Discovering the Perfect Course – Pinpointing Enduring Colleges

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College is the most important period in the life of a young person. You are about to embark on a journey that determines your future. So, of course, it is an absolute must for you to prepare yourself for this journey by understanding what it encompasses. 

Nobody said it would be easy, and you will need to arm yourself with patience and invest a lot of effort into it. One of the ways you can do that is to take several courses in the field you are interested in. That way, you can ensure that your interests in a certain field are definite. 

There are not many things worse than picking the path for your career and later figuring out that you want another path. Courses help determine your strengths and weaknesses and help with making the decision.

Now we want to discuss how you can find the perfect course.

Consider Your Interests and Skills

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The first thing you need to work on is developing self-awareness. The most important question for yourself is what kind of personality you are. By understanding this, you will know what fields you can be successful in. Furthermore, you need to ask yourself, what are my strong sides and what are my weak sides, and then determine what your next steps are.

By understanding your interests and skills you can work on, you will have a much easier time choosing the right course. We cannot stress enough how important it is to be realistic in these moments. Otherwise, the chances of you experiencing many problems down the road are high.

So, enroll in as many courses as possible in that particular field. Thankfully, you will find that all the most prominent colleges out there provide them to their future students. In addition, you will see that all the major universities in the world offer courses. In some cases, you will find that these courses are completely free. 

Where Would You Like to Study?

Next, consider where you would like to study. Naturally, most countries and states have universities covering various branches. However, it is possible that your native state or country doesn’t have a university for something you are interested in. In that case, you will need to research to find the right one.

The thing you need to do is to take a look at the place that offers a good specialization in a certain field. You know that there are cities in the world that are considered student cities because of the number of students that move there to study for a couple of years. Moving to another state or country is not insignificant, and you should think carefully about how to conduct this.

If you are about to move to a foreign country, this is a good motive for learning a new language and understanding different cultures. Thankfully, universities from all over the globe allow foreigners to attend their courses. Doing so will make it much easier for you to attend classes in the future.

Consider Your Budget

Education is expensive, and not everyone can afford it. Thankfully, not all universities have the same price for the knowledge they offer. Generally speaking, the fees you will need to pay for the courses will determine your choice. Therefore, you must go through a wide array of offers until you find the one that fits your budget.

If you are on a tight budget, consider taking the local government-backed STPM. These will make it possible for you to access the proper transition into the public university of your choice. Concerning private universities, things are challenging since they are more expensive in cases when they hold a higher rank.

Even if the private university has a higher rank, that doesn’t mean you should not consider it. Remember, you should consider all the factors to make the perfect decision. We’ve mentioned before that it is essential to arm yourself with patience, and with this aspect, it is essential.

Mode of Study

Each university in the world has its mode of delivering the content to its students, no matter whether we are talking about theoretical knowledge or a project basis. It is important to understand the industry you are about to enter from the outside out, and the only way for a young person to do it is to enroll in courses before attending classes in college. 

For example, if you are interested in becoming a dentist in the future, you should attend one of the dental schools in the United States. In this field, you don’t only need a lot of theoretical knowledge but also a lot of things you should know in practice. For example, you cannot solve a complex dental problem if you don’t know what treatment to apply in various medical cases.

Networking

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The people you meet in college will likely become your colleagues. But, at the same time, these people may be a good connection for you when you search for a job. Therefore, it is useful for you to know as many people as possible. For that simple reason, we advise you to enroll in courses colleges offer and meet many people there.

Of course, not all of them will continue their education in the same field as you. But you are meeting a person and developing a connection for the future. It is likely that you will not work in that particular area and will seek employment in other industries. Knowing people from a wide array of different industries is useful in that regard.

Creating as many connections, and spreading the network of people you know, is an absolute must. You never know when you will need someone to help you and who will need your help down the road. Collaboration with people makes this world spin, and it is essential always to have that in mind. It can make a real difference in your life.

