College: Students

Throughout my speeches, I've constantly been asked by students how it is possible to graduate college with retirement ability. How can you use money for college to retire? Is this even possible? College is the greatest investment in the world IF you approach it intelligently the right way. This article provides students financial help by introducing you to an evolutionary way of thinking and approach which can have you graduating with the ability to pursue any passion you may have while not worrying about how next month's bills are going to get paid, or trying to keep up with the economic turmoil and the dreadful avalanche of student loans.

First off, picking up from Part I, what other ways are there for finding money for college to retire? Well you can't get rich if you're not taking the step of receiving income. Similar to what is said about the United States, college is definitely the 'land of opportunity' to achieve this step easily. Think about this for a second. What are you going to college for? What are you good at? What do you have which can benefit other college students? Use those answers to make money for college to retire. For example, I know individuals who braid hair as a hobby. I'm a great writer, and I used to charge my friends to write their essays. Utilize the fact that many students are lazy to your advantage. You may also charge for typing up papers. If you have a car, you can charge people to drive them places, and make a profit after the expense of gas. Perhaps you speak a particular foreign knowledge, and can charge others for lessons or tutoring. I know a few students who clean up places for their friends after house parties. College brings tons of opportunities! Get creative. With financial aid, the scholarships, loans, work study, part time jobs, and other creative 'side hustles', making money in college is really easy. The problem, which is also the solution to using college as the greatest investment, is keeping and building that money while in college. I continuously hear college students say they're broke, but whose fault is that? It's our own faults. It takes a commitment and sacrifice of everything you're used to in order to become successful (whatever that means to you).

I always tell my peers to treat college as a business. With all of the temptations to act like a party animal, or just a study robot, many of us don't realize how profitable college can actually be for our financial futures. Finding money for college to retire is easy. Making intelligent decisions with that money in college is the issue. College is the greatest investment because while we're in college, we have not yet been hit with the ultimate hardships of life. Now this isn't true in all cases, but majority of Millennial college students aren't yet hit with mortgage payments, huge families to support, and trying to outrun the economic turmoil with 9-9 jobs for starters. We also have an ample amount of free time to really pursue our passions and establish a secure financial position. Time is your most precious asset, and needs to be spent productively. Saving money in college, and investing into 'income-producing' ventures are the keys.

I know certain businesses where you can join for $40 and make a significant stream of income just by doing what you're already doing. Those huge financial aid checks don't mean shopping sprees and rims for your cars. It doesn't mean clubbing every weekend. Use money for college to succeed, not financially fail. I know plenty of students who receive checks after their tuition and bills are paid for, and spend it on physical things which are only for temporary pleasure and no income producing value. Remember that the parties and everything else will still be there when you get out of college. The real fun begins when you graduate college, don't have to struggle to get a job you dislike, and don't have to worry about how next month's bills are going to get paid. Treat college as a business, where you are meeting wonderful people from all around the world, building relationships, pursuing your passions, and establishing a wonderful life for yourself. Stop spending money on what you don't need while in college. Live under your means. This is the best time to do it! Live to help others to the best of your ability, but definitely not try to impress them. The most impressive life is one lived to impress its owner. Physical things don't determine wealth.

Your knowledge and soul desire to help others speak louder and make more of an impact than cars, clothes, jewelry, etc. Use money for college to succeed, not financially fail. Mark down everything you need (not want) and shop around for the cheapest prices. Yes I am saying to be cheap while in college. This is just a few years of your life. The fewer expenses you have, the better. Determine your return on investment (ROI) with every decision. This just means that if what you get is not worth more than the initial investment, then don't do it. Don't overdraft in your account trying to impress your dates. Trust me romantic walks to a few spots on campus at nights are much more impressive. Think about how lovely the rest of your life will be, and how much fun you will have, if you just saved and invested the money you receive in college.

College is majorly portrayed in the media, especially with African Americans, to be a fun party environment. Then we wonder why graduates aren't truly equipped with all the knowledge and skills necessary to truly evolve in their lives and professional fields. We wonder why the economy is in turmoil. We wonder about the future of future generations. Well it's time college be portrayed as a place of opportunity and prosperity where passions are to be pursued and dreams can become reality IF it's utilized efficiently. Use money for college to succeed, not financially fail. For these reasons, it is definitely possible to completely redefine college graduation AND retirement. Finding, saving, and investing money for college to retire can be achieved. I wish you all of the college student success, happiness, and prosperity in the world!

