

There are a few things to be aware of, however, when expecting a grant. The funds available for grants are limited, therefore the grant will not usually fully fund educational expenses. If the student is planning on attending a community college where tuition rates are lower, it is possible that grants will cover a greater percentage of the tuition and fees.

The second thing to be aware of is that when the need analysis is done by the government or school, the expected contribution of the parent is usually higher than in reality what is possible for most families. This expected contribution effects the amount available to the student for grants.

Another significant factor is that if the parent or guardian claims the student as a dependent on income tax returns, this effects the amount of aid available to the student. In general, a student who is 'independent' of the parents as far as the tax law goes, will receive more in financial aid awards.

First year students may find that they receive less grant awards than they do in subsequent college years.

By Michael Carter


Education - Let The Learning Begin!

You've probably heard it since you were little, 'get a good education and you'll go far in life.' Maybe you used to wonder how truthful your relatives were when they said those words to you. Maybe now you know or wish you had listened to them a little harder. Whatever the case may be, it's undeniable that education is vital to your success for many reasons.

Income is most likely the first reason that comes to your mind. Without a solid education, you will probably not be able to find the best paying job to support you and your family. Yes, it's correct that with hard work and persistence, people have been able to get great jobs without an education, but those cases are uncommon. You need to attend school to truly be looked at as a prime candidate for employment - no question.

A college education will be able to prepare you effectively for employment. You will learn skills and acquire the essential information about your major which will lead you right toward the job you want. So, don't eliminate this critical step because education will be the thing that serves you with a secure future.

Another reason you will want to receive a good education is for basic writing and conversation skills. If you want to come across as being confident in all situations, you will need book smarts. Street smarts can only get you so far- so don't depend on them. Writing letters, answering correspondence and speaking on the telephone are all aspects of jobs that you will need education for. You learn basic math and writing skills through education and without these, you won't be able to show yourself to others as confidently as you desire.

Education will make you self-assured because you'll be able to present yourself wherever you go. From college debates to formal affairs, you'll know what's current in the world, how to speak about it and how to make great, interesting conversation- all because of education.

Sometimes, education comes with a large price tag. Tuition, books and living expenses are very expensive when it comes to college. You can always loans, grants or a scholarship to help you, so don't despair. If you want an education bad enough, you'll get one. It doesn't matter the size of your bank account, let your drive pull you toward the education you so desperately need. Don't settle for average and keep learning all the way up and throughout your senior years. Education shouldn't end after college, it should continue it so you can constantly improve yourself and your mind.

The author has found that people who are striving to better themselves are happier and have a calmness and peace of mind about them. The common denominator centers around education and learning about new and different subjects.

By Tara Cicconni


Online Education and Digital Divide

Digital Education is really coming along thanks to the US Military and their expenditures in the IT Framework to make training available. The IT companies doing this training are in fact able to pass on this technology to the private sector immediately and it is helping us with the digital divide.

The United States Navy is trying many of the online Internet learning some of which we have discussed here on this site: Online Training by the US Navy is very good;

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/08/25/daily18.html?f=et87

We are very much for schools. I have always supported schools:

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But we are in a new era and I really believe we can do more to educate our people faster and cheaper than ever before if we use the tools of modern technology. I support ideas from Bill Gates on this issue, I believe in The First Lady's strong commitment to education, I have always admired University of PHX and their online program and I am excited to see the bi-lateral support on the NO Child Left behind program. I am totally 100% behind the efforts to make this program work and to get behind problems of the past in education and move into the new era with these new tools.

http://parthe.net/_cwg0803/00000044.htm

I am glad to see that the US Military is moving forward and being efficient with taxpayer's money, so that they have more money for new ships and planes and research and development to keep us strong and safe. Good Move, great work on this. Isn't it great when we can get everyone on the same page and propel the future of mankind to our destiny? Think on this.

By Lance Winslow


Online Education Has The Power To Transform Lives And Fulfill Dreams

Online education is a dramatic development in the advancement of distance learning. A century ago, a person without access to a school or training program could sometimes get the information that they desired through a correspondence course. It was not a particularly efficient way to get an education but it did open doors that might otherwise have been closed. The quantum leaps in technology during the latter part of the 20th century have altered the profile of distance learning.

Students that cannot attend classes at a traditional college campus can now participate in the same course of study as those attending day or evening school. Online education programs are structured such that a student can integrate lessons into their unique daily schedules. Participants have the flexibility to complete their work when it is convenient but communicate with instructors whenever it is necessary. You can now pursue a college degree at your own pace with a course load that is appropriate for you.

Online education is rapidly evolving and courses are available for a variety of subjects. It is possible for someone to finish their high school studies and obtain a GED online. Courses and certifications are also available in a variety of technical areas. An ever-expanding number of degree programs are available. Students can earn a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree for an impressive list of disciplines.

The Internet is moving well beyond e-mails and e-commerce. Predictions of an Information Age are proving prophetic as the information superhighway carries more and more vehicles transporting ideas opening the door to an education that may have been denied to many. Online education has resulted in thousands of virtual classrooms that offer the possibility for accomplishment and advancement for all.

In an age where everyone and everthing is stretched too thin it is refreshing to know that the Internet provides legitimate resources that allow almost anyone to learn about almost anything. You can now feel confident that life and opportunity are not passing you by. Higher education is noiw available to any person with the drive, the desire and a personal computer.

By Terry McDermott


Academic Research on the Internet : There Is a Better Way

Students nowadays start their research projects by looking up information on the web. And they are very right to do so, as there are libraries of useful information available. And the best thing about it is that the access is almost instant. With the plenty of articles, research reports, and statistics out there, a new challenge pops up: how do you find the really useful and relevant information among this never-ending abundance? These easy-to-use tips and tricks will greatly improve your online search speed and effectiveness.

Ready? Let's begin. While reading these lines, please glance over to the top right corner of your monitor. You see something like "Microsoft Internet Explorer", right? You probably know that more than 90% of the internet users browse the web with this browser that comes by default with every copy of Windows. But did you know that it is very inefficient for online search, causing billions of clicks to go down the drain every day? Luckily, there are other, better online research tools.

Please welcome Firefox to the scene, the speedy red-taled beast who can run circles around Internet Explorer. Firefox is the new web browser that is rapidly gaining popularity because of its intuitive and expandable search features.

If you haven't met FireFox already and don't know how to start, head over to Firefox download page to download and install a copy right now. Trust me, this is one piece of software you will not regret. All done? Alright...Let's tame the beast.

Look over to top right corner of your FireFox window. The input box with a big "G" is a built in gateway to Google.com search. What this means is that now you can search Google without having to go to the Google homepage every time. So what's the big deal about it, you ask? Well, if you search Google once a week, this may not be a big advantage, but if you are a serious internet researcher, you will save close to an hour of your time by the end of the week. Whenever you have a question, it now takes a zip to find the right answer. Not only this saves time, the built in search window is very convenient and comfortable way to search.

Ok, so now you know that you can search Google without actually going to the Google search page, but rather have the search results feed in to your window. Your not limited to Google search only, you can use other search engines and services as well. To see what I am talking about, click on the big "G" in the top-right text box. Did you see the drop down list? By default you can search Google, Yahoo, Amazon, Creative Commons, Dictionary.com, and Ebay. Doesn't that make you feel like you are in control of the web?

To see just how useful this is, consider the following scenario. Say you have to do a research paper on greenhouse effect. Within 30 seconds you can know the term's definition on Dictionary.com, find related articles on the web through Google, find books on related subject on Amazon, and look up available deals on this book on Ebay. Now imagine how much time it would take you to accomplish all that the old fashioned way.