The Bottom Line

Finding the perfect course to attend is not as easy as you might think. Here, you can look at tips to help you find the one that supports your interests and preferences.

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9 Essential Factors to Consider When Choosing a University

University education is the most significant investment people will make in their lifetime and the most important decision they’ll ever make. The wrong choice can lead to years of wasted time and money, while the right choice can set you on the path to a successful and fulfilling career. While many people choose a university based on its reputation or graduation rate, you should consider several other factors when making your decision:

1. Location

The location of a university can have a big impact on your experience. If you want to be in a big city, there are plenty of options. If you’re looking for a more rural setting, you’ll need to narrow your search. Consider whether you want to stay close to home or venture out into the world. There are pros and cons to both choices. Staying close to home can be more affordable and provide support from family and friends, but going away to university can also be an excellent opportunity to meet new people and experience new things.

2. Rankings

Rankings can give you an idea of the quality of an institution and how it compares to other universities. They can also help you to narrow down your choices. There are different ranking systems, such as the QS World Report rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. These rankings account for student satisfaction, graduation rates, and research output. However, university rankings from some platforms may not accurately reflect the institution’s quality. In some cases, they may be biased or based on outdated information. Additionally, rankings can change yearly, so it’s important to look at multiple years’ worth of data to get a more accurate picture of a school’s quality.

3. Courses Offered

The courses offered by a university should be your primary concern when making your decision. You will spend the next few years studying for a degree, so ensure the subjects you are interested in are available. Many universities offer a similar range of courses, but it is still worth doing your research to find out exactly what is on offer. Schools like American International College offer a wide range of academic programs, from engineering and computing to art and science. You are sure to find one that fits your needs. You may also consider whether the university offers any specialized courses that appeal to you. For instance, if you are interested in studying law, check whether the university has a law school. Once you have a list of potential universities, take the time to look at their individual course catalogs and find out what is on offer. 

4. Entrance Prerequisites

Every university has different entrance requirements. It’s important to ensure you meet the criteria for the school you’re interested in. For example, some schools require applicants to have a certain GPA or score on an entrance exam. Others may have specific course requirements that must be met. Be sure to check with the university to determine their entrance requirements. 

Remember meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Many schools receive more applications than they can accept. There’s no guarantee you’ll be admitted even if you meet the requirements, which is why it’s crucial to have a backup plan in case your first choice doesn’t work out.

5. Globalization

With the expansive growth of the internet, globalization has become more common than ever. Businesses are now international, people are more mobile, and knowledge sharing has never been easier. When choosing a university, it is crucial to consider the globalization of the institution. Does the university have students from all over the world? Are there opportunities to study abroad? Is the faculty internationally diverse? A university with a strong global focus can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in today’s economy. Global education will also prepare you to live and work in an increasingly diverse world

6. School Size

The size of a university can have a big impact on your experience. For example, large universities often have more resources and facilities than small schools. They also tend to have a more diverse student body. Additionally, large schools usually have a greater selection of courses and programs. However, large universities can also be overwhelming and impersonal. Smaller schools often have a more intimate and close-knit community feel. And because there are fewer students, you’ll likely get to know your classmates and professors better. 

7. Cost of Education

Universities can be very expensive, and you’ll need to ensure you can afford the tuition and fees. Additionally, remember that other costs are associated with attending university, such as housing, food, books, and transportation. Be sure to factor all of these costs into your decision. There are a few ways to offset the cost of university. You can apply for scholarships and financial aid. Many universities also offer payment plans so you can spread out the cost of tuition over time. Some employers will reimburse employees for their education expenses. If you’re already employed, check with your employer to see if they offer tuition assistance.

8. Accreditation

Accreditation is a process by which a school or program is evaluated against established standards to ensure quality. In the United States, accreditation is voluntary, but choosing a school accredited by a recognized accrediting body is important. Accreditation can guarantee that a university has met high standards for its curriculum, faculty, and facilities. It can also make it easier to transfer credits if you decide to change schools. 