Stefan Johnson (G-Prez) is the President and CEO of Graduatirement, LLC, an evolutionary business of success for the entire Millennial Generation, which shows students all around the world how to graduate college and retire professionally... simultaneously! His mission is to help everyone, especially Millennials, reach their ultimate individual success, happiness, and prosperity by providing evolutionary knowledge and extremely profitable opportunities, and ultimately revolutionize the entire Educational System for present and future generations so that success happiness and success is more commonly achieved, passions are pursued, and poverty is conquered. The answer to any and every question a college student may ever have, and the evolution of Millennial Success is now here: [http://www.gprez.com] - To Your Success, Happiness, and Prosperity.

College Success - Most Students are Not Ready

ACT, Inc. (American College Training) reported that college readiness levels were 22 percent in 2008. This is startling and the numbers are even worse for low-income and under served students.

Most high school graduates are not prepared for college success or to succeed in the workforce. My work experience gives me a unique perspective about the similarities between skills needed for college success and work success. Currently, I am a part-time college professor of college success strategy and career development courses. For many years I worked as a job placement specialist and also owned an executive search and recruiting business.

Skills needed:

Here are some of the skills needed for college success, which are also necessary for success in a professional career:

* Reading comprehension

* Problem solving

* Reasoning and critical thinking

* Writing

* Note-taking

* Time management

* Goal setting

* Knowing your learning style

* Self-awareness

* Learning how to learn

These skills are even more critical for career success during our current economic crisis. Employers are much more selective in hiring during tough times. College graduates will face greater difficulty finding good jobs in the next few years but will do better than many lacking a college education.

College success will be more important now because of increased competition for jobs. Employers will be looking more closely at college majors, grades, internships, volunteer work, and related work experience. Students who prepare for high demand jobs and who excel in college will have the best job opportunities.

College enrollments increase in hard times.

As job shortages increase it is likely that enrollment in colleges, especially community colleges, will grow. One reason for this is that community colleges offer vocational programs that lead to jobs in a year or two. This is appealing to both recent high school graduates as well as returning older students who need to acquire new skills quickly due to job losses.

The problem, as stated by ACT and many other sources, is that most high school graduates are not ready to succeed at a college level. What can be done?

Many colleges offer courses that can teach you how to study and learn more effectively. Effective learning strategy courses can help you to succeed in your other college courses by teaching you how you learn best, goal setting, time management and many of the skills mentioned previously in this article.

When you learn how to learn and how you learn best, this ability is also an asset when you go to work because you are able to acquire the latest job related knowledge and skills. College success strategy and career exploration courses are also needed in high schools. This would help students come to college prepared for success rather than failure, and they would have a better idea which college majors and careers are a good match for them.

Tips for learning:

Here are a few simple study tips that can increase your learning:

* Anticipate test questions. Create and take practice quizzes before you take the actual test.

* Write brief summaries in the margin of the text in your own words.

* Study for 30-45 minutes at a time followed by short breaks.

* Pause after reading a section and ask yourself questions about what the author is saying.

* Teach what you are learning to others. It reinforces what you are learning and makes it clearer.

* Discover and identify your preferred learning style and types of intelligence.

I have seen firsthand in my courses that when a student studies, understands and applies college success strategies, grades on tests and papers quickly improve. Students also report that their grades start getting better in their other courses. When you combine willingness to work and learn how to study, you will find success can quickly come your way.

Raymond Gerson is an adjunct professor of college success and career development courses. He has over 40 years of experience teaching personal and career development. Professor Gerson is the author of six books including, Learn How to Achieve College Success...In 20 Hours or Less. He is offering a free college success quiz and customized report at http://www.achievecollegesuccess.com

Find out how much you know and don' know about achieving success in college and receive an instant score and free success tips.

miércoles, 25 de mayo de 2011

Connecticut Parents of College Bound Students - Get More Free Money From Connecticut Colleges

One of the hidden gems in the Connecticut college financial aid process is the ability to appeal an awards letter if you don't agree with the amount of financial aid that a school has awarded your child. Most Connecticut parents reluctantly agree to the initial amount that the Connecticut colleges award, never taking the time to wonder if there is more than meets the eye.

However, in my experience the best way to get the best financial aid package from a college in Connecticut starts months before you ever receive a financial aid package. For example make the student as attractive as possible to the college by raising SAT and ACT scores and creating competition for the student by selecting 6-8 Connecticut colleges comprised of a low-cost in-state public college, college in the same athletic conference, similar college in a different region of the country (cultural diversity), similar college that is known to give good awards, similar college where the student will be in the top 25% of the incoming freshman class and most importantly a Connecticut college that has empty seats to fill.

If a student receives a good award offer from a competing Connecticut college, the student should ask his college of choice to match the other college's award offer. However, never use the word match in the correspondence or conversation with the financial aid officer. The word match offends some financial aid officers. It's important to remember that colleges with declining enrollments may be more willing to negotiate with a student because of their desire to fill empty seats.