Don't just jump in to using these tools thinking that you have all you need to be a super-efficient internet researcher because we have not tackled the best part yet! And the best part about the FireFox search feature is that you can add as many search services as you like. How would you like to be able to translate from one language to another, find comprehensive information on a movie or writer, get in-depth information on dozen of academic topics, see latest business headlines and tech news without ever having to go anywhere?

You can do all that by adding free search plugins to the FireFox' search box. To download and install them, go to search plugins page. You will see the search plugins categorized (i.e. Literature, Reference, Business and Economy and others). Click on the category you are interested in, then on the actual category plugins page, simply click on the search plugin you like. Now pull down the top-right search text box in FireFox. The new search plugin icon appears at the bottom of the list. See how easy it is?

By now you should be convinced that FireFox browser is the internet searcher's best friend. The research process for your college and university papers has just become easier.

Have fun surfing!

By Jason McKormick


9 Lessons for Success in College - That Actually Make Sense

Most students know what it takes to be successful in college because some genius told them already. But here's the news flash: The prescription probably won't work. Why? Free advice is usually forgettable advice. And guess what I'm offering? More advice. But guess what? It is sensible and forgettable.

Lesson #1: Be honest about your abilities and goals

If you don't want to go to college, then don't go. You will only be frustrated and miserable. Forcing yourself to attend college will kill your motivation. It takes dedication and persistence to finish. If you are dying to work as a poodle-groomer after high school, then do that.

If you do go to college, be sure you are prepared. The stunts you pulled in high school might not go over so well with college professors. If you were undisciplined before college, you will likely be undisciplined in college and you will likely not meet your main goal-which is to graduate on time. Don't make a career out of being a college student. The pay is awful.

Lesson #2: Figure out the college zone

There are many different types of colleges and universities from which you can choose. The better your academic record, the more choices you have. Each college or university has a specific mission or purpose. Knowing what that purpose is isn't vital. But you do need to visit the campus and talk to some professors and students in order to determine if that particular institution is right for you. The school you choose should fit you. You shouldn't try to fit the school.

Lesson #3: Don't dig a big money pit

The cost of higher education continues to go up. It is likely that you will acquire debt in order to finance your education. Fine. But be wise. Getting admitted to a college or university doesn't necessarily mean you can afford it. The truth is that you can get a good education at a cheap school. Prestige is beneficial; however, what really matters most is not the school itself but the professors who teach there. The job market for college teachers has been saturated for years. It is not uncommon to find PhD's from prestigious universities teaching at small state colleges and community colleges. So, it is very possible to get a first rate learning experience for a fraction of the cost.

Of course, you've probably heard that student loan debt is "good debt." If it is so good, try missing a few loan payments and see what happens. It won't be all hugs and kisses.

Lesson #4: Know that the money is in the major

Yes. You should major in something that you love. Sometimes, doing what you love does not pay the bills. If your first love is money, then preparing to enter a field that will provide you with opportunities to make money is very pragmatic. The trick is to find balance. Major in something that you love and that brings you the amount of money that will allow you to be comfortable, if not rich. By the way, capitalism requires only a few rich people and many not-so-rich people. Which group will you be in?

Lessons #5: Get the experience you need to get the job you want

The degree that you earn will not be enough in today's competitive workforce. You will need experience and you will not gain experience until you get a job. No one will offer you a job because you lack experience. You know the cycle is cruel. However, there is something that you might not know: While in college, you can offer your labor for free as an intern or volunteer. Your pay is the experience you gain and the relationships you establish with people in the workforce. You become more employable when you know someone who knows someone who used to work for someone who is now the boss at the place where you applied for a job.

Lesson #6: Learn how to fail

The reason most people do not succeed is because they never learn the art of failing. When you accept the fact that failing is a part of success, then you are less prone to fear failure. The fear of failure makes you apprehensive about taking risks. You should not interpret these comments as an excuse to fail courses-although this does happen sometimes. I'm advising you to learn to be resilient in spite of the obstacles you encounter. No guts, no glory.

Lesson #7: Develop a critical imagination

You should attend all of your classes-not because all of your professors will be lively and inspirational teachers. Most of them won't be. You should go to class to learn how to think critically and use your imagination. What do I mean? Learn to investigate, analyze, and question the ideas that you encounter in the various courses you take. More importantly, learn to challenge those ideas and try to discover new ways to think about them. How? All you have to do is use your imagination to develop those ideas. If your idea is different, quirky, weird, or whatever, stick with it and be passionate about it. That idea distinguishes you from the crowd. Don't just think outside the box. Ask why a box is necessary and who does it belong to and why can't you have your own.

Lesson #8: Don't become an island

The years you spend at a college or university will offer you opportunities to meet a variety of people and develop lasting friendships. Use this time to your advantage. Everyday you spend on campus provides you with a chance to network. Keep a list of the people you meet and where you met them. Catalog their contact information and keep this information updated. I know you are probably thinking that most alumnae associations take care of this stuff. Don't count on it. Do it yourself. Always remember, an old acquaintance is better than no acquaintance at all.

Lesson #9: Don't Graduate

You will forget most of what you learn in college before you graduate. Knowledge that is not used regularly dies very quickly. Don't think that once you graduate that your education is over. The world of work changes constantly and you will probably find yourself being retrained on the job or having to go back to college for refresher courses. The workforce will teach you everything you didn't learn in school and much more. Don't be surprised at how embarrassingly different these two worlds are and how much you have to learn and relearn. Life is about learning, and it will never allow you to graduate. So don't do it. Don't graduate. You can forget everything else, except that.

By J.K. Dennis


16.6.08

IMT College - Full Online

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Now, no matter where you live or what your schedule, you can tap into one of the nation?s leading business schools and learn valuable skill-sets that will have an immediate impact on your current job and help ensure your future success!

Our approach to managerial skills be characterized as attempting to teach all what is necessary to have success in business world and to reach your business goals. Attending our courses you can test your new skills all the time answering on our questions in many tests which are prepared for our students. For each topic or chosen course you can pass exam if you wish and get our diploma. The exam effectively tested skills that you learned in the managerial skills. The skills tested are of the great importance to anyone involved in day to day business life. Maximum points for diploma are 30 and minimum 5. The exam was very well structured and ran at a rapid but satisfactory pace. The concept is excellent.

How does our method of learning work?

Firstly, you must choose one or more courses and inform us by e-mail. After, we shall inform you about all conditions and ways of learning and send you literature in English. You must read materials and literature and after that we can organize internet meeting and discussion. You can openly make questions and need more explanations. At last you will write essay about some topic which is chosen by you. Our professors will read it and send you their opinion about. At the end of our program you van pass examin. All courses are two months long, except stress and time managament which are one month long. For the most number of courses we have special softwears. Choose course promtly because we shall begin our program on 1 of February 2005. As you can notice our prices are very popular and acceptable!

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By Dr.Mirjana Radovic


Distance Learning: Balancing Your Education and Busy Lifestyle

Distance Learning is a priority for most who have already set their lives out in one way or another in that their responsibilities have been laid out, and in quite a few cases, would not allow for regular College schedules. This is taken into consideration when looking for a place to study, and this shouldn't mean below par education. It should mean convenience for those interested in education and furthering their portfolios.

Student Commitment

Distance Learning requires a certain amount of commitment as the student must schedule the time to study. This is also reflective in their work as they are not going to afford the time unless genuinely interested in the subject matter. The work from these students shows a clear interest in their progression, and therefore their time is not wasted on courses that they are only taking for UKAS points.