9. Extracurricular Activities

One thing that makes the university so great is the opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities. These activities can range from sports teams, to student organizations, to on-campus jobs. There are hundreds of different ways to get involved on campus, and it’s a great way to have fun. Additionally, extracurricular activities can help you build important skills that will benefit your future career. For example, joining the campus marketing club would be a great way to gain experience and build your resume if you’re interested in marketing. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing a university, but if you take the time to do your research and ask the right questions, you’ll be able to find the school that’s right for you.

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How to Help Your Child Prepare for the SATs

The SAT exam is one of the most important exams a student will take in preparation for college. With a solid SAT score and a robust academic and extracurricular background, your child could have the opportunity to attend almost any university they want.

Much of the responsibility is going to fall on your child. They’re the ones who will have to attend the exam, read the questions, and perform under pressure. But there’s a lot you can do as a parent to support your child in getting higher SAT scores – and help them prepare more effectively.

Get a Baseline Score

Before you do anything else, get a baseline score. You can take a practice test or an iteration of the SAT itself (though a practice test is recommended) to see how your child performs. This is important for several reasons.

First, you’ll get exposure to what the test is like and you’ll learn some of the strengths and weaknesses your child has; are they very familiar with math, while struggling with English? Do they feel confident about the level of knowledge they have, while struggling with performance under pressure?

Second, you’ll have a number you can focus on improving. If your child scores a 1000 on the first SAT exam they take, you can set 1200 or 1300 as a reasonable goal. From then on, you can continue taking practice exams to see how the score improves.

Enroll Your Child in a Prep Course (or Create One of Your Own)

Exam prep courses are excellent tools for teaching students all the knowledge they need to perform better on standardized tests. Consider enrolling your child in one of these preparation courses, so they have accessible materials and individuals to teach them all the fundamentals. If you don’t want to enroll your child in a formal prep course, you can create a preparation course of your own, pulling online studying materials and getting involved in both education and practice.

Help to Manage Timelines

The SAT is available seven times per year in the United States, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sign up for the exam and plenty of time to study. However, most teenagers aren’t especially good at time management. It’s your responsibility as a parent to help your child manage timelines, making sure they study consistently in the weeks and months leading up to their target exam date.

Set Mini Goals and Milestones

As a parent, you can also help your child by setting smaller goals and milestones. Studying for the SAT can be daunting, especially if you’ve never taken a standardized test before. It’s much easier and much less stressful if you have smaller goals to focus on along the way.

For example:

  •       Reading and studying objectives. Instead of only striving for a specific score on the exam, focus on achieving reading and studying objectives. For example, can you challenge your child to study for one hour each day for a week?
  •       Practice exams. Set dates for practice exams and follow through on them. Can you set an attainable score goal for each of them?
  •       New areas of competency. You can also set goals and milestones for new areas of competency. For example, you can set the goal to learn a new skill or master a certain type of question.

Avoid Adding Too Much Pressure

As a parent who cares about your child’s future, it’s only natural to add some pressure to the situation. But it’s important not to go overboard. Adding too much pressure will add significant stress to your child’s life in an already stressful time.

Here’s how you can better support your child:

  •       Don’t focus too much on objective scores. The average total SAT score for the class of 2021 was 1088, with a 541 in ERW and a 538 in Math. A score of 1350 puts a student into the top 10 percent of test takers. A 1600 is a very rare perfect score. It’s totally fine to understand these scores and strive for a specific score, but it’s often more effective to focus only on improvement.
  •       Watch your child’s emotions and reactions. Pay attention to how your child is feeling and how they react to things. Watch for signs of stress and back off if they’re starting to feel overwhelmed.
  •       Take breaks. Take days off and spend some time doing things other than studying.
  •       Celebrate wins. When your child achieves a breakthrough, take the time to celebrate!