Colleges in Connecticut may also have scholarships for upper-middle class and wealthy families to attract good students and future benefactors. Special scholarships for minority students are also a good idea. A student should inquire at the college for these scholarships. Some Connecticut colleges may even have special scholarships for students of alumni or legacy students. A college's desire for cultural diversity in its enrollment may lead to increased financial aid offers for students who are from out of the college's geographic region, or who are culturally different from its normal enrollment.

Once you have done all those steps and received an awards offer then you need to determine how much the college was short of meeting 100% of the financial need. Then you need to get the true cost at each Connecticut college and decide which is the best financial aid offer. The best way to do this for many parents is to hire a Connecticut college consultant or a Connecticut admissions counselor. While they or you are doing this research it is a good time to inquire about special circumstances that the college has previously accepted as reasons to amend an awards offer. Checking with the Financial Aid Office/Admission Office about the special circumstances before the initial financial aid award is offered can be done during a college visitation, phone or by letter.

These special circumstances may include:

Death

Divorce/Separation

Disability or Injury

Unemployment

Sickness, medical, or handicap expense

Tuition for private schools

Natural disasters

Dislocated worker

Unusually high child care expenses

Un-reimbursed expenses shown on Form 2106

One-time bonus

CCC loans reported as income

Unusually high income

Unusually low expense

Anything you can use to convince the financial aid officer

Another couple of good tips is to use the Connecticut college admissions office, coach, or any other Connecticut college officials to assist in the appeal and appeal in person, if possible. Always send adequate documentation of the special circumstances and never use the words negotiate or match in the appeal.

Connecticut parents find out how to send your child to the school of his or her dreams...without getting trapped in a financial nightmare of high rate, high payment, expensive debt! Click Here.

Find out the single biggest mistake 9 out of 10 parents make when applying for aid to Connecticut Colleges that literally cost them thousands of dollars! More importantly, how to avoid this fatal error! Click Here.

How to double, or in some cases triple, your eligibility for FREE grant money for Connecticut Colleges. even if you are dead broke or a millionaire making a good six figure income.

domingo, 22 de mayo de 2011

The Insider's Guide to the Colleges, 2011: Students on Campus Tell You What You Really Want to Know, 37th Edition

For more than thirty-five years, The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges has been the favorite resource of high school students across the country because it is the only comprehensive college reference researched and written by students for students. In interviews with hundreds of peers on campuses from New York to Hawaii and Florida to Alaska, our writers have sought out the inside scoop at every school on everything from the nightlife and professors to the newest dorms and wildest student organizations.

In addition to the in-depth profiles of college life, this 37th edition has been revised and updated to include:

* Essential statistics for every school, from acceptance rates to the most popular majors
* A “College Finder” to help students zero in on the perfect school
* Insider’s packing list detailing what every college student really needs to bring
* FYI sections with student opinions and outrageous off-the-cuff advice.

The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges cuts through the piles of brochures to get to the things that matter most to students, and by staying on top of trends and attitudes it delivers the straight talk students and parents need to choose the school that’s the best fit.

Price: $22.99

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jueves, 19 de mayo de 2011

Everything You Need to Know Before College: A Student's Survival Guide

This survival guide to college explores dating smart, finding friendships, adapting to different personalities, and making the most of your money.

Price: $12.99

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miércoles, 18 de mayo de 2011

The Five Biggest Mistakes Students Make When Choosing a College

Okay, you're a senior and getting ready to apply to colleges, but the question is which colleges? Some students begin thinking about colleges their sophomore year, but most students avoid the topic until the last minute. Remember, it's never too late to come up with a good college list.

Unless you're a glutton for punishment, you'll probably apply to no more than 10 or 12 colleges. How are you going to come up with that list? Which colleges fit you are as a person and student? How do you avoid the five biggest mistakes students make in choosing colleges? Here they are:

1) Not doing any research on yourself

The place to start a college search process is determining who you are and what you need in a college. What kind of college do you want to attend? Big, medium-sized or small? Is it important for you to be in a particular kind of setting, e.g., in a city, college town or rural area? Do you want to be in an academically demanding environment and one that's laid-back? What kind of students do you want to be with? People like you or a very diverse group, including international students?

2) Not doing research about colleges

So how do you get quality information about colleges? There are a number of ways. First, there are the excellent college guidebooks such as The Fiske Guide to Colleges, The Insider's Guide to the Colleges and Colleges That Change Lives that provide information about colleges from a student's perspective. You might also talk to people you trust--parents, your counselor, teachers, and students from your high school who are now at different colleges--about which colleges they recommend. Attending different college fairs where admissions representatives come to talk about their colleges is a particularly good source. And, of course, there are online resources such as the Internet college searches. From your research, come up with a list; check out what the GPA and test scores stats are for the colleges and how they match yours.