Flexibility

A high standard is reached as there is very little disruption in the pupil's life, and therefore they find that they are able to concentrate on the subject matter fully. These courses are not as expensive as those that have to hire out a classroom, and with the 'email' style of assessment, the cost to complete their course assignments is inconsequential. There is no waiting for weeks for their assessments to be returned to them, and this makes it easier for the student to get on with their work at their own pace. These courses fit into lifestyles as it is usually humanly impossible to gauge when a situation will arise that takes a student away from their studies, but with the Distance Learning option, these students do not have the worry of catching up, or even having to loose out on their whole course and fee because there has been a glitch in their schedule. The course can be put aside, and picked up when the situation is eradicated. For those who travel for work, their course can be taken with them, affording them the time to continue on with their studies.

Different options for different lifestyles

This form of education is taking a front seat for those interested in continuing study after settling into a career, or starting a family. There are numerous reasons for not being able to put your life on hold to study a preferred topic, and this option is sometimes the only way people are able to get the training they need. This should not mean that these people have to put up with inferior courses, or exorbitant fees. For those who are unable to leave their homes, or not able to physically enrol on classroom taught courses, this form of education plays a paramount importance in their lives. Oxford College ODL and Oxford Distance Learning have devised a scheme for the visually impaired by designing their courses specifically for these people's needs, and they are in the process of setting up a program to fit into those people's lives that have difficulty in finding a course that caters for their special needs.

Grading

Distance learning courses are not easy. Because the student is not required to attend classes, it is imperative that a sound assessment of their absorption of the materials is obtained by the tutor, and this is only obtained through assignments that are usually more in depth than the usual grading process that is awarded through classroom taught courses. This takes it's form by enabling the student into not just learning about a given subject, but also showing their understanding of each individual step in essay form which lends to their overall grade. This is particularly important to the student, as the material is not the only information that needs to be taught in a given subject. The student needs to be able to question the material, and use their own reasoning when it comes to analysing what they are asked to absorb which keeps them interested in the course work and sees that they feel more involved with the process of their learning.

In the words of Mike Tomlinson, former chief inspector of schools,

'Too much time is spent preparing for exams which could be used for learning'.

Written by Angela Williams


Parents: Take the SAT Challenge!

I keep a box of tissues on the table where I tutor because, as an SAT tutor and college application consultant, I listen to high school juniors and seniors who are so overwhelmed by college pressure that they begin to cry. Not just girls. Not just Ivy League aspirants.

High school students are always convinced their parents don't understand them. This time the students are right. Parents don't understand because the college admission process is so much more competitive than it was when most parents applied to college.

These are the ten things I wish I could tell parents:

1. I am convinced that parents have to walk a mile in the student's moccasins to gain some appreciation for the stress the students are under and to reverse the tension at home. If parents will take an SAT practice test they will feel some of the same anxiety, cringe at their results, and discover that the test is hard. Instead of piling 25 pounds of SAT study books on the desk, parents can commiserate with students over missed problems. Parents and students can become allies rather than adversaries as they face the college admission process.

2. Hire SAT prep tutors who focus on the applicable academic material rather than just the tricks. Increasing a student's academic preparation for the test in addition to teaching the tricks increases their confidence on the test and in the classroom; teaching only the tricks makes students more insecure because they are relying on tricks rather than on actual knowledge.

3. Have the tutors keep the parents informed about each session so that the parent tracks progress with the tutor rather than pestering the student for information.

4. Have the student try the ACT. All colleges accept it and some students do better on it than on the SAT.

5. Make learning fun. For example, have the students memorize vocabulary using the book Vocabulary Cartoons by Sam Burchers, et al. Also, have the student do the crossword and other word puzzles in SAT Vocabulary Express, the fun book of word puzzles that will increase SAT scores. I wrote it with Michael Ashley, a nationally known puzzler, so that our students would learn to play with words, an important skill for the new SAT.

6. Emphasize getting good grades rather than good SAT scores. Bs in honors classes are better than As in regular classes.

7. Hire an independent college counselor who will work with the family to create a realistic college list, brainstorm for essay topics, establish deadlines for the student, and check all college applications. High school college counselors are overworked and do not have the time to walk families through the process.

8. Realize that the schools parents attended may not be within reach for their child. The number of high school students planning to attend college has increased dramatically; the student may be well qualified for a particular college and may still not get in.

9. Look for colleges where the student will thrive academically and socially. Choosing colleges based on their name recognition and prestige value is a formula that will increase stress, not decrease it. Everyone else wants to go to those schools, too, making them even harder to get into; they are not necessarily the best place for the student. Loren Pope's book, Colleges That Change Lives, is a good place to start.

10. Support your child through a difficult process. Leave the prodding, nagging, and yelling to the tutors and college counselor. The independent college counselor will tell the student to work harder so the parent doesn't have to. Why ruin the student's last year at home?

Parents can make decisions so that senior year is not be so fraught with anxiety that family members begin to avoid each other. And, I hate it when my students cry.

By Jacqueline Byrne


College Bound: The Organized Dorm

I can still remember my shopping list for my first dorm room. Years ago we kept it simple -- the must have storage staple was the old dairy crate and that was pretty much it. Those dairy crates organized everything from sweaters and sweatshirts to books. Today the storage choices are almost unlimited (although the budget may not be...), so outfitting a dorm room or first apartment can be a bit overwhelming. I have asked our summer intern (a college student) to share some organizing challenges she has experienced first hand. We have divided the typical college living space into 5 areas:

- Common area
- Kitchen and bath area Desk
- Bedroom or sleeping area
- The always too small and functionally challenged closet.
- Common Area

Question: "A lot of dorm rooms are small and have one common area. What would you suggest to help students keep their common area organized? Also, can you suggest some useful products for storing food, movies, and CDs?"

Answer: Common areas can be a tricky, because you have now entered the zone where your belongings are community property. I would suggest a minimalist approach. If it is for a dorm, keep it simple and portable. There are inexpensive multimedia racks, drawers and even cubes (the "new" dairy crate!) available for storing CDs and movies.

Trunks can provide additional table surface, store out-of-season blankets and sweaters, and even make a good hiding place for your spare laundry and bathroom supplies. If you are furnishing an apartment, make it a group project so that everyone is involved with choices and expense sharing.

Many students store their snacks and munchies where they hang out, so just remember to label them and stay clear of glass. Many discount stores have some really cool and inexpensive dry storage options.

Kitchen and Bath

Question: "Can you give advice on how to keep your stuff separate from your roommates in both the kitchen and the bathroom?"

Answer: In the kitchen -- label, label and label. People are less likely to help themselves to something when it is clearly marked. An alternate system is to divide the shelves in the refrigerator - maybe one for each person and one common shelf? If your budget permits, purchase a set of food storage containers and clearly label them with your name and any warning you may want to include. Unfortunately there will always be those few who will help themselves to anything and everything, so don't sign a lease with them next year.

There is never enough room in the bathroom, so keep it simple and portable. Buy a shower tote or caddy; a proven product that has been around for years. I recommend girls go for the largest one you can carry while most guys could probably make do with the smaller ones. If finding a surface is an issue consider a hanging dopp kit, which can be easily hooked on to a towel rack. Don't forget about your towels; consider large hooks for hanging wet towels. Extra towels and toiletries can be stored in a simple 4-drawer storage cabinet also available at many discount stores and other retailers.

The Desk

Question: "What would you suggest for keeping your desk neat and school work organized?"

Answer: There is a wide range of great things on the market today to keep your desk clutter free and functional - you are only limited by your budget and your imagination! Consider increasing the surface area of your desk by placing your notes and class papers in a file cart or create a hanging file box that can fit neatly under or on the side of your desk. Organize your desk by keeping like things together or categorize by subject. Utilize a bulletin board with a calendar for important dates and project deadlines, so they won't be missed or forgotten.

The Bedroom

Question: "Do you have any suggestions for students on how to maximize this space and still keep as much of your personal belonging in this small space?"