There’s no guarantee that your child is going to get a perfect score on the SAT exam just because you had an effective studying plan. But suffice it to say, students with supportive parents and consistent studying patterns tend to perform better than their counterparts.

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4 reasons to keep a courier service on your books

A thriving business deals with many other businesses and people in a variety of capacities many of which will involve requiring you to send either essential paperwork that is to be signed or has been signed, or sending goods that have been sold. Whatever the reason for needing to send items elsewhere, by keeping a courier service on you books your business will benefit in a number of ways.

It’s all about reputation

Businesses that do well all have one thing in common, they work hard to build a good reputation and being prompt to return paperwork or send bought items is imperative to this. By having a reliable courier service on your books when you have something that needs shipping you can have it sent on it’s way promptly as there is no ringing around looking for a company to use. Rather you can pick up the phone or arrange online and have it sorted by a company you have an existing account with for a seamless service to your own clients and customers. When you use the right external agencies to compliment the running of  your own business, your company reputation directly benefits. 

There is no messing about

Because you are using the same company and therefore building a good business relationship with your courier company, when you need a priority service your company will be able to reliably fulfil that need. So if you are offering a quick delivery and rely on using a same day delivery service your customers will not be let down as you know that the courier company you retain will be there when needed. This is also important where your industry requires having documents delivered with a short turnaround time, as documents that can’t be sent electronically are assured to arrive not just within the required time frame, but safe and securely also. 

Happy customers

Fulfilling customer orders quickly and reliably will make for happy customers who will potentially become repeat customers and or recommend your business to other potential customers. That’s how important your choice of delivery services are to the well-being of your company so having a good relationship with your chosen courier company is vital. By keeping them on your books shows a loyalty to them and that you are serious about providing a service that makes your customers happy.

Make couriers work for you

Sometimes you may find you’re the one needing to have something brought to you, perhaps a missing component for an item you make or someone else has not had a vital contract delivered to your premises within a required timeframe. Having that pre-existing relationship with a courier company allows you to easily organise the collection of that vital item from where it currently is, and have it brought to where it needs to be. This could well save that important deal from falling through or allow a big order to be fulfilled within the promised time, thus saving your company’s reputation. 

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How to Choose the Right College for You

There are so many choices to make when selecting a college, it is a wonder anyone does it at all. Analysis paralysis can really be a hindrance to moving forward. You are not just looking for a good college, but the perfect college for you. This can be hard for 18 year olds with no life experience to guide them. They really don’t know what they want. When you don’t know what you want, it can be really hard to find. One should also remember that perfect is the enemy of the good. There are plenty of good colleges you might overlook because you are set on finding the perfect. That merry chase is more of a fool’s errand. Perfect doesn’t exist.

What you need is a clear understanding of your needs. Make a list of priorities in the order of importance. There are a lot of things you think you need at first. But later, you realize you can live without them. Give yourself enough time to change your mind a few times. Get input from people who have been to college and can help you know what to look for. Some priorities are obvious. The following items might not have made your first draft:

Access to Charging Stations

If you are thinking about getting an electric car, you are not going to be able to park that thing in your dorm room and charge it from an outlet. You are going to have to make sure there is at least one charging station nearby so you can juice up before heading out. There doesn’t need to be a charging station on campus. It is not like most campuses have their own gas station. But you do need one or two nearby, and in route to places you normally go. Fortunately, the charging station infrastructure is really starting to fill out. So that is much less of an issue than it was 10 years ago. 

While you’re at it, check the parking situation. Not all campuses have ample parking spots for students. Some might charge a high fee for parking. The same is true for a lot of cities. One of the biggest downsides to owning a car is parking. Many places are simply not car-friendly. Again, this is just one of those things you need to ask about and not take for granted. If you have a car, or plan to, be sure the infrastructure on and near campus is right for you.