3) Being too scared to take a chance

Sometimes students underestimate their chances for college acceptance, particularly if they have a learning disability. Know that colleges are very sympathetic to students who have learning issues and often are forgiving of less than stellar grades and test scores. Students who are gifted athletes and/or have special talents sometimes don't realize how interested colleges might be in them. Be smart in putting together your college list by applying to an equal number of Reach schools (where you have a 25% chance of being accepted), Good Chance schools (where you have a 50% or better chance of being accepted) and Pretty Sure thing schools (where you have a 75% or better chance of getting in). A good college list includes a range of college choices, but every one should be a school that you would like to attend. Finally, some students are afraid to be away from their friends, family or even their hometown. Most students usually go through some form of homesickness during their freshman year. The better you do your homework about colleges, the less chance there is of homesickness being a real issue.

4) Being too arrogant

Some students who have stellar academic records and strong test scores confine themselves to applying to a handful of the most selective colleges. They leave Good Chance and Pretty Sure Thing schools off their lists. This is a big mistake and a kind of admissions arrogance or naïveté. There are plenty of documented cases where 4.5 GPA/2340 test score applicants are turned down by colleges. Colleges and universities are very idiosyncratic in terms of whom they choose. Therefore, it's really important that you select a series of schools that offer the characteristics you want, including some that may not be highly selective. The worse outcome is to wind up not being accepted to any of the colleges that you applied to because all of them were Reaches. With careful planning, that doesn't need to happen.

5) Being too Lazy

Applying to colleges these days is not easy. It takes a good deal of research to determine how your personal characteristics and individual colleges match. After you have a good college list, you need to spend time completing the applications in a way that maximizes your opportunities. Keep in mind that college applications that are a little better and a little different than the competition's are the ones that end up being the most successful.

Finding which colleges to apply to can seem like an overwhelming task. By avoiding the five biggest mistakes you can increase the chances of having many colleges accept you.

Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz is founder/director of adMISSIONPOSSIBLE.com and has been involved with college admissions since her days as Director of Re-entry Programs for the University of California, San Diego Extension. The student deserves to have the best, most up-to-date admissions information.

martes, 17 de mayo de 2011

How to Win at College: Surprising Secrets for Success from the Country's Top Students

The only guide to getting ahead once you’ve gotten in—proven strategies for making the most of your college years, based on winning secrets from the country's most successful students

What does it take to be a standout student? How can you make the most of your college years—graduate with honors, choose exciting activities, build a head-turning resume, and gain access to the best post-college opportunities? Based on interviews with star students at universities nationwide, from Harvard to the University of Arizona, How to Win at College presents seventy-five simple rules that will rocket you to the top of the class. These college-tested—and often surprising—strategies include:

• Don’t do all your reading
• Drop classes every term
• Become a club president
• Care about your grades, Ignore your GPA
• Never pull an all-nighter
• Take three days to write a paper
• Always be working on a “grand project”
• Do one thing better than anyone else you know

Proving that success has little to do with being a genius workaholic, and everything to do with playing the game, How to Win at College is the must-have guide for making the most of these four important years—and getting an edge on life after graduation.

Price: $11.95

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The Insider's Guide to the Colleges, 2011: Students on Campus Tell You What You Really Want to Know, 37th Edition

Price: $22.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

sábado, 14 de mayo de 2011

11 Tips For College Students

I'm not currently a college student. Haven't been one for awhile...at least in the undergraduate sense of things. But I hang out with college students. I work with college students. And I work full time at a University as the Director of Campus Life (the coolest on-campus job in the world).

Plus...I really like college students.

It's one of the greatest times in life. When do any of us ever get to hang out with hundreds of friends for four, five...dare I say...six years? It's like going to camp..except they give you homework and you have to read 800 pages a night.

So if I could sit you down, with a slow drip of coffee being shared between us (intravenously or by the cupful if you prefer), and share some ways that I believe you could not only make the most of your time in college, but really, really enjoy it and succeed at it - here's what I'd say...

1. Meet people.

One day you'll walk across a stage, and a very smart looking man or woman in a really nice, long, black gown will hand you a piece of paper that says "Bachelor" (even if you're a girl!) on it. You'll graduate from college. Do you know what you'll remember most?

The relationships you've made.

My advice is to meet everyone you can. Be friendly. Smile. Talk to people (not in class...that could be dangerous). Go to places where people hang out and hang out with them. Your friends are what make college special.

Some day you'll come back to campus as an alumni and the place will feel weird. It will feel different. That's because all of the people that you were friends with during your college years aren't there. It's the same college, but different people. It's the people that make your experience unique. You are going to make friends that you'll have for the rest of your life.