Answer: You can be as creative with this space as you want to be. Take advantage of the total area, including under the bed, behind the door, the walls, and even the college issued furniture. Look for wide underbed drawers; they make the perfect secondary storage unit. Hang a shoe bag behind your door; these pockets can be used for more than shoes -- socks, extra toiletries, small camera, film, batteries, water bottles, and yes even that extra case of beer. Hang a few hooks on the wall or if allowed install a small shelf. If you have a large desk, consider adding a hutch; the additional shelves are very convenient and accessible when working at the desk.

The Closet

Question: "How do I make the most of this very small space?"

Answer: Years ago my first dorm closet was about 3 feet wide and 9 feet tall. An extremely narrow area in which to cram 9 months worth of clothes and shoes and remember this was the time in my life when I agonized over every clothing detail. Today that limited area would be a snap, because my "mom uniform" does not require a lot of space.

Seriously, most of the time closet space comes is at a premium, so you must utilize every inch. The right type of hangers is key - an item like a multi-tiered shirt or pants hanger can save space and have clothes fit neatly in small spaces. Consider adding another rod for short hang items since most college wardrobes are heavy on short hang pieces. Another product used to increase space and keep things from tumbling down is stacking shelves. If you prefer your sweaters and sweatshirts at eye level, use a hanging sweater bag that attaches to the closet rod. Don't forget about the floor space -- short stacking baskets work well in this space.

Today's college student may have a lot more organization and storage options than we did in years past, but with a small budget, some advance planning, clear lines of communication with roommates and a sense of humor, organizing their space can be easily accomplished and they can focus on what's really important about college. I was referring to learning - what did you think I meant?

By Bridget Messino and Emily Steinecker


Business Plan Competitions

The idea of a business plan competition first started in the 1980's at the initiative of some MBA students from Texas and has increasingly gained popularity. Such events happen yearly and rejoice a great affluence of contestants, which highly increases their competitiveness.

Competitions

Organized by Universities

* Babcock Elevator Pitch Competition - Wake Forest University

* Enterprise Creation Competition - Ball State University

* Moot Corp. Competition - University of Texas

* Duke Start-Up Challenge - Duke University

* IBK Capital Ivey Business Plan Competition - University of Western Ontario

* OFC Venture Challenge - Clark Atlanta University

* Venture Adventure - Colorado State University

Held by business organizations

* Jungle Business Plan Challenge - Jungle Media Group

* S.E.E.D. Business Plan Competition - TechKnowledge Point Corp.

* Venture Bowl - National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Carrot Capital

You will wonder probably what exactly do these competitions consist of and where does their popularity come from?

Organizers

Although the organizers and sponsors are usually universities, there are several business organizations that host business plan competitions.

Contestants

Business plan competitions are student entrepreneur events. The contests are organized either for graduate or undergraduate students and it does not necessarily have to be MBA students. The contestants may be student scientists, engineers, MDs or other specialists who strive to create a viable business plan hoping to enter such competitions.

The popularity of such contests also reached some other layers: business plan competitions are also organized with the purpose of giving people the possibility of starting a business. Business plan competitions usually happen as intercollegiate events, but this contest formula has also been taken over by companies who want to facilitate the founding of new businesses.

It is also the case of Ford Motor Company that sponsored the Ford BEST (Building Entrepreneurial Success Today) Business Plan contest in association with SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" and DiversityInc. The BEST Business Plan contest took place in the winter of 2004 and addressed all U.S. citizens over 18. All the submitted business plans were judged by an advisory panel from SCORE.

Why the need to participate in such events?

Besides the cash prizes, that, although quite important, will rarely suffice for financing the foundation of a company, there is the advantage of learning from this experience - this will enrich students' knowledge in a greater degree than the mere theoretical aspects they learn from lectures.

Not in the last place, there is the valuable opportunity of pitching the business plans to quite a lot of investors in a very short time.

How Do Winners Benefit?

Innitially started as a valuable opportunity for the students with bright business ideas to express them within contest conditions, the business plan competitions have become a resource for some investors. There are two categories of results of such competitions:

You would say that choosing from purely theoretical plans would be highly improbable for a venture investor. Yet, that's how many successful firms came into being.

1-800 Contacts

A mail-order contact-lens-replacement company in Draper, Utah. The business plan won the 1995 Brigham Young University tournament in Provo, Utah.

Attorneys @ Work

An Internet recruiting and placement service in Atlanta. Competition: 1996, University of Georgia. SensAble Technologies Inc.

In Cambridge, Mass., won the MIT competition in 1995. Epotec Inc.

Competition: 1997, University of Chicago.

However, having good results in an important competition does not necessarily imply launching a company successfully. There is the risk that some investors consider your plan an academic exercise before really studying it and thus the percentage of trust is substantially reduced.



By Laura Ciocan


Write Your Way Into University - The Personal Statement

The Get Into Uni personal statement writing guide contains systematic instructions on the techniques to help increase the odds of your application, however this article contains a short synopsis to writing your way into university. For most potential students there are some clear reasons why they wish to embark on university. The single best reason is that the subject area fascinates the reader. Please read our personal statement writing guide for more information and access our sample personal statements to read the best sample statements on the web. http://www.getintouni.com/Free/WritingGuide

This article will offer insight into how you should approach your personal statement. One of the typical complaints of Admission Officers is that student personal statements all seem the same; unfortunately, students normally read a number of sample statements on the internet and automatically write a typical personal statement from the range of available sample personal statements found on websites.

It is important to put yourself in the shoes of the Admissions Officer: why would your personal statement be unique, how are you different from the other candidates? Primarily you need to decide how you will divide your personal statement into digestible chucks. The most obvious way is to divide into paragraphs of 100 words. If you aim for between 500 and 600 words at most, it will help your admission officer when they have to read thousands of personal statements to find the perfect student.

So let's take a look at the way your personal statement should be structured? If you spent, time analysing our sample personal statements http://www.getintouni.com/Samples you will see that each paragraph revolves around one particular incident or the subject area of study. Although the personal statement should logically flow from start to finish, none the less, unlike a book with a distinctive story running through it and building up to a climax, a personal statement is episodic in style and content so each paragraph stands out.

In planning your paragraphs, you must give the Admissions Officer a glow so they will wish to continue the next section. To illustrate the structure, let's take a look at the typical personal statement organisation. The first paragraph will need to be an exciting and dynamic narrative to capture the reader's attention. The subsequent paragraphs should outline why you wish to study for your particular field followed by a compelling powerful final paragraph with strong action verbs to give your reader the final push to admit you.

You may find it helpful to prepare a brief synopsis or outline of the way you see your personal statement developing. It doesn't have to be very long or detailed and, like most personal statements structures, you do not have to stick to it if, as you go along, you find a better route for your journey. Keep it simple and let it serve merely as a quick reminder of where you're going. It might run like this: First memory - seeing my new baby brother in my mother's arms. Nursing experience - volunteer in residential nursing home. Visiting the baby clinic - desires to become a midwife sufficed. Goals for the future - career ambitions.

It is important to cover whatever period you intend to include in your personal statement because time spent planning your sequence and the method you feel happiest with will undoubtedly make the actual writing that much easier for you.

The biggest problem you will find is finding the topics of discussion in your personal statement and selecting those topics you want to use and which topics you wish to leave out. Remember that with any form of writing you are practicing the art form. Get Into Uni Oxford Educated editors edit the personal statements for our customers to improve sentences and create a marketing sensation.

A while ago, I was asked to take a critical look at a personal statement, which spanned the student's life from age two to eighteen. The personal statement made gripping reading but was far too long and the student had not been selective enough in the abundance of material she choose from. The word count ran to 1,500 words - far too long for a personal statement. The task of reducing your personal statement can be enthusiastically undertaken, but the problem is that you need to look at your original brainstormed ideas to organise your material for the selection process. The only criterion you need to apply at this stage is this incident of sufficient interest to the admission officer.