Job Placement

You definitely have to make sure you choose the right college for your major. What you also have to know is if the college has a successful job placement program for the kind of job you want to do. Every college likes to boast about their job placement successes. But general numbers don’t mean a thing if they are not good at placing people in the type of job you want to do. 

The best business school from 2015 might not represent the best you can do today. So be sure your recommendations are current. Again, there is a difference between the best business school and the school that is best at getting their graduates into good jobs. That’s a big difference. Don’t get a degree that will not get you hired. 

Tech Ecosystem

If you are a Mac user and your school only does Windows, you are in trouble. You are going to hate every minute. And the transition is not automatic. You are also probably looking at a school that is technologically regressive if all major platforms aren’t supported. If you Use ecosystems from Microsoft, Apple, or Google and it is not supported, look elsewhere. While you’re at it, be sure that the WiFi is plentiful, fast, ubiquitous, and reliable. Your college career will depend on the internet even if you are taking all of your classes on campus. Bad internet services equals a bad college. Even if everything else is perfect, that school is a big pass. Don’t ignore technological red flags.

While it is not impossible to transfer to a different college, there is a reason it seldom happens. The place you land at first is more than likely the place you will graduate. So be sure to choose wisely. Be sure it has the right infrastructure in place for the car. Be sure the job placement program is right for your major. And check the tech before signing the dotted line.

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Forrest Walker Conner: Choosing the Right College Major

Everyone finds their purpose in different ways and at different times in their lives. Some instinctively know what they are called to do at a young age and plan their whole academic career around that. Others test out various things to discover their passion and talents.

Picking your college major is a big decision, and, frankly, some heading to college aren’t certain of which direction to go. Nashville rising businessman Forrest Walker Conner said it was a trip in the summer after his eighth-grade year at Montgomery Bell Academy that set him on his path. 

A Program That Changed His Life

That was the summer Forrest Walker Conner studied Lithuania and the Baltic countries during World War II. The fortitude of these smaller countries to remain free impressed Forrest Walker Conner and prompted him to participate in any exchange program available. 

His family hosted German and Lithuanian students, and Walker traveled to Australia to study in between his junior and senior years in high school. After high school, Forrest Walker’s travels and experiences led him to enroll in University of the South, Sewanee.

Picking a Major in College

A rising junior, Forrest Conner is majoring in economics and minoring in business. Forrest Walker is also a paid intern in Washington, D.C., while participating in an economic and public policy program called the Fund for American Studies.

He said the toughest decision of his college career was picking a major. 

“I know it doesn’t sound like that crucial of a choice,” Forrest Walker Conner said, “however, understanding that it will affect my life further down the road definitely adds more pressure to the decision.”

Learning from Experiences

Forrest Walker said he enjoys new places, people, and experiences, which led to many opportunities. He pays attention to relationships and listens to mentors. He said he tries to learn from every experience. All of that has helped him come to decisions about his major. 

Those who are having trouble deciding which major is the right one can do some of the things Forrest Conner did to help you decide. 

Forrest Walker Conner participated in extracurricular study programs, like the one in the Baltic States, which piqued his interest in foreign countries, the economy, and freedom.

He also started seeking out foreign exchange programs to learn more about the world, which ultimately led him to the nation’s capital. Learning about different topics can put you in a direction that you wouldn’t have expected. 

Expand Social Circles

Forrest Walker Conner also expanded his circle of relationships. That can be beneficial in multiple ways because, as he stated, it opens up opportunities. More opportunities mean you could find something you really enjoy that you hadn’t pursued before. 

Most of all, he listened to those he respected. Forrest Walker Conner said that included family, friends, teachers, those at church.

Forrest Walker said he knows he still has much to learn and is eager to continue learning both in the classroom and in life. 

Find Your Interests

Those who are having a challenging time deciding what interests them should take an interest inventory test. This is offered through guidance counselors’ offices, and some are even online. 