Like I said earlier, I work at a University. My boss (yes...he's smarter than me) is a good friend that I went to college all four years with. It's been a great relationship for all this time. I don't know of any other place you create these types of relationships at this age. So get out there. Get busy meeting people.

2. Talk to your professors.

This one continues on with the theme of number 1. Go ahead and do everything you can to meet your professors. Make an appointment with them as soon as it is possible in their schedule. I have discovered that I learned so much more from a professor when I had some kind of personal relationship with them.

Professors are people to. Respect their time and make sure you communicate clearly with them. Don't waste their time with excuses for not doing the work or simply not showing up to class. The goal here is to establish some type of relationship.

Whenever I think about a subject or content I learned in college it is tied to the face of a professor. If I think of learning German - it's McKinney; if it's creative writing - Nelson; if it's communication - Jackson. My knowledge came from a person more than it came from a book.

One of my favorite movies is Orange County. It's a story about a high school senior that wants to get into Stanford. He's enamored with the writings of a certain professor there. When he finally has the chance to meet the professor and sit down and talk with him, it changes his entire perspective. While those types of conversations might be rare in your experience because you go to a large University - seek them out anyway! They'll be some of the best memories you take from your time in college.

3. If you need help ask for it.

One of the reasons you're in college is because you don't know everything. If you can learn to admit that, you'll be ahead of most freshmen at your school.

Independence messes up most teenagers in that they want to do everything by themselves. So when a moment comes when they can't do something or don't know something, there's an inner struggle. I encourage you to put the pride aside and ask for help.

If you need help in class, get a tutor. If you need directions to the financial aid office, ask for them. If you don't know how to complete an application for an internship, look for someone who does.

Your school will have people that can proofread your papers, help you learn how to do your laundry the right way, and even give you some good advice on how to stay in shape (because we all need our health!).

Look at it this way: You will become smarter if you ask for help when you need it. If you don't ask...you'll remain ignorant. I'm not advocating that you shouldn't try to find things out on your own. But there comes a time where you'll discover that learning happens better in the context of "we" and not just "me." And you might also discover that the best way to meet people is to simply ask, "Hi, would you mind giving me a hand with this?"

4. Get some sleep.

One thing that you have in common with every other person in the world is that each person needs to sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, bad things start happening to your mind and body. I know this is difficult to hear, and I'm probably beginning to sound a bit parental by saying this, but go to bed.

I've pulled my share of all-nighters. I've had to study, cram, write, and just get it done. I've also stayed up too late because I kept losing at Halo and had to play just one more game. Either way, it messed me up for the next day. My body had to play catch up. I wasn't sharp. If you string enough late nights together, you are not going to be the learning machine that you need to be.

I know you're young and invincible. But sleep is so necessary. Research says that a night of sleep deprivation is like being mentally impaired by the legal blood-alcohol level. When you don't get adequate sleep, you're body ages faster. Sleep also helps to relieve stress...so if you're stressed out - you may simply need a good nap.

Ultimately, getting enough sleep is a matter of prioritization. Just because you CAN stay up, doesn't mean you SHOULD stay up. You need to be mature enough to know when you need to get some sleep so that you can be an effective college student.

5. Get organized.

Everyone needs a plan to accomplish all of the things that are required of you in college. It is extremely easy to start living from event to event, assignment to assignment when you're neck deep into your semester.

My number one piece of advice for getting organized - get a calendar and stick to it, live by it, and look at it everyday. Now there's lots of types of calendars out there. I like to use Google Calendar. It's online and I can access it from anywhere. Since I spend a fair bit of time on the computer, it's always handy. Plus, I've got it linked up to my email and the datebook software on my Palm Treo. But that's my way. I made a choice one day that Google Calendar was going to be MY calendar. You've got to decide and stick with it.

Some colleges will provide you with a paper-based calendar like a planner. This may include dates of important events for your college, key deadlines, and class schedules. If you are pen & paper minded, this may be the route for you. I also recommend the Moleskine planner. It's smaller and easier to carry.

Once you've chosen your calendar, you need to get busy putting EVERYTHING into it. That's right. Put every assignment, every deadline, every part of your extensive social commitments. Remember, you don't want to be surprised. It's a horrible feeling to realize that you had a vital paper due yesterday. At the beginning of each semester, sit down with all of your syllabi and fill in that calendar. Set reminders a few days before big projects come due. This will also help you to see when you will have difficult weeks with lots of obligations so you can get cracking ahead of time.

Now that you've chosen a calendar, put all your information in it, you've got to manage it. At the start of each week, look over the week ahead. KNOW WHAT'S COMING! If you only look at each day as it arrives, you'll miss opportunities to be excellent.