I hope that you agree a powerful beginning is of paramount importance or you will quickly lose the Admission Officers interest. Then, once having captured his or her attention, we have to make sure your personal statement ending is dramatic and in the right place. Each paragraph should be pleasing to the reader and you need to write a natural conclusion. Chekhov once said the essence of good style is simplicity. The best advice is therefore, to keep it simple.

Get Into Uni offers students personal statement editing and tips on how you can get an edge over the competition when applying for university. The website includes sample personal statements, a free writing guide, and all the information you need to get into university.

Your personal statement is crucial to your application. Planning your personal statement is therefore your first step to success. Gain competitive advantage and order the best editing service on the web. http://www.getintouni.com

Our qualified professional writers will edit your statement to perfection - ensuring your application is noticed. We recognise that you are unique and, therefore, you will receive customised advice from your personal writer. Increase your chances today! Copyright © 2004 Get Into Uni

By Elaine


Distance Learning, Online Education, Electronic Education, Electronic Learning?Call It What You Want

Whatever you want to label "learning at home" and however you want to define the latest buzz words for non-traditional education, you can find a program and method that suits your needs. Right now over 1.2 million people in the U.S. participate in some form of distance learning, with a projected expansion to 2.3 million in just a few years.

In looking at this rapidly expanding and viable form of education and training, there are a few basic things you need to consider and some decisions you need to make in order to create the environment that will best suit your needs. You need to know the what, the why, the benefits and the how of the various forms of distance learning.

Distance learning (correspondence courses) started in Europe in the 1800's and has evolved into a multifaceted term that serves many purposes. Some of the forms of distance learning are: correspondence courses, online education, internet based education, electronic education, e-education, electronic learning, and e-learning. How these terms differ will depend upon how the institution defines and labels the programs which they offer. To simplify the whole concept, let's say that these terms represent ways of learning away from a "brick and mortar" facility. Some distance learning and/or online programs may or may not be connected to a university or college. There are many programs that are independent and are not affiliated with any institution.

Distance learning offers a variety of paths to personal goals which include: GED, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, graduate certificates, master degrees, doctoral degrees, non-credit training courses, and others. Whether a person is seeking a degree, keeping professional skills updated, or pursuing skills for an interest area or hobby, there is a program or offering that should work.

Why are so many people turning to distance learning? What are its advantages? On a personal level look at such pros as: maintaining privacy; provides convenience; enables a flexible schedule; allows for balancing job and family obligations; working at own pace, going slowly or accelerating learning; can be less expensive; great for homebound individuals; no unnecessary travel; no formal class attendance; and can "learn while you earn." These are a few of the many things that are causing quite a number of people to take an entirely different approach to attaining knowledge/skills and/or earning a degree.

Those who advocate against an alternative of distance learning, often site the lack of socialization which is a part of a traditional type of education. However, not everyone is looking for the classroom activities, college events/parties, and the interactions that are a part of a school campus. Many of the classroom activities such as discussion and support can be achieved online. The other things that an online education will reinforce are: reading - ebooks, up to date references, current research; listening - through audio lectures or clips; seeing- through graphic illustrations and demonstrations; doing - assignments, quizzes, exams, research papers; and speaking/communication - through email, chats, and electronic discussions. A distance learning program can be far more than just reading and writing.

What are the requirements for becoming a part of a distance learning program? Many programs require a minimum of a GED or taking an admissions test. Usually, the process for applying will include: an application; transcripts; test scores; an essay; and letters of recommendation. The less formal the program, the less formal the requirements. There is a wide range in answering this questions. However, what is necessary for an online program is the right computer equipment with the internet connection (high speed), word processing capability; email; and multimedia player. The program you choose will provide more specific details for recommendation about equipment and software.

In choosing a program there some questions to ask as you do your research and make your selection. Ask about the following: help/support is offered; qualifications of the instructors; number of years the institution has provided services; is it an accredited program; details about the curriculum; and multimedia elements of the program. By the way, accreditation is voluntary since there is no officially sanctioned entity in existence. However, most schools considered the six regional accrediting agencies listings to be legitimate agencies. Ask if it is regionally accredited.

The last thing you need to think about is your motivation and work ethic. If you are a good reader (good reading comprehension skills) who doesn't procrastinate and can avoid distractions, you will be a good candidate for an alternative approach to education. In this age of global education and the need for current knowledge and skills, this is a fast delivery system that will bring all the technological advancement right into your living room instantaneously. It works for more than a million people, and it can work for you.


By Barbara Snyder


College Tuition Costs are Spiralling

So, our children want to fly away from the nest and further their academic life in college. But with escalating costs, can we afford it? Will they have to take part time jobs to stay afloat or can we supplement their financial needs with college loans?

These are just some of the questions that concerned parents and aspiring students are asking themselves nowadays. It's hardly surprising when you look at the facts - a 51% increase in fee and tuition costs for public four year colleges and a 36% rise for private four year colleges in the last decade alone. This, coupled with the disproportionate income increases for families likely to have college age children, means that more and more often parents or students themselves are turning to direct loans or private college loans for help.

Why do parents and students need extra help?

Every parent and family is made aware what their Expected Financial Contribution (EFC) will be to their child's further education when they apply for a place. This is calculated minus any government grants and federal supported college loans the student will be granted. Every family has numerous financial commitments and additional support for your child throughout college could be all too much to bear if you don't have enough savings or disposable income. But all is not lost! There are other sources of financial support available.

How can the shortfall be covered?

Additional financial support comes in all shapes and sizes. They normally take the forms of unsubsidized federal student loans, state sponsored loans and private sector college loans. It is the latter that has experienced the most significant growth over ten years (a 745% increase) and accounts for a whopping $10.5 billion of aid used to finance college education.

The private college loans available can be split into student loans or loans for the parent:

Student Loans

? Private college loans from banks and other funding sources.

Parent Loans

? Private education loans from banks and other funders.

? Home equity loans to draw down equity from your property. These funds can be used to pay for college fees.

Is it all worth it?

Its all too easy for parents and students to balk at the idea of taking out college loans to enable them to further their education. The hard cash needed to see them through up to four years of study may seem impossible to raise but they just need to realize the benefits this will bring their child and America. College educated individuals earn more than secondary school leavers, they also participate in society more and their children will attain higher levels of education too.

The investment is worth it.

By Peter Siu


Medical Assistant - Medical Assistant Distance Education

Considerations in Distance Education for the Medical Assistant Instructor

Medical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands of a new generation of students in the twenty first century. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School distance education program for medical assistant presents a good model for this integration of technology with medical assistant education. Distance education, particularly in its most recent form, online education, is being integrated into even the most cautious and conservative of educational institutions. Yet the impact of these alternative forms of teaching and learning on students, faculty, and institutions has yet to be broadly or deeply studied. New models such as that at St. Augustine Medical Assistant School are immerging. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School is available at: www.medassistant.org

Distance education is not new, and can be traced as far back as the first century. The Apostle Paul wrote to the early Christian churches, instructing them from a distance (even when he was under 'house arrest' in Rome). This was probably the first type of 'correspondence course', which was the only method of learning at a distance until the advent of the telephone. Today, distance education and in particular online medical assistant instruction calls upon an impressive range of technologies to enable medical assistant instructor and the medical assistant student who are separated by distance to communicate with each other either in real time (synchronous) or delayed time (asynchronous).

Currently and asynchronous model used at St. Augustine Medical Assistant School to instruct medical assistant students. This has proven to be a very effective model however the medical assistant program is currently investigating the benefits of synchronous online medical assistant instruction and the benefits it may have for the medical assistant student. Medical Assistant distance learning epitomizes the move away from institute based learning to a more direct, student centered approach. As a concept, distance learning has existed for over a century, notably in the form of paper based correspondence courses including the less formal correspondence education for medical assistants. Now however, distance education is depending increasingly upon technology for its success and technological innovations ensure that distance learning for the medical assistant continues to evolve and grow as a valid and potent force in all forms of education for the medical assistant.