Answering simple and fun questions can clue you in on parts of personality you haven’t thought about before. After calculating your answers, the inventory test will list several possible jobs that you may have the skills and interest in pursuing. 

It doesn’t hurt to do some part-time or temporary work or even volunteer in different industries to see if you’re a fit for that job. You can earn some money, gain some skills, meet new people who can help you advance your career, and find out if you truly like a job before you pursue it as a career.

That is what Forrest Walker Conner is doing in participating in a paid internship. He said he is learning that public policy and business often work together, and the experience is teaching him how government policies affect the economy and business environments.

Take on Challenges

He advises young people to try as many new things as possible, even if it appears to be challenging.

Forrest Walker said trying new things may seem intimidating, but they can be some of the best experiences of your life.

He said the more you challenge yourself, the less scary things become. Then you can face the next challenge with confidence. 

“Then before you know it, there isn’t much that will intimidate you anymore,” Forrest Walker said.

Picking a college major doesn’t have to happen the moment you hit the college doors.

You can take some basic courses while you think about it. Just don’t put it off. Search different avenues and make the most of every opportunity so you can move ahead when you figure out which major you want to pursue.

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8 Best Ways to Combat Procrastination in College

“Just one more episode of the TV show”… “I will work on my essay after a quick walk” … “I will write my lab report a bit later.”

There are dozens of excurses that college and university students tend to use in order to avoid working on their essays, preparing for exams, and so on. Most undergrads wait until the last minute to sit and do homework or turn in an essay or book review. As a result, they end up feeling anxious and ready to give up.

If you feel like it’s time to improve your study habits and strengthen your focus by combating procrastination, we have some useful tips for you to use. You do deserve them.

Get Help

You want good grades but procrastination doesn’t let you get the desired scores in college. If you’re not sure whether or not you can meet the deadline set for this or that project, have a look at services that offer clients to buy an original research paper, and, maybe, one of them can become a real helping hand for you. When you hire professional writing and editing experts to get immediate assistance from, you will have an opportunity to co-work with the best reps of the custom writing industry. Not only will you receive a unique piece of writing, but you will also make sure that your cooperation with online helpers will always remain confidential.

Find a Partner in Crime

Finding a study buddy is a great opportunity to get academic assignments done on time! Your partner should be someone who is interested in academic progress and accomplishing every other paper at hand within the deadline. If you find one, you will be able to hold each other accountable for completing assignments. What is more, finding a study buddy also helps when one of you starts procrastinating. If that’s you, you will always have someone ready to encourage you to keep working.

Make a To-Do List

One of the reasons why students tend to procrastinate is because the workload seems to be pretty overwhelming. Check the list of the assignments that you have to accomplish. Break them up to have bite-size chunks of projects. You will accomplish them one by one. It is important to set a realistic deadline for each and work on them to submit your projects on time. Make sure you focus on one task at a time. If you’re a great procrastinator, don’t try to multitask. If you do so, you’re going to end up feeling even more stressed.

Cut Off Distractions

You won’t get any essay done when you keep checking your Facebook messenger or turning your attention to that new Netflix show. Make sure to assign yourself a certain period of time that you’re going to spend without all distractions. Turn off music, TV, and forget about your friends’ status updates. This time should be used to do as much  work as possible to submit the task at hand on time.

It’s Time to Change Your Environment

The reality is that our productivity may depend on the environment that we choose to study in. If it’s usually too loud in your dorm room, it’s better to visit the on-campus library or some other quiet room in college. At the same time, check some local cafés that you find especially comfortable. Many college students admit that they find it quite inspiring to work in a café with the background noise of coffee machines and people talking all over the place. Choose the place where you find yourself working most efficiently.

Reward Yourself

When you’re done with your essay, or you have successfully prepared for the test, it is important to have a mini-celebration. Make sure to reward yourself for what you have already done (even if it’s just a small part of a complex project). Watch your favorite movie or play some video game – it’s up to you to choose the most suitable rewards.