That's the beauty of being organized. It creates space for you to do your best work. You know when something is coming and you make the appropriate time to do your best.

6. Have a lot of fun.

This is one of the best parts of college. You are going to have a ton of fun...especially if you follow the other pieces of advice in this article. College is one of the funnest experiences you will ever have. You are living with a lot of other like-minded people who are in the same situation that you're in. It's like Survivor (especially in the school cafeteria), but no one gets voted off the island.

I laughed a lot in college. I liked to hang around people who made me laugh and didn't take themselves so seriously. There were lots of events to attend. My buddies and I would take some great roadtrips during the breaks. There is a lot of freedom to do a lot of things while you're in college. I chose to have as much fun as was humanly possible.

The other benefit of having fun is that it makes incredible memories. I can remember some phenomenal pranks that have become lore at the college I attended (I won't say what it is or my own level of involvement because the statute of limitations has yet to expire). While I didn't play sports in college, I was an intramural animal.

Also, I don't want you to get the impression that all of the fun occurred outside of the classroom. When you discover what you're unique strengths are and land in a major that falls in line with your passions, learning becomes tremendously fun. I can remember projects and classes that I really enjoyed and looked forward to them. I think there were some professors who really made learning fun.

I guess with any aspect of college you can make the choice to have fun or to stress out. I encourage you to choose fun - even in the midst of hard work.

7. Get involved.

During the first semester of college, I joined a fraternity. I had to do some really silly things (I have fond memories of onions and "thank you sir, may I have another.") to join this group, but it changed my entire college experience. When you arrive on campus, there will be a lot of ways that you can get involved in college besides going to class.

Your college has multiple organizations that are centered around social or academic themes. There are clubs and councils that are always looking for new members. You may have a bent toward student leadership and I encourage you to jump in and apply for those positions. It has been proven that those students who get involved in extracurricular activities have a better college experience. They also have a stronger attachment to their school when they become alumni.

I can remember our graduation day from college. When it came time to announce the valedictorian for our class they introduced a student whom none of us recognized. Now don't get me wrong here...I want you to do all that you can to get good grades and pass your classes. But for our graduating class - the person with the best GPA was an anonymous person. He wasn't involved in anything. We didn't know who he was.

Now hear me out. My GPA wasn't stellar, but I did graduate with a 3.6 in all of my major classes. Not bad. But I also was the Student Body President, was in a fraternity, joined many clubs, worked Security, and lived in a dorm all four years. I wouldn't trade that for a four-point-whatever and be anonymous.

8. Handle money wisely now.

Right off the bat I must tell you - watch out for credit cards. It is the easiest thing in the world to get suckered into a credit card offer and start charging things on the plastic. Here's the catch - you have to pay it all back - with interest.

My advice to you is to avoid the credit card route at all costs while you're in school. I know that it's probably unavoidable, so just use them for emergency purposes. Get a card with a LOW limit. Pay those things off every month. If you find you can't do that, then you shouldn't be using them. Most college students leave college with debt. There's the necessary kind that comes from student loans. But it's really hard to graduate in a financial hole because you have credit card debt.

With the money you do actually have, I think it's wise to learn how to budget. Start a savings account. Learn how to balance your checkbook and do that every month. Bounced checks are no fun. The goal here is to live within your means. You may not have as much as other students. That's alright. You are a college student and you're supposed to be broke.

If you are in desperate need of cash, go to your college's career center. They typically have a listing of odd jobs that students can do to get some income. Another thing you can do is to benefit from the ability to borrow rather than own. You don't have to personally have everything, just know some of the people that do. When you live in a dorm, you begin to understand how easy it is to share. I remember that I looked better in my roommate's sports jacket than he did. Don't be a mooch. But learn to share what you have with others and you'll find that they're more willing to share what they have with you.

If you spend less money than you bring in...you'll be in good shape.

9. Learn to write well.

One of the lessons I've learned from Scott Ginsberg is that "writing is the basis of all wealth." I think he's on to something there. I would add that writing is the basis of your success in college. While you are a college student, you will read A LOT. But you will also be required to write A LOT. Your writing skills are a KEY factor in how your work will be perceived by a professor.

You can have the best content in the world, but if you aren't able to deliver that through good writing, your work will get lost in the translation. I am surprised how many college students can't spell, don't know how to structure a sentence properly, and use poor grammar. If you struggle with writing, then I encourage you to re-read #3. You must get this one down.

One of the reasons that I started this site (CollegeStudentsRule!.com) is to help college students become better communicators. If you can write better, your work will be better. If your work is better, your grades will be better. I realize that you may be the best person in your class at text messaging...but those little acronyms don't hold up too well under a professor's scrutiny.