The task of the medical assistant distance educator is therefore to obviate these problems as much as possible by mixing and matching techniques, creating and maintaining a stimulating environment, and offering opportunities for medical assistant students to communicate with each other and with the medical assistant teaching staff on a regular basis. The medical assistant educators will also need to change their traditional role as well. Many remote medical assistant students need a great deal of social support, and medical assistant distance educators may find themselves spending more time offering one-to-one tutorials and less time lecturing. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School at www.MedicalAssistant.us is leading today's technology in medical assistant education.

When designing medical assistant educational systems and materials for medical assistant distance in delivery the medical assistant teacher must consider not only learning outcomes, but also centered requirements and technical constraints for the medical assistant. Also to be considered are the needs, characteristics, and individual differences of both the students, the teachers and future medical assistants.

Medical assistant distance education for the medical assistant then, should not be viewed as a means of reducing costs, but as an opportunity to raise standards. It is also about providing quality medical assistant learning opportunities for those who, for one reason or another, have previously been excluded from this basic human right.

Medical Assistant distance education will quickly become the norm and not the exception for the twenty first century medical assistant. St. Augustine Medical Assistant School distance education program for medical assistant presents a good model for this integration of technology with medical assistant education. The St. Augustine Medical Assistant model can be reviewed at: http://www.medassistant.org, and http://www.medicalassistant.us.

By Dr. Mark Stout


Looking For a Rewards Program That Offers Free Money for College Students?

With the rising cost of books, tuition and housing, it's no wonder that college students are looking for ways to cash in on anything that can lighten their financial load. It isn't easy trying to balance an exciting social life, education and your finances at any age - not to mention in your teens and twenties. Luckily, there are companies out there who understand the importance of academic success and offer great incentives like free money for college students. And the rewards don't stop there. Here are some other things that companies are offering to help ease the burden:

Free stuff for college students, free stuff for teachers, free money for completing offers, free cash-back shopping offers and the certainty that through top online rewards programs, you will get paid!

All it takes on the part of students is a little time and effort to fill out a few forms and complete offers, read paid emails, take surveys, etc. In exchange, you'll find yourself receiving great rewards like free computers, televisions, free gift cards to your favorite stores and restaurants, free gas cards and much more.

In addition, rewards and incentive programs help make it easier on you when you do have to spend money by offering lots of cash back rewards on items you'd normally purchase. Here are just a few of reward companies' shopping categories:

Clothing, art and collectibles, books and magazines (you can find textbooks too!), DVDs and videos, music, travel items, sports and recreation purchases, and a whole lot more...

By Gerardas Norkus


Making the Most of Your Summer

At last, summer is here! After a school year full of hard work, you can finally put away your books, break out your bikinis, and soak up the sunshine. This is not only what you deserve but in fact what you need: If you have been working to your maximum level during the school year, you owe your body about two weeks off during the summer for a real break. Go ahead and pursue your favorite pastime, relax, sleep, and reflect on the past year and the year to come. Do not, however, get too used to your life of leisure! From a college admissions standpoint, it's important to be productive during your summer months. Working is looked upon favorably by the more selective colleges; working on your tan is not.

It is important to understand that when it comes time to apply to schools in the fall, you will be competing for admission against a wealth of other students who made the most of their summers by strengthening their talents and skills and/or making up in some way for their weaknesses. Ideally, you have already found something to do for the summer, but if not, here are some summer suggestions.

For the summer after ninth grade, summer school can be a great idea, particularly if you want to get ahead in your curriculum. For example, rising sophomores in the past have used their summers to skip ahead in their math track, some by taking a class that prepares them for an honors or advanced level course, others by taking an intensive math course that spans at least six weeks of the summer. Other students have chosen to use their summers to take composition or creative writing courses to strengthen their writing skills.

For the summer after tenth grade, you might want to try participating in a program designed to strengthen one of your main talents. For example, if you're interested in engineering, you could try a program that teaches students to design their own autonomous robots, such as Carnegie Mellon West's seven-week RoboCamp. Students who are artistically inclined may want to try Northwestern's National High School Institutes (colloquially known as "Cherubs"), during which students who excel in music, theater, journalism, film, debate and/or forensics hone their talents through intensive workshops in their areas of interest. Another great opportunity for prospective film students is through University of Southern California's Summer Seminars, where students can study either screenwriting, the business and technology of film, or basic animation techniques.

The summer after tenth grade also might be used to go away on a program abroad. Two great resources for finding abroad programs are www.goabroad.com and www.studyabroad.com, where you can punch in specific countries and interests and find hundreds of excellent programs that are off the beaten track. I recommend committing to a program of at least six weeks: A true cultural immersion will usually take more than a month, and it will take two weeks just to get over your jet lag! Also, try to travel to a country where the residents speak the foreign language you're taking in school. In order to make the most of your experience, try and stay away from programs with too many other Americans, and try to devote yourself to one place for the entire stay. For example, if you're taking Spanish in school, it's best to go to Mexico or a Central or Latin American country rather than Spain, which is often teeming with Americans. Also, in cities such as Barcelona, the language of choice is Catalan as opposed to Spanish.

The summer after eleventh grade is a good time to try and find an internship or other type of employment experience in one of your fields of interest. If you're interested in a sports-related career, let's say, this is an excellent summer to work for a sports agency or a sports channel such as ESPN. To see the sports world from a different angle, you might even want to try working in a law firm that has a history of representing athletes. Not only would you gain valuable experience that would give you a leg up on even the average college student, you might find a new translation of your passion for sports.

Remember, nepotism is not looked upon favorably, so make sure your work experience is aligned with your interests and not with your parents' careers. After all, you are not just spending the summer in Dad's office; this should be made clear to the colleges. Likewise, if you're holding down a job or internship, the ideal amount of time to do this is for about eight weeks. Given that the typical summer is twelve weeks long, you'll still have several weeks for relaxation and, of course, working on college applications. IvyWise students in the past have interned in the office of Senator Hillary Clinton, conducted original cancer research at hospitals alongside professors, reported for major and local newspapers, and interned at a variety of companies ranging from law firms to Goldman Sachs.

If you're a serious athlete with the chance of being recruited for your sport in college, you will likely be spending the majority of your summers on the field or in the gym, where coaches will get a chance to watch you play. Sports camps and workshops are great for serious student athletes; this is the path you must pursue to achieve entry into college- level athletics.

Before you leave for summer break, I also recommend asking your school for next year's reading list for English and history. Beginning your reading early is a great way to get a jump start on next year's homework. Also, starting your reading list during the summer will help you gain a deeper understanding of the assigned material: When you revisit your summer reading during the school year, you will be familiar with the basic story and will therefore be equipped to conduct a better analysis of the text. Also, if you choose to remain in your hometown during the summer, colleges will love to see you continuing your school year community service activities through the summer months.

Summer don'ts:

#1: CAMP. Unless you are a focused athlete and you are attending a sports camp, sleepaway camp and camping trips should end before the summer before ninth grade. The only exception to this rule is if a student has the opportunity to take on a leadership role such as a CIT, and even then, the summer before ninth grade should be the last year at camp. Colleges are not looking for experts in the arts of s'more-making and Spin the Bottle!