Address Your Fear

More often than not, procrastination is based on fear. Fear of making mistakes, fear of failure, and even fear of success can be there between you and the project that you have to accomplish. Ensure to address your fear to be able to finally overcome your habit to procrastinate.

Finally, Be Realistic

If you’re a morning person, consider waking up an hour or two earlier in order to start the essay that you have been putting off for a week. It’s recommended to create a schedule and set a time that will work best for you. Stick to the schedule to accomplish your assignments on time.

Combating your habit to procrastinate is not easy. After all, if it was a simple task there would be fewer college and university undergrads engaged in procrastination regularly. It’s no doubt, the urge to turn on the I-will-do-it-tomorrow mode is strong, especially when there are unanswered Instagram messages and new TV shows hooking your attention.

While procrastination is not something that you can always stay away from, once you understand why exactly you procrastinate and how to battle your habit, you will be able to control the situation. When you implement the strategies that we have just discussed, you will find it easier to handle college workload and avoid the anxiety that is usually associated with the inability to submit important tasks on time.

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Top Tips for New College Students

Well, you did it. You graduated high school, applied to college, and got accepted. Sooner than you know it, you’re going to be in the thick of it. You learned a lot of things from kindergarten through senior year, and not just from teachers and textbooks. You also learned the ins and outs of school life itself.

Well, college is a whole new ball game. Not every tip and trick you used to get the most out of high school is going to work in college. You’re going to have to learn a few new ones. Here’s some good advice that we wish we’d had when we first started college:

Fill Out the FAFSA

What is FAFSA? It stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In other words, it’s a way for you and your parents to save a whole lot of money on an otherwise highly expensive education. College isn’t cheap; we all know that. But FAFSA allows incoming students to apply for all kinds of financial aid services all at once: grants, loans, work-study opportunities, etc.

Instead of forcing you to go into the world searching for help, filling out the FAFSA enables the help to come right to you. Following a review of your application, you’ll receive detailed information on what financial aid programs you do and do not qualify for, and it puts you on the fast track to getting the help you need.

Buy Used Textbooks

“No problem,” you think the first time a college instructor hands you a list of required textbooks, “how much could this could me. After all, they’re just books.” Believe it or not, college-level textbooks are among the priciest things you’ll pay for in college—in some cases even more expensive than a new laptop! And, best of all, you have to buy several new ones… every… single… semester.

While your financial aid package might help cover textbook costs, it’s a good idea to focus on used copies instead of new. Many college bookstores will even have used editions right next to the news one, though these often sell out fast. In that case, look for older students who took the same classes you’re in now; they might be willing to part with their textbooks for cheap. Looking online can be helpful, too. Best of all, used textbooks are usually a better investment, as many still feature helpful highlighting and study notes from their previous owners.

Make Time for Yourself

The most important thing to do in college is also often the hardest thing, and that’s staying sane. Juggling multiple classes, work-study programs, internships, a paying job, clubs, sports, student organizations, and more can be daunting. In fact, if you don’t guard yourself, it’s a pretty definite recipe for burnout.

College is full of great opportunities which you shouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of. It’s so full of opportunities, though, that you shouldn’t feel obligated to try to do everything. Making room in your week for downtime is vital not only for studying, but also for recharging your batteries. Many new students stack their class schedules without leaving themselves time for breaks. Two or four years doing that, though, is hard to maintain.

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How to Find the Right College

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Searching for colleges is one of the scariest things a young adult has to face. The college you choose to attend will likely define the future opportunities available to you, putting an immense amount of pressure on you. Unfortunately, you have to shoulder this pressure at an extremely young age and at a time where you have little expertise. Thankfully there are some things you can do to help in your college search and allow you to find your perfect match. So how can you set yourself up to get into the best psychiatry residencies after an amazing undergraduate education? Here’s how to find the right college. 