Along with writing, I would encourage you to take a typing course. The computer is here to stay and if you are typing with two fingers, you're wasting time. I think that you should work to be able to type at least 60 words a minute. Faster would be even better. Can you type without looking at the keyboard? This is a skill that won't only benefit you in college, but in the workforce as well.

One final note on writing well is in regards to proofreading. Please don't type out a paper and print it out and turn it in. Think in terms of drafts. If you turn a first draft into a professor, he or she will know that it's a first draft. This post that I'm writing won't be published until the third or fourth draft. It would be even better if you could get someone else to proofread your work. That person will probably catch mistakes that you can't see.

10. Get out of the country you're in.

This is an idea that is becoming more and more realistic in our day and age. At our University, opportunities to study abroad are growing each year. We also offer short-term mission opportunities to other countries. There are so many ways for students to experience other cultures.

Our world is becoming more globally focused. In some ways it's shrinking. Companies are branching out across national boundaries. Any type of experience you can have outside of your home country will benefit you in your career and perspective on life. If you can get somewhere...go for it. You are young and you don't have many of the responsibilities yet that could tie you down to your local geographical area.

I understand that some of you may have difficulty (financially or otherwise) getting out of your country. If that's the case, find ways to learn about other cultures (watch the National Geographic Channel). But nothing beats actually going there and walking on foreign soil and being immersed in another culture.

11. Keep growing.

It may seem obvious to you that you would be growing since you're in college. But I meet a lot of college students who gain knowledge, but don't gain growth. I guess I'm talking about maturity. There are many experiences that you'll have in college that can help you to grow up if you'll let them.

Current research says that adolescence is being pushed farther out - to the mid 20's. They are calling it delayed adulthood. Many young adults are simply pushing back some of the major decisions: marriage, career, home purchasing, etc - to later in life. But being young doesn't mean you have to be immature.

There are many ways to grow outside of the classroom. Life has a way of providing it's own type of classroom. Each of us has an opportunity to grow emotionally, relationally, spiritually, psychologically, and physically. Take the experiences you have in life and spend time reflecting on how you can use those to become a better person. Growth isn't an automatic process. It takes work and it takes time. Use these exciting years in college to develop yourself.

It's exciting to watch Seniors walk across the stage at graduation and remember what they were like when they came in as Freshman. There is so much potential that is wrapped into each one. I love being apart of the process of unlocking that potential during their time in college. That's why I've written this article. If there's something here that you find helpful, then I've succeeded. As with any list, there's so much more that could be added.

Tim Milburn develops student leaders through his organization, Studentlinc. Please visit Studentlinc at http://www.studentlinc.net. You can subscribe to the Studentlinc blog by following this feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/studentlinc. Also, check out Tim's latest project College Students Rule! [http://www.collegestudentsrule.com]

Navigating Your Freshman Year: How to Make the Leap to College Life-and Land on Your Feet (Students Helping Students)

The orientation sessions might tell freshman where the student union is-but only the true experts can offer the real lowdown on college life. From making peace with a difficult roommate to choosing the right classes, in this guide college students and recent grads tell freshman all they need to know to get through their first year with flying colors.

Price: $12.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

In Tough Times, College Students Must Cut Expenses

For far too long, college students have spent money that doesn't have to be spent. Now, with the economy faltering and the cost of college at an all time high, more students are dropping out of college for financial reasons. Other students are leaving college with huge debts and a twinge of fear. That's why wise students are aggressively looking for every possible way to cut their costs and increase their income.

Here are a few ideas for students and parents to consider.

Seek Out Grants, Scholarships And Financial Aid, Not Loans - Over the past thirty years, colleges have lulled parents and students into thinking that loans are financial aid. They are not. Loans have to be paid back. They place a large and immediate financial burden on graduates and often last for more than twenty years. True financial aid is money that doesn't have to be paid back. Since it exists in many forms, students and parents should start looking for aid in the junior year of high school. This doesn't mean that students won't end up with some loans. However, if good students start early and work diligently, more true financial aid will flow their way.

Start Off At A Community College - Students can dramatically cut their costs by attending a well respected community college for the first two years of college. At the same time, if they seek financial aid, work at a part-time job while in college and also work summers, they can completely avoid taking out loans. In this way, students can get through the first two years nearly debt free. Caution: Identify the two colleges to which you are most likely to transfer. Then, make certain that you take only courses that will be accepted by those colleges. Also, keep your grades up. Transfer colleges won't accept poor grades.

Start Off At A Lower Cost Four Year College - The same advice about Community Colleges will apply to lower cost, four year colleges. Choose wisely and you will benefit.

Attend A College That Offers An Accelerated Degree Program - Some colleges offer you the opportunity to complete your college degree in less that four years. If you have the temperament and work ethic, you can save time and money. However, only highly motivated and dedicated students are usually suitable for such a commitment.