#2: TEEN TOURS. It may sound great to travel around the country with a busload of other kids in your age group for a couple of weeks, and while it's true that you would get to sample the cuisine of many different McDonald's locations across the country, this will not help you get into college. On a teen tour, students can never get to know one place well, and it's likely that they will be with students like themselves and will therefore not get the opportunity to stretch. Teen tours are so organized and scheduled that it's nearly impossible for any one student to make an impact in his or her community. Students should make sure that whatever they do over the summer, they are somehow making an impact, whether it be on an organization, a favorite cause, or a foreign or local community.

#3: "IMMERSION" TRIPS. Any so-called cultural immersion trip that lasts three weeks or less, particularly those of the Putney or ASA brand, is not a wise use of summer time. These trips break up a student's summer and take the place of an in-depth program; they are vacations rather than commitments and are not something to add to a college brag sheet. Again, students should choose a program off the beaten track that lasts for a minimum of six weeks so they have the opportunity to grow and to make an impact.

#4: SUMMER SAT PREP. If you're a rising junior, the summer is not the best time to start preparing for your standardized tests. Sure, working on vocabulary a few hours a week can never hurt, but devoting chunks of your day to SAT tutoring or a class will only take the place of an activity that you can put on your brag sheet. Furthermore, you are likely to forget a lot of what you learn during the summer; you will absorb far more during the year, when you are in "school mode."

On a final note, when you are setting aside your personal time, make sure you allow yourself time to have fun! As high school progresses, the courses inevitably get harder and your workload will increases-it's important to use your summer break to unwind and reflect. While there are always weekends during the school year, there's nothing like a sunny Wednesday on the beach, so please, make the most of your freedom while you can! Have a great summer, and we're looking forward to hearing your stories.

By Katherine Cohen


CRI Releases Its 2003-2004 College Graduate Survey

Upper Saddle River, N.J. - May 2004 - Compensation Resources, Inc. has released the results of its 2003-2004 College Graduate Salary Survey. The purpose of this study was to obtain compensation data and information on recruiting and hiring trends for recent and new college graduates. The survey sampled compensation data from 71 organizations, including 1,253 jobs.

The results do not indicate any startling or unexpected results, and for the most part, they are consistent with other studies covering broader employee compensation trends.

Among the most significant findings was that total cash compensation, which consists of salary and bonus/incentives, increased by a respectable 6.1%, even though salaries only increased by a modest 0.8%. This is consistent with the trend of increased use of variable pay elements by many organizations. Variable pay allows companies to offer competitive pay with upside potential, while controlling fixed overhead for payroll costs, and to some degree, lessening the impact of higher salaries on benefit costs (i.e., vacation and time off benefits, retirement, some insurances, etc.).

Some additional highlights:



Findings for 2004 indicate that the financial services industry is the top paying industry for recent college graduates ($60,900).



Companies are currently utilizing a wide variety of methods to recruit recent college graduates. The three most equally popular methods are College Career Centers, Employee and Business Associate Referrals, and Internet Job Boards.



The majority of responding companies have turnover rates of recent college graduates of 15% or less.



By Paul R. Dorf


The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper

Academics from Oxford University have mathematically proven long held suspicions that the Eurovision Song contest is a fix. The team, led by Professor Neil Johnson of Lincoln College, compared statistical models of a contest where votes were fairly cast purely on musical merit with actual results over twelve years of the competition's history to expose the complex political allegiances and cliques at the heart of Eurovision.

The habit of close neighbours, such as Greece and Cyprus, Norway and Sweden, and Russia and Belarus of awarding each other maximum points in the contest, has long been a subject of controversy. Last year, television host Terry Wogan condemned the competition as "biased" and called on the Broadcasting Union to take action. The study was designed to ascertain how 'European' various countries were.

The Eurovision Song Contest was selected as the subject of the study because of its relative lack of economic and government bias. As such it was judged to be a good measure of compatibility between countries. Some of the findings, which were published in arXiv, an online archive more at home with papers on physics, were surprising. Britain, for example, was deemed more integrated into Europe than France, drawing votes from a far wider area.

However, this doesn't appear to have helped Britain's entry Javine, who was placed 22nd in this year's contest held in the Ukranian capital of Kiev. Sadly, however, Dr Johnson did not much enjoy the competition on Saturday. "Personally I didn't think much of any of the songs," he commented, professing that he does not watch it for the music, although he remains very fond of 1974's winner, Waterloo.

By Gianfranco Fracassi


Thinking of Dropping Out of College?

If rising tuition costs or personal concerns have made you consider dropping out of college or "taking a break" I'd like to encourage you to reconsider.

Don't Let Cost Stand in Your Way

If cost is your primary reason for reducing your college hours or dropping out completely first pay a visit to your school's financial aid office. Have you applied for financial aid using the FAFSA? Priority deadlines for most colleges is late spring to early summer. However, most of the time students can still get some kind of financial aid as long as you apply before the school term begins.

Another reason for visiting the financial aid office is there may be other sources of aid available to you that you are not aware of. Some colleges participate in state funded financial aid programs and special need based programs that you may qualify for. Your financial aid counselor can give you more information about alternative programs such as these. In addition, the financial aid office may be aware of local foundation and organization sponsored scholarships.

In some colleges the financial aid office also handles scholarships. Other schools run a separate scholarship office. Either way, make sure you apply for all of the scholarships offered at your school.

Many local social organizations such as the Lions Club, Business & Professional Women and Chamber of Commerce sponsor scholarships. Get out your local phone book and start calling organizations in your area. You may be surprised at what type of local scholarships may be available.

Consider College an Investment in Yourself

According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, people with a bachelor's degree earn over 70 percent more on average than those with only a high school diploma. Over a lifetime, this will make a considerable difference in overall earnings, standard of living and retirement savings.

The power of a bachelor's degree becomes even more apparent when seeking employment. Applicants with a degree are much more likely to be hired for a position than those without a degree. Specialized study in college prepares workers for a job field or industry. A general or liberal arts degree will help workers gain employment in a wide range of fields. Often your college major is not as important as just the fact that you have the degree.

Finally, college is a time to explore your interests, talents and grow as a person. The experience you gain working with other students and professors will help you mature and be ready for not just the job market, but for deeper life experiences.

By Michael Carter


Surviving School

Well, I finally finished my 1st semester of college and I think I did really well. I am pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, possibly with a minor in psychology. I absolutely love school and now often wonder why I didn't go back sooner. I think school has made me a lot more independent if that is possible. I do love it.

I have learned a lot and met a lot of great people. I have many friends now and they are real friends that I know I can count on, friends I am sure I will have throughout my life. I am also taking two summer classes and really can't imagine myself being out of school at this point. I may end up being one of those people that stay in school forever..lol. No, I don't love it that much. The independence and freedom I feel from attending and the confidence in knowing I can accomplish something is remarkable.

I feel anyone considering it should really go for it , what do you have to lose, besides that the people you meet and the opportunities given you by going are fantastic. I have made some great connections with instructors in my area/field and people in general that will help me when my degree is finally obtained, and you cant beat that.

Most of my friends and some family have went back to school also and say it has changed their lives and they think it is something to do that advances you in life regardless of the career and major you choose.

I personally am thinking of being a detective or investigator, but I also love working with kids that are in trouble so that may be the direction I take. I guess it is a long haul for me in deciding exactly what I want to do but I am right on track, and when my 2-4 yrs is up, I will have made a final decision. I would just like to encourage anyone thinking of going back to school or going for their first time to take it, the support from classmates and instructors is great, and I know you can do it and you will accomplish your dreams. Good luck and God Bless Ya.

By Vaughn Pascal


Too Much to Read and Too Little Time

I spent the better part of 17 years in and out of higher education. Eleven of those years were invested in taking classes and pursuing degrees. In the process of having to read a lot of books and articles that I didn't really have time to read, I began asking myself, "Isn't there a more effective way to do this?" Like many of you, I had a life outside of the academic world. I had a family, jobs, responsibilities, and the desire to enjoy some portion of each week. Reading was necessary, but it wasn't something I always enjoyed.