Start Early

One of the most important parts of finding the right college is starting the search early. Looking for a college to attend can be a long process, so it’s important that you don’t start too late. Beginning your search late might result in you missing out on a few things like tours or special admissions events, and could only allow the time to research a small number of schools. The earlier you start looking into colleges, the more time you have to branch out and do your due diligence. In addition, many schools have incentives for considering them early, including early acceptances and extra scholarships. The old saying “the early bird gets the worm” applies to many scenarios, but it is especially true when it comes to finding the right college.

Make a List

Another thing that you can do to make finding the right college a little bit easier is to rank your potential schools in a list. Make a list containing all of the schools that you’re interested in, and rank them in terms of interest. What are each school’s pros and cons? What did you like about each campus? These are all important aspects that you need to consider. As time goes on and you gain more information, your list should become shorter and shorter. Eventually your list should be down to just a few schools, making your final decision that much easier. 

Put In Work

If you want to find the right college, then you’re going to need to put in the necessary work. If you slack off during your college search, then you can easily find yourself making a misinformed decision. Searching for the right college can involve lots of time, including conducting research, talking to representatives, going on college tours, applying for scholarships, and filling out applications. All of these events can take a considerable amount of time, especially if you have several schools on your list. Finding the right college is critical to your future, so it’s important that you put the necessary time and effort into the process.

Go With Your Gut

When it comes time to make a final decision on a school, you may struggle to make a choice. Multiple options may look attractive for you for different reasons, so choosing between them can be quite difficult. However, you should go with your gut and choose the option that feels best to you. Was there a school where you just felt at home the moment you walked on campus? Is there a school you have always dreamed of attending? You’re going to have to deal with your decision for four years or more, so making one that makes you happy is crucial. As a result, you should go with your gut and choose the school that makes you feel best and most comfortable.

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When To Start Preparing Your Child For College: The Earlier The Better

Yes, some parents are starting the journey to higher education when their kids are still in elementary school. Are they crazy? No, they understand that a good education starts with a foundation created when they are young.

Though there are great public universities and the more you put into an education the more you get out, it does pay to go to upper echelon schools. Getting into MIT is not easy, for example, so you need to start the process early. Take a look at Going Ivy to get an idea of what is required.

Take advantage of a child’s ability to learn at every stage of the learning process and you will put them on a path to academic success. 

Here are some tips on how to start your child’s higher education while they are young without burning them out.

 

Make learning fun

When learning feels like a chore, then the battle is already lost. Kids should be excited to learn and develop a curiosity about the world around them that lasts a lifetime.

Share your own passions with your kids to let them know that learning doesn’t stop as you get older. If they see you diving into a subject you are really interested in then kids will follow with their own interests. 

Another way is to always look for opportunities to learn about the world around them. When out on a walk, encourage them to find some bugs on the way and then talk about what the bug does and why it’s important for them to exist. Talk about the weather and how it works. Kids love understanding how the world works and this will foster a curiosity in many other areas.

 

Don’t put pressure on grades

Their grades are obviously important but the act of learning has a greater impact on their future. If you put pressure on them to get good grades, it makes learning stressful for them.

They should be rewarded for getting good grades but more importantly rewarded for learning. The grades are just a way of understanding what areas your child needs to work on and not a way to prove their worth.

Lighten up the pressure and let them learn and enjoy the process without the added pressure to perform.

Good grades are important but more when they get to middle school, not so much in elementary.

 

Find your child’s learning style

There are three main types of learning styles: kinesthetic, auditory and visual. Find the one that your child most responds to and focus their learning there.

For instance, kinesthetic learning is where kids learn from being active rather than listening or reading. They learn by doing and while moving around. If your kid has trouble sitting still then he or she is likely a kinesthetic learner. Don’t try to make them learn in another way as it will have the opposite effect. 

Visual learners will need to see something to learn from it and likewise auditory learning requires hearing it. 

 

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