Increase or Decrease The Credits You Take - At some colleges, students pay the same tuition whether they take 15 or 18 credits. If the student is both willing and capable, why not take 18 credits and get one course at no extra cost. By doing that, some students can cut out a full semester and graduate in three and a half years. For students who work full time and even for some part-timers, taking six or nine credits may be a way to get through college without college loans. This will greatly depend on your income.

Seek Out And Work For An Employer That Offers An Educational Assistance Program - A number of employers still offer educational assistance programs for their full-time employees. Investigate their requirements. Most require at least one year of service and pursuit of a degree that is job related. Many reimburse a percentage of your costs for tuition and books based on the grades you achieve.

Attend A Local College And Live At Home - At many colleges, room and board will represent around 20% of your costs, sometimes more. By attending a local college, you can nearly eliminate these costs. In some cases, the local college may also be less expensive. When you eat your meals at home and take a brown bag lunch, additional savings, however small, will result.

Sell Your Car and Ride A Bike - If you live at home, you can achieve a dramatic savings by eliminating your car during the college years. Yes, for many students, this is a psychological and emotional issue. However, a car can be a money pit (purchase price, maintenance, repairs, fuel and insurance). If you make the sacrifice and find other less expensive means of transportation, this action can pay off.

Take Some Online Courses - Many colleges now offer online courses. They eliminate your transportation needs and offer greater convenience. Furthermore, some of these courses can be taken as you have time because classes can be viewed at your convenience. This approach is expedient and a cost effective alternative for people with busy lives.

Cut Up Your Credit Cards - If you don't have the cash to pay for something, don't buy it now. Wait until you have the money. Too many young adults graduate from college not only with college loans, they also owe money on their credit cards. Some owe more than $5,000.

Evaluate Your Spending - Some students have difficulty understanding the difference between needs and wants. However, almost anyone can chart their monthly spending to see where their money is going. Armed with that information, many students can cut their spending by 10 - 20%.

Get A Part-Time Job - If you are attending college on a full-time basis, you should be able to find a part-time job that will cover some of your weekly expenses. When money is tight, a part-time job is more than an option.

A Campus-Wide Lawn Sale - With permission from the college, any student or student group can take the initiative and arrange for a campus-wide lawn sale/tag sale/street festival during the semester. Individual students and student groups will then have the opportunity to reserve lawn blanket space for the sale of their used Electronic Equipment, CD's, DVD's, Books, Clothing, and anything else that may be relevant. As appropriate, Entertainment and Food items may also be provided to attract buyers. For the most enterprising and businesslike students, this kind of campus event can result in a substantial amount of income.

When money is tight, there are only two prudent things that students can do. One is to reduce expenses; the other is to increase income. Since a college education is a requirement for many good jobs, serious students must face their financial challenges with a willingness to make the sacrifices that will get them through the tough times. It's those sacrifices that will strengthen their resolve and lead to greater success.

Visit Bob's web site: http://www.The4Realities.com . Bob Roth is the author of The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College -and- The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job.

by Bob Roth The "College & Career Success" Coach

Bob Roth is the author of The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job -and- The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College. He also write articles for more than 175 college career services offices and campus newspapers. Additionally, Bob has developed 15 self-scoring learning tool that help college students find success. http://www.The4Realities.com Bob Roth, a former campus recruiter, is the author of The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job -and- The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College. Known as The "College & Career Success" Coach, Bob also writes articles for more than 200 College Career Services Offices, Campus Newspapers, Parent Associations and Employment Web Sites. Additionally, Bob has developed 20 Self-Scoring Learning Tools that help college students find success. He has been interviewed on numerous radio programs across the country and also by many newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal. Lastly, Bob has served as an Adjunct at Marist College, teaching a course in Career Development. The4Realities.com

jueves, 12 de mayo de 2011

Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College

The updated edition of the must-have resource for any student applying to college

This thoroughly revised and updated edition of the bestselling book Admission Matters demystifies the college application process and offers practical advice for choosing the right school, writing an effective essay, navigating financial aid, and more. This handy resource will help any college-bound student whether they attend well-funded private schools or cash-strapped public schools. Filled with helpful suggestions, ideas, and advice, the new edition also includes tips for home-schooled students who are preparing to attend college.

Helps all students who are applying to college understand the process and find the school that fits their needs
Expanded information on testing, early decision/early action, applying as a home schooler, and tackling the dreaded college essay
Up-to-date advice on financial aid in tough economic times – how it works and how to maximize your chances of getting aid
Authors bring the multiple viewpoints of college admissions officer, high school counselor, and parent of college-bound students

This book gives any college-bound student the information they need to make the application process run smoothly.

Price: $14.95

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