One day as I was sitting at my cubicle in the library, I glanced over at the three stacks of books I had accumulated. These books represented the precedent literature I needed to review before writing my dissertation. As the days went by, the stacks of books grew--I was adding books faster than I could review them! I was frustrated and ready to just give up.

That's when I began developing the basic concepts that have resulted in the quickREAD method. That method now can be obtained in the form of an e-Book from my web site http://www.thinkezine.com.

Here is what I discovered. Even if I poured through every book page by page, my retention level wasn't that great. So, if I wasn't going to process it all, wasn't there a more effective way to do it?

By using the quickREAD method, not only do you process the content, but you end up with a one-page summary of the main points of the text. The process works for books, individual chapters, and articles.

Basically, the process involves five steps:

1. Define the content. You must know what the book, chapter, or article is all about.

2. Look forward. Review the introductory material determining the author's map for the text.

3. Look back. Review the summary material and identify the key terms and concepts.

4. Take note. Scan the entire text locating and reading about the key terms and concepts.

5. Summarize. When you can put into your own words the main points of the text, you have a basic knowledge of the content.

Does this process work? I have had students tell me that this process is one of the best things they learned in their entire academic careers. Others have thanked me for the hundreds of hours they have saved. You can do it too... it's easy... it's fun... and it makes you a more efficient learner. Give it a try!

By Dr. Terry Hadaway


Need Help Paying Back Student Loans?

Many college students and graduates are looking for a solution for their student loan debt. While borrowers may be having difficulty paying back student loans, there is help. Solutions for paying back student loans are available.

What causes difficulty in paying back student loans?

New college graduates may find that it takes them longer to find a job than they expected. While there's a six month grace period from the time students graduate until repayment begins, sometimes it takes six months or longer to find a job.

Many recent graduates who are employed are underemployed -- working part-time or temporary jobs until they find a permanent position. During this time they may need help in making loan payments.

New college graduates can use several strategies to help with student loan repayment. Taking on additional part-time jobs or freelancing may be an option.

It is also wise to keep living expenses low the first few years out of college. Graduates can live with a roommate, or downsize into a smaller apartment. If new graduates are still looking for a job, it may be a good idea not to move until permanent employment is found. Then it will be easier to move to an area closer to the job.

Applying for a forbearance may be an immediate solution for times of difficulty making loan payments. A forbearance is temporary period of suspension of payments on a federal or direct loan after repayment has begun, and if the student does not qualify for deferment.

This means that if a student has already started paying back loans, they can apply for a suspension of payments on the grounds of financial hardship. A forbearance must be applied for through the lender. Being able to hold off payments for a few months can be a big help during a time of financial hardship.

Another student loan debt solution is to consolidate payments. Unless consolidated, each student loan is accounted for and paid separately. When a student graduates they will receive paperwork and payment slips for each loan. 2, 5, 12... no matter how many loans were taken out, they will be billed separately. Adding up all of these individual loan payments could total $300-$1000 per month or more! Not many students can afford such payments.

That's where consolidation comes in. Consolidation is a process that combines all of the student loans into one loan. Borrowers can dramatically reduce monthly payments of student loans by consolidating. Average monthly payments could be less than $100 to around $250 per month. This is just an estimate. The monthly payment depends on the total amount borrowed, the interest rate and the way that loans are consolidated.

Consolidating through The Income Contingent Repayment plan is designed to help make repaying student loans easier for students who intend to pursue jobs with lower salaries, such as careers in public service. The monthly payment amount is adjusted annually, based on changes in family size and annual income. This program is only available through the US Department of Education, not a lender or bank.

Finally, the Graduated Repayment Plan starts the payments at a low level (usually interest only) and gradually increases the payments until the balance is paid. This is helpful for graduates because payments are low when the first graduate, and increase as earning power increases over the years. This plan is available by consolidating through a bank or other lender.

It is important to note that according to current regulations student loans may only be consolidated once. So borrowers who have already graduated and consolidated with a standard plan cannot take advantage of the income contingent or graduated plans. For borrowers who have already consolidated, a forbearance may be the best option for temporary relief of student loan debt.

Use the student loan repayment calculator from finaid.org to find out what loan payments could be using different types of consolidation.

College graduates can find student debt relief using one of the solutions mentioned above. Discuss loan repayment options with your lender and see what can be done to help you repay student loans.

By Michael Carter


How to Find Money for College Education

Many current and future college students need help to pay for college. Especially with tuition rates going up every year, students are looking for ways to pay for their college eduction.

Student loans may be a necessity, but there are other sources of funding that will help pay for school. There are many opportunities to be awarded funds that do not have to be repaid, as student loans do.

Many students will qualify for government grants for college. Grants are awards based upon financial need that are given to students by the government.

How do students get money in the form of grants? Students apply for government grants for college by filling out the The Free Applicaton for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the first step in the financial aid process. By completing this application form, students will be matched with aid programs that they qualify for.

The FAFSA is the one application form that is used by all public colleges in the US to determine eligigibililty for both loans and grants. Grants are always free money -- that is it doesn't have to be paid back. Grants may come in the form of federal grants or state grants. Students will learn which grants they have been awarded when they get the results from the FAFSA back in the mail.

Students can also get free money for college by applying for college scholarships. There are many college scholarships available all across the United States. There are resources available to help students find scholarships such as online databases and published directories. Many of these books can even be found in the local library.

There are other ways that students can get money to pay for college education expenses. Students should check with their college's financial aid, student employment and scholarship offices to find more opportunities to get money for school.

By Michael Carter


Online Degree Education - Advantages

Distance education has been getting a lot of attention lately, but it isn't new. Correspondence courses have been around for over a century, allowing students to complete assignments and mail them to an instructor for feedback. Advances in technology have presented more opportunities in distance education. Classes can be taken through telecourses and the internet.

Family and job related responsibilities make it difficult for many people to attend traditional college classes. Distance education makes it possible to complete degree requirements, while attending to other responsibilities. Online programs eliminate the need for long commutes and allow work to be completed according to your schedule. You will still have the opportunity to interact with the instructor and other classmates.

Distance education is available in a variety of forms. Telecourses come with video taped lessons and lectures, which you watch on you home television. Assignments are then completed and mailed to the instructor. Online courses allow you to complete coursework on the computer and email assignments to your instructor. Message boards and chats with other students add to the experience. Video conference classes are held at one site with the instructor at another location. Students and the instructor interact through two way television.

Some colleges offer programs that don't require you to travel to the campus at all. Other programs require you to attend an orientation at the beginning of the semester and may meet once or twice throughout the semester. Brief residency programs require students to attend a weekend long session at the start of every semester. After this initial meeting, you complete the coursework on your own. In some programs, all courses are offered online. In other programs, you may have to take some of the courses on campus.

Programs are structured to give students the same information and quality education they would receive in a traditional college program. In some cases, the textbook and assignments are the same. Opportunities for community involvement and exposure to a diverse student body are found in many programs. Several years ago, few schools offered degrees through distance education. More schools are now offering this choice in response to student needs. The availability of online degree programs continues to increase.

Older students often return to school to fulfill job requirements or to secure a promotion. These students like the flexibility distance education offers. You can work independently and gain skills valuable on the job market. You have the flexibility to study during your lunch hour, in the early morning or at night, according to your schedule. If your job involves travel, you won't have to worry about missing classes.

Distance education offers flexibility in the amount of time you spend on each class or assignment. You can spend more time on difficult concepts and less time on those you find easy. If you are taking more than one course, you can schedule your study time according to assignment due dates. You may have a paper due in one class this week and another project due next week in another class. You can tailor your schedule to meet the changing course requirements.

By Katie Robbins